Rachel Ryan (1)

This book was an kind of entertaining read, though a bit on the melodramatic (a.k.a. silly) side. Camille sure played the victim card, before it was even fashionable. She slept with Zack, whom she just met, then blames him for "ruining" her. She wasn't forced or given a date rape drug, so if she gave up her virginity, which she supposedly wanted to save for marriage, she had no one to blame but herself. (Not to mention that, since she and Zack ended up with a HEA, there was a lot of bother show more over nothing.)

I think my favorite character was Zack's dad, who seemed to be the only level headed person. He knew his son and Camille belonged together, and after overhearing their conversation (in his hospital bed, of all places) about what happened between them and how cheap it made Camille feel, he insisted that Zack do the right thing and marry her. With that kind of start, it's not surprising that their marriage was anything but happy at first. It took a natural disaster for things to finally get straightened out, when some good honest conversation would have done the trick a lot easier.

It occurred to me that some of this might have worked as a regency novel: the innocent girl taken advantage of by a scoundrel, the honorable father insisting that they get married, the misunderstandings as they both realize their true feelings, yet believe they aren't returned, etc. It would have made more sense in that time period. show less

There is a note to the reader in the front of the book from author Sandra Brown explaining that prior to writing general fiction she wrote romances. The title of “Eloquent Silence” was originally published >10 years ago under her first pen name of Rachel Ryan.
I enjoyed the book for what it is … a happily ever after - short novel of escape … what I personally refer to as a ‘good beach book’. And I absolutely loved the way the author brought the title into the last chapter. It’s show more a beautiful description that I won’t share here as I don’t want my review to be a “spoiler” but it definitely touched my heart for a variety of reasons.
The storyline has some unexpected twists but overall is rather predictable but sometimes predictable is a comfort and I’ve never met a ‘happy ending ‘romance that in some way didn’t touch my heart. Perhaps that’s because I’ll always believe in romance – no matter the age of the characters – no matter the age of the author – no matter the age of myself as the reader. So sit back and enjoy! show less

Severly formula fiction. Lauri is the young teacher of the deaf, Jennifer is her student that she's asked to privately teach, Drake is Jennifers Father who's still mourning his dead wife. If you can't guess the plot, you need help!

Love's Encore by Sandra Brown
Rayburn Prescott hires interior designer Camille.
She is amazed when she meets his son, Zach-who she had met once in Utah skiing after she had graduated from college.
She was to stay at the plantation while it was restored. She never wanted to meet Zach again and wonders if she can do her job with Zach around...
Love detailed descriptions of not only the estate of the driving tours, gardens but the skiing lodge in Utah.
Hot steamy sex scenes add to this story. Zach show more takes charge when the servants have the day off and he prepares their meals-I was glad to see he didn't rely on them.
Medical emergency, natural disaster and an abrupt wedding really upset the household... show less