Booked Solid with Virginia C: Author ELIZABETH LANE--romantic stories that remind us that real happiness comes from appreciating life and all its adventures, and from loving and being loved by others in return!

http://www.elizabethlaneauthor.com/

Author ELIZABETH LANE--romantic stories that remind us that real happiness comes from appreciating life and all its adventures, and from loving and being loved by others in return!

Elizabeth Lane was raised in Monroe, Utah, a small town set between forested mountains and red rock desert. The eldest of two sisters, she grew up hiking, fishing and camping with her family. She graduated from the University of Utah with a major in biology/education and minors in Spanish and art. Early on she worked as a teacher and as a proofreader before beginning a 23-year career as an educational software designer. The job included writing children's stories. Many of the children's books she wrote are still in print. In the late 1970s, after selling several children's stories to a magazine, she decided to try a novel. Her first adult book, Mistress of the Morning Star, was published in 1980. After publishing five more novels and ghost-writing two others, she sold a proposal to Harlequin's then-new historical line. Since that time she has written dozens of books for Harlequin. Presently, Elizabeth lives in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. An avid traveler, she has lived in several states, as well as Mexico, Germany, Guatemala and Panama. Her favorite places to visit include Hong Kong, Nepal, Tanzania and Peru. She also loves to hike and dance, and gives back to her community by volunteering as a zoo docent. Elizabeth now writes full time. She has mostly written historical romance, but she has ventured into other arenas as well. Elizabeth recently announced on her website that she has recently been contracted to write two books for the Harlequin "Desire" line, with release dates scheduled for 2013.

IN HIS BROTHER'S PLACE by Elizabeth Lane

MY REVIEW: I am a longtime fan of author Elizabeth Lane's historical romances, and I was intrigued when I learned she would be venturing into contemporary romance with the Harlequin Desire line. "In His Brother's Place" is the first release, and I am happy to say that her characterizations, sense of time and place, and compelling story lines are just as vivid in a contemporary setting! Jordan Cooper has some deep regrets in his life. His guilt over his twin brother's Justin's death in a plane crash has haunted him for years. So has the way he treated Justin's fiance, Angie Montoya, whom he dismissed as a fortune hunter. What he couldn't dismiss was the one scorching kiss he shared with Angie when she was upset over Justin's drunken flirtation with another woman. Justin had always been the charming, devil-with-no-cares brother, and Jordan had been the quieter, level-headed one. Even though he doubted Angie's real love for his brother, Jordan desired her just the same. Four years after Justin's death, Jordan discovers a secret that will forever change the Cooper family legacy: Angie bore Justin's son. Determined to bring his brother's son into the family fold and see that the boy inherits his rightful legacy, Jordan pays Angie a surprise visit and makes her an offer for her and her son Lucas to live at the Cooper ranch. At first, she refuses, but unexpected circumstances force her to accept Jordan's invitation. Being under the same roof brings their forbidden attraction back to flaming life, and soon their passion cannot be denied. However, Angie also has guilt over Justin's death, and Jordan has a secret of his own that could keep them apart forever. They both love little Lucas, and his happiness comes first, but don't grownups deserve to be happy too? Jordan's mother has never approved of Angie and blames her for the events which led to Justin's death. Can facing the truth and overcoming old hurts lead the way to a lifetime of love and a happy family life? Author Elizabeth Lane always involves you with her characters, and her story lines compel you to see how those characters find resolution. You will adore Lucas and his dog, and you will admire Angie for her strength of character and her devotion as a mother. You will also enjoy seeing Jordan grow as a character as he leaves one lifestyle behind and reaches out for what his heart really wants.

Review Copy Gratis Author

WEDDINGS UNDER A WESTERN SKY by Elizabeth Lane, Kate Welsh, and Lisa Plumley

MY REVIEW: The spirit of the Old West is alive and kicking in a historical western romance anthology featuring three touching and entertaining stories from a trio of terrific authors! "Weddings Under a Western Sky" begins with "The Hand-Me-Down Bride" by author Elizabeth Lane. When Arabella Spencer traveled West for her wedding, she expected to have her stagecoach met by her longtime fiance, Charles Middleton. Instead of her sweetheart, she is grudgingly collected by Charles' gruff neighbor, Stewart McIntyre. The trip to Charles' home is unpleasant and eventful, but the biggest surprise awaits when Arabella is unceremoniously dumped at the doorstep. Charles answers the door along with his very pregnant, young new wife! Even more humiliating is the news that Charles' wife is Stewart's sister! Arabella's world is rocked to the very foundation, and she must decide what to do with the rest of her life. A fiery, mutual attraction grows between Stewart and Arabella, but are their differences too great to allow a lasting relationship? As they spend more time together, they discover that each has unexpected and intriguing depths of character. Could it be that those very differences make all the difference as two opposites truly attract? Author Kate Welsh offers "The Bride Who Wore Britches", in which Rhiannon Oliver, who has spent most of her life dressed as boy, longs to give in to her feminine tendencies. Rhia knows just the man she wants to bring out her womanly side--her best friend's older brother Dylan Varga. Since Dylan looks at Rhia like she's a tomboy, and he calls her "Rowdy", she very much wants him to be aware that she is a female. When she dons a beautiful blue dress and becomes the belle of the ball at a local dance, Dylan sees Rhia in a whole new light. However, a ruthless attack on Rhia's homeplace creates circumstances which force them into marriage. Passion flares before hearts can catch up, and the relationship faces many unexpected turns in the trail to true happiness. Rhia and Dylan both have some growing up to do in order to allow their marriage to grow to full bloom. In "Something Borrowed, Something True", author Lisa Plumley proves that where hearts are concerned, the best made plans often go awry. Everett Bannon's well-meaning ranch hands order their boss a "mail-order" bride. Everett just hasn't been the same since he was jilted by his first fiance, and his loyal employees want their boss to be happy. However, Everett plans to send his intended bride back where she came from. His attentions are soon forgotten after he gets one look at the lovely Miss Nellie Trent. After a while, Everett begins to court Nellie, trying to be the man she thinks he wants, not knowing that she is smitten with him just as he really is. Nellie has an agenda of her own. She is actually an undercover reporter bent on exposing mail-order bride operations as fraudulent criminal groups who prey on lonely hearts. A comedy of errors ensues, with Nellie and Everett both acting outside their true character to impress each other. Will coming clean with one another wash away any hope of a real romance, or will the wise and wily ranch hands have known what was best all along? "Weddings Under a Western Sky" is a delicious treat for fans of historical western romance--just like me!

THE LAWMAN'S VOW by Elizabeth Lane

MY REVIEW: "The Lawman's Vow", by Elizabeth Lane, took me on a grand romantic adventure to the beautifully rugged Northern California Coast of the mid-nineteenth century! Flynn O'Rourke is a tough as nails San Francisco lawman determined to bring his sister's murderer to justice. He thinks the killer is Aaron Cragun, a salvage and scrap dealer with a less than stellar reputation, so he sets sail for Cragun's home on the coast. A violent storm wrecks Flynn's boat, and he awakens with no memory of who he is, or why and how he ended up stranded on the beach. He is rescued by a lovely blonde angel and her precocious little brother. Slyvie Cragun names him "Ishmael", and she and her brother Daniel provide him with care and shelter while he struggles to regain his identity. As Sylvie and Daniel await the return of their father, Ishmael gradually regains his strength and begins to make much-needed repairs to the family home, which is actually built from the hull of shipwreck. Sylvie's father is a man of intelligence and imagination, if not high morals, and he has created an amazing place for his family to live. The salvage he gathers from wrecked ships and other sources is sold to provide the family finances, but Sylvie is unaware of her father's other, less savory predilections for obtaining money. Ishmael is drawn to Sylvie's beauty and caring heart, and she is attracted by his strength and inner gentleness. Bits and pieces of memory return as the days go by, and Ishmael is torn by a desire to stay with Sylvie and Daniel, and the need to leave in search of returning to his real life. He has only a few clues, including the sapphire ring he still wears. Sylvie grows increasingly worried as her father does not return as planned, and threatening intruders add to her alarm. Ishmael cares deeply for Sylvie and Daniel, and he would give his life to protect them from all harm. The love between Sylvie and Ishmael becomes a blazing passion, one that the two of them know could end when his memories finally return, but they are caught up in a lover's spell. "The Lawman's Vow" is exciting, richly-detailed, and very romantic--perfect for lovers of great historical romance! Recommended for dreamers and adventurers who may have wished for a handsome hero to wash ashore in need of the giving and receiving of some passionate TLC!

Other books by Elizabeth Lane: