Book Review: Forecast Of Love

Author: Katherine Arthur
Title: Forecast Of Love
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Publish Date: May 1988
Rating: 2 Stars
Book Blurb: Alexis had little time for men


Her single-minded dedication to a career had precluded a social life. She was a highly qualified economist, but as she was a woman, doors did not readily open for her.

Jake Jensen's offer of a position was a surprise. The head of an international corporation, he was considered not only an eligible bachelor but a known male chauvinist.

"I'll take the job if you treat me like any male employee," she demanded. Jake agreed but

Alexis found herself wrestling with her own physical reaction to him and an aching sense of loss when she learned he was to be married.
 
Review:  I have a love/hate relationship with old Harlequin romances. Some are absolutely wonderful and hold up well over the years, others are just stinkers. This is one of the stinkers.
 
Alexis is a woman that is up for an executive position but it goes to a man. She is then given a similar position at Jake Jensen's company. None of this really works, because Alexis is so naive about things that it is hard to believe that she's capable of being in the higher ranks of a huge corporation.
 
The subplot with Lorna and Peach Records is even more unbelievable, not to mention how awkward the relationship is between Alexis and Jake. It borders on sexual harassment at times, making it really hard to understand how she's falling for him.

The other thing that will have you questioning the characters is why Jake and his dad seem to be haggling over a woman that is really not either of their "types." It is hard to believe these characters can run a successful business.
 
Definitely not one of my favorite reads.

Book Review: Loving Deceiver

Loving Deceiver by Katherine Arthur had to be one of the most original plots I've come across in a Harlequin Romance. Its also silly. Very silly.

Our heroine is a private detective working for the A-1 Detective Agency owned by her brother and she's on her way to NOLA to find a runaway husband. On her way she finds the man who broke her heart five years ago, Luke Thorndike, because when they were involved, Luke was a married man.

This is where the story gets fun and takes a turn for the slapstick comedy route. Theresa overhears two thugs talking about snuffing her ex-beau and her being a Private Detective, decides she's going to protect him, even though she doesn't want to be near a man she can't trust.

The story plays out like an episode of Monk meets the Keystone Cops. And Luke, though lovable is really not very believable as a Hollywood screenwriter. He's a bit too goody-goody to be successful in LA. Hollywood types are not known for their chastity.

The thing that you will like about Luke is his kooky behavior. This guy is more than a little bit eccentric and that really helps make the story funny rather than suspenseful, which is good, because this is the romance line. Things need to be kept light here.

Even though there were some very unbelievable things in this story, I couldn't help but like it. It was too funny not to like. Also it was one story that I could see crossing over to the little screen. Very cute. Very Funny and Very Readable.