's Best of 2001
Setting: Harmony, Montana
Sensuality: 7
A devoted teacher at the St. Francis Academy for Girls, Truvy Valentine is 5- foot-10, athletically gifted, politically minded, and accustomed to going unnoticed by men. Facing her 26th birthday, Truvy is teetering on the edge of old-maid status when she's suspended from the academy for teaching human sexuality to her students. She travels to Harmony, Montana, to visit a close friend over the Christmas holidays and finds herself caught up in the lives of the small-town residents and reluctantly, overpoweringly attracted to Jake Brewster, owner of Bruiser's Gymnasium and one-time world-renowned strongman.
The two seem direct opposites, but beneath Truvy's very proper exterior beats the heart of a rebel and Jake's just the man to encourage her forays into nonladylike behavior. Neither of them expects to find love, but Jake can't deny Truvy's quick wit and warm heart, and Truvy can't ignore the fact that Jake's blunt words, rough charm, and caring concern are irresistible. Will either find the courage to say "I love you" before Truvy must return to her life at the academy?
Wrapped in the nostalgic feel of a small town in turn-of-the-century America, Hearts is a story about the enchantment of first love. Truvy and Jake are long past callow youth, but love hits them with the same steamroller effect as if they were 17. Stef Ann Holm seamlessly blends the details of early American life with absorbing characters set against a vivid background and anchors it all with a solid, character-driven plot, in this final installment in the Brides for All Seasons series. If you enjoy warm and wonderful historical romances, then Hearts is for you.--Lois Faye Dyer
From Publishers Weekly
Stewart's sluggish new romantic thriller (following Brown-Eyed Girl) hops on the coattails of writers like J.D. Robb and Tami Hoag in an attempt to create chilling villains and spine-tingling suspense. This rather clich?d tale, however, falls well short of its aim. Genna Snow is an FBI agent specializing in child abuse and pornography who is plagued by a dark past. As a child, she was attacked by a trusted camp counselor intent on "consecrating" her body and then reviled by her family for reporting "Brother Michael" and bringing chaos to their smalltown Pennsylvania congregation. Now, over 20 years later, Genna is paired with her on-again/off-again boyfriend, serial killer specialist John Mancini, to track down a murderer who preys on young women. As the investigation drags on, Genna slowly learns what readers have already figured out from the beginningAthat the killer is connected to her own childhood terrors and she is next on the victim list. In two equally predictable turns of events, Genna is reunited with her estranged sister, and the issues that have kept her relationship with John from becoming serious are resolved. Although Stewart has her modest following of devotees, they will likely be disappointed by this lackluster read. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
"This is romance at its best," said Amanda Quick of Honey, the third book in Stef Ann Holm's Brides for All Seasons series. And readers who enjoy their historical romance liberally spiced with passion and laughter are in for another unforgettable treat. HEARTS Suspended for teaching human sexuality to her students, Truvy Valentine has come to Harmony, Montana, to visit her dear friend, Edwina, and try to forget that she will most likely die a tall, athletic old maid. Although she has diligently studied how to choose the perfect mate, no book could prepare her for her attraction to Jake Brewster, a man whose favorite things in life seem to be beer, boxing, and poker. The proud owner of Bruiser's Gymnasium, Jake has little patience for the proper Miss Valentine -- until he gets a taste of what simmers beneath her prim exterior. Trouble is, Jake's not the marrying kind -- not hardly. Soon Truvy is teaching dance classes at Edwina's school and Jake is making her head spin. But the magic they Þnd in each other's arms could turn to heartache unless they can learn to let go of the past and step into the future -- together.
Download Description
Suspended for teaching human sexuality to her students, Truvy Valentine has come to Harmony, Montana, to visit her dear friend, Edwina, and try to forget that she will most likely die a tall, athletic old maid. Though she has diligently studied how to choose the perfect mate, no book could prepare her for her attraction to Jake Brewster, a man whose favorite things in life seem to be beer, boxing, and poker. The proud owner of Bruiser's Gymnasium, Jake has little patience for the proper Miss Valentine -- until he gets a taste of what simmers beneath her prim exterior....
About the Author
Who doesn't love Valentine's Day? Candy and flowers and hearts? For Stef Ann Holm, chocolate truffles from Godiva are her favorite, though when she was younger she did have a partiality to Sweettarts. She and her sister would ride their bikes to 7-Eleven and buy Sweet-tarts the size of yo-yos. They'd sit on the curb in front of the convenience store and gnaw on them with their bottom teeth until their lips grew numb from the tartness. Nowadays, Stef Ann gets to watch her daughters eat Airheads, a gooey taffy-like candy that just doesn't hold appeal for her. But the girls like it. And so does the family dentist. While Stef Ann is working on her next novel for Pocket Books, you can write her at P.O. Box 5727, Kent, WA 98064-5727.
Hearts FROM THE PUBLISHER
Suspended for teaching human sexuality to her students, Truvy Valentine has come to Harmony, Montana, to visit her dear friend, Edwina, and try to firget that she will most likely die a tall, athletic old maid. Although she has diligently studied how to choose the perfect mate, no book could prepare her for her attraction to Jake Brewster, a man whose favorite things in life seem to be beer, boxing, and poker.
The proud owner of Bruiser's Gymnasium, Jake has little patience for the proper Miss Valentine—until he gets a taste of what simmers beneath her prim exterior. Trouble is, Jake's not the marrying kind—not hardly. Soon Truvy is teaching dance classes at Edwina's school and Jake is making her head spin. But the magic they find in each other's arms could turn to heartache unless they can learn to let go of the past and step into the future—together.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Stewart's sluggish new romantic thriller (following Brown-Eyed Girl) hops on the coattails of writers like J.D. Robb and Tami Hoag in an attempt to create chilling villains and spine-tingling suspense. This rather clich d tale, however, falls well short of its aim. Genna Snow is an FBI agent specializing in child abuse and pornography who is plagued by a dark past. As a child, she was attacked by a trusted camp counselor intent on "consecrating" her body and then reviled by her family for reporting "Brother Michael" and bringing chaos to their smalltown Pennsylvania congregation. Now, over 20 years later, Genna is paired with her on-again/off-again boyfriend, serial killer specialist John Mancini, to track down a murderer who preys on young women. As the investigation drags on, Genna slowly learns what readers have already figured out from the beginning--that the killer is connected to her own childhood terrors and she is next on the victim list. In two equally predictable turns of events, Genna is reunited with her estranged sister, and the issues that have kept her relationship with John from becoming serious are resolved. Although Stewart has her modest following of devotees, they will likely be disappointed by this lackluster read. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
