Hometown Honey (Harlequin American Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Kara Lennox (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373750722
• ISBN-13: 978-0373750726
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,901,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kara Lennox (a.k.a. Karen Leabo) published her first book when she was in the eighth grade. She wrote a children's book as a class assignment, then convinced her yearbook publisher to print up bound copies, which she distributed herself to friends, relatives and neighbors. Though this was hardly a high-profit venture, the urge to see her work in print never deserted her.

Kara began her first novel in college, a truly awful gothic that was best left in a drawer. Then graduation, finding a job, marriage and moving cross-country got in the way. She toiled in anonymity for the Texas Society of CPAs, writing brochures for their continuing education program. Naturally, with such scintillating subject matter to occupy her days, her imagination ran wild at night, and soon she was working on her second novel.

The horrible first job gave way to an even worse second job (writing insurance policies in plain English) and a third. But she never completely lost sight of the dream of earning her living as a writer--a real writer, with a byline.

She worked several years as a nonfiction magazine writer with hundreds of articles to her credit. She would get up at five every morning to work two hours on her novels before tackling her various freelance jobs. Three years and five novels later, Kara sold her first book, Roses Have Thorns (by Karen Leabo) to Silhouette Romance.

Determined to earn a living as a novelist, Kara focused relentlessly on her goal to sell at least three books per year (the minimum she figured she could live on). And during the past fifteen-plus years, that's exactly what she's done (if you average things out!). Writing has always been her priority, and in sixty-plus books, she has missed only two deadlines (both only by a few days).

Kara has written for seven different category lines (for Harlequin, Silhouette and Bantam Loveswept). In addition, she's written ten screenplays (three of which have been optioned, none produced, alas) and numerous novels and proposals that haven't sold (yet). She also blogs, tweets and spends way too much time on Facebook. The blank page doesn't frighten her.

Kara's books have finaled in several romance industry contests including the National Readers' Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion competition and the Rita. Her Harlequin American PLAIN JANE'S PLAN won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice.

Currently Kara writes a romantic suspense series for Harlequin Super Romance, PROJECT JUSTICE. She lives in a 105-year-old fixer-upper Victorian house in California with her husband Rob, also a writer, and various pets. When she is not writing, she enjoys an ever-changing array of activities that currently includes bicycling, yoga, mosaic-making and selling vintage jewelry online.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and funny kickoff to 'Blond Justice', May 7, 2005

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hometown Honey (Harlequin American Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Cindy Lefler is set for life. Her handsome fiance shares her interest in travel and loves her son. Dex Shalimar is taking care of selling her business and then they'll honeymoon in Indonesia and see the world. Even better, she can rub hunky cop Luke Rheems's nose in it. He's never liked Dex, always thought something was fishy. Well, Luke is afraid to leave smalltown Cottonwood, Texas. Cindy wants nothing more than to see it, and the diner that ruined her parents' life in her rear-view mirror.

When two attractive blondes walk into the Miracle Cafe where Cindy is wrapping up her last day's work, Cindy doesn't think much of it. Except when they corner her and tell her that Dex is actually Marvin Carter--a con-man. She's sure they are wrong--Luke had Dex checked out. But her bank account has been emptied, a man arrives at the diner with the story that he's bought the place, and Dex, or Marvin, is nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, Cindy is homeless, jobless, and husbandless. It's not a good place for a single mother.

Luke Rheems has always liked Cindy, but he can't share her dreams. She wants to leave Cottonwood, but the town is the only home he's ever found. Still, when social services threatens to take away Cindy's child, Luke feels compelled to offer his help--even if it means working with those other troublesome blondes and leaving his comfort zone--and Texas. He's just being a good deputy sheriff, though. No way is he ever going to have a serious relationship with Cindy.

Cindy discovers that the other two blondes, Sonya and Brenna, had also been taken by Marvin. They swear to work together to track him down and bring him to justice--blond justice. Luke gets roped in and they set off on investigation and adventure.

Gradually Luke and Cindy learn to understand one another and sympathize with the other's needs. Still, can a woman with a need for travel ever settle down with a man who only wants home?

Author Kara Lennox kicks off her 'Blond Justice' series with a story that's both heartwarming and exciting. Cindy is a powerful character and Luke makes a perfect foil. The smalltown atmosphere of Cottonwood, Texas rings true with Cindy's diner being a key part of the community and a support center for her. But Lennox doesn't hesitate to deal with real issues--predators like Marvin and the plight of women who lose their jobs and whose children are at risk.

HOMETOWN HONEY is a terrific read. I recommend it highly.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun investigative second chance at love, May 6, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hometown Honey (Harlequin American Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

One year ago in Cottonwood, Texas her husband Jim died when his truck and a train collided leaving widow Cindy Lefler to raise their child Adam alone. However, the owner of the Miracle Café is remarrying in a few days wealthy realtor Dex Shalimar. Most of her friends are happy for her, but Sheriff's Deputy Luke Rheems detested Dex from the start perhaps because he is in love with the widow or just instinctively thinks the outsider sells snake oil.

However, Luke proves right when Dex vanishes with all her money leaving Cindy with nothing not even a home to raise her baby. She and Adam move in with Luke. They begin a duel odyssey chasing the missing con artist while also chasing the elusive butterfly of love. The former seems easier to Luke as Cindy, still vulnerable from Jim's death, also hurts after her recent male betrayal.

The "Blind Justice" mini series starts off with a fun investigative romance starring two likable protagonists on the road chasing a con artist while hampered by the needs of the baby. The key to the road show prime plot is Adam as he could not care one iota what plans his mom and the kind sheriff's deputy make when he has biological needs. HOMETOWN HONEY is a fine contemporary second chance at love.

Harriet Klausner