Customer Reviews

Under The Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection Of All New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The novella can be a challenging genre for an author, since she has to create believable characters and develop a satisfying romance in a much smaller amount of time.

While "Under the Boardwalk" is not one of the best collections out there, it's still a decent collection of stories. My biggest complaint with the book, as a whole, is the combination of historical and modern stories. While I, personally, enjoy both types, I know a lot of romance readers have definite preferences one way or the other. Also, it's more difficult to create a distinctive yet satisfying and smooth collection of stories set in different periods.

I bought this collection for Howard's entry, and the story itself contains many of the elements I enjoy in Howard's work. However, the story was almost too short, and a bit unsatisfying, and I really wanted to know more about the characters and their romance.

Dawson's "Castaway" is a decent entry, with appealing characters and a believable romance. There were some funny moments. My major complaint is that it seemed more a contemporary romance than an historical one.

Hunter's "Ruined" was my favorite of the bunch. I loved the hero and heroine, and enjoyed Hunter's writing style. I can't wait to check out more of her work!

Jarrett's "Buried Treasure" was, I think, the weakest of the bunch. I couldn't get into the characters and didn't really enjoy the romantic plot. However, I must disclaim that the American colonial period isn't a period I typically enjoy reading about.

Stewart's "Swept Away" was another solid addition, with good characters and a decent romance. I appreciated the emotional depth provided by Jeremy's facing of his past, and the sunburn provided a few chuckles.

All in all, this is a solid addition to the compilation genre.

I know Linda Howard is the big headliner here, but her story (and the other contemporary one) left me cold.I bought this book for the historical stories, which were quite good.Why didn't the publisher do all historicals (or all contemps) instead of half and half?Surely I'm not the only reader who likes one or the other but not both.I kept imagining this collection with a story by Mary Jo Putney or Jude Devereux instead. Now that would be a real five-star collection!

I bought this book because of Linda Howard's short story, "Blue Moon." I was disappointed that she had the shortest entry in the book. The other stories were okay. I really wanted more from the Howard storyline. The story was great, there just wasn't enough of it.

An odd mix of contemporary and historical from 5 strong writers.
I enjoyed them all, but wished Howard's would be done into a full book. It left you wanting more. It is a really neat quirky tale of a harassed sheriff hating the "blue moon" because things went wrong and there were more weirdos out than usual. He meets a witch called called Lilah. Just wish these characters could have been made into a full story. This was so quick, especially considering it was Howard's name pushing the book.
"Ruined" by Jillian Hunter is wonderful. A very strong, almost Gothic story that also could have benefited from a longer treatment. In 1843 her yacht crashed off of his cove of Cornwall. Rylan " DeWilde never expected to fall in love with his guest Sydney Windsor, especially after he learns she is engaged to marry his enemy. Would have made a super Big book!!!

The weakest was "Buried Treasure" by Miranda Jarrett. About two men competing for the same woman, and one a pirate.

Really enjoyed "Swept Away" about a PI chasing a woman he loves. But in order to keep on her trail, he must go home to a town full of bad memories.

I am not big on westerns, but Geralyn Dawson's "Castaway" was very good. In 1883 Texas, Drew Coryell lives alone on an island. He peace is shattered when his ex-wife arrives, needing a big favour. She wants his help in tracing a precious heirloom, but finds love the second time around even more precious.

Odd mix of contemporaries and historicals, but still very nice collection.

I got this book for Christmas and Linda Howard's story made me laugh, it was so bad. It could have been made into a great novel, but it was extremely unbelivable, the characters were two-dimensional, and her story was pretty bad. The other stories are pretty good. I don't think I've read the other authors, so I don't have anything to compare them to, but Howard's story disappointed me.She is usually a thought-provoking author, and in my opinion one of, if not the, best authors I've ever read. Also, the switching between historical and contemporary when I was expecting all contemporary was frustrating. All in all, it was an ok book at best.

I enjoyed all of the stories, but the first and third stories were the best. Linda Howard is brilliant and I found a new author to enjoy in Jillian Hunter. This was a good read -- I hope they produce more.

The love story in "The Triumph and the Glory" was a much deeper journey into romance than anything in "Under The Boardwalk", but this is still a very satisfying book. By all means, get a copy and take it to the beach or the lake, you'll enjoy yourself.

I would like to know how harriet can review this book when the publishers haven't released it yet.

A great collection that I read in one day! Good summer stories, good authors made this very enjoyable. The best ones were by Linda Howard and Miranda Jarret, good enough that I went and ordered their new books, too. Highly reccommended!

Pocket has compiled five wonderful short stories from some of the romance genre's top authors. Each tale is superb, fully developed, and will grip fans who like short romantic tales.

Alabama Sheriff Jackson Brody hates a "Blue Moon" month because people seem to act crazier when the moon is full. Following up on some weirdness, Jackson meets local "witch" Lilah Jones in the back woods where the only electricity is between their hearts. Linda Howard scribes a winning rural love story.

In 1883 Texas, Drew Coryell lives by himself on an island. His ex-wife arrives, needing a big favor. The "Castaway" wants to punish his beloved, but their love remains strong. However, is it powerful enough to thwart the interference of her father? Geralyn Dawson provides readers with a fabulous western romance.

In 1843 Cornwall, her yacht crashed off of his cove. Rylan "Wicked" DeWilde never expected to fall in love with his guest Sydney Windsor. However, she is engaged to his enemy. Jillian Hunter adds gothic elements into her brilliant Victorian romance.

In 1772 Massachusetts Colony, Miriam Rowes becomes engaged to steady Chilton Chuff. However, pirate Jack Wilder returns to claim his beloved. Miriam needs to decide which beau will treat her as their most precious treasure. Miranda Jarrett shows why she is the queen of the colonial romance.

Private Investigator Jeremy Noble wants to see Jody Becket, but she has gone to Ocean City on a vacation. He grew up there, vowing never to return after the fire killed his family. Will he be able to go home to find love? Readers will be "Swept Away" by Mariah Stewart's wonderful contemporary.

Great fun lies within this magnificent anthology.

Harriet Klausner