Robert Mitchum biography

BABY I DON'T CARE. (It was his catch phrase.)
By: Lee Server

*****

It could just as easily been titled NO BOUNDARIES. The man never had any.

His father died when he was a small child. His mother was a free spirit. He left home at 14 with her blessing. While hoboing around the country he discovered marijuana. He smoked it until he died.

He sort of fell into acting and never felt it was the way a REAL MAN should earn a living.

He cheated on his wife with one woman after another. She deserved a medal and sainthood for staying married to him all those years. He was a great actor, but he was a rotten husband and father; a true product of his time.

Mr. Server did his research. This is an excellent biography. He is even handed dealing with Mr. Mitchum’s quirks, peccadilloes and often adolescent behavior, and his good qualities, he did have them, regarding his mother, sister, brother, wife and children.

If you are wanting a glimpse of the real Robert Mitchum this is the book to read.

MORE THAN MIND CANDY

MORE THAN MIND CANDY

This will not come as a surprise to long time romance readers, but today’s romance novel’s are more than mind candy. Sure, we still have the fluffy romantic comedies, heart stopping thrillers, sweet feel good stories, and those marvelous men in kilts, tight jeans or Brooks Brother’s suits.

Now, keep in mind I don’t read every romance published every month. However, in the last few months I’ve noticed a new trend in the books I’ve been reading. Harlequin seems to be leading the pack with stories that entertain while taking on some of today’s darker subject of life.

In Silhouette Special Edition #1757, DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT by Raeanne Thayne, deals with the aftermath of a soldier injured in Afghanistan. The twist is our hero is our heroine. She lost part of her leg in an explosion. This is her journey of coming home, resolving old hurts and hatreds, finding her place in the world and of course finding her true love along the way.

In Harlequin Romance # 738, MEANT TO BE MARRIAGE by Rebecca Winters, tells the story of a man who leaves the Priesthood to be with the woman he loves. Ms. Winters does a wonderful job of showing the heroine’s angst at the thought of her being the reason he left the priesthood, and his reasons for leaving were not totally centered on his love for her. His relationship with the Catholic Church and his love for the heroine are resolved in a realistic and emotionally satisfying way.

In Harlequin Super Romance # 1344 THE OTHER WOMAN by Brenda Novak takes on the tough subject of life after bigamy. The heroine had been the second wife. She divorced him and moved her children from California to their father’s home town so they could have a relationship with him. There she opens a chocolate shop like the one in the movie Chocolat. She gets help from the mysterious new man in town. He has to let go of his own ghost as she refuses to be second best again.

Don’t think that Harlequin and Silhouette are the only ones tackling tough subjects. Avon gives us an alcoholic hero in Eloisa James’ THE TAMING OF THE DUKE. We’ve seen this hero in the last few books of hers as the guardian of the Essex sisters. This is a deeply moving story of how a man in Regency England gets clean and sober to win the love of his life. It is a deeply compelling story.

So, the next time someone gives you a hard time about your reading material send them my way. We’ll have a little chat. J

MAY READS

BETROTHED FOR THE BABY 3
Kathie DeNosky

IN THE BED OF A DUKE 3
Cathy Maxwell

DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT 4
RaeAnne Thayne

MY HEROS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS
Anthology
Lorraine Heath 4
Georgian Gentry 3
Teresa Bodwell 3

SECOND SIGHT 5
Amanda Quick

SUSANNAH'S GARDEN 4
Debbie Maconber

THE OTHER WOMAN 4
Brenda Novak

PROMISE ME FOREVER 3
Lorraine Heath

BEWARE OF VIRTUIOUS WOMEN 4
Kasey Michaels

ONE LITTLE SIN 4
Liz Carlyle

MEANT-TO-BE-MARRIAGE

Contemporary
MEANT-TO-BE-MARRIAGE 5
Rebecca Winters
Harlequin Romance # 738, May, 2006

What would you give up for love?

Handsome, sexy Catholic priest, Jarod Kendall, willingly gives up the vocation he thought would last a lifetime, when he realizes the feelings for Sydney Taylor are stronger than his calling. And, sometimes God only calls us for a season, then He has other plans for our lives.

Jarod and Sydney lived for over a year telling themselves that their innocent love was forbidden. They valiantly tried to bury their feelings and move on with their lives. Both were profoundly unhappy.

Leaving the priesthood was not an easy decision, and Sydney had her own doubts, demons and guilt to overcome before there was a happily ever after.

Ms. Winters has tackled this controversial and heart wrenching topic with honesty and sensitivity. Put this one on your must buy and keepers list.

RATINGS

RATINGS

As a former reviewer for Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine© I will use their rating system as the basis for mine. I will have a 5 heart rating for truly exceptional books and ½’s for books that fall between categories.

5 Hearts -- In a class by itself

4 ½ Hearts -- A keeper

4 Hearts -- Page turner

3 ½ Hearts -- Pleasant read, would recommend it to a friend

3 Hearts -- Enjoyable, but could put it down

2 ½ Hearts -- Problematic, but does have redeeming qualities

1 ½ Hearts -- Has lots of problems but still readable

1 Heart -- Don’t waste your money.

Reviews

They will start soon.

Cassandra Blue