Laurie's Picks and Pans

(January 22, 1998)

As of today, I'm going to begin to write reviews online again - I simply have missed it too much. This page will remain here, however, as it does provide the ratings of books I read over a nearly-six month period.

This page was originally created when I left The Romance Reader in the summer of 1997 to make it easier for readers to find all in one place my picks and pans as listed in The Column. When I began the Picks & Pans section of the column, I had in mind just stating "pick" or "pan" after each book. Well, obsessive that I am, that wasn't enough, so I am providing the numerical ranking as listed in my database, which includes pluses and minuses. As such, what is contained on this page are my ratings of books read during the time I stopped reviewing for The Romance Reader and started reviewing here at All About Romance (August 1997 through January 1998).

Books in the 5-heart range (A grade books):

• Born In Fire by Nora Roberts, 1994. I gave this a 5- and it is now a Desert Isle Keeper.
• Sea Swept by Nora Roberts, 1998. I gave this a 5- and it is now a Desert Isle Keeper.

Books in the 4-heart range (B grade books):

• All Through the Night by Connie Brockway, 1997. I gave this a 4+.
• High Energy by Dara Joy, 1996. I gave this a 4+.
• Expectant Father by Leanne Bank, 1996. I gave this a 4+.
• Playing the Odds and One Man's Art by Nora Roberts, 1985. I gave both 4+'s.
• Born in Ice by Nora Roberts, 1995. I gave this a 4.
• Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz, 1995. I gave this a 4.
• Remembering Denny by Calvin Trillin, 1993. I gave this a 4. This is non-fiction.
• Hunger Point by Jillian Medoff, 1997. I gave this a 4. This is women's fiction.
• Born In Shame by Nora Roberts, 1996. I gave this a 4-.
• It Happened One Night by Leslie Lafoy, 1997. I gave this a 4-.
• Whirlwind Courtship by Jayne Ann Krentz, 1980. I gave this a 4-.
• Lady's Choice by Jayne Ann Krentz, 1989. I gave it a 4-.
• Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz, 1994. I gave it a 4-.
• Crimson Lace by Linda Francis Lee, 1997 - I gave this a 4-.
• Born In Shame by Nora Roberts, 1995. I gave this a 4-.
• Come the Spring by Julie Garwood, 1997. I gave it a 4-.
• Montana Sky by Nora Roberts, 1996. I gave it a 4-.
• Lord of the Dead by Tom Holland, 1995. I gave it a 4-. This is a vampire novel.
• Summer Darkness, Winter Light by Sylvia Halliday, 1995. I gave this a rating of 4-.

Books in the 3-heart range (C grade books):

• MacLaren's Bride by Debra Dier, 1997. I gave this 3+ hearts (for a better Dier, try Scoundrel from 1996).
• The Wedding Raffle by Geralyn Dawson , 1996. I gave this 3+.
• Buttons & Beaus by Margaret Brownley, 1997. I gave this a 3.
• Dangerous to Know by Barbara Taylor Bradford, 1995. I gave this a 3. (women's fiction)
• To Marry a British Lord by Judith O'Brien, 1997. I gave this a 3.
• Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz, 1985. I gave it a 3.
• StarCatcher by Patricia Potter, 1997. I gave it a 3.
• A Promise Given by Samantha James, 1998. I gave it a 3.
• A Handful of Heaven by Kristin Hannah, 1991. I gave this a rating of 3.
• Raven's Vow by Gayle Wilson, 1997. I gave it a 3-.

Books in the 2-heart range (D grade books):

• Splendor by Brenda Joyce, 1997. I gave this a 2+.
• The Fraudulent Fiance by Muriel Jensen, 1997. I gave this a 2.
• Roses at Midnight by Alexa Smart, 1997. I gave this a 2.
• The Arrangement by Lyn Stone, 1997. I gave this a 2.
• Shores of Desire by Tracy Grant, 1997. I gave this a 2.
• One Red Rose by Julie Garwood, 1997. I gave it a 2. For a better "mini" from this series, try One White Rose, which I gave a 4-heart rating to at The Romance Reader.
• Violin by Anne Rice, 1997 - I gave this a 2. (I have many Anne Rice favorites.) This is fiction.
• Shores of Desire by Tracy Grant, 1997 - I gave this a 2.

Books in the 1-heart range (F grade books):

• House of the Four Seasons by Abigail McDaniels, 1995. I gave this a 1.
• Love in a Chinese Garden by Rachel May, 1997 - I gave this a 1.