Breaking All the Rules

Rating:
Summary: outrageous, insane and confusing
Review: Courtesy of A Romance Review

Breaking All The Rules, book 5 of the Paradise Beach, Florida series of Sue Civil-Brown (aka Rachel Lee) brings you another romantic comedy or better yet, a soap opera with humour and fun. Anything could happen on this island with Mary Todd in residence and running the show. Readers will either hate or love this book because of the outrageous, insane and confusing plots and incidents. The earlier books in the series are Letting Loose, Chasing Rainbow, Catching Kelly, Next Stop, Paradise. If you like to try this series, the best way is to read them in sequence.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Adorable
Review: Despit Richard Wesley III, an attorny, Mary, a gutsy octogenarian, is ruled incompetent by Judge Dipshot. And thus begins the story.

Erin Kelly, a young friend of Mary, takes matters into her own hands and begins using all the tactics she has learned from Mary to fix the situation. Mary's long time suitor tries to help as well. Richard tries to keep all the pandomonium to a dull roar as he tries to help Mary legally.

Although this book references previous books and characters that were introduced in other books by the same author, this is a stand alone novel. And a good one it is. I was chuckling and mad and enjoyed the book completely.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't get into this one.
Review: I normally enjoy all of Ms. Civil-Brown's books. NEXT STOP, PARADISE was cute with the giant egg on the beach. However, I don't feel the same about this one. Maybe I was just having a bad day, but I ended up scanning through to the end. Not a good sign with me.

Rating:
Summary: amusing contemporary romantic romp
Review: In Paradise Beach, Florida Circuit Court Judge Frederick J. Dipshot rules that octogenarian Mary Todd incompetent and names her nephew Linus responsible for her and her estate. Mary's attorney Richard Wesley III did a great job representing his client. However, unbeknownst to him the senior citizen had a reason to lose and by refusing to testify on her own behalf, it cost him the case.

Erin Kelly is outraged that her friend Mary has lost her independence to an unprincipled loser like Linus. Erin begins a campaign to rescue her buddy using the very tricks that Mary taught her. Richard tries to stop Erin because he knows only through legal channels can Mary regain her freedom. The devious Mary observes the twosome fall in love while trying to trump one another even as apparent mob warfare seems to be playing out on the beach stage.

BREAKING ALL THE RULES is a humorous return to Sue Civil-Brown's unique take on the Sunshine State. The story line is outrageous, wacky, and fun as Mary plays puppeteer in her usual havoc style. The antics of the lead couple and key support cast will delight those in the audience who find paradise in an amusing contemporary romantic romp.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: amusing contemporary romantic romp
Review: In Paradise Beach, Florida Circuit Court Judge Frederick J. Dipshot rules that octogenarian Mary Todd incompetent and names her nephew Linus responsible for her and her estate. Mary's attorney Richard Wesley III did a great job representing his client. However, unbeknownst to him the senior citizen had a reason to lose and by refusing to testify on her own behalf, it cost him the case.

Erin Kelly is outraged that her friend Mary has lost her independence to an unprincipled loser like Linus. Erin begins a campaign to rescue her buddy using the very tricks that Mary taught her. Richard tries to stop Erin because he knows only through legal channels can Mary regain her freedom. The devious Mary observes the twosome fall in love while trying to trump one another even as apparent mob warfare seems to be playing out on the beach stage.

BREAKING ALL THE RULES is a humorous return to Sue Civil-Brown's unique take on the Sunshine State. The story line is outrageous, wacky, and fun as Mary plays puppeteer in her usual havoc style. The antics of the lead couple and key support cast will delight those in the audience who find paradise in an amusing contemporary romantic romp.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Cute but a little too cutesy
Review: My one complaint with the Avon contemporary romances is that sometimes they try too hard to be funny and end up with a story that is just too contrived.

I liked Erin and Richard but there is so much happening- all set into motion by the meddling manipulative Mary Todd- town matriarch and friend to all- that you don't get to relish the growing romance with our leads nearly as much as I would like to.

Plus side- there are some funny scenes- the goofy mayor is a riot and feels like he stepped right out of an Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen novel. The sex scenes with Erin and Richard are passionate- their dialog is witty and fun. The setting just makes you warm - sunny Florida always sounds good a New Englander in still cool April though:)
Not a bad read- just not as satisfying as could have been. For a fun in the sun read that barrels along read Vicki Lewis Thompson's Nerd in Shining Armor or the new Jennifer Crusie Bet Me.

For better work by Sue Civil Brown aka Rachel Lee- read her emotion Conrad County series published as Silhouette Intimate Moments.