Rating: 
Summary: Another Great By Ms Sims!
Review: I loved this story. The story line was one of my favorites, pretending to be a couple when you are not and you bearly know one another, and then you fall in love in the process! I Loved It! Teddy and Joachim (strange spelling but very sexy) were great together. Joachim is a man that does not take "No" for the final answer. He takes the motto, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again" very literally. Much Love to Ms. Sims!
Rating:
Summary: Another Great By Ms Sims!
Review: I loved this story. The story line was one of my favorites, pretending to be a couple when you are not and you bearly know one another, and then you fall in love in the process! I Loved It! Teddy and Joachim (strange spelling but very sexy) were great together. Joachim is a man that does not take "No" for the final answer. He takes the motto, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again" very literally. Much Love to Ms. Sims!
Rating: 
Summary: An Excerpt From A Bittersweet Love
Review: In the place where Teddy was, she heard voices. Disembodied voices with Irish accents. Excited voices. One was deep and masculine, like the rumble of thunder. "Constable, I want you on that side; Mr. Collins, on the other. Now I'm going to wave a bit of ammonium alum beneath her nose and see if she likes it." Suddenly Teddy's breathing passages were assaulted by the worst smell she'd ever experienced. She wanted to get away from the stink so badly, she awakened, coughing, abruptly sat up, hitting at the offending fumes with both hands as she did so. Two men, one older than the other, but both dark-haired and of average height, stepped back from the table she'd been lying on. She glared at them, then she turned her head to direct her anger at a big, tall gentleman with a thick shock of white hair. He wore a white coat. "Are you trying to kill me?" "It never fails," the big man murmured, coming to firmly push Teddy back down. "They either come out of it in a happy, drunklike state or ready to do battle." Assuming he was the doctor, Teddy relaxed on the table as he gingerly examined her forehead. He was so close to her, she could see the brown specks in his green eyes. "You took a pretty bad spill, young lady. The cut is going to require stitches, and you might have a scar to remind you of the incident for years to come." "Some bedside manner you've got there. Care to introduce yourself before putting a needle to my skin?" Teddy returned. That booming laugh again. "I do apologize. John O'Shaunessey, at your service. And, yes, I'm the town doctor. Have been for the past thirty-odd years." "How odd were they?" John's ample belly shook with laughter. "Young lady..." "Teddy." "Teddy, will you be silent while I do this? My hands aren't as steady as they used to be." "Oh, now you tell me. Perhaps I ought to get a second opinion before I wind up looking like the bride of Frankenstein." There were tears in John's eyes now, and the other two men, who hadn't introduced themselves, were chuckling too. At that point, Joachim West burst into the examination room, followed by the woman Teddy had met on the street that morning. Joachim walked staight up to Teddy. His dark eyes narrowed as they scanned her face. Teddy's heart thumped in her chest. Her hand went self-consciously to her face. This wasn't how their first meeting was going to be. She was supposed to go to him an intelligent photojournalist who would use her charm to finagle an interview out of him. Now here she was bedraggled and bloody. He had her at a distinct disadvantage. John took Joachim's hand and pumped it. "Dr. O'Shaunessey. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. West." Joachim reluctantly shifted his gaze to John. "Don't worry, she'll be fine," John assured him. "I don't believe she has a concussion. Just a gash on her forehead, as you can see. She needs to be under observation for the next twenty-four hours, however. Take her home and put her to bed with a good hearty cup of broth." To Teddy's utter amazement, Joachim West nodded in accord with everything the doctor suggested. Then looking at her again, he said, "May I have a moment alone with your patient, Doctor?" ...Alone now Teddy dangled her legs off the side of the table, smiling. "I thought we'd meet under different circumstances." Joachim came close. He was wearing brown corduroy slacks, a denim shirt, and a beige jacket with a brown corduroy collar. Teddy glanced down at his brown suede hiking boots. With his size and musculature, he could have been a lumberjack in that outfit. "What happened to your accent?" "What accent?" "Your British accent. Aren't you from London?" "No, San Francisco. And I try my best not to sound like the proverbial Valley Girl. Were you expecting someone from London?" "Sort of...no." He appeared puzzled. He bit his bottom lip, thinking. His eyes met hers. "If you're not Celia O'Connell, then who are you?" Teddy thought fleetingly that if she were a devious tabloid reporter, and thought quickly enough on her feet, she could have pretended to be this Celia O'Connell and strolled right into the Ryan manse. But she wasn't a tabloid reporter, sleazy or otherwise. She never went after a story using underhanded methods. "My name is Teddy Riley. I'm a photojournalist on assignment for Contemporary Lives magazine, and I was hoping to interview you." There it was, the truth. She waited for his reaction. In the meanwhile she enjoyed the view. The photo on his book didn't do him justice. For one thing it was in black and white. It didn't capture the warm chestnut brown of his skin, nor his sheer physical presence. He looked like an athlete. His thigh muscles were clearly delineated beneath the corduroy slacks, as were the taut biceps straining to be unfettered from that jacket he had on. It's warm in here, Teddy thought. Why doesn't he take it off? "I don't give interviews," Joachim said after what seemed like a long time to Teddy. "I know you, as a rule, don't give interviews, but--" His eyes were sharp, his tone even sharper. "But what?" They sized one another up, Joachim standing there, immovable; Teddy, her mind going a hundred miles an hour, trying to come up with something that would get her in his good graces.
Rating:
Summary: Janice Sims does it again!
Review: Janice Sims is a very talented writer who is not content to bring her readers the same old stories in the same old places. A Bittersweet Love is a very mature love story about two African Americans who meet and fall in love in a small Northern Ireland town. Neither time nor distance can dampen the love between two very bright, funny and engaging characters. I kept wanting the story to go on and on.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for all romance fans!
Review: Once again Janice Sims delivers an intriguing and appealing love story with unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing, yet stays true to classic romance readers have come to enjoy. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Sims decided upon Ireland as the chosen place for love to develop in A Bittersweet Love, which is fertile ground to discover new and interesting characters and events apart from the traditional romance novel. The story places magazine writer Teddy Riley trying to desperately to avoid a custody battle with an ambitious and persistent ex-husband. Convinced that landing an interview with the critically-acclaimed, yet reclusive novelist Joachim West will be her ticket to a steady job, Teddy travels to Ireland where she is immediately caught up in a whirlwind of suspense, drama and intense passion for Joachim. When Teddy must return home, both must come to terms to with their feelings as well as past heartache, leading Joachim to make a decision that will impact their lives, leading to more enchantment and making A Bittersweet Love a true page turner. Janice Sims never disappoints her readers in A Bittersweet Love with it's unique approach to love stories, leaving a lasting impression and perhaps changing our views on taking risks in life and love.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: Once again, Janice Sims gives us a novel that is not only unique in its setting but a marvelous "relationship" novel too! Ms. Sims does a wonderful job of bringing her characters and settings to life! I can just see Ms. Teddy Riley the journalist, Joachim the writer, Teddy's "pretty boy" ex-husband and the quaintness of the small Irish town where the story is set. Ms. Sims takes the reader to an unusual place for African-Americans and does it in a believable way. This novel, as well as her others are well worth the price of the book and the time reading it! I guarantee it will make you run for the bookstore for all of her other titles!
Rating:
Summary: Making romance real
Review: Teddy Riley and Joachim West truly deserve each other.Joachim, an award winning author, is still mourning the loss of hisbeautiful wife. Her death left him heart-broken. But it was the outrageous behavior of "media hounds" that led him to refuse any and all interviews. Now Joachim finds himself in Ballycastle, a quaint Irish hamlet trying to dispel a serious case of writer's block. Teddy's ex-husband walked out of her life when she refused to abort a pregnancy that he didn't want. His defection forced Teddy to become a confident, independent single mother and an accomplished photojournalist for a leading magazine. Now Teddy's husband (Adrian) is back, and he's threatened to sue for custody of their son! What Teddy needs is a permanent position on the staff of her magazine...but to get it, she must get an interview with the elusive Mr. West. Talk about "the luck of the Irish!" - Joachim gets the inspiration he needs to write, Teddy gets her interview (and her man), and the readers get a novel that is simply fantastic! The storyline is exciting and captivating. The reader experiences all the emotions Ms. Sims builds into the characters - anger, fear, passion. You'll find yourself praying for Teddy and Joachim to find a second chance at love in each other's arms. A Bittersweet Love, like all of Janice Sims' novels, leaves you with the same feelings as that perfect romantic interlude...thoroughly satiated, and yearning for more. END
Rating:
Summary: A Second Chance At Love!
Review: Teddy Riley and Joachim West truly deserve each other.Joachim, an award winning author, is still mourning the loss of hisbeautiful wife. Her death left him heart-broken. But it was the outrageous behavior of "media hounds" that led him to refuse any and all interviews. Now Joachim finds himself in Ballycastle, a quaint Irish hamlet trying to dispel a serious case of writer's block. Teddy's ex-husband walked out of her life when she refused to abort a pregnancy that he didn't want. His defection forced Teddy to become a confident, independent single mother and an accomplished photojournalist for a leading magazine. Now Teddy's husband (Adrian) is back, and he's threatened to sue for custody of their son! What Teddy needs is a permanent position on the staff of her magazine...but to get it, she must get an interview with the elusive Mr. West. Talk about "the luck of the Irish!" - Joachim gets the inspiration he needs to write, Teddy gets her interview (and her man), and the readers get a novel that is simply fantastic! The storyline is exciting and captivating. The reader experiences all the emotions Ms. Sims builds into the characters - anger, fear, passion. You'll find yourself praying for Teddy and Joachim to find a second chance at love in each other's arms. A Bittersweet Love, like all of Janice Sims' novels, leaves you with the same feelings as that perfect romantic interlude...thoroughly satiated, and yearning for more. END
Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet, but Wonderful
Review: This is the first book I've read by Janice and needless to say, I will be ordering her other books. In "A Bittersweet Love", Teddy, a photojournalist, is trying to obtain a staff position at this prestigious magazine. She is assigned to interview the reclusive Joachim West. Joachim, a writer, is in Ireland attending a friend's wedding and writing his next book. The first chapters of the book are dedicated to developing the characters individually. I did find this part to be interesting, but a little on the slow side. They actually don't meet until chapter 7. But, knowing they will meet and waiting for them to meet kept me reading. I loved this story. Teddy was definitely a strong, independent, caring black woman/mother. I could really relate to her. Joachim was the epitome of what we women want in a man. Love, security and devotion (not to mention tall, dark and handsome). I'd let him rescue me any day. You just have to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: With love you take the bitter with the sweet.
Review: This was a beautiful story of a new found love between Theodora (Teddy) Riley and Joachim West. Both had lost at love. Teddy, the photojournalist - due to a selfish husband who at first put his career before his love for Teddy and parenthood, then later tried to complicate Teddy's life with a custody battle over their son. Joachim, the writer - due to the death of his wife. These two situations had turned into bitter episodes of love. However, Teddy and Joachim had a second chance at love. While on assignment in Ireland, Teddy not only gains her interview with Joachim, who for some unknown reason becomes captivated by Teddy. But, Joachim is not alone. Teddy, who has not had strong feelings for another man since her divorce with Adrian, has stirrings of unexplained emotions for Joachim as well. From their first meeting, the heat grows hotter and the sexual attraction is there. Nevertheless, during Teddy's two day visit, Teddy and Joachim refrain from submitting to the physical act, and later, Teddy returns to San Francisco. You have to read the book to find out what happens (1) after Teddy returns to San Francisco, (2) when several months later Joachim joins Teddy on her birthday, and (3) with Adrain and Teddy's custody battle over their son, Alex. Ms. Sims wrote an interesting book about losing love and finding a new love. Teddy and Joachim were the perfect couple. Teddy was who Joachim needed to share the love he had stored inside of him, while Joachim was the man Teddy needed to experience a true love that was willing to accept responsibility, as well as whatever life had to offer. Each was given another chance at finding happiness in life and realizing that love can be sweet and wonderful. A very good book.
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