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Summary: The kind of book that leaves a warm glow!
Review: "I Got You Babe" was my first foray into contemporary romance. I was put off by the cartoonish cover, at first, but after a friend passed this book onto me, I couldn't resist taking a peak.
Renee Esterhaus is on the run for a crime she didn't committ. In the process she hooks up with exactly the kind of person she's trying to escape from - a policeman. She does some wrong things in the first few chapters, it's true, but I can understand the degree of desperation that led her to it. We feel her desperation as she realizes that the legal system is stacked against her - even if she didn't committ the crime, nobody will believe her, and she'll end up in jail - and she knows from experience that jail is NOT a place she wants to be in.
Along the way we meet John, and the struggles that he grapples with as he has to choose between duty and love - or is it that simple?
Although there were some parts of this book that did make me cringe, I loved this book, anyway. The book is well-written and fast-paced (with ALOT going on, you don't get bored), but mostly I loved this book because I love Jane Graves. I love the way she portrays the love between these two unlikely people, I loved her vivid descriptions and the warm fuzzy feeling that stayed with me long after I closed this book.
If you want to read a book that is all about love, if you want a book that will create a warm feeling inside of you long after you close the last page, "I Got You Babe" is definitely a book to try. Jane Graves has just made it to my auto-buy list. Try it, she may make you list, too!
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Summary: Don't miss out...
Review: ...on a fun, fast-paced story! This lively situational comedy is written with on-target humor and irresistible characters. Ms. Graves delivers mystery, plot twists and romantic sizzle without missing a beat! You'll love the 'supporting cast' just as much as the hero and heroine. Great entertainment!
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Summary: A clever plot
Review: A very clever plot, clearly written with many 'believable' twists.
Thoughts and feelings are analysed in such detail that allows the reader to get involved with Johns's and and Renee's rush of emotions and the process of falling in love with one another.
I'm already looking for Jane Graves's next book
Rating: 
Summary: The Fugitive and the Cop
Review: Classic premise - a fugitive on the run from the law inadvertently runs into instead of away from the long arms of a cop. In this case the fugitive is Renee Esterhaus, and she's running because she's all but been convicted of a crime she didn't commit. The evidence is pretty much against her, as well as her own juvenile record, and Renee doesn't see any other solution - she has vowed never to do jail time. John DeMarco is the guy she propositions in order to get a quick ride (no pun intended) away from the bounty hunter who momentarily captures her. Eventually John finds out who Renee is. From a long line of cops, John cannot simply let Renee go, no matter how appealing he might find her personally, and he sets out firmly intending to take her into custody. But ultimately he finds himself, if not convinced of her innocence, at least with some doubt to her guilt. Knowing that the system will indeed process her without digging any deeper, John has a decision to make. To get involved in the case - breaking the law he is there to uphold, or to do his duty.It might be an archetypal basis to a story, but in the telling Graves has created a very enjoyable tale with distinct and believable characters. The sexual heat between John and Renee builds up naturally, and is told without redundancy but to great effect. I liked that Renee was able to acknowledge her past mistakes, that she was unprepared and essentially unable to execute running away from the law (Graves did not invest her with any unlikely specialist knowledge or luck on new identities etc). Renee was aware of her situation, even if I think she should have revised her plan as she went along (for example she was always heading for New Orleans, having been tracked and caught already going in that direction). John was an interesting character, as much formed by his background as Renee was, although he had some serious character flaws - it made good reading when he let her go, but I didn't find it admirable how he did it. An interesting spin on a classic plot.
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Summary: It's All Here
Review: Everything I look for in a book is in I Got You, Babe - humor, great characters and a writing style that makes it impossible for me to put a book down until the last page is turned. I became emotionally invested in the characters and the plot kept me guessing until the end.
The humor is great, and not intrusive and contrived like so many other romantic comedy books I've read recently.
I loved the cast of supporting characters, too. I hope several of them get their own books in the future!
Rating:
Summary: Can I Keep You, Babe?
Review: I Got You, Babe is a light-hearted romantic comedy that will keep you tuned in and the world tuned out. While in some ways it is predictable knowing madcap adventures are at every corner, Jane Graves has created likable characters that you can't help caring about. Renee Esterhaus is blamed for a robbery she didn't commit. Everyone is convinced of her guilt and the system is set to work against her. Renee, who had quite an impressive police record as a juvenile, has no intentions of going to jail for a crime she didn't commit. So what does a girl do? She runs for it. Unfortunately Renee doesn't anticipate a bounty hunter coming after her. Leandro, the bounty hunter is so big and ugly that just looking at him would give any sane person the creeps. Renee manages to escape Leandro and in the process puts on a big sexual production with a stranger to get a ride as far away from Leandro as she can. Her big plan is to seduce the stranger and rip off his car and money. Things don't quite work out that way when first she is truly attracted (for the first time in a long time) to the stranger, second the stranger turns out to be cop John DeMarco, and third Leandro turns up just as she is about to make her escape. What follows is a madcap adventure. Just when you think nothing else can happen, believe me it does. I was quite impressed with the secondary characters and John's family (which just happens to be a family with strong ties in one way or another to law enforcement) and I am happy to know the author's next novel will feature Alex, the older brother. Thank you Jane Graves for an upbeat comedy that was the perfect way to spend Labor Day weekend.
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Summary: I'm so glad Amazon recommended this author to me!
Review: I have some very favorite authors - their name on it, I buy without checking or questioning. I am very rarely disappointed. Jane Graves has just joined that list after I began to read her series about the DeMarco family of cops or law everything. A very deadpan sort of family - I love their attitudes, especially Grandma. In I Got You Babe, the action is downright too funny, with conflict thrown in just to keep it real. John DeMarco, a cop always trying to live up to his father's image, is approached by a very sexy lady and just can't turn her down despite his cop instincts that all is not right here. And our blue-eyed Renee doesn't let us down when her life just seems to get skewed no matter how hard she tries for 'normal'. Throw in a hulk with tatoos breathing down her neck with some very not nice plans for her, and this fiery girl shows her stuff. John struggles all the way through against his father's expectations of him even though the guy is dead. A pretty interesting take on how many of us view our parents - even in death we often still try to be what they always wanted us to be. Sounds like the Marine motto, but I imagine many readers can really identify. Outstanding romance is to be found and sighed over. The conclusion, however, is never taken for granted. We just hope it turns out the way we want it to - kind of like a parent. :-)
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Summary: Great read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I was hoping for...interesting characters with funny lines and the pacing was great!
Rating:
Summary: Great romance!
Review: I usually prefer historical or fantasy romances, so I was hesitant to try this contemporary romance. However, I'm very glad I did. The story was often funny. The characters were three dimensional. I appreciated that the conflicts between the hero and heroine were logical and based on their personal beliefs and/or life experiences. (I dislike insipid 'misunderstandings' used as plot devices.) I also liked the unique cover art.
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Summary: Woman Fugitve Meets Hot Cop...Whew...
Review: I was surprised I liked this book so much, because the cover is a cartoon and I was like, 'ugh, I dont know, but it sounds good', boy am I glad I read it and not judged a book by its cover! The male lead was perfect! Sexy and smart and sensitive. The ONLY two complaints I have with this book is the female lead(the fugitive) is kinda clingy and expects miracles out of John (the cop-male lead) but the plot made up for this flaw. The other complaint I had was that the chase between the crazy bounty hunter and Renee (female lead and the fugitive) ended too quickly and that the cabin scenes weren't enough. Other than that, it was great! Action, chase scenes and romance....ahhhh....was all perfect. John's family was wacky and fun and I am excited to read Ms. Graves next book about John's brother Alex. The bounty hunter was one of my favorites and added tons of humor to the story. Lots of funny scenes and humorous situations to make you laugh out loud. Especially the McDonald's scene...I will leave it to the imagination, or until you read it for yourself. Just remember...the drive-through and a fugitive and a cell phone....he he he he.... ~Renee Esterhaus is on the run for a robbery she didn't commit. Now she is stuck in the middle of a small town in Texas with no money and a broken car and a crazy bounty hunter hot on her trail. With no more ideas and nothing left to do, she pulls together a scewy plan to save her hide. She will proposition the first guy she sees for one night of incredible sex in exchange for a ride out of town. The handsome man she finds sitting at the small coffee shop in 'hillbilly' Texas turns out to be a cop with a steel pair of handcuffs and no patience for criminals! This could only happen to her! John DeMarco is on a much needed rest from his job as a detective in the piney woods where he is using the cabin his boss has given him to use to think. What he doesn't expect to encounter is a beautiful woman with a tempting proposal that he quickly learns was a way to trick him into getting her out of 'Dodge'! Besides the crazy bounty hunter that is after her and the story she tells him, he can't help but think she is innocent. Now, how to prove it? John is about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life in order to prove to himself that Renee or Alice, as she is calling herself, is the angel she appears to be. But with what price? Harboring is a felony...but is love? Is she who she claims to be? Or some con artist who has perfected the art of lying so much that she can hide it in her eyes... Well worth the money! A keeper! Encore Ms. Graves! Tracy Talley~@
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