( 6 reviews )
-
Posted: Dec 7 2007
I'm not at all in agreement with the negativity I see in some of the other reviews of this book. Yes, if taken out of the context of her other novels in this series, this might not meet an expectation or two. But having that benefit, I couldn't wait to read Gemma's story. Having a mother very much like hers, and a grandmother that had the same medical condition and symptoms, it was easy to put myself in her shoes. I loved that she also explored the whole firehouse culture as well. And, it's a great spin off of her first two books, with cameos of past charaters it is good to hear from again. I've read every one of this series, and can't wait for Anthony's story to come out in January '08.
-
Posted: May 23 2007
I didn't like this book as much as some of the previous ones in this series. But overall it was a good book and definitely worth reading. My two favorite stories in this series were Janna's and Terry's. You don't need to read all of the books but it does help explain who some of the other characters are.
-
( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Apr 24 2007
Gemma Dante is a witch, a fact that causes much of her family to treat her with disgust and anger--not that it keeps them from imposing on her time and good will, however. She meets Sean Kennealy when a group of firefighters comes knocking on her door responding to complaints of smoke from a neighbor. Turns out the neighbor was Sean himself, and the smoke was a particularly pungent kind of incense she was partial to. Not exactly a promising beginning. But Gemma and Sean are attracted, and in a spirit of nothing-ventured-nothing-gained, they end up in bed and embark on a relationship. In the hands of another author, that might have been the end of the story, but not here. Sex isn't the answer to Gemma and Sean's relationship success. Neither is comfortable with the other's friends, and Sean is leery about what his family will think of Gemma's religion. The Good: The expansion of the series. Unlike the previous two books, Total Rush doesn't feature a hockey player as a hero. It does, however, continue to follow the group of family and friends we met in Body Check and Foul Play. The heroine is Gemma Dante, the rather wacky cousin of Michael Dante that we met in Foul Play. The conflicts. Along with sorting out the problems of their relationship, Sean and Gemma have to deal with the traumas Sean faces as a firefighter, Gemma's family problems, and a stalker. It's messy, like real life, and thus believable. The Bad: Unlike the previous two books, Total Rush doesn't feature a hockey player as a hero. If you're expecting one, you'll be disappointed. The "witch" heroine isn't like the witches in the current crop of paranormal romances. If you're expecting one, you'll be disappointed. The Dose of Reality: Contrary to the message we get in a lot of books, great sex doesn't necessarily equal happy ever after. In fact, it ends up complicating the issue for Sean and Gemma and they question whether it's love or just lust (a question I often have at the ends of other books). The Verdict: Total Rush is about two people finding each other and falling in love. It's also about family and acceptance and trust. It's a book that is fun on the surface, but that I'll reread and find something new each time I do.
