May 6th, 2024
Home | Log in!

Fresh Pick
FIGHTING FOR REESE
FIGHTING FOR REESE

New Books This Week

Fresh Fiction Box

Video Book Club

Latest Articles


Discover May's Best New Reads: Stories to Ignite Your Spring Days.

Slideshow image


Since your web browser does not support JavaScript, here is a non-JavaScript version of the image slideshow:

slideshow image
"COLD FURY defines the modern romantic thriller."�-�NYT�bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz


slideshow image
Romance writer and reluctant cop navigate sparks during fateful ride-alongs.


slideshow image
Free on Kindle Unlimited


slideshow image
A child under his protection�and a hit man in pursuit.


slideshow image
Courtney Kelly sees things others can�t�like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . .


slideshow image
Reunited in danger�and bound by desire


slideshow image
Journey to a city that�s full of quirky, zany superheroes finding love while they battle over-the-top, evil ubervillains bent on world domination.


Love Easy

Love Easy, November 2014
by Roe Valentine

The Wild Rose Press
Featuring: Norma Hill; Henry Chapel; Ingrid
251 pages
ISBN: 1628302380
EAN: 9781628302387
Kindle: B00ILXYEMS
e-Book
Add to Wish List


Purchase



"Jazz and crime in 1920s Chicago - and a brave female reporter"

Fresh Fiction Review

Love Easy
Roe Valentine

Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted November 20, 2014

Romance Historical | Mystery Woman Sleuth

Despite the title love does not come easily to Norma Hill. She has to work hard for everything in life. The play on words refers to the speakeasy she frequents in Chicago of the 1920s. LOVE EASY is mainly set in a newspaper office; the Chicago Daily News is struggling and a new managing editor has just been appointed. Henry Chapel speaks loudly and swaggers, having gained accolades at his last paper. He is here to turn this paper around, and no silly little weather reporter girl is going to slow him down.

Norma knows she could do better. The newsroom however is seen as a male environment and life outside the building is dirty and dangerous. Nobody would let a girl work the crime beat. While she mostly complies with the legal ban on alcohol, Norma does sometimes accompany a girl friend, Ingrid to the speakeasy and one night she witnesses a crime against a woman. Shocked and staggering, she runs headlong into her new boss. He wants to help her, but by now there's no sign of the crime, so does he even believe her? And nobody at the speakeasy wants the cops called. What can Norma do?

There's plenty of period slang and clothing to match so the 1920s feel comes across well. The newsroom equipment is large, loud and made of metal. Part of the times of course is sexist dismissive talk, and we get a real understanding of what women used to be up against in jobs. Norma has attended university and supports herself, but she has no hope of being treated as equivalent to a male colleague. Luckily, the boss decides he likes her after all, maybe even fancies her - but wouldn't that be an unequal relationship?

Norma's careful investigation of the crime walks her into danger as the city has no shortage of mob bosses trying to take over drink distribution territory. There's some violence and strong language in this historical romance by Roe Valentine, but nothing the determined heroine can't handle. LOVE EASY - a vivid romance best read with jazz playing.

Learn more about Love Easy

SUMMARY

News reporting is the main joy in Norma Hill's life. She is hell-bent on being more than a weather reporter, but new tyrant boss, Henry Chapel, doesn't agree. While she is following a news lead, Henry saves her from a handsy heir. His words warn her of danger, but his actions stir deeper emotions. Despite his gruff words, can she find the love forever absent from her life?

Pompous and determined, Henry Chapel revives sagging rags and brings them to their former glory. When Lawson Publishing begs Henry to take over the Chicago Daily News, he is more than happy to comply; after all, it had been his favorite newspaper as a child. What he didn't anticipate was a fiery sass-mouthed weather reporter to contend with. He also didn't anticipate finding what he'd been looking for his whole life in the press room.


What do you think about this review?

Comments

No comments posted.

Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!

 

 

 

© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net  all rights reserved Privacy Policy