Entangled
Grade : C+

Entangled is the first in a year-long miniseries from Silhouette Desire called Dynasties: The Ashtons featuring a family of siblings and half-siblings sired by a hateful patriarch who, according to the family tree, has had three wives and one mistress. There doesn't seem to be any action/adventure aspect to this series - just good old fashioned soap.

Years ago, Cole Ashton and Dixie McCord had been lovers, but she left him. Cord was an obsessed workaholic, and Dixie grew tired of being relegated to last place in his life. She left him and concentrated on her career as an artist. When Dixie comes to Louret Vineyards to do some paintings for an advertising campaign, she and Cole meet again, and of course the sparks fly between them.

Cole and Dixie's love story is only a part of Entangled. A lot of the book is devoted to setting up the story arc and introducing some of the characters who will be in future books. Spencer Ashton is the family patriarch and Cole's father. He left Cole when he was very young, and Cole resents him. Spencer also was married before, and we meet a son from that marriage, Grant. The story also introduces other Ashton siblings and cousins and sets up conflicts for them.

As for Dixie and Cole, there isn't a lot of room in this short book for them to have a Big Conflict. Thankfully, there's no secret baby, and neither of them acts immature and pouty. They do have past resentments they need to get over, but they act like grownups and talk about it. They agree that they were young and immature but they've gotten past it and can now act like adults. Actually, they were refreshingly mature.

Cat lover that I am, I have to mention Dixie's pet cat, Hulk. He's a big tomcat with loads of personality who takes no prisoners. Cole has a shy little dog named Tilly who is terrified of Hulk until he rescues her from a rottweiler. I love pet cats in romances and Hulk was a great character.

This book is a little slow, because the author spends so much time setting up future books. Nevertheless, I like romance mini-series, especially when they forget action or paranormal subplots and simply concentrate on the romance. This looks like a plain old non-frills family saga for those who like their romances unadorned. I can’t really recommend Entangled, but I'll probably pick up book number two in the series.

Reviewed by Ellen Micheletti
Grade : C+
Book Type: Series Romance

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : January 18, 2005

Publication Date: 2005/01

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Ellen Micheletti

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