Bachelor's Puzzle

Welcome to Tyler #8

by Ginger Chambers

Welcome to Tyler better roll up your sleeves.
There's been a flood at the old library, and the staff needs all the helps they can get! Pitch in and catch up on the latest goings-on in American's favorite hometown.

Each book set in Tyler is a self-contained story; together, they stitch the fabric of a community.

A late-blooming passion
Elise Ferguson, Tyler's head librarian, has slipped uneventfully into middle-aged spinsterhood. But lately she'd been seen in the company of Rober Fairmont—that distinguished-looking visiting professor of architecture....

Old rivalries renewed
Elise's sister, Bea, is certain Robert must have ulterior motives. After all, why would any man be interested in Elise? Bea's snooping uncovers more than even she bargained for—and threatens everyone's happiness.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

298 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Contact: ginger@gingerchambers.com

https://www.facebook.com/GingerChambe...


Ginger Chambers was born in Texas, USA. She had no plans to become a writer while she was growing up. But she always loved words and stories, so it was only natural that the inevitable happened, when she published her first romance novel in 1981. After writing over thirty books, Ginger still loves the profession she was ultimately drawn to. She considers it one of the great joys of her life to be able to create characters that come to life on the page and place them in situations that entertain her, as well as her readers. She authored the popular seven-book series The West Texans.

Her two children now grown, Ginger makes her home with her husband near the beautiful Pacific in Northern California. Ginger loves to hear from readers. You can reach her through her web site or email her and at gingerchambers@sbcglobal.net

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings about this entry are complicated. On the one hand, you have a romance between two characters in their 50s and a book about a librarian and Frank Lloyd Wright and the fact that a disabled character is on page at all. On the other hand, you have an incredibly hateful disabled character who acts as a millstone around her sister and caregiver's neck because she has guilted her sister by holding her responsible for the accident that put her in a wheelchair (said caregiver was a CHILD) and who tries to ruin the romance between the hero and heroine. (That sentence was a mess, but it's a lot.) So that's not great. I will say that given the positive disability rep elsewhere in the series, I'm inclined to be less judgmental towards this, people like this character undoubtedly exist. But woof, it's a hard read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Elise and Roberts story. While it does follow the formula that most romance novels of its time did the characters tugged at my heartstrings enough that I found myself smiling a lot at there story. I love romance stories between older couples.

[Susan Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the town of Tyler, Bachelor's Puzzle is eighth in a series of twelve Harlequin romances written in the early nineties. Each story is set in Tyler and is about a budding romance between two of its residents. I read the first one, Whirlwind, probably not long after it came out. Although they are in a series, each book, written by a different author, is a stand-alone book. Hence why I was comfortable skipping books 2-7!

This book is very mild. I am used to the steamier standards of today, and this book skipped over that entirely. It didn't help that the couple, Robert and Elise, were in their fifties. I assume the writer figured it was safer to keep things tame for that reason.

Elise is the librarian in Tyler. Robert is A professor of architecture in Milwaukee. The two of them are working together to build a new library without making the town go broke. Meanwhile, Robert develops quite an interest in the mansion that houses the old library. And, he develops an interest in gun-shy Elise. But can their new romance survive the secret Robert may be keeping about the library as well as the one Elise keeps about her sister's accident?

This was an OK book. The romance moved quickly, unbelievably so. And as I mentioned, this book is tame. Tame as in there would be no shame in giving it to grandma to read. But, it was still interesting. My rating: 3/5.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance book probably wouldn't be for everyone because the love interests are both in their 50s and neither have ever been married. I thought it was rather refreshing to read a romance about older protagonists, but I was extremely glad that there were no graphic sex scenes.

I really liked the author's writing style. The words really flowed off the page and kept me interested.
The antagonist was the main character's sister, and she was especially rude, nasty, and controlling. I enjoyed the contrast of the sisters and seeing how the romance affected their established relationship.

There were several mentions of the townspeople of Tyler, some that we've met in earlier books and some that I suspect we will read more about in the last three books. The story line about the old and new libraries was very interesting and the architectural theme of the story brought in some extra layers

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author deals with all the emotional issues from verbal abuse, learning to move on and how to forgive yourself. The male protagonist while there, he doesn't feel as in depth as Elise and her sister Bea. The situation with Elise and her sister is actually more common than what people think and the author portrays them realistically and pretty in depth which was refreshing.

[Cathy Savage · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of a small town library that needs replacing and the architect and librarian working on the project. Written in 1992 it is definitely dated. This was one of the better ones in this series but not terribly realistic. None the less it is a quick dandelion seed light escapist read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It pained me to read Bea's character. She was just awful. Her horrid nature stood in stark contrast to that of Elise. Both were well developed and deserving of the 4 star rating.

[Mande Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was alright but didnt wow me. I didnt care for the characters too well especially Bea. She was so controlling and self centered that it was unbearable.

[Chrissy Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book but that Bea was something else. I would have pushed her into a lake if I was Elise.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series of books

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

C. fiction, contemporary fiction

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lives in Tyler continue on. This book tells the tale of Elise, the librarian. We still don't know the conclusion of the mystery at the lodge.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I appreciate the premise, and was really looking forward to reading a romance involving a 52-year-old "spinster" librarian as the female lead, I found myself mildly disappointed in this. There is so much else going on, with Elise's wheelchair-bound, bad-tempered sister, Robert's Exciting Architectural Discovery, and the series plot thread of Margaret Ingalls' murder, that the characters' romantic chemistry seemed both rushed and forced. I'm generally a little disdainful of romances where the characters meet for the first time, fall in love, and get engaged within a time period that is less than a fortnight (or even a month), and especially with Elise's "baggage" (the aforementioned sister, etc.) and Robert specifically stating that he's a 57 year old man who hasn't even lived with another person since he left his parent's house to go to college... I just don't see that as enough time to build a lasting relationship. Now I know that romance novels, and Harlequins in particular, aren't meant to be terribly realistic, but if the reader doesn't connect with and believe in the characters, there's something wrong. I don't know, I guess this one just kinda didn't live up to expectations, especially when the rest of this series has been so strong. This is Chambers' first foray into Tyler; hopefully her other contribution, Courthouse Steps is better.

[Danthony74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Romantic novel

[Cws]

YAT-H

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have liked this series so far, but this one just wasn't very exciting. I didn't really care for the characters. Hopefully the next one is better.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in the charming Tyler series. It mentioned the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, therefore, it's a good book! Fine airplane reading.