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Escapade
Passion blooms between business rivals in this alluring tale from New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer
When her father dies, heiress Amanda Todd inherits a nearly bankrupt newspaper that she’s determined to bring back from the dead. But controlling interest lies with mysterious millionaire Joshua Lawson. So she heads off to Josh’s Caribbean estate to convince him that she can save the failing business, but Amanda is floored when she comes face-to-face with the handsome tycoon. As sparks fly in paradise, can the young beauty convince him she’s a worthy partner in business…and love?
When her father dies, heiress Amanda Todd inherits a nearly bankrupt newspaper that she’s determined to bring back from the dead. But controlling interest lies with mysterious millionaire Joshua Lawson. So she heads off to Josh’s Caribbean estate to convince him that she can save the failing business, but Amanda is floored when she comes face-to-face with the handsome tycoon. As sparks fly in paradise, can the young beauty convince him she’s a worthy partner in business…and love?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1992
382 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,099 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 30, 2018
"Escapade" is the story of Amanda and Josh..and many others.
Now, everyone who knows me also knows that I am one of the biggest Diana fans, and she is easily in my top 3 all time favorite authors.
When I realized she had published something I hadn't read, I was SUPER excited.
This however, was a mess.
The story has 3 interwoven and revolving plots
-The main h and H are Amanda and Josh. Amanda is the daughter of Josh's late business partner, but two have always been attracted to one another, even when and after Amanda saw Josh boinking another chick as a teenager. When their lust finally becomes to hard to deny, they give into it (with hairy chests meeting tender breasts). But Josh is hiding a big secret! Can he himself get over it without punishing the heroine for it (Hint: NO)
The conclusion- Lots of push and pull and INSANE migraine inducing amount of throwing OP at each other while using mean hurtful words. There was also a weird plot of sudden attraction by H's brother towards his sisterly? friend aka heroine. Left me feeling unsatisfied and this DEFINITELY needed a HEA to show how the h eventually coped with the hero's secret
-The second plot was between h's best friend Mirri and her boss Nelson. Mirri has had a traumatic past and puts on a brave show (by dressing up like a peacock), which her boss doesn't see through and despises her for..all until one night!
The conclusion- Ends with a HEA and if you like , this one has it
-The third baffling plot was between two consenting but cheating and unhappy couple- Dora and Ward. I understood why Ward did it, but for Dora..she conveniently forgets her kids for sex? Umm well this also had HEA of sorts.
Overall, this was a meh for me. Disappointed.
Unsafe for plot 1 and 3, safe for 2
2/5
Now, everyone who knows me also knows that I am one of the biggest Diana fans, and she is easily in my top 3 all time favorite authors.
When I realized she had published something I hadn't read, I was SUPER excited.
This however, was a mess.
The story has 3 interwoven and revolving plots
-The main h and H are Amanda and Josh. Amanda is the daughter of Josh's late business partner, but two have always been attracted to one another, even when and after Amanda saw Josh boinking another chick as a teenager. When their lust finally becomes to hard to deny, they give into it (with hairy chests meeting tender breasts). But Josh is hiding a big secret! Can he himself get over it without punishing the heroine for it (Hint: NO)
The conclusion- Lots of push and pull and INSANE migraine inducing amount of throwing OP at each other while using mean hurtful words. There was also a weird plot of sudden attraction by H's brother towards his sisterly? friend aka heroine. Left me feeling unsatisfied and this DEFINITELY needed a HEA to show how the h eventually coped with the hero's secret
-The second plot was between h's best friend Mirri and her boss Nelson. Mirri has had a traumatic past and puts on a brave show (by dressing up like a peacock), which her boss doesn't see through and despises her for..all until one night!
The conclusion- Ends with a HEA and if you like , this one has it
-The third baffling plot was between two consenting but cheating and unhappy couple- Dora and Ward. I understood why Ward did it, but for Dora..she conveniently forgets her kids for sex? Umm well this also had HEA of sorts.
Overall, this was a meh for me. Disappointed.
Unsafe for plot 1 and 3, safe for 2
2/5
Read
September 4, 2020Diana Palmer threw spaghetti against the wall for this. It's a mess and the H was awful -- toxic AND tedious.
January 27, 2020
This is an older DP story from 1992 & I can't believe I missed this one the first time around! So many DP books so little time. LOL!
Amanda has found her passion in her family's newspaper business & is determined not to let her young age (or Josh Lawson) stop her from making it a wonderful paper again. Her father's death & the editor's stupidity drive her to confront the one man who can either help her or break her (in more ways than one). She decides to confront the lion in his den. She heads off to Josh's private island, little realizing her attraction to him will make her vulnerable.
Josh is one tough unemotional cookie. Ruthless in business & romance but he hides a soft side for Mandy. When she starts to get too close for emotional comfort he breaks her heart & she flees. But being a strong woman just makes her more determined to save her paper.
Josh realizes his love for Mandy but will he be too late? When an armed man high as a kite on drugs takes the whole newspaper office hostage. Will Mandy live?
A book full of danger & romance and not one cowboy! A well-written read.
Amanda has found her passion in her family's newspaper business & is determined not to let her young age (or Josh Lawson) stop her from making it a wonderful paper again. Her father's death & the editor's stupidity drive her to confront the one man who can either help her or break her (in more ways than one). She decides to confront the lion in his den. She heads off to Josh's private island, little realizing her attraction to him will make her vulnerable.
Josh is one tough unemotional cookie. Ruthless in business & romance but he hides a soft side for Mandy. When she starts to get too close for emotional comfort he breaks her heart & she flees. But being a strong woman just makes her more determined to save her paper.
Josh realizes his love for Mandy but will he be too late? When an armed man high as a kite on drugs takes the whole newspaper office hostage. Will Mandy live?
A book full of danger & romance and not one cowboy! A well-written read.
November 28, 2015
This is one of those DP that follows somewhat her formula however the guy knows he can't have kids and puts her through hell because of it. I can't say I enjoy it at all. No light fun banter or any redeeming qualities in the hero or heroine. He is dominating and what's her to have children but not really because he can't so she can't. If he really loved her he would have told her the truth and maybe let her go the artificial insemination route. If you want kids there are a lot of way to go about it. She was just so stupid and obsessed with him that it made the whole story sick to me. It's ok to love the guy but I think this was way OTT. I would avoid this one its a lot like one of her newer books can't remember the name but very similar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
This was definitely not my favorite Diana Palmer book, but I still enjoyed it. I found this book in a new library I checked out.
There are 3 romances in one: the main romance is between Josh and Amanda. Josh was Amanda's father's business partner. Now Amanda's father is dead. She's been in love with Josh for years but is trying to save her family newspaper he controls. The second romance is between Amanda's best friend and her boss. They're enemies to lovers and he's a virgin (at 37). The third romance is between the man who runs the newspaper, Ward, and a part-time employee, Dora. The two knew each other in high school but married two other people. (They're cheating on their spouses.)
I'm not entirely sure why Amanda was so hopelessly in love with Josh and what she saw in him besides his good looks. He didn't treat her well, .
It's funny how all the men had the hairiest chests. I've noticed that in her books; she must find hairy-chested men very attractive.
There are 3 romances in one: the main romance is between Josh and Amanda. Josh was Amanda's father's business partner. Now Amanda's father is dead. She's been in love with Josh for years but is trying to save her family newspaper he controls. The second romance is between Amanda's best friend and her boss. They're enemies to lovers and he's a virgin (at 37). The third romance is between the man who runs the newspaper, Ward, and a part-time employee, Dora. The two knew each other in high school but married two other people. (They're cheating on their spouses.)
I'm not entirely sure why Amanda was so hopelessly in love with Josh and what she saw in him besides his good looks. He didn't treat her well, .
It's funny how all the men had the hairiest chests. I've noticed that in her books; she must find hairy-chested men very attractive.
December 18, 2022
A confusing horrible mess with a bunch of different couples. There’s a cheating couple. A heroine who was gang raped. A heroine who has loved the hero forever but he still fucks other women. Another bargain bin book that disappoints. I didn’t finish and just threw it away.
September 3, 2018
That was intense.
I forgot how these books written in the 90s take you by surprise. It's intensw without overloading on the angst.
And i like that i get to read more than 1 love story in a book.
I forgot how these books written in the 90s take you by surprise. It's intensw without overloading on the angst.
And i like that i get to read more than 1 love story in a book.
December 24, 2019
No, non ci siamo proprio, uno dei più brutti della Palmer. Troppe storie solo per allungare un po’ il brodo, si salva solo Mirri, ma la sua storia è affrontata in modo troppo sbrigativo
March 16, 2022
2.5 stars--and the cover look so good . . .
July 22, 2022
I’ve never experienced so much misogyny in one book ever. Ok, so I knew that going into it, the whole premise would be that Amanda couldn’t inherit the company because her father was sexist but I had no idea everyone else was going to be that unrealistically douche-y. How is it possible that every single character in this book hates women (unless they are virgins) and they all think the same exact way. Also Mirri marrying Nelson after like 2 dates lol. What adult acts and behaves this way?
I’m all for a quick easy romance novel when I want to unwind…but this was not it. The amount of slut shaming and persistent themes that women are only happy if they get married and have babies, and that men cannot balance work and life is just so extreme.
I have no doubt that people were sexist in the 90s when this was written, but there’s no way it was that bad. All the characters in this book thought women were inferior to men-INCLUDING THE WOMEN?!! Like Dora randomly giving shade to Amanda for being successful and shaming her for not prioritising god and the family?? Like what was that?!! In conclusion, I did not have high expectations going into this book, but I just did not expect it to be this atrocious.
I’m all for a quick easy romance novel when I want to unwind…but this was not it. The amount of slut shaming and persistent themes that women are only happy if they get married and have babies, and that men cannot balance work and life is just so extreme.
I have no doubt that people were sexist in the 90s when this was written, but there’s no way it was that bad. All the characters in this book thought women were inferior to men-INCLUDING THE WOMEN?!! Like Dora randomly giving shade to Amanda for being successful and shaming her for not prioritising god and the family?? Like what was that?!! In conclusion, I did not have high expectations going into this book, but I just did not expect it to be this atrocious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2020
3 e 1/2
"«Non te la prenderesti se perdessi un braccio o una gamba, o se fossi storpio. Mi ameresti anche se diventassi di colpo orrendo.»
Lei sorrise e accettò la frecciata. In fondo era vero, dunque perché fingere il contrario?
«Ti amerei anche se fossi sempre stato brutto e zoppo» mormorò con un sorriso. «Il vero amore non cambia, non si esaurisce e non scompare.»
«E il tuo è vero amore?»
Amanda esitò solo pochi secondi, poi cercò i suoi occhi e gli offrì il suo cuore, insieme alle parole che lui le stava chiedendo. «Temo di sì» rispose."
Ogni volta che esce un libro nuovo della Palmer, il mio cuoricino si riempie di gioia, nonostante ultimamente stia assistendo ad una sua evoluzione non proprio nelle mie corde XD Infatti non sono una grande amante delle storie corali che seguono il formarsi di più coppie, e qui ne abbiamo ben tre! La principale, Josh/Amanda, è molto stile Palmer ma Josh non è stronzo come altri suoi protagonisti per fortuna (anche se ha il solito "oscuro segreto" che lo tiene isolato e lo porta ad avere atteggiamenti "bacia e scappa" con la povera Amanda XD) e Amanda ha un certo carattere e non ha paura della passione come altre sue eroine, anzi XD E' una bella coppia, non la tirano troppo per le lunghe ma il loro amore a lungo represso si sviluppa in modo coerente e romantico! Ancor più della loro coppia però mi è piaciuta la seconda, formata dalla segretaria Mirri (super amica di Amanda) e l'agente Nelson. Lei ha un passato traumatico (che novità XD) che nasconde con atteggiamenti sfacciati ed abiti colorati, e lui è un uomo dolce e sensibile che si nasconde dietro un atteggiamento impassibile e duro. I due sono gli opposti che si attraggono, si avvicinano quasi contro la loro volontà e non sarà semplice far cadere le loro barriere e fidarsi l'uno dell'altre... sono sicuramente la coppia più profonda e dolce del libro, avrei voluto avessero un maggiore spazio perché ogni volta che apparivano il mio cuore gioiva XD L'ultima coppia vorrei dimenticarla, perché non solo è squallida e patetica, non solo da il via ad una serie di catastrofici avvenimenti che coinvolgeranno persone innocenti (tra cui bambini e ragazzi) ma si basa unicamente sulla lussuria e sull'ego e pur essendo sicuramente la più cruda e realistica delle tre, non credo proprio meritasse un happy ending... cara Palmer, che mi combini? Meno male che uno su tre è ancora un ottimo punteggio!
"«Non te la prenderesti se perdessi un braccio o una gamba, o se fossi storpio. Mi ameresti anche se diventassi di colpo orrendo.»
Lei sorrise e accettò la frecciata. In fondo era vero, dunque perché fingere il contrario?
«Ti amerei anche se fossi sempre stato brutto e zoppo» mormorò con un sorriso. «Il vero amore non cambia, non si esaurisce e non scompare.»
«E il tuo è vero amore?»
Amanda esitò solo pochi secondi, poi cercò i suoi occhi e gli offrì il suo cuore, insieme alle parole che lui le stava chiedendo. «Temo di sì» rispose."
Ogni volta che esce un libro nuovo della Palmer, il mio cuoricino si riempie di gioia, nonostante ultimamente stia assistendo ad una sua evoluzione non proprio nelle mie corde XD Infatti non sono una grande amante delle storie corali che seguono il formarsi di più coppie, e qui ne abbiamo ben tre! La principale, Josh/Amanda, è molto stile Palmer ma Josh non è stronzo come altri suoi protagonisti per fortuna (anche se ha il solito "oscuro segreto" che lo tiene isolato e lo porta ad avere atteggiamenti "bacia e scappa" con la povera Amanda XD) e Amanda ha un certo carattere e non ha paura della passione come altre sue eroine, anzi XD E' una bella coppia, non la tirano troppo per le lunghe ma il loro amore a lungo represso si sviluppa in modo coerente e romantico! Ancor più della loro coppia però mi è piaciuta la seconda, formata dalla segretaria Mirri (super amica di Amanda) e l'agente Nelson. Lei ha un passato traumatico (che novità XD) che nasconde con atteggiamenti sfacciati ed abiti colorati, e lui è un uomo dolce e sensibile che si nasconde dietro un atteggiamento impassibile e duro. I due sono gli opposti che si attraggono, si avvicinano quasi contro la loro volontà e non sarà semplice far cadere le loro barriere e fidarsi l'uno dell'altre... sono sicuramente la coppia più profonda e dolce del libro, avrei voluto avessero un maggiore spazio perché ogni volta che apparivano il mio cuore gioiva XD L'ultima coppia vorrei dimenticarla, perché non solo è squallida e patetica, non solo da il via ad una serie di catastrofici avvenimenti che coinvolgeranno persone innocenti (tra cui bambini e ragazzi) ma si basa unicamente sulla lussuria e sull'ego e pur essendo sicuramente la più cruda e realistica delle tre, non credo proprio meritasse un happy ending... cara Palmer, che mi combini? Meno male che uno su tre è ancora un ottimo punteggio!
September 8, 2018
3.5 - 4 stars
I felt like with this book in particular when it was good, it was really good, and what I was looking for especially in a Diana Palmer book, but there were things in this book that wasn’t so good and when that happened it kind of turned me off and I had to skim through it because I just couldn’t take it and just plowed through just to get through it. I wanted to get to the good stuff and less of what I felt was very unnecessary and dragged out stuff.
My big problem, and sometimes this happens in some Diana Palmer books, was the fact that there was so much focus taken off the main couple Amanda and Joshua and their romance. There needed to be more of their romance on display and played out on the pages than there actually was because that was the part I enjoyed the most. Their romance. That should have been the crux of the story, and it wasn’t. In fact there were on the pages less than I was expecting, and I really wasn’t digging it especially when the stuff that came in was really unnecessary.
For instance, the whole drama with the newspaper. I honestly care for it. Yes, it was part of the complications between Amanda and Joshua and yes, it caused problems for her, but that was essential to the story especially with all the details going in on how a newspaper was run and all the politics there and then two married co-workers were having an affair and there was actually their point of view in there, which I just didn’t need. I wanted the story to be shifted back to Amanda and Joshua. And there were other things too like the gambling problem with Brad, which would have been okay if it was just mentioned or kind clues going on that something wasn’t right, but to have his point of view in their especially when he was with Barbara just was totally unnecessary. What was the point honestly? I didn’t get it unless Barbara came to play a more intricate roll in the story, but she didn’t. So, I didn’t need that either.
The only side plot that I actually enjoyed was the romance between Nelson and Mirri then I felt like I was back in a romance novel finally. They had a very interesting relationship. It was engrossing and I was compelled to keep on reading. In fact they had a really sweet and beautiful romance that was full of passion too. I loved seeing the development there as well as just the intimacy that came into that relationship. And they actually dated, which was nice too. It didn’t affect anything in the grand scheme of the plot, but it was worth it because I got to see them fall in love, which was what I was looking forward. In fact this could have been a separate story all on its own, and I would have enjoyed it very much. That was one of things about this story that was a really good thing and done very well.
With the romance with Amanda and Joshua was good too. I really liked them together as they fought their way to get closer and be together. I did like them together. I liked the sensual scenes that they had together especially the more intimate scenes between them, and not the just love making scenes either, though those were pretty good too, because they were very sweet and tender. There were simple little gestures that really warmed my heart like them holding each other or her kissing forehead. Little stuff like that. I wish there were more moments like that in the story. They just had that connection from really early on and that really translated onto the page. Plus there were some of those really steamy scenes that Diana Palmer is known for. They were about their suppressed passion as well as their suppressed love for each other. It was always there throughout the book, and when they finally came together it was released and so beautifully. That was the strength of this book was their romance.
What disappointed me the most concerning the romance between Joshua and Amanda that despite having the typical Diana Palmer theme that I love and adore, this one had a little different execution for me. Not in a bad way necessarily, but not what I was expecting. I was expecting a lot more angst between them especially because of the setup and I thought they would have more of an uphill battle than they did. Don’t get me wrong they had struggles to get to the happily ever after, but it wasn’t that typical Diana Palmer angst that I adore. It was gut wrenching. I didn’t tear up. My heart didn’t break. I didn’t want to punch Joshua in the face at any time. There wasn’t a lot of groveling or making up for being a jerk. It was just they were together than they were apart and something broke them apart again. It was very surface level separation instead of that gut wrenching one that would consume me like older Diana Palmer books that I have read in the past. Plus I just wanted more exploration of their romance than actually was. I could have dealt with a lot more of them and less of all the nonsense that was going on especially the cheating couple, which I could probably rant on for paragraphs and paragraphs more, but the point being that I wanted to see Amanda and Joshua together in the book than they actually were in fact I felt like the moments they did spend together were few and far between, but then again there were the moments that worthwhile while reading so perhaps I shouldn’t complain.
Overall I expected a little more angst, a little more romance, and a lot less of the other stuff that I felt was totally unnecessary. I think that this story could have done with a shorter format so it could have been streamlined where the entire focus of the story was the romance of Amanda and Joshua. It could have been easily done and a separate book in the shorter format could have been done of Nelson and Mirri’s romance too. Then I think I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more because the romance would be the focus not everything else that I didn’t need. There were way too many points of view that I didn’t need and it kept jumping back and forth, which made it even more distracting and hard to focus on the romance at hand. I just wanted more exploration into the romance than any of the other stuff. So, it was disappointing in that way, but when the romance was the focus that was when the book really shine and when I was into it the most. No skimming for me there. That was what I enjoyed the most of the entire book were the two romances in the story.
I felt like with this book in particular when it was good, it was really good, and what I was looking for especially in a Diana Palmer book, but there were things in this book that wasn’t so good and when that happened it kind of turned me off and I had to skim through it because I just couldn’t take it and just plowed through just to get through it. I wanted to get to the good stuff and less of what I felt was very unnecessary and dragged out stuff.
My big problem, and sometimes this happens in some Diana Palmer books, was the fact that there was so much focus taken off the main couple Amanda and Joshua and their romance. There needed to be more of their romance on display and played out on the pages than there actually was because that was the part I enjoyed the most. Their romance. That should have been the crux of the story, and it wasn’t. In fact there were on the pages less than I was expecting, and I really wasn’t digging it especially when the stuff that came in was really unnecessary.
For instance, the whole drama with the newspaper. I honestly care for it. Yes, it was part of the complications between Amanda and Joshua and yes, it caused problems for her, but that was essential to the story especially with all the details going in on how a newspaper was run and all the politics there and then two married co-workers were having an affair and there was actually their point of view in there, which I just didn’t need. I wanted the story to be shifted back to Amanda and Joshua. And there were other things too like the gambling problem with Brad, which would have been okay if it was just mentioned or kind clues going on that something wasn’t right, but to have his point of view in their especially when he was with Barbara just was totally unnecessary. What was the point honestly? I didn’t get it unless Barbara came to play a more intricate roll in the story, but she didn’t. So, I didn’t need that either.
The only side plot that I actually enjoyed was the romance between Nelson and Mirri then I felt like I was back in a romance novel finally. They had a very interesting relationship. It was engrossing and I was compelled to keep on reading. In fact they had a really sweet and beautiful romance that was full of passion too. I loved seeing the development there as well as just the intimacy that came into that relationship. And they actually dated, which was nice too. It didn’t affect anything in the grand scheme of the plot, but it was worth it because I got to see them fall in love, which was what I was looking forward. In fact this could have been a separate story all on its own, and I would have enjoyed it very much. That was one of things about this story that was a really good thing and done very well.
With the romance with Amanda and Joshua was good too. I really liked them together as they fought their way to get closer and be together. I did like them together. I liked the sensual scenes that they had together especially the more intimate scenes between them, and not the just love making scenes either, though those were pretty good too, because they were very sweet and tender. There were simple little gestures that really warmed my heart like them holding each other or her kissing forehead. Little stuff like that. I wish there were more moments like that in the story. They just had that connection from really early on and that really translated onto the page. Plus there were some of those really steamy scenes that Diana Palmer is known for. They were about their suppressed passion as well as their suppressed love for each other. It was always there throughout the book, and when they finally came together it was released and so beautifully. That was the strength of this book was their romance.
What disappointed me the most concerning the romance between Joshua and Amanda that despite having the typical Diana Palmer theme that I love and adore, this one had a little different execution for me. Not in a bad way necessarily, but not what I was expecting. I was expecting a lot more angst between them especially because of the setup and I thought they would have more of an uphill battle than they did. Don’t get me wrong they had struggles to get to the happily ever after, but it wasn’t that typical Diana Palmer angst that I adore. It was gut wrenching. I didn’t tear up. My heart didn’t break. I didn’t want to punch Joshua in the face at any time. There wasn’t a lot of groveling or making up for being a jerk. It was just they were together than they were apart and something broke them apart again. It was very surface level separation instead of that gut wrenching one that would consume me like older Diana Palmer books that I have read in the past. Plus I just wanted more exploration of their romance than actually was. I could have dealt with a lot more of them and less of all the nonsense that was going on especially the cheating couple, which I could probably rant on for paragraphs and paragraphs more, but the point being that I wanted to see Amanda and Joshua together in the book than they actually were in fact I felt like the moments they did spend together were few and far between, but then again there were the moments that worthwhile while reading so perhaps I shouldn’t complain.
Overall I expected a little more angst, a little more romance, and a lot less of the other stuff that I felt was totally unnecessary. I think that this story could have done with a shorter format so it could have been streamlined where the entire focus of the story was the romance of Amanda and Joshua. It could have been easily done and a separate book in the shorter format could have been done of Nelson and Mirri’s romance too. Then I think I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more because the romance would be the focus not everything else that I didn’t need. There were way too many points of view that I didn’t need and it kept jumping back and forth, which made it even more distracting and hard to focus on the romance at hand. I just wanted more exploration into the romance than any of the other stuff. So, it was disappointing in that way, but when the romance was the focus that was when the book really shine and when I was into it the most. No skimming for me there. That was what I enjoyed the most of the entire book were the two romances in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2018
Joshua Cabe Lawson is a millionaire with a secret. He loves Amanda Todd, his newly deceased partner's daughter. He won't let himself get close to her though. He has his reasons. Amanda was once a wilting flower and Josh taught her to stand up for herself especially where her father was concerned.
Now she own's 49 percent of her mother's family legacy, a newspaper and job press. She will have to prove herself to Josh if she is to save the job press. She faces a lot of adversity but she is determined to make Josh see that she can turn things around and save her legacy.
She also has a friend, Mirri who is having her own troubles with her boss at the FBI. Mirri went through something traumatic and she puts on a mask that may just get her into trouble when her boss comes calling.
This was a long read and Josh was not as mean as gruff as Ms. Palmer's other heroes. He is unlike the rest as well in that his secret is different from other heroes. You will have to read it to see what I mean.
It was a good read. Typical style for Ms. Palmer.
Now she own's 49 percent of her mother's family legacy, a newspaper and job press. She will have to prove herself to Josh if she is to save the job press. She faces a lot of adversity but she is determined to make Josh see that she can turn things around and save her legacy.
She also has a friend, Mirri who is having her own troubles with her boss at the FBI. Mirri went through something traumatic and she puts on a mask that may just get her into trouble when her boss comes calling.
This was a long read and Josh was not as mean as gruff as Ms. Palmer's other heroes. He is unlike the rest as well in that his secret is different from other heroes. You will have to read it to see what I mean.
It was a good read. Typical style for Ms. Palmer.
January 9, 2024
sometimes when you are reading an author you can and are shocked ...didn't realize that Diana Palmer had another name ... interesting. "Susan Kyle" i will have to be sure if she is followed by me ...going now. read on friends, reading is so fun. bye. rainy here. check ya laters. i see there are only one edition of this book ...i read did read the kindle copy ...from my local library leaning program. so there is that first off. i read this book as well as ... Long, Tall Texans: Justin & Escapade. of the three there that i did read ...i preferred this one a bit more ...just saying ...i mean we all pick our favorites ...so that is not meant to be any other way or whatnot just how we as humans do it ...picking favorites is just the thing we do ...don't u?? i love the bo0k cover. gorgeous scenery. i love a hot cowboy ...who doesn't??! read on. bye.
October 9, 2018
Amanda Todd has had a crush on Joshua Lawson ever since her teens. Josh had been a partner with her father and now has controlling interest in the newspaper that she wants to run. The paper had been in her mother’s family and Amanda thought it only right that she run it but her father’s will stated otherwise. She will not get control of it until she is 25 or married, whichever comes first. Josh has said he will never marry, seeing what a mess his parents had made of their marriage. Amanda has to get Josh to admit he loves her and to change his stance on marriage.
Goodreads shows the book written by Susan Kyle. It was written by Diana Palmer in 1992. Who is Susan Kyle?
Goodreads shows the book written by Susan Kyle. It was written by Diana Palmer in 1992. Who is Susan Kyle?
March 5, 2024
Amanda Todd is an heiress and has a big heart. With her father gone, she feels she should get control of the paper that has been in her mother's family for over 100 years. Standing in the way is Josh Lawson. He was her father's protegee until he surpassed him. Now he is the one controlling Amanda's inheritance. The only other problem is that Amanda has been in love with Josh since high school and he's not going to do anything about it. Enter Brad Lawson, charming brother of Josh and a gambling addict. He would do anything to get back at his brother. In the end, it was lose her or go crazy. Love conquers all.
April 7, 2025
I made gaging faces the whole time
This book made me cringe the whole time and as a women made me feel so gross. I read the book all the way to the end even though it was soooo hard to like at all. The ending was poor and so was the climax. Nothing about this book made me swoon. No clue why there are good reviews- I hated reading this. Side note the reason why is the main characters beliefs on men and women and the main male character would talk to Amanda as a child. A grown woman knowing nothing about sex or about a man’s body and then the man’s comments about her innocents.
This book made me cringe the whole time and as a women made me feel so gross. I read the book all the way to the end even though it was soooo hard to like at all. The ending was poor and so was the climax. Nothing about this book made me swoon. No clue why there are good reviews- I hated reading this. Side note the reason why is the main characters beliefs on men and women and the main male character would talk to Amanda as a child. A grown woman knowing nothing about sex or about a man’s body and then the man’s comments about her innocents.
September 3, 2018
Escapade
This was a very interesting book as it had two love stories running along the same set of tracks.
Josh and Amanda, long time friends, New to unexpected feelings. Josh wanted to protect Amanda, she wanted Josh however way she could get him...
Nelson and Mirri, we're a side story, but so very touching. As only Diana Palmer can write them.
This was a very interesting book as it had two love stories running along the same set of tracks.
Josh and Amanda, long time friends, New to unexpected feelings. Josh wanted to protect Amanda, she wanted Josh however way she could get him...
Nelson and Mirri, we're a side story, but so very touching. As only Diana Palmer can write them.
September 13, 2018
More than one couple is featured in this book, each with their own problems. I kept waiting for at least one of them to capture my full attention, but it didn't happen.
However, if you want to read about a man who's sterile, a couple who cheat on their respective spouses in order to stay together, and a pair of women virgins who succumb to the passion their partners create, go for it.
However, if you want to read about a man who's sterile, a couple who cheat on their respective spouses in order to stay together, and a pair of women virgins who succumb to the passion their partners create, go for it.
March 22, 2020
3,5 in realtà... si vede un vecchio stile e altra linea rispetto alla Diana Palmer conosciuta per i suoi ranger anche se qui cominciamo a vedere i personaggi FBI che abbiamo imparato a conoscere nella nota serie Long, Tall Texans, come anche la linea giornalistica presente in altri suoi libri, quelli dei suoi inizi.
October 13, 2021
This book seemed to have three different stories going on at the same time...got a little sappy in places and has let me decide to move on from Diana Palmer books for a while (not sure why this shows Susan Kyle as the author vs what the book cover shows - maybe that's the reason for the change in writing style). Made it through, but not really a suggested read!
March 17, 2024
so bad. dialogue is horrible. this was written in ‘92 and i promise no one talked like this then. horrible character writing & development. 2 subplots don’t connect well with main plot at all. got this book for $.25 at a local bookstore and i now understand why. i don’t DNF but this came incredibly close
September 30, 2025
Deeply sad with a happy ending.
I purchased a copy of Escapade by Diana Palmer and this review was given freely. Tension filled with the sad undertones of adultery, child abuse , substance abuse, addictions, rape, and unrequited love. This drama filled novel contains 3 couples with mostly happy endings and a woman revitalizing her birthright.
I purchased a copy of Escapade by Diana Palmer and this review was given freely. Tension filled with the sad undertones of adultery, child abuse , substance abuse, addictions, rape, and unrequited love. This drama filled novel contains 3 couples with mostly happy endings and a woman revitalizing her birthright.
September 1, 2018
I liked Amanda and Josh's story. he is a strong, independent career woman who knows what she wants. Josh is a millionaire who is sterile, and doesn't think he deserves Amanda. They work it through and get their HEA.
September 1, 2018
Double wow. This lady still has it. I was riveted with everything going on. There was so much happening that it kept me enthralled from the first word till the last. Great read. Narration was awesome too.
September 1, 2018
Double wow. This lady still has it. I was riveted with everything going on. There was so much happening that it kept me enthralled from the first word till the last. Great read. Narration was awesome too.
September 18, 2018
Good read
I really liked this book! How it focused on the !ain characters, but also told the story of several others. I love how the author touched on addiction and getting help for it as well.
I really liked this book! How it focused on the !ain characters, but also told the story of several others. I love how the author touched on addiction and getting help for it as well.
February 22, 2019
Good
I enjoyed this stand alone novel. Several lives were sorted out during this book. It could have been broken up into at least two books but it worked well as one with two separate story lines interwoven.
I enjoyed this stand alone novel. Several lives were sorted out during this book. It could have been broken up into at least two books but it worked well as one with two separate story lines interwoven.
March 31, 2019
Yikes! Just look at the authors picture on the dust jacket and you can get a good idea of what the story will be like. Though I think it great that Palmer must have a thing for hairy men, I was disappointed that the word "turgid" wasn't used even once.
October 27, 2019
Love story
This love story has lots of blocks to "happily ever after" . Like real life, the characters are being in truthful for the greater good. This always complicates the natural how of events.
This love story has lots of blocks to "happily ever after" . Like real life, the characters are being in truthful for the greater good. This always complicates the natural how of events.
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