Reviews of Lady Blue
It's fun. It's fantasy. It's reality. It's a darn good read. What am I talking about? Lady Blue by Judy Bagshaw is a smashing good story to take you away from your everyday, humdrum, boring existance into a world of blues singers and high powered music executives. This is a very different romance story, a story of a strong vibrant 'real' woman, who despite her own insecurities and problems sets a shinging example for all women, wives, and mothers who want to make something out of their lives.
This book has the most entrancing, realistic characters I have ever read. Without exciting characters even a good story is dull, but Lady Blue's character vibrate with realism. You almost expect to see Sabrina when you walk down the street and the supporting cast is three dimensional and wonderful to get to know. The worst thing about reading this book is that you get to the end and these beautiful people have vanished out of your life. How about a sequel Judy?
This book is a dream to read. Dramatic, bold with those characters in living color you want to gulp it all down in a single sitting, at the same time regretting and fearing the end of the story. It is a book for everyone who ever had a dream. Just who it that? Why, is it not all of us? Read Lady Blue. I know you'll love it as much as I did.
-Gail Gernat
author, Shadow of the Lynx, Wt Publications
"Like all of Judy Bagshaw's wonderful romance novels, LADY BLUE is brimming with romance, mystery, intrigue, and a captivating, page-turning story. This author really knows how to pen marvelous, believable, plus-sized heroines with whom every "real woman" can truly relate. It's easy to see why beautiful Sabrina won the heart of Guy and so satisfying that this luscious,hunky hero is fully capable of handling this talented, larger-than-life woman. LADY BLUE is a must read!"--Daisy Dexter Dobbs, award-winning author SHIPPING SHARON JEZEBEL AND THE EGGHEAD http://www.daisydexterdobbs.com
Heroine: tall, abundant
Sultry Sabrina Blue knows how to make magic when
she's crooning at her small blues club, Spats. For
her singing is a dream come true, one she once thought
was forever out of reach as long as she stayed the
dutiful housewife and mother. But Sabrina made some
difficult decisions about her life and made that dream
come true.
Sexy, suave Guy Latimer, owner of the King Midas
Inc. music production company, is not used to taking
no for an answer. So he's beyond shocked when he
approaches Sabrina after one of her sets at Spats,
only to have her turn down his offer of a recording
contract. Determined to get to the bottom of her
reluctance at working with him and anxious to get to
know her on a personal level, Guy manages to at least
get the delicious diva to go out to dinner with him.
But can he win Sabrina's trust and ongoing
friendship? And can he protect her from the old
dangers which haunt her past?
What worked for me:
I always love to read romances that feature
truly abundant heroines; they are so hard to come by!
It was easy to root for the hero and heroine
in this story, and there were a terrifically
despicable pair of villains to loathe.
Size-wise Sabrina sounded like she was built
along the lines of Camryn Manheim: tall, elegant, and
bountiful.
What didn't work for me:
I am surprised that Sabrina, protective mother
that she was, took chances with her son's safety in
the way that she did.
Overall:
Ms. Bagshaw's writing just gets better and better!
"Lady Blue" is her richest, most well-rounded tale
yet. Fans of romantic suspense should enjoy this one.
Warning: there are some steamy love scenes and some
coarse language in this story.
If you liked "Lady Blue" you might also enjoy
"Teacher's Pet", "A Worthy Heir", "Walking After
Midnight", "Looking for Laura", "Serious Risks",
"Shadows in the Moonlight", and "Love by the Pound".
=====
Jen Henderson
Dangerously Curvy Novels ( http://curvynovels.com/ )
Book Reviews for Well-Rounded Women.
LADY BLUE by Judy Bagsha
Review by Michael LaRocca
Rating: Four Stars out of five
Deborah Spencer wants the same things most women do. A man who loves her as she is, success in a career she loves, not to have her son or herself murdered by a psychotic ex-husband.
When Deborah, a plus-sized housewife and mother, finds herself married to an unfaithful and abusive man, she runs, fearing for her safety and that of her son. She changes her identity and embarks on a new life as Sabrina Blue, singer.
She lucks into a partnership in a nightclub with street-wise Dex Randall and becomes a local celebrity. Guy Latimer, a successful record producer, hears her soulful singing one night and offers her recording contract. Sabrina, not wanting the publicity for fear of her husband finding her, declines the offer. Even so, Guy finds himself strongly attracted to her.
After Sabrina falls prey to a nasty gossop columnist, her husband appears to turn her world upside down again.
Romance, mystery, and above all realism. The characters are truly three-dimensional, and you will genuinely enjoy spending some time with them.
Patricia E.Rowan, Reviewer
eBook Reviews Weekly
http://www.ebook-reviews.net
Deborah Spencer (estranged wife of Troy Spencer) and mother of Alex is now a nightclub chanteuse and part owner of the "Spats", as well as a lady with a past. She has changed her name to Sabrina Blue and her son is now Devin, age 8. She gets the support that she needs with her partner, a man named Dex.
Guy Latimer, a promoter and record aent, has heard about Sabrina's voice and the effect that she has on an audience, and comes to see for himself. Trailing him is Laney Ballou, a gossip rag reporter with a history of antagonism towards Guy. She has slandered him many times over the divorce from his first wife. Guy is charmed with Sabrina's stage presense and her voice, offering her a record contract which she refuses vehemently. Sabrina enjoys the anonymity and safety of the cozy club and the protection of Dex and his staff.
Laney, ever ready to cause trouble, looks into Sabrina's past for information. She is intrigued by Guy's new lady love. Will she find it? Is Devin safe from a father he has never known? Will Troy find his wife? Will Sabrina sign a contract with Guy? Will she find happiness again?
Judy Bagshaw has written a terrific story--very fictional--one could only wish that life really was like that. She has insight into Sabrina's emotions and Bagshaw's description of the appearance of the characters is quite essential to the story but seems irrelevant to the characters themselves. Bagshaw has made a brave attempt in the telling of the story of her heroine and her nemesis. So she explores very broadly both sides of the equation that she describes.
I would recommend this book and I feel that the subject merits quite a bit of thought.
When Deborah Spencer decided to leave her ex-husband Troy, and take their son Alex somewhere safe, she changed their names and led a quiet life. Now known as Sabrina Blue and her son Devin, their quiet life is about to change. When Guy Latimer, a record producer, spots Sabrina singing her nightclub, Spats, he knows she has talent and wants her to sign a recording contract.
Determined to keep a low profile, Sabrina refuses the contract. This grabs Guy's attention professionally but emotionally as well. As Guy gets to know Sabrina and Devin, he finds himself falling deeper in love than he ever thought possible. Laney Ballou, a tabloid reporter, uses her column to attempt to hurt Guy, and leads Troy to Sabrina. When Troy attempts to exploit Sabrina, Guy winds up taking a bullet to protect them.
LADY BLUE features a big, beautiful woman, Sabrina Blue, as the heroine. Finding herself loved by a man, she comes to love herself and realize her self worth. Leaving her haunted past behind, she grows into a star. A better lead character could not have been written. Any woman can fantasize about being loved for herself, as well as being an idol in the music industry. When Guy Latimer enters the nightclub, he comes across as a pretty boy who always gets what he wants, but his true colors make him a wonderful hero who saves the day. Throw in Sabrina's son, Devin, and the wonderful friends she has made at Spats, and you have a novel full of love and hope.
Ms. Bagshaw has created a tale of romance, suspense and desire without the blatant sex scenes that can make the reader feel uncomfortable. She has turned LADY BLUE into a novel to be proud of; a novel that makes the heroine sexy and desirable while leaving the private intimacies to be imagined. My favorite scene is full of tenderness when Guy invites Sabrina to share his bed in the hospital to comfort her in her time of need. The love and trust implied in that scene sums up the entire novel. I feel this book deserves more than a five star rating! This tops my list of favorite books written in 2003.
Reviewed by Angie
March 2004
© Love Romances, 2001-2004. All Rights Reserved
Lady Blue by Judy Bagshaw
Electric e-Book Publishing
2003
ISBN 1-55352-070-X
Romantic suspense
4 stars
Judy Bagshaw has written a refreshingly candid love story about a gorgeous hunk of a guy and a big beautiful woman in Lady Blue. This page turning romantic suspense story is a quick satisfying read!
Sabrina Blue has mega talent in her lovely bluesy singing voice and Guy Latimer is determined to sign her with a recording contract. However, this curvaceous raven haired beauty also has a dark secret and she is just as determined to avoid Guy and the publicity stardom would bring. Finally, Sabrina agrees to a single date with the strikingly handsome Guy and sparks begin to fly. Unfortunately, Laney Ballou, an unethical reporter for a scandal newspaper, publishes a news story about the pair, complete with photos and snide remarks about Sabrina's ample size. This ignites a chain reaction that puts Sabrina and her son Devin in grave danger. Does Guy truly love Sabrina or simply want to sign her to a contract? Will Sabrina be able to face her sordid past and put the demons to rest or will she run away?
Lady Blue revitalizes the age worn "perfect boy meets perfect girl" story. Judy Bagshaw has taken charge with real world characters in her delectably thrilling romance. I highly recommend Lady Blue as perfect reading for the beach this summer!
Donna, eCataRomance
