The Rainbow Cedar Paperback – March 25, 2008

Gerri Hill's latest book, "The Rainbow Cedar," is reminiscent of her earlier novels, and that is a good thing.I wasn't overly thrilled with her last two books--"The Cottage" and the Hunter sequel, "In the Name of the Father"--but this book has much going for it.Jay meets Drew literally by accident in Austin, Texas. They are attracted to one another, but Jay's in the midst of an eight-year relationship, and Drew won't be the one to break up that relationship.Jay's partner Katharine is a high-powered attorney, bucking to make partner and then strike out on her own. As a result of Katherine's ambition and workaholic ways, their relationship is on the rocks. And when a former lover of Katherine's comes in the picture, Jay can either stay and fight for what she has, or follow her heart.My only dislike? Ah, the habit of authors ending their books too soon! That knocked one star off my rating.A light read, a fun read, with enough sexual tension to keep you flipping to the next chapter.Welcome back, Gerri! You've been missed.

Once again Gerri Hill has done an outstanding job in writing a fantastic book. The chemistry between Jay and Drew felt very real.Only thing I wish was to see Katherine get some karma back at her for what she did to Jay in both the past and present.

I have to say as always I love Gerri's writing style. Her romance mixed with humor. However some of her stories really do make me wonder about the characters. I realize Jay has been in a relationship for 8 years. Even in the beginning, before she meets Drew, you can tell things are not good between them. And meeting Drew is like a breath of fresh air into her life so much so her best friend has to remind her of her current girlfriend. To me this foursome going to Hawaii is a bit much to take. I'll say this much. It was an interesting concept and gave Drew and Jay time to really fall in love. It's worth the read. Just for personal reasons harder to accept the circumstances.

Interior Designer, Jay Burns, literally runs into landscaper, Drew Montgomery, by rear ending her truck. They are immediately drawn to each other but Jay is trying to save an eight year relationship. Can the heart get what the heart wants? Recommend Author and book.

Jay Burns has known for a long time that her relationship with her partner Katherine is in trouble. Katherine is so focused on making partner in her law firm that she's seldom home and they're very disconnected when she is. Jay is convinced that she shouldn't throw away eight years, so she buries herself in developing her new interior design business and avoiding confrontation. That becomes more difficult when she meets landscape designer Drew Montgomery. Jay tries to tell herself that their growing friendship is because of their mutual interests, but that delusion doesn't hold up long. The situation is further complicated when Katherine arranges a strange trip to Hawaii for them with a lawyer from her firm and her "date" - Drew. When Katherine and her friend are more interested in running off together, Jay begins to suspect that work is not all that has kept her lover away from home. As one relationship unravels, another one strengthens, until Jay finds herself in the confrontation she had hoped to avoid, but no longer fears. There is another life with Drew if they can put all of the pieces back together.This is a standard Gerri Hill romance. The story is well told and most of the characters are appealing. The reader may wonder why Jay puts up with a minimal relationship for so long, but many people get caught in a status quo situation that they don't change until something dramatic happens. The really appealing character in the book is Drew, who could easily take advantage of a situation, but holds herself to a higher standard. She provides a stark contrast to Katherine. At the heart of the story is a theme that often isn't popular, infidelity, by both Katherine and ultimately Jay. The reader will probably be able to work her way around Jay's indiscretion because of Katherine's behavior.The Rainbow Cedar is a good vacation or weekend reading book. It will be a good way to spend a few hours seeing how these women work out their situation.

Gerri Hill is my favorite romance writer. She always gives you cool characters to care about, nice natural setting to walk through with them. And just plan love to fall for in the end. She brings you up and down with the characters as they go through there falling love process. In Rainbow Cedar she give you two people who have swore off love but end up on an island for singles and met there the rest is maddening history.

I have liked most of Gerri Hill’s books but not this one. There was a scene that didn’t sit well with me. There was an argument in which one character slapped another. Not once but twice. Even splitting the lip of the other character. I really didn’t like how it was addressed in the remainder of the book. It’s abuse any way you look at it.

I bought and read this book in one day, easily getting sucked in to the plot and wondering what was going to happen next!Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I felt like it was too short and there wasn't enough exposition. I would have liked to have learned more about Jay's career, learned more about how she and Connie started working together, seen more of the camaraderie between Drew and her crew. I just felt like I was given snippets of potentially important background information, with no follow up or development of surrounding characters.Also, a personal pet peeve of mine, I dislike when an author changes the viewpoint of the story in the middle of a paragraph. It confuses me and kicks me out of the tale till I can work out who is speaking.I like Gerri as an author and look forward to reading more of her books.

This classy romance sees the main protagonists facing an intriguing dilemma – 5 StarsAlthough Jay Burns recognises her eight-year marriage is on rocky ground, she’s determined to cut her career-driven wife some slack, and fully respect her marriage vows. However, when she meets landscape designer, Drew, Jay finds it more and more difficult to ignore the issue of her wife’s controlling behaviour…While the novel centres around the sense of conflict Jay feels as she admits her attraction to Drew, it soon becomes a ‘party’ for four. Both Jay’s wife, Katherine, and her old school friend, Jenna, also play important roles, and I really enjoyed the way the plot became more complex as story unfolded. The potential for an almost farcical set-up towards the end of the book certainly helped cut through the angst, and it provided the vehicle for a couple of interesting twists too.Whilst Jay and Katherine were unashamedly obvious in their ‘goodie’ and ‘baddie’ roles, Jenna turned-out to be a surprisingly multi-dimensional character. Audrey, Jay’s best friend, added lighter moments, and the all too honourable Drew was just a delight; although I did want to give her a kick up the butt more than once! Having part of the novel being set on the beautiful shores of Hawaii (Gerri Hill is ridiculously good at making natural environments come to life), was just the icing on the cake.

You know where you are with Gerri Hill. Almost invariably, girl meets girl, girls fall for each other (and often have amazing sex), girls go through sticky patches on road to true love but come out the other end and live happily ever after. It's formulaic, but so what? No one's forcing you to read it! So go ahead Gerri, fill your boots!Personally, I like decently written prose about characters you really come to care about and Jay and Drew in this are particularly likeable. As far as I'm concerned, Gerri can just go on doing what she does so well!

Gerri Hill is a talented writer. The characters were believable and the story cracked on at a good pace. I believe there is definitely enough for a sequel, which would be very welcome. If you enjoy a slow burn romance, this one’s for you.

The story of Drew and Jay, drawn to each other at their first meeting but with Jay in a failing relationship, the book follows their relationship from its beginnings in freindly flirtation through to its climax on a luxury holiday where Jay and her partner and Drew and her date and all present. A real page turner where the sexual tension continues to build with each page Gerri Hill has done it again, a wonderful read.

Ive read this book twice now and will likely read it again in the future, Real escapism from the daily grind. Characters were engaging, beautiful descriptions of the scenery most of us will never see. . Throughly enjoyed, and will definately recommend. Brilliant author.