Well, we have the famous Ghost scene to help us believe in the romance of the ceramic artist but honestly, I did need that. I married a potter. Sexy stuff.

 

Here are some wonderful Romance Novels featuring Potters. My lists are never in any particular order.  

 

1.  By Design by Madeline Hunter

 

The moment Rhys saw the stunning young woman selling her exquisitely crafted pottery in the marketplace, he was captivated. But the wealthy freemason would never have guessed that just a few days later, a misunderstanding would land Joan in the town stocks and he would become her unlikely savior. After the grueling ordeal, Rhys tenderly cares for Joan's bruised body—and her bruised pride. Yet he longs to do much more ... to satisfy the fire that sparks between the pair the moment they are alone.

Rhys could not have known that Joan once enjoyed a more privileged life. She'd had no choice but to become an indentured servant, but she is determined to avenge the crimes that ruined her family and destroyed her world. When Rhys meets with her employer to buy pottery—and buys her instead —Joan is furious. She vows to resist falling under the spell of the handsome, imposing Rhys. But she finds that her resolve quickly softens when tempted by Rhys's powerful charms—and she can only hope to find a way to avoid surrendering to her potent desire....

 

2. Keep Me Forever by Rosemary Laurey

 

Antonia Stonewright isn't about to change her views on love. A sexy mortal companion is fine every now and then, but a soul mate? A partner for life? Please. She was burned once, and hundreds of years haven't healed the wounds. But reclusive potter Michael Langton is. . .different. His gorgeous wares are perfect for her new art gallery--and his gorgeous body is perfect for her. She can't get enough of his toned muscles or his amazing, dark eyes. Their nights together make them both purr with pleasure--except in Michael's case, purring comes naturally. So much for finding a regular boyfriend. Antonia has a truly sexy beast on her hands. . .

 

3.  Marriage, Outlaw Style by Cindy Gerard

 

FROM CLASSROOM RIVALS…

Was Maddie Brannigan out of her cotton-pickin' mind? Waking up next to her sworn enemy, of all things. Sure, Clay James was the sexiest hunk in Jackson Hole. Sure, the rugged businessman came to her rescue. But Maddie had fought enough childhood battles to know better. Or did she?

 

…TO BEDROOM BUDDIES

Clay wondered what had come over him! Saving this exasperating, irresistible damsel in distress got him into a whole heap of trouble—the 6 lb, 12 oz kind. But one look into this mesmerizing mother-to-be's big brown eyes and he knew his marriage proposal was more than a matter of duty. Now he just was to convince Maddie to say "I do."

 

4.  Abilgail's Story by Ann Burton

 

Abigail has a brief starring role in the Old Testament as the shrewd intercessor for peace between David and Abigail's miserly husband, Nabal. Conveniently, Nabal drops dead, and David takes Abigail for his wife. We don't know much about Abigail's reaction when Bathsheba started taking baths on rooftops. But Burton fills in the gaps of Abigail's childhood, portraying her as a clever, modest young woman who was raised in poverty and forced to marry the repulsive Nabal because of her brother's gambling debts. She's likable and believable, and Burton brings the ancient setting to life at least as well as Anita Diamant in The Red Tent (1997), though without Diamant's sensuality and fierce feminism. This is the first in a series on biblical women. 

 

5. Baby, I'm Yours by Karen Templeton 

 

Kevin Vacarro just found out he was a father to a five-month-old! He’d fought to overcome his troubled past, but it was nothing compared to the battle he was about to wage for his child’s future.

 

Julianne McCabe had no intention of giving up her sister’s child – the one she loved as her own – without a struggle. Yet that was before Kevin started bonding with his daughter. Before he awoke feelings that made her long to share more than late-night feedings.

 

But was she ready to risk her heart again to be the wife Kevin needed? To become the family they both wanted?

 

6. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

 

When Megan Murphy discovered a floppy-eared rabbit gnawing on the hem of her skirt, she meant to give its careless owner a piece of her mind, but Dr. Patrick Hunter was too attractive to stay mad at for long. Soon the two are making Thanksgiving dinner for their families.

 

7. The Face of Deceit by Ramona Richards

 

Her parents had been killed before her very eyes, though Karen O'Neill could barely remember that childhood horror. Now an art buyer is dead and Karen's famous "face" vases are being shattered. What about the vases led to the cold-blooded killing?

Art expert Mason DuBroc believes the clues are in the clay. That the creepy face Karen molds is motive for murder. Has someone recognized himself in her work? Karen must know something she shouldn't. Something her subconscious has held on to for years. And something a crazed killer will do anything to keep buried…with Karen.

 

8. Dakota Daddy by Sara Orwig

 

The last obstacle entrepreneur Jared Dalton needed between him and a fifteen-million-dollar bet was a woman with a grudge. He knew their long-ended affair was the reason Megan Sorenson refused to sell him her ranch. Determined to get back into her good graces, Jared sought Megan out…and discovered her son. Their son.

Now Jared would need more than his surefire charm and seductive smile. For this woman and their son were priceless. And this Dakota daddy would stop at nothing to make them his own.

 

9.  Only Yesterday by Peggy Webb

 

Ann Debeau plans to live in New York, sell her pottery at the art gallery, and marry her fiance. When her aunt dies and she returns to Alabama to close Windchime house, a sudden storm turns her future as well as her past upside down. Stranded with a recuer who bears a striking resemblance to an old photograph in her grandmother's trunk, Ann starts having strange dreams. But are the dreams something more?
  
Daring polo player Colt Butler discards every woman he meets because she can't measure up to the woman who haunts his dreams. When Hurricane Bethany traps him in the attic of Windchime House, his dreams take on another dimension, and he's determined to find out the truth. Are Ann and Colt lovers lost in time, destined to find each again?

 

10.  BUSHRANGER'S MOUNTAIN  by VICTORIA GORDON

 

Win some – lose some!

The miracle lottery win that enabled Leith to buy a run-down small-holding on Bushranger’s Mountain in Tasmania, where she could live and practice her pottery craft, brought her into contact with many new friends – not least of whom was Mace Benedict, a sort of neighbor. But Leith gradually found herself wanting to be more than just a neighbor to Mace, even though it was obvious he only thought of her as a stubborn fool!

 

To vote for the best potters in Romance, visit my Goodreads list: Dirty: Potters in Romance Novels. 

I love it when the profession of a character shapes the romance because it means that I am in for a well built world with new and interesting dimensions to love story.

 

I particularly enjoy unusual professions. In Contemporary Romance, non inspirational, a rabbi, bishop, ex nun, ex priest, minster, pastor, preacher, vicar makes a wonderful  and rare romantic lead for me. 

 

Please enjoy these treasure I have found with Men and Women (mostly men) of the Cloth in Contemporary Romance.

 

1. When Bruce Met Cyn by Lori Foster Bruce is a preacher and Cyn is an ex prostitute.

 

2. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Ethan is a pastor and Kristy is his secretary. 

 

3. The Minister's Mate by Morgan Willows New minister in town, Steve and Pamela BB Owner.

 

4. Donovan's Angel by Peggy Webb Free!  Martie, exercise teacher and Minister Paul

 

5.. MeantToBe Marriage  by Rebecca Winters Priest leaves the priesthood for love of a teacher. 

 

6. Magdalene by Moriah Jovan, LDS Bishop and Cassie,  Wall Street’s toughest strategists 

 

7. Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr A young widowed reverend and the pastor's assistant. 

 

8. The Pastor's Woman by Jacquelin Thomas Preacher and a gospel singer

 

9. Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams Marriage of Con

 

10. Changing Habits by Debbie Macomber 3 Ex Nuns find love. 

 

Did I not include your favorite? It may be on my Pinterest Board. Men and Women of the Cloth: Minsters, Rabbis, Pastors, Clergy Romance Leads.

 

If not let me know!

 

To vote for the best of the best of Clergy in Contemporary Romance go to the Goodreads list: Devout: Best Clergy Heroes and Heroines in Contemporary Romance. 

 

This book felt over the top and RIDICULOUS for the first third. And then, somewhere along the way, these larger than life tropes became people I was fond of and I was hooked. Not a complicated plot, and honestly, I've seen this plot done better, but it was cute and fluffy, and I loved the female friendship. You got a real sense of her friends, even through just emails. Was a quick read, but I picked up the next one.

I had no idea what to expect really, a Basset Hound who thinks he is Elvis Presley? I thought the book would be from his point of view, but I have to say that that is happily not the case. However, after each chapter you read a small chapterkind that has Elvis’ thoughts on the situation and that I do like.

I found the book a bit difficult to follow. Many loose ends or things that happened and I was thinking what just happened? Like the moment Callie and Lovie are in Vegas. The whole event was unrealistic especially when Callie and Lovie flee from the crime scene. I expected the cops to be at her place about two chapters later, but none of the sort. Callie went on to her business as beautician and her fight for Elvis. The first that it got mentioned again was way, way later… It was hard to keep up the storylines and it was going from here to there and over there and back again.

The only thing that really bothered me seemingly was the relationship between Callie and Jack. They have been married, now in divorce and Elvis is the subject they can’t get an agreement over. However, Callie mentions a lot about how she just wants the divorce to be done, but ends up in bed with Jack a lot…. Really, a lot! And every time she sees him, she gets weak in the knees. I really didn’t like that a lot, I mean you usually get a divorce for a reason… So, yeah.
Oh, what also kinda annoyed me was the “I’m wearing Prada shoes”, “Wearing my Jimmy Choo Sandals” and “I parked my Dodge Ram”. Just call it shoes and car… Once I know one rides a Dodge Ram, the next time I read about the car, the word ‘car’ is good enough.

I will read the second installment since I did like the concept about Elvis the basset hound, but if it continues to be this way, I don’t think I will finish the series.

Can someone please put a ZERO STARS rating in these reviews?

TAMING MAGGIE by Peggy Webb, was, in a word, vomit worthy. The "heroine" goes from being a strong, determined, honorable woman, an animal rights activist with a good heart and a wonderful soul, to being a weak willed, whiny, oversexed second grade teacher with no backbone, no will, and a mind wrapped around falling into bed with a totally useless spoiled rotten rich boy. A rich boy who is not only determined to put Maggie in her place, to "tame" her (what, is she some kind of illiterate savage to be 'tamed'?), but is also a hunter. A man who rants about how "noble" hunting is, how "manly" while hiding in blinds, sneaking around downwind, and then shooting defenseless animals from far away with high powered rifles. Oh, yea. Manly" and "powerful" and "noble"..... wow. Sort of like holding down children and beating them to death is! Yea! If hunting is so "manly" why doesn't her little rich boy get himself a knife and go stalk his prey and take it down with knife and his teeth? Now THAT would be manly. What this guy and all his little buddies do is cowardly - and she laps it up like a dog licking his privates.

So. No matter how well she was raised by her widowed father to be a strong, independent, loving woman with principles, we get her panting after the guy like a mindless bitch in heat - even though he stands for everything she hates and is determined to fight against. She might as well have laid on the ground and let him wipe his feet on her. Actually, that is exactly what she does in this disaster of a book.

It was actually disappointing in that I really thought, at first, that she was going to be a character I could like - until she rolled over and showed her belly. Ugh. There were multiple opportunities for her to state her case in a reasonable, logical manner. Instead, the author makes her 'heroine' basically illiterate. Instead of standing up on the check writing table in the little rich boys bank and stating her case after he humiliates her in the paper, she blathers and goes all weak in the knees over "Oh, he's so hot!" God. 12 much? Oh, I am sure there was an HEA at the end, but I couldn't make it even a third of the way through before wishing it was in paper so I could rip the book up and use it to line the cat box.

0 stars, and can someone hand me a trash can so I can toss my Christmas Cookies??