Melissa James is a fabulous writer who speaks from her heart straight

to the heart of the reader. -- The Best Reviews- Tracey West

Melissa James seizes the reader by the heart

and leaves her smiling with satisfaction. -- CataRomance Reviews- Donna Zapf

HIS HOUSEKEEPER BRIDE: A powerful, emotional prologue opens this book and I was blown away by the intensity and beauty of the writing. This reader became submerged in the pain the hero felt for his child bride. Incredible writing. I cannot say enough good about Ms. James writing. It is so emotive, so powerful. The angst of her heroine and her hero bleeds across the page. There were places in the book where I wanted to weep for their pain. I've enjoyed other books by this author, seen the beauty in her writing, but this one tops the others.

-- Nancy Holroyd, M&B Community Reviews

HIS PRINCESS IN THE MAKING (3) by Melissa James: The discovery that his best friend, ballet teacher Lia Costa, is actually the Princess Royal of Hellenia is as big a shock to firefighter Toby Winder as it is to Lia! Toby has secretly loved Lia for years, and the feeling is mutual, but even if the King hadn't already arranged a marriage, Toby isn't a suitable consort. The two become lovers in secret, without hope of a future together, but a solution to their dilemma has roots in their shared past. A compelling conflict and strong sensual tension keep the pages turning, but this story's very talky; a little more action would have been welcome.

 —Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times Booksclub

THE REBEL KING (4) by Melissa James: Firefighter Charlie Costa is shocked by the news that he and his sister are actually royalty. But that's just the beginning. When they're spirited away to their family's homeland, Hellenia, they learn the king has already arranged marriages for them! It falls to Charlie's intended, Princess Jazmine Marandis, to instruct him in protocol -- and to make accepting his birthright palatable. Jazmine's everything Charlie could want in a wife, but deciding whether or not to stay in Hellenia isn't something he can do lightly -- or easily. A well-plotted story that's far from the usual "royal fantasy," James' novel has a lot of grit and rough edges, much like agreeably cranky Charlie.

—Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times Bookclub

Happily engaged to wealthy businessman Matt McLachlan, Julie Montgomery has been planning the wedding of her dreams for ages, courtesy of her employers, The Wedding Belles. But Julie's relationship with Matt begins unraveling at their engagement party, when she learns he's been keeping secrets. The biggest: Matt has a daughter. Suddenly, Julie's questioning everything, which forces Matt to face what he's done -- and to try to find a way to make her stay. Melissa James wraps up The Wedding Planners with The Bridegroom's Secret (3). A well-developed heroine, dynamic conflict and a satisfying ending are the highlights, but the hero's not very heroic, or memorable. 

—Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times Bookclub

When architect Noah Brannigan and his three kids move in next door, child-care provider Jennifer March wonders where his wife can be. That's the question on everyone else's mind too. Belinda Brannigan has been missing for three years, and her family is in limbo. Though aware that he's still married, Jennifer falls in love with Noah and the children. Noah's understandably cautious, particularly when it becomes clear that Jennifer's dealing with some demons of her own. Melissa James' A Mother in a Million (4) tackles a difficult scenario with great sensitivity. The characters are also handled well, and there's plenty of chemistry between them.

—Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times Bookclub

This novel details the obstacles to their relationships, including Danni’s parents’ difficult and conflict-ridden relationship. This is a very nice category romance and an interesting change from the usual stories you find in these books, given that the novel takes place in Australia and is written by an Aussie author. Sometimes I found myself annoyed with Danni’s ambivalence about involvement in a relationship. In the end, this added depth to the novel and the story of this couples’ angst with each other and their past family relationships.

--  Jeri Neal, The Romance Readers Connection

One night with jackaroo Jake Connors leaves veterinary student Laila Robbins pregnant and struggling to maintain her independence. Jake's repeated proposals -- and her family's pointed suggestions that she accept them -- fall on deaf ears. Laila swears she won't marry Jake until he can truthfully say that he's happy about the baby. That isn't likely to happen because of what Jake lost in the past -- a wife and a child. Melissa James' Outback Baby Miracle (3) has an explosive conflict and well-defined characters, but the story is mainly a cyclical argument between Jake and Laila. Jake's inertia has some poignancy, but it gets thin quickly.

—Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times Bookclub

Long-Lost Father uses a plot that many have read time and again and yet Melissa James gives the story a twist. Her addition of Casey’s handicap adds an intense dimension into the story, giving it more heart and interest for readers. James starts at square one with Sam and Brett letting them learn to love each other all over again. Her portrayal of Brett’s frustration in learning how to deal with the blind and getting past Samantha’s barriers adds poignancy to the story. Readers are sure to enjoy this sweet romance, a story that has been told before but with a new voice that adds sentimentality and compassion.

– Tracy, Contemporary Romance Writers

Ms. James has written a book where the characters are attracted to each other, but feel as though they are meant for something different, and instead of abandon their dreams and goals allows them to explore their futures independently. Cinderella’s Lucky Ticket reminded me of fairy tale with a mix of Pygmalion thrown in. I laughed and cried, and cheered for every bit of strength and backbone Lucy picked up along the way. I discovered Ms. James as a debut author, and have to say that she has just gotten better with time. Now, I hope she continues to explore this new side of her personality, the one that allows her to write romantic comedy.

--Sandi, A Romance Review

James has the talent to write an emotional love story, with lots of angst and tears to pull at the reader’s heartstrings. Unfortunately, Can You Forget? reads very much like a series and the technical, on-going aspects of the Nighthawk story left this first time reader at a disadvantage. If you’ve read that first book, by all means this book two is an accomplished series romance. However, curious newcomers would do well to start at the beginning.

--Wendy Crutcher, The Romance Reader

Nighthawk commander Brendan McCall finds himself both protecting and investigating a woman he believes might be the true love he lost to arms and drug dealer Robert Falcone 10 years ago. New Zealand potter Elizabeth Silver is a woman with secrets, but is she the love he left behind? Whoever she is, she needs help. Falcone is coming to take her and the young son he believes is his. Filled with nonstop adventure, breathtaking twists, a strong yet vulnerable hero and a woman who must risk everything, Melissa James' DANGEROUS ILLUSION (4.5) will delight readers looking for a combination of romance and suspense.
—Page Traynor Romantic Times Bookclub

…designed to draw readers with its strong elements of action, suspense, adventure and sensual romance. You will find yourself crying one moment, laughing the next; all while your heart is being squeezed by the amazing adventure and action in this story. Kudos to Ms. James for introducing the Nighthawks to us. Let's all hope that there will be more Nighthawks to read about. Who Do You Trust? is totally amazing. I hope that you grab this book immediately so that you can experience the reading pleasure I've had.

–Robin Taylor, In the Library Reviews

First time Silhouette author Melissa James packs an emotional wallop with [HER GALAHAD], a plot that is unusual enough to hold the interest of the most seasoned suspense fan She will have her readers long remembering not only her characters but also the Australia she obviously loves… Beautiful dialogue, complex plots and subplots, exquisitely described settings that shift seamlessly around deftly developed characters are generally the trademarks of experienced authors. Remember the name Melissa James, you will be reading her again.

--Thea Davis, The Romance Reader