by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: August 28, 2008

Diana Palmer is a well-known American romance novelist. Although Palmer was a journalist for sixteen years, in 1979 she devoted herself to writing romantic fiction and has since produced several novels that have earned spots on various bestseller lists.

Unfortunately, after several decades of writing love stories, Palmer's novels have become eerily similar to one another, often fitting a stereotypical "romance novel" plot.

Palmer's "Winter Roses," is set in the fictional town of Jacobsville, where many of her novels are set. The plot focuses on the burgeoning relationship between Stuart York and Ivy Conley. Eighteen-year-old Conley is a sweet-natured, slightly naive girl who has overcome several obstacles in her life. Despite the fact that things rarely go her way, she never loses her sense of optimism. When Conley visists her best friend, Merrie, she finds herself completely enamored with Merrie's older brother, York. Thirty-year-old York, however, barely acknowledges Conley's presence.

Two years later, York and Conley meet again rather serendipitously at a community dance. This time, however, York is unable to refuse Conley and is enchanted by her beauty and charm.

Unfortunately, their lives are complicated when the sleepy town of Jacobsville begins to attract drug dealers and Conley unknowingly becomes involved in a drug smuggling ring. York must then take on the stereotypical role of hero and save his damsel in distress

What's more is that Conley's evil sister beings to gossip and spread lies about her, and of course, the ever-good Conley consistently forgives her.

There are a lot of flaws in Palmer's "Winter Roses." First and foremost, the plot is just completely unlikely. Why on earth would drug dealers decide to migrate into a quiet town where they are unlikely to receive any business? Not to mention the fact that if they did have some business, they would be unable to expand. Furthermore, the characters are one dimensional, boring, and stereotypical. Conley is too "perfect" as she lovingly forgives her sister, without hesitation. Perhaps this naivety is ultimately the reason why she falls into a drug ring.

That being said, as a whole, "Winter Roses" is readable. Die-hard Diana Palmer fans are likely to enjoy this novel, despite its clear downfalls. In any case, it is unlikely that Palmer wrote this book with the intention of producing a literary masterpiece, so if you're looking for a prototypical "romance" novel simply for its entertainment value, you might as well pick this one up. At the very least, you'll have a good laugh at the highly unlikely sequence of events.

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