Janet Dailey has been one of my go to authors for a long, long time. I read and re-read alot of her books. My love is in the west and she takes me to the site and sounds of the Old West. She really makes the reader feel like she's there living it.

This is a reissue of a series of stories written by Janet Dailey. Each story takes place in a different state of the United States supposedly influenced by travels across America. In AMERICANA SERIES VOLUME 1 Janet Dailey features three stories: Alabama first published in 1977, Alaska first published in 1982 and Arizona first published in 1878. The entire series was published from 1976 to 1982 part of a Harlequin series.

Interesting note is that this series has been re-issued several times over the last several years. Each book separately in 2014 and now in 2017 as volumes containing several tales. Essentially these are relatively short stories.

Each story comes to a rather complicated conclusion which is a signature Janet Dailey move. In each there is an alpha male looking to insert himself on the woman of interest. At times you almost feel sorry vs contempt for the man who has little or no regrets for the pressure tended on the woman who has caught his eye. Each man is a long time bachelor with varying reasons to maintain that lifestyle. Janet Dailey is determined to change their minds and show that they’ve been missing out on something special.

The female counterparts don’t immediately see themselves as obvious choices but somehow succumb to their suitor’s charms. In many ways reminiscent of Scarlet O’Hara and Bret Butler.

I had a favorite of the three stories in AMERICANA SERIES VOLUME 1 and I think I chose it for the fact that the man was least objectionable. I prefer men that are more evenhanded. But Janet Dailey fans are quite accustomed to the structure of her stories and the strengths and weakness of her characters. So AMERICANA SERIES is a way to read several books by Janet Dailey and travel coast to coast.

Janet Daily is one of my favorite authors. I have read each of these books years ago. They are still some of my favorites. Well worth the time.

A great combination of some of her best books. Love the series!

Janet Dailey has long been one of my favorite authors. It is interesting to read these original books again and good to seem them grouped together. It may seem unusual to younger readers who are just getting to know Ms. Dailey's work to read about a 'typing pool' since now every one uses a lap top for possibly an item like a mini Ipad. Likewise, no one has to hunt for a phone, they all have them in their pocket. In addition, our heroes no longer smoke cigars or cigarettes with the new healthy generation.

Although I will always enjoy and appreciate Ms. Dailey's books, it does seem like there is an inordinate amount of anger. Yes, there needs to be a conflict, so I see the need, but there are times when it would be good to see the gentleness of her heroes sooner in her books.

All three of these, Dangerous Masquerade, Northern Magic, and Sonora Sundown are the right amount of sensual romance without being too sexual. The stories are just right for the geographical settings using local lore and interesting state facts in each book. Whether you read these books years ago or not, they are worth reading now. Enjoy!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

It was fun to see this series again, as I remember reading a few of these books in the Americana series when they first came out. I enjoy not only the romance but the state facts that are so skillfully inserted into the story.

I thought it was funny to see the villainous LaRaine from the first book, Dangerous Masquerade show up in the last book, Sonora Sundown. Then reading the second book, Northern Magic, I realized that Wade, Maggie, and Belinda are from another book in the American series. I love when characters cross over!

Dangerous Masquerade has Laurie helping LaRaine “be in two places” when she gets a role in a movie and doesn’t want to give it up to visit her fiancé’s aunt (in Alabama). Laurie just cannot say no to LaRaine and ends up visiting the aunt while pretending to be LaRaine.

Northern Magic has Shannon going to Alaska to marry Rick but he is missing when she gets there. I started thinking all sorts of scenarios about why Rick skipped out on Shannon but was totally wrong. During the search for Rick, Shannon spends this time with Cody, another pilot.

Sonora Sundown is in Arizona with Brandy getting lost in the desert and wandering into a campfire with Jim, who turns out to be a famous movie star.

Good thing there is a little explanation at the beginning of each book as a reader may not realize these books were written in the 70’s and wonder why someone had to get up and find a public phone to make a phone call! While technology has made vast improvements since these books were written, the romance is still unchanged as we watch the strong alpha male win over the woman he realizes is going to be his wife!