Boys of Summer by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Kimberly Raye and Leslie Kelly

All three stories are set in Louisville Kentucky, the home of one of the hottest Major League Baseball teams, the Slammers. Unfortunately a bad business deal may force the team to leave Louisville, which will really hurt the three businesses run by the three heroines that are closely coupled to the team. With the impending doom, each of the three young ladies vows to have one last fling before their world collapses around them.

In Fever Pitch by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Callie Andrews runs a high end restaurant that she created using the money from her divorce from the Slammer’s owner, Donovan Ross. But while Callie has put the divorce behind her, Donovan hasn’t. But when Callie offers Donovan, a safe place to stay after he’s attacked by some fans, who knows where things could lead.

In The Sweet Spot by Kimberly Raye, Babe Bannister runs a busy ice cream parlor featuring tempting dishes named after famous players. But when she sets her sights on the hunky shortstop, Brodie Jessup, the team’s coach stops the play. Babe is furious and turns her attention to Brodie, who’s more than willing to save her for himself.

In Sliding Home by Leslie Kelly, Janie Nolan runs her brother’s sports memorabilia store, while he’s serving in the national guard. Though Janie would much rather be working in a “community for the enlightened years”, with folks like her grandmother and her grandmother's boyfriend who often helps her identify valuable merchandise. Unfortunately, her grandmother’s boyfriend turns out to be Riley Kelleher, the team’s star pitcher, grandfather. Janie finds herself attracted to the hot looking player, and now she’s afraid that Riley is going to make a move and even more afraid that he won’t.

Three hot authors. Three hot stories. ‘nuff said.

Details: Blaze #264, July 2006

Bottom line: A very good book