Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Every woman in Big Knob, Indiana wants to have sex with Sean Madigan, so Dorcas and Ambrose take it upon themselves to use their magical abilities to make Sean less appealing. But when Maggie Grady sails into town she sets her sights on a lot with and old Victorian house as the best place to put a brand new SaveALot mega store. Unfortunately that house is the one Sean where grew up and he’s almost saved enough money to but it. But when he tries to charm her out of the house, he learns his sex appeal is gone and now has to do it the old fashioned way.

Vicki managed to carry her popular nerd franchise into the paranormal world with this cute story. If you’ve liked her stories in the past, but are afraid of paranormal books in general, you should give this one a try. It’s everything that a normal paranormal isn’t, except for a little light magic.

Details: Onyx, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson

The formula for the latest nerd book starts with one psychology student named Amanda Rykowsky whose life consists of work, school and more work. Then it adds one stockbroker named William Sloan, who’s a hunk of the first degree. It combines them with a lady psychologist specializing in extreme sex therapy and a villain who’s idea of romance involves leaving anonymous naughty Valentines, stalking Amanda at work and home, and using sleeping gas as preparation for making love. Then it simmers the mixture using the heat between Amanda and William as William pretends to be her boyfriend to catch the stalker. Assuming that Amanda survives her boss and the stalker, will she choose to make her pretend relationship, permanent?

While the story is a bit slow in the beginning, I loved the way the stalker slowly raised the stakes forcing Amanda and William together for some sizzling times. In many ways, this book reminds me of a classic Blaze only longer. The kind that was published two or three years ago. Though I do think she’s stretching the definition of a nerd to accommodate these characters, however. I’d prefer to see more engineering and computer nerds because after all techie nerds rule!

Details: St. Martins, January 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Heat Wave

A Fare To Remember by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Julie Elizabeth Leto, Kate Hoffmann

Can a New York cab driver also find your perfect mate? Mario Capelli believes he can. He takes pride in his ability to find the right person for some of his favorite fares, while he himself grows closer to his own special person, Iris.

In Just Whistle by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Hannah Robertson arrives in New York from the mid-west with a plan to break into the publishing business. Mario believes she needs a little help and Zachary Evans should have the right the contacts though his investment company. His plan also had the advantage that Hannah might help Zachary solve his own set of problems.

In Driven to Distraction, Julie Elizabeth Leto tells the tale of how Rachael Marlowe works with Mario to find out the truth about her lover, Roman Brach. But little did Rachael know that Roman was involved with some sort of secret organization – but was the organization working for good or evil?

Kate Hoffmann Taken For A Ride follows Sabina Amanar as she tries to save her grandmother’s apartment building from the clutches of the, Alec Harnett who plans to tear down her building in order to create yet another highrise. But Sabina finds it hard to stand firm, when she finds herself falling for the handsome real estate developer.

All three stories were interesting. Vicki’s and Julie’s stories had more of a Blaze feel than Kate’s, but all three were definitely worth reading. Julie’s is a special treat because her story includes a deadly assassin named Domino Black, who stars in her August Extreme Blaze. This is definitely a good summer read, especially if you like happy endings.

Details: Signature Select, July 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Nerds Like it Hot by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Gillian McCormick just witnessed a murder and the murderer has ties to the mafia. Her friend Cora hatches a plan to give her a complete makeover and send her on a cruise for nerds in order to escape the mob. Cora also hired a private investigator, Lex Manchester to go along to help protect her. Once on the cruise, Gillian – aka Norma Jean – first finds herself the victim of a burglary and then almost ends up dead after an apparent accident. But worse of all, she finds herself falling in love with Lex. Now can Gillian leave Lex and go into hiding to stay alive or will Lex follow her to the bitter end?

Another great book for Vicki Lewis Thompson. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the cast of characters is great – ranging from a cross-dressing killer to a detective who's closet nerd, and a retired 82 year old actress, who’s outlasted several husbands and is ready for yet another, not to mention a complete assortment of nerds in all shapes and sizes. If you’re a nerd like me or just love reading about nerds, run out right now and get this book. You’ll love it.

Details: St. Martins, August 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Talk Nerdy to Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson

How does a Magna Cum Laude electrical engineer talk to a brilliant self-taught inventor? Nerdy, of course. Especially if the engineer is hot-bodied Charlie Shepherd and the inventor is the sexy fashion model Eve Dupree. Eve has just moved to the small town where Charlie lives, to work on her inventions, while Charlie is looking for a job outside the small town that challenges his engineering skills.

When Eve needs help with her latest invention, Charlie volunteers and the two of them work on her purple hovercraft powered by Eve's new bio fuel. However, Eve and Charlie frequently find themselves distracted as all that nerdy talk gets them both hot and bothered. Finishing the invention is not their only problem, as it now appears that someone’s just stolen the plans. Now they must race to finish the hovercraft while solving the mystery behind who’s trying to steal it.

Okay, I admit it. I’m a nerd. I even like to read and even write about nerds. My first novel length story I wrote is titled Geek Goddess, so it’s only natural that any book with the word nerd or geek in the title automatically makes it to my too be read pile. The same goes with any book written by Vicki Lewis Thompson as I loved reading her Duets, Temptations and Blazes. So when Vicki writes a new book about nerds, the book even never makes it to my to-be-read pile as I usually start reading immediately.

The big difference between this book and her previous nerd books is that both the hero and heroine are nerds. So even though the heroine is a fashion model, it doesn’t make her any less of a nerd. The plot is rich and complex, while the sex is hot and spicy. The combination works well making Talk Nerdy to Me a definite must read book for nerds and geeks and the people that love them (Hi Jill :) )

Details: St. Martins, February 2006

Bottom line: A great book