She’s No Angel by Leslie Kelly

Trouble, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for Jennifer Feeney’s aunts considering the headaches they’ve caused lately. But Jen never figured they’d steal her car and leave her stranded without shoes in the middle of nowhere. Police detective Mike Taylor was on his way to visit his grandfather when he spotted the tall, sexy brunette walking along the side of the road. However despite their attraction to each other, neither one was willing to give up control to the other, which left both extremely unsatisfied. Meanwhile Jen’s problems spiraled out of control and so did Mike’s, and so when someone tried to kill them they had no idea which one was the target. Now can they solve the case before the murder strikes again, or will the murderer get them both.

I love the characters Leslie created, including the secondary characters who play an interesting part in the story. If you’ve been following the Trouble books, this is a must read as most of the secrets in the overall story arc will be revealed. I think you’ll love the story line and I’m looking forward to seeing Leslie’s next story theme.

Details: Tor, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: yummy

Night Whispers by Leslie Kelly

When Kelsey Logan moved to Baltimore to work in radio, she needed a place to stay; fortunately Mitch Wymore, had a spare room in his townhouse. Mitch grew up with Kelsey and even though they were neighbors, he thought of Kelsey as the younger sister he never had. That is until she moved into his house. Now Mitch can’t keep his eyes off the lovely young woman he’s afraid that making a move would break their brother sister relationship. Now will they remain brother and sister or will Kelsey find the strength to make the first move.

This is Leslie Kelly’s first novel and it’s easy to see why she sold the very first book she wrote. I loved the subplot where Kelsey hosted a late night radio called Night Whispers, whose primary topic was sex which she tried to hide from Mitch. Add that a stalker created enough mystery to keep me turning pages quickly. I especially liked the fact that Leslie set this story in Baltimore where I spent the first 30 odd years of my life. though for some reason I don’t remember this particular radio show My only problem was the book was over way too quickly and now I have to wait 'till summer for Leslie's next book

Details: Temptation, September 1999

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Asking for Trouble by Leslie Kelly

Lottie Santori left the safety of family in Chicago for a small town in Pennsylvania where a serial killer once lived. She arrives at the old Seaton House hotel only to find that it’s no longer rents rooms, but is now the private residence of Simon Lebeaux. Simon is a troubled person, who wants to be left alone with the ghosts of his past, but Lottie refuses to go away. Lottie on the other hand, needs the information that’s buried inside the hotel and sees its sexy owner as a bonus. When some accidents force the couple together, the sparks fly. But the sparks don’t change the man inside and Lottie must choose to wait for the man to make peace with his pat or walk away from potentially the most important person in her life.

This Dark and Sexy Night story is written in a mix of first and third person, with point of view changes each chapter. I love the way that Leslie announces the character’s point of view at the start of each chapter. This book is a little on the dark side, which is 180 degrees out of phase when compared to Leslie’s previous Trouble book (HQN). In fact it was very hard for me to believe that both books were written by the same author, which merely shows how talented she is. If you like dark books, then this one should be at the top of your reading pile.

Details: Blaze #280, October 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Here Comes Trouble by Leslie Kelly

Sabrina Cavanaugh is editing the next number one best seller – a tell all book about the life of Grace Wellington, a relatively famous personality. And if this book does reach number one, it will open the door for Sabrina to write her own ticket to the big leagues. The only problem is that in the book, one chapter is devoted to Grace’s relationship with Max Taylor, including all the sordid details of their affair including things like how they made love in a famous restaurant. The only thing standing between her and the bestseller is Max’s lawyer, who claims that the book is nothing but a pack of lies. Sabrina knows she has nothing to fear from Max’s lawyer if Grace has told the truth, but if she didn’t… The only way to know for certain is to find out for herself if Max is really the playboy that Grace claims. But when Sabrina tracks down Max, she finds that his reputation as a playboy might be exaggerated, but he’s the best kisser she’s ever met. Now Sabrina is falling in love and must choose between Max knowing he’s never had a relationship longer than a few months, and the boost that publishing Grace’s book will give her career.

I almost passed this book up because August was a month with a so many good releases that I know I’ll never finish them all. But how could I resist a book from Leslie Kelly, especially when the hero’s a pilot? To my surprise this book had an exceptional plot with lots of twists and turns that leave you wondering if they will truly get together in the end. Also there are several strong secondary plots and enough loose holes that you’ll have to wait for the next book in the series to see how things play out. Highly recommended.

Details: HQN, August 2006

Bottom line: A great book

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

Bootcamp by Leslie Kelly, Heather MacAllister, Cindi Myers

What do you do if love is missing from your life? You go to Maxine’s Warfield’s Bootcamp to learn how to get control over your love life. You’ll learn everything from flirting how to feel comfortable around your date.

In Kiss and Make Up by Leslie Kelly, you’ll learn how Cassandra Devane stopped going from one boy toy to another by confronting her one true love, her ex-husband.

In Sugar and Spikes by Heather MacAllister, you’ll watch the “Iron Lady”, Rebecca Ironwood improve her business by directing her hard work away from her business and to the new love of her life.

In Flirting with an Old Flame by Cindi Myers, you’ll see how the successful businesswoman Barbara Powers goes home to Texas to shed her sophisticated exterior and find that love was waiting for her just across the road.

I was slightly disappointed when I started reading it. I had bought the book on the strength of its title and was hoping to read about characters in the military, not overly successful businesswomen with problems in their love life. However once I got into this book, I found that all three stories were light and humorous. This book is definitely a worthwhile read. Just don't make my mistake – read the back cover first – I think you’ll enjoy it.

Details: Signature Select, March 2006

Bottom line: A pretty good book