Title:
The Hired Hand

Author:
Melissa Schroeder

Published By:
Whiskey Creek
Press

ISBN #:
1-59374-024-7

Release Date:
September 2004

Format:
Electronic

On Marlow Smith's 30th birthday, her assistant and friend Joey decides that Marlow needs to let her hair down--so Joey hires a gigolo for Marlow. Marlow will have none of it, and refuses the gift. However, having good manners drummed into her, Marlow thinks it's only polite to let the "hired hand" know that his services will not be needed. When Marlow's friend cleans out her closet except for one dress, she finds herself walking into the bar in a short, tight, sequined red dress and matching spike heels. She then mistakes Liam Campbell for the aforementioned gigolo. Liam, a business consultant, is fascinated by this sexy woman with the good manners, and decides that he will provide the lady all the services she can handle. After an amazing night of sex, Marlow leaves without telling Liam her name or how to get in touch with her.

Does it surprise anyone that, three months later, Liam shows up in Marlow's office as the business consultant she has convinced her father to hire to save their family business? When she sees him, Marlow knows that her heart is in for trouble.

This novel is great fun--it has wonderfully well-developed characters in Marlow and Liam, and secondary characters Joey and Heath appear to be real people in spite of having fewer scenes. The protagonists do not appear as isolated figures without a past-they are developed within family backgrounds that are briefly, yet realistically characterized. Even the traditional overbearing father of the heroine comes across as an individual. The plot makes sense, and doesn't have any wildly improbable turns to separate the hero and heroine. The dialog is natural and witty. The love scenes are emotional and erotic between two people who like each other from the beginning. This story was so good that I read it right through in one sitting!

Reviewed by: Jean