SIZZLING

Author: Susan Mallery ISBN: 0373771762 1/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HQN

A spiteful article about the former pitcher and current playboy questions his talent in the bedroom. And the newspaper's just the first bad news. Reid's grandmother Gloria's broken hip means she needs constant care—but Reid hired Nurses 1 and 2 for their bedside manner with him. So for Number 3 he chooses Lori Johnson, the first candidate who seems immune to his brand of charm. Lori's never wasted her time with amoebas like Reid Buchanan. So why are her well-fortified defenses starting to crumble under the force of his sexy smile—and the kindness he shows her at every turn? There's only one explanation for the feelings flaring between them—chemistry. Chemistry so hot, it's sizzling!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Leave it to veteran romance writer Susan Mallery to create a sparkling, "feel good", oozing-with-sex-appeal story that superbly captures the emotional gamut from laughter to tears.

SIZZLING showcases Ms. Mallery's obvious talent for giving readers a simmering romance coupled with all those churning feelings in a relationship... and all those emotions dealing with real life.

Lori Johnson is a terrific character, finely sketched and intriguingly conflicted. While a born nurturer, a miracle worker with compassionate insight toward strangers, Lori has a blind spot when it comes to herself and to her family. Lori is the heart and soul of SIZZLING, touching everyone (except her mother) with laughter and her extraordinary exuberance.

Lori's romance with bad boy jock, Reid Buchanan, scorches the pages of SIZZLING. Even as Lori is lecturing Reid on his lack of morals, she is itching to jump his bones, and that reaction has the rational minded Lori in a dither.

It is a testament to Ms. Mallery's talent that she can turn a less than likeable guy with a sleazy sexual past (I was almost embarrassed for all those females who fell into bed—or on a desk—with Reid because of his sports star status and his superficial charm) into a caring, feeling man. Reid's transformation isn't fast and it often isn't pretty, but it is believable.

Fast-paced SIZZLING is also enlivened with some snappy dialogue. Some of the banter between Reid and Lori is hilarious.

SIZZLING strikes a fine balance between fun and sadness. Beneath the laughter are some hard lessons to be learned about life.

Debbie Jett