From Publishers Weekly
Veteran category romance writer Rock (
His Wicked Ways) sails blithely, if a bit unsteadily, into single-title waters with the story of two likable, unlikely sisters who escape an unstable childhood by working the gambling cruise circuit—a gig with no shortage of instability. Sensible, serious Rita Frazer, a seamstress and fashion designer, makes her unexpected debut as a showgirl on the cruise ship
Venus when her impulsive sister, Jayne, elopes moments before curtain. From the stage, Rita spots—and immediately falls for—hunky FBI agent Harrison Masters. Fortunately for Rita, the feeling is mutual. Unfortunately for them both, they have dramas familial, vocational and criminal to muddle through before their romance makes landfall. Harrison's official business aboard the
Venus—the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend and $30,000—eventually plunges the Frazer sisters into grave danger, setting the stage for a predictably daring rescue and a happily ever after. Rock embraces old-fashioned romance clichés with abandon, from sudden crises that endlessly and artificially delay consummation of the protagonists' affair to suspense subplots as silly and insubstantial as a showgirl's feathers.
(Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
It was supposed to be her big break. Rita Hayworth Frazer had sewn several new costumes--including one particularly stunning number for her sister, Jayne Mansfield Frazer--for the new lounge show on the
Venus. The plan was that once the cruise ship's executives saw Rita's work, they would hire her. But Jayne elopes, forcing Rita to strap on Jayne's new feathered ensemble and take her place. In order to get through the show, Rita picks a focal point in the audience: gorgeous and sexy Harrison Masters. Harrison had come on board the
Venus in search of two employees who have disappeared with some company funds, but he is perfectly willing to mix a little pleasure with business. In her laughter-laced, character-rich single-title debut, Rock's snappy style of writing is perfect for a sexy, sassy contemporary romance.
John CharlesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved