Customer Reviews

Drive Me Wild

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...And it's because it's terrific! It's one of those heart-warming fun-reads about a home-town girl who falls for the bad boy (who has come home to do her a favor).

But oh, boy...this book is not without spice! Julie Ortolon knows how to write about people falling in love. (And the scene after Laura meets Brent in the bar is HOT!)

A great read!
Next, please!

A first novel that really delivers! My first book by this author was "Lead Me On", then I read "Falling for You". I'm looking forward to reading "Dear Cupid" to bring me current (and can't wait for "Don't Tempt Me" due early in 2004). Ms Ortolon's obvious love of Texas and her feel for small town life add to the charm of her stories.

Brent Michaels has really made it. Handsome, wealthy Houston news anchor, he's come a long way from the abusive, wrong-side-of-the-tracks, poverty of his broken childhood. No one in the small town of Beason's Ferry ever thought he'd amount to much, so he left and never looked back. But a charity "Dating Game" event organized by the only friend he ever had brings him reluctantly back to his hated home town - on the condition that she is one of the contestants!

Laura Morgan, dutiful daughter of the town doctor, has never left Beason's Ferry. She lives a sedate, conservative life organizing charity events and occassionally dating the town pharmacist. She never misses the evening news watching Brent with pride, longing and a bit of envy, for she'd love to move to Houston and make her own life, but she's always felt a duty to stay with her father.

And so, when the former Brent Michael Zartlich selects Laura to be his date, they see each other again for the first time in years. There is obvious attraction on both sides, but Brent tries hard not to act on it. Laura's the white-picket-fence, two kids and a dog type and that life is definitely not for Brent. With the childhood he had, he's convinced he'd make a lousy husband and father and has no intention of ever trying. Laura assures him she's not looking for those things, and decides to move to Houston for the summer, get a job and pursue a relationship with Brent. Things go well until they get serious, of course and I think I'll stop there. You'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!

Brent and Laura are both likeable characters, especially Brent - so smooth and confident on the outside, yet a bundle of insecurities inside, particularaly when dealing with the people from his past. A recommended read!

You already know what it was about so I will just tell you what I think of it. I wish that it was fleshed out more. Like I would love to have actually had some more scenes that showed where they came from ya know. I think it was a little rushed I would have like more of all the story

I was looking for quick, light read one day. I picked this up and am not sorry I did. It was just what I was looking for.
It's about two old childhood friends who meet again. Brent is the bad boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Laura is the good girl who grew up with expectations that she would always be the good girl.
Brent is now a famous TV anchor and is lured back to town for a fund-raiser. Laura is still in their hometown, still being the good girl. What people don't know is that she wants to break out of her good girl mode.Brent is not sure what to make of Laura the wanna-be-bad girl. Thus begins their relationship. A steamy one at that. This story is fast paced and alternately you will laugh and cry, as the two struggle to break out of the past and start new lives. They begin to understand what happened in the past and how it shaped their lives. After experiencing the ups and downs of their relationship, the two reunite and of course, live happily ever after.
I am looking forward to any more books by Julie Ortolon, as she appears to have a fresh writing style.

I tried to get through this book and made it about half way. Life is too short to read something you are not enjoying. I am sorry I spent the money on this one. Glad it was not a hardcover and doubly glad I didn't waste any more of my time.

Rarely do I read a book that I would pick up and read for a second time. This novel is one of the few that I have done that with. It is a mix between a "ugly duckling" and "cinderella" story. Girl is quiet and reserved, boy is wild,girls are warned to stay away from him. Boy takes his bad reputation and leaves to make a new life in another city. Ten years later she calls him back to town to participate in a dating game as the celebrity guest. He says he'll only come if she's one of the 3 female contestants he has to choose from. She begrudgingly agrees, and bam! He sees her as a grown "fully matured" woman for first time in ten years. This book gives a lot of sexual tension, which I find necesary for the characters to mesh, and keeps your attention all the way thru the story. Read it, Im sure you'll agree.

What a sexy, fun debut novel! The characters in this book are well developed, but more importantly, they're fun to read about and you are dying for them to get together! Ortolon does a fantastic job of creating emotional and sexual tension between the hero/heroine all throughout the book, making you not want to put the book down. (I read it in one night.) The author created a new twist that I've never read about in a contemporary romance-a "dating game" to bring the "bad boy" home to meet up with the "goodie two-shoes" girl. Kudos also go to the author for having the talent to write passionate scenes that aren't graphic, but ones that are romantic, sensual and HOT! Many of us can also relate to the hero and heroine-we all wonder at times what happened to those we were attracted to in high school and what kind of sparks would fly if we met years later. Excellent job on describing the small Texas town and the people who live there. Can't wait to read her new book this July.

A terrific debut book. I laughed and I cried, who can ask for more?? Look forward to this author's next book.

However, I expected a lot more than I got. I thought since this book was published out of category (unless Dell now publishes large category romances) it would be different than your typical Silhouette romance. However, for me, it was just an extended version of a book that could have easily been a Silhouette Special Edition. The heroine has spent years being a "doormat". I didn't find that sympathetic. I like strong, gutsy heroines. The hero was much more likable. At least, he had made a success of himself. Plus they were so sweet and palsy the sexual tension hardly existed. If you are looking for a routine "cozy sweet romance" then you'll like this book. But, if you are looking for a single-title book that'll make you turn pages, surprise you with neat twists, keep shopping.

It's been fourteen years, seven months and ten days since Brent Michael Zartlich kissed Laura Beth Morgan and left his hometown of Beason's Ferry. They had been childhood friends-- his only friend since they were both considered the "town misfits". She, the town doctor's awkward, skinny, coke-bottle glasses kid and he, the boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Now Brent Michaels is the drop-dead gorgeous anchor at a Houston TV station and Laura Beth has phoned him requesting help with the town's annual fund-raiser, which this year includes a Dating Game reenactment. She wants him to play the "celebrity bachelor" for the game. After a little coaxing, Brent realizes he cannot refuse his old friend. Little does he realize he is in for the surprise of his life! The tomboy he remembers has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Occasionally an exceptional book will come along. This is that book! If you read only a few romance books each year, I recommend you place this high on your "to read" list. You won't be disappointed. This book is extremely well written and emotionally satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story is fun and at times sad and very, very sexy. It is always a treat to discover a new author who writes so well. I look forward to many good reads from her in the future. Kudos Julie on a job well done.