Ghost of a Chance by Flo Fitzpatrick -- Adult Romance Review

Ghost of a Chance by Flo Fitzpatrick -- Adult Romance Review

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Six straight men in the cast plus free Tex-Mex food? My friend Lida Rose sure knew how to persuade me. I signed on the dotted line and dusted off my dance shoes. I knew Bad Business on the Brazos would have them rolling in the aisles and standing up to cheer, whichever came first. But I didn't expect the ghost problem. As in the ghost of Don Mueller, the actor who was killed during the last performance of this show fifty years ago. He's flirting with me in a spectral kind of way ... and a ghost can make interesting things happen to a girl.

Like the gorgeous man on stage with me: Rafe Montez, my secret crush - also known as He Whose Perfect Profile Should Be On A Coin. I'm taking six feet of chiseled yumminess here. Lida Rose thinks Rafe is only acting, but that kiss we share in Act II sure feels real to me. As in earth-shaking, can't-breathe real... From blurb

Details: Zebra, Released August 1, 2004, mm pb, 320 pages
Genre: Romance
Source: purchased
Link: Goodreads

Stars? 4/5

In one sentence? Ghosts, murder, dancing, terrible names such as Delilah Delight and Nick Nefarious and popcorn.

Review:

An entertaining story set during the revival of the play Bad Business on the Brazos. Fitzpatrick has a well paced story that makes you want to keep reading to find out what crazy, insane, dramatic thing will happen next. The cast of characters are amusing and quirky which seems to be Fitzpatrick's forte.

Kiely, the heroine, was a sweet, likable, look before you leap girl who can hold her own. While we see little of Rafe he's the type of guy you want to see more of. Kiely does too. "Four hundred years ago, he would have been wearing armor, conquering Peru. I would have been first in line volunteering to be conquered." (pg. 29)

What I wanted more of: romance.

Hot Stuff by Flo Fitzpatrick – Romance Review

Hot Stuff by Flo Fitzpatrick – Romance Review

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She said Yes.

Tempe Walsh is fluent in ten languages - and she can't say no to adventure. Next stop: India! Her mission: find the priceless - and mysterious - statue known as Shiva's Diva. Her man: Briggan O'Brien, a sexy Irishman on the run from the Mumbai Mob. Brig has a strange way of doing business, whatever that business may be. And she's still not sure how she ended up in his arms when the shooting started - but what if her bullet-deflecting earrings don't work the next time?

Brig's too busy to explain why everyone's after the fabulous figurine - he's having a devil of time just keeping one gorgeous American girl out of danger. And there's only one place left to hide: a Bollywood movie complete with villains, lovers, and a mother-in-law from hell. Hey, there's a happy ending - if anyone can find the script...

Details: Zebra, Released 2005, MM paperback, 320 pages
Genre: Romance
Source: purchased
Links: Goodreads and Amazon

Stars? 5/5

In one sentence? Need I say more than: Irish hero?

Review:

Confession: I love this book.

The story starts with a bang –and knives – and the action doesn’t stop. We’re kept guessing throughout the twists and turns and until the very last minute we’re left wondering how it’ll turn out.

I loved the way Fitzpatrick brings her characters to life. I love Tempe Walsh and her red hair and her constant need to eat. I love Briggan O’Brien and his Irish brogue and blather and his many facets. As Tempe says, “My Riverdale Robin Hood had a gift for chicanery and sneaky behavior.” (pg. 269) Even their imperfections are endearing; Brig will scale buildings and walk a tightrope but he’s paralyzed by snakes and haunted by loss. The secondary cast of characters are just as interesting, Asha, the homesick Bollywood film star, and her on-again-off-again fiancé and director, Jake.

Romance is certainly there between kidnappings, elephants and gaelic curses, as is the undeniable chemistry between Tempe and Brig. “He stares at you all the time … It wasn’t because you were just any old person he’d gone on the lam with. The man has it bad. With a capital B, A, and D! It’s as if he’s been looking for you for years and now that he’s found you, well, he’s not losing you.” (pg. 161)

The story left me smiling, wanting curry, samosas and my very own Brig.

What I wanted more of: everything. I wished Fitzpatrick had made a series following Brig and Tempe on their adventures.