The first book, Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz, is a reprint of one of her short contemporaries (55,000 words or so) from 1987. If you never read it, it is one of her better works of that genre and well worth having.
Emily Ravenscroft is tired of her rich, domineering parents overseeing her every move. And she is equally tired of the interference of Jacob Stone, the tough, sexy troubleshooter her family has sent after her for years to make sure she stays out of trouble. Jacob has been extremely attracted to Emily since the day he met her, but as far as he's concerned, she is strictly off-limits as the daughter of his employers. Unfortunately for his determined vow, Emily has recently decided she is tired of being dutiful, and fiercely protests when her parents sic Jacob on her once again. She doesn't want Jacob as a watchdog, she wants him for a lover, and this go-round, she's determined to change the status quo.
This sprightly book is full of Krentz's trademark, witty sparring between an ultra-masculine, independent hero and a feisty, determined woman. I love the way the two of them battle each other, are equally stubborn and intelligent, and the way all of these elements together make for very hot sex. However, the sex is, thank goodness, also very loving. You can count on Krentz to never dump a hero and heroine into sordid, "let me use you for a while" sex. Her powerful protagonists are always discriminating lovers with strong ethics of generosity and loyalty.
The second book, Compromising Positions by Vicki Lewis Thompson, is a brand-new contribution to her lucky fans. Thompson has written a lot of short contemporaries, and this book definitely fits into that category being about 55,000 words or so. She has a strong feel for the requirements of this popular subgenre of romance, and always respects her fans by lovingly crafting her books.
Mick Farrell has been in business only one week with a brand-new bodyguard business, and he is desperate to get it off the ground. While waiting around for the phone to ring, his younger sister's best friend, Stacy Radcliffe, shows up. She wants to be his assistant, but Mick has no intention of hiring her. He's always been attracted to the beautiful, lively Stacy, but he has no desire to get romantically involved with a woman who shares every tidbit of her life with his baby sister! Unfortunately, his well-laid plans are thrown into a cocked-hat when a former lover of his shows up needing his professional services. As much as he needs her business, the lady is a tiger, obviously after far more personal attention than money can buy from poor Mick. Suddenly he decides he's going to need a bodyguard of his own to ward off the predatory woman, and Stacy is just what he needs to fill the bill.
This story is an excellent pairing with the Krentz book. Like Krentz, Thompson is excellent at getting a story off to a running start. Stacy and Mick collide by page three, begin to strike sparks, and don't stop blazing until the very end. They are a very good match for each other, each attractive, intelligent, ambitious, forthright, more than a little brash, and looking for work they can really sink their teeth into. Of course, work isn't the only thing they want to gnaw on! These two are a combustible combination serving up lots of exciting love scenes.
Not all double books are worth the extra cost, but I don't believe you'll be sorry if you give this one a try.
Emily is patted on the head by her whole family, but she never really gives into them or loses her spunk. Jacob is one of the Alpha males that JAK characters loves to run circles around and this is one of her better 'early' works.
Her writing is sharp, the wit incisive and I love the heart she put into this one.
Emily has been in love with Jacob Stone, corporate trouble shooter for her families international business. He once rescued her from a kidnapper, and from that moment Emily secretly kept that awe and love locked in her heart. Two years later, she decided to act on that love and Stone turned her away.
Now,three years since that bruise to her heart, Stone is once more rescuing her from danger - this time a bad engagement. The family fears the son of a competitor is using Emily to gain stock in their business. I loved how Krentz's character thought of Stone, she "thought of him in the same way she thought of hurricanes, charging lions and marauding sharks." You got to love it!!
