Hustle, Sweet Love

by Maggie Davis

Leaving Tulsa, Oklahoma behind for the glamorous life of a fashionista in New York City, model Lacy Kinsgley find herself on an adventurous journey of self-discovery. Lacy's all-American good looks... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0770109225
• ISBN13: 9780770109226
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: PaperJacks
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Sexy Romance with Quirky Characters

Lacy Kingsley was quietly celebrating her success in landing a job as a writer for a major fashion magazine when she was approached by an older man looking for a night of "fun." When he asks her "how much?" she isn't sure what he is talking about at first and then she realizes that she is still dressed in the outrageously sexy black dress she just finished modeling on the runway. Giving in to the irresistible urge to have a little fun at his expense, she tells him fifteen hundred dollars. Having successfully gotten rid of her problem, Lacy turns to finish her champagne when a tall, dark and handsome stranger approaches her and takes her up on her offer. Lacy tries to explain to him that it was just a joke, but cannot seem to escape. Having little more experience than a virgin, Lacy is not at all sure what to expect - certainly not the most incredible night of her life! Still, everything looks different in the morning and Lacy creeps out the back door while her lover isn't looking.Back in New York Lacy is determined to be a success as a fashion writer. She is given a backlog of old, boring data to sort through - old designers to track down, small fashion houses to review, etc. The worst were the clashing, florescent-colored dresses at a sporting wear manufacturer who is trying to branch out. Lacy feels sorry for the old dear and persuades him to turn them into tacky max dresses and starts a sideline career as a consultant. She is happily embroiled with her writing and trying to get the dresses to sell when the magazine is purchased by another corporation. Lacy knows that she is in big trouble when she spots the new owner - Michael Echevarria, corporate shark and none other than Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome himself...I quite enjoyed this book. It is true that it is a little dated, but it was fun to remember the fashion excesses of the time. I didn't feel that the plot line was the most fabulous and some of the dialogue was a little weak, but the characters were really fun. Michael was a gorgeous hero who just didn't trust anyone and had a hard time believing in love. Lacy was a very different kind of heroine and was almost a little too quirky for my taste, but she was fun. I just loved the secondary characters though: her model neighbor with the doberman who throws up all over everything when he gets nervous, the Ivy-League promotion manager who gets the tacky max dresses selling with a disco inferno (literally), the harried private eyes that Michael hires to tail Lacy, all of them were so fun and really made the book enjoyable. I know that the book is out of print (it would need serious updating to get back into print), but it is available for a pretty cheap price so treat yourself.

One of the BEST Contemporary romances!!

When I ran a book store, there was a lady who came in and preordered everything Maggie Davis (also writes as Katherine Deauxville) wrote before it came out. Did not matter what the story was, what the period, she KNEW Maggie gave her a great read. She insisted I read her and I truly thank her for that recommendation, and never missed a Maggie or Katherine since! And there at lot of Maggie's and Katherine's keepers (okay all her works) on my shelves!! And Hustle, Sweet Love is one of my favourite contemporaries (though I am quite partial to Out of the Blue and The Last Male Virgin these days!!)Hustle is just one sweet read from beginning to end!!Lacy Kingsley is ending her career in modelling and taking up a new position as a junior fashion editor at a magazine in New York. While in Tulsa, she has a wee bit too much champagne celebrating the end of one part of her life, and the start of another. In her kick-back high time, she is mistakenly thought to be a call-girl by one sexy, dark and dangerous man. The champagne combines with instant attraction, so she indulges in once in a life time, one-night stand. The next morning, she really has a hangover and regrets her letting loose. Rather than face the 'morning after and morning breath' blues, she sneaks away from the hotel room, and hopes the whole thing will be forgotten.Only, this is not to be the case. For who should buy the magazine where she is working??? Mr. Sexy, Dark & Dangerous. He turns out to be Michael Echevarria and no matter how hard she tries to convince him she is not that lady in Tulsa, but he won't buy her song and dance.Maggie Davis gives you a feel of New York, and behind the scenes of the fashion world, with mistaken identities, tons of misunderstandings and warm loving characters that you really care about. It is simply a delight to read. The secondary characters are sharp, adding to the spice and the pace rapid, moving you from one wonderful scene to another.This is one WONDERFUL GEM!! Another of Maggie's strong body of contemporaries and Historicals that NEED REPRINTING!!

Zap! Bam! Powie! What A Story!

When Lacy Kingsley celebrates the end of one career (fashion model) and the start of another ( junior fashion editor) with champagne in a Tulsa hotel bar, she is mistakened (understandably) by a "Tall, Dark and Handsome Guy" to be a high-priced call girl. What follows is a once-in-a -lifetime night of wild passion from which she flees before any messy "morning after" awkwardness occurs. Later back in New York who surfaces as the new owner of the magazine where she works??? Michael Echevarria "Tall, Dark and Handsome Guy" who can not be convinced she's _not_ the "lady" he met in Tulsa. What follows is a madcap story rife with mistaken identity and misunderstandings that make it a hilarious read and lead to a satisfying conclusion. If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich (especially her early romances) you will enjoy this book. The pacing is fast, the dialogue catchy and you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the business end of the fashion industry. Ms. Davis' characters are warm and likable (despite their ineptness at communicating with each other) and she's filled the book with interesting secondary characters who give it a real "Big Apple" flavor. Because of her frequent references to fashions, designers and celebrities recognizable to the `80's, some might feel this story is slightly "dated". I enjoyed the references and found them nostalgic more than anything else. (Remember, this book was published in 1988.) My only complaint concerns the title of the book which may give the impression of being sexually "hardcore" rather than the sweet and sexy love story it is. So, if that kind of thing bothers you, give it a chance and don't judge this book by it's cover. If you can get a copy, it will make a great addition to your library!