Josie Day Is Coming Home

by Lisa Plumley

Book Overview

When she saves the life of casino owner Tallulah Caryle, Josie, a showgirl, gets an unimaginable reward that unexpectedly takes her back home to Donovan's Corner, Arizona, where she attempts to open a dance school, much to the chagrin of Adam, Tallulah's nephew. Original.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821776967
• ISBN13: 9780821776964
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 347 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

a quirky, delightfully fun read

Josie Day is Coming Home tries to contradict Tom Wolfe. Josie Day, Las Vegas showgirl, to the rescue - she saves wealthy window Tallulah Carlyle from choking to death on a martini olive. For her efforts she receives a ranch, the Blue Moon. Tallulah is kind-hearted and means well in insisting Josie accept the ranch, but is actually isn't Tallulah's to give away. It belongs to her sexy nephew Luke Donovan. Luke plans on turning the ranch into a motorcycle repair shop. So the stage is set for the fur to fly. Josie has mixed emotions about the property because it's located in Donovan's Corner, Arizona - Josie's hometown. They town that didn't exactly toss her a farewell party when she left since they branded her "disreputable" and hasn't changed their opinions of her. Immediately upon arrival, she mistakes Luke for the handyman, while Luke jumps to the assumption she is a real estate agent trying to sell the place. The mansion is falling apart so Tallulah's gift tends to look less and less as a boon. Josie's new dream is to turn it into a dance studio, but it will take more than wishes. Luke's rich, socialite father doesn't approve of his bad-boy motorcycle addict son, and is trying to pressure him into him a management job. In this, Josie and he have something in common, for her father doesn't approve of her either, believing the worst of Josie's profession in Las Vegas. Josie - as anyone familiar with small towns would expect - gets the cold shoulder and has to fight to earn her place. This book has all the right mix, but just misses target with me personally and why I am giving it four stars instead of five. Why? I was raised in small towns on both sides of the Pond and I know them intimately. The sudden acceptance of Josie by the "small-minded gossips" just really stretched belief. I found it hard to accept Josie suddenly wanting to be there, even more unreal to think everyone suddenly flipped a switch and ended up adoring her. Plumley's writing is delightful and the story is fun, but I could never get past that one stumbling block. It just didn't ring true. At times, the talented Plumley is dead on target with the emotions of this situation. It's a fun read, a delightful read, but I just couldn't find total satisfaction in the Neverland ending. Still, it's a very enjoyable read, and if you are looking for something whimsical and fun, it's up your alley. You might not want to go home, but you can have a fun visit.

Josie's Blue Moon Estate

Josie & Luke are great H/h she's a Las Vegas showgirl who has come back to Donovan's Corner, AZ thinking she had been given a wonderful estate where she could open her dance studio but she doesn't know that Luke, the hunk, isn't a handyman but the real owner of Blue Moon. Luke wants to restore Blue Moon to sell and open his dreamed-of motorcycle repair business in LA-he has left his father's corporate world to go after his dream. He can't tell Josie of his dream but she does tell all who will listen. He lets her help him work on the house and they form a friendship and lots of kisses, too. What will happen when he finally has to tell Josie?? Ms Plumley has given us a wonderful and humorous love story I enjoyed the knock-knock jokes too.

amusing light hearted romantic romp

While performing, Vegas showgirl Josie Day notices an elderly woman in the audience choking. She leaves the stage to provide the Heimlich Maneuver, saving the woman from having her obituary reading choked to death on a martini olive. Backstage the grateful sixty-seven years old Tallulah Carlyle, who happens to sign the paychecks as the hotel's boss, thanks Josie and rewards her with a "spare" estate in Donovan's Corner, Arizona. Reluctantly yet also gleefully Josie leaves Sin City to take over her new property, which happens to be in her hometown that she fled years ago. The townsfolk's reception remains as frozen as before with the exception of the estate's "caretaker" Luke Donovan, who wants her to leave immediately. As Luke and Josie become acquainted they fall in love, but he fears she will dump him once she knows the truth about his upper crust background and that his Aunt Tallulah cannot give away property that he owns. JOSIE DAY IS COMING HOME is an amusing light hearted romantic romp starring two likable protagonists who will remind the audience of the Doris Day-Rock Hudson pillow films. The slowly changing relationship between the lead couple from "Knock Knock" jokes to love drives the story line with Josie receiving plenty of reader empathy as the town pariah. Fans of humorous contemporary tales will enjoy Lisa Plumley's fine imperfectly together pairing. Harriet Klausner

Fun, Light, and Entertaining. . . .

JOSIE DAY IS COMING HOME is every woman's whimsical dream: to sport 'Clairol Sedona Sunset' hair; to have a Harley driving, rough-and-ready guy to hang with; to wear a hot pink mini on her Vegas showgirl body; and to be able to dance like JLo. Could life get any better? Well perhaps, if that Harley bad boy was as rich as 'The Donald'? He is! Ummm, life is sweet! Josie Day is a Vegas Barbie doll - dazzling. Luke Donovan is every little girl's Ken doll - drop-dead gorgeous. He's a bad boy; she's a naughty girl, and together they are fun. Josie Day is indeed a Vegas showgirl. One fateful night Josie saves her boss' life. Totally grateful, that boss rewards her with an estate. An estate located in Josie's old hometown - the small-minded hometown Josie ran away from. Feeling victorious, Josie returns home and is promptly given the social cold shoulder. Her only friend is the estate's 'handyman' - Luke Donovan. A 'handyman' who happens to be her benefactor's nephew and the estate's bona fide owner. Luke Donovan is also a runaway. He is running from the wealth and social commitments of his prominent family. Is Luke pleased with Josie's sudden appearance? NO! But boy does Josie enthrall this so-called 'handyman'! His new philosophy: what is a little deception among friends? The author, Lisa Plumley, does a fun job with this merry light tale. Josie Day is a delight. Plumley writes her lead character using determination, beauty, and notorious appeal. Luke Donovan is simply sexy, dangerous and fun. They are a wonderful couple. Surprisingly, although the story is light and merry, Plumley manages to strike with a great deal of sensitivity. At times my heart ached for Josie. The story's weak points: Our hot couple should have 'gotten it on' earlier in the story - this reader grew frustrated with the wait. And it would have been more fun to see the jealous, mean spirited town-people get their just dues! Still, JOSIE DAY IS COMING HOME is light and breezy and entertaining. Grade: B+ This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy. MaryGrace Meloche Reviewer for: Romance Designs.com