Taking Care of Business

by Patricia Ryan, Luann McLane, Toni Blake, et al.

Book Overview

After a hard day's work, falling in love-or lust- is the only way to unwind. From three of today's hottest romance authors-an anthology of sizzling stories about the trials and tribulations that occur when professions and passions collide. In Driven, LuAnn McLane tells the story of a hard-boiled mystery author who has writer's block when it comes to sex scenes-and gets paired with a sassy romantic comedy author to come up with a very happy ending...Patricia...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451216059
• ISBN13: 9780451216052
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 281 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

steamy anthology

**** "Driven" by LuAnn McLane. Maui, romantic comedy, tough guy. Cute story. ***½ "What Happens in Vegas" by Patricia Ryan. The 3½ stars is deceptive. The first half of the story is ho-hum dull. Some bimbo-y chick acting dumb and some dull guy playing blackjack. Then we find out that the sleazebag owner of the casino wants her to find out how the dull guy keeps winning, but I still don't care. Then... there's a VERY hot sex scene. An example for the next time there's a conversation about taking sex scenes out of context. This one works out of context--it probably works BETTER out of context, because I really didn't care at all about these characters. And no, it's not in the details, it's in the way she writes about the details. *sigh* I wish more authors understood that. So maybe 2½ stars for the story itself, but that sex scene bumped it up a star. **** "Brushstrokes" by Toni Blake. Cute story. Matchmaking grandma sets up artist granddaughter with commitment-phobic bar owner by getting him to hire her to paint his bar. She ends up painting angels on his ceiling, and he keeps trying to tell her to quit, but he can't bring himself to. Points for inventiveness in the sex scenes.

Short but...HOT!!!

"Taking Care of Business" is a steamy anthology by some very talented authors. This quick read will entertain with its yummy hero's and sassy heroines. LuAnn McLane's "Driven" pairs up romance writer Maxine with suspense writer Ian. Ian needs to add a sex scene to his upcoming manuscript. Well he's got writers block and his agent thinks he needs to get away and brainstorm with sexy writer Maxie. Well, Ian goes and when Maxi and Ian get in the same room...all bets are off. Will Ian be able to admit he can love and Maxine is the lady for him? Patricia Ryan's "What Happens in Vegas" Jay Douglas has come to Vegas for a reason; He wants to see the end of Eddie Flynn. Eddie Flynn sics sassy, sexy Libby Thatcher to spy on him. Jay and Libby each have their own problems but these problems fade when they're in each other's company. Than again it's too hard to concentrate on anything else. When secrets are uncovered will they be able to hold on to the passion or will it disappear? Toni Blake's "Brushstrokes" is the story of Mia Drake. She's a starving artist...literally. So when her aunt finds a job as a painter Mia reluctantly goes to the bar and applies for the job. When she realizes the hunk from the grocery story owns the bar...things are about to get hot! Rick Rose is a no nonsense kind of guy. A love `em and leave `em kind of man. He's done relationships before and he won't do them again. But, one taste of Mia is not enough will he be able to put his past aside and grab onto happiness or will the sexy painter get away? All three stories are short but entertaining, and all three contributing authors have created some dynamic characters and storylines. If you're in the market for a quick hot read-look no further.

A Hot and Steamy Anthology

Taking Care Of Business is a smoking hot anthology by three top-notch writers. Driven by LuAnn McLane has mystery writer Ian Parker facing a stumbling block in his latest thriller. Sure he can write mystery, intrigue etc but a Sex Scene??? His agent hooks him up with romantic comedy writer Maxine Mitchell. Maxine wants to branch out in the romantic suspense genre. Sounds like a match make in heaven!! So Ian and Maxine are sent off to work together on their prospective books but end up teaching each other a thing or two about life and love. They sparks just fly off these two, can Ian live up to the challenge laid down in Maxine books??? Lord does he... Patricia Ryan's "What Happens In Vegas" has a mysterious high roller Jay Douglas taken the Gold Dust Casino for millions. Owner Eddie Flynn sends Libby Thatcher to get the scoop on Jay. Libby feels helping Eddied out is the only way she can get him to finally buy her dad's restaurant. Jay is distracted every time luscious Libby appears on his radar. Lilly as much as she is attracted to Jay, the good girl in her doesn't like that she is lying. Watching these two will warm any heart and make you wish that it would all work out. Toni Blake's Brushstrokes has Artist Mia Drake turning to her great Aunt when life in the big city doesn't work out. Mia gets hired to paint hunky bar owner Rick Rose establishment. It was supposed to be a simple paint job but once Mia decided Rick's ceiling needed her sensual angels everything changed. Rick couldn't believe what was going on in his bar but one look at the scene above him he is intrigued with the woman before him. Add some hot and steamy scenes with paint and brushes, you will be reaching for a big fan yourself. Taking Care Of Business is a hot read for anytime of the year. LuAnn, Patricia and Toni each wrote a compelling and tantalizing story. It's a keeper.

Taking Care of Business is three times the pleasure!

It all starts out with LuAnn McLane's gem "Driven", about two authors - one who writes mysteries, the other romance - who are struggling while trying to use elements from the other person's genre in their own stories. Ian Parker especially is having difficulty adding a romantic angle to his mystery series, but his fans are clamoring for his characters to get together, and the solution is to have bestselling romance writer Maxine Mitchell help him out. Of course Ian is reluctant, having met Ms. Mitchell previously and finding himself a little too taken with her for his peace of mind. Maxine is delighted to be working with Ian Parker. Not only is he like one of her sexy and brooding heroes, he also makes her hot, and that is an irresistible combination. Only they don't start out on the right foot, and the sparks fly all over the place. A rather intriguing bet kicks it up a notch, and you will fall in love with Ian right along with Maxie. Their romance is one dynamic collaboration that will have you longing for more. Anyone who's ever been to Vegas knows that "What Happens In Vegas" stays in Vegas. Patricia Ryan has created an intriging character in Jay Douglas, a high roller who's winning millions at the blackjack tables of casino owner Eddie Flynn. Flynn isn't too happy with Jay, and sends in sexy yet sweetly innocent Libby Thatcher to find out Jay's winning secrets. Libby is in a bind, and agrees to help out Eddie if he'll agree to her business deal. Only she doesn't count on being so drawn to Jay, and finds herself getting too involved. And Jay can't keep his concentration when Libby is in his zone. He finds himself unable to resist her, no matter how much he tries. A steamy encounter in the hot tub will definitely leave you breathless, not to mention Jay's ability to tie a decent knot. This is one resourceful hero, and Libby is a genuinely likeable heroine drawn to a man she must lie to against her better judgment. You'll be cheering for both and end the story with a sigh of contentment as they reach their happily ever after. "Brushstrokes" is a story about longing. Mia is a struggling artist who creates heavenly creatures filled with longing, a feeling she heself possesses for bar owner Rick Rose. Rick needs his bar painted, and though Mia's artwork isn't what he had in mind, he continues to let her create her mural on the Rose Tavern's ceiling while he longs to give into his desire for her. But Rick has been burned before, and Mia is not the kind of woman to have a meaningless fling with, so he avoids her so as not to give into temptation. Only things don't turn out the way either one of them planned, and falling in love certainly wasn't part of their agreement... Sexy, provocative, and delightful, these three talented authors show us what happens when work and play collide, and how much fun that can truly be!