Autumn Adams never planned to follow in her mother's footsteps as Chicago's answer to Martha Stewart--she can't cook, doesn't clean, and would rather play soccer than discuss the joys of white bathtub grout. Then some lunatic starts sending her threats in the mail and Audie finds herself under the protection of simmering, sexy Detective Stacey Quinn, a man determined to examine her every nook, cranny, and ex-boyfriend in his effort to find the stalker. A disarming combination of macho cop and sweet charmer, Quinn is hard to resist. But with Audie's bad luck at finding and holding on to Mr. Right, she think it's best to keep her distance...
Quinn soon discovers that the real Audie is an alluring blend of fantasy babe and tender-hearted female all wrapped up in what he can only hope is leopard-print underwear. She's not what he's always pictured for himself, but could she be everything he'll ever need?
Digging through Audie's many layers could turn out to be the hottest, craziest, sexiest bit of detective work Quinn has ever attempted...if it doesn't kill him first.
**
From Publishers Weekly
In Donovan's spicy debut, Autumn Adams honors her mother's deathbed wish when she takes over her role as famed Homey Helen, domestic diva of Chicago's WBBS-TV station. Coaching her mother's fans on the finer points of homemaking is the last thing Autumn wants; she'd much rather be kicking a soccer ball around a field or running a marathon. Fortunately, she has Marjorie Stoddard, her mom's faithful secretary, to pick up the slack. But Marjorie isn't much help when a twisted fan starts sending death threats in the form of grisly household hints, one of which advises her on the proper way to freeze human remains. Autumn receives protection in the form of handsome Detective Stacey Quinn, who thinks Autumn just might be the perfect woman for him. Winning Autumn's affection isn't as easy as he anticipates, however. Marjorie's bad track record with men-"It's like after seven or eight weeks some green slimy and hairy thing with eleven eyeballs suddenly jumps out of the top of my head and the men start running for the nearest exit"-may keep her from pursuing the one man who won't run away. The identity of Autumn's stalker is obvious from the outset, but a surprise ending and lots of playfully erotic love scenes will keep readers entertained.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
When Homey Helen, Chicago's answer to Martha Stewart, dies, her daughter, Audie, steps into her shoes. But she feels more at home on the soccer field than in the kitchen, misses her teaching career, and despises her sudden fame. Then she begins receiving threatening letters and realizes that someone is out to dethrone her. She turns to Chicago's finest for help, and soon sexy detective Quinn is assigned to her case. Audie is immediately taken with his dashing good looks and deadpan sense of humor, while Quinn can't help but be charmed by Audie's disheveled beauty and vivacious spirit. As Quinn interviews Audie's many broken-hearted ex-boyfriends and friendly coworkers, she begins to trust him with her life and, more important, her heart. But just as Audie and Quinn begin to fall for each other, her stalker grows more threatening and Audie's commitment phobia resurfaces. Will she and Quinn get back together? And will it be in time to save Audie's life? Donovan's blend of romance and mystery is thrilling. Megan Kalan
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