Kiss Me
By: Susan Mallery
Rating: 5 of 5
I have read a number of Susan Mallery’s books in the Fool’s Gold series. The most recent is “Kiss Me” which is the story of Phoebe Kitzke, a realtor on a forced vacation, and Zane Nicholson, the cattle rancher who finds himself unwillingly taking a bunch of greenhorns on a quickly slapped together cattle drive.
Phoebe has just received a serious dressing down for some unethical business practices and, in fact, may lose her realtor’s license altogether. During her month of suspension, her friend Maya talks her into joining her on a cattle drive at her ex-family’s ranch in Fool’s Gold, CA. Zane is Maya’s ex-step brother who takes his responsibilities seriously, perhaps too seriously, and that is where the fun comes in.
Phoebe is a kind-hearted and very funny individual. I loved the thoughts, dialog, and actions that Ms. Mallery dreamed up for this character.
Zane is a quite rancher. His type is reminded me forcefully of the outback males who populated Lucy Walker’s romance novels set in Australia. Their lack of communication is where the reminiscence ends, though, as Ms. Walker did not include any sexual thoughts, actions, or even innuendo in her books. Zane is actively trying to stay out of any relationship involving love – even when it involved his disastrous first marriage.
The plot is cute, the dialog fun and snappy. The characters are fun, too, including some old favorites and some new ones, too. I especially found the rapid vegetarian to be fun. I did have to question why a vegetarian would be involved in a cattle drive – since it essentially involves beef while still on the hoof.
There is sex in the story but I didn’t find it overwhelming. To be honest, the story didn’t really need it but I guess Romance novelists do feel compelled to put a couple of sexual scenes in their books.
I recommend the book to anyone who likes a funny story and who isn’t offended by sexual scenes and language. There is enough of the latter to be a turnoff to anyone who objects to it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher.
I have read a number of Susan Mallery’s books in the Fool’s Gold series. The most recent is “Kiss Me” which is the story of Phoebe Kitzke, a realtor on a forced vacation, and Zane Nicholson, the cattle rancher who finds himself unwillingly taking a bunch of greenhorns on a quickly slapped together cattle drive.