"Franco nearly stole the whole book!"

Marnie LaTour may be a computer geek but she still wants dates every once in a while. Now why won't her co-worker Barry notice her? One evening after going out for sandwiches her male co-workers tell her that she's just not girlfriend material. This really hurts Marnie's feelings so she has to figure out what she can do to change that.

Zack Renfro loves the Painted Ladies in San Francisco. He will do just about anything to restore them to their former glory. He nearly got married once but when his girlfriend couldn't understand his devotion to restoring the homes he loved, she broke it off with him.

Franco Rossi, a playwright and apartment owner owns what he believes is a magic skirt. He believes he needs to put this skirt to the test and picks Marnie as his first 'victim'. Supposedly this skirt attracts the right male to the female wearing it. This remains to be seen.

Marnie knows that Zack is quite a hunk but not the guy for her. She'd be happy with Barry if she could just figure out how to attract him. What is it with Zack and Marnie though? Every time they so much as touch, something sizzles between them. Maybe Marnie can talk Zack into giving her girlfriend/boyfriend lessons and in repayment she can create Zack a professional website for his renovation projects. Zack agrees but wonders what he's gotten himself into.

This was a one sitting read for me. I got so caught up in this story that I really didn't want it to end. Zack and Marnie were great characters but Franco just took over the book. What a guy! I'll be on the lookout for more books involving Franco and the magic skirt!!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted June 1, 2003

Read an Excerpt

Round three of Single in the City's magic man-magnet skirt begins in May 2003 with Heather MacAllister's MALE CALL. Franco, the doorman from the second Single in the City series takes the skirt to San Francisco where he hopes to write a play. Or a script. Or something that will help him break into showbiz. The skirt will be his inspiration. He rents out his Victorian Painted Lady apartment timeshare style, lends the skirt to three unsuspecting heroines, sits back, and takes notes.

In MALE CALL, computer guru Marnie LaTour needs a makeover, but even she is astounded at how effective makeup, a new hairstyle, and a borrowed little black skirt can be.

Summary

After the guy she thinks she's dating tells her she's not "girlfriend" material, Marnie LaTour decides to make some changes. She's going to learn how to be a femme fatale — or else. Only, attracting guys isn't as tough as she thinks. Especially when she's wearing the skirt her landlord swears works like a man magnet. And it sure isn't long before rugged construction worker Zach Renfro finds himself under the influence....