"Amusing look at single life in Manhattan"

After only one hour on the job at a Manhattan realtor, Kansas transplant Lavender "Vinnie" Hart is fired. She is concerned because she needs the money to bankroll her twelve-year-old brother Adam's attendance at the exclusive, but expensive Gotham Young Scientist Academy.

Nicholas Wright mourns the loss of his seventy-five old madcap Aunt Edna who recently committed suicide her style when she learned her health was failing. Nicholas inherits her dog Daffodil, but needs a dog sitter. Though she has limited experience except for volunteer work and her comment on circus work is outrageous; Nicholas hires Vinnie after she gets Daffodil out of a pond. As Vinnie and Nicholas become acquainted through a matchmaking canine, they fall in love, but his soulless squeeze Dana Dvorak has a plan to rid Nicholas of the dog and the Midwest intruder.

Readers will enjoy this amusing look at single life in Manhattan especially from the eyes of the transplanted Jayhawker. The story line contains a charming cast of characters except for dental drill Dana, who offers no competition except her body to the wholesome friendliness of Vinnie. However, the big scene-stealer is Daffodil whether she cons a biscuit or interrupts a kiss. Nicholas and Vinnie learn never costar with canines and children as they are too smart. Readers will take pleasure form this lighthearted romantic romp.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 15, 2003

Read an Excerpt

Summary

She's Not in Kansas Anymore

Ordinarily, small-town girl Lavender "Vinnie" Hart would never have come to New York, but her younger brother, a boarding school student, needs her support. So she finds a job as live-in "nanny" for a high maintenance pooch and moves into the luxurious Manhattan penthouse of architect Nicholas Wright. In a snap, Vinnie's living the high life, but there's an unexpected snafu: the difficult dog's gorgeous owner takes Vinnie's breath away!

Nick's too busy with his hectic, success-obsessed life to deal with the spoiled haute couture canine he inherited. Now Vinnie, with her sexy exuberance and charming unpredictability, is becoming an even bigger distraction! Nick's all Big City stress and sophistication; she's genuine, warm-hearted country. A relationship could never work since they have absolutely nothing in common—or is a girl like her perfect for someone like him?