"More like how the girl next door grew up to be hot, hot, hot!"

This is the second book in the SULLIVAN'S Rules trilogy and it keeps pace with the first. Rita Rosales is a hot- looking, fiery-tempered female who happens to work for one of Chicago's hottest magazines. She's moved on from her Texas roots into the big city life and likes it fine. That is until Colby Callahan appears at her office door.

Colby Callahan affectionately remembers Rita as "Ri" and his impromptu visit to her office is two-fold: try to convince Rita to return to her family in Texas for Christmas (thanks to her mother's coaxing) and figure out what it is he really feels for her since she's all grown- up. Actually, three-fold: He's a Texas Ranger with a dangerous mission that involves Chicago and his plan to "hide in plain site."

Somehow, the two become involved in Sullivan's Rules, an article her magazine ran, which Rita completely disagrees with. According to Sullivan, women have to placate their man. According to Rita, the virgin, it's sexual chemistry that decides who gets married. Period. But, she's never experienced it first hand. She agrees to do a television show on the subject with a controversial host because it will pay the next five months of rent and because she was a little bit drunk when she made that decision. Little does she know she'll be debating the issues of love with her first love -- Colby Callahan.

Colby proves himself nothing less than a gentleman. This story takes all kinds of twists and turns as Rita becomes involved in Colby's undercover assignment. And Colby can't believe he's falling in love. He also knows he can't involve Rita in his dangerous lifestyle.

So, what do two hot-blooded Americans do? They figure out a path to love.

If you're looking for a story with a heroine who is fiercely independent and has no qualms about being a twenty- eight-year-old virgin in this day and age and a hero who is so old-fashioned at heart it will kill a girl's will to remain so, than this is a story you MUST read. Ms. Molay gives a fine performance as writer with a quick wit and, better yet, a fiery heroine and hero to die for. There's not too many Colby Callahan's out there. And Rita is no dummy. When one exceptional man walks through her door, no matter the circumstances, she's willing to risk it all. You've got to read this all or nothing story.

Reviewed by: Kelly McDonough

Reviewed by Kelly McDonough
Posted February 25, 2005