Arm Candy - Patricia Ryan

Book three in the Hot City Nights series by Patricia Ryan is Arm Candy. These are a series of three books, all independent reads, but set in the city.

Arm Candy

David Waite, a wealthy British fundraiser in New York City, knows exactly how to please a woman, but he’s had enough of social climbers and users. His solution? “Arm candy,” a beautiful woman to accompany him as his regular date. She’s to serve as a dazzling accessory, not a prostitute or call girl, with no strings attached, either emotional or sexual. Then he sees Nora, and he finds himself overwhelmed with a craving for sweets…

Nora Armstrong is a wholesome, virginal beauty fresh from the Midwest. Her cousin asks her to go out with David Waite as a favor to advance his event planning business. She can’t say no, any more than she can say no when David asks for a second date, and a third… According to “arm candy” rules, she should be safe… until David decides to break the rules. Suddenly Nora realizes it’s a risky business, being this smoking hot Brit’s faux girlfriend… and falling in love.

My Review

This was a great fun read. Nora was far from keen to act as arm candy, but she feels that she owes her cousin and knows that this could help his business. Though she is reluctant to begin with, she soon connects with David and the chemistry between them grows stronger.

There is an incident, part way through the book, that doesn't really paint David in a great light. It is down to a misunderstanding, but I'm not sure that I would have been as willing to forgive him and spend time with him afterwards. Particularly in light of something that happens as a follow on, if not quite result of, his actions. (Sorry, that's a bit vague, I don't want to give away any spoilers.)

The longer that Nora keeps secrets from David, about her career and life, the harder it is for her to share them with him. Of course, when she does, he's hurt that she has kept things from him and lied. Can he forgive her and move on?

I enjoyed this book, I liked the growing romance between David and Nora. Like all of Patricia Ryan's other books, it's well written and the other minor characters are also interesting. If you're looking for a fun, romantic read, then I don't think that you'll go far wrong.

A Burning Touch - Patricia Ryan

A Burning Touch is book three in the Hot City Nights series by Patricia Ryan. This series is a group of books all set in the city, but that aren't actually connected, so can all be read as stand alone novels and in any order. 

A Burning Touch

Mansfield, New Jersey, is burning up building by building—each fire more devastating than the last—and it’s Irish born police detective Jamie Keegan’s job to bring the “Firefly,” as the arsonist has dubbed himself, to justice. He balks when his captain orders him to consult the beautiful and enigmatic India Cook, who has offered her services as a psychic to the police department.

Jamie doesn’t believe a word about India’s special talents. He knows all about con artists. The fact that India doesn’t like to be touched—that’s how she reads people—is only more of a challenge, because she’s just about the most smoking hot woman he’s ever met. Convinced she’s a con artist, Jamie tries to deny the chemistry simmering between them as they work together to stop the Firefly before he can strike again.

My Review

I'm always a little bit reluctant to read novels where one of the characters has a supernatural power. There's a real danger that it will slip into the ridiculous and far fetched. In this book though, I needn't have worried. Although India does have a special ability, it is written in a way that makes it seem completely believable and fits with the story line.

Jamie is sure that India is a con artist. But, as he begins to fall for her, he decides that she must actually believe that she has this ability herself. She is just mistaken about it. His past makes believing that she can really read peoples thoughts and emotions, something that he just can't accept.

I think that the struggle between the feelings that India and Jamie start to have for one another, and the fact that he can't accept that she has this gift is really interesting. Can they somehow overcome this lack of belief? Will Jamie manage to accept who and what she really is, or is their relationship doomed to fail?

I won't give away what happens in this great story, you'll have to read it for yourself. Hopefully it's enough to say that he doesn't suddenly, miraculously change his mind. The journey is quite exciting with a few twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Deep in the Night - Patricia Ryan

Deep in the Night is book two in the Hot City Nights series by Patricia Ryan. Although this is a series, the books are all stand alone novels that don't link from one to another. I've read them in the wrong order, but that doesn't really matter.

Deep in the Night

Roman Fitzpatrick: Cool play-by-the-rules ex-cop on the outside, but scratch the surface… a hot-blooded man, ready and able to do whatever needs to be done.

Summer Love: Free-spirited photographer and gossip columnist in San Francisco. She has a “fan” who’d like to see her out of the picture.

Roman’s Assignment:

• Guard a woman who doesn’t want guarding

• Overcome prejudice against flighty gossip columnists

• Pretend Summer Love isn’t the sexiest, most desirable woman on the face of the earth

My Review

First of all, I think that I have to comment on the names of the main characters in this book. Summer Love? Roman? Yes, they are a little bit odd, but there is at least a reason given for Summer Love, and it makes sense in terms of her character. In any case, don't let that put you off, I certainly didn't.

Deep in the night is the story of a woman and her body guard. Summer doesn't think that she needs a body guard and she certainly doesn't want one. It soon becomes apparent that someone is out to get her, or at the very least to get something from her, and she has to rely upon Roman.

Although Roman tries to keep his distance from his client, he can't help but be drawn to Summer. There's something about her that he just cannot resist, even though she's not his type and he's not her's. It isn't long before they find that they can't resist one another.

This was a lovely little romance, with well developed and likeable characters. There was more to both of them than at first seems obvious and I really enjoyed reading their story and about the way their relationship developed. Another great book from Patricia Ryan.