Knock Me Off My Feet

November 4, 2002
In Donovan's spicy debut, Autumn Adams honors her mother's deathbed wish when she takes over her role as famed Homey Helen, domestic diva of Chicago's WBBS-TV station. Coaching her mother's fans on the finer points of homemaking is the last thing Autumn wants; she'd much rather be kicking a soccer ball around a field or running a marathon. Fortunately, she has Marjorie Stoddard, her mom's faithful secretary, to pick up the slack. But Marjorie isn't much help when a twisted fan starts sending death threats in the form of grisly household hints, one of which advises her on the proper way to freeze human remains. Autumn receives protection in the form of handsome Detective Stacey Quinn, who thinks Autumn just might be the perfect woman for him. Winning Autumn's affection isn't as easy as he anticipates, however. Marjorie's bad track record with men—"It's like after seven or eight weeks some green slimy and hairy thing with eleven eyeballs suddenly jumps out of the top of my head and the men start running for the nearest exit"—may keep her from pursuing the one man who won't run away. The identity of Autumn's stalker is obvious from the outset, but a surprise ending and lots of playfully erotic love scenes will keep readers entertained.

November 1, 2002
When Homey Helen, Chicago's answer to Martha Stewart, dies, her daughter, Audie, steps into her shoes. But she feels more at home on the soccer field than in the kitchen, misses her teaching career, and despises her sudden fame. Then she begins receiving threatening letters and realizes that someone is out to dethrone her. She turns to Chicago's finest for help, and soon sexy detective Quinn is assigned to her case. Audie is immediately taken with his dashing good looks and deadpan sense of humor, while Quinn can't help but be charmed by Audie's disheveled beauty and vivacious spirit. As Quinn interviews Audie's many broken-hearted ex-boyfriends and friendly coworkers, she begins to trust him with her life and, more important, her heart. But just as Audie and Quinn begin to fall for each other, her stalker grows more threatening and Audie's commitment phobia resurfaces. Will she and Quinn get back together? And will it be in time to save Audie's life? Donovan's blend of romance and mystery is thrilling.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)