A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

• Title: A Novel Seduction
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (October 25, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 1451612648
• ISBN-13: 978-1451612646
• Author Website: http://www.cready.com/

'But this review--a beautifully constructed Stinger missile aimed at the recent memoir of Bettina Moore, head of Pierrot Enterprises, the world's most successful romance novel publishing company, and the darling of the publishing world--carried razor edged pomposity about as far as it could go. 

Moore's estimation of her impact on American culture is as overstated as her dress on the book's cover. If romance novels are, as Moore says, "candy conversation hearts that speak to the soul of a woman," let's hope future instructive aphorisms include "There's more plot in the phone book," "Romance Novels: Publishing's Answer to Farmville" and "get a Library Card!" '

There are many things that a journalist needs to do to be good at their job--investigate the story, use credible sources, check facts, etc. Perhaps another item should be added to the list--know who your boss is sleeping with. Yes, when Ellery Sharpe wrote her most current article that ripped Bettina Moore to shreds she had no idea her boss was having an affair with the woman. This is one instance when the gossip around the water cooler could have come in handy.

Now, as punishment for writing such an article, her boss has hand picked her next assignment which is specifically designed torture her. She must write a positive article about the impact romance novels have on women. While most would not see this as a real form of punishment, Ellery has never understood what other women see in romances. To take the punishment one step further, her boss has enlisted her ex-boyfriend Axel Mackenzie, to be her photographer for the article.

This was a very fun tongue in cheek sort of book that pokes a little fun at the romance genre. I guess if you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? I will admit to loving romance novels, but my friends and I do occasionally crack up at some of the things included in them. The supposedly two fictitious books that were to be the highlight of the article Ellery was to write had me laughing. One dealt with men in kilts and the other with vampire romances--two of my favorite types of romances. I almost felt like Gwyn knew me. Could she secretly be one of my friends on Goodreads whom I've never met? lol Seriously, the book Kiltlander, which Ellery ends up liking, sounded suspiciously like Outlander. I enjoyed that while the romance, Kiltlander, was very different from Axel's and Ellery's relationship, there were some similar messages--"Vithout forgiveness, there is no love. And in the end it is wurth every hardship. " (said by a character with a german accent) and "There's more to a happily-ever-after than 'happy', and you've just got to get there on your own."

Despite the fun Ms. Cready had with the romance genre, I truly loved the two main characters she created for her story. Ellery was a bit too serious and needed to loosen up a little. She is the type of person, however, who tends to take things to the extreme. One of my favorite lines was from Axel. He sent Jill, Ellery's sister, a photo of Ellery from the night before after she'd gone a little wild. With it he included the following statement,"Never tease your sister again: See what it leads to:".  I laughed so hard. You'll have to read the book to find out what that picture contained.

Axel was an easy character to love. He seemed to have grown up since he and Ellery last dated. The status reports he sent his boss had me laughing and shaking my head. Slowly, as the story progressed, we found out what went wrong between the pair. I was surprised to learn some of it Axel was finding out about for the first time as well. I liked how even though the relationship seemed irreparable at the beginning, Axel couldn't help but try to look out for Ellery. He'd never truly gotten over her. *sigh*

One of my favorite non-spoiler Axel scenes:
     "Open bar," he said. "They just announced your company's picking up everything."
     "I can think of one thing I'd like them to pick up," she said, and leered at the hem of his kilt.
     "Ah, ah, ah." He waved a forbidding finger at her, and she gave him a big smile.
     Someone had set up a tip jar, and the woman pushed a bill toward it. "There's ten pounds in it for you if you tell me what's worn underneath."
     A white-haired gentleman sitting at the far end of the bar snorted, and Axel sighed, dropping the dirty pint glasses in the suds. "Nothings's worn, I assure you. It's all in perfect working order."

Axel and Ellery are definitely meant to be together and are good for each other. The heat between the two seemed to singe the pages. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you look flustered and flushed and are grinning from ear to ear. Overall, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I felt this was delightful blend of humor and romance. If you're looking for a book to put you in a good mood, I highly recommend this one.