Book Review – Flirting With Disaster

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Book Review, Camelot series, Flirting with Disaster, Ruthie Knox

In the latest eBook original novel in RITA finalist Ruthie Knox’s scorching-hot Camelot series, a no-strings fling looks an awful lot like falling in love—or flirting with disaster.

Fresh out of a fiasco of a marriage, Katie Clark has retreated to her hometown to start over. The new Katie is sophisticated, cavalier, and hell-bent on kicking butt at her job in her brother’s security firm. But on her first assignment—digging up the truth about the stalker threatening a world-famous singer-songwriter—Katie must endure the silent treatment from a stern but sexy partner who doesn’t want her help . . . or her company.

Sean Owens knows that if he opens his mouth around Katie, she’ll instantly remember him as the geeky kid who sat behind her in high school. Silence is golden, but he can’t keep quiet forever, not with Katie stampeding through their investigation. It’s time for Sean to step up and take control of the case, and his decade-old crush. If he can break through Katie’s newfound independence, they just might find they make a perfect team—on the road, on the job, and in bed.

I really liked the earlier Camelot books (How to Misbehave and Along Came Trouble) and I’m thrilled that this one was just as good.  Both Katie and Sean are interesting, with normal, detailed issues – both have low self-esteem, for different reasons.  Throw in a little mystery over who is stalking Judah and it makes for a can’t put down read.

I love that Sean overcame so much of his history but he also has so much that he still needs to address.  It’s realistic and believable and makes for an engaging read.  Katie has her own troubles and has just come out of a troubled relationship.  She’s trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to do with her life.  Throw in an attraction she doesn’t want to stoic Sean and it makes things even more complicated.  As they discover what lays under the surface of each other, the more involved their feelings become.

There’s also a wonderful side story with Katie’s growing friendship with Judah – it’s smart and sassy and funny.  Without the sexual tension of her relationship with Sean, it is the distraction and acceptance she craves in a time when she needs it most.  And his stalker case adds a little tension and mystery to highlight the love story between Sean and Katie.  Everything ties up together at the end and even though I saw what was coming a mile away, it didn’t make it any less enjoyable.

Humorous and awkward and sweet and intriguing, Flirting With Disaster is the perfect companion to the first two books.  It does stand well on its own so if you want to start here you’ll be fine, but I definitely recommend giving the others a chance as well.

Loveswept Presents: Flirting with the Author – Chat Live with Ruthie Knox

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Author Chat, Flirting with the Author, Ruthie Knox

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Loveswept Presents: Flirting with the Author – Chat Live with Ruthie Knox

Wednesday, June 12  |  7PM EST, 4PM PST

Video & IM based chat |  Powered by Shindig

Come celebrate the release of the steamy new Camelot romance FLIRTING WITH DISASTER  live with USA Today bestselling author Ruthie Knox! Join our Shindig chatroom at 6:45 PM to mix and mingle, chat with other fans and members of the Loveswept team, and listen to Ruthie’s special playlist inspired by FLIRTING WITH DISASTER.

At 7PM Ruthie will take the stage and discuss her books, read a sneak peek, and answer your questions.

Find out what’s coming next from Ruthie!

All attendees are eligible to win exclusive swag! 

See you there! RSVP for the chat at this link: http://bit.ly/14eGx0Z or at Loveswept’s spanking new Facebook page: http://facebook.com/readloveswept

Along Came Trouble

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Along Came Trouble, Book Review, Camelot series, Ruthie Knox

When Ellen Callahan’s pop star brother gets involved with her neighbor Carly Short, and then breaks up with her, the paparazzi start swarming.  Jamie brings in hunky Caleb Clark to handle security, but Ellen & Caleb don’t quite see eye to eye on what his job should be.  Local boy Caleb left Camelot for the army and multiple tours in the Middle East.  Home now to help his family and start his own security firm, he needs this job to go well.  And an undeniable attraction to his client’s sister isn’t helping matters.

Along Came Trouble is the next book in Ruthie Knox’s Camelot series, although it probably could stand alone.  The original novella, How To Misbehave, tells the story of one of Caleb’s sisters, but she plays a minor enough role in this book that you don’t have to worry if you missed it.  Don’t get me wrong, it is a fun read so if you haven’t read it I highly recommend you do but you are safe in reading this one first.

Once again, Knox brings readers a rich blend of humor, heart and angst.  Ellen has problems with the thought of getting involved with a guy again and losing her hard-won independence.  She spent a lot of her life playing second fiddle, first to her brother and then to her husband.  She’s now created a life and a home for herself and the thought of giving any control to someone else just freaks her out.  Then into her life walks Caleb Clark.  His entire job is to make decisions and tell her what to do.  With her life in turmoil thanks to her brother, it’s no wonder that she resists anything serious with Caleb.  And Caleb is definitely alpha, all tough muscles and take-charge attitude, but he is also caring, sensitive and charming.  His only flaw is thinking that if he wants something and works hard enough, then he can make it happen.  But he didn’t count on Ellen.

Readers are also treated to the romance of Carly and Ellen’s brother Jaime.  I have to say I really would have liked for these two to have their own book.  Their side plot is sweet and I think I would have enjoyed getting more on Jamie’s growth from spoiled pop star to man in love.  He’s a rascal and fun to read.  Carly is a little more prickly but I think I would have liked to have gotten to know her better.  The next story is about Caleb’s sister, Katie, and from what Knox gives us here it looks to be a winner too.

If you are looking for a fast-moving mix of heat, heart and humor, Along Came Trouble is a guaranteed winner.

How to Misbehave

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Book Review, Camelot series, How to Misbehave, Ruthie Knox

Ruthie Knox kicks off her new Camelot series with a smoking hot and oh-so-tempting novella. Amber Clark has a crush on one of the construction guys doing work at the Community Center where she is the Program Director. She sees him off and on throughout the week, looking buff, sexy and in charge. And since she closes the center, on the days he works she waits to walks him out, only getting a good night in return. Until the day they are forced to take shelter in the basement due to a tornado warning. Does she dare to do something about her attraction? Tony Mazzara knows that Amber isn’t the woman for him. She might as well wear a sign saying she’s innocent and good. He’s very aware of the feelings she has for him, and they are mutual, but he won’t do anything about them. But once they are forced to spend time together, will he be able to resist?

Knox’s Camelot series tells the stories of three siblings – Amber, Caleb and Katie – and although How to Misbehave is the first to be published, it was the last to be written. Along Came Trouble, which is Caleb’s story and due out in March, was actually first but as both Tony and Amber are in the story, it was important to tell their tale first. And I’m so very happy she did. They are both fun, funny and sweet. The pages practically catch fire with their passion but it is their more tender moments that make them irresistible.

Amber is tired of being seen as only the good girl and she’s hoping Tony will help her misbehave. Having her let loose with Tony is both steamy and delightful. Tony had a horrible thing happen in his past and it has left some scars. He doesn’t trust himself and he finds it hard to give in to his feelings for Amber. Tony’s troubled brother, Patrick, also makes an appearance and I really hope we get some more stories about the Mazzara brothers and sisters.

How to Misbehave is the perfect choice for a cold winter night … it’s sexy enough to toast your toes but romantic enough to warm your heart.

Naughty & Nice

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All I want for Christmas Is You, Book Review, Molly O'Keefe, Naughty & Nice, One Perfect Christmas, Room at the Inn, Ruthie Knox, Stefanie Sloane

Naughty & Nice is a steamy kick-off to the holiday season, with three romantic – and spicy – holiday novellas.

**In Room at the Inn, Ruthie Knox gives readers a story about lovers getting a second chance. Carson Vance left his small hometown of Potter Falls as soon as he could. He’s back now to help his dad and finds himself facing those he left behind. Julie Long discovered the home she was looking for when she came for a visit with Carson while in college. She now owns an inn and is an active member of the community. After years of Carson dropping in and quickly leaving, Julie has decided that she’s done waiting for him to decide that he loves her enough to stay. Will the holidays show Carson that there is more for him at home than he can find travelling the world?

**All I Want for Christmas is You is a prequel to Molly O’Keefe’s novel Crazy Thing Called Love, coming in Januray. Maddy Baumgarten and Billy Wilkins are planning to get married on her eighteenth birthday, the day after Christmas. Will they still go through with it in the face of her family’s disapproval?

**Stephanie Sloane’s historical romance, One Perfect Christmas, finds Jane Merriweather in need of a husband. Her family’s financial trouble led her to London and a broken engagement to a man who ran off to Gretna Greene with another woman. Afterward, in a moment of upset, she told her childhood friend, Lucas Cavanaugh, her true feelings for him … sending him running. Now he’s back for the holiday season, only to find Jane looking to another man for marriage. Can Lucas convince Jane that he’s the man for her after all?

This anthology is a delightful start to the holiday reading season, with enough sizzle to melt your frostbitten toes. If you are looking for a little something to heat up your winter days, this is it. All of the stories feature compelling characters with intriguing troubles to hold your attention. They are short which makes for the perfect break between your seasonal activities.

Coming Soon

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J. Kenner, Molly O'Keefe, Naughty & Nice, Release Me, Ruthie Knox, Samantha Kane, Sneak Peek, Stefanie Sloane, The Devil's Thief

Naughty & Nice is releasing on 11/5/12 and is an anthology with three original holiday-themed novellas by Ruthie Knox, Molly O’Keefe & Stefanie Sloane. 

Buy your copy at Random House.

The Devil’s Thief is also releasing in November (11/12/12). 

There’s a booktrailer up on YouTube. 

You can also get a preview at Scribd.

For those that loved Fifty Shades of Grey, meet Damien in Release Me coming 1/1/13

Excerpt can be found at Scribd and you can purchase the book at Random House.