Drive Me Wild by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Temptation #921, April 2003, Rating: B

An ghost writer of cozy mysteries aspires to branch out and make a name for herself as a romance writer. After being told by her editor that her completed book fell flat, Molly Drake intends to obtain the information needed to make her love scenes smoke. Who better to proposition than the chauffer Alec Masterson, the man she patterned her story's hero after. Would it be possible to take a test drive into the world of seduction and hot sex and avoid it turning into something permanent?

Molly Drake is the daughter of Hollywood parents. Her father is a big named director, her mother famous for a nude scene in a movie some thirty years ago that men still pant and gawk about. She moves to Connecticut, into the cottage she inherited from her mother, determined to make a name for herself as a writer. She already has a successful and lucrative writing career, the only problem is no one knows it's her because she ghost writes cozy mysteries for a movie star and lifelong friend. This is not enough for Molly, she wants to see her own name on the cover of a book, at the top of a best-sellers list. The editor of the cozies she writes rejects her book, tells her it's not steamy enough, the love scenes seem to be written by someone with inadequate experience. In a fit, the idea comes to her to gain that experience in a wild-woman, no strings attached, no holds barred love affair. Her partner in crime? Her chauffeur, who happens to be the man she designed her hero after - a man she's been attracted to since he started driving for her months ago. Molly eventually realizes she's a bad influence on Alex, keeping him from his law student work and ends their relationship. She hadn't planned on falling in love during this awakening process.

Alec Masterson couldn't believe sexy Molly Drake propositioned him. He went along willingly and fell hard. Soon he began having trouble balancing work, school and a very active sex life. School began to suffer. He stopped taking extra shifts even though the clients were good tippers and he needed the extra cash. One of those eternal students, Alec, has had five different majors and at 32 still isn't quite sure what he wants to be. As soon as he decides, though, he goes in full throttle. He approaches his life-long friend about a business proposition and then focuses on getting Molly back. He was not about to let her get away. Even if she was done needing his help for her love scenes.

An enjoyable read. Some of the scenes were very steamy, but well done. This couple had no problem experimenting and it was clear they enjoyed every minute of it. I rate Drive Me Wild a B.

©Susan Falk and phantomroses.com