The Pregnancy Test by Erin McCarthy

Title : The Pregnancy Test
Author : Erin McCarthy
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #1, NY Girlfriends
Pages : 272
Publish Date : January 01, 2005
Publisher : Kensington Brava
Started Reading : March 01, 2011
Completed Reading : March 01, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

If life is a series of tests, Mandy Keeling just hit the mother lode.

Ordinarily, I’m a fan of pink,lovely color, does smashing things for the complexion. But not when it’s the bright, glaring stripe staring back at me on the pregnancy test. Then, pink is the color of major oops, of morning sickness, of boyfriends who seemed decent but now are part of some Jerk Witness Protection Program.

Still, I’ve got a few things going for me,bitter humor, a divine right to eat till I’m the size of Marlon Brando, and good friends who’ve managed to get me a job interview with one Damien Sharpton: in need of a personal assistant, and some say, a good, swift kick in the arse. If you want to make a lasting impression, by all means, toss your cookies in your future boss’s wastebasket, which is located directly between his excruciatingly sexy legs.

Apparently, Mr. Gorgeous-But-Unbearably-Anti-Social must like personal assistants who violate their trashcans, because I got the job. And if I can avoid him via text messaging for the next nine months of free health insurance, everything will be just fine. Except that he’s just asked,no, insisted,that I go with him on a business trip to the Caribbean. Gulp. Ordinarily, this would be cause for celebration. Ordinarily, I’d shave my legs, pack my bikini, revel in day-glo drinks and my seething lust for Mr. Swarthy-And-Secretive. But there’s nothing ordinary about this situation!which means it could be absolutely extraordinary!

*****

Another enjoyable read from Erin McCarthy. I find the main characters endearing - Mandy and Damien. I love how the story started, how it progressed. It's light and sexy and yes, sweet. I find them so cute together and Damien being such a concerned "father". I loved their banter, and my fave the one about the baby's name. I love how Damien is such a realy softie inside. If you're looking for something light, something that would put a smile in your face or laugh, something sweet, this would be a nice read. :)

Houston, We Have A Problem by Erin McCarthy

Title : Houston, We Have A Problem
Author : Erin McCarthy
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #2, Florida Doctors
Pages : 304
Publish Date : May 01, 2005 (Re-Issue)
Publisher : Kensington
Started Reading : February 21, 2011
Completed Reading : February 22, 2011
Book Rating : 3.5/5

Dr. Houston Hayes has never had trouble maintaining his professional distance with both patients and co-workers…until he meets resident Josie Adkins. Every time the tiny tornado of cheery clumsiness drops a chart in his presence, he’s treated to a view that makes him extremely interested in her bones. Jumping them, that is. For a man who prides himself on control at all times, this is getting to be a problem. And problems always have solutions…

All her life, Josie has wanted to be a surgeon. But how can she do that while she’s suffering from the debilitating Dr. Hayes Induced Dropping Medical Equipment Syndrome? Honestly, with those ice blue eyes and powerful shoulders dipping down to a — whoops, there goes the blood pressure cuff — what’s a girl to do? And then Dr. Hayes shocks her by prescribing a very sexy cure: one night of sheet-burning passion to erase the sexual tension for both of them. But only one night…he won’t need more than that…

Suddenly, Josie has her mission — a chance to prove the arrogant Dr. Hayes wrong. One night with her will never be enough if she has her way. And soon, both doctors may be falling into a desire deeper than any they’ve ever known…one that makes them hungry for more…

*****

Still fresh from reading Erin McCarthy, I looked for her other books and grabbed this one. I really enjoyed this book as well. Though the Fast Track series is still a favorite. I enjoyed the book because of the easy banter and the light dialogue between the characters. And the book just didn't settle on steamy scenes (though of course there were a lot of that.. hahaha) but there had been substance in it. I'd definitely be looking for more Erin McCarthy books.. :)

Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy

Title : Flat-Out Sexy
Author : Erin McCarthy
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #1, Fast Track
Pages : 304
Publish Date : November 01, 2008
Publisher : Berkley Sensation
Started Reading : February 21, 2011
Completed Reading : February 21, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

Independent single mother Tamara Briggs wanted to find a new, sexy, no-strings-attached man-just not one as young as NASCAR driver Elec Monroe. But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she’s tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you ma’am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she’s willing to take to experience the power of true love.

*****

At home sick today... :(. Still has colds and fever.. So between, sleep and meds, I was able to squeeze in one book for today.

As to why I read this last, I don't know. Maybe saving the best for last? Because, for me, this is the best book in the series. I wonder if it had to do with the kids? and well, the family aspect? The story just got to me. Tamara being a single mom, her husband racer who died two years ago and then she falling for another race car driver. Elec being gorgeous and sexy and at the same time being sweet and loving to her kids. I really enjoyed this one. And Ryder and Suzanne were really funny and sassy in this book. And I also adore the rest of the characters, Pete (Tamara's husband who died)'s parents, Tamara's kids - Petey and Hunter and Elec's family. I love the scenes of Elec visiting Tammy when she had to take care of her sick kids and he brought food and toys for the kids, it was just sweet. And I also liked the "cat fight" between Crystal (Elec's "stalker") and Tammy, it's classic. And I was laughing out loud at Ryder's joke regarding his properties and "Tammy and Elec". Funny!

I can't wait for The Chase, the 4th book of the series coming out this April. This time, the story is about Evan Monroe, Elec's brother. 

Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy

Title : Hard and Fast
Author : Erin McCarthy
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #2, Fast Track
Pages : 304
Publish Date : May 05, 2009
Publisher : Berkley Sensation
Started Reading : February 20, 2011
Completed Reading : February 20, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

An experiment in romance!

New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing.  After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating,and mating,patterns?

That’s testing the limits of passion.

Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity, and make all the risks worthwhile!

*****

2 Books in a day.. tsk tsk.. being sick sometimes has its perk.... =p

Brainy girl and Sexy Athlete... Opposites Attraction at its finest. The 2nd in Erin McCarthy's Fast Track series and I definitely enjoyed this book as well. It's a sexy, sweet and endearing book. Imogen is such a brainiac and almost always thinks logically, well.. except when Ty is involved. Ty is sexy and sweet at the same time. Also, I get to see Suzanne and Ryder and they're funny. I got to see a glimpse of Elec and Tammy too (and I can't wait to read their story).

Oh, don't mind me reading the series backwards... hahaha :)

My favorite line would be from Ty to Imogen:

"But the truth is, I want to be some woman's work boots, not her high heels."

"Work boots?"

"Yeah. You know, the boots she pulls out when she wants to get down and dirty, hiking or gardening or boating or painting the kitchen. The ones she relies on and trusts and lives her life hard and good and on her terms in. Her favorites."

Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy

Title : Hot Finish
Author : Erin McCarthy
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #3, Fast Track
Pages : 284
Publish Date : August 03, 2010
Publisher : Berkley Sensation
Started Reading : February 20, 2011
Completed Reading : February 20, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

Not all marriages last forever!
Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client—and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband…

But this one might…

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if—even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early—they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish…

*****

This is my first Erin McCarthy novel and I've got to say, she might be in my fave list of writers. :) I love her characters - the awesome sexy male and a kick-ass woman. Their quick comebacks.. Ryder and Suzanne keeps fighting but you know that there's something more to it than that. That deep inside, they still have an unfinished business. The friendship between the race car drivers were really and of course, the friendship between the female characters too. I'm definitely reading the other books in the series and can't wait how the other couples got together. Oh, and of course, there are a lot of LOL moments too.. with Nicole, the bridezilla in the story. And of course, my favorite line just had to come from her >_<

"But the thing is Suzanne, when you know that you love someone, those things don't matter. You have to push all the everyday things and the outside world away, and just enjoy knowing that this is the man who has the chest your head is meant to lie on."