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 How To Be a Wicked WomanFeaturing the novella: "Wicked Ways" by Susanna Carr August 2004 Saving her family's company - Lovejoy's Unmentionables - from financial ruin is going to require an updated, sexier image. And not just for the company. Faking a wild life for the sake of the clients currently has Peyton Lovejoy in the bathroom stall of a male strip joint, making a frantic call to... um... the 24-hour public library hotline. Mike Ryder is certainly intrigued by Peyton's desperate questions (How does one tip a guy in a thong?) and completely captivated by the idea of answering all her sexually charged questions...in-depth and in-person...
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Forget it. Peyton tossed her shoulder bag strap across her chest. There was no way she could convince these women that she was fully capable of handling their manufacturing needs. That she appreciated the sexual confidence that oozed from Macey's designs. That she understood because she was just as sexy, wild, and wicked. She could find other designers looking for a manufacturing company known for their quality goods, Peyton decided as she strode to the stall below the window. She could turn around Lovejoy's Unmentionables without them. Just because the majority of lingerie designers wouldn't give her the time of day didn't mean the rest of the fashion industry would be the same. There was that one retail chain that adored her. So what if they catered to men who had a thing for women's cotton panties? Peyton gingerly stepped on the toilet seat and reached for the window. Her fingers were nowhere near the paint-chipped sill. She pressed her lips together and reached harder. S-t-r-e-t-c-h! She grunted until her spine popped. Her balance weaved. Peyton froze, her feet wobbling in the black heels as she gave a quick prayer that she wouldn't fall into the rust-stained toilet bowl. When her feet steadied, Peyton warily allowed her arms to drift to her sides. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. As a final insult, her camisole gaped, flaunting all she lacked. Who was she kidding? Peyton dipped her chin. She needed those women execs more than they needed her. "If I have to walk across town stark naked, I will do whatever it takes to save my family's company." Peyton blinked and looked around the skuzzy stall. Not exactly Scarlett O'Hara shaking her fist with the sun setting behind her in blazing red. It didn't matter, Peyton decided as she delicately hopped off the toilet seat. She was going to be a sexy young thing if it killed her. She was going to walk the walk, talk the talk. But how was she going to convince those women out there? They were the real things and could spot a pretender. Peyton paced the floor in front of the urinals, dodging sodden paper towels. She mulled over the problem before she opened her purse and grabbed her cell phone. She needed information quickly. Peyton hit the speed dial. Accurate info because she didn't have the luxury to make any mistakes. A shiver of awareness skipped across her bare shoulders. There was something about this librarian's voice that curled her toes. She hadn't met him, and she was sure she wouldn't want to. The image in her mind most likely didn't match reality. The guy probably wore high-waist pants and smelly wool cardigans. "Hi, Mike. I was wondering about something. How long do I have to let a man shake his assets in my face before I can give him his money?" End of excerpt. Like it? Order it.
This story was inspired by Deborah Schneider, historical romance author and Public Programming Coordinator at the King County Library System. She gave a presentation on libraries at our local romance writers group and casually mentioned the 24-hour answer hotline. I was immediately intrigued when Debbie said, "The librarians settle a lot of bar bets." When attending university, one of my jobs on campus was binding theses at the Elijah Lovejoy Library. Since "Wicked Ways" is set in a library, I decided to give my heroine the last name of Lovejoy. I listened to Bonnie Tyler's Greatest Hits CD every time I sat down to write this novella. You might find that obvious by the first chapter.
How "Wicked" can you get? Jennifer, Susanna's twin, gives a thumbs-up on these historical romances. Want more book recommendations? Catch Jennifer's top picks every month in Susanna's e-newsletter. Sign up today!
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"The first of a series of "Wicked" anthologies, the three shorts included within bear the trademark Brava heat and good writing. My favorite of the trio is Susanna Carr's 
"How to be a "Wicked" Woman is another fantastic anthology by Kensington Brava. This tantalizing package was released in August, but be sure to pick it up if you haven't already, as it is too good to pass up." 5 Flames. – Robin Taylor, susannacarr.com home | books | printable list | coming soon | oh, susanna | media+events | jenesi ash | blog | contact | site | copyright |