A Black Tie Affair

Athena was after a wealthy family's dress collection. When she tried on a particular dress, she passed out. She awoke face to face with a handsome, bachelor. He doesn't trust her until he needs her help to find the missing dresses. The sensual tension between Drew and Athena was delicious. The book captured my attention early on and held it to the end. The plot is entertaining and has enough twist to keep the reader turning the pages.

Athena loves fashion and cannot believe her luck when she is chosen to authenticate the a certain collection of gowns. When she ends up getting sick, she thinks things couldn't be any worse. When the owner of the gowns, Drew, walks in Athena realizes that things are only starting to get interesting. Something happened in the past that keeps Drew from trusting Athena. The gowns disappear and Athena offers Drew her help. Desperate to find them, he reluctantly accepts. Soon it becomes all too obvious that there is something more going on between these two. Will they be able to keep their passion at bay at least until the gowns are recovered or will they forget all about the gowns and drown in each others' arms? The desire between these two is unstoppable. Whenever you're in the mood for a quick, steamy romance, pick up this book.

Athena Smith is a fashion curator who is caught in the middle of a mystery. It seems that she is interested in getting some dresses from the Clayworth family Secret Closet, and finds herself involved in a theft of some of the dresses. The collection is as well known as the family, and is kept by Drew Clayworth. It seems Drew and Athena share a tragedy laced past, that will either serve to bring them together or finally force them away from each other forever. Athena awakes in a hospital (after an episode with a toxin laced dress) only to find out that Drew Clayworth, an old beau, has come back into her life. Athena is unable to get past the feelings of loyalty to her father, and feels she must restore the good reputation of her family name. But Drew stands in the way of figuring all of this out. Together they have to find out whether they will rekindle lost feelings for each other or go their separate ways. The story is a plausible one, and is an easy book to read. It does have some twists and turns, just enough to keep the reader interested. The characters struggle with whether their family obligations will keep them apart or bring them together. I'd recommend the book for all ages.

Chicago History Museum costume curator Athena Smith looks forward to seeing the Bertha Palmer collection owned by John Clayworth and Company though that means potentially dealing with the man who broke her heart Drew Clayworth. The firm's Security Chief Bridget O'Flynn takes her to the renowned Secret Closet. Athena is ecstatic as she gently touches the four dresses unaware of the toxin they contain. Athena wakes up in the hospital after hallucinating that Drew stayed with her to help her learn the truth about her father's alleged indiscretion. Drew believes Athena betrayed him though he has not moved past his feelings for her. However, while she was rushed to the hospital, someone stole the valuable nineteenth century dresses. Athena offers to find the dresses as she has the contacts if someone tries a sale so Drew accepts. Neither welcomes the attraction that remains strong. The Talk of the Town in Chicago is Sherrill Bodine's wonderful second city romance. A second chance at love thriller, fans will enjoy the rocky ride between two individuals who distrust one another as they hold the other culpable for their break-up. Although the whodunit takes a backseat to the romance, fans will enjoy Ms. Bodine's entertaining joy ride. Harriet Klausner

Fate is a magical and wonderful mystery in our lives that throws out surprises we never expect and occasionally some bloopers we could live without. Athena Smith is getting a huge dose of both right now and she will have to take the good with the unexpected and roll with the way things play out. She may have been named for the Goddess of Wisdom but past mistakes make her question that particular title as it applies to her. Athena has finally gotten permission to inspect and display the Bertha Smith antique dress collection at the Fashion Institute of Chicago where she is the curator. But the catch is the dresses are part of the Clayworth family collection and this forces her to interact with her childhood love Drew Clayworth. Drew is the man that she has always loved but also the one she can never forgive because he broke her heart and caused hurt beyond recovery. Drew is equally leery of having Athena back in his life as well but fate has stepped in and brought them back together reminding him of everything he had and lost. He loved her so much but had to let her go when the tragedy of losing his parents in the Fastnet. This ultimate sailboat racing event was something he pushed his parents into and felt guilt when it took their lives. All this grief that Drew put upon his shoulders did not leave room for Athena or her love. Now they are thrown back together when the dresses that Athena wants to display are stolen and apparently causing whoever touches them to have a chemical reaction that makes the wearer act in interesting and "truthful" ways. Athena and Drew are both holding back a secret or two that could cause this reconciliation to crumble like the antique dresses they are trying to find but is withholding the information worse than the truth even when Drew is not telling Athena that he now plans to race in the Fastnet. Athena also has her sisters to contend with, the opening of their vintage collection store and allot of family meddling all surrounding trying to keep Athena apart from Drew. All of the sisters worry about their father who was terminated by Drew's family business and how that will all play out when Drew is confronted with the issue and the part he played in the termination. The search for the dresses becomes an adventure in more ways than one and both Athena and Drew are reminded that they are so much better together than apart despite the road blocks facing them. They may be able to sail out together but not on calm waters the way things keep popping up to toss them around. This book makes you believe in the magic of love and the wonder of everything happening for a reason. Some life events are mysterious and some wonderful but true happiness at being reunited with the love of your life not much else can go wrong - or so we hope. What a great book with wonderful characters and amazing underlying mystery. The tie-in to the next book in this series is enough to make you wish time moved faster and the ne