Beyond Daring: The Red Choo Diaries

Jeff Brooks has a chance that will make or break his career as a publicist. He's been hired to do whatever it takes to clean up Sheldon Summerville's bad girl reputation. Sheldon's father has a huge company merger coming, a merger that includes Sheldon's marriage to the son of the other company's owner. Sheldon has known for years that the marriage was coming, so she's been living it up until the day she will be forced into marriage. Jeff finds that taming Sheldon is more difficult then any other job he's ever had. Especially since he's falling in love with her. Beyond Daring is the second book in Kathleen O'Reilly's Red Choo Diaries and you don't want to miss it! The passion between Jeff and Sheldon singes your fingers as you turn the pages along with a love story that will leave you sniffling. Melissa reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Sheldon Summerville, the wealthy "Toothbrite King's" daughter, feels worthless. She believes she is a disappointment to her parents, unlike her med student sister. Sheldon is afraid to let anyone see what she is really like, so she puts on a simpleton/party girl act, performing or seeming to perform scandalous acts in public, which appear in the newspaper to her parents' dismay. Finally, in an attempt to show that she can contribute something to her family, she agrees to become engaged to Josh of Con-Mason, USA. The marriage in reality would be a merger. Jeff Brooks, the younger brother of a highly successful Wall Street Exec, is working for a public relations firm, happily just getting by, or so he lets on to everyone else. His brother has supported him most of his life, but he wants to make it on his own. Then he is assigned to makeover Sheldon's image. While he is trying to improve her image, he is fighting the attraction he feels for her. He is the only one who can see through her act to the real person underneath. Sheldon botches up every PR opportunity Jeff sets up for her. She is attracted to him, but she can't get him to let down his guard. Jeff finally lets loose after a Fourth of July party in the Hamptons. He and Sheldon share an intimate evening, which ends disastrously. To make matters worse, Jeff's younger sister, Mercedes, shares the tale of their encounter in her online sex blog, The Red Choo Diaries. This is a funny, passionate story about two people, who have a lot in common. They both refuse to let the world see them as they really are. As they get to know each other, they discover themselves. The sexual tension is highly charged throughout the story. I could not put the book down. I am looking forward to the next installment of The Red Choo Diaries. I loved the first book in this series and I feel the same way about this one. The witty dialogue, fast paced action and the situations they find themselves in will keep you reading. If you like your storylines steamy, this one is for you. You may also want to read the first book in The Red Choo Diaries series, "Beyond Breathless." Dottie Jones

Publicist Handler, Jeff Brooks gets more than he can handle in the form of spit-fire and scandal-maker, Sheldon Summerville. Jeff is hired by her wealthy father to mold Sheldon into the quiet society wife that she'll one day be when she marries the son of another wealthy family. Jeff must keep Sheldon in line, out of the spotlight and make her father happy with the results. Unfortunately for Jeff--who is trying to straighten out his own playboy image--the headstrong rich girl fights him at every opportunity, making his body yearn... Public relations take on a whole new meaning in Kathleen O'Reilly's hot and spicy sequel of the Red Choo Diaries. Beyond Daring, book two, brings readers the sexy and bad-boy Brooks brother, Jeff, whom we met in Andrew's story (Beyond Breathless). This sequel lives up to its predecessor, fulfilling the readers expectations of sweet and stormy romance and mixing delectably well with the steam and sensuality we've come to hope for. Sheldon and Jeff have a bumpy and difficult road ahead of them as they battle their feelings for one another. Sheldon has a bad girl image with a soft heart within. She wants more out of life than what her father wants of her, but she'll do anything to ensure the Summerville name lives on, and that her father is happy. She's screwed up so much in the past, it's time for her to step up to the plate so to speak and do her parents proud. Jeff wants to make a life of his own, not falling back on the Brooks money, nor does he wish to follow in his brother's footsteps. He wants out of the shadow of his brother's success and has tended to goof up in spite, staying outside the mold of what is expected of him. Kathleen O'Reilly does her characters proud in her latest romance. Jeff and Sheldon are so right for one another, their tumultuous relationship rolls off the pages in waves. The reader can feel their inner turmoil, their attraction, the love growing and the respect they come to have for one another. Another enjoyable facet of Beyond Daring is the humour and family ties. Andrew and Mercedes (sister) are ever-present, ready to give Jeff a hard time and then some. But the familial bond is in attendance and the read is that much more enjoyable. I am extremely anxious for Mercedes' story (coming in May 07). The tease that we receive in Beyond Daring for her story is just the beginning and has me eager for more. Beyond Daring is another hot, steamy, and chalk-full of romance delicious read by Kathleen O'Reilly. She is an author that delivers time after time and has earned her place on my keeper shelf. Readers won't want to miss it!!!

Corporate America is not for the faint of heart. It's a tough no nonsense business, where money trumps all else. Jeff Brooks has been told that by Andrew, his hugely successful hedge fund manager of a brother, before. Jeff may not be a billionaire like his older brother, but he is earning his own way. In fact, when it comes to the public relations business, Jeff is the ultimate miracle worker. He is the best PR man at Columbia-Starr Communications. That is why Jeff is chosen to handle the Wayne Summerville account. Jeff is to help Wayne transform his wild daughter's image. This is the BIG time! Wayne Summerville is the head of Summerville Consumer Products, the Number Two consumer product conglomerate in the world. In just a few more weeks, Summerville CP will sign all the papers to merge with Con-Mason USA. Then Wayne's daughter, Sheldon, will become engaged to the Con-Mason heir, Joshua Mason. Oh yeah, this is the big time. This would make Jeff's career! All Jeff has to do is keep his hands to himself. Sheldon Summerville is a party girl, socialite, and professional shopper. She is blessed with a face and body that no man can resist. The tabloids continuously print Sheldon's latest wild and scandalous actions. To the world, she seems to be the ultimate empty-headed blonde of jokes. She shares her body with someone new every night. And Sheldon wants people to keep on thinking that the image is her true self. No one has ever gotten close enough to see through her simpleton act, until Jeff Brooks. Mister PR Man has a five step plan to reform her public image, but Sheldon wants nothing to do with it. All Sheldon wants is to push Jeff's hot button and see if she can seduce him into her bed. So far he is resisting, barely. However, the more time Sheldon spends with Jeff, the more in love she falls. ***** Those who read Andrew's story in BEYOND BREATHLESS, get to see how he and Jamie are doing. Even though Andrew is a secondary character this time around, his romance with Jamie goes a little further. You will have to read to understand what I mean though. In my personal opinion, Jeff and Sheldon's story is even better than Andrew's. Saying it's "H-O-T" is putting it in an extremely mild way. As I have said before, Harlequin does not call this book line BLAZE for nothing! (So if you do not enjoy peeking in and seeing the realistic things that happen between two lovers when they let themselves go, then do not bother picking up any book in the BLAZE line.) And of all the BLAZE novels I have read, author Kathleen O'Reilly is one of my favorite writers! Kathleen's husband must walk around with a big smile on his face all the time, because this author has an outstanding and passionate imagination. Very recommended reading here. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.