If a Man Answers

Molly Duncan has left behind a bossy, meddlesome fiancé - even her apartment and furniture in Boston - to move to Las Vegas and start over on her own. She loves her new job as a linguist and representative for the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau, her new home (though somewhat bare of furniture), and her new life. The only thing to upset this happy picture is Molly's new neighbor, Major Sam Henderson, USAF. He drives her to pin scolding notes on his door about trash cans left in the middle of her driveway, to make angry phone calls to complain about the loud country western music blaring from his house, and to threaten legal action if he uproots the hot pink oleander bushes that she lovingly planted along their disputed property line, just so that he can install a swimming pool in his backyard.One night following a particularly long and loud bout of ear splitting music, Molly called her neighbor to complain - yet again. However, Molly mistakenly dialed the wrong number and instead of talking to her neighbor, she listened in horror while the man who answered the phone was interrupted by a "visitor" who then shot him to death. Still not realizing that she had reached the wrong number, Molly called 911 to report that her neighbor, Sam Henderson, had been shot. The police arrive, wake up her perfectly fine (though royally miffed) neighbor, and the story takes off from there.Unknown to Molly, Sam is recovering from an accident that occurred when he ejected from an F15 and his head hit the faulty canopy. As a result of his injury, Sam experiences severe headaches that prevent him from flying and threaten to end his career. Refusing to take any of the variety of pain medications that he has been given, Sam deals with the pain by working out until he is exhausted while listening to his favorite country western music. Following Molly's ill-fated wrong number telephone call, she and Sam seem to be thrown together, literally, and their attraction to each other and growing admiration for each other overcome their previous, instantaneous dislike. They seem ill suited to one another, but as you read through the story it's really difficult to imagine them apart or with anyone else. Other characters in the book like Molly's boss, Davinia, and Antonio, her boyfriend and husband in training number 4, provide the perfect contrast to the two main characters as they attempt to solve a murder and prevent Molly from becoming the next victim.I just couldn't put this book down. I laughed, and cringed, and worried, and sighed ... well, it was just a great read, and I HIGHLY recommend it!!!

I picked up If A Man Answers partly because of the author and partly on a whim because it sounded as if it might be interesting. What an understatement! The first interaction/confrontation between Sam and Molly will make you sit up and take notice. Sam Henderson, retired AF colonel with bad headaches, integrity and an interest in old cars. Molly Duncan is smart, cautious and has a good ear for languages and voices. Doesn't seem as if they have much in common, does it? :) You're underestimating Ms. Lovelace if you believe that. These two end up getting involved in some interesting ways (like trying to solve a mystery). Get this one fast!