Sex, Straight Up

I work across the street from the World Trade Center site, and I usually avoid any entertainment related to 9/11. In a moment of boredom, though, I read an excerpt and bought "Sex, Straight Up," anyway. I'm glad I did. The book is tastefully done. I don't think I could have read it if Daniel relived that morning in graphic detail or if he was guilt-ridden for surviving while his wife died. Luckily, the author focuses instead on what it's like to move on after a sudden loss. The book is more about the people than the tragedy, which I needed. Also, the writing is much better than the average Blaze. The characters stay true to themselves -- no overnight personality changes or descriptions that could come from any other romance book on the planet. I love her description of Daniel the accountant sorting photographs until the two stacks balance, or Catherine the art appraiser thinking of their romance in terms of art movements. Bottom line: This short little book is definitely worth the time. It's sexy, of course, but it's also engaging as a story. And it's packed with emotion (not the over-the-top, rage and wail, TSTL emotion, either). I really liked Catherine. I really, really liked Daniel. And I'll definitely read through the series after this.

Daniel O'Sullivan became a widow seven years ago, on 9/11. He still wears his wedding band. He still misses his wife terribly. He is still unable to move on. Quite frankly, Daniel has no interest in moving on. Until her death, Michelle and he were soul mates. The chances of meeting a second soul mate in a single lifetime is slim. Most people never even find one. The odds are against him and Daniel has no intention of ever searching. However, his brothers have had enough of Daniel using work as a crutch. If Daniel is not busy with the accounting firm, then he was helping out at the family bar, Prime. His brothers, Gabe and Sean, and even Tessa, Gabe's girlfriend, join forces and use guilt to get Daniel to take a three-day weekend off at the summer time-share beach house in the Hamptons. From the moment Daniel hits the beach, he is counting down the minutes until he can return to work. The beach house time is shared with two other people (lawyers) and their dates. It is all snack foods, alcohol, and wild times. Daniel spends most of the first day on the beach of the house next door to get away from the others. When Daniel realizes that the house next door is currently occupied, and the lovely lady is sitting outside, he approaches her to make sure it is okay for him to sit on her section of the beach. Catherine Montefiore can tell the handsome man wants to get away from the others. After chatting awhile, Catherine is amazed to hear herself offering one of her spare bedrooms for him to sleep in. He agrees. It is all meant to be very chaste. Yet they end up in one bed. Doing something totally new for her, Catherine decides to have a hot affair for forty-eight hours and then return to her normal life. When the two days are up, Daniel returns to his life and Catherine returns to her family's exclusive auction house. She is hardly back into the swing of art appraising when the family's business is hit by a very public scandal. The board believes her grandfather, who actually owns the auction house, of collusion with another business. The board insists on an independent audit. Daniel is part of that independent audit team. As Catherine and Daniel hit the invoices in an attempt to prove her grandfather innocent, they find themselves unable to keep their hands off each other. ***** Harlequin BLAZE is called that for a HOT reason. Expect some hot bedroom scenes with light erotica. Nothing hard core, but still designed for ages seventeen and up. Consider yourself warned. Having said that, I wish to go on record as stating that author Kathleen O'Reilly is one of the few BLAZE authors that I have come to thoroughly enjoy reading. This is the second O'Sullivan man's story. Daniel's story has a sound plot, engaging characters, and focuses primarily on the romance between the main couple. Be sure your beau is within reach as you begin this tale. This is the perfect way to heat up an otherwise chilling winter evening. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntres

Oldest O'Sullivan brother Daniel is a widower. Having married and lost the love of his life, he has no time for romance. That part of his life is over and done with because no one will ever be able to take the place of his deceased wife. But everyday Daniel finds it getting harder and harder to picture her face which in turn depresses him further. When he is coerced into taking his brother Sean's timeshare condo on the beach for a weekend, Daniel figures he can at least be alone in his thoughts. Fate is a trickster, because in his loneliness, Daniel finds a woman named Catherine who rocks his world on its foundation. Heiress Catherine Montefiore is spending the weekend at the beach. Somewhat shy but very observant, she can't help but notice the rowdy bunch next door partying and having a good time. The more she tries not to watch the harder it is not to, especially when she sees the enigmatic man sitting by himself. His features are striking and Catherine finds herself sketching him. Gathering courage, she and the seemingly lonely man share conversation and laughs, and when it is time for him to return to the loud house next door, Catherine blurts out an invitation that she might just live to regret. Especially when the weekend is over and she notices the man's wedding ring on his luggage. Having read Shaken and Stirred, the first installment of this delightful series, I was instantly hooked on Daniel and his story. His mourning grabbed my attention and I knew that whatever his story was, it would be a tear jerker. Sex, Straight Up was that and more. The plethora of emotions that Daniel and Catherine experienced was amazing. I felt as if my heart would break when Catherine felt the same way. Her anger and hurt at Daniel's supposedly married state made me wince and I silently urged Daniel to come clean with his story. Kathleen O'Reilly has a fan for life just because Sex, Straight Up was brilliant. I am hooked on these totally sexy O'Sullivan men and can't wait for the next installment. Consider Sex, Straight Up Joyfully Recommended because I adored it! Talia reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Daniel O'Sullivan, an accountant and part owner of the bar known as Prime, lost his wife seven years ago when she was killed in the twin towers. To him, love should be forever so he has been unable to date anyone feeling he would be cheating on his wife. Now Daniel is starting to forget what she looked like and it scares him. Gabe and Sean, his brothers, have been trying to get him back into society and dating again. Catherine Montefiore works at her grandfather's auction house with her grandfather and mother, her only living relatives. Although she has a degree in art, she feels like she is a disappointment to her family since she does not possess her mother's style or her grandfather's showmanship. Insecure in her artistic skills, Catherine secretly draws the male form. With two disastrous past relationships, she sticks to drawing men during the day and dreaming about them at night. Whenever she can, she escapes to her grandfather's beach house in the Hamptons. Daniel, manipulated by his brothers, is reluctantly filling-in for Sean at a summer share in the Hamptons with a group of lawyers. When Catherine spots his gorgeous form sitting alone on her beach, she cannot resist drawing him. When they meet, the attraction between them is instantaneous. As they prepare to return home - after spending the weekend together - Catherine spots Daniel's wedding band. When he does not explain about his deceased wife, they part on bad terms. Upon returning to work, Daniel is sent to audit an auction house where financial misconduct is suspected. Coincidentally, it is the place where Catherine works. The suspect? Her beloved grandfather. Will Catherine and Daniel be able to get beyond their personal feelings and work together to solve the scandal at the auction house? Is her grandfather guilty? SEX, STRAIGHT UP, the second book in the Those Sexy O'Sullivans trilogy, is an entertaining read. This heartwarming, witty romance is filled with interesting, well-drawn characters and a touching, intrigue-filled plot. Readers will find themselves caught up in this steamy story of a man who finds love again after a major loss in his life. I highly recommend SEX STRAIGHT UP. Readers who like this story will also enjoy the first book in this series, SHAKEN AND STIRRED. Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

While reading book 1 of "Those Sexy O'Sullivans" (Shaken & Stirred) a couple months ago, I have to confess that though I loved Gabe madly, I was intrigued the most by his brother, Daniel. The loss of his wife was something that Daniel couldn't reconcile with. This loss changed Daniel, changed his relationship with his brothers and friends, made him retreat from the world he once knew. In the first book Daniel compelled me to know him better despite his gruff exterior. And with SEX STRAIGHT UP, I'm so glad that I took the time to get to know him. Meeting Catherine Montefiore on the glorious Hamptons beaches introduces us to the touching man that he is. Daniel is sensitive yet savvy and intelligent, powerfully driven and cares more than anything about those he loves. In "Sex Straight Up", Daniel comes out of his shell and with many touching scenes, excellently written characters and pure romance, Kathleen O'Reilly delivers one of her best stories yet. Ms. O'Reilly writes a grief-stricken hero who wants to live in the past, but also deep down, wants to move on. Especially after meeting Catherine. But Daniel makes this story for me. He's the heart of it, the power behind each compelling word and finally finds the peace that he's really been seeking that could be felt even in book one. Daniel calls to the heart of the reader, makes a woman fall a little bit in love with him and is a character that will be remembered as one of this author's endearing heroes. With recurring characters, some laughter, sexual tension and a whole lot of soul-searching, "Sex Straight Up" is a highly recommended read. From start to finish, Daniel draws a reader in and never lets go. I know I'm smitten! Kathleen O'Reilly just gets better and better!!