Kate Bishop wanted—no, she needed—money, and fast. Her roof needed replacing. Her kids needed tuition. Her car was not long for this world. Her ex-husband was a cheap creep. Until one day her wildest fantasy came true—she won the lottery. She—and her family—would never want for anything again. She should be the happiest person on earth—right?
Wrong. Because suddenly everything changed. Her wish came true, but now what? These days there was only one special man who seemed to want her for who she was-and not what she had. It almost made her long to go back.
Still available!
WHICH END IS UP?
Grace Campisi had lived her whole life according to plan, but her sister Perry--aka "The Screwup"--was more of a live-for-the-moment kind of girl. Which could explain how she showed up nine months pregnant, sans husband, boyfriend, or money. The question was, what was Grace, her Type A attorney sister (on the fast-track to be become a partner in her law firm) going to do about it?
What indeed? As it fast became clear to Grace that Perry was not cut out for motherhood--especially when she ran off, leaving a six-week-old baby girl behind. So in order to stick to her plan, Grace could either (A) track down her wayward sister, or (B) put the baby up for adoption.
Or (c) formulate a new plan?
READ WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:
Clearly her father's daughter, attorney Grace Campisi has always been a responsible person while setting goals for herself including earning money by doing hard work, dedication, and success at getting a partnership at her law form. Her sister Perry is more of a live life for today as she is more like their mother with no cares in the world as they let others deal with problems.
Now Perry arrives at Grace's apartment nine months pregnant, pleading poverty and no father, her reluctant sister takes her in. Perry gives birth, but six weeks later she is acting as always: selfishly without a look back; Perry deserts her child leaving Grace to clean up more than just excrement. Grace must decide between her plan for success which means giving up her niece for adoption as her sister cannot be trusted to take care of anyone but herself or raising the baby.
The comparison between the sisters make for an interesting tale as the audience wonders how the Campisi siblings came from the same house. The story line is filled with angst as Grace must decide what to do when Perry decamps. Though the ending is too ribbon tied happily ever after, readers will appreciate this superb tale of two sisters.
Harriet Klausner
I wouldn't trade the two sisters I have, but if I could pick a third, I'd choose Grace Campisi, the heroine of WHICH END IS UP? Pat Kay's October NEXT. Family is important in all of Kay's books, but this one tests the bond of sisterhood with mighty yanks. Readers will keep turning the pages to find out if the bond between the Campsisi sisters, Grace and Perry, stretches and holds or snaps back to hurt someone. Grace is the play-by-the-rules sister, and she's about to reap the reward: a law partnership. Perry has trouble holding a job waiting tables or tending bar, and she has the proof: lousy credit and little more than the clothes on her back. When Perry shows up on Grace's doorstep hugely pregnant, both women's lives will change. Change utterly. Readers have to experience the Campisi sisters' transmogrification as it happens, so I won't tip Kay's hand. I do, however, have a hint for writers struggling to master character arc. Read this book. Grace doesn't just arc, she does an aerial loop.
Patricia O'Dea Rosen
I absolutely devoured Patricia Kay's tale of two sisters, the partner-track attorney, Grace Campisi, and the prodigal Perry, who suddenly shows up at Grace's tiny Manhattan apartment nine months pregnant. When no other family member will bail Perry out of yet another terrible decision, Grace agrees to let her sister stay until the baby's born and she can get back on her feet.
But Perry, being Perry, isn't any better at motherhood than you'd expect, which leaves Grace with one angry boyfriend, one lifetime career goal in jeopardy, one six-week-old infant, and no good choices.
Grace's reactions ring true, as do those of friends and family members, and even Perry is portrayed with compassion. WHICH WAY IS UP is family drama at its best, and I especially enjoyed the quotes about sisters that head each chapter.
Very highly recommended.
Colleen Thompson
CONTEST!!!!
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The NeXT Novel: wonderful stories that portray what happens NEXT when the unexpected occurs in a woman's life . . .
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THE ONE-WEEK WIFE
Book #3 in the Society Wives Continuity Series
July 2006
Not so long ago, she'd been planning his wedding to another woman. Now Felicity Farnsworth was sharing his honeymoon suite. It had been a shock when dashing Reid Kelly, the former fiancé of one of her best friends, had invited her to join him in Cozumel for one week, no strings attached. Despite all the reasons she'd declined, two reasons made her board the flight: she'd secretly, desperately wanted this to happen — and so apparently had Reid.
But Felicity had another secret she would never dare divulge to Reid. She wanted more than just one week.
Read what reviewers have said:
For months, wedding planner Felicity Farnsworth helped horse breeder Reed Kelly plan his wedding to Emma Dearborn. But when Emma calls off the wedding, Felicity suddenly has an inexplicable desire to replace her at the altar. She knows she shouldn't get involved with a man on the rebound, but when Reed tempts her with kisses and then asks her to go away with him on his "honeymoon," Felicity feels torn between her friendship with Emma and her budding attraction for Reed.
Felicity had grown close to Reed while planning the wedding and feels bad when Emma breaks it off to marry another man. However, that doesn't stop Felicity from fantasizing about Reed, especially after an encounter in his horse barn. After he issues the outrageous invitation to join him in Mexico, Felicity is paralyzed. She wants to go, but what if Emma or other townsfolk find out?
To say Reed is upset over his broken engagement is putting it mildly. Not that he loves Emma with all his heart, but she embarrassed him after all the effort he put into their relationship. He figures getting involved with another woman -- especially Emma's friend Felicity -- will help him move on. Well.the fact that he's also attracted to her plays a large part. But when Felicity turns down his invitation to join him in Mexico for one passion-filled week, he goes alone, hoping he'll find enough things to keep him busy. Then on his first night in Mexico he opens his door...and discovers Felicity standing there.
Reed was first introduced to readers in THE SOON-TO-BE-DISINHERITED WIFE (June 2006), and when Emma broke off their engagement, he was angry. Now he's trying to move ahead, but he wonders if there was something wrong in his choice for a wife. He certainly didn't feel the desire for Emma that he does for Felicity. All he is looking for from Felicity is a brief affair, with no strings attached. When she shows up in Mexico after giving him several reasons why she couldn't go, he's elated -- and can't wait to enjoy the honeymoon he never had.
The first two stories in the Secret Lives of Society Wives series threw out tidbits that laid the groundwork for the mystery of a missing diary and possible murder, but THE ONE-WEEK WIFE, for the most part, puts that thread in the background as Reed and Felicity embark on their trip to Mexico. As such, this book can stand alone as a story, but I highly recommend reading the previous stories to get a sense of what's going on. Patricia Kay has given readers a highly sensual story of a rebound relationship and shows they can work. Much of THE ONE-WEEK WIFE focuses on interactions between Reed and Felicity, giving us insight into their emotions, making them likeable, despite Reed's original reasons for taking up with Felicity.
Take a journey to the golden resort on Cozumel as two friends become lovers in a tale not to be missed. Pick up THE ONE-WEEK WIFE today.
Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today
The CALLIE'S CORNER CAFE 3-book series is still available through online bookstores and by special order from your local bookstore.
SHE'S THE ONE -- Book #3 in the Callie's Corner Cafe series
published in March 2006
A man that attractive ought to be a crime…but Susan Pickering needed Lieutenant Brian Murphy to help her solve one — a possible case of identity theft. She had her hands full running her antiques shop and trying to keep her younger sister out of trouble. Still, the dedicated, irresistible cop seemed to know the path to a woman's heart....
Working full-time on the force and raising two teenage daughters left Brian little time to hang out with the guys, not to mention a woman. Then Susan came into the station, and Brian just knew. He also knew what happened when you tried to protect the people you loved. But somehow he had to convince Susan that he was on her side, and that their love was worth any sacrifice....
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY -- Book #2 in the Callie's Corner Cafe series published in February 2006
When young Emma Madison discovered an old photograph of her mother, Zoe, with rock legend Zach Trainer, she couldn't believe her eyes. And after she met the superstar face-to-face, she learned the truth her mother had hidden for years: Emma was Zach's daughter!
Zoe knew that the decision to raise her daughter alone — without ever telling Zach about Emma's existence — had been the right one. But now she had to compete with the allure of Zach's rock-and-roll world, doing battle against a universe that threatened to steal her daughter forever. Only Zach's brother Sam seemed to understand Zoe's worries — and just maybe held the key to her heart....
A PERFECT LIFE -- Book #1 in the Callie's Corner Cafe series
published in January 2006
The Plan
For Shawn Fletcher, it was to meet and marry the man of her dreams, have the perfect kid and live happily ever after.
The Reality
Getting dumped by said man of her dreams, as she approached her fortieth birthday...and being blamed by said perfect kid for it to boot!
The New Plan?
To throw away the plan — and grab opportunity wherever it presented itself, starting with her daughter's irresistible teacher, Matt McFarland.... Getting involved with Matt might not be the most sensible thing to do, but then again, where had sensible gotten Shawn so far? It was time to let her other senses take the lead....
THE BILLIONAIRE AND HIS BOSS
WISH COME TRUE