Ann Lory’s novella Bait and Switch is the first story in her Frisky Business series. This is a quick and entertaining read based on the “whore with a heart of gold” theme. The author’s effortless writing style makes for pleasant reading, and she has included enough additional conflict to catch and maintain the reader’s attention.
Although one might be tempted to classify the two main characters as “types,” Ms. Lory does an excellent job breathing life into them and making them multidimensional individuals that we can care about. Devon might be sophisticated and the ultimate ladies’ man, but he’s human enough to feel embarrassed when he encounters another client while in Anna’s company. In addition, through his willingness to pursue Anna gently and to share part of his private life with her, we see that although he may be a prostitute, he has a caring and sympathetic side. Anna is more than she appears as well. She is determined to appear a corporate shark, but this is more in reaction to her being hurt than her true nature. In her soul, she is a philanthropist, and all she really wants to do is help people. I found her devotion to ice cream to be particularly endearing and Devon’s willingness to indulge her in this is even more so.
The women who make up Anna’s circle of friends are definitely worth a little attention as well. Ms. Lory has developed them into real characters and not just hazy side-kicks, and this makes me wonder if perhaps future stories in this series will revolve around them. I hope so, because they certainly are an entertaining lot and have wonderfully devious minds.
The love scenes in Bait and Switch are very sensual. This makes sense, since Devon is a professional who is supposedly an expert at giving women pleasure. What makes them especially appealing is the fact that he does not treat Anna like “just another client” and that the love-making means something to him.
All told, I found Bait and Switch to be well worth my reading time. So now I wonder: which of Anna’s four friends will star in the next book in the Frisky Business series? I look forward to finding out. I found myself enthralled with the characters. Anna has some of the best friends/co-workers in the world. I hope that Mindy and all of her friends one day get to tell their stories. Devon’s family life has been broken into pieces for years. Getting insight into his family and seeing them in a different light than Devon originally portrayed them in was a huge turning point in this story. In addition to the emotional connection between Devon and Anna, a very sensual spark also formed. When Devon and Anna allowed that spark to turn into a full-blown fire, the reader will find herself greatly enjoying the sensual heat radiating from the pages. If you are looking for a fun, fast-paced read full of real characters, real life experiences and loads of sensual heat, you need to go get a copy of this book today.
4 Blue Ribbons - Romance Junkies Reviews
Ms. Lory writes with an effortless prose that catches the reader from the get-go. Her plot is well-sketched and her characters almost leap off the page. Simple while at the same time complex, FRISKY BUSINESS, BOOK 1: BAIT AND SWITCH inscribes itself in the line of rich contemporary romance that captures the hearts and souls of millions of readers the world over.
Anna is a woman you cannot help but root for, especially when you grasp that she is a vulnerable creature hiding behind a tough shell. Devon is the man who brings this shell to crack and ultimately break, releasing the inner woman. Of course, he’s a gigolo, but there is also a real man beneath the cloak of the fun-seeking escort, and Ms. Lory puts this across really well. Her grasp of the characters’ psyche is remarkable and draws the reader in almost without one realizing that they are getting sucked into the plot.
Not to mention that delightful cast surrounding the main couple. Anna’s friends are every woman’s idea of reliable best friends, and they spice the story even more with their outrageous lawyers-gone-wild-in-Sin-City personas. After all, like they say, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", right?
Catch FRISKY BUSINESS, BOOK 1: BAIT AND SWITCH if you want to know whether this saying applies to Anna and Devon. I promise you will have a nice, very wicked, time.
5 Hearts - The Romance Studio
What a captivating fast-paced story. Anna’s go-getter personality and her past hurts add complexity to her relationship with Devon. Devon’s broken family and his partial loss of his self makes their relationship very personal. Devon is so used to just putting on a sexy smile and making his dates happy. Anna wants nothing to do with that side of him, but wants to know the real Devon. Unable to hide his true self from her, Devon and Anna find themselves sharing their likes, dislikes, problems and dreams with each other and turning their relationship from professional to personal.
4 Stars - Just Erotic Romance Reviews
I laughed my tukus off! I have never seen a heroine so in need of a good lay before Anna! I was tempted to pitch in with her friends scheming ways from the first page. I know I couldn't have stopped myself from finding the nearest dark corner and taking full advantage of Devon's vast knowledge. Anna leads the poor guy on such a hilariously frustrating journey that I almost felt sorry for him. Gigolo or not, the man made me nearly sweat my perm out! He is so gentle, well mannered and sexually skilled that there is no way I would throw him back. Although it feels like forever until they actually do the deed, the wait is well worth it. I think that readers will fall just as hard as Anna and I did for Devon. As they cheer Devon on with the turn of each page. Enjoy the fun...I know I did!
4 Cherries - Whipped Cream Reviews
They say “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas”. That is just what Anna and her friends had full intention of experiencing in this fast-paced romance that combines just a little bit of everything that Vegas is known for.
One would think that Anna Jackson is the typical professional lawyer, but Vegas has a way of changing people. Anna has just been dumped by her boyfriend, Thomas Leeland, who also stole the partnership she had been working for right from under her feet. Anna is on a mission to prove that she is the best. I love how Anna’s friends wanted to make her mission impossible and set a new plan in motion for their best friend. I could just picture Ann’s jaw dropping when she met Devon in Caesars Palace.
Devon McGuire is a very pricey male prostitute. I love how he is independent and has schedules for his clients, most of which are regulars. The way Devon attacked and then retreated when dealing with Anna was a lesson in warfare. He did just enough to hook Anna and have her agree to his plans. What I really loved about Devon was that he never treated Anna just like another client. I got the feeling that Devon was really making love with Anna throughout the story not just having sex. I could tell that Devon really cared about Anna and her feelings.
Thomas Leeland shows up again in the story and stirs up more trouble. There is also a story about Devon and his family which I found very moving. My favorite characters are Anna’s friends, Mindy, Janie, Holly and Nichole. They are friends that I would love to have on my side.
Bait and Switch is the first book in the Frisky Business Series. I hope there are many more books with these refreshing characters.