Play Dirty

I have been a die hard Sandra Brown fan for many years. After Ricochet, I got a tad bit frustrated with her predictable writing style. But I am happy to say Play Dirty has renewed my admiration of Ms. Brown.

Funny that I was reading this book during the time when Tony Romo was being chastised for making poor decisions and keeping controversial company. (Miss Jessica Simpson) This book is about a former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Griff Burkett, who intentionally throws a playoff game that would have ultimately taken them to the Super Bowl, to satisfy a large debt to some bookies.

After doing time, he is thrown back out into the public that now despises him. Finding work proves to be challenging until he is summoned to the home of a very wealthy quadriplegic businessman with a stunningly beautiful wife.

While Burkett accepts blame for his past, he is also trying to put his past behind him, seeking absolution from those willing to give it, falling in love, and suddenly fighting for his life.

I liked this story, I looked for any chance to sit down and crack open the book. I did peg one character from the very beginning, which I felt was a bit predictable, but overall Sandra did not let me down. This was a good one.

The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc

After the previous book I read (see post below) I really needed this book to be good. And it eventually came through. The book is broken into three parts.

Part One was a bit of a slow start. It could have been because I was so busy with the holiday's and I didn't have a lot of time to read. But once I got into it, it was really good. Sissy LeBlanc is a mom of three,with a very "colorful" past. The once, head cheerleader, in love with the high school football star, ends up erroneously married to PeeWee LeBlanc, the one time nerdy high school pip squeak, who has endured a constant struggle his whole life, to assert his manhood. The book is set in 1940 Gentry, Louisiana and I couldn't help but read this book with a thick Louisiana accent in mind.

Throughout the book, Sissy keeps coming up with little bits of wisdom which she assigns a number to and puts in "The Southern Belle's Handbook". Rule 59 was my favorite: It's okay for a woman to know her place, she just shouldn't stay there."

In Part Two, Sissy's colorful past really begins to emerge and the story gets good and juicy.

In Part Three, Sissy enacts some long over due acts of revenge but I found the ending just a tad bit predictable.

Overall I really liked this book. It took twists and turns that I didn't see coming. (Other than the end.) I totally recommend it.