Who said, "you can't go home again"?

In Veronica Davis's case, who'd want to—especially when you hail from Fossil, Washington? But now she's back among the kooks and crazies, the small-time losers and the jerks who think she's fair game just because she's in a waitress uniform.

The truth is, Veronica's the boss—at least until she can sell the family saloon and skip town again as fast as her pretty legs can carry her—and nobody knows that better than Cooper Blackstock. From his place behind the bar, the former Special Forces Marine sees everything. And his undercover agenda has made the feisty boss-lady's troubles his own.

And her troubles are considerable, what with a family in turmoil, a pseudo-bartender with dangerous secrets, a murder investigation and death threats. Though the town surprisingly rallies in support, it's still a good thing that Cooper will be there to catch Veronica if she stumbles—if he doesn't start falling himself.

From Publishers Weekly

Coming one year after Andersen's highly praised All Shook Up, this frisky romantic caper lacks the effervescent humor of her previous book but compensates with its true-to-life characters and careful treatment of complex issues such as trust and acceptance. Seattle-based restoration designer Veronica Davis never thought she'd waitress at her family's bar, the Honky Tonk, again. But when her ne'er-do-well sister, Crystal, is murdered and the accused Crystal's estranged ex, Eddie skips bail, Veronica finds herself filling in at the Tonk and taking care of her six-year-old niece. Her time at the bar would be almost bearable if it weren't for the Tonk's antagonistic bartender, Cooper Blackstock, an ex-marine who assumes that she's merely a replica of her conniving sister. Fortunately, Cooper's stupidity doesn't last long, and the two become engaged in a heated affair. Before they can think of building a future together, however, Veronica must learn to accept Cooper for who he is and Cooper must come clean about his relationship to Eddie. This novel deals with weightier themes than Andersen's earlier titles, but it still sparkles with all the elements that her readers adore upbeat dialogue, strong sexual chemistry, a touch of suspense and a dash of humor. (On sale Jan. 8)Forecast: According to Avon, Andersen is "poised for superstardom la Susan Elizabeth Phillips," and they may not be far off the mark. A glowing cover quote by Jayne Ann Krentz and advertising in Redbook and the Romantic Times will help this Avon Superleader become a super seller.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Bright, smart, sexy, thoroughly entertaining.” (Jayne Ann Krentz )