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Laurel
Wilkins is ready to spice up her life. She's in her mid-twenties and
yearns to
more than work in a candy store and share a home with her mother.
Laurel has been
deaf for
most of her life, but she adapted to it throughout her life and it has
made her
stronger because of it. Laurel
is a bit naive about men, but she's confident in her own choices and
she knows
what she wants. What she wants is gorgeous cop Russ Evans.
Laurel thought
she met Russ online in a chat
room through a friend, but it turns out she'd been chatting with a
wanted
fugitive named Trevor Dean who was using Russ’ name. But the real Russ
is
better than Laurel
ever imagined. Laurel
is ready to shed her old inhibitions, grasp what she wants and let the
chips
fall where they may. But can she follow
through on her newfound freedoms?
Russ Evans is shocked to learn that the man he’s after, Trevor Dean has
used
his name to attract another female to pull one over on.
He will be damned if he will stand by and let
this guy get away again. Trevor Dean loves to get close to “plain-jane”
women,
and then take them for everything they have. Adorable and sexy as hell,
Laurel,
is far from plain
and definitely not the usual victim, which makes Russ suspicious of
what Trevor
Dean is now up to. Russ finds himself desperately wanting to protect
her, but
his feelings for her aren't just protective. He's falling for her,
something
that he is unfamiliar with since he has never looked for a ‘forever’
with a
woman before. Russ is raising his teenage brother and doesn’t have time
for a
relationship. And he doesn’t really want one. Does he?
Erin
McCarthy pens a heart-warming, sensual and fun tale with Mouth
to Mouth. The
characters are rich with realism, charisma and bonds of family and
friendship,
which endear them all to the reader. Not only do the main characters,
Laurel
and Russ capture and transfix a reader with their relationship and who
they
are, but Russ’ younger brother Sean is a wonderful character as well. I
fell
for Sean’s brass, his anger, and the boy he was beneath the
façade. Russ’
partner Jerry and Laurel’s
pal Cathy, ignite unexpectedly and charmingly in this story as well.
They were
fun and added flair to the story. And I can’t forget the aggressive and
possessive of his mistress, feline named Ferris who adds a charm of his
own to
this tale. Of course we have the bad guy Trevor Dean as well. While he
stalks Laurel,
it was with
frustration waiting for him to strike. To say I was surprised when he
did
strike, I blushingly admit! I had no idea!
Kudos to
Ms. McCarthy for Mouth to Mouth,
not only were all the above wonderful for a reader to enjoy in this
one-sitting
read, but the fact that Laurel was deaf and the integrity and excellence that the author handled her
with, was splendid. Through most of this story, I forgot that
Laurel lived
with the challenge of being
deaf. She was a character who wanted to break free, really live with
this
challenge that weighed her down her entire life.
Laurel had spunk, fire and she was an
inspiring character with everything she accomplished and went after. Ms. McCarthy writes with a sure hand that has
also honed her craft and made it even better. Mouth to
Mouth, I believe to be the best yet from this
author and that says a lot because she is an expert of her craft.
Mouth to Mouth is fun, sensual and
romantic. Russ
and Laurel don’t know what hit them and sparks fly throughout this
story. I will never look at candy the same
way again!
I dare you to experience this new tale by Erin McCarthy… readers will
be
needing a little Mouth to Mouth
resuscitation afterwards!
Reviewed by Tracey West
for The Road
to Romance
December 27th,
2004
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