Customer Reviews

Drive Me Wild

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Julie Ortolon's book is a must buy. That Dating Game scene, where Brent and Laura meet again after years apart, is just glimmering with humor. As I read the book, I found myself rooting for the hero and heroine as their relationship emerged and flourished, while laughing out loud at Julie's wonderfully wicked humor. But let's not forget those wonderful dark moments either, such as when the Brent is forced to admit to his intense desire for committment to the Laura. And Laura carries her share of guilt when she's forced to admit, especially to herself, that she pushed Brent just a bit too far when it comes to that dreamy-eyed committment she desires. And the conflict between the heroine and her father is terrific. I enjoyed seeing her break the paternal reins to become her own person, rather than just her father's daughter. Overall, this is a heck of a book, and definitely a must read.

It's been fourteen years, seven months and ten days since Brent Michael Zartlich kissed Laura Beth Morgan and left his hometown of Beason's Ferry. They had been childhood friends-- his only friend since they were both considered the "town misfits". She, the town doctor's awkward, skinny, coke-bottle glasses kid and he, the boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Now Brent Michaels is the drop-dead gorgeous anchor at a Houston TV station and Laura Beth has phoned him requesting help with the town's annual fund-raiser, which this year includes a Dating Game reenactment. She wants him to play the "celebrity bachelor" for the game. After a little coaxing, Brent realizes he cannot refuse his old friend. Little does he realize he is in for the surprise of his life! The tomboy he remembers has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Occasionally an exceptional book will come along. This is that book! If you read only a few romance books each year, I recommend you place this high on your "to read" list. You won't be disappointed. This book is extremely well written and emotionally satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story is fun and at times sad and very, very sexy. It is always a treat to discover a new author who writes so well. I look forward to many good reads from her in the future. Kudos Julie on a job well done.

Julie Ortolon's debut novel, "Drive Me Wild," is a delightful, down-home Texas romance that will having you rooting for the fascinating couple, Laura Beth and Brent, to put aside their picky little differences and just live happily ever after. I enjoyed Ortolon's setting of Columbus, Texas, wishing I could attend the Bluebonnet Tours myself. Her characters are inviting and exciting, leaving the reader to compare them to people they probably actually know. I particularly enjoyed the budding romance between secondary characters, Melody and Greg, and would love to see them have a book of their own! (hint, hint, Ms. Ortolon!) I was also fascinated with the way Ortolon handled the father-daughter conflict and was well satisfied with that resolution. Fans of contemporary romance will find they have a new favorite author to look for in Julie Ortolon.

Julie Ortolon has written a warm, witty, fun, make-you-feel-good, leave-you-smiling story. Brent, the home-town "bad boy" who's made good is a wonderful hero who meets his match in Laura Beth, the home-town "good girl" who is discovering she has some "bad" in her! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two great characters and seeing them discover true love. Run, don't walk, to read this delightful book by a terrific new author!

However, I expected a lot more than I got. I thought since this book was published out of category (unless Dell now publishes large category romances) it would be different than your typical Silhouette romance. However, for me, it was just an extended version of a book that could have easily been a Silhouette Special Edition. The heroine has spent years being a "doormat". I didn't find that sympathetic. I like strong, gutsy heroines. The hero was much more likable. At least, he had made a success of himself. Plus they were so sweet and palsy the sexual tension hardly existed. If you are looking for a routine "cozy sweet romance" then you'll like this book. But, if you are looking for a single-title book that'll make you turn pages, surprise you with neat twists, keep shopping.

I must admit that the only reason I originally bought this book was because of a press release I saw while working at a small radio station in Columbus, Texas. The author, Julie Ortolon, was coming here to sign her book at the local Wal-Mart. The press release said that the book was based on Columbus and since this is where I live, I had to see if the comparisons were real to life. Besides, the premise of the book reminded me of the type of book my favorite author LaVyrle Spencer authored. Boy, I loved the book! Words can barely describe it. I laughed outloud and felt like I knew the characters and Beason's Ferry was just like Columbus! But besides that, the book is just great! I can see Julie Orotolon writing a TON of books just like this one in the Spencer style. I cannot wait until her next release. The only bad thing about a great book like this is that it is always hard to find one that is as good or compares to it... thus making the reader want more! The book is a great romance. Romances are meant to be lighthearted and not meant to make a reader think too hard. After a hard days work, we all need a book like this! I found myself rushing home! Don't pass this one up!

I was looking for quick, light read one day. I picked this up and am not sorry I did. It was just what I was looking for.
It's about two old childhood friends who meet again. Brent is the bad boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Laura is the good girl who grew up with expectations that she would always be the good girl.
Brent is now a famous TV anchor and is lured back to town for a fund-raiser. Laura is still in their hometown, still being the good girl. What people don't know is that she wants to break out of her good girl mode.Brent is not sure what to make of Laura the wanna-be-bad girl. Thus begins their relationship. A steamy one at that. This story is fast paced and alternately you will laugh and cry, as the two struggle to break out of the past and start new lives. They begin to understand what happened in the past and how it shaped their lives. After experiencing the ups and downs of their relationship, the two reunite and of course, live happily ever after.
I am looking forward to any more books by Julie Ortolon, as she appears to have a fresh writing style.

Over Fourteen years ago, Brent Zartlich fled his hometown of Beason's Ferry, Texas where he was considered unacceptable trash. Over the subsequent years, Brent became a successful TV news anchor, and is now currently working in Houston. Only a request from his old school friend Laura Beth Morgan could ever get him to return home.

Brent agrees to participate in the dating game fund-raiser at the town's annual Bluebonnet Homes Tour. His only stipulation is that Laura Beth be one of the three female candidates. At the event, Brent easily identifies Laura Beth as the wholesome contestant among the three women "dying" for a date with him. He selects her, but is shocked when a beautiful woman comes from behind the barrier separating them. She looks nothing like the squirt that was like a little sister to him. As Laura Beth and Brent get to know each other as adults, he falls in love with her, an emotion she always felt for him. However, she symbolizes picket fence living, which does not fit into his career plans.

DRIVE ME WILD is a warm contemporary romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy. The lead couple is a wonderful duo, especially Brent with his struggle between needing love and wanting to succeed in his chosen profession. The support cast provides a glimpse into life in a small Texas town. The romance between two secondary characters, who happen to be delightful opposites, makes for a more complete tale as readers will fully enjoy Julie Ortolon's ability to blend that sub-plot into the wonderful prime story line.

Harriet Klausner

A first novel that really delivers! My first book by this author was "Lead Me On", then I read "Falling for You". I'm looking forward to reading "Dear Cupid" to bring me current (and can't wait for "Don't Tempt Me" due early in 2004). Ms Ortolon's obvious love of Texas and her feel for small town life add to the charm of her stories.

Brent Michaels has really made it. Handsome, wealthy Houston news anchor, he's come a long way from the abusive, wrong-side-of-the-tracks, poverty of his broken childhood. No one in the small town of Beason's Ferry ever thought he'd amount to much, so he left and never looked back. But a charity "Dating Game" event organized by the only friend he ever had brings him reluctantly back to his hated home town - on the condition that she is one of the contestants!

Laura Morgan, dutiful daughter of the town doctor, has never left Beason's Ferry. She lives a sedate, conservative life organizing charity events and occassionally dating the town pharmacist. She never misses the evening news watching Brent with pride, longing and a bit of envy, for she'd love to move to Houston and make her own life, but she's always felt a duty to stay with her father.

And so, when the former Brent Michael Zartlich selects Laura to be his date, they see each other again for the first time in years. There is obvious attraction on both sides, but Brent tries hard not to act on it. Laura's the white-picket-fence, two kids and a dog type and that life is definitely not for Brent. With the childhood he had, he's convinced he'd make a lousy husband and father and has no intention of ever trying. Laura assures him she's not looking for those things, and decides to move to Houston for the summer, get a job and pursue a relationship with Brent. Things go well until they get serious, of course and I think I'll stop there. You'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!

Brent and Laura are both likeable characters, especially Brent - so smooth and confident on the outside, yet a bundle of insecurities inside, particularaly when dealing with the people from his past. A recommended read!

What a sexy, fun debut novel! The characters in this book are well developed, but more importantly, they're fun to read about and you are dying for them to get together! Ortolon does a fantastic job of creating emotional and sexual tension between the hero/heroine all throughout the book, making you not want to put the book down. (I read it in one night.) The author created a new twist that I've never read about in a contemporary romance-a "dating game" to bring the "bad boy" home to meet up with the "goodie two-shoes" girl. Kudos also go to the author for having the talent to write passionate scenes that aren't graphic, but ones that are romantic, sensual and HOT! Many of us can also relate to the hero and heroine-we all wonder at times what happened to those we were attracted to in high school and what kind of sparks would fly if we met years later. Excellent job on describing the small Texas town and the people who live there. Can't wait to read her new book this July.