Murphy's Law [Paperback]

Lori Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008

Nothing is going to go wrong. Ashley Miles has worked too hard for her independence to let some Bentley-driving hunk named Quinton Murphy interfere with her plans - or her freedom. Yes, the chemistry is phenomenal. Kind of scary, actually. But that's it. No emotional commitments. But he's so wonderful - a woman could fall in love...How did that happen? That wasn't part of the plan! But can she trust him? Really trust him? The man is just so mysterious. There's only one solution: put it all on the line and see what Quinton does when she tells him how she feels. And hope everything that can go wrong...won't...

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lori Foster reintroduces benevolent, hunky millionaire Quinton Murphy and scrappy, virginal Ashley Miles in her unconvincing follow up to Jude's Law. Although Ashley is too busy for love trying to get ahead (she works two jobs while attending college), her sexual attraction to Quinton is so strong that they begin an affair. After thwarting the evil plans of the previous book's villain, a dangerous nutjob, Ashley's now atop his hit list, but fails to appreciate the danger she's in-or Quinton's concern for her safety. Inelegant foreshadowing that points out Ashley's resemblance to her best friend is just one of the book's clunky aspects; another is Ashley's unbelievably stubborn go-it-alone attitude, which not only grows wearisome, but calls her intelligence into question at several points as the story (and violence) progresses. And considering Foster's background in contemporary romance, toss-away phrases straight out of Regency England ("watering pot," "leg-shackled") strike odd notes. Still, the major issue is that Quinton must work too hard to prove his worthiness to Ashley, leaving readers to wonder why such a great hero would fall in love with such a prickly pain in the behind.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Booklist

As Foster's Jude's Law (2006) ends, Jude Jamison, former wrestling champ turned movie star, tired of his stardom, has moved to the small town of Stillbrook, Ohio, and hooked up with art dealer, May Price. They get their happily-ever-after ending, but May's best friend, the charmingly sarcastic Ashley, needed a book of her own to finish her story, and this is it. Ashley has been sparring with Quinton Murphy, another character from Jude's Law, and she's not sure what to do with him. At 29, she's never been with a man, always using her ready wit and fast comebacks to distance herself from any romantic contenders. But Quinton is different. Instead of being put off by Ashley's snippiness, he finds her prickliness quite adorable. Ashley, realizing she's in over her head and needs advice, turns to Denny, former wrestling trainer and Jude's right-hand man, who becomes Ashley's confidante. Other characters making a return appearance (libraries should have both Law titles) include the car-bombing villain, and the element of danger enhances the entertainment. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758229232
• ISBN-13: 978-0758229236
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,097,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lori Foster first published with Harlequin in January 1996. Since those early days, Lori has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year. Lori is a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author and is published through Berkley/ Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette.

In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times 'Career Achievement Award' for Series Romantic Fantasy.

In 2002, Lori's book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon.

In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second 'Bestselling Original Contemporary' romance for Waldenbooks.

In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the 'Bestselling Original Contemporary' romance for the BGI group.

In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times 'Career Achievement Award' for Contemporary Romance.

In 2006, Jude's Law was the "Bestselling Romantic Comedy" romance title for the BGI group.

In 2007, Lori launched a new "urban fantasy" series under the name L. L. Foster. See more on her "dark side" at www.llfoster.com

In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon's Top Ten Editor's picks in Romance.

In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance, L.L. Foster, was named Amazon's Number 1 Editors' Pick in Romance.

Lori visits daily with readers as part of the 'Running With Quills' blog at www.runningwithquills.com and at her busy message board featured on her website www.LoriFoster.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't do it for me, November 2, 2007

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murphy's Law (The Law Duology, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Perennial student Ashley is working several jobs while finishing her education and doesn't have time for the romantic attention that hunky millionaire Quinton Murphy wants to bestow on her. Soon lust takes over and they are embroiled in a heated affair, but a stalker from her past is on the lam and lurking about and angry with Ashley who was instrumental in identifying him (see "Jude's Law"). She doesn't take those threats seriously, much to Quinton's annoyance, as he works overtime to create a relationship with the prickly heroine.

Laced with so much clunky dialogue that no 29 year old in the 21st century would utter, an obvious predictability to Ashley's parentage, and a laughable bad guy, the story just falls short on all fronts. Quinton is too good to be true, while Ashley is a shrew most of the time. I made the mistake of reading the "Law" books out of order, and figure if this is the level of writing I can expect, Jude can go right to the charity pile along with Murphy. Had it not been for a long transatlantic flight with no other reading material, it probably would've gone unread. What happened to the Lori Foster who penned the brilliantly sexy and witty "Unexpected?"

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, Laugh-Out-Loud GOOD Reading!, September 6, 2006

By 

K. Montgomery (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murphy's Law (The Law Duology, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Foster brings us the sequel to Jude's Law. Teaming with witty dialogue, excellent characters and a little bit of suspense, this one literally had me up till the crack of dawn. It was that hard to put down. I laughed, I cried, then both at the same time.

Ashley Miles has goals in life and no one better mess with them. The only problem is someone is trying to mess with them, but good. We met Ashley in Foster's previous title, "Jude's Law", as the sassy best friend of May. On her night cleaning job, she meets Quinton Murphy, savvy business mogul and all around heartthrob extraordinaire. Sure, she's attracted to him, but if he thinks he's getting inside her carefully erected shields, well, he's got another thing coming. She had a hard enough life with deadbeat parents and she's not about to end up like them. But how can she resist his persistent pursuit? He's wearing her down slow and steady, in tantalizingly sexy ways. Amongst the steam and starry eyes though, a killer has his eye on Ashley. The tragic cloud hanging over from Jude's past has set new sights on her and the killer is determined to make her pay for her interference. With her life literally on the line, Ashley and Quinton will go through trials no couple should ever see. Will their relationship survive the onslaught?

A long anticipated sequel, "Murphy's Law" panned out to be all it promised and much more. Ashley was a favorite character of mine from the previous installment and Quinton was a definite eye-catcher. Their dialogue throughout is fast paced, snappy and downright hilarious. Ashley alone could fill pages and pages of dialogue by herself--she is that vivid. Quinton is a man that knows how to plan a seduction and any woman would love to be his prey. Smart, genuinely caring and hot, hot, hot, he's the perfect man. Like Ashley, he's not without his little secrets, but once they were revealed, I only loved him more. Characters from the first book make an appearance. Jude and May's relationship is solidified. Denny (Jude's fighting trainer) is back and still training the seemingly deadbeat Tim into a human fit for living. It's an all around, wonderful read, not one to be missed. Absolutely brilliant, Ms. Foster! It's a keeper for me, one I'm certain to revisit again.

K. Montgomery
Official Reviewer for The Mystic Castle

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life According to Murphy's Law!, August 29, 2006

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murphy's Law (The Law Duology, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Quinton Murphy knows what he likes and what he likes is Ashley Miles, May's best friend. But Ashley is willful, stubborn and has a plan for her life. She works hard and he knows he doesn't factor into her future. Good thing he's as stubborn as she is because he wants her in his life and he is going to make her realize that she can have her future and he can be a part of it. But he's not counting on how protective she is going to be of her heart. He knows she is hiding something from him and he will do what he must to find out what it is...he doesn't scare easily and Ashley is worth it.

Ms. Foster has done it again! This is a wonderfully sexy read that long time fans and new fans alike will love. We met Quinton and Ashley in "Jude's Law" and I was thrilled to find out she was going to give these two special characters their own story. The pages sizzle with their sexy chemistry and when combined with the fast-paced storyline, readers will be well entertained. I truly believe Ms. Foster is incapable of penning a dull story!