Say No to Joe? (Visitation, Book 1) [Library Binding]

Lori Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

In New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster's much-anticipated continuation of her beloved Winston brothers series, their seductive, bad-boy cousin is back--and up against a woman who's immune to his considerable charms...or so it seems. Joe Winston has a routine with women: he exists; they swoon; roll credits. With his smoldering looks, macho style, and irrepressible charm, Joe can have any woman--except the one he really wants. Secretly, Luna Clark may lust after Joe, but she's made it clear that she's too smart to fall for him. He can just keep holding his breath, thank you very much. But now, Luna's inherited two kids who need more than she alone can give in a small town that seems hell-bent on driving them away. She needs someone to help out...someone who can't be intimidated...someone just like Joe. Becoming an instant family wasn't exactly what Joe had in mind, but hey, it's a start, and you can't blame a guy for trying every angle. After all, where there's a Joe, there's a way...straight into a woman's heart.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: North Carolina

Sensuality: 9

Exotic psychic-assistant Luna Clark has avoided confirmed bachelor Joe Winston for three long months. She knows that she's far too attracted to the very sexy Winston male but when she needs protection for her two young orphaned cousins, she turns to the tough bounty hunter. Delighted at the opportunity to spend time with Luna, Joe packs his bag and accompanies her to North Carolina, where he finds himself falling in love not only with Luna, but with the teen-age girl and young boy who are now her responsibility. But someone is causing "accidents" to happen at the house on Quiet Lake and before Joe can concentrate on seducing Luna, he'll have to find the perpetrator before the danger escalates.

Nobody does blue collar heroes quite like author Lori Foster and Say No To Joe? delivers plenty of sexual sizzle between Joe and the free-spirited heroine who's clearly savvy enough to handle him. Toss in a couple of endearing kids threatened by a mysterious enemy, an eccentric cast of secondary characters, an interesting plot, and the result is an excellent contemporary romance. Foster has a well-deserved reputation for creating charming, unforgettable characters and steamy romance--and she's at the top of her game in Say No To Joe? --Lois Faye Dyer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Publishers Weekly

In the latest entry in Foster's Winston Brothers series (following Wild), two protagonists take on danger, parenthood and their lust for each other, but the fact that the violence and sex occur in the presence of children may make some readers uneasy. Two years after the death of a distant cousin, Luna Clark agrees to take over guardianship of her cousin's children. Luna enlists the help of bounty-hunter-turned-bodyguard Joe Winston, a virile hunk who's delighted to flee a series of attacks on his life and seduce curvy Luna. But Joe's stalker follows them to Visitation, N.C., where they meet the children for the first time and discover a town rife with agendas. Family bonding occurs instantly (a fact that may surprise real-life moms), though mysteries like the kids' true father and the source of Joe's danger take longer to resolve. The frantic foreplay that preoccupies the couple throughout would be harmless fun in Foster's less child-driven books. But no matter how much Joe and Luna praise their own parenting skills, scenes like the one in which the kids discover them arousing each other in the kitchen at 10 in the morning are little short of creepy. The author's loyal fans may enjoy the book's high sexual content, but this sketchily plotted effort is far from Foster's best.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417724315
• ISBN-13: 978-1417724314
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)

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

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe's story was worth the wait..., July 29, 2003

By 

iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say No to Joe? (Visitation, Book 1) (Paperback)

Joe Winston has always been a magnet to women. Never having any problem getting who he wants, he is stupefied when he can't have the one woman that he does want. He met Luna Clark when he did a favor for his cousin, Zane. The only problem is that Luna now wants nothing to do with him. It wasn't his fault he couldn't help but grab her the day he met her. Was it? Now Luna has come to Joe for help and he's determined to play that to his advantage. Soon he realizes that he wants Luna for more than a fling, but the problem will be convincing her that he's worth the risk.

Luna Clark knows exactly what kind of man Joe Winston is. A love 'em and leave 'em type of guy. She has no intention of getting caught up in an affair where she'll get her heartbroken. The problem is that she needs his help. She has two orphaned cousins that need her and she needs Joe to convince the town to leave the innocent kids alone. Little did she know that when they all got under one roof, she would want more, for it feels suspiciously like they're playing house, and all enjoying it.

The chemistry between Luna and Joe is awesome, some of Lori's best, in my opinion. I also liked it because it was longer than her usual books, so there was more for me!

Don't miss it!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SAY NO TO JOE? Why Would I?, September 27, 2003

By 

Morgan Arce (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say No to Joe? (Visitation, Book 1) (Paperback)

The title says it all. SAY NO TO JOE? Yeah, that's what this reviewer wondered as she settled in to read. Who COULD say no? Well, Apparently, Luna Clark is the holdout in this, the latest work by Lori Foster that continues the series featuring the Winston Brothers. But it's romance so, never fear, readers!

Joe Winston is the cousin of the 4 Winston Brothers, and though he's been a loner, never relying on anyone, women in particular, he's got his work cut out for him when he sets his sights on Luna Clark, a friend of his cousin's new wife. He thinks that if he can get Luna in his bed, he'll get her OUT of his system...but that never happens, does it? No.

Luna finds herself out of her element. She's a free spirit, the bohemian type, but when she learns that two young orphaned relatives are in need of a guardian, she agrees to go to the children. But she enlists Joe's help to protect them as there have been incidences threatening the children that can't be ignored. Joe readily agrees. Not only is he outraged that anyone would dare frighten kids, but he needs to get out of town anyway; his last job as a bounty hunter, tracking a bad guy is still open ended. He was beaten within an inch of his life and he needs a place to fully recover. What better place than out of state, away from danger, but keeping an eye on Luna's two young charges, and keeping a close eye on the object of his lusty desires, Luna herself?

The story is intricately woven with subplots, and each page turn is like another piece of the puzzle, fitting together and making sense out of the teasing elements throughout.

Readers may see a deeper, more sensitive Joe Winston than the one that was introduced in ZANE, Ms. Foster's most recently penned novel in that series. But if this hero didn't possess the protective instincts and have a heart that could be softened by a child's smile, or a sassy love interest, then he wouldn't BE a Lori Foster hero. Family, loyalty, and honor are what readers have come to associate with this author, and she never disappoints. SAY NO TO JOE? is no exception.

SAY NO TO JOE? is filled with love, laughter, suspense, and sensuality. Add to that, many new characters are introduced in this twisting, fun turning tale. This reviewer will be waiting for updates and watching for news of release dates for them.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast and sexy read--Joe has it all, August 9, 2003

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say No to Joe? (Visitation, Book 1) (Paperback)

In Lori Foster's book Wild we were first introduced to Joe Winston, the irresistible cousin. Joe has always had women fawning all over him except one, Luna Clark. Luna is a strong-minded, independent woman and has never needed anyone to depend on until now. Luna has inherited two young cousins (Willow and Austin) that need her help. She in turn needs Joe's help in showing the town where the kids live that they can no longer push them around.

Joe sees helping Luna at first as a golden opportunity to get Luna where he wants her, in his bed.... As Joe and Luna share a home with the kids, they both realize they want more then just a quick fling.

The chemistry between Luna and Joe is so hot you can feel the heat leap off the pages. Their emotional connection to each other and the kids will warm your heart.

This book is well worth the wait since Joe first charmed me in Wild. Joe has everything you could want in a male character and Luna is a heroine that can hold her own with Joe.

I just loved this book, could not read it fast enough. It is a keeper.