Trouble in High Heels [With Earbuds] (Playaway Adult Fiction) [Preloaded Digital Audio Player]

Christina Dodd (Author), Amanda Ronconi (Performer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2010 | Series: Playaway Adult Fiction

When Brandi Michaels discovers her fianceé hopping a flight to Vegas to marry his girlfriend, she pawns her engagement ring, buys herself a fabulous outfit, and spends one sultry night in the arms of a gorgeous Italian stranger named Roberto Bartolini. When Brandi becomes the mark for a killer, she has no choice but to turn to Roberto—a man who’s destined to be either her savior or her downfall. But one thing's for sure: She’s not going down without a fight....

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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite a cover featuring a modern pair of designer heels, this far-fetched romantic intrigue feels like a Regency awkwardly dressed in contemporary clothes. You have your arrogant rake, playboy Italian count and indicted jewel thief Roberto Bartolini; the woman who can tame him, his gorgeous attorney Brandi Michaels; and a gaggle of high-society supporting characters among the Chicago elite. Throw in a steamy, melodramatic early encounter between Roberto and Brandi, a world-renowned diamond called the Romanov Blaze, a Chicago crime ring and a silly court ruling that places Roberto in Brandi's custody, and you have a romance with an identity crisis. There are moments of suspense and flashes of sensuality (buried beneath groaners like "I only want to take you to the brink of pleasurable insanity"), but the story doesn't hang together. The protagonists rarely transcend their stock roles, and the chaotic plot is oddly predictable. Dodd, who cut her teeth on historicals, has penned memorable contemporaries (see Close to You), but this tale is much like cubic zirconia—sparkle and flash but little else. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Brandi Michaels is out for revenge. After learning her fiance ad dumped her to marry his pregnant girlfriend, Brandi--who had just moved to Chicago to start her new law career--pawns her engagement ring and uses the money to buy a gorgeous pair of sapphire earrings, a knock-'em-dead designer gown, and shoes to die for. Dressed to kill, Brandi arrives at a high-society soiree celebrating the famous Romanov Blaze diamond searching for the perfect man to distract her from her romantic sorrows. Roberto Bartolini, an Italian count, does the trick. Brandi spends one perfect weekend with him, assuming that she'll never see him again, only to discover that the irresistibly sexy nobleman is not only a suspected jewel thief but also her firm's new client. New York Times best-selling Dodd will dazzle readers with this fabulously fun tale of danger, desire, and diamonds, which features yet another winning combination of the author's trademark smart and snappy writing, delightfully original characters, and deliciously sensual romance. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Preloaded Digital Audio Player
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio (May 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441865861
• ISBN-13: 978-1441865861
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Chat with Christina via Facebook and Twitter, and even better, join her mailing list to have her news delivered right to your inbox! http://christinadodd.com/lists/?p=subscribe

Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. She reads everything, but because she loves humor, she likes romance best.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants things like a Craftsman router with attachments, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will miraculously make his bald spot disappear. So when Christina's first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to quit work and write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?

Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before her first novel, CANDLE IN THE WINDOW, was published. In the twenty-two years since, her novels have been translated into 25 languages, won Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart and RITA Awards and been called the year's best by Library Journal. Christina Dodd herself has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle (11/18/05, # 13 Down: Romance Novelist named Christina.) Publishers Weekly praises her style that 'showcases Dodd's easy, addictive charm and steamy storytelling.'

Christina's 2011 releases include TAKEN BY THE PRINCE, #9 in the Governess Brides series, and in the tradition of Nora Roberts, a new romantic suspense series starting with SECRETS OF BELLA TERRA and REVENGE AT BELLA TERRA.

Christina Dodd is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Slice of "Literary" Tiramisu!, August 13, 2006

By 

C. Farley "seafaire" (Bakersfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trouble in High Heels (Fortune Hunter) (Mass Market Paperback)

What a great, enjoyable read! Tiramisu is that wonderful Italian dessert of espresso, rich cream cheese and elegant flavors that means "pick me up" in Italian. That image fits this charming book to a tee. Well done characters, especially the female lead, who (for a change!) when placed in a dangerous situation has the common sense to listen to a man who knows how to handle the situation. So often, weaker authors will have the female lead do something completely stupid just to prove her independance. Additional secondary characters are thought out and ADD to the plot, enriching the story and making the emotional connections reasonable and sweet. The sensuality between the lead couple is dynamite and I love any story that can use $8000 to justify not only a superior Spa Day but to underwrite an entire life change. Remember, this tasty little gem of a book is not meant for anything more than the best escape--putting too many expectations on the story could cause the lightness and fun to deflate like over-beaten whipped cream.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for those who like romantic suspense, December 16, 2006

By 

K. Hinton "avid reader" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Trouble in High Heels (Fortune Hunter) (Mass Market Paperback)

Brandi Michaels learns that her fiance has dumped her and eloped to Vegas with his girlfriend on the same day as she uproots her life and moves from Nashville to Chicago to be closer to him. When he asks for her engagement ring back to give to his new bride, it's the last straw. Brandi takes the ring to a pawn shop, and uses the money from its sale to buy a new dress, a sexy pair of F-me heels and a day at the spa. With her beauty regimen completed, she plans to meet a man and have one night of passion to erase the memory of her errant fiance and kick off the beginning of her new life.

Roberto Bartolini just happens to be at the same party as Brandi and can't helped but be captivated by the leggy blonde bombshell in the clingy dress. When she decides to seduce HIM, he can't help but agree. They spend a passionate weekend in his suite and when they part ways, Brandi believes they'll never see each other again. Little does she know that when she begins her new job at a law firm the next day, Roberto will be there--as her client.

This novel was entertaining from start to finish with enough mystery and romance to keep me intrigued. Roberto Bartolini was the best hero with his passionate nature, tendency to cater to women, and insistence on putting Brandi first. I couldn't wait to see him break down all of Brandi's defenses and convince her that he was the man for her. Brandi was funny and I loved that she made Roberto work for everything that he got. Their romance created sparks from beginning to end and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. This was my first Christina Dodd novel, but I will definitely be looking forward to the next one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, sassy read..., September 26, 2006

By 

Book Lover (MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trouble in High Heels (Fortune Hunter) (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading this book I was surprised at some of the negative comments by other reviewers. I thought this book was really entertaining and it kept my attention throughout. The main characters had great interactions (both verbally and physically!). Although at times the plot may have been a bit of a stretch (lawyer having to babysit her client because the judge did not like the client's comments about the American's legal system, etc.), the book as a whole was so fun I could overlook it. In genernal, I thought this book was one of Ms. Dodd's best modern day romances to date - as good as some of her historical ones. If you are looking for a fun, sassy, exciting, fast read, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.