THE PERFECT TEN by Janice Maynard

Janice Maynard - Just thinking of her makes me smile. She is without a doubt one of the sweetest, most genuine women you'll ever meet. Janice truly cares about everyone and she doesn't hesitate to show it - she's the first to celebrate your good news and to offer her thoughts and prayers when you're in need. Janice was kind enough to send me an ARC of THE PERFECT TEN, which released this week - go get your copy, remember how important those early sales are to authors!! Here's a little blurb and a brief review that I hope will be more temptation than you can resist so you'll rush out to get your hands on it!
A blurb for THE PERFECT TEN:
THE PERFECT TEN - a January 2008 release from NAL/Signet Eclipse...
Something juicy is brewing in the mystical Blue Ridge Mountains, where the beautiful Killaney cousins are concocting brand-new scents in their shop Lotions and Potions. One April night under a full moon, the three women create an alluring combination of eucalyptus, aloe, and sandalwood that sparks a strange chemical reaction. One whiff and men can't seem to get enough of Love Potion #10 - or of the Killaney women - while Diana, Elizabeth, and Jeannie find themselves being swept off their feet and into their wildest fantasies...
You'll find an excerpt here.
My review:
THE PERFECT TEN is a collection of three stories, related just as the three heroines are, and all having the common theme of an apparent love potion that they've concocted for their business, Lotions and Potions, in Asheville, North Carolina.
HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT
This first story is that of the youngest cousin, Diana, who unknowingly sets Damian Benetti's blood on fire. Damian works with his hands in his specialty car repair shop, and the hand cream that he gets at Lotions and Potions is the only thing that soothes his rough, dry hands. When he shows an undeniable interest in Diana and begins pursuing her full-throttle, she's determined not to involve her heart. She is convinced that Damian's attraction is the result of the "magic" hand cream he's been using. Damian has no problem with bringing out more and more of Diana's seductive tendencies, but he comes from an entirely different background and doesn't believe that she could ever want a future with him. He has his work cut out for him in convincing Diana that his interest is genuine and not a result of using her magic hand cream.
MOVIE MAGIC
Elizabeth feels that life is passing her by. A failed relationship several years before has left her a romance recluse, focused solely on helping to run the business she owns with her cousins. When she meets the enigmatic Enrique Cantilano, location scout for a movie producer, she can't help but compare herself to the beautiful starlet-types that he's used to dating. Enrique admires Elisabeth's classic beauty, a breath of fresh air compared to the plastic falseness of the women his usual surroundings. When Elizabeth eventually realizes that Enrique isn't the lackadaisical, unmotivated man she first thought, she's even more confused about putting him first in her life and taking a chance on love.
I DREAM OF JEANNIE
Jeannie has been misjudged as a sexpot since she first developed at a very young age. She had to work with determined diligence to get people to take her seriously; few are capable of seeing the real woman behind the beautiful face and body. Nathan Hardison is initially drawn to Jeannie's beauty but quickly discovers a witty, highly intelligent woman who is more than capable of taking care of herself. Jeannie enjoys Nathan's attentions and is pleased to have someone take care of her and her needs. Despite the fun and satisfying pleasures Nathan and Jeannie share, he has concerns about the publicity Jeannie and her cousins are getting over their magic lotions and creams. There is a negative incident in Nathan's recent past that he would prefer remain there, but the media coverage the cousins are receiving makes him feel exposed, resulting in him lashing out at Jeannie with ugly accusations. He soon regrets his ignorance-driven actions and knows that he needs to make things right. Is it too late for Nathan and Jeannie?
Each of the three cousins in this book are simply adorable and their various personalities keep each story unique and fresh. The young men who are helplessly drawn to them could not have been better written as their heroes.
Janice always writes characters who seem as if they could be close, personal friends of hers. Her stories are always sweet but are never lacking in emotion or sensuality. I give THE PERFECT TEN the highest of recommendations.
Janice has a July release this year too (just in time for my birthday, thank you), BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - another great cover, don't you think? This one promises to be a great summer read.

Check out a great excerpt for BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Thank you, Janice, for asking me to review this one - thanks everyone for stopping by!
Laurie