Hunky State Trooper Marcus Richmond takes an interest in both Vinnie and the possible smuggling ring. Another handsome guy, Aaron Grant. rents an apartment in Vinnie’s house. He claims to work for the state gaming commission, but...

Vinnie has a great best friend named Lola who owns a deli. Vinnie’s dad is a great cook who wants to see his daughter married. Great Italian food is found and consumed throughout the novel.

The action takes place in Rhode Island, where the 30-something Vinnie has many family and friends. There’s a short, round gay decorator named Lanky Larry and a couple of slimy cousins.

Vinnie tells the story in the first person. Her words are sometimes apt, but sometimes off. “I caught Richmond’s eyeball on me” is an example of her often odd phraseology.

After struggling with the odd word use early in the story, I had a hard time putting this down. There were some real inconsistencies. Why didn’t it occur to a state trooper, an FBI agent, and a criminology professor that they could bug Vinnie’s phone? What did the words “Crested Inn” have to do with anything? And, most importantly, what exactly was Aunt Livvy’s involvement in the crime?

But the characters were highly engaging, and kept me fully interested in the tale. The romance was sweet and mostly believable. This is scheduled to be the first in a series, and the further adventures of Vinnie should be fun.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
September 18, 2008