Piper Cove, Massachusetts – Present Day

Landscape architect Ellen Brittingham is in love...with a car. The shiny metallic orange special edition Corvette belongs to her devastatingly handsome new neighbor, Adrian Sinclair, millionaire computer geek and security expert. But Adrian comes attached to a gorgeous fiancée and his own carbon-copy son. Even so, Ellen has to continually convince herself that she isn't, or shouldn't, be attracted to this man. Adrian should have flashing neon, hands-off signs posted all over his sexy persona -- that's one line Ellen refuses to step over. Still, she snaps up a job when he contracts her family landscape business to revamp his estate's long-neglected yard in time for his wedding. As Ellen begins spending her days working at the Sinclair estate, she becomes totally enraged at Adrian's snooty fiancée, Selena, but totally captivated with his son, Peter.

Ellen has a hard road ahead of her as she watches the interaction between Selena and the boy. Selena isn't mother material -- she cares nothing for Pete -- she's only concerned with Adrian's status and his checkbook. And as Ellen watches the boy compete for his father's love and attention, she knows that Adrian's relationship is headed for disaster, but she's determined not to interfere. Mrs. Duffy, the Sinclair housekeeper and nanny, has other ideas, and when Duff meets Ellen's mother, Bea, their well-meaning, matchmaking shenanigans drive Ellen crazy. And while Ellen is trying to keep Bea and Duff from interfering in her life, Adrian has his own troubles. The F.B.I. is investigating his business partner for fraud; Adrian knows that Mitch is innocent, but now he just has to prove it.

FOR PETE'S SAKE is a sure winner! Motorcycle-riding Ellen might have tom-boy tendencies, but she's all woman. And as if she doesn't have enough trouble on her hands keeping Mrs. Duffy and her own mother out of trouble, Ellen has her three best friends to contend with. They all call themselves The Bosom Buddies and meet regularly at the Coffee Cafe at Piper Cove's Country Club for ice cream sundaes. But when Jan Kudrow, Sue Ann Wiltbank, and the newly married Alexandra Turner lay eyes on handsome newcomer Adrian Sinclair, they set out to fix the man up with Ellen. However, it's Pete who steals the show in the fabulous book. He's a special character who strives for his father's attention, but he's unable to simply ask for it. Adrian's fiancée, Selena, controls Adrian, who tends to follow her lead in all things, mistaking gratitude for love after she helped his company grow. This story even has a bit of suspense as Adrian tries find the mole in his security company and clear his partner's name.

FOR PETE'S SAKE is the second book in the Piper Cove Chronicles, following WEDDING BELL BLUES (July 2007). Even though this book stands alone, you won't want to miss this special series. The characters are dynamic, funny, and endearing, from Ellen herself right down to the Brittingham's Labrador Retriever, Marley, who captures Pete's heart. Piper Cove's seaside setting is just as much a character as the people, and the pages of FOR PETE'S SAKE make for a top-notch reading escape. This book has more than earned a Perfect 10 award!

Diana Risso