Deborah Blumenthal What Men Want

What Men Want

Deborah Blumenthal

Red Dress, Feb 2006, $12.95

ISBN: 0373895690

For several years, columnists Jenny George of Street Beat, and Slaid Warren of Slaid in the City have competed in public, and especially in private email and phone calls repeating the same message of beat you so top this. Surprisingly, considering the rivalry and the same coverage of city politics, these journalistic warriors have never met in person.

Both work the same story that links the mayor's office with obtaining illegal kickbacks and prohibited expensive freebies in exchange for favors. Jenny and Slaid race to St. Croix where the CEO of Reilly Films, Jack Reilly, is hosting New York City officialdom, especially the decision-makers from the Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting. Her live-in lover Chris seems happy she will be away for the holidays as he looks forward to working with "model thin". When Slaid and Jenny meet in person for the first time sparks fly as she realizes he is much nicer than her goading opponent image she has of him, and he concludes she is wonderful person, so much more than the shallow reporter he treasures teasing.

WHAT MEN WANT is a fine journalist investigative romance starring two "wrestlers" wanting the other to concede that they are the superior reporter. Following the same beat on the same fourteen miles in length small island makes it difficult to believe they never met in person until they go to the Caribbean. That aside, the storyline is fun and filled with antics and stinging barbs between the likable lead couple. The investigation adds to the rivalry, while serving as the matchmaker between two enemy combatants falling in love.