Donna Kauffman, Erin McCarthy, Alesia Holliday & B The Naked Truth

The Naked Truth

Donna Kauffman, Erin McCarthy, Alesia Holliday & Bevarly Brandt

Berkley, Nov 2005, $14.00

ISBN: 0425206149

"The Winning Truth" by Erin McCarthy. Tansey enters a contest to win a car or $25K; the rule is the last person to remain inside the vehicle wins. Her opponents are hunky J.T., Brenda and Jay. The attraction in the back seat between Tansey and J.T. is so thick, Brenda and Jay consider boffing; still courting in a car in front of an audience seems wrong yet feels right.

"The Naked Truth about Guys" by Alesia Holliday. Seattle Times columnist C.J. wonders how to persuade investigative reporter Hugh that she wants him when he seems to see her as one of the guys. She lays her heart out in her columns, but like all men he misunderstands that changing the oil may prove love to a guy, but women need the Grand Gesture.

"Truth or Dare" by Donna Kauffman. Soap opera writer Bailey is hired as a biographical ghostwriter by billionaire Franklin. Also employed by Franklin is filmmaker Noah, the last man Bailey wants to see since they broke up several months ago. As they do their respective jobs, the attraction reignites.

"Nothing but the Truth" by Bevarly Brandt. In Naples Florida Madison hosts the Rules of Engagement Show; the current theme is a marrying marathon. She does not trust marriage having divorced Jeff who married her sister. When she assumes that Jeff is dumping her sibling and sees what she believes is atrocious behavior by the male contestants she becomes irate even while divorce lawyer Scott tries to tell her nothing but the truth.

These four contemporary novellas focus on Men Are from Mars; Women Are from Venus as misunderstanding between the genders, lead to fun lighthearted romantic frolics.

Harriet Klausner