Title: A Black Tie Affair
Author: Sherrill Bodine
Publisher: Forever/Hachette Books
My synopsis: The first dilemma that comes to light is that four Bertha Palmer dresses have become infected with a "truth serum" type toxin. This toxin was created as the materials in the dresses started breaking down over the years. Athena Smith has the misfortune of discovering this after laying down under one to study it. She had been observing the dresses in the Clayworth's Secret Closet in hopes of acquiring them for her Founding Families Exhibit at the museum. An exhibit that would help cement the scholarship fund for her assistant, Makayla.
The second dilemma occurs after Athena is rushed to the emergency room under the effects of the toxin. The Clayworths rush to the hospital to make sure that Athena is going to be okay, and to try and discover what has caused this episode. When they go to recover the dresses from the Closet, an unknown thief has gotten to the dresses first, not knowing that they can infect innocent people.
Athena practically throws herself at Drew Clayworth while under the effects of the truth serum toxin, which creates the third dilemma. They both have unresolved feelings from a relationship that had ended 15 years earlier, when Athena was only 17 and Drew was 19. How will her "revelations" affect their relationship now, and will they be able to work together to try to find the missing dresses?
Underlying all of this is the fact that Athena's father, Alistair, has been "forced" into retirement from John Clayworth and Company's stores. He has retreated to Florida without telling his daughters the details of his dismissal. What part did Drew play in this dismissal and how will it affect his possible second chance with Athena?
Throw in the other two Smith sisters, Venus and Diana, along with Connor, Drew's cousin and another eligible bachelor and Bridget, the Clayworth boys' aunt, and you have two very loyal families who will stand up against all to protect their own.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this book. It started out on such an original note with the toxic dresses and I found that refreshing. Having all the subplots really helped the book to move along and made me want to know how everything would play out in the end. I was cheering for the unrequited love of Athena and Drew and wanted this couple to be able to work things out. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
You can connect with the author on her website: SherillBodine.com or follow @SherrillBodine on twitter.
~I was provided this book for review by Hachette Books.~
A Black Tie Affair
Publisher/Publication Date: Forever, Jan 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-61859-5
240 pages
2 comments:
I thought this was a good read as well. I am going to read her other book as well, Talk of the Town.
Hi, Thank you so much for reading A BLACK TIE AFFAIR -- I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it! Your support means everything to me!
xo Sherrill
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