Be My Baby

I'm starting to get a feel for this author's style and I've got to say I really like it - the way she writes, the way her characters talk, interact, fight, make up, and fall in love. In light of this issue of style, I think it's entirely a matter of preference whether these books are enjoyed or not. Some elements might be clichéd or stereotypical, but Andersen manages to make it so charming/endearing that I can't seem to get enough of her books. Be My Baby is a fun romance whose tone is a bit more in keeping with Baby, I'm Yours (which still has it beat though.) We've got two characters, Juliette and Beau, who seem like complete opposites and who immediately rub each other the wrong way. Juliette is an upper crust Bostonian who's come show more to New Orleans to open a new hotel. Beau is a cop who's a big tough guy - but he's raised his three younger sisters since the death of their parents, so he's human and accessible in this respect. We've got a plot involving a mystery (the "Panty Snatcher" has been terrorizing women and doing what his nickname says he does.) Added to this is the possibility that someone might be threatening Juliette's life in protest of the opening of her hotel, and we've got a wonderful excuse to throw these two polar opposites together and watch the sparks fly. Beau is assigned as Juliette’s body guard, and neither of them are happy about it. Beau and Juliette's relationship developed nicely, and they had a lot of chemistry, which I always appreciate. But the book really earned its stars for how Juliette grows up and comes into her own - especially when it comes to dealing with Beau's cold feet later on. Her responses to him at this crucial juncture in the book are brilliant, and I was so pleased to be able to root for a woman with some spine. Beau, for his part, sees the light so nicely. Another aspect of the book I loved was the bad guy - a prim old socialite lady who is completely nuts. She's awesome. The havoc she wrecks isn't part of some super crime plot with thrilling mystery and chilling danger. Instead it's fun/funny, and adds just enough spice to the hero and heroine's relations. In short, another enjoyable read from Susan Andersen. show less

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell, Boston blue-blood and daughter of hotel magnate, comes to New Orleans to organize the opening of their latest hotel in a refurbished Southern mansion. However, a threatening letter has caused her father to insist on police protection. Sergeant Beau Depree gets the assignment, being on the outs with the police commissioner. Beau is just getting his youngest sister of 3 off on her own and looking forward to his bachelor life when he meets Juliet. Beau is also working another case on the seamier side of town and drags Juliet with him hoping the exposure will get her to ask for a different babysitter. But as the threats escalate and their attraction grows things heat up. Typical Andersen story, but not her best. show more Beau was a little too in-your-face and pig headed. show less

BMB was set in New Orleans which was rather hard to read without thinking of Katrina. Hero is a policeman who has spent the last 10 years raising his three orphaned sisters and heroine is an uptight Boston blue blood whose family owns a chain of hotels. Scenario involves another heroine in danger - hero must protect her which is getting old. But it was fast, light, humorous, and hot. So it worked for me. (Grade: B-)

Enjoyable story with a good pace that had my attention throughout. I liked how the relationship developed while solving the crime and the secondary romance was nice. Police sergeant Beau is assigned to guard rich Juliet who is setting up new family hotel in New Orleans.

Fast read mystery romance that follows the same boring theme. Juliet is rich, prim, & proper. Beau is blue collar police sergeant assigned to protect her at her rich daddy's request to the department. Typical repressed woman versus virile studly cop. A little mystery with attempts being made on Juliet or Beau's life. Of course they end up in bed, fight, & make up. The New Orleans language written in the book was irritating & hokey compared to other books I've read with the Cajun dialect.

I really loved the characters. Beau's sisters were particularly sassy and fun.