Shannon C.’s review of Law of Averages by Wylie Kinson
Contemporary romance ebook released by Ellora’s Cave 17 May 08

Ms. Kinson specifically requested that we review one of her books, and unfortunately, she got stuck with me. My track record for Ellora’s Cave books has been something less than inspiring, unless you’re Samantha Kane, which most authors are not. In fact, in my more megalomaniacal moments, I like to think that Ms. Kinson keeps coming back to the site every day, with bated breath, hoping I do not hate her book. Well, for her, at least, the wait is over. Read on for my thoughts.

Megan Frost is the assistant manager of a very successful restaurant in Toronto. When her boss insists she needs a holiday, she is glad to be going to sunny Bermuda so she can enjoy the sights, work on her tan, and maybe have some vacation sex. She is not expecting Gabriel Law, the Dark Angel of rock, to also be spending the week in Bermuda and, thanks to a misunderstanding, they soon find themselves sharing a house, and their beds. But can an average girl and a rock god find lasting happiness?

Well, I’ll just go right ahead and say it. I liked this short novel. Both Megan and Gabriel were nice, normal people who had perfectly understandable neuroses. There was no tortured past for either of them, and they both had chemistry in spades. Plus, I am a sucker for musician heroes, even though Gabriel’s style of music probably isn’t my cuppa, either. The sexual tension between the two is palpable practically from the moment they meet, and when they finally get into bed, the sex scenes are toe-curlingly good.

I really liked Ms. Kinson’s writing style. She is funny without having her heroine do silly things just for cheap laughs. Her descriptions of Bermuda made me wish I were going there, and I really empathized with the characters, and could hear their very distinct voices in my head. Plus, this isn’t a terribly complex story, with no extraneous suspense subplot, and only incidental mentions of other characters, so we really do get to see the development of the relationship between Gabriel and Megan.

I have a few quibbles that keep this out of the A grade range. First of all, there was a paranormal element inserted in the story that not only felt unnecessary, but was also way too schmaltzy for my taste. Second of all, no mention was ever made of Gabriel and Megan using any form of protection. If I were Megan, even if I were sleeping with a rock star, I would be worried at the very least about disease.

All in all though, I really enjoyed this story and am pleased to find an EC title that I can recommend.
Grade: B

Summary:

Megan Frost, an up-and-coming restaurateur, knows everything there is to know about the culinary arts, but when it comes to pop culture, she’s been living under a rock. During a vacation to the sunny island of Bermuda, the yummiest dish she’s ever laid eyes on rolls that rock right off her.

British musician Gabriel Law, the famous Dark Angel of Rock, regrets putting his songwriting on the back burner. Tired and creatively simmered out, he retreats to the peace and solitude of Bermuda in order to cook up some original sounds for his new album. But when he finds a naked girl in his holiday cottage, he happily exchanges solitude for a sizzling duet.

The ingredients for a sexy, scorching relationship are in place, but the mix isn’t complete without a romantic legend, a mysterious taxi driver and a surprise symbol of destiny from the aquamarine sea…

Read an excerpt here