FRINGE BENEFITS (The Ladies Who Lunch 4) by Sandy James-Review and Giveaway

Fringe Benefits
The Ladies Who Lunch Series #4
by Sandy James
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: April 21, 2015

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. High school teacher Danielle Bradshaw deserves a happily ever after, and the Ladies Who Lunch are determined to deliver Mr. Right.

HOT FOR TEACHER

As the new head of the English department, Dani doesn’t have much time for anything but lesson planning and literature. Romance—or even sex? Forget about it. But then the principal introduces her to last-minute hire Nate Ryan. Finding time to mentor a new teacher won’t be easy, especially when his incredible body and equally disarming charisma are enough to make her heart skip a beat . . .

Nate may be fresh out of school, but he’s confident in his teaching skills—and in his feelings for Dani. But while she’s everything he’s ever wanted, he knows his place on her staff—and his age—may be problematic for his sexy boss. How can he convince her to ignore the gossip mill currently in full swing in the teacher’s lounge and surrender to what’s meant to be?

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REVIEW: FRINGE BENEFITS is the fourth installment in Sandy James’s contemporary, adult The Ladies Who Lunch romance series focusing on a tight knit group of four friends (and teachers) who meet several times per week for lunch. This is thirty two year old high school English teacher and department head Danielle Bradshaw, and twenty four year old rookie English teacher Nate Ryan’s storyline. FRINGE BENEFITS can be read as a stand alone; all of the previous storyline couples play a significant role throughout the novel and their stories continue to build upon one another.

Told from alternating third person perspectives, FRINGE BENEFITS follows the quick building relationship between Nate and Dani. There is an immediate attraction between Nate and Dani, one that does not go unnoticed by Dani’s fellow Lunch Ladies, as well as the men that they love. Dani has been assigned as Nate’s mentor in the English department, a position that places Dani as Nate’s boss. What ensues is Nate’s pursuit of Dani, and Dani’s attempts to push him away, but there is one problem-Nate is Dani’s new tenant-the man is renting the basement apartment in Dani’s new house. The $ex scenes are intimate and compelling, without the erotic.

All of the previous storyline couples are present. FRINGE BENEFITS fast forwards the series by a couple of years; the families are growing; businesses are thriving; friendship bonds are tighter. We are introduced to Nate’s family-his mother Jackie and step father Mark, as well as his brother Patrick. Nate’s ex girlfriend Kat is the requisite evil and makes another attempt to convince Nate they belong together.

FRINGE BENEFITS is a delightful storyline with engaging and realistic characters. Sandy James blends passion and romance for an encouraging and enjoyable read; a welcome respite for a busy day.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

The Bottom Line
The Ladies Who Lunch #1
by Sandy James
Genre: contemporary, romance,
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Click here for Sandy’s review of THE BOTTOM LINE

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 6, 2014

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. Surviving a failed marriage and an illness that almost takes her life, high school teacher Mallory Hamilton needs the Ladies Who Lunch more than ever . . .

After a year of upheaval, Mallory has had her fill of change—with one exception. Her house is a disaster, and she wants it fixed. Hiring a contractor to finish the projects her ex-husband started will help her banish the past so she can return to the life she had before everything went awry. But her contractor is sexy, sweet, and single, which threatens the peaceful, solitary life Mallory has planned for herself.

Ben Carpenter has had a hard time raising his daughter without his ex-wife’s help. His new client’s projects will give him the extra income he needs, not to mention afternoons alone with a gorgeous woman. Though their attraction is undeniable, Ben sees the fear and pain hiding in Mallory’s beautiful eyes. But how can he help her if she won’t let him in? Ben can fix just about anything—but can he fix Mallory’s broken heart?

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SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
The Ladies Who Lunch #2
by Sandy James

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 1, 2014

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. High school teacher Juliana Kelley tells the Ladies Who Lunch that her life needs an overhaul . . . and gets a whole lot more than she wished for.

Juliana has spent thirteen years in the same teaching job. She’s ready to dive into a new career with both feet . . . when a run-in with the hottest man she’s ever seen knocks her head over heels. But with her failed marriage to a fellow teacher fresh on her mind, Jules can’t afford to lose herself in a relationship—no matter how perfect it may seem.

Connor Wilson has hit rock bottom when he loses his career as a top-notch Realtor because of a large gambling debt. Now, in a small town he finds a fresh start—and a gorgeous redhead who sparks new life into him. Together they start a successful real estate company, but when pleasure sneaks into the business, they’ll have to decide what they can let go . . . and what they can’t live without.

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SEALING THE DEAL
The Ladies Who Lunch #3
by Sandy James

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 4, 2014

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of SEALING THE DEAL

When Bethany Rogers’s sister dies in combat in Afghanistan, Bethany, a teacher and part-time interior decorator, takes in the nine-month-old daughter her sister left behind. As she struggles with the challenges of raising a young child, she gratefully accepts the help of her fellow Ladies Who Lunch as well as Robert Ashford, her longtime friend and boss at Ashford Homes. Robert is great with kids and has always mentioned wanting a family of his own. Beth soon feels more than gratitude toward her handsome helper, and longs to give in to the growing heat and desire brewing between them. But will loving Robert further complicate her already spinning-out-of-control life? And is he drawn to her, or to the idea of a ready-made family?

 

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