The Hooker and the Hermit
Publication Date: February 5, 2015
Synopsis:
New York’s Finest
New York’s Finest
February 14, 2015
LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? The one with the anger management issues and the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy.
Well, I have a confession to make…
THE HERMIT
Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New York’s Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actual reality? Not so much.
THE HOOKER
Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media—social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy.
Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…
THE PLAN
When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggests pairing them together.
What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?
The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaboration between authors L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid, is a full length 100k word novel, and is a standalone.
My Review:
I came into this novel not knowing what to expect. It's a tricky thing, having two authors write one book. What if it doesn't flow? What if the story doesn't get taken in the best direction because they can't agree? What if their voices are so different that it doesn't seem like you're reading one book? Fear not. The way Penny and L.H. wrote this book was as if it came from one mind.
“Bollocks, bitches, and Battlestar Galactica,” I mumbled. I have a bad habit of mumbling curse words when I’m aggravated; honestly, I think I might have a mild case of Tourette’s. To soften the string of foul language and make me feel like less of a freak, I try to throw in a pop culture reference at the end. It usually works, but not today.”
This book is told in alternating POVs, Annie and Ronan. Annie works at Davidson & Croft Media and is the best of the best at cleaning up celebrity images. So-and-so kicked a puppy in Central Park and it got caught on camera? Annie's your girl. She's also the anonymous socialmedalite blogger of New York's Finest. Which is how she meets Ronan for the first time. Well, not really meets him, more like she takes a sneakshot (sneaky snapshot, it's totally gonna catch on, right?) of Ronan for her blog. When Ronan finds out he's on this blog, he's well, less than amused. Then she meets him when he goes to her firm in hopes of cleaning up his image after a public altercation with his teammate. Oh yeah, Ronan is a hooker. No no no, not that. Hooker is to rugby as quarterback is to football, got it? Well, anyway he's the best in Ireland and comes to NYC to take a bit of time to himself.
“Dearest Annie, Roses are red. Violets are blue. I’m using my hand But I’m thinking of you. - Ronan P.S. Just to clarify, I’m using my hand to write this note…get your mind out of the gutter.”
I almost feel like any summarization I give of this book will totally give it away, and I absolutely don't want to do that. I want you to be able to experience this book without any idea of what's coming next. It's witty, funny, romantic and one of my favorite reads so far this year. I'll just say this- Penny and L.H. (who is Irish and automatically puts her in the please-be-my-best-friend-so-I-can-listen-to-your-voice-all-day category) have created a book you'll want to read. The content? Unique. The characters? Spot on. The Consensus? I want more!
“Family isn’t always the one you’re born into. Sometimes it’s about people who get into your blood, inside your heart, and under your skin all on their own.”
About L.H. Cosway
L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.
She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.
About Penny Reid
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).
By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
