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Designing Woman
What had come over her? Exactly who was she - Brandy, lady of the night, or B. J. Abbott, architect, whose dreams were filled not with erotic languor, but with visions of concrete and steel. Cast in an unfamiliar role, she had chosen to play it to the hilt, and loved the part . . . unaware that it would throw her into emotional chaos. Available only in Romance 12.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1982
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52 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Raco Chase
35 books133 followersElaine Raco Chase is the award-winning author of seventeen paperback novels with over 3 million books in print. She is published in 25 countries and 15 languages.
As a romance writer, Chase has won two sales awards for top romance novels of the year, Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic suspense, and the Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Award for writing excellence. Her non-fiction debut Amateur Detectives - A Writer's Guide was nominated for the prestigious Agatha Christie Award.
Elaine was past President of Sisters in Crime International, a charter member of Romance Writers of America and a registered lecturer for Poets and Writers.
She currently teaches a variety of writing courses.
As a romance writer, Chase has won two sales awards for top romance novels of the year, Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for romantic suspense, and the Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Award for writing excellence. Her non-fiction debut Amateur Detectives - A Writer's Guide was nominated for the prestigious Agatha Christie Award.
Elaine was past President of Sisters in Crime International, a charter member of Romance Writers of America and a registered lecturer for Poets and Writers.
She currently teaches a variety of writing courses.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2012
Review of the Audio Book.
One of my must have’s in any book is a plot – preferably one that has sharp-witted characters who are smart, independent and feel real. Elaine Raco Chase did not disappoint in creating the characters to exist within the world of design, architecture and luxury developments. I want characters to be exactly what Griffen and Brandy were – alive, confident, smart and funny; nearly walking out of the story to stand before me. Developed with just enough of the imperfections and quirks in character that create a personality, Griffen’s oft chin-dragging speechlessness at the brazen teasing he encounters from Brandy is quite funny.
This was not a book that just suggested I listen and not react. It was laugh out loud funny at times, actually, I think I have a friend with a similar love of teasing men that Brandy displays in her interactions with Griffen. She was real, full of confidence in her abilities that contrasted with her insecurities about being “enough” in the male dominated architectural field. Griffen is a bit more tightly wound, a businessman with fingers in many pies, he doesn’t seem to be enjoying life as much as he should until Brandy walks into his life.
Where this story shines is in the dialog. While there are two billion how-to articles on creating dialog that is both paced properly and sounds believable, Elaine has a book, full of dialog: fast paced, snarky, funny, businesslike, casual, even sexy. And it ALL sounds like a conversation you could overhear at any time, in many situations. That technique alone makes the book a worthwhile read – that it is combined and integrated into a tightly written, fast paced and sexy story makes this worth every one of the 5 stars. The audio book was narrated beautifully, with words clear and pacing easy to follow. I tend to listen at 2.5 speed, I talk fast too, but It wasn’t too fast to follow the story. Whether you are looking for a break from television, or don’t mind the other commuters staring at you as you laugh, often, the audiobook is well worth the investment.
I was provided a copy of the audio book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
One of my must have’s in any book is a plot – preferably one that has sharp-witted characters who are smart, independent and feel real. Elaine Raco Chase did not disappoint in creating the characters to exist within the world of design, architecture and luxury developments. I want characters to be exactly what Griffen and Brandy were – alive, confident, smart and funny; nearly walking out of the story to stand before me. Developed with just enough of the imperfections and quirks in character that create a personality, Griffen’s oft chin-dragging speechlessness at the brazen teasing he encounters from Brandy is quite funny.
This was not a book that just suggested I listen and not react. It was laugh out loud funny at times, actually, I think I have a friend with a similar love of teasing men that Brandy displays in her interactions with Griffen. She was real, full of confidence in her abilities that contrasted with her insecurities about being “enough” in the male dominated architectural field. Griffen is a bit more tightly wound, a businessman with fingers in many pies, he doesn’t seem to be enjoying life as much as he should until Brandy walks into his life.
Where this story shines is in the dialog. While there are two billion how-to articles on creating dialog that is both paced properly and sounds believable, Elaine has a book, full of dialog: fast paced, snarky, funny, businesslike, casual, even sexy. And it ALL sounds like a conversation you could overhear at any time, in many situations. That technique alone makes the book a worthwhile read – that it is combined and integrated into a tightly written, fast paced and sexy story makes this worth every one of the 5 stars. The audio book was narrated beautifully, with words clear and pacing easy to follow. I tend to listen at 2.5 speed, I talk fast too, but It wasn’t too fast to follow the story. Whether you are looking for a break from television, or don’t mind the other commuters staring at you as you laugh, often, the audiobook is well worth the investment.
I was provided a copy of the audio book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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June 12, 2020Designing Woman brings together astute businessman Griffen St Clair and feisty designer Brandy Abbott. Griffen is proud and stubborn, quick to leap to assumptions. Despite playing the daring temptress, Brandy is actually much less wild than her countenance and actions suggest but having baited Griffen she has to try and rise to the challenge – and is stunned by how much she enjoys this.
This is the second romance by Elaine Raco Chase that I’ve read (full review on Dare the Devil to come soon) and she can certainly create chemistry between characters. I love romance – I love a great balance of misunderstandings, drama, hot-headedness and chemistry and Raco Chase is certainly aware that those are vital elements.
The problem – for me – was that Designing Woman felt ever so slightly dated and there were some things that stopped me from feeling fully immersed in the story. As a romance reader, I want to imagine that I’d be swept off my feet too and Griffin just didn’t do it. He smoked, for one thing. It seems a small thing but as an ardent non-smoker, you may as well tell me he has a dead kipper pinned to his lapel for what it does to his sex appeal. And he’s a litter bug! I was just enjoying a touching scene between Brandy and Griffen and he threw his cigar towards the sea! It sounds stupid, perhaps, but these are the details that can easily jar a reader from happy contemplation to… ‘huh?’
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the read and this – combined with my experience of Dare the Devil – is enough to convince me that I will certainly read more of Elaine Raco Chase’s work in future.
**Review originally published on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation and all views are my own.**
This is the second romance by Elaine Raco Chase that I’ve read (full review on Dare the Devil to come soon) and she can certainly create chemistry between characters. I love romance – I love a great balance of misunderstandings, drama, hot-headedness and chemistry and Raco Chase is certainly aware that those are vital elements.
The problem – for me – was that Designing Woman felt ever so slightly dated and there were some things that stopped me from feeling fully immersed in the story. As a romance reader, I want to imagine that I’d be swept off my feet too and Griffin just didn’t do it. He smoked, for one thing. It seems a small thing but as an ardent non-smoker, you may as well tell me he has a dead kipper pinned to his lapel for what it does to his sex appeal. And he’s a litter bug! I was just enjoying a touching scene between Brandy and Griffen and he threw his cigar towards the sea! It sounds stupid, perhaps, but these are the details that can easily jar a reader from happy contemplation to… ‘huh?’
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the read and this – combined with my experience of Dare the Devil – is enough to convince me that I will certainly read more of Elaine Raco Chase’s work in future.
**Review originally published on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation and all views are my own.**
July 1, 2011
This was a nice read. Griffen I must say was really out there it started with a conversation he overheard with Brandy and her boss. After this everything was a bundle of misunderstandings between Brandy and Griffen. Griffen is that take charge hero. He did judge Brandy a lot that's why it's never good to always assume. I also guess his assumptions lead him to be harsh at times. Brandy is a talented architect who just wants to design and be taken seriously. These two together was pretty explosive. All in all for me a nice light read. Look forward to more from the author.
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Join my book group on Facebook (Romance Novel Junkies) as well as LIKE us on our fan page (Romance Novel Junkies Book Reviews). We have over 500 members, which includes well known and indie authors and avid readers as members, who are apart of this group. We would love to hear about new books and thoughts. Also check out our kindle and ebook lending library. Twitter @romanceJUNKIES.
January 10, 2011
Griffen St Claire overheard a conversation between Brandy (BJ Abbott) and her boss and jumped to the wrong conclusions. He met her again when she was dressed to impress while doing her brother a favour and acting as hostess in his restaurant and he let her know what he thought of her. Brandy was so angry that she played along with him and even acted the part as he expected her to.
In the meantime she has been speaking with him on the phone about working for him as an interior decorator and architect – he has heard of her work and sees her portfolio without a face to face meeting. Imagine the surprise on both faces, when they eventually meet each other – sparks continue to fly.
Griffen wonders who is the true Brandy – the seductress or the business woman; she is beginning to wonder too. This was a fun, quick read.
In the meantime she has been speaking with him on the phone about working for him as an interior decorator and architect – he has heard of her work and sees her portfolio without a face to face meeting. Imagine the surprise on both faces, when they eventually meet each other – sparks continue to fly.
Griffen wonders who is the true Brandy – the seductress or the business woman; she is beginning to wonder too. This was a fun, quick read.
October 20, 2012
From the first time Griffen sees Brandy and overhears her conversation with her boss, he gets the wrong impression about her. This colors the way he thinks about her and he continues to misinterpret what he sees and hears. Instead of setting him straight, Brandy decides to play along. Things get awkward when she ends up working for him. Funny, with plenty of tension and lots of steam.
I was provided an audio copy for review and I enjoyed it. The narrator, Sheila Book, did a nice job. The story was easy to listen to and she differentiated between the characters nicely. She did muddle through the brief conversation that called for a British accent. Overall it was a steamy, enjoyable listen.
I was provided an audio copy for review and I enjoyed it. The narrator, Sheila Book, did a nice job. The story was easy to listen to and she differentiated between the characters nicely. She did muddle through the brief conversation that called for a British accent. Overall it was a steamy, enjoyable listen.
April 21, 2013
So witty and playful!, March 10, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: DESIGNING WOMAN (Kindle Edition)
Accidentally overhearing a conversation between Brandy and her current boss, Griffen made a gross assumption that Brandy is of loosely low moral kind of a girl who preys and hooks up with any man she thinks she reaps benefits from. Instead of correcting Griffen of his far from the truth assumption, Brandy decided to let him think its true and started to tease and seduce him and played a role of a vixen. What ensued was a game of cat and mouse that was full of heat and laughs at the same. I enjoyed this thoroughly I wish it was much longer.
July 25, 2013
This was another fantastic read by Elaine Raco Chase... the story started with a conversation Griffen overheard with Brandy and her boss... After this everything was a series of big misunderstandings between Brandy and Griffen... He did judge Brandy a lot that's why when you assume.. things can be seen wrongly... and boy oh boy his assumptions lead him to be very harsh at times... Brandy is a talented architect who just wants to design and be taken seriously..A woman in a mans world..this makes for explosive situations and a funny.. love filled ride!!
May 3, 2011
Elaine Raco Chase is one of the best when it comes to great dialogue. She can create a scene subtly layered with subtext between a bickering man and woman that's an absolute hoot and will make you laugh out loud! I know she loves Florida, and it clearly shows in Designing Woman in the same way Miami is a great backdrop for one of my fave TV shows Burn Notice.
Brandy is the kind of take-no-male-crap heroine we all want to be, and The Saint is testosterone at its best.
Brandy is the kind of take-no-male-crap heroine we all want to be, and The Saint is testosterone at its best.
October 19, 2012
This book caught my attention in so many ways. The first way being a single, independent woman working in a "mans" job. This description fits so many women these days and it is nice to see a woman portrayed in that view point. I loved how the main male figure in the book was brought in and it was never expected to be him. The games that were played in this book were hilarious and amazing, and so much like a stunt that I would play. I love how everything came together in the end! Great read!
January 12, 2013
This is one my favorite of Elaine's books. I think the plot is funny and the setting interesting. I enjoy the way the main characters try to outwit each other while trying to ignore that romance is in the air, and the humorous writing in general. Great beach read or with the winter cup of hot chocolate!
February 5, 2013
I just finished listening to the audio version of this book. I found the story to be a quick, fun read. The writing was good and the characters interesting. The story was a bit predictable at times, but I enjoyed the break from what I normally read.
March 22, 2020
My review
Hilariously entertaining and sensuously tempting! Beautifully written characters and devilishly witty dialogue makes this story totally worth the time! Definitely getting more from this author!
Hilariously entertaining and sensuously tempting! Beautifully written characters and devilishly witty dialogue makes this story totally worth the time! Definitely getting more from this author!
April 11, 2015
Designing Woman by Elaine Raco Chase Brandy (B. J.) Abbott is an architect. Well, she was until she quit, being unable to take her boss’s schemes and chauvinism any longer. She helps her older half-brother out for a bit at his fancy restaurant (one she designed) while hunting around for a new job. She still has to complete her internship in order to get her architect license. Her brother gives her a lead: Mr. Griffen St. Clair is looking for an architect to design the condos he plans to put in on Daytona Beach. There will be fireworks between Brandy and St. Clair.
It was a quick read and it was cute. While I read a wide range of genres, I have to admit I have yet to fall in love with the contemporary romance genre. With that said, this book held my interest long enough to finish it mostly because of the humor. It’s a sweet romance full of misunderstandings and two people toying with fantasies.
From various things speckled throughout the story, I think this novel is set in the 1980s or so. Smoking is prevalent, including in restaurants. Brandy goes on and on about the male dominated architect world. There’s no cell phones.
For the first half of the book, the reader doesn’t have confirmation that Griffen, a random guy who overheard Brandy arguing with her boss, is the same Mr. St. Clair who praises her (B. J. Abbott) over the phone on her portfolio. But since it is in the book’s blurb, and it is also pretty obvious in the plot, I feel OK mentioning it here.
Now Mr. St. Clair has a really low voice over the phone that B. J. Abbott (the only name St. Clair knows her by) finds very sexy. But when they bump into each other in a restaurant (Brandy is playing hostess and Griffen is getting a drink), they don’t recognize each other at all. Now since their professional relationship has been solely by phone at this point, I was OK with it. But as they keep interacting in person and they don’t put it together, I found that a little bit of a stretch. Since it lead to comedic relief later, I can live with it.
The book has a lot of teasing and flirting. Eventually we get to some steamier scenes, which I liked. The characters eventually have sex at the end of the book, which is a rather brief scene and not particularly descriptive. So if you are looking for a sweet pretty clean romance featuring a career-oriented woman and a man bent on reforming her wanton ways, this is a pretty good read. My personal tastes are for spicy rather than sweet, but don’t let that deter you if this book sounds like fun. It was well written, the pacing was good, with a nice mix of reality, flirtation, comedy, and (eventually) steam.
The Narration: Sheila Book was a good pick for Brandy’s voice. She had a lovely sultry voice for the character, that could also be crisp and professional as the story demanded. Girffen St. Clair is suppose to have a deep, masculine voice and I felt that was a stretch for the narrator.
It was a quick read and it was cute. While I read a wide range of genres, I have to admit I have yet to fall in love with the contemporary romance genre. With that said, this book held my interest long enough to finish it mostly because of the humor. It’s a sweet romance full of misunderstandings and two people toying with fantasies.
From various things speckled throughout the story, I think this novel is set in the 1980s or so. Smoking is prevalent, including in restaurants. Brandy goes on and on about the male dominated architect world. There’s no cell phones.
For the first half of the book, the reader doesn’t have confirmation that Griffen, a random guy who overheard Brandy arguing with her boss, is the same Mr. St. Clair who praises her (B. J. Abbott) over the phone on her portfolio. But since it is in the book’s blurb, and it is also pretty obvious in the plot, I feel OK mentioning it here.
Now Mr. St. Clair has a really low voice over the phone that B. J. Abbott (the only name St. Clair knows her by) finds very sexy. But when they bump into each other in a restaurant (Brandy is playing hostess and Griffen is getting a drink), they don’t recognize each other at all. Now since their professional relationship has been solely by phone at this point, I was OK with it. But as they keep interacting in person and they don’t put it together, I found that a little bit of a stretch. Since it lead to comedic relief later, I can live with it.
The book has a lot of teasing and flirting. Eventually we get to some steamier scenes, which I liked. The characters eventually have sex at the end of the book, which is a rather brief scene and not particularly descriptive. So if you are looking for a sweet pretty clean romance featuring a career-oriented woman and a man bent on reforming her wanton ways, this is a pretty good read. My personal tastes are for spicy rather than sweet, but don’t let that deter you if this book sounds like fun. It was well written, the pacing was good, with a nice mix of reality, flirtation, comedy, and (eventually) steam.
The Narration: Sheila Book was a good pick for Brandy’s voice. She had a lovely sultry voice for the character, that could also be crisp and professional as the story demanded. Girffen St. Clair is suppose to have a deep, masculine voice and I felt that was a stretch for the narrator.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews