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Best Laid Plans: Finding Mr. Right
Best Laid Plans was my first woman's fiction novel! I was so excited when I was able to get my rights back and claim it as my own!
Take a trip back to 1983. There was no TSA and people smoked on airplanes. (The airplane scene actually happened to me and the nun!)
This was New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina – a place I fell in love with and visited a half-dozen times. Alas, some of the restaurants I knew are no longer in business and menu prices certainly have changed.
Fashion – is still fashion! The styles come and go, but somehow are reborn again and again.
While it was a sensuous romance when it was first published, it was fun to amp things up!
Meet Amanda Wyatt – she had an eight year plan and accomplished so much more. Attractive, talented, she was a success whether she was designing high fashion or running her own elegant shop in New Orleans. And she had a friend with benefits relationship with –
Lucas Crosse, her lawyer and the brother she never had for twelve years. He knew her intimately - well almost. Now, he's decided he wants that, too. And he's ready to fight for Amanda with –
Wade Lloyd. He entered Amanda's life by accident. Now he wants to be a permanent fixture. But can he handle her success? Can he handle Amanda? Can he handle her friendship with Lucas Crosse?
As for Amanda – she has choices to make. A new, exciting love? Or a best friend whose benefits she's begun to dream about.
Take a trip back to 1983. There was no TSA and people smoked on airplanes. (The airplane scene actually happened to me and the nun!)
This was New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina – a place I fell in love with and visited a half-dozen times. Alas, some of the restaurants I knew are no longer in business and menu prices certainly have changed.
Fashion – is still fashion! The styles come and go, but somehow are reborn again and again.
While it was a sensuous romance when it was first published, it was fun to amp things up!
Meet Amanda Wyatt – she had an eight year plan and accomplished so much more. Attractive, talented, she was a success whether she was designing high fashion or running her own elegant shop in New Orleans. And she had a friend with benefits relationship with –
Lucas Crosse, her lawyer and the brother she never had for twelve years. He knew her intimately - well almost. Now, he's decided he wants that, too. And he's ready to fight for Amanda with –
Wade Lloyd. He entered Amanda's life by accident. Now he wants to be a permanent fixture. But can he handle her success? Can he handle Amanda? Can he handle her friendship with Lucas Crosse?
As for Amanda – she has choices to make. A new, exciting love? Or a best friend whose benefits she's begun to dream about.
184 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1983
20 people are currently reading
325 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 17, 2013
This book had me hooked from the very first page, but then i wasn't surprised by that as i have found that with all the books i have read by Elaine Raco Chase so far.
This book is about Amanda and Lucas and how their friendship has gone from strength to strenght over 12 years from their first meeting at collage though to moveing in different careers, and hundreds of miles apart, then Kitty and Wade come on to the scene and Amanda and Lucas find their feelings have growen from brother and sister love to another level but what will come of any of these relationships.
i would highly recommend this Hot spicy book
This book is about Amanda and Lucas and how their friendship has gone from strength to strenght over 12 years from their first meeting at collage though to moveing in different careers, and hundreds of miles apart, then Kitty and Wade come on to the scene and Amanda and Lucas find their feelings have growen from brother and sister love to another level but what will come of any of these relationships.
i would highly recommend this Hot spicy book
April 25, 2013
A twinge of bronchitis is trying to grip me, thus it is time to cancelled plans, get cozy under the covers and drink honey tea and rest. The restless spirit cannot sleep, pulled out the kindle and with the finger flick through tbr file.
Stop at an attractive cover of a romantic lure; Best Laid Plans. By Elaine Raco Chase, open to the first page and found my soothing distraction.
It starts with an ambitious young woman orchestrating a cancer fundraiser as a fashion designer of the setting of New Orleans. She flashes back in time and had plans to be the best fashion designer of NY and Paris and planned to owed her own boutique in eight years, and now her dreams were achieved.
He, her best friend come to visits her to offer her attractive proposition. They thought back of the memories when they attended NYU and when she was she is team up with her orientation buddy and he is a hard headed Texan who was studying to be a lawyer. Through the tumult bonding of college, they discover a safe harbour in each other company through the college and lives woes.
They lost touch with each other as their lives become busy and yet know with insight when they need each other, and come back together. This time the friend is be her lifeline. The plot is set in elegant scenery of NY, Paris, New Orleans and Texas.
The author has the touch of written details, to be attractive and descriptive of the surrounding, and culture and traditions of each location, it is like you are sitting in a cafe in Paris or New Orleans, and enjoying that latte and watching the artists and others enjoying life. Witness their interactions as they are discussing personal issues among old friends. The reader becomes caught in their memories, of the talented fashion designer and the lawyer and their life experiences and their possible destiny or not.
She is at a crossroad and in a rut; he, her best friend comes to her rescue and offers to swift her away to his ranch for a month.
Yet there are twists, as he realizes she is no longer his adopted sister, she has mature in more ways than he thought, he discover a mystery woman on this visit, and with insight, thought this may be the woman of his dreams. He is in a query, as how to change his bond with her, at the same time, the author is hinting they will be competition, of another suitor and he as a best friend or possibly more will need to express his hidden emotions and make a choice or lose her.
It is sensual, suspenseful and exciting, definitely recommend it.
Stop at an attractive cover of a romantic lure; Best Laid Plans. By Elaine Raco Chase, open to the first page and found my soothing distraction.
It starts with an ambitious young woman orchestrating a cancer fundraiser as a fashion designer of the setting of New Orleans. She flashes back in time and had plans to be the best fashion designer of NY and Paris and planned to owed her own boutique in eight years, and now her dreams were achieved.
He, her best friend come to visits her to offer her attractive proposition. They thought back of the memories when they attended NYU and when she was she is team up with her orientation buddy and he is a hard headed Texan who was studying to be a lawyer. Through the tumult bonding of college, they discover a safe harbour in each other company through the college and lives woes.
They lost touch with each other as their lives become busy and yet know with insight when they need each other, and come back together. This time the friend is be her lifeline. The plot is set in elegant scenery of NY, Paris, New Orleans and Texas.
The author has the touch of written details, to be attractive and descriptive of the surrounding, and culture and traditions of each location, it is like you are sitting in a cafe in Paris or New Orleans, and enjoying that latte and watching the artists and others enjoying life. Witness their interactions as they are discussing personal issues among old friends. The reader becomes caught in their memories, of the talented fashion designer and the lawyer and their life experiences and their possible destiny or not.
She is at a crossroad and in a rut; he, her best friend comes to her rescue and offers to swift her away to his ranch for a month.
Yet there are twists, as he realizes she is no longer his adopted sister, she has mature in more ways than he thought, he discover a mystery woman on this visit, and with insight, thought this may be the woman of his dreams. He is in a query, as how to change his bond with her, at the same time, the author is hinting they will be competition, of another suitor and he as a best friend or possibly more will need to express his hidden emotions and make a choice or lose her.
It is sensual, suspenseful and exciting, definitely recommend it.
May 4, 2013
Audio Book Review
Time travel back to the 1980’s and let Elaine Raco Chase be your guide. Meet Amanda, driven and accomplished businesswoman, with a flair for all things fashion. Her long-term friend Lucas, now a lawyer and her ‘go to’ for all questions of business has invited her down to his Texas home, under the auspices of a vacation / decorating trip.
While their relationship dances between ‘just friends’ and perhaps more, other entrants to the game of romance dance about the edges, creating conflict and choices until ultimate decisions must be made.
Again, Elaine has created a winner: from the overt feel of the 80’s in reference and innocence, to the beautiful use of alliteration and description that enforce the visual imagery created, this story has so many elements to enjoy that choosing just one is near impossible. As always, her dialogue is spot-on, banter is quick, sharp and realistic, with plenty of humor derived from words and situations . The narration by Jill Arehart is pleasant and smooth, without creating distraction from the story, and enhancing the emotion through small timbre and pitch changes. Her voice seems to delight in the luxe and verdant descriptions of fashion greats, and provides the simple note of tentative hesitation through the spotlighted descriptions that fit so well with the questioning nature of bot h Lucas and Amanda’s reactions to one another as the romantic ante is increased.
This is a description rich story, that allows the reader or listener to visualize each element, setting a scene beautifully, and again, presenting the hesitation as they slowly test the waters with one another’s reactions. Phrases like “the hand moved left” and “the eyes roamed” all reinforced their internal questions about moving the relationship onto another plane, and were particularly effective for Amanda in all of her encounters, as she is reticent and reserved, not willing to share herself or her heart with men.
Secondary characters are a mixed bag: while I did not like Wade, and found him overbearing and arrogant, Kitty was truly a non-entity both to the story and in Lucas’ estimation of her. As a spotlight to the question of platonic or romantic, this story worked on all fronts, and was a wonderful listen for an afternoon, especially for those of us who remember the 80’s.
I received an audiobook copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Time travel back to the 1980’s and let Elaine Raco Chase be your guide. Meet Amanda, driven and accomplished businesswoman, with a flair for all things fashion. Her long-term friend Lucas, now a lawyer and her ‘go to’ for all questions of business has invited her down to his Texas home, under the auspices of a vacation / decorating trip.
While their relationship dances between ‘just friends’ and perhaps more, other entrants to the game of romance dance about the edges, creating conflict and choices until ultimate decisions must be made.
Again, Elaine has created a winner: from the overt feel of the 80’s in reference and innocence, to the beautiful use of alliteration and description that enforce the visual imagery created, this story has so many elements to enjoy that choosing just one is near impossible. As always, her dialogue is spot-on, banter is quick, sharp and realistic, with plenty of humor derived from words and situations . The narration by Jill Arehart is pleasant and smooth, without creating distraction from the story, and enhancing the emotion through small timbre and pitch changes. Her voice seems to delight in the luxe and verdant descriptions of fashion greats, and provides the simple note of tentative hesitation through the spotlighted descriptions that fit so well with the questioning nature of bot h Lucas and Amanda’s reactions to one another as the romantic ante is increased.
This is a description rich story, that allows the reader or listener to visualize each element, setting a scene beautifully, and again, presenting the hesitation as they slowly test the waters with one another’s reactions. Phrases like “the hand moved left” and “the eyes roamed” all reinforced their internal questions about moving the relationship onto another plane, and were particularly effective for Amanda in all of her encounters, as she is reticent and reserved, not willing to share herself or her heart with men.
Secondary characters are a mixed bag: while I did not like Wade, and found him overbearing and arrogant, Kitty was truly a non-entity both to the story and in Lucas’ estimation of her. As a spotlight to the question of platonic or romantic, this story worked on all fronts, and was a wonderful listen for an afternoon, especially for those of us who remember the 80’s.
I received an audiobook copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
November 29, 2012
Nostalgia is what led me to this 80's romance. I miss the era of curvy figures and hair out to here. This is a simple, innocent, push-and-pull love story between friends that occasionally shines due to flirty interactions and characterizations provided through flashbacks. As a rule, I loathe flashbacks, but these were brief, and without them the story wouldn't have had much character context. This book is the perfect constitution of detail for fashion designers or interior decorators, regardless of the era. There are pages and pages dedicated to the description of clothing and furniture. But for the general romance reader, I don't think it meets modern expectations. Ms Chase devoted more words to inanimate objects than character attributes. The writing overall was skillful, however, I was put off by the disembodied appendages. The hand did this. The eye rolled this way. The lips tilted. Phrasing the action beats this way, losing the pronouns, just made me feel more disjointed from the characters. The result: a story that could have been better laid, wound up only kind of.
April 21, 2013
Opulent...first word that came to mind to describe this!, March 10, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: BEST LAID PLANS (Kindle Edition)
This is my first book from Ms. Elaine Raco Chase I'm mad at myself for not discovering her sooner, but also glad I now have a lot of books to read from this writer and I simply can't wait to devour them all.
The first few pages treats you to glimpse the world of fashion shows and designers...words used to describe the decadence of each of the renowned designer's creation during a fashion show makes you envision the glamorous scene, feel and hear every beat of the music used on the ramp, oh wow!
I'm lost for words to describe the effect this book left on me...can't get it out of my mind. Every scene between Amanda and Lucas...between Amanda and Wade ...the heat of passion are just scintillating you wouldn't know who to choose and who's best for Amanda...Oh my gosh! read this, you'll be treated to a most sumptuous book ever! You will love it and wish it never ends.
May 17, 2013
Amanda and Lucas have been best friends for twelve years. When Lucas comes to visit after not seeing one another for two years, they start to discover feelings they never noticed before. But will getting together ruin their friendship? Then a new guy steps into the picture and Amanda has some decisions to make. This was a lot of fun, with 80's fashions and decorating, bantering between comfortable friends, and plenty of steam. They were both great characters and I was rooting for them to get together, waiting for them to get their act together already. But they had to adjust to seeing one another in a new way.
July 19, 2013
This is an awesome beautifully written book BY Elaine Raco Chase...The story starts with two long time best friends of 12 years Amanda and Lucas...
After Lucas persuades Amanda to design and decorate his house...She agrees and moves into his house In Texas.. they both feel this chemistry that has never before shown itself.. they both start thinking of sex scenes between themselves.. Cold showers for both!!! and they start to Question could their be more to their friendship..Thrown into the melting Pot is a new girlfriend.. and her boss who stakes his claim on Amanda.. This book is a fun.. sweet and sexy romance Once started I had to finish.. I LOVED IT !!!
After Lucas persuades Amanda to design and decorate his house...She agrees and moves into his house In Texas.. they both feel this chemistry that has never before shown itself.. they both start thinking of sex scenes between themselves.. Cold showers for both!!! and they start to Question could their be more to their friendship..Thrown into the melting Pot is a new girlfriend.. and her boss who stakes his claim on Amanda.. This book is a fun.. sweet and sexy romance Once started I had to finish.. I LOVED IT !!!
October 18, 2012
Every person wants a friendship the way that Lucas and Amanda have theirs. Having a friendship that is 12 years long, things really do change. I love how Elaine took the time to capture how each main character has saved eachother over and over again through out the years. I love how the book takes place in the 80's. I love the way that Wade tries to get under Lucas' skin. I absoultely in-love Lucas is with Amanda and how she never fully understood until the end.
Lucas is now my new book boyfriend.
Lucas is now my new book boyfriend.
January 25, 2013
I have read many Of Elaine Raco Chase's books and have never been disappointed this book was fabulous. I absolutely 100% loved it and highly recommend it as a must read! The friendship that was built between Amanda and Lucas was beautiful and something that not all people are lucky enough to find. Crossing the line between platonic to intimacy is hard to do because there is always that fear of losing what you once had. Great story. Great characters. Spicy romance. What more can you ask for?
February 3, 2013
A beautifully written, steamy, romantic read. Interesting because of the era and the fashion angle, it also pulls you along into the lovely, fun relationships between the characters. I enjoyed the descriptions of both the fashion and the feel of New Orleans in this story. There’s everything you might want in a romantic comedy, including the love triangle. Original, and with threads of fate taking over lives this book is very entertaining and I enjoyed it immensely. Highly recommend.
November 26, 2012
I could not put this book down. Every detail from beginning to end was an amazing and unforgettable journey. The way Ms. Chase develops this 12 year relationship from fast friends to something more was absolutely delightful. In the end I wanted more. I'd love to know where Amanda and Lucas are today.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
April 9, 2014
This book has a fantastic storyline about a strong business woman who is feeling unchallenged in her life chose. Her best friend wants to help in more ways then one! The author has an exceptional way with the written word and the characters are well described and very interesting. I enjoyed this book immensely and will read more by this author in the future.
Was gifted a copy of this book.
Was gifted a copy of this book.
January 5, 2013
Oh I loved this book!!!!! To have such a wonderful friendship and the fun flirty way Amanda and Lucas carried on with each other :) I am very happy it ended the way it did <3 Another AWESOME book Elaine...I so recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a GREAT LOVE STORY!
February 7, 2013
It took me a while to get into this book. All and all it was pretty good, at times though, the descriptions of things going on (like the fashion show at the beginning) were a little too much. I did love storyline and the characters. Good love story.
April 20, 2013
Loved the pacing of this story! Amanda and Lucas have known each other a long time. Loved the portrayal of how best friends discover they feel something more for each other and their path to exploring these feelings. Wonderful read!
March 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this.
December 31, 2012
This was a lot of fun. The friendship between Amanda and Lucas is so rare and necessary in life. Elaine Raco Chase is a great writer and I will definitely be reading more of her in the future.
March 25, 2013
While I am much more into Sci/Fy, this was a nice detour into a romance novel. If you love fashion and a light read with some memorable characters, this book can fill the bill.
February 24, 2013
I had a difficult time with the slow moving fashion focus of this piece. The love triangle was smoldering, but it just doesn't take off quickly.
February 6, 2013
I really enjoyed the story, but felt like it dragged on.
February 14, 2013
Very flirty and fun romance, with a dash of fashion flair. An interesting window into a particular world and nostalgic in a way. Very enjoyable and sexy.
March 10, 2013
it was a good book once it got into the story...but then all of sudden when it was getting great it ended........
April 4, 2013
A fun, light contemporary. Great for a an afternoon read, and will definitely have you smiling in the end.
May 12, 2013
Loved this book from the first page - the characters are fantastic and sucked me into the story. Bravo!
February 7, 2017
Awesome read!!!!
Wonderful story!!! Great read!!
Loved it!!!
A great story of friendship and love.!!!
And HEA...at the end!!!
Awesome read!!!! Love love loved it!!!buy it
And enjoy!!!
Wonderful story!!! Great read!!
Loved it!!!
A great story of friendship and love.!!!
And HEA...at the end!!!
Awesome read!!!! Love love loved it!!!buy it
And enjoy!!!
March 22, 2015
From the double entendre of the title all the way to the end, Elaine Raco Chase delivers a story that will keep readers hooked. She pulls you in with her description of fashion designer Amanda and her longtime pal Lucas as they confront an age old question: Can friendship ever truly be just platonic between a man and a woman?
February 9, 2013
Typical romance. Had a lot of potential, good character development and a solid plot with a great conflict of a love triangle or two. However, the ending was just too rushed. I want to know what happened with the other guy and whatever happened to the other girl? Disappointed.
kindle-i-own-to-read
November 26, 2012Amazon Freebie 11/25/2012
November 26, 2014
I tried desperately to enjoy this book but just couldn't. It isn't written poorly or anything like that either, just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews