An adult hotline operator meets a man straight out of her private fantasies in this classic, must-read story from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson, first published in 2013 as Smookie and the Bandit in the anthology Love Bites.
Raquel Capers is shocked to discover that her precious pooch, Smookie, is having puppies with the dog next door. She feels it’s only fair that her neighbor, Quest Newman, help with the expenses from this unexpected development. But what’s even more shocking to Raquel is how attractive she finds Quest, and the sparks are definitely mutual. Will these two go from neighbors to something more thanks to a little help from their four-legged friends?
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
Quest and Raquel As Dog GrandParents Plus!! 3.5***** Spoiler Alert!
Quest/Ren, jilted retired former footballer/ sport chain magnate, surprised at Rachel’s accusations about his Bandit, finally accepted ownership of his soon to be ‘grandfather-hood’ and his cousin Tawny’s irresponsibility. But as promised, he assisted Rachel with her Smookie’s vet bills and fell for her ‘phone-sex/ phone actress’ business/ job. Intrigued by her voice and sultry looks, he had his computer whiz twin to investigate and acquire her ‘hot wire’ private number. Together they burned the hot line and rapidly moved from make believe phone sex to reality to HEA and four cute puppies.
Likable characters, with a predictable plot. Quest/Ren underestimated Rachel business savvy and intellect as his deception brought forth memories of “The Spider and the Fly” poem. A Summer beach read, but not gravity defying!
10/07/20- 10/25/20 Covid-19 CAShInPl
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A Walk in the Park... what an innocuous sounding title for a book about a phone sex operator (phone actress as Raquel calls herself). But surprisingly, a wonderfully unashamed one, especially as she was a founding partner in the highly successful business that it became and CHOSE to continue her 'front of house' work as part of her contribution to it's growing success... yet another unique romance MC that I came across. Surprisingly, this one was an HQN publication, but possibly because of how prolific an author Ms. Jackson is within the romance genre. Oh, and it also has cute doggos to boot!
I would have loved to see a full-length book with this couple and much more exploration of Raquel's occupation and the effects on her relationship with Quest, especially from a business perspective. I understand more and more now that these erotic shorties are not for me, I need more going on than the copious amounts of sex talk/action.
Wow, pretty sure Raquel's anger about her precious dog Smookie getting pregnant by the neighbor's dog Bandit wasn't how she would have wanted to meet such a sexy hunk like Quest, but no doubt it was worth it in the end. As a "phone actress" she fulfilled men's fantasies, and after meeting her, Quest couldn't wait to get a chance to phone "Hot-Wire and personally experience Raquel's sexy skills. Once he did call it was on, because she got the surprise of her life when he reversed their roles by giving her the sexual experience of a life time. Amazing, Erotic!!! Never knew a "Walk in the Park" with your dogs could turn into such an erotic, hot, sizzling, and unforgettable night for the adult owners. This was a short story, but no matter, because Mrs Jackson has done it again through her wonderful writing. 🙂
I gave this book a four star rating because there were some editing errors throughout the book that made it kind of hard to understand what the author was trying to say. I really enjoyed this book so much. The chemistry between Racquel and Quest was so Hot I felt the steam coming up from the pages as I was reading it. The fact that it all started with their two dogs, if it wasn't for Smokie and Bandit becoming parents to puppies then Racquel and Quest wouldn't have met each other. I wish that this book could have been longer than it was z I really wanted to see Rachel and Quest's loves as a married couple with their grand-puppy. I will definitely be rereading this book again and again.
A Walk in the Park begins with accusations. Beautiful phone actress Raquel Capers has to confront handsome business owner Quest Newman, the doggy daddy of a Yorkie named Bandit, when she realizes that her toy poodle Smookie is expecting puppies. The chemistry between Quest and Raquel is undeniable, and what began as an agreement to share the cost of doggie delivery fees ends up....well, you'll have to read the book to find out!!
WHEW! LORDT! HAVE! MERCY! Is one thing that I can say about this book. Though this is a novella, it was a page turner from the first page to the last one. Never know what you might find of those spicy chat lines or how a dog might change a person's life. LOL! Brenda Jackson knows how to write a love scene without making it too raunchy. Raquel and Quest were perfect for each other, once they had a conversation and dealt with the issue pertaining to their four-legged-friends.
This is a very good and short story, the h confronted the H about his dog Bandit who had gotten her dog Smookie pregnant. They had immediate chemistry. He discovers she Is a phone actress so he gets her personal number and calls her. Boy, their conversations are steamy and erotic, she discovers his identity and they have fallen in love. Great epilogue.
I liked the fact they were able to communicate in the very beginning about their fur babies. Regardless of situations they had that could hav e made a relationship difficult or not possible, it was great to see mature people thinking of what was best for them. And it's all because of man's and lady's best friend
It was such a pleasure rereading this story. It’s full of humor and the chemistry between Raquel and Quest was on and popping. Kudos to Brenda Jackson for writing an awesome story.
This was an interesting read. I wasn’t sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. Smoothie and Bandit are so like their owners Raquel and Quest. Puppy paternity payments are a riot of a concept.
Another good read by Brenda Jackson. As always, the only thing I hated was that it ended. I wanted an Epilogue where Raquel and Quest got married and Whitney fell for Brett, which set the stage for the next book.
This book was just too short. Imagine developing a love story after a doggie encounter. Quest ex cheated on him, now he has met an exciting lady. This story was well written and developed. Love myself some Brenda Jackson.
Brenda Jackson never seems to leave me unhappy with any of her books. She is one of the best Authors Around. Keep it up Mrs. B. Jackson. I’ll keep reading and collecting your books.
Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Quest and Raquel met as a result of their dogs Smookie and Bandit procreating. Quest and Raquel’s attraction was strong which led to romance and a love match. Cute story.
Short and sweet, this book was a short one but it has all the details as if it was a full length novel. This was a great love story. Keel of the grey work Mrs Jackson.
Another beautiful story by one of my absolute favorite romance writers! I given all the accolades possible so many times over! This is a lovely fast pace novel! Two thumbs up! Make it two high fives! 😊
I enjoyed the main characters ' development and how the story was extremely provocative and enjoyable up until the very end.💜 This book was just what was needed during this unprecedented shelter in place.
Raquel a very successful phone actress with one degree working towards another encounters Quest a billionaire real estate mogul when she discovers her precious pooch is with pups and the culprit is the handsome sexy billionaire's beloved alpha dog. After Quest verified with his cousin whom he had paid to dog sit his beloved canine that his dog was indeed the father of Raquel's dog's pups Mr. Billionaire apologized and agreed to her terms as regarding her dog's vet bills. They have a conversation where he learns what Raquel does for a living then gets the full scope on her and begin several erotic calls with her which continues until her business partner finds out who he is. That's when the real eroticism begins. I enjoyed this novella it was short powerfully erotic with a real story line to boot that readily captures one's attention and holds it to the end. I really liked this story. Good job!!!!
I like how Quest and Raquel first connected over their dogs getting ready to be parents and they were attracted to each other. Quest stepped up to the plate in more ways than one in regards to Raquel that started something that neither one of them had expected but really enjoyed.