Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780007739721
ISBN number: 0007739729
Label: Avon Books
Manufacturer: Avon Books
Printing Date: 2005
Publishing house: Avon Books
Sale Popularity Level: 1441852
Studio: Avon Books
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Rated by buyers 
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Betsy Tremaine hates J Soldier McKennitt's books. He hates her reviews of his books. In a normal universe, these two would loathe each other on sight, but in the world of fiction it's love - or at least blazing attraction - at very first sight when they meet in person at a crime writers' conference, neither knowing the other's identity. Once they do find out, it's destined to be avoidance for the rest of the conference - except that Betsy's being stalked and Soldier, who is actually a police detective, assigns himself her protector. From there, it's a fairly predictable romance, with roadblocks on either side - Betsy's belief that she's unattractive and unlovable, Soldier's conviction that his job makes it a bad idea for him to marry - but in addition we have the mystery of Betsy's stalker, who is also not afraid to stop at murder.
I bought this book a couple of years ago on a recommendation, but only just got around to reading it. My very first impression, from the back cover, was an 'oh, no, this is going to be a "throw it across the room" book', due to the over-the-top summary and, I have to say, the hero's name. I so wish authors wouldn't give their characters unlikely names! The cartoony cover picture also set the book up as a screwball comedy, which I'm delighted to say it wasn't; in fact, though there are moments meant to be amusing (the dog ridiculously named Piddle - please!), it's for the most part a serious mystery-romance.
Like another reader, I felt that the stalker mystery was badly handled. We didn't meet the stalker until more than halfway through the book, and then only briefly, and the motivation seemed inadequately established. Soldier and Betsy seemed convinced of it, but for me as a reader the reasoning was poor and it seemed to be a jump to conclusions without evidence. Also, if I recall correctly, the gender of the stalker changed from one of the early sections from the as-yet-unidentified stalker's POV to the later reveal.
A reasonably enjoyable read, but not a book I'll want to read again and, though I quite liked the two characters who feature in the sequel, the plot description sounds similar enough to this book to make me give it a miss. Oh, and we never did find out just why Betsy didn't like Soldier's books!
Rated by buyers 
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Not to judge a book by its cover, but I picked this book up at Borders simply because I thought the cover art was cute. After reading this debut book, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Well written story line and plot, Stillings has created characters that I actually care about. Kudos! I look forward to reading more of her work.
Rated by buyers -
The Damsel in This Dress is a great PG-13 novel about a detective / author J. Solider McKennitt and Betsy an newspaper writer and critic who hates everything Solider writes. The characters have chemistry and murder-mystery throws them together. I plan to read the whole series - Enjoy!
THE PORT HENRY TRILOGY; The Damsel in This Dress (1), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie (2) and Sighs Matter (3).
Rated by buyers 
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Let me begin by saying this book is awesome. It is fast paced, well-written, and the mystery part of the story is quite gripping. Stillings did a great job of building the characters and suspense in just the right amounts.
I liked both the hero, Soldier McKennit, and heroine, Betsy Tremaine. I also enjoyed the secondary characters of Piddle (the ancient chihuahua of Betsy's mother), Taylour McKennit (Soldier's younger brother) and Betsy's father. I thought Loretta, Betsy's mother, was OK though I found her to be a little too over the top, and Claire just seemed thrown in to give Taylour the eventual love interest. We knew nothing about Claire save for the fact that she was Betsy's best friend and a hard working Dr.
Overall, I recommend this book.
Rated by buyers -
When police detective turned bestselling author J. Soldier McKennitt receives yet another bad review of his latest novel by Port Henry Ledger critic Betsy Tremaine, he is convinced she is a bitter old spinster, especially after receiving an odd email from her in response to his request for more insight to her opinion. His brother jokes that when he goes to the upcoming writing conference, he'll find she is gorgeous and fall for her. Taylour couldn't have called it better, as Betsy is the embodiment of sex in Soldier's eyes. The two are immediately attracted until the realize who the other is. But it appears that Betsy is the target of a killer who wants to silence her. Can she trust Soldier to help her find the culprit?
Stillings has a refreshingly witty and funny writing style that is sure to entertain. Soldier and Betsy make a dynamic couple and are at their best when they are arguing. My favorite scene is the short story they compose in a writing workshop - that alone is worth the price of the book. She also makes secondary characters like Taylour and Betsy's best friend Claire stand out. Though bogged down with a pretty predictable villain and Betsy's ever present insecurities, the story is very entertaining. Taylour and Claire get their own story in "Sighs Matter."
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