I didn't realise until I'd finished this book and added it to my list on Goodreads that it was No. 3 in a trilogy. Proof, perhaps, that it can stand on its own merits.

Warm fluffy chick-lit that rose like a soufflé then sagged at the end. A handsome alpha-male accountant is sent in to try and restrain a pretty but vapid heiress from giving away more money than her inheritance allows.

No action, suspense or mystery, just a series of encounters and dialogues that afford glimpses into the characters of the protagonists and reveal hidden strengths, not to mention a growing attraction.

Something a little more original and upbeat than the cliched love-you-forever ending would have been welcome, but the book still provides a delightful and entertaining read. ( )

Cute contemporary read. Really liked both main characters but felt there were some loose ends left open. ( )

Amazon preorder

When I picked up Trouble in High Heels, I had no idea what I was in for! Luckily, I found it pleasantly charming, though I was a bit surprised (see previous 'disclaimers' about how I do not really like chick lit/contemps) at first. But soon I was chuckling and smirking as I read the witty banter and story between Lori and Jackson.

Much like Jackson soon finds out after meeting Lori, she's not like your stereotypical 'blonde' heiress, spending daddy's money left and right on silly and frivolous things. No, Lori was much different. She had a backbone, she wasn't an airhead like he originally feared, and she hides a secret from her past that she's afraid will make her look weak if it ever came out...

Jackson, on the other hand, was a surprise as well. His past was anything but perfect, and he worked hard to get where he is today. And although being a CPA isn't usually the job I want my dream man to have (I'd much rather have one in some type of secret military service or hunting demons for a living, but hey, that's just me!), if the guy was built like Jackson, along with his personality, I could easily change my mind. (Damn, who would have known that a life of crunching numbers would lead to shoulders like that?! )

And though she played a minor part in this story, appearing only through letters written to Lori, Sunny Collins (Lori's now deceased mother) offers some wicked, humorous, and very true advice, sure to entertain the reader just as much as the rest of the story!

Trouble in High Heels is a quick, fast-paced read, sure to brighten any reader's day. With just the right amount of witty humor, smart comments, romance, and even a few fairly steamy scenes, you'll find it hard to put the book down or get bored!

Here was one of the quotes from the book that I liked:

Dogs are generally more devoted than men are.
~The wicked and wise Sunny Collins

4/5 STARS! Warm, charming, and brisk, Trouble in High Heels is a great weekend read, perfect for the beach or any other place you choose. Sit down, put your feet up, and enjoy this enganging contemporary! ( )

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Mar09

It was a gloomy day outside my window today. Rain, overcast, and cold (well, cold for the South anyway). Since I needed a bit of a pick me up, I picked up Leanne Banks newest contemporary, “Trouble in High Heels”, hoping for a love story with some humor to brighten my day. BINGO! Instant mood changer!

Lori is a young, beautiful, shapely heiress with a heart of gold. She grew up with her father who controlled her through love and guilt. Since his death she’s given away staggering amounts of money. That’s what makes her feel good. She’s always been pretty sure a happy marriage and kids aren’t in the cards for her future, so she does her best to create her own happiness via generosity. Things are going well. Then a new accountant is assigned to her and he’s actually trying to tell her she has to stop giving away money and live on a…budget (gasp). Apparently dear old Dad added a codicil to his will and Lori must either marry or live on a (very generous) budget until she’s 30. That’s the last straw for Lori. No more controlling men…ever!

Jackson comes from a dirt poor background and has struggled hard to finally be a successful CPA. When his boss tells him he’s finally made full partner with a corner office, he’s thrilled. Then the back of his neck begins to tingle. WOW! The partners are giving him one of the biggest accounts the firm has…hey, wait a minute. Something’s just not right with this. If it sounds too good to be true, in Jackson’s experience, that means it’s downright horrible. After quickly looking through the file, he realizes he’s been given a promotion and a raise only because his firm expects him to say no a young, gorgeous, spoiled heiress. No problem.

These two are at loggerheads from day one. An heiress who’s been extremely sheltered and a hard-charging CPA with plans for the future-- they both want their way, and those ways are diametrically opposed! I didn’t like either one of them at first. I mean, hey, a young gorgeous heiress…I hate her already! And she has to live on a ridiculously high budget? Kill me now. But I actually grew to like Lori. She was smart and capable and just needed to do a bit of growing up. And Jackson? Well, he too came off rather gruff at first, but pretty soon I was cheering for both of them. Their gunfire repartee had me giggling and their heated attraction kept me reading. This was no ‘fall into bed’ story. They grew to be friends first and the love came afterward. There’s even a secondary romance that I would have liked to see have a book all its own. And the settings match the story perfectly.

“Trouble in High Heels” won’t have you thinking the philosophy of love. Nor will it tinker with your emotions. What Leanne Banks does well is combine hot romance and humor. So if that’s what you like, you’d do well to pick up a copy when it's released in March 2009. ( )