Tongue-Tied (Harlequin Temptation, No. 899)

Rating:
Summary: enchanting heated tale
Review: A sever speech impediment makes it difficult at best for twenty-six year old Robin Lee to communicate with anyone one on one. Having to stand in front of a classroom as demanded by the University of Denver in several of her classes is impossible for her stuttering has left her extremely shy thus her fantasy of a college degree in literature seems impractical. Even working at the Davey's Diner as a temporary fill-in waitress proves demanding on the TONGUE-TIED woman.

When the other students whisper loud enough for her to hear their pity, Robin turns bold and kisses a customer. Johnny Dayton is stunned that this lovely vision is kissing him even as he reviews legal papers for a contentious board meeting the next day. Soon Johnny recognizes that the lips belong to his best friend's kid sister, Robin and that he wants more from her, but her timidity may prove stronger than their growing love.

Readers will delight with the way Colleen Collin cleverly blended a verbal communication challenged female within a strong erotic tale of love. Though in this age of the Disabilities Act, readers will question the professor's humiliation of Robin, the story line shows her as a capable person able to communicate in other ways other than verbal. She makes the tale and Johnny is a likable hero struggling between meeting the corporate image and his audacious concepts to improve business. The audience will realize that TONGUE-TIED is a triumph for fans as Ms. Collins pens an enchanting heated tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: Extreme stuttering makes ordinary conversation virtually impossible for twenty-six year old Robin Lee. Her dreams of graduating from college reach a sudden halt when a professor humiliates her in front of the entire class, leading to her withdrawal from the university. Even her job at the local diner becomes a tremendous challenge when she must fill in for a waitress who storms off the job. Then in a stunning moment of bold attitude, Robin overcomes her inability to speak by allowing her body to speak for her.

Johnny Dayton does not know the horrible day Robin has endured. Nor does he hear the whispered gossip from the students at another table. He only focuses on the legal papers in front of him as he prepares for a board meeting the next day. Then suddenly the most beautiful woman he has ever met stuns him with a lip lock from heaven. When he comes up for air, Johnny recognizes his best friend's kid sister, and suddenly Robin becomes the bridge to a time when life was less complicated and more understandable. And he wants more; a lot more.

Colleen Collin's unique approach to communication lends TONGUE-TIED a dynamically erotic twist. On one hand, Robin may not be able to speak her mind, but her body expresses her needs and desires quite clearly. She also has a gift with her pen that allows intense self-expression. On the other hand, Johnny dislikes himself for the corporate man he has become, but Robin allows him to become the bold thinker had been before pr campaigns determined company lines.

Author Collin's meets the unique challenge of a mostly silent heroine with pizzazz, keeping the narrative lively even as she exploits the challenges of silence with grace. She carefully balances the mundane world with a sizzling world where words are unnecessary. Further, she gives her heroine a unique, powerful voice that combines sweetness and heat in a vibrant mix. Add TONGUE-TIED to your keep shelf! Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.