Fiction Short Story Collection Review

American Cool
by Susan DiPlacido
ISBN-10: 0595448771
Review by Heather Froeschl

Life is about taking risks…if you don’t take risks you end up lonely and afraid of change, and what fun is that? Well, it is safe. In Susan DiPlacido’s latest book, “American Cool,” her characters are risk takers and they’re making life changes all over the place. This book is hot!

A collection of short stories, “American Cool” is not for the faint of heart who cringe at steamy love scenes or shudder at the prospect of taking a step over the line. This is a hot summer read that you will return to in the cold winter months to warm up with. More than a good read, the tales offer a good bit of edge. Take Marie, the main character in the story I, Candy. She’s a guy’s best friend, a hard worker, and she’s seemingly pretty plain looking. Then she makes some changes…gets her nose done, some inches added up top, and all of a sudden she’s getting free drinks at the bar. Is this what she wanted? Not exactly. But what she gets in the end is something she could have had all along. She made some changes, and made some realizations at the same time. In Bloodlines, young Paula becomes involved with some very iffy business. She’s always admired her Uncle Dean, right from the first time he laughed at her blatantly disobeying her parents by climbing up a tree. As the years go on, she ends up helping him keep track of his “sports records” and making collections in the middle of the night. She gives him an alibi when the cops show up one evening. She gives up her chance to get out of the life in order to stick around for the family. In the end, she takes family commitment to a place it shouldn’t go. She warns her father not to ask questions he doesn’t want the answers to. Coyote Blues has Rita all hot and bothered. She can’t make up her mind about what she wants in her life. She’s torn between the allure and gamble of Vegas and the tortuous affections of her man. She can’t exactly have both, and she can’t live without either of them. Witnessing her come to terms with her needs is a steamy read!

Combining tales of minor league baseball, mob family traditions, taking poker to a new level, Las Vegas, and a girls’ first time with a very uncool guy named Miguel, “American Cool” is a fine example of a short story collection. The writing is tight and fresh; the tales hot, raunchy, and entertaining, if not disturbing. It’s over the top and just the way I like a fast read. I always look forward to more of Susan DiPlacido’s work, so as always, I am anxious to read more. This book is for adults, and while I hate to claim being one, I highly recommend it!

Fiction Review

24/7
by Susan DiPlacido
ISBN-10: 1554102170
Review by Heather Froeschl

While New York is the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas is the city that rocks on 24/7. In Susan DiPlacido's novel, "24/7," nothing could be more abundantly clear. Marina Martino is a card counter who just can't stay away from the strip. Living on the east coast, this is a habit that can be very costly, in more ways than one. Miguel Rodriguez is a hot blackjack dealer who is enticed by Marina and odds are that he will come away with more than he gambles for.

Bets are placed and the cards fall as Marina and Miguel heat up the night. Night after night, the first week flies by through elevator rides that we all fantasize about and nearly out of control drives in Miguel's Caddy that leave him breathless. This is one hot affair. But when Marina can't stay away they both realize that this is not just a casual but wild ride. Miguel does things to her that she has never experienced and she inspires him to open up in ways that he has never before been able to. But there is a darker side to both of them and when that all comes spilling out it truly tests who they want to be and what they are together. Deep debt, obligations to dark powers, fear of trust and love, and insecurities are just a few things the two must overcome.

This novel is sizzling hot. This is no light romance; it is a gritty, exciting work of fiction. It is near perfection with its no holds barred sex scenes, emotional roller coaster plots and action packed Vegas settings. The characters are perfectly flawed and deliciously human while the ever-hopping drama filled moments of Sin City surrounds and almost drowns them. This is certainly an adult novel and will likely be passed from girlfriend to girlfriend if readers are even willing to part with it. Like a trip to Vegas, hot and exciting, you will want to return again and again.

For every woman who has even briefly thought of hitting the strip, raking in the bucks and seducing the dealers (and honestly, who hasn't?) this book will take you there through Marina's eyes. There may not be a truly safe bet in the real Vegas but ante up for "24/7" and you won't be sorry.

Fiction Review

Trattoria
by Susan Diplacido
ISBN-10: 1594260818
Review by Heather Froeschl

Wild and crazy things happen in Vegas. Sometimes folks just want to forget they were ever there. And sometimes Vegas won't let them forget, or even let them leave. For Lucy, Val and Cyrus, Vegas means the family restaurant, family squabbles and good old Italian family values. For Alex, Tony, Josie and Danny, Vegas means new beginnings, new friendships and honest to goodness real love. For everyone involved, it's a sure bet and the only way to gamble.

Lucy is the glue for this family and the book centers around her even while it shines the spotlight on her gorgeous sister Val. Even through troubles with a land hungry developer, undercooked chicken and a sleazy bank officer Lucy somehow manages to overcome it all and help everyone else in the process. Will the family lose the dream of doing business in sin city? Will Lucy continue to lose herself in her passion of cooking? Will Cyrus stop searching for happiness in money and focus on real life? And what will happen to Danny - will he be able to get a break and make it as an actor, or will he be stuck waiting tables and flirting with disaster? What's more important though is the question of whether Lucy will allow herself to love, be loved and to overcome the pain of her sister stealing her fiancé.

Trattoria is a hot novel full of fun, fantasy and a fantastic family. The shouting of an Italian family is the sign of abundant love, even when it comes down to the groom getting a punch to the jaw. Susan DiPlacido offers readers a chance to escape to Vegas, have a few rounds and enjoy the ride. This book is just packed with the stories that make for a memorable read, and just the sort of thing you might expect when reading about the strip - save the heavy gambling. Lust, love, giddy happiness and deep depression are just a few of the emotions this book portrays. All things will pass, and eventually can be laughed about - even a three-carat diamond ring. Not everything that happens in Vegas can be spoken of, but you can read about it all right here.