Pitch Perfect

Praise for the Novels of LuAnn McLane

Playing for Keeps

“A fun tale.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Charming, romantic. . . . This new series should be a real hit!”

—Fresh Fiction

“McLane’s trademark devilish dialogue is in fine form for this series.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“This first of McLane’s new Cricket Creek series is a delightful bouquet of romances set in a small town that needs saving.”

—
Romantic Times

“No one does Southern love like LuAnn McLane!”

—The Romance Dish

He’s No Prince Charming

“This is a laugh-out-loud story and one you won’t want to put down.”

—Fresh Fiction

“Had me smiling like a loon . . . a delightful read.”

—Book Binge

“Sensitive . . . sweet, sinful, and utterly satisfying!”

—Romance Novel TV

Redneck Cinderella

“A pure delight. . . . [McLane is] the queen of Southern romantic comedy.”

—Manic Readers

“As satisfying as a frozen fruit pop on a hot, lazy summer day.”

—
San Francisco Book Review

“A hysterical, sexy, highly entertaining read!”

—Errant Dreams Reviews

A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action

“[McLane] has a knack for rollicking Southern romances and her newest is no exception.”

—
The Cincinnati Enquirer

“[A] fun and flirty contemporary romance about grabbing that second chance.”

—Fresh Fiction

Trick My Truck but Don’t Mess With My Heart

“Sweet . . . a real Southern fried treat.”

—
Booklist

“[A] quick-paced, action-packed romantic romp . . . hilarious.”

—Romance Designs

Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues

“Lighthearted comedy and steamy romance combine to make this a delightful tale of a small town that takes Hollywood by storm.”

—Romance Junkies

“A hoot a minute. . . . LuAnn McLane shows her talent for tongue-in-cheek prose and situations . . . a winning tale not to be missed.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“A fun story filled with plenty of laughter, tears, and all-out reading enjoyment.”

—Fallen Angel Reviews

“A fabulous story. . . . Get ready for a deliriously funny, passion-filled rumba in this book.”

—The Romance Readers Connection

“A fun small-town drama starring a delightful, seemingly opposites lead couple and an eccentric but likable support cast.”—The Best Reviews

Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots

“An endearing, sexy, romantic romp that sparkles with Southern charm!”

—Julia London

“This kudzu-covered love story is as hot as Texas Pete, and more fun than a county fair.”

—Karin Gillespie, author of
Dollar Daze

“A hoot! The pages fly in this sexy, hilarious romp.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“Charmingly entertaining . . . a truly pleasurable read.”

—
Romantic Times

Wild Ride

“Sensual, touching . . . a thrilling, exhilarating sensual ride. I implore you to jump right in and hold on tight!”

—A Romance Review

“Scintillating romance set against the backdrop of a tropical island paradise takes readers to new heights in this captivating collection of erotic novellas. The three tales are steamy and fast-paced, combining descriptive romance with creative love stories.”

—
Romantic Times
(4 stars)

Hot Summer Nights

“Bright, sexy, and very entertaining.”

—New York Times
bestselling author Lori Foster

“Spicy.”

—A Romance Review

“Super-hot summer romance.”

—BellaOnline

“Funny, sexy, steamy . . . will keep you glued to the pages.”

—Fallen Angel Reviews

A
LSO BY
L
U
A
NN
M
C
L
ANE

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES

Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel

Playing for Keeps: A Cricket Creek Novel

He’s No Prince Charming

Redneck Cinderella

A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action

Trick My Truck but Don’t Mess with My Heart

Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues

Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots

EROTIC ROMANCES

“Hot Whisper” in
Wicked Wonderland
anthology

Driven by Desire

Love, Lust, and Pixie Dust

Hot Summer Nights

Wild Ride

Taking Care of Business

Pitch Perfect

A CRICKET CREEK NOVEL

LuAnn McLane

SIGNET ECLIPSE

Published by New American Library, a division of

Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,

New York, New York 10014, USA

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi - 110 017, India

Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices:

80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

First published by Signet Eclipse, an imprint of New American Library,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

First Printing, September 2012

Copyright © Luanne McLane, 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

SIGNET ECLIPSE and logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

This book is dedicated to my son, Ryan, and his lovely wife, Meghan. Through sacrifice and dedication you both exemplify the meaning of unconditional love.

Acknowledgments

I would like to give a shout-out to Guy Fieri of the Food Network. Watching your road show,
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
gave me the inspiration for Wine and Diner. Seeing regular folks who are living life “on point” and “off the hook” is what Cricket Creek is all about. I’d like to think that Wine and Diner would be one of your Triple D Hot Spots!

Thanks again to the amazing editorial staff at New American Library. From the lovely covers to the detailed copyedits and everything in between, I couldn’t ask for a better team. I also want to give a special thanks to my editor, Jesse Feldman. Because of you, I no longer fear revisions (well, not much) but welcome your insight and input. Working with you has been a joy.

As always, thanks to my agent, Jenny Bent. I wouldn’t be able to navigate through the world of publishing without you in my corner!

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to my readers. Your e-mails and support mean the world to me. My wish is for my stories to bring you joy, laughter, and always a happy ending!