Chicks with Sticks Book 1: Tangled up in Love by Heidi Betts

by shewolf0316 on March 18th, 2009, 2:53pm Login or Register to post comments

February 3, 2009
St. Martin's Press
Contemporary Romance
Romantic Comedy
Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 4.5

Dylan Stone and Veronica Chasen are virtual enemies ever since Dylan got the job she wanted at the Cleveland Herald. Now they are columnists for rival newspapers and the challenges fly between them through their columns. Now the latest challenge cast down by Ronnie may be the best one yet… she challenges Dylan to learn to knit.

Dylan is a strong believer of the “men can do anything women can do” concept and is not about to let Ronnie win their latest battle, even if it means sucking it up and begging for lessons from Ronnie herself! As knitting needles fly between them, so do verbal ones until they start to realize that what they may really be knitting up is their hearts. But no project is easy and the knots in the way may keep these two reluctant lovebirds from being Tangled Up in Love.

I love Heidi Betts and have been reading her since she got her first break several years ago as an historical romance writer. I followed her to Silhouette Desire when she made her move that direction. Now I've followed her again to her new single title contemporary romantic comedy direction with her Chicks with Sticks series. And what a great move that has been as evidenced by Tangled Up in Love!

Heidi has taken the “enemies becoming friends” concept and added her own spin of magic to give us a sexy romantic comedy. And I do mean sexy. Once Dylan and Ronnie cave under the pressure building during their private knitting lessons they are steaming up the sheets, and couches, and chairs, and then some. Wowsa, the flame sparking between these two is enough to start a forest fire! Dylan and Ronnie may not be able to get along much in polite society through most of their professional relationship but if there’s one place they are in complete agreement, it’s the bedroom. However, don’t think that is all there is for them. As they spend more time together, albeit reluctantly in the beginning, they come to understand they actually like each other, which leads to a relationship deeper than they ever imagined could develop between them.

I love all the knitting anecdotes through Tangled Up in Love, and the analogies between a knitting project and real life. Even the chapter numbering reflects the knitting theme. Ronnie’s very best friends are the women from her weekly knitting circle and she can’t imagine not having them in her life. Knitting is making a comeback nowadays, making me think about simpler times long past, and providing a sense of solace in a world gone crazy. There’s just something comforting about a group of women (and the occasional man or two) taking time out of their busy lives to engage in such a rewarding task in the company of dear friends.

Heidi Betts is a master of wit and sarcasm and Tangled Up in Love is an excellent showcase for this particular talent. She also has a knack for creating true to life characters, if a little outlandish sometimes, that are fresh, fun, and exciting. I look forward to the next installment in the Chicks with Sticks series and can’t wait to see what Heidi Betts dreams up next.