Razzmatazz

by Patricia Burroughs

Alternate cover edition for ASIN B00HCQLZTA

When small town girl Kennie Sue Ledbetter wakes up in a Reno hotel between two guys
in rumpled tuxedos, she thinks things can't get any worse.

When she steps on the wedding bouquet and sees the ring on her finger, she knows things
can't get any worse.

But then she finds out she's married to the guy who won her in a coin-toss in front of the wedding chapel, and 'worse' has a name and a face: Alexander Carruthers, the gorgeous silver-tongued devil who believes in love at first sight, in fate, and in doing whatever it takes to keep her—

Even if that means following her back to Texas and letting all the good people in Tahoka Springs know what she did on her summer vacation.

He’s Lear jets and high society charity balls.

She’s Ford Pintos and rodeos.

She won’t fit into his world and he sure won’t fit into hers.

This spells disaster—calamitous, embarrassing, tempting-as-sin disaster....

But can it also spell love?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

I love to check out your [yes, your] ratings and comments about the books I love, the books I hate, the books I am not sure I want to read and am trying to decide, and books I'm not sure that I've read before and am skimming your comments to see if they shake a memory loose. But the best is when I can wallow in your love for the books I love and your annoyance for the books that annoy me. Best ever.

I avoid spoilers of any kind so a lot of times I read the first sentence you wrote, think "oh yeah, that is something I want to investigate and/or read!!!" and don't read another word you wrote because I don't want to know the details.

As for me, the analysis and time it takes for me to come up with a real review is beyond calculation. My brain doesn't work that way. I have weird learning disabilities that make it hard to think that way and do that kind of writing while, on the other hand, I love writing fiction and that's my work so yeah, don't spend time writing reviews.

So when I write my thoughts down about a book they are totally subjective and often more about my experience of reading the book than the book itself. I don't want to write spoilers and so I keep my comments broad most of the time.

But I love Goodreads because it's a great big book club where we can all find like-minded readers who enjoy what we enjoy and whose recommendations send us off the new discoveries. So that's why I'm here!

And now, the official bio:

Award-winning screenwriter and bestselling novelist Patricia Burroughs—Pooks—began her writing career in romance with five published novels. She received nominations and recognition from RT Reviews and was a Finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA.

For a time, Pooks was lured away from her novels to pursue a career in screenwriting, where her story-telling gift again won her recognition in the form of a Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

However, one day she woke up with a new story rooting itself into her heart, a story that couldn't be told in a script but needed many more pages to spread out, flex its muscles and take wing. She returned to novels to write the epic fantasy trilogy that begins with This Crumbling Pageant.


Pooks loves dogs, books, movies, and football. A lifelong Anglophile, she treasures her frequent travels in the British Isles doing research for The Fury Triad. She and her high school sweetheart husband are living happily ever after in their hometown of Dallas, Texas.

~oOo~

Find out more about The Fury Triad, Patricia's new fantasy trilogy, at http://furytriad.com.

Want to join Team Fury and help promote these books while getting insider info and extras? Drop Patricia a line at planetpooks at gmail dot com and see if there is space in the group!

Reviews

[Diane Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful contemporary romance full of light humor and sweet emotion. The audiobook is very well done with excellent voice adaptations. This is the story of a wild night in Reno that led to an impulsive marriage between a rather mysterious guy that hob-nobs with the wealthy and a down-to-earth Texas girl whose heart has been dented by past relationships. It was cute and endearing. I loved the whole thing.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

Burroughs keeps readers on their toes with this one. The steady flow of calamities through this tale is comical.

Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Joanne Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kennie Sue is sitting in the airport in Reno after winning a contest at a local business. Alex and Chris see her sitting there so they decided to make a connect with Kennie Sue. They talked her into going to dinner and have a couple of drinks before she leave. They have their own private jet so they could always drop her off in Texas on their way to Atlanta. Kennie Sue woke up between the two. She started to get up when she noticed Chris’s ring on her finger. Kennie was so upset she hauled back and punch Chris. Alex came to his defense it was then they tried to tell what happened. Kennie was able to get away from them until they finally reach her. To top it off they told her they had a coin toss to who was going to marry her. Alex talks her into going to get an annulment
but the offices were closed. Kennie and Alex watched the movie of their wedding and she couldn’t believe how he looked at her. They found out the next morning that getting an annulment wasn’t so easy and may take time. Alex didn’t know what he was going to do he really wanted to be with her. Kennie Sue and Alex consummated their marriage he really wanted her and since she was the one who did the seducing. Kennie Sue also didn’t know that that could have the wedding annulled in two days. Alex decided he wanted the 4 weeks to see if anything could change. Kennie goes back to her hometown where he finds her and tells everyone that they are married he also found out who Rusk was from her mother.
Things start to change when Kennie falls in love with him. Things start to spiral out of control. Will Kennie and Alex make this work? I’m not sure because the book felt like a cliffhanger.

[Virginia Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!

I loved this book. I couldn't keep up with the changes. It was great reading. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[One Book at a Time! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

Interesting book. It was different and held my interest throughout. There were some parts where I was like why?? Or that would never happen, but then you have to remember you’re reading a story and anything can happen. I did like that Alex never gave up on her and once he set his claim on her, he never gave up and loyalty is very sexy.

[LaurLa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read. I liked the portion of the story in Reno, I liked the way the hero would restate all of the heroine's objections in terma of what she was really saying which made them sound less like logical objections and more like lack of courage, being afraid to 'live.' I'm not sure I like the heroine all that much. I think she was supposed to come off as independent and sassy, but sometimes she just came off as shrewish and unreasonable - throwing hissy fits or tantrums AT the hero for things that she was equally responsible for or that he had no control over. Nearer to the end, once they returned her home town, I got a little confused as to what the actual problem was to their being together. From her point of view, it was thier socio-economical differences - she was too insecure to accept that he didn't care. But he had this mysterious secret (hinted at throughout the story) that once revealed seemed a little contrived to me and I didn't exactly get why he held back the secret from her. Something to do with wanting to be real to the fantasy she had in her head in Reno, but not feeling like he was real enough for her (a good enough man for her) but it was this fantasy person she was insecure about, so why he thought his realness wouldn't measure up, I didn't really get. Oh I know at the root of it was his lying to her, not sharing himself with her, but it still felt forced. She forgave him shockingly easily in the end, so that kind of reinforced to me the much ado about nothing.

Overall, though, I did enjoy the story and the dynamics between the MCs. It was actually a pretty fun read.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Author Patricia Burroughs but it will not be my last I can't wait to read more.

This book was a refreshing romance not your stale same ol' same ol' romance. The witty banter between the charters was just great. Kept me laughing and guessing and wondering what could possibly go wrong next.

Kennie Sue is a small town southern girl, Chris is an incurable flirt with a knack for sticking his foot in his mouth and Alex is a bit of a card shark with no real home...together in this book they create magic on pages.

This book is well worth the money. Keep the books coming Patricia Burroughs thanks for the laughs and good reading.

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Razzmatazz by Patricia Burroughs is just plain fun. Just the name alone made me smile. Patricia Burroughs has delivered a well written book. I loved the characters! Kennie Sue and Alex's story is fast paced and a quick read, perfect for those with limited time for reading. This colorful story is full of humor, drama and spice. I enjoyed reading Razzmatazz and look forward to reading more from Patricia Burroughs in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

[Denise Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read. Everything seems to be going wrong, but ends up right in the end--bad vacation, waking up married, secrets, money, pending annulment, but then throw some love into the mix. Some things are worth fighting for, and an unexpected marriage is just what Kennie and Alex need.

Loved it!

[Becky Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book!

Adventure vacation turned into a love story. A really confused young lady with trust issues and a gambler, with trust issues. Funny, light hearted and intriguing. Fun read!

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything gone wrong from the beggining

I am giving this one 3 stars because it was well written and I like the narrator. I wish i picked up earlier that this was a FFC is rude, argumentative and complaining towards MMC the entire book and he still chases her with HEA even though most of book you were wishing him to just let her go! I NEVER enjoy these kinds of story lines. Listened to audio book and I believe female narration was spot on with how written. Listening to whining female was trying so i should have switched to reading instead. (Although its definitely not narrators fault… she had some good voice acting … enjoyed her narration in other books). May also be that book was written in 80s. Could be that was the style of the day. Haven’t read enough “adult books” from that time period to say … i was reading different genre at that age. I will give this author another try… maybe with something newer.

[Ruth Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that will stand over time.


Patricia Burroughs has created characters that bring life to the story, in a way that brings the reader into the story and holds them there.
You will find that she has mastered the art of writing an outrageously hilarious, soul touching and romantic is there a line c tale that keeps you reading until the book is done. However, when the book is finished, the lifelike characters will have become your friends. Friends that you'll want to visit again and again.
Rarely have I read a book that has kept me laughing out loud and crying throughout. Rarer still have I found a line in a book that I know will stay with me - that line is - "A smile that would have stopped a bullet". This is one that will.
I recommend this book for every romantic out there that enjoys becoming fully involved in a story.
Ruth Newton

[Ruth Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Burroughs has created characters that bring life to the story, in a way that brings the reader into the story and holds them there.
You will find that she has mastered the art of writing an outrageously hilarious, soul touching and romantic is there a line c tale that keeps you reading until the book is done. However, when the book is finished, the lifelike characters will have become your friends. Friends that you'll want to visit again and again.
Rarely have I read a book that has kept me laughing out loud and crying throughout. Rarer still have I found a line in a book that I know will stay with me - that line is - "A smile that would have stopped a bullet". This is one that will.
I recommend this book for every romantic out there that enjoys becoming fully involved in a story.
Ruth Newton

[Tiblu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see a lot of work went into this ....

I can see a lot work went into this,but it just wasn't for me....
Kennie Sue drove me crazy,with way she talked and acted, and I'm from the south... she was up and down and all over the place, I didn't find no this book funny, I found it annoying....
I'm not writing this his for other ppl, I'm writing it to me to just get it out of my head..
.it felt frantic and kinda frenetic at times, Alex is deep,he's a charmer, he's a con, he's ??? Kennie jumped to conclusions soo fast and changed moods soo quickly at times, I'm not sure she always knew herself what she was feeling or why...
I can tell a lot of work went into this, but it just wasn't for me...
Thank you , but no Thank you...

[Nicole Normand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book for free on Amazon via Freebooksy; this is my honest review.
-Would not really recommend. First and last book with this author.
-Kennie, the woman, supposedly 24 y.o. but really acts like she's 13. Rude, hypocrite, violent, unreasonable, shrew. Chris, gambler, rich, best friend on all accounts. Alex, poor guy, fell in love with the wrong woman. He's sophisticated, rational, lucky, and flamboyant.
-I loved Kennie's mother. She's down to earth, funny, and reasonable, contrary to her daughter.
-There is no romance, it's not funny, the wedding wasn't accidental and you keep wondering when they'll be able to talk without Kennie screaming at Alex or punching Chris.
-Fishtail end, you have no idea where this is going as there is no visible HEA.

[gwendolyn Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. As the saying goes what's done in Vegas stays in Vegas but it followed her home. Being from a small town in Texas Kennie won a trip to Reno, only to get there and have no room. Deciding to return back home she meets up with Alex and Chris while waiting at the airport. After them talking her into dinner before she leaves is where her adventure begans. A toss of the coin decides her fate. This book had me laughing out loud. All the shenanigans these three got up to. Yes it's a must read.

[Candace Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story

I really liked the concept of the story but the heroine was kinda annoying after a while... but an overall enjoyable read. It was also nice that the book and audible were on Kindle Unlimited... I was able to read and drive without crashing!!!

[lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

I read this on Kindle Unlimited. Quick read, entertaining. Reminded me of the older Harlequin romances. Jennie She and Alex were a good match with Chris as their wingman. Probably considered a long short story, and the ending is a little abrupt I thought

[Dawn Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not as good as I thought but it was good. Just not very realistic. And this girl couldn’t make up her mind. The way she talked was borderline rude. I was very taken back by that. The spice wasn’t much. I did finish it but the beginning was better than the rest of the book.

[Daleen Beyleveldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ok. It was funny and sweet and interesting. The storyline is much different from what I'm used to but it worked. Narration was ok too.

[Gloriamarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful romp of a comedy of errors is this book. I mean to say, Burroughs sucked me into it from the very beginning from Our Heroine in her predicament and which of the two handsome gentlemen will turn out to be Our Hero?

One of the things I love about reading this author is that every character I encounter in her stories emerges as a person even when they only have a walk-on role, such as the two women on the bridge. Or a strapping young lad in the Angels' Choir. Let alone the main characters.

Oh, but how to review it without spoilers? First of all, I laughed. Such antics. Such whimsey. Such silliness. And then, oops, Burroughs turns the table on me. Did not see that coming. Things are going pretty smoothy for Kennie Sue and Alex which is a teeny bit worrisome as it is so early in the story for the Happily Ever After and I thought good-hearted but bit of a bungler friend Chris would spoil it for Alex, but, whew, we get through that one.

And, then, oops, Burroughs turns the table on me and I did not see it coming and surely All Hope Is Lost and our lovers are actually star-crossed. We get to me some more lovely characters in brief vignettes in which Burroughs again skillfully fleshes out real personas with a few pen strokes. Our Heroine and Our Hero seem to be on track for that HEA when, oops, tables are turned, I did not see it coming although once it happened I see I should have because it isn't as if there weren't hints beforehand.

Here is where I have to explain why, as delightful a story as I found it, I had to give it only four stars. An author has to work very hard for me to give them five stars. I think I have only given one novel five stars. The reason I did not give Razzmatazz: A Romantic Comedy five stars is because I did not believe the ending. I just do not believe Kennie Sue would have agreed as readily she did. The woman has trust issues. We hear about that all through the story and Alex really does nothing to assuage those. Actually he exacerbates them right up to the very end and I simply cannot believe in Kennie Sue's capitulation. I want to, though. Oh, how I want to.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Freebie - from Dear Author

Urgh. I'm not sure quite what I was expecting, as this was a e-reprint of an old book. But I couldn't even follow the dialogue. I read about 15% of the novel before I gave it up as a bad job. Whilst what characterisation I could follow was irritating, it was the inability to actually parse the novel which was the end for me.

Possibly would have read more if I wasn't so stressed at work. But the last thing I wanted to do was make an effort to read this!

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded Razzmatazz as a free book from Amazon. While a pleasant read, the conflicts and personalities never grabbed my full attention. A nice read for free, but I thought the main female, Kennie, was too wishy-washy.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed a bit dated, so that is probably why I couldn't get into it. Not a badly written book, but just not for me right now.