Being the daughter of the Pleasantville slut, everyone assumes Cassie Tremaine Montgomery is a chip off the old block actively going down to whoever wants it. It is not surprising that her prom night date disrespects her, seeking sex that Cassie rejects. She needs help to control him, but even Sheriff Richard Taggart tries to score with the seventeen-year-old.

Over the next decade, Cassie becomes an internationally famous model. She returns to the unpleasant memories of Pleasantville to flaunt hr success at those who mistreated her and to hide from a stalker. Sheriff Sean Taggart, son of the pig who accosted her on prom night, stops Cassie on a driving violation when she first speeds into town. He finds he desires Cassie, and senses a vulnerability and hurt beneath her disagreeable armor. Cassie opens a shop filled with sexual toys as a stub your nose venture at all those whom rejected her as trailer trash, making her even less ideal to become Sean's spouse. So why does he only dream of wakening up to breakfast in bed with Cassie?

NAUGHTY BUT NICE is an engaging contemporary romance that provides the audience with a wonderful heroine struggling with more demons than Dante could have ever described. Sean is a wonderful law enforcement official struggling with the conflicting desires of his personal life. An unnecessary stalking subplot adds suspense, but this tale belongs to the sexual tension between the lead protagonists that is so palpable in and out of her shop that it carries the novel without extra help. Readers will also want to read the companion novel, Naturally Naughty, starring Cassie's cousin.

Harriet Klausner

The small town of Pleasantville, Ohio judges the Tremaine family harshly as bastards and tramps -- deservedly so for every Tremaine except Cassie Tremaine Montgomery. So the boulder on Cassie's shoulder is certainly understandable. After all, she has had it proven, from high school forward, that all men can be turned to slaves by their penises. Ten years after her departure, Cassie returns to Pleasantville to settle old scores while tending to business.

Sheriff Sean Taggart does not hesitate to issue two tickets in two days to the famous lingerie model. Cassie immediately dismisses the sexy cop; after all, a cop uniform and sheriff's badge could never interest her. Tag likewise does not believe he could fall for this tempting goddess. He believes that he is done with trouble and high maintenance. But then the taste of her reminds him of forbidden passion, and the "promise of head-banging, toe-curling sex," and Tag surely finds out how much he does want this anti-authority woman.

Jill Shalvis displays the soul of a poet with her deft pen, creating a powerful atmosphere in only two sentences: "Pleasantville had a scent she'd never forgotten. It smelled like broken dreams and fear." Such description makes the reader incredibly sympathetic and tolerant of Cassie, despite her bad attitude and terrible suspicion. As she learns the truth behind a few of the town citizens, such as the librarian who always lurked nearby when she was teen, Cassie softens her hard disposition, learning to look beneath surfaces. Furthermore, Cassie's diary from high school provides poignant insight into this wounded character, and her driving need to succeed. Tag's powerful, sexy presence is just the hero this damaged woman needs, and the substance of every woman's fantasy. An endearing, sensual treat, NAUGHTY BUT NICE comes very highly recommended.

THE NEW HERB BIBLE was written by a garden designer, a beautician, and an osteopath/naturopath. The authors provide a much useful information about the major herbs used in cooking, cosmetics, and healing. Some of the material is quite good, but there are omissions and discrepancies the novice will not catch. The book is filled with many lovely photographs, a must for best selling gardening books these days, but not always an indicator the text is the most comprehensive, accurate, or current.

The "gardening" section of the book covers herbs that do well around London, but many of them may do better or worse in the States. For example, England sits on a nice chalk base and English Lavender does quite well along walkways. In the hot, humid, and acid soil found in many parts of the states, Lavender rots (does well in the Great Valley of Virginia which sits on a limestone bed!!). The authors suggest that the blue Cranesbill Geranium 'Johnston's Blue' and the Lady's Mantle Alchemilla Mollis will bloom all summer, but they won't south of the Mason-Dixon line or in most of the west beyond the Mississippi. These plants bloom in the spring in the Upper South, and then they fry. Experienced gardeners know that certain roses do well in London, but others do well in the States.

The "cosmetic" section of this book is fun, and probably the best reason to buy it. However, making cosmetics is work, and if you have Fresh Fields next door, you may prefer to buy herbal cosmetics-I do. However, if you feel adventuresome, you too can make mint eye lotion and rose and basil perfume, provided you are able to grow the roses that produce the attar you need for the latter. You won't have any trouble at all growing the mint.

The "medicinal" section of this book is interesting, but I prefer Penelope Ody's COMPLETE BOOK OF MEDICINAL HERBS (she's English) or THE GARDEN PHARMACY by James Duke (retired from the USDA). RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS is also a good bet (organic). You will probably want to own more than one book on the subject of medicinal herbs since some herbs can kill if they are misapplied. As the medicinal use of herbs is a tricky subject, I believe in a little cross-referencing. For example, the verdict is still out on Ginko, an "herb" recommended by this book (with caution). THE NEW HERB BIBLE mentions recent drug trials where possible, as does Dr. Duke and the RODALE book. Even when you are fully informed by books, a little trial and error will be required as all of us have different constitutions.

THE NEW HERB BIBLE is a useful survey work, but probably more useful for those living in England (5 stars) than the States (3 stars).