Ginny Brooks and Ryan Travers have been best friends since grammar school. When her boyfriend stands her up on her birthday, Ryan steps in with an offer to take her to the hottest sex club in town. She is crushed when she sees her erstwhile boyfriend at the bar with another woman, and sets off to explore the club by herself. When Ryan finds her, he impulsively decides to initiate her to his brand of having sex, the dominant way.

He is thrilled when Ginny takes to the submissive role as if born to it, but not so thrilled when she runs away the next morning. When her "punishment" for this rash behavior turns into explosive love-making, Ryan is forced to face the truth, that he is head over heels with Ginny and intends to marry her. Unfortunately, Ginny overhears his conversation with one of his partners, and incorrectly thinks he is not interested in anything of the sort. She takes it into her own hands to prove to him that she is woman enough to meet all of his needs.

What is there not to love about Ryan Travers? In Sugar and Spice, Mari Carr has created a completely drool-worthy man in a remarkably short time. Clearly dominant, he has no interest in causing Ginny any significant physical pain, except that is, in retaliation for the state of extreme frustration in which she left him. Even then, he does not misuse her trust in him, delivering only the level of punishment he knows she instinctively craves.

Ginny is a worthwhile heroine, submissive to their desire for one another, but not meek in any other way, as exemplified by her willingness to fight for the love she believes in. Both characters are charming, and their caring commitment to each other as friends, as well as lovers, will have the reader rooting for them. Mari Carr's story line is well-developed and plausible, making Sugar and Spice a must read! Five Angels

Reviewed by: Lynn