ALL WORKED UP - Eve Vaughn
Oh Yum! 
Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 978-1-41991-605-2
May 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance - Short Story
Rated: E-rotic

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Present Day

At first, Landon Barnes believes it’s his memories of the woman who taught him to believe in himself that causes him to see her in the gym he owns.  The closer he gets to the new client though, the more sure he is that it really is Gloria Redmond, the student teacher he had in high school who helped him overcome his problems and negative attitude in order to become the successful man he is today.  Landon had a bit of a crush on her back then, and seeing Gloria again, those feelings not only return, but deepen to something more.

Newly divorced, Gloria Redmond has moved back to Philly with her son, and hopes to get her life back together.  Part of that plan includes losing the extra weight she’s put on, but when the trainer turns out to be a man, Gloria has second thoughts.  Show off her out-of-shape body to this gorgeous younger man? Not a chance.  Then, she realizes that he is Landon Barnes, a former student and friend.  She reluctantly agrees to work out with him, but will she be able to hide her growing attraction?

A sweet yet sexy short story, ALL WORKED UP reunites a man with the woman who changed his life, and gives him the chance to return the favor.  In Gloria’s mind, there are three strikes against them at the start: the slight age difference between them, she’s black and he’s white, and, most importantly, Landon is gorgeous and she’s gone beyond pleasingly plump.  Landon doesn’t see the first two as problems and, as far as he’s concerned, Gloria is the most beautiful woman he’s ever known.  Both have self-image issues that they need to overcome but, with each other’s help, this isn’t as big an obstacle as it could have been.  While there are definitely some steamy scenes between them, ALL WORKED UP is a romance, and a good one at that.

Jennifer Bishop