POODLES AT DAWN By Tara Manning Poolbeg, UK publisher 2002 ISBN # 1-84223-066-2 {Click here to buy this book} Gemma's life is far from perfect. Set in Dublin Ireland, Gemma is a veterinary assistant along side her two best friends Debbie and

Debbie and Sophie try to pull Gemma out of her slump by inviting her to accompany them to an overnighter in the hills. Camping is not Gemma's idea of a good time but when she discovers that it's just the night before a fox hunt Gemma realizes that her friends are there to protest the senseless stalking and killing of defenseless foxes. Why not? No better reason is needed to hurl spoiled produce at a bunch of poncy wannbe hunters.

Gemma's one and only shot lands herself in deep water. And under the man who's been knocked from his mount. The man turns out to be Gemma's rock idol, Rocky Cashel. Regardless of his confused state Gemma finds the predicament so exciting that she, between Rocky's fidgeting to right himself and her pressing against him, brings herself to orgasm. In her aroused state she didn't think anyone would notice, until she cries out in climax!

The event will live to haunt Gemma for the entire book as Rocky threatens to sue her for rape. He decides there's a better punishment than sending her up before the judge. He's going to put her to work on his estate taking care of his girlfriends rabid Poodle. After first meeting, Gemma wonders how jail food tastes. Anything has to be better than the torture of spending time with this spoiled dog.

It's on Rocky's estate that she meets Tyrell, one of Rocky's band members. It's obvious that he is sweet on Gemma but it's more obvious that Gemma is looking for a more active replay of that day in the woods with Rocky.

"Poodles At Dawn" by Tara Manning is as fun a read as the title suggests. Gemma is such a single focused woman that all she can see is Rocky Cashel and his leather clad bum. He's been her idol for years and now that she's working for him, even if it's just watching his girlfriends dog, she sees this as her opportunity to snog him at least once. Her life would be complete if she did. She's so blind to an impossible union between herself and Rocky that she doesn't see that there's a real relationship just waiting to happen.

Debbie and Sophie are pretty funny too. Sophie is openly lesbian and has made it known that she is interested in Debbie. Debbie is having an affair with one of the veterinarians…forget that he's married! And when Gemma's Aunty Kay gets her hands on Tyrell's uncle, one of the other vets, all hell is about to break loose in the clinic.