(Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-8034-9944-7 

When Gina Tait and Brad Harding spend ninety minutes stuck in an elevator together, neither can deny an intense physical attraction. Neither can they deny that in the real world, their ambitions and life views are the complete polar opposites.

Despite a constant nagging desire to stay in contact both Brad and Gina agree nothing could ever come of a relationship between an ambitious, single, city girl and a laid back widowed father of two from a small country town. Better not to start.

Fate, however, in the form of a raging storm and Brad's twelve year old daughter, Claire, has other plans.

"Hold that elevator!"

Brad's finger hovered over  'close doors'. Tempting, very tempting, to jab the button but then he'd be guilty of behavior equally as obnoxious as this bossy, flinty-eyed woman's. Her voice resonated round the marble foyer, bouncing off the smooth, polished surfaces like a steel ball bearing, ensuring everyone in the vicinity heard the demand. No. The order. There was no please attached. No attempt at garnering sympathy from those already ensconced for imminent lift-off. She in the bright red suit clip clopping on dangerous looking black stilettos towards the elevator with her briefcase and her 'I'm so important' attitude. A slim fitting skirt hampered her stride but she couldn't walk any faster in those heels without doing herself a mischief.     

       

       What the heck. He wasn't in a hurry, had no need, or innate urge, to be spiteful. He jammed his index finger on 'open doors'. The other occupants waited with blank faces. They had their own briefcases, business suits and auras of importance. Two of them murmured behind him. Something about the Shanghai market and whether Li Cao Lin  would come through as promised. Brad was the one out of place. Standing here in his jeans and navy jacket with his important papers stuffed into the inside pocket, and his favorite loafers that were comfortable for city pavement pounding but not very smart. If he could be bothered about such things. Which he couldn't.

       

       Ms Red Suit arrived in a haze of perfume. Brad offered a smile which she ignored. No 'thank-you' either. Even Fifi automatically practiced the basic courtesies and she was only five. He pressed seventeen. She glanced at the panel but her floor must have been already illuminated because she stepped back beside him and began drumming her  fingers on the smooth leather surface of the briefcase which she held clasped before her. Maybe she had the Crown Jewels inside, or state secrets. The doors closed.

       

       Brad's mind wandered back to his workshop - the sideboard, old fashioned and heavy. The largest object he'd ever designed, with ornate paneling, an inset mirror, two big drawers and cupboards for glassware. Puzzling over an ancient Chinese method of construction using perfectly fitting joints-no glue, no nails. Very difficult to bring off. In its infancy in his plans as yet, but he knew the timber he'd use, and the overall shape was there in his head.

       

       The doors sighed open. The Shanghai market worriers got off. The elevator hissed and continued upward. Ms Red Suit exhaled heavily each time the doors opened which they did at almost every floor. She glanced at her watch. Switched the briefcase to her left hand. Then to her right. Adjusted the strap of the purse hanging from her shoulder. Fidget, fidget. People got on and off and on, and finally the last man got off at fourteen leaving Brad alone with tense-as-piano-wire Red.

STUCK - Elisabeth Rose

May 2009

Contemporary Romance

Sydney and Birrigai, Australia - The Present

Brad Harding's first opinion of Gina Tait wasn't favorable. The imperious red-suited woman demanded the elevator be held, never thanked him, and seemed self-absorbed in her own importance. Typical city behavior. Brad hates the city and has only come to Sydney to deliver a petition to protest the building of a cell phone tower near his daughters' school. Leaving the building after completing his mission, Gina is, unfortunately, again another passenger in the elevator. The only other passenger. Then the elevator stops, and remains stuck for ninety minutes. In that time, an attraction develops between the two antagonists. They even share a kiss of comfort, which changes everything.

Gina is a very well-paid economic business advisor and thinks Brad Harding nothing more than some poor starving artist. He does help her through her fear and near panic in the elevator, and the kiss was memorable. Not until later, when she searches his name on her computer and sees his marvelous wood sculptures, does she realize her small-mindedness. Gina knows her interest in him can't go anywhere, but she is thrilled when he calls her. Then she visits his home in Birrigai and meets his daughters, Claire and Fifi, who pass Gina on their possible-new-mom test. Gina knows Brad's protest about the phone tower doomed; progress is necessary. She also sees that although he takes excellent care of this beloved girls, they need more. Still, any relationship between them is impossible.

As a reader, Gina repelled me as much as she did Brad until I knew her and understood her better and then came to empathize with her position. Brad's art just barely lets him take care of his family, but he's as driven by his art as Gina is by her career. Any change in their lives will mean hard decisions and sacrifice. Entrenched in their viewpoints, it is interesting to see if either can make the risky choices needed.

A well-crafted story about  the attraction of opposites, STUCK will engage readers with its marvelous characters and compelling romance. Author Elisabeth Rose has permeated this romance story with the flavor of Australia, giving her work a wonderful sense of place, so take a chance and get STUCK.

Publisher's Weekly - February 9th 2009

Stuck Elisabeth Rose. Avalon

Gina Tait, half of this offbeat novel's opposites-attract duo, is a busy woman whose overbooked life takes a 90-minute break when she gets stuck in an elevator with relaxed widower Brad Harding. While the two share an intense physical attraction, their lifestyles are far too different to contemplate a relationship. Still, after they escape the stalled elevator, they can't stop thinking about each other, and when they try to be friends, Brad's daughters decide that Gina is the perfect candidate for motherhood. The transformation of total opposites to plausible lovers happens slowly but organically (despite the absurd setup), and the cast is charismatic and easily lovable. Romance readers looking for a low-key time-burner will have a ball. (Apr.)

STUCK is also available in a Large Print Edition