The title 68 and Climbing is based on the character Jean's assessment that the temperature at which the construction workers remove their shirts is the cause of the "temperature-dependent, hormonally driven work stoppage at Weston Designs." Jean is Annmarie's friend and employee. Thirty-four-year-old single entrepreneur Annmarie Weston was indeed having trouble with her staff who were all spending their time not working but gazing out at half a dozen "bare-chested, broad-shouldered, handsome, suntanned, young construction workers" renovating next door to her factory. It took some effort to get her girls back to work, but afterwards, she took a good look of her own and found herself entranced by the tallest, strongest, sexiest carpenter on the crew. And what was more embarrassing, he caught her looking at him. "The Building God" she'd dubbed him behind his backside. And a very acceptable backside it was too.

Her sewing staff was composed of girls from the shelter; and she had just been about to break up an impromptu party to make sure the girls got to the shelter before their eight o'clock curfew when she saw "The Building God" break up the after-work party that had spontaneously started up on the patio. Each time he saw her, he acknowledged her. Each time she saw him, she felt herself falling a little bit more into lust. He followed her into her dreams and into her fantasies. And when her fantasies started following her around in the daytime, she knew she was in trouble. But if her girls didn't get back to work and get those orders filled, she was going to be going out of business. The construction hotties had to keep their shirts on, so her girls would quit oogling them and get back to work. She had to give Pedroni and Son Construction a piece of her mind. When she stormed over to confront the boss, she ran into "The Building God" Nick Marone, who turned out to be everything she'd pictured in her fantasies and more.

This is spicy erotica backed by a plot line which develops quite naturally. Not only is the story crafted well, completely in Annmarie's point of view, but it is also hot. Hot is an understatement in fact. You might want to read this poolside so you can jump in the water and cool off. Or else behind closed doors so you won't be interrupted. Compelling interactions between the super-macho hero and the reluctantly aroused heroine. Racy stuff indeed.

Reviewed By Maitresse
© July 2004