Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Of Love and Corn Dogs
SERIES: Of Love And… Book 1
AUTHOR: Parker Williams
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 168 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 23, 2016
BLURB:
With more money than he could spend in ten lifetimes, Darwin Kincade still couldn’t keep death from stealing his lover. A little older and a whole lot wiser, flirting with his twice-a-week waiter is the perfect no-risk substitute for a real relationship. Until the night his routine is upended by the restaurant’s newest employee.
Ricky Donnelly loves people. While being a server isn’t his dream, he’s good at it. When a grumpy man is seated in his station, Ricky sees there’s more to him than he lets on, and when the man relaxes, he’s actually sweet.
As the two men bond over a discussion about corn dogs— something Darwin’s never heard of—he realizes how much he’s missed out on in his life. He vows to open himself to new experiences—including, perhaps, a chance at finding love again.
Not wanting anything to muddy their blooming relationship, Darwin hides part of himself from Ricky. He likes the look in Ricky’s eyes, unclouded by Darwin’s notoriety. Unfortunately, the truth can never stay hidden, and when it comes out, Darwin may lose any hope of holding onto the future they’ve begun to build.
REVIEW:
I wasn’t sure what I was accepting when Dani asked me if I would like to review Parker Williams’ new book. My only experience with his writing before this one was his very dark, Haven’s Creed, and though I had heard his other books were less intense, I hadn’t personally tried any yet. Honestly, Haven’s Creed was more in my typical comfort zone and reading tastes. Some of his other books are in my TBR pile, but Dani keeps me so busy I never seem to get to that pile!
So I dived headfirst into what I found was a sweet, romantic, falling for you type story. There have been a lot of books and stories written with the rich/poor dynamic…kind of an offshoot of Cinderella without the evil stepmother. That said, this one captured my attention and kept me reading. I stayed up late, woke up in the middle of the night and read some more, then finished it first thing this morning. Needless to say, I enjoyed it. It was one of those sweet, feel good type reads.
In Of Love and Corn Dogs, the author introduces us to a new series, Of Love And… which I think, based on book one, will be a good one. In this story we meet an “antagonistic” man named Darwin Kincade who in the first scene is that nasty ‘treat the server like crap’ sort of person that anyone who has ever worked as a server has run into a time or two. But there is more to the man than the first impression shows, and there is more to the waiter as well.
Ricky Donnelly has been struggling in his new waiter position at an upscale restaurant named Asiago. The manager seems to have it out for him, and has been riding him hard for every minor mistake he has made. When the customer orders a shot of Macallan M whiskey Ricky responds with shock and asks if the man knows how much that costs. I didn’t understand the reference, so I of course Googled it. The stuff sells for $5,000 to $8,000 a bottle…so you can understand why Ricky was surprised. What Ricky doesn’t know is that the man sitting in front of him is one of the richest men under thirty-five in the country and well able to afford whatever he wants.
Darwin enjoys the anonymity of Ricky having no idea who he is. When he lightens up and feels bad about how he treated the waiter, he asks about the dinner special. Ricky is honest that it isn’t that good, and ends up recommending the corn dogs at the Mini Putt across town. Darwin has never had that sort of food because he was raised by pretentious rich parents who didn’t believe in indulging in the food of the masses.
One thing leads to another. Darwin and his driver end up at the Mini Putt and enjoy their corn dogs and shakes. As the story proceeds Darwin becomes slightly infatuated with Ricky, and vice versa. But Ricky doesn’t know about Darwin’s money, and the longer Darwin hides the secret, the more explosive the outcome will be.
I liked this story. Yes, it is a trope that has been overdone at times, but Mr. Williams’ take on it was a fun and entertaining read. I recommend you give it a try. I’ll be looking forward to future installments in the series!
RATING: 
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