It’s been a White Picket Fence life for Nicolette. Charming, but tedious. She graduated high school, raring to go. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems though. The fear of being stuck in a rut, living a dull day-to-day life keeps Nicolette from settling on a career, despite her six years of college. When the chance arrives for her to housesit, she takes opportunity by the horns for a little playtime. She would experience life and find something that would make her happy.

Drew knows exactly what he wants. To run the family construction business. Too bad his dad doesn’t think he’s ready. They make a deal. Drew will help his cousin put up a new fence and after he’s learned hard work, the construction business is his. Drew's not sure learning how to string fence line together will see him suitable for a career of paper pushing, but he’ll do it.

When Drew meets the wanna-be-free-spirited Nicolette, his determined thoughts of what he’s always worked for begins to sway. Nicolette’s finding the fun in life. But their relationship is temporary. A week tops.

Title: IN THE HAY
Author: Keri Ford
Series: Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas, book 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Year of release: 2011, April 18
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC for review from the author

First line:
“You’re changing your degree.” Ted shook his head. “Again.”

Memorable Scenes:
- Nicolette's dancing skills > I might have snickered...and snorted
- Drew telling Nicolette exactly what he wants to do with her > *fans self* and Nicolette's reaction to it > made me smile in recognition
- Nicolette googling sex > burst out laughing and scared hubby to death


Nicolette 'Lette' Jones is free-spirited and restless. She decides to use her stay in a strange town to try out and do a few things she's never done before. What surprised me about this book was that Nicolette was a virgin. I loved how Keri Ford ingeniously incorporated that into the romance with her usual humorous note and voice.

Drew Hamilton is steadfast, determined, laidback and quiet, but it's the quiet ones people! He is a naughty dirty-talker and that’s just the way I like them!

IN THE HAY is my favorite Apple Trail book so far. The humor I love so much shines through in the entire book and is paired with some genuinely emotional stuff. LOVE that! I laughed out loud several times while reading this book but I also got a little teary-eyed at the end.

What I love about this series, besides the humorous writing, the subtle yet sexy sensuality and the wonderful characters, is the small-town feel and how everyone is connected in some way: Nicolette and Drew are cousins to former main characters in this series and hero and heroine of the second book make an appearance in this book too. With each book you get to know more people in Apple Trail and start to feel like they could be living right next to you. I also met the main couple from the next book and I can’t wait to read their story. Going by what I read in this one, it’s going to be explosive.

Keri Ford's writing is like a scalding bubble bath. It seeps into your pores and makes you feel all fuzzy and comfy and hot, very hot. This book just made me happy! It was funny, endearing and steamy! I will not be able to see or hear the word pineapple and not think back to this book. Thanks for that Keri!

Favorite Quotes:
She gripped the edge of her enchilada plate and sent it flying across the table to crash into another chair where an explosion of melted cheese, sauce and whatever else was in that thing flew into the air and rained to the floor. Satisfaction bloomed in her chest and pulled out a smile. Now that she enjoyed and could do again.

That burning hot kiss in the bar had lit her head on fire and singed down to her curling toes.

His thumb rolled over her nipple and, oh, God, just like that. She arched off the ground against his body, wanting more.
Not knowing what to do, she combed her fingers through his short brown hair as he took her in his mouth. Teeth nipped her and she tugged at his soft strands, wanting to voice something, anything to get him to do that again, but words were gone. She existed only in a state of tingling need, craving his touch.

“I can’t work with you saying this dirty stuff in my ear.”
He tried to look offended. “I haven’t said one dirty thing.”
Her hand flicked up I the air. “It’s not what you’re saying, but how.”
He grinned. “You’re hearing things. If I wanted to be dirty, I would just say I want to reach under that short skirt you’re wearing and see if you’re wet and waiting for me.”

He leaned against the barn door and watched her walk out of his life. An itch to call her back crawled up his throat, but he swallowed it down. There was no room for a woman like her in his life now and she deserved what he couldn’t give.