Well, let’s just say when it’s all said and done, I’m hoping the red-cockaded woodpecker isn’t the only pecker that gets some attention from Miss Viveka Jones.

Ford Daniels has just acquired a new and interesting case. His client needs a "crazy" lady to back off so they can do the planned construction on a new elite subdivision.  Said crazy lady happens to be gorgeous, well dressed, outspoken, and has no plans to back down...oh, and she is an animal rights lawyer nammed Viveka Jones who is determined to save the habitat of the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Ford is charming, wealthy, and a top notch lawyer at Knight and Payne. He can see the battle ahead, but is distracted by the looks and personality of Viveka. She believes in what she stands for and does not make the big bucks. She is sassy, intelligent, sweet, and challenging.

I enjoyed getting more with his best friend, Leary and Reeve, and the quirky and imposing, Midge Payne from Friction. And her bestie, Frannie was great. Both Ford and Viveka were likable and well developed characters, and their chemistry was intense. They were mature and actually had intelligent conversations, so it was not full of unnecessary relationship angst. But they did have some things to learn about themselves and each other, and had plenty of stuff to wade through to figure out where they would come out in the end. 

Ford Daniels is used to working with hard to please clients. When one of his clients calls in an uproar because a woman has chained herself to a tree in an effort to stop his development, Ford is not expecting the woman to be gorgeous and smart. Now she is his opponent in a lawsuit to stop the development in favor of protecting a rare woodpecker. He is intrigued by Viveka and can’t help but hope they can come to an agreement on more than just the case.

Viveka Jones is an animal rights lawyer who often takes tough cases for very little financial benefit. This may be a case of David and Goliath, but she is determined to not let Goliath win, or the woodpecker lose.

These two have great chemistry. From the moment they meet, Ford and Viveka are attracted and intrigued. They may be opposing counsel, but opposites attract in more ways than one. They may have to keep the developing relationship between them a secret, but when the sparks are as hot as they run, it is harder than either expect to keep it under wraps. Because while they are both consenting adults, there are ethical implications to opposing counsel. (But

This was a generally fun and funny story. I found myself not only laughing at the situation, but enjoying the entire story as a whole. There is just enough humor to offset the ethical dilemma Ford and Viveka face without being over the top or crude.

I was gifted a copy.