Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures 
 I love "discovering" new authors but I really love it when I realize an author I enjoy hasn't ever been reviewed on this site. You see, I've been following this site for a long time. First I just cyber stalked, sounds naughty doesn't it? Then I started commenting and finally I applied to be a reviewer and the rest they say is history. I can honestly "blame" Guilty Pleasures with my Amazon.com habit, although Amazon should probably write them a huge thank you note! I absolutely love sharing my love of reading with others and I love, love introducing readers to authors they haven't read before. 
 Weekends Required is the first published work by Sydney Landon. It's a novella but the characters are well developed and there is more to this story than wham, bam, thank you mam'! 
 Claire has worked as Jason Danver's administrative assistant for three years. While she's secretly lusted after him, she's kept it to herself knowing she can't afford to loose her job. Claire not only supports herself but takes care of her ailing mother as well. To do this she has a second job with a party service which includes jumping out of cakes for bachelor parties. When Jason sees his buttoned up assistant jumping out of a cake, he about blows a gasket. He can't believe this is the demure woman he's worked with for years. 
 Because this is a novella, the relationship between these two moves fairly quickly. But, since they've known each other and worked closely for several years it doesn't seem out of place. We learn early on the Claire grew up with a controlling and verbally abusive father. Jason grew up taking care of his alcoholic mother and dealing with a workaholic father. 
 To say their path towards happily ever after was difficult is an understatement. Jason is just an all around great guy, something that Claire doesn't even realize. What Jason sees as caring, Claire sees as controlling. Claire is so worried about following in her Mother's footsteps that she really is her own worse enemy. It takes her good friend, the hilarious Suzy, and the woman who she considers a second Mom, Louise, to make her confront how her past is affecting her future. 
 For a first effort, this is a great story. Although I read it when it was first released, a second reading prior to her latest release left me feeling the same way...happy and eagerly anticipating the next book. I hope you'll check out this promising new(ish) author. I don't think you'll be disappointed!