The shapechanging Monsters in Hollywood series continues as the real live monsters prepare an action movie which will let the world know that they are around - and friendly. In the previous tale a warrior called Tokaki was imported from China to help with stunt fight training. Now the director Cali, a human girl, has got to the stage of filming. She has to manage security, editing, lighting, makeup and other issues, and she really can't afford any distractions.

A MONSTER AND A GENTLEMAN lurks in the shape of an Asian- looking man whose alter ego is a fire-breathing monster. Seling is an actor who is still familiarising himself with human customs, and he's finding Cali very attractive. They can't resist getting steamy in a trailer after shooting one day, but Cali has to pull back on her professional manner if she's to keep control of the movie. The effects experts is having a field day, because the monsters can pick up a car and throw it, and many other stunts are so easy to rig, but several technical issues arise with lighting and editing, and sets need to allow that monsters are bigger and some spread wings. But calamity arises when a tabloid columnist somehow gets hold of a production shot and exposes the monsters' secret. A banshee is called in to investigate. And a secret team of demon-hunters are convinced these monsters are evil and need killing. No wonder Cali hasn't got time to continue where she and Seling left off. Even if he's the best thing that ever happened to her....

Seeing behind the scenes is a large part of the fun, with assistants known as talent wranglers trying to get actors where they should be, and the various departments contributing their efforts to the whole. At the same time the characters come across as individuals and occasionally fragile. There is adult action enough to please fans of hot romances and the monsters still comment as to how they don't understand women.

If you have not read any of the series, by now it would be a little complicated to get into this instalment, but even reading the previous Have Monster Will Travel would be sufficient. Lila Dubois is clearly having a lot of fun with this series and the next book is already planned, but grab A MONSTER AND A GENTLEMAN for the low-down on producing Hollywood's next big blockbuster.

Book Summary

Cali knows exactly what will happen if her latest movie fails. It won’t just destroy her directing career and company, Calypso Productions. It might mean global war, and the extinction of an entire race of beings—the monsters.

The last thing she can afford is distraction in the form of a midnight-haired, caramel-skinned monster who can—literally—bring on the heat.

Seling enjoys humans, and not, as some have suggested, as a snack. As one of the stars of a movie that will allow his people to come out of hiding, he especially enjoys watching the movie’s intensely focused, human director.

After one particularly frustrating day on the set, Cali and Seling give in to a blistering night of pleasure. Seling wants more; Cali isn’t ready to risk her heart. But it all may become moot when someone leaks raw footage that could incite the very panic they’re trying to avoid.

And the only way to find the culprit is to unleash a monster so dangerous that it’s like bringing a nuclear bomb to a knife fight.

Warning: This title contains a strong-willed woman, a banshee (no, they’re not the same person) and two men who know how to please their woman.