Mary Castillo

What else could go wrong for 29-year-old ESL teacher and single mom Isa Avellan after she's been voted the un-sexiest woman alive by the entire student body?Well . . .She could be knocked unconscious by a well-kicked soccer ball and wind up saddled with a guardian angel who looks and sounds a lot like Joan Collins.She could have to endure the on-air ravings of her flojo ex-husband as he reveals every intimate, humiliating detail of their sex life to an infamous shock-jock . . . on national radio Or she could take matters into her own hands and submit to a total makeover, from lipstick to toenail polish to lacy lingerie. And with the help of some well-meaning (if slightly loca) t as, she could become L.A.'s most ravishing reborn sex goddess, say adios to the past, and see about capturing the attention of a hot new man. But the new Isa is about to find out that it's not so easy juggling motherhood, career, and sex-symbol status. It could, however, turn out to be a whole lot of fun.

Tamara Contreras will never again settle for unmemorable sex. Her long-time boyfriend may look perfect to her traditional Mexican-American parents -- something Tamara has never been -- but at twenty-six she wants more from life than marriage and motherhood. So in front of everyone, Tamara does the unthinkable: She turns down her boyfriend's unexpected marriage proposal and leaves home for L.A.Tamara thinks she's got the single-girl-in-the-city thing down, until she runs into Will Benavides, the former high school bad boy turned firefighter. If Tamara's parents had known how Will lit up her teenage fantasies, she'd have been shipped off to the nuns for sure Now Will wants to make those fantasies come true permanently.When an unexpected opportunity lands in her lap and Tamara has to choose between the career and the man of her dreams, she wonders if maybe la familia was right after all . . .

Whether they're flirting en espanol, gossiping over mojitos, or dancing with their latest papi chulos, these characters prove that there is nothing quite like a night out with your chicas. Set in New York City, Miami's South Beach, downtown Chicago, and L.A., these four flirty novellas explore dating, marriage, friendship, and sex, through the eyes of four different Latina women. Mary Castillo's Friday Night in L.A.: Isela isn't looking for a one night stand; she's desperate for one last shot at saving her career. Her ticket is Hollywood's director du jour Tyler Banks but one major mistake could cost her everything. Caridad Pineiro's Friday Night in South Beach: It's Tori's thirtieth birthday and all she wants is a nice quiet night with her family and friends. However, Tori's friends have other plans and during an overnight casino cruise, Tori finds herself taking the gamble of her life Berta Platas's Friday Night in Chicago: The once shy Cali has decided to attend her high school reunion. She slips into her slinkiest Donna Karan and puts on her highest Manolos. After all, she's out to seek revenge, Latina-style. . . Sofia Quintero's Friday Night in New York City: Gladys's friends throw her a bachelorette party at one of NYC's raunchiest male strip joints. They expected a party, but they didn't expect the not-so-blushing bride to disappear with one of the strippers