I write book reviews, I also write books, and occasionally I write about myself!

Tuesday 29 November 2011

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #233



Passionate Choice - Flora Kidd
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1986
ISBN: 9780263754926






My rating




From the back cover:

"Stella had made the mistake of falling in love with Kit Barlow when all he wanted was a casual fling before he married someone else. Once burnt, twice shy. The new man in Stella's life was everything that Kit was not: steady, reliable and eager to commit himself to her. So why did she find herself hankering after Kit when they met again in the Caribbean where it had all started?"


Another oldie...

The heroine Stella has come to the Caribbean in order to conduct some underwater archaeology with her fiancé. When she meets the man who will be helping, Stella is shocking to discover that it is Kit, the hero, the man she spent nearly a year living with three years ago. Worried about what her finance's reaction may be, Stella pretends she doesn't know Kit and relieved when he plays along. When she and Kit get the chance to talk, Stella asks him to keep up the pretence but being alone with him reminds her of the time they spent together and how much she loved him, and how hurt she was when their relationship ended. But the passion between them has never died and she finds it difficult to ignore it the longer they spend together. She also realises that her engagement is a mistake, as well as feeling that her soon-to-be-ex fiancé is hiding something. Stella and Kit work together to find out the truth and rekindle their relationship, but Stella holds back remembering her heartbreak from three years ago.

This is an interesting and enjoyable book, and quite forward for an older one. I enjoyed the setting, the author did a great job of describing the surroundings and situations with real depth. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is really well done, with plenty of spark and tension.
I had a couple of issues with the book though. First, is that that the heroine pursues the hero while she is still engaged, which is a little distasteful. Secondly, when the hero and heroine have their HEA, the hero insists she gives up her studies and just be his wife - I know this book is nearly twenty years old but, wow, that annoyed me!

But, the book is enjoyable; nice writing and an well executed story.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #232



The Talk of Hollywood - Carole Mortimer
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890297







My rating




From the back cover:

"Lights...
From his latest sports car to his latest blonde, gossip surrounds infamous Hollywood actor and director Jaxon Wilder. Unnamed sources are speculating outrageously about an unknown beauty that Jaxon is determined to get to know... intimately!
Camera...
Except Stazy, infuriatingly, is nothing like Jaxon’s usual conquests... To Jaxon’s disgust she demands an equal stake in his project – they’ll have to work side by side for months!
Bedroom!
Jaxon agrees to a professional partnership... knowing that, however hard Stazy tries to resist, eventually they’ll tantalise the tabloids with a scandalous affair – on and off the red carpet!"



I was looking forward to reading this latest offering from Carole Mortimer, I just love this title! And it's so weird now having to write 2012 for publication date, where did the year go!

The hero Jaxon, a very popular movie actor and director, is planning to make a movie about the heroine Stazy's grandmother, who was a spy many years back. He wants to have Stazy and her grandfather on-board with his plans so that he has agreement as well as being able to find out more information. Stazy is suspicious of Jaxon and feels that he is only interested in sensationalising her grandmother's past. From the moment they meet Jaxon and Stazy butt heads with each other, and disagree on everything. Stazy is even more on edge when her grandfather agrees to help Jaxon on the condition that Stazy works with him while he researches. With her grandfather away leaving the two of them alone together, they soon realise that behind all their antagonism there is a fierce desire for one another. Jaxon begins to fall for Stazy, but is constantly fighting against her emotional barriers, and no matter how close they get she always finds a way to pull away from him.

While this book is quite enjoyable, at times I felt a little confused and bored. Everyone knows that one of the most important elements of romances, and indeed other fiction, is the internal conflict. In this book I couldn't really work out what that conflict was, and the reasons behind the characters behaviour was a little baffling. Stazy, rather than hurt and emotionally stilted as I believe the author was aiming for, just came across of stiff and uptight. Jaxon is a good hero though, the best part of this book in fact.

The blurb is so very misleading that I recommend you DON'T read it, lest you should be confused!

This book is OK, just OK.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #231



Escape from the Harem - Mary Lyons
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1986
ISBN: 9780263754056






My rating




From the back cover:

"It was six years since Leonie's fairytale marriage to the eldest son of the Sultan of Dhoman - and four years since she had escaped from his country, vowing never to see of speak to him again. She was tricked into breaking her vow when Badyr appeared in England, determined to take her and their daughter back with him.
But Leonie had learned to her cost that all the fabulous riches of her husband's lifestyle couldn't compensate her for the harshness she had endured in the palace. How could she bear to return?"



This is another one from the oldie pile!

The heroine Leonie is shocked when she meets her estranged husband Badyr, the hero, for the first time in years. After escaping from his civil war torn country, Leonie tried to put all her memories of her lonely marriage out of her mind and make a new life for herself and her daughter. Badyr has always known about his daughter but has waited until now to come back and claim both of them, he needed to rebuild and stabilise his country after his power-mad father almost ruined it. And he wanted to make it a better place for his wife and daughter to return to. Leonie is terrified of going back to the country where she felt so oppressed as well as returning to her less than perfect marriage, but for her daughter's sake she knows she has no choice.
Leonie quickly recognises all the change and good that Badyr has done for his country and they begin to grow close again. They marriage is stronger than ever and Leonie is very happy, until she discovers what Badyr did during the years they were apart, and is once again heartbroken.

This is an interesting and well executed book. The actual romance between the hero and heroine feels very real and I really responded to the hero and how he was not afraid to express his total love for the heroine. What I found particularly interesting about this book is that it actually raised and dealt with the subject of social and religious differences between the hero and heroine and their lives. There are many Sheikh romances that simply ignore these things, so it definitely added depth to this book.
However, as a western woman I couldn't accept the hero's other marriage. I know that it's an accepted and perfectly fine part of some eastern cultures, but for me I feel that it is a little upsetting, and doesn't fit with the 'romantic fantasy' that is an integral part of reading romances.
Unfortunately this put me off the book, but it was very enjoyable up until then...

Xx

Monday 28 November 2011

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #230



Innocent in the Ivory Tower - Lucy Ellis
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263887006






My rating





From the back cover:

"When purity and passion collide...
Nanny Maisy Edmonds is furious when a stranger tries to take her orphaned little charge - stealing a shockingly explicit kiss from her into the bargain! Can infamous tycoon Alexei Ranaevsky really be the child's godfather? Installed in Alexei's remote Italian villa, Maisy is intent on protecting little Kostya - and nothing else...
Alexei's childhood-turned-nightmare means he allows himself no emotional attachments. But Maisy's beguiling sweetness has the uncompromising Russian determined to seduce her down from her inexperienced pedestal..."


This is Lucy Ellis's first book, I believe she was runner-up in 2010's New Voices competition. That's pretty impressive. I have been looking forward to reading this book.

The hero Alexei and the heroine Maisy meet when Alexei rushes in to claim to his godson after the death of the little boy's parents. Maisy has been looking after him since he was born after his mother, Maisy's best friend, struggled to cope. She begs Alexei to let her stay with the baby. Alexei agrees both for the baby's benefit and his own, as for reasons that baffle him he is entranced by Maisy. Maisy is also drawn to Alexei and this disturbs her, she doesn't have that much experience with men and knows that Alexei is not really the 'forever' type. But despite their attempts to ingore the desire between them, it's not long before they give in and begin an affair. Yet cracks soon show in their relationship, especially when it comes to Maisy's loyalty to the baby and Alexei's very busy lifestyle, and neither of them are willing to budge.

I really hoped that I would like this more than I actually did. Don't get me wrong, it is an enjoyable book but, for me, it just didn't seem to click. The plot, while very well written, is a little contrived and the pace felt a little jumpy at times. There seemed to be a lot of issues raised then forgotten about, which is frustrating. I liked the dialogue between the hero and heroine, there is a lot of it and it is very entertaining to read, but again at times this jumped around a little.
There is nothing really bad in this book, but nothing really great either. It didn't hold my attention and for a first book by an author, I was a little disappointed. Especially when I compare it to first books by other recent new authors, such as Lynn Raye Harris, Aimee Carson, Maisey Yates, and Natasha Tate, whose first books were fantastic. But, I will definitely be reading future books by Lucy Ellis, as there is something there...

This is an enjoyable book and worth a read, but one that doesn't quite reach it's potential.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #229



Captive but Forbidden - Lynn Raye Harris
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263887075






My rating





From the back cover:

"Public Duty
The news that wild socialite Veronica St. Germaine has cleaned up her act and stepped into her father's shoes as ruler of a Mediterranean principality creates a tabloid frenzy! But it's not just the paparazzi that are out for blood...
Private Scandal
Duty demands that bodyguard Rajesh Vala must protect Veronica - whatever the cost... But Veronica has always rebelled against commands, and she isn't making Raj's job easy!
He calls it 'safeguarding'. She calls it being held captive at his beach house. Both realise that the attraction between them is inconvenient... Veronica is nothing if not forbidden!"


I have been looking forward to reading this for a while, I am a big fan of Lynn Raye Harris's books so, naturally, I was expecting good things!

The heroine Veronica is the recently elected President of her small Mediterranean country, and a former infamous party girl. Many people do not agree with her presidency and Veronica has received a few threats from unknown sources. The hero Rajesh is hired to help keep Veronica safe, but she is less than happy about it as she hates feeling trapped after a childhood spent with her overprotective father. Veronica and Raj are instantly attracted to one another, and the more time they have to spend alone the harder it becomes to ignore the desire between them, so it is not long before they give in to the it. Being together, while very pleasurable, also reminds them of their individual pain and loss they have experienced in their lives. This combined with the threat against Veronica only results in pulling them further apart, when they want to be together.

This is a really intense and exciting book, not to mention very original. I was intrigued by the concept of the heroine being President of her country. Usually in romance novels the hero is the one with the more important/powerful career, but you can't get more important than President, so this is different and a little risky. But excellently done! Lynn Raye Harris did a great job, she managed to flip romance novel conventions on their heads yet still keep all the traditional elements you would want. There is no denying her hero is every bit the Alpha-male, and not at all inferior in the face of the heroine and her career. The story itself is interesting and well developed, I would have liked to have read a little more about the heroine's journey in becoming president - why/how/etc - but the story does not lack depth at all.
The passion between the hero and heroine is, as expected, scorching, and the interaction between them is also full of constant sexual tension. You could cut this tension with the proverbial knife, it's that good! The intrigue element of the story really adds to the intensity of this book, and I loved it.

A gripping, passionate, and emotional book. Plus it's genre busting, which can only be a good thing.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #228



Dark Music - Charlotte Lamb
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1990
ISBN: 9780263768145






My rating



From the back cover:

"When Annis had run out of stormy composer Raphael Leon's life two years ago she hadn't bargained on seeing him again, least of all on holiday in Greece! And she found him still furious at her desertion. But when they were suddenly thrown together in appalling circumstances their relationship looked set to be as heated as ever. Enter the glamorous Diona, opera singer, and Annis felt flat comparison. Would she and Raphael ever hit the right note?"

This is another recommended Modern/Presents book.

The heroine Annis is on holiday in Greece when she runs into her ex-fiancé Raphael, the hero. Raphael is not pleased to see Annis after the way she ran out on him two years ago without explanation, and vows to find out the truth. Annis has never gotten over her decision to leave Raphael without telling him the real reason, but she has worked hard to make a new life for herself. When Raphael starts following her on her tour holiday and keeps confronting her she tries hard to keep from giving into his demands for the truth and the desire that is still between them. After they are trapped and injured due to an earthquake, Raphael asks Annis to stay with him while they recover. Both of them admit that they still love one another but Annis refuses to tell him why she left and this only makes Raphael more frustrated and angry.

I enjoyed this book. I'll admit that I struggled with it a bit at first, the prose seemed a little long winded, but as soon as the hero and heroine met there was instant chemistry and the story was quite gripping. This is the best thing about this book - the sexual tension. It saturates every page and makes the book very entertaining. There is a nice bit of mystery in relation to the heroine's reason for leaving the hero, unfortunately I found the actual truth a little bit of a let down, let's just say it was kinda lame, but the lead in was done fantastically.
I could have done without the bitchy-other-woman character, I don't feel the story needed it, it didn't add to the conflict and the whole subject was forgotten about after a few pages.
I love the way the author really embraced the hero's temperamental and passionate personality, it fit his artiste background and really added to the already thick sexual tension.
The blurb is a little misleading, I got the impression that the heroine would also be a musician, but of course that doesn't change the enjoyment factor of the acutal book.

This is very much a 'classic' Mills & Boon romance, and I like it!

Xx

Sunday 20 November 2011

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #227



The Man Every Woman Wants - Miranda Lee
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263887105






My rating




From the back cover:

"To most women, Ryan Armstrong is irresistible- just the way he likes it!
But beyond business the unbelievably sexy Ryan's only commitment is to playing the field! Laura, however, refuses to be yet another not on Ryan's bedpost. She has no time for arrogant meant - least of all one who can see through her severe suits to the woman within.
Ryan is the last man on earth Laura wants to share a bedroom with for the whole weekend - but she needs his help! Soon Ryan will make his move, and Laura's afraid that she might not even want to resist..."



I love Miranda Lee's books, she is an author I read way back when I first discovered Mills & Boon as a teenager. I was looking forward to reading this, her latest offering.

The heroine Laura and the hero Ryan have been business associates for close to two years, but neither of them have shown any interest in each oter. When Ryan sees her cool ice-queen facade slip for the first time he is intrigued, and sets out to find out what has upset her. Laura is embarrassed when she admits to telling her family that she and Ryan are in a relationship in order to calm her very ill grandmother, not expecting her to recover and want to meet him. Just when she thinks she is going to have to admit to her lies, Ryan shocks her by saying he will go with her to visit her family and pretend to be her boyfriend. Neither Laura not Ryan are looking for a relationship; Laura is immune to men after two heartbreaks and Ryan has never wanted love after traumatic events in his childhood. They are both surprised by the amount they desire one another, and it is inevitable that they end up in bed together. Neither of them want only one night but neither do they want more.

When I started reading this book, I was not enjoying it at all. It seemed a little info dumpy, the dialogue seemed a little forced, and the story was a little long winded. But it did pick up and I ended up enjoying it. I liked both the hero and the heroine, the hero had charm to spare as well as a very appealing tender side. However, his childhood experience was only alluded to a couple of times in the book until it was virtually dumped on us in the last four pages - I felt a little shocked and short changed. The heroine is a wonderfully written character, very complex yet also totally 21st century. One of the things I like most about Miranda Lee is that she is not afraid to write heroines that are a little bit older and experienced than your usual Modern/Presents heroines (she is 30 btw) and they have good careers as well as a very modern feel.
The chemistry and passion is literally smouldering, and very, very well done!

A shaky start and ending, but overall a really enjoyable book.

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #226



The Lawman's Nanny Op - Carla Cassidy
Mills & Boon Intrigue 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263885613






My rating




From the back cover:

"The kids at Portia Perez's day-care center are everything to her. She tried love once, but was badly bitten. Then in walks Deputy Caleb Grayson. Though Caleb hurt her once, she can't deny that seeing him still makes her ache for his touch.Caleb's heart skips a beat when Portia enters the sheriff's office. Suddenly, memories come rushing back. Portia didn't trust him then. Why should she now?
But someone's out to harm her and Caleb can't walk away. Nor can he deny the claim she still has on his heart. Will Portia's stalker extinguish any chance of a happy reunion between these old flames?"



Urghh, what an awful title!

The heroine Portia is very distressed when she finds slanderous posters about herself put up all over town, she has never done anything to hurt anyone. Her upset is made worse when she goes to the police, where she is informed by Deputy Caleb, the hero, that there is nothing that can be done. Caleb and Portia were once teenage sweethearts but their relationship had crumbled when Portia believed malicious gossip that Caleb had cheated. Although they live in the same town, they have avoided each other for the whole ten years since their break up. So it is naturally very difficult for both of them when the threat against Portia becomes very real and her life is in danger.
Caleb is having a tough time at the moment not only is he still struggling with his feelings after another bad break-up but also trying to deal with the suspected disappearance of his younger sister, plus being with Portia again reminds him of what he lost all those years ago. But it's clear that there is still passion between them and as the threats increase they get closer and closer.

This is an enjoyable book, with an interesting suspense plot and two well matched characters. There is a lot of simmering tension between them, and I really liked the whole unfinished business aspect of their relationship. Caleb is a brilliant hero; caring, brooding, and strong, however I feel that his issues from his recent heartbreak, while very sad, were brought up too late to have a big impact on the story. Portia is a little too insecure for my liking, I got a little frustrated with her character. The suspense element is interesting and really well executed, it certainly keeps you guessing.

There is the subplot of Caleb's sister and her disappearance/kidnapping, this is left unresolved as this book is part of the mini-series 'The Lawmen of Black Rock'. Caleb and Portia's story stands alone though.

Xx

Tuesday 15 November 2011

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #225



Body Armour - Alana Matthews
Mills & Boon Intrigue 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263885613






My rating





From the back cover:

"If last-minute shopping isn't killer enough, Santa is! When Anna Sanford is attacked by a vengeful Saint Nick, a mystery man saves her life. But the real mystery isn't why this man, Brody Carpenter, pledges to protect Anna through the holidays — it's why he left her in the first place... and why she never told him she was pregnant with his child.
In four turbulent years, he'd transformed from local sheriff into an international bodyguard for hire — and Anna is in serious need of protection. Brody wants to help her put her life back together, but dodging bullets is easier done than dodging the past... especially when she is about to give him the ultimate Christmas surprise..."



It's been a while since I read my last Intrigue.

The heroine is trying to come to terms with the death of her brother, but no matter what police reports tell her she is adamant that he did not commit suicide. Her suspicions seem correct when she is attacked one night. She is saved, quite unexpectedly, by Brody, the hero, her ex-fiance. Brody never thought he would see Anna again, when he left town after his police career was destroyed due to false allegations against him he was in a bad place and needed space, but as the years went on he couldn't face returning, especially knowing that he had broken Anna's heart. Brody received a message from Anna's brother shortly before he died asking him to protect Anna. Brody agrees with Anna that her brothers death is suspicious and offers to help her find out more. Anna is reluctant to accept Brody's help, she still hurts over Brody's abandonment but soon realises that her life is in danger and he is the only one who can protect her. Brody knows he has never stopped loving Anna and vows to protect her and her young son with his life, hoping that Anna can find it in her heart to forgive him.

I very much enjoyed this story. This had just the right amount of elements to make it exciting and interesting without it being overly confusing, or silly! I really liked the shared history between the hero and heroine, I thought this was developed and written really well. The suspense plot is on-going and constant throughout the book and keeps you reading and excited, the 'action' scenes felt a little rushed but still quite gripping. The interaction between the hero and heroine is particularly great.
This would have been a four star review had it not been for the fact that it is so flipping obvious who the culprit is, I guessed it on the first page! I like my suspense to be a little more, well, suspenseful!

Nevertheless, this is a very enjoyable read.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #224



The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement - Charlene Sands
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263883121






My rating




From the back cover:

"The highway collision had brought together more than their two vehicles. Suddenly businessman Nick Carlino was face-to-face with a woman from his past...and her five-month-old baby. Though they hadn't seen each other in years, Nick offered Brooke Hamilton and her child shelter after the crash. It was the right thing to do as they got back on their feet.
But how could something so right feel so wrong? Having Brooke under his roof brought back memories the billionaire would rather have kept forgotten. And passions he needed to control. Nothing short of Carlino Vineyards' legacy hung in the balance..."



This is the second book in the Desire 2-in-1 as above. I really don't like the title of this book, while the UK edited Harlequin's/Mills & Boon's have moved away from this style of titling the some of the NA ones are yet to do this, sigh! Don't let this put you off, it's a good read.

The hero Nick and the heroine Brooke were once very close school friends but their friendship ended badly when Nick rejected Brooke. They meet again many years later when they are involved in a car crash. Brooke is injured and since she is a single mother to her five month old daughter Leah, Nick promises to help her and lets her stay with him. Brooke has only just returned to her childhood home of Napa Valley hoping to make a new life for her and her daughter after inheriting her late aunt's house. Brooke is on her own after he ex-husband left her for another woman and he doesn't yet know about Leah, both things are never far from Brooke's mind. It's not long before thirteen years worth of bottled in passion erupts and Nick and Brooke agree to a 'simple' affair. Nick doesn't want commitment and he is still carrying anger over events that led to the end of his baseball career and the machinations of his late father, but he soon begins to feel like Brooke and Leah belong in his life.

I always like reunion stories and this one has the added extras of friends-to-lovers and unrequited love! It is an enjoyable book. I really liked the bond and friendship between the hero and heroine, it really made their love for each other feel very read. The book isn't as racy and fast paced as you would usually expect from a Desire, but this is not a bad thing. The book grabbed me from the start and had a wonderful flow throughout.
However, I do feel that some things were too conveniently dealt with, such as the ex-husbands turning up, which was done far too late and then resolved before you had chance to draw breath!

Nevertheless, this is a very entertaining book with a wonderful reunited/friends-to-lovers theme.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #223



Bargaining for Baby - Robyn Grady
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263883121






My rating



From the back cover:

"Queensland sheep station owner Jack Prescott wasn't ready to be a full-time father. He'd do his duty and care for his orphaned nephew, but he had no place in his battered heart for a baby…or for guardian Madison Tyler, the woman hell-bent on disrupting his life.
Yet Jack couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for Madison. Their affair was fast and furious…and soon fraught with regret. The city girl's stay in the Outback was only temporary and Jack had a little boy to care for. How could they even consider bargaining for more time when neither was prepared for forever?"



I seem to have read a lot of Desire's recently, but they have been older ones so here's a newer one!

The hero Jack is devastated to learn of his estranged sister's death, and shocked when he meets his sister's best friend Maddy, the heroine, whom informs him he is now the guardian of his nephew. Maddy misses her friend so much and knows she must honour her promise to help Jack with his new role. Jack is not happy about having self confessed city girl Maddy helping him, bit realises that she meant her words to his sister, and that he does need the help. Jack struggles at first with coming to terms with having to be a father to his nephew, it reminds him of what he lost when his wife and child died. But slowly, and with Maddy's help, he gets used to it and opens his heart to his nephew. And surprisingly, he and Maddy become closer and closer, and before long neither of them can deny the passion between them, or feelings much more deep.

This is a really lovely story, and a little different from what I was expecting from a Desire. The setting is so wonderfully described by the author, I felt a real sense of place. The hero and heroine are well matched, there are enough differences in their personalities to create some delicious tension and they really balance each other out. I think the author did a good job of showing the hero's grief and how he is scared of letting go of it, as well as the heroine's bravado despite her sadness. It makes this story have wonderful depth.
My only complaint is that I feel some issues are a glossed over (such as the hero's estrangement from his sister, the ex-girlfriend, Maddy's father issues) and left the book a little bit lacking in my opinion.

This has plenty of passion and emotion, and is a very engaging read.

Xx

Monday 14 November 2011

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #222



The Argentine's Price - Maisey Yates
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263887082







My rating





From the back cover:

"It's time for the housekeeper's son to collect his dues...
Lazaro Marino will stop at nothing to reach the top. He's climbed his way out of poverty, but there's still one thing that's been denied him: entry into the highest echelons of society. And blue-blooded heiress Vanessa Pickett is the key to unlocking the door to all that he desires...
With her business in crisis, Vanessa is desperate. A marriage proposal of the utmost convenience will give both Lazaro and Vanessa everything they need...But, for Vanessa, this deal with the devil comes with a startling price..."



The fabulous Maisey Yates sent me a copy of this book after I commented on her website, thank you so much Maisey!

The heroine Vanessa confronts the hero Lazero after discovering he has been buying stocks in her families struggling business, of which she is CEO. Vanessa and Lazero had a brief fling twelve years ago, as teenagers, that ended badly after Vanessa thought he was using her and Lazero ended up beaten and cast out by Vanessa's father. Lazero has risen to a very powerful level but he does not have the respect from the upper class that he craves, he offers Vanessa the chance to save her company if she marries him. Vanessa has always known that she would one day have to marry well, even though she dreamed of marrying for love, so she agrees to marry Lazero. But as much as she wants to give in to the passion between her and Lazero she tries to keep her head and keep everything on the cold blooded business level that their agreement is. Until Lazero takes her to Argentina and shows her the passion they missed out on twelve years ago. But back in the real world they continue on the way they were before and while Lazero gains the acceptance into high society that he believes he wants, Vanessa begins to realise how much she has missed out on in her life by always doing what was expected of her. And, she also realises that no matter how close they become Lazero will never love her.

I really enjoyed this book, it makes great use of some very traditional Modern/Presents themes, yet with a distinct Maisey Yates sparkle. I like that while this book is about revenge it's not your usual I-have-been-plotting-for-the-last-Xyears-and-now-I-have-you-in-my-grasp thing, instead the hero spots an opportune moment and decides to make the most out of it. Phew, big cliché avoided! Lazero is the perfect alpha-male hero but doesn't have that cruel edge, granted he is dominant and knows what he wants, but he's not a dick about it! Vanessa is different to what I expected, she's less fiery more sad and lonely, but this works perfectly with the whole atmosphere of the story. I really felt like I knew these two characters and wanted them them to work it out.
Different from Maisey's other books is that there is less of her usual snappy dialogue, which I personally missed but I don't think the story is any less enjoyable without it. There is a lot of brooding from both characters, which creates a very sombre feel that is actually quite enjoyable. The writing is very evocative and pulls you into the story. There is plenty of passion too, and that's always good!

A great read.

Xx