What I've read... Inherited by her Enemy - Sara Craven

Inherited by Her Enemy - Sara Craven

Mills & Boon Modern

Harlequin UK, 2015

ISBN: 9781472098337

Format - ebook (kindle)

4.5 stars

There's a certain something I find in Sara Craven's books that I not only struggle to find in a lot of others but also that I find totally enthralling. Her storytelling is wonderfully crafted.

This story is weaved beautifully and takes you on a journey. You don't get many romance novels these days written soley from the heroines point of view, and it's risky thing to do in my opinion. But it works. 

I adore the besotted, almost gentle hero and the heroine was annoyingly prim, which made her even more endearing.

This book is a rich soup of other characters, which cause misunderstandings and miscommunication but all play out well and I found I believed in the romance too. Kind of sad and heart rendering in places, a bit melodramatic in others... But I loved it!

Review... The Rings That Bind - Michelle Smart

The Rings That Bind - Michelle Smart
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2013
ISBN: 9780263900361












My rating

From the back cover

"On his terms only
The day Rosa agreed to wear Nicolai Baranski's ring she wasn't so foolish as to expect love. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the aching loneliness of her husband's constant indifference-an indifference that proved too much to bear.
Nico is furious- no on turns their back on a Baranski. Rosa has some nerve if she thinks he will just let her walk away. He'll use every sensual trick at this disposal to bring her back, begging for more. And once he's got her where he wants her he'll let her go. But only when he's ready."


*Readers of a more traditional romanace novel nature should pass this book by!*

Let's just get this out of the way first and foremost, shall we? This is not going to be a book for everyone. It pushes buttons, ones that for some people are a deal breaker when it comes to romance novels. Now, I like an ol' traditional style romance (you know the ones - shy untouched virgin heroine vs alpha/kind of a dick hero) as much as the next person. But I also love reading modern books, ones that deal with today's issues and has a voice that I can relate to a lot more. I also like my books to push boundaries, and I got everything I wanted from Michelle Smart here.

One fantastic thing about this book, and there are quite a few fantastic things, is that Michelle has used a really traditional trope - in this case Marriage of Convenience - but has brought it bang up to date and has managed to make this rather out dated idea fit into a modern ideal.

The hero and heroine are both broken characters, but they also seem like very different people. At times I actually did wonder how on earth they could ever find their HEA. But as the story progresses, all the outer layers of the hero and heroine's personalities are stripped away to reveal two very lonely people that really did need each other.

Rosa is a wonderful character; so strong yet so hurt. There is a scene towards the All Is Lost moment where Rosa breaks down and begs Nico to tell her what is wrong with her, why no one ever wants her, which is so emotional and intense it almost had me in tears and I felt this was when I truly learned why Rosa was what she was and did what she did.

There is so much drama in this book and the storytelling, in my opinion, is faultless. I wasn't just told about every high and low, I actually felt them.

The depth of this book surprised me, and I am so glad it did. It is packed full of passion, emotion, joy, and redemption, as well as all the other stuff that makes reading romance so wonderful!

Great stuff, Chellebell!

Xx

Review... The Italian's Runaway Bride - Jacqueline Baird

The Italian's Runaway Bride - Jacqueline Baird
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2001
ISBN: 9780263825558
Reissue - Mills & Boon Modern Backlist, 2011
eISBN: 9781408940228









My rating

From the back cover:

"Gianfranco asked Kelly to marry him, after her holiday affair with him left her pregnant! But, once married, Gianfranco was often away on business, and his family made Kelly's life a misery. Then she heard that Gianfranco didn't want her at all - he just wanted their baby.

Kelly had no choice but to run away. However, one thing was certain. Gianfranco would find her - but why? Because he wanted to reclaim his bride or his child?"


My immediate impression on starting this book is that it starts in the wrong place. The title and blurb clearly tell us what is going to happen but it is not until 70% in that the actual event took place and it skipped to three years later. I feel it would have been better to have started at this point and have the past explored and revealed throughout the course of the story. As it was, I was reading with a sense of impending doom and frustration as I knew what was going to happen but not when/how.

Because of this, I never really engaged with the story and the plot felt, to me, a little flat. There is plenty of emotion in the book, but the author never really delves deep enough into this to make it a really well thought out story. 

Also, the book makes over-use of two very frustrating elements - the evil other woman character and a hero that doesn't believe a thing the heroine says. Add into that a rather whiny 'victim' heroine, it became a little tedious. 

This could have been such a great book; the plot is there, the emotion is there, but the execution lets it down. Kept me interested but left me slightly disappointed.

Xx

The Santina Crown... Playing the Royal Game - Carol Marinelli

Playing the Royal Game - Carol Marinelli
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897708












My rating

From the back cover:

"The Santina-Jackson Royal Fairytale: Fact or Fiction? 

Falling in love with a prince might be every girl’s dream, but is Allegra Jackson’s royal fairy-tale really all it seems? Allegra’s headline-grabbing family have hardly prepared her for a life of public duty and sinfully delicious Prince Alessandro of Santina has always seemed virtually allergic to the idea of settling down – changing women so fast the paparazzi can barely keep up! 

So why, out of all the beautiful socialites his name’s been linked with, did the heir to the throne pick ordinary Allegra? The royal rumour-mill is in overdrive, asking if this shock engagement really is a love-match…or a desperate arrangement with scandalous consequences."


A couple of the previous books in this continuity series hinted at something that is not as it seems about the engagement between the Allegra and Alex (the event that started it all!) and that really whetted my appetite, I was very much looking forward to reading their story.

But, I also have a nagging feeling that this might be an accidental pregnancy story, there is nothing wrong with that of course but I knew that the series deserved something 'more'. I'm so glad I was wrong, in fact the plot of this book completely surprised me. 

Carol Marinelli has written such a deep and provoking story that had me hooked all the way through. The emotion and almost desperation that saturates the pages when the hero and heroine first meet really set the tone of the whole story. The hero and heroine got themselves into something rather misguided only realising what a mistake it had been once they had become deeper and deeper involved. The story had a snowballing effect that is rather compelling to read. 

The relationship that grows out of this comedy of errors is fraught with pain and restraint and is very moving. These characters belong together, you can see this right from the start, but everything is so difficult for them. The execution is flawless. My only complaint is that I wasn't too keen on the inclusion of POV from other characters, it felt almost jarring when it switched away from what was a deeply absorbing love-story and the inclusion of this didn't further the story at all, if anything it actually ruined the pace in my opinion.

When focused on the hero and heroine the writing is evocative and emotional with prose that feels as though it is floating.

Wonderful, and an enjoyable end to this continuity that if I'm honest had a rather shaky start!

Xx

The Santina Crown... The Girl Nobody Wanted - Lynn Raye Harris

The Girl Nobody Wanted - Lynn Raye Harris
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897661









My rating

From the back cover:

"Jilted Bride Stranded with a Notorious Playboy 

Anna Constantinides, publicly humiliated when her long-time fiancé announced his engagement to someone else, might have thought things couldn't get any worse… Until her private jet crash-landed on an uninhabited island, leaving her stranded with billionaire hotel magnate Leo Jackson! 

Renowned playboy Leo’s reputation is legendary and, if the smouldering looks they were fighting to contain when rescued are anything to go by, there can only be one question on everybody’s lips: just how long did it take wickedly sexy Leo to undress buttoned-up heiress Anna…?!"

This is a really enjoyable story but not always an easy read, which makes it an intriguing book. 

The hero and heroine are, at times, quite annoying - the hero for his arrogance and the heroine for her neediness. However, to me, this makes the book feel more real. Nobody is perfect and these characters certainly aren't. 

The premise is interesting and really well thought out, I enjoyed reading how the uptight heroine finally decided to rebel just once then had to face the consequence of her actions - honest writing. 

Both the hero and heroine have to learn to live with each other and to accept themselves and I think there is a lot of character growth explored in this book, especially from the heroine.

This is a passionate story with two flawed characters and an against-all-odds love story that is very satisfying to read. I loved it!

Xx

The Santina Crown... Princess From The Shadows - Maisey Yates

Princess From The Shadows - Maisey Yates
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897692












My rating

From the back cover:

"Santina Secret Baby Scandal! 

Santina’s royal palace officials were tight-lipped about claims that Prince Rodriguez Anguiano was jilted by his fiancée. But it seems the prince did not leave Santina empty-handed after all – he’s taking with him one reluctant bride! 

Princess Carlotta Santina has been living out of the spotlight and under a cloud ever since a certain event. Now, finally fulfilling her role of dutiful royal, she’s arriving at Rodriguez’s Spanish palace in preparation for their forthcoming nuptials… Perhaps the prince should get some new advisors because he’s about to discover that his blushing bride comes with an unexpected bonus"


The hero of this book is an out and out rogue/playboy right to the core. I didn't think I would like him- I didn't want to like him in fact -but I couldn't help it, I did! And that is mainly down to the strength of the writing, in particular the characterisation.

This is a story that is wholly centred around it's characters and really gives us, the reader, a chance to feel everything they are feeling and experience their journey with them. Both the hero and heroine have "issues" but through the course of the story they actually deal with them together and that is very satisfying to read. 

Maisey Yates's voice is modern and forward-thinking and that shines through in this book. Stripped down this is a marriage of convenience trope, but Maisey doesn't stick too rigidly to her theme and therefore the story didn't feel weighed down by lots of unnecessary external conflict and clichés,. 

The relationship and love between the hero and heroine develops beautifully and the characters are able to grow and move on in a believable way. There is plenty of passion involved too! 

Really enjoyable.

Xx

The Santina Crown... Defying the Prince - Sarah Morgan

Defying the Prince - Sarah Morgan
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897654









My rating

From the back cover:

"Santina Princess-To-Be's Sister Serenades High-Society 

It was a night filled with scandal, but pop princess Izzy Jackson really took the crown! Royal and VIP guests were reportedly horrified at the singer and reality TV star’s impromptu performance at her sister’s royal engagement party. 

It was left to Prince Matteo, second in line to the throne, to whisk tipsy starlet Izzy off stage, into his limo and straight to his luxury palazzo, from which the pair are yet to emerge… Rumour has it the proud prince and the footballer’s daughter are working on a charity concert. Will they make sweet music together or split citing irreconcilable artistic differences?"

I don't know what she does but Sarah Morgan's books always have an added something special about them that makes them shine, and this one is no exception.

I could not get enough of the heroine Izzy she's quirky , a little silly even, but also soft and determined. I loved her! And as for the hero, well, he's judgemental, a bit of a snob but oh-so-sexy! What a pair these two characters make, and they bounce off each other perfectly. The banter between them is phenomenal - not many romance authors would be able to do it this good - and the attraction between them is real.

What I liked most about this book is that I could actually 'feel' the feelings between the hero and heroine grow and develop as the story progressed, and the characters were able to grow alongside.

This is a wonderful story that will leave you feeling like you have gone on the journey with the characters. Another plus is that this gives insight into the overall continuity story and adds a bit of progression which some of the previous books haven't done so well in my opinion.

Throughout enjoyable. Recommended.

Xx

The Santina Crown... The Man Behind the Scars - Caitlin Crews

The Man Behind the Scars - Caitlin Crews
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897685









My rating

From the back cover:

"Exclusive! Aristocrat Recluse Weds! 

Rafe McFarland, 8th Earl of Pembroke – and 21st century pin-up – has secretly wed ex-model and tabloid darling Angel Tilson! Angel’s long been believed to be in financial difficulty, prompting feverish speculation that her marriage to the tortured billionaire is one of the strictest convenience… Bearing terrible scars from his time in the military, Rafe rarely leaves his remote Scottish estate. And with the terms of this deal negotiated, possibly behind tightly closed bedroom doors, is Rafe demanding repayment – in kind – from his new wife…?"

I don't think I have ever read a book with a beginning quite like this one, it is really surprising and intriguing. We, the reader, know right from the start what the heroine is trying to achieve but then it is such a shock to have her actually come out and say it! As much as I love the Modern/Presents line, one of the most frustrating things about it is that the books so often have motivations misunderstood or kept secret, so this one was a nice refreshing change.

The heroine is extremely honest, and I loved that about her character and she is very interesting throughout the story. Rafe is a great hero; he is tortured and damaged and scarred, both physically and emotionally. His character is the complete opposite to the heroine and her openness, instead the author keeps us wondering about him never really knowing his full story.

Both characters have layers and feel very three dimensional, plus between them there is plenty of chemistry, tension and connection, which leaps off the pages.

Brooding is the theme here, as well as acceptance. It is satisfying story. Enjoyed it!

Xx

The Santina Crown... The Scandalous Princess - Kate Hewitt

The Scandalous Princess - Kate Hewitt
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897647












My rating

From the back cover:

"Pampered Princess Tamed? 

Santina’s Princess Natalia has been spotted on the arm of billionaire Ben Jackson, famous for his ruthless work ethic, devastating good looks and disdain for the spotlight. But Ben had no chance of avoiding the cameras with notorious party-girl Natalia in tow! 

Most surprising of all, Natalia was seen putting in a full day’s work in Ben’s office! Has the legendary socialite swapped couture and cocktails for photocopying? One thing’s for sure, if we could all have a brooding, dynamic boss like the devilishly attractive Ben, work would be a whole lot more exciting…"


Now this is more like it! Exactly what I wanted after a slightly lacklustre start to this Santina Crown Series.

Kate Hewitt is rapidly becoming one of my favourite Modern/Presents authors; her books are so rich with genuine emotion and very compelling stories that push the boundaries. That is certainly the case here.

The heroine of this story is a brilliant character; she has a real and honest vulnerability that is used perfectly in showing her character. Her personality because of, and as a result of, this vulnerability is believable and she is relatable as a character as well has having the important loftiness that is needed with a royalty character.

The hero and heroine work beautifully together and I really felt that they were both able to grow as characters throughout the course of the story alongside their growing feelings for one another.

This is a very touching and beautiful love-story with a wonderful sad-but-hopeful mood. Loved it!

Xx

The Santina Crown... The Sheikh's Heir - Sharon Kendrick

The Sheikh's Heir - Sharon Kendrick
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897678












My rating

From the back cover:

"SHEIKH AND JACKSON IT-GIRL IN UNEXPECTED BABY SHOCK! 

Unconfirmed sources report that celebrity wedding planner Ella Jackson is pregnant! Currently single, Miss Jackson caused quite a stir at her sister’s high-profile, royal-studded party last month where she tossed a glass of vintage champagne over Sheikh Hassan Al Abbas following a very public argument. 

What happened in private is anybody’s guess, and certainly the palace haven’t officially confirmed that Miss Jackson was seen leaving the Sheikh’s opulent suite the morning after the party… Could this Cinder-Ella beat her sister to a royal title…and a royal heir?"


An interesting and absorbing book, I especially loved the start as it is really entertaining and a great way of getting the hero and heroine together and it made me like the heroine instantly. 

The hero frustrated me quite a bit with his arrogance, disdain and rudeness, but these kind of heroes are what Sharon Kendrick excels at and, you know, I kinda liked him eventually!

The story sticks to it's theme well and this is an entertaining and well told romance. But, for me, there was something missing, it just didn't live up to both its expectation and potential. To me, continuity series should be more daring and different, but this one, well, it's a perfectly enjoyable Modern, but nothing that hasn't been done before. 

However, it is a well written and enjoyable book so don't let me put you off!

Xx

The Santina Crown... The Price of Royal Duty - Penny Jordan

The Price of Royal Duty - Penny Jordan
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897630












My rating

From the back cover:

"Runaway Royal's Romp with Rajah! 

Santina's rebellious princess Sophia made a shock exit from her brother's engagement party last night following the surprise announcement of her own arranged marriage. It seems Sophia did not favour the match...instead boldly stowing away on the magnificent Maharajah of Naipur's private jet! 

Staff insiders to the masterful Maharajah  Ashok Achari, aren't denying the pair spent a wild night together before being caught by the press on arrival in Mumbai...Scandal is the last thing the Santina royals need right now - might this maharajah be persuaded into taking Santina's runaway princess as his wife?"

The first in the series and I have to be honest as say that I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would.

Penny Jordan is one of the best Harlequin Mills & Boon writers ever, and I think her writing is fantastic. This book isn't badly written, but I just felt that it is overdone and with a little too much purple prose.

Actions and events in this book are so drawn out and over descriptive that I'd forgotten what was actually going on in certain scenes by the end. It got a little tedious to read, to be honest.

I have a real lack of affection for heroes that don't believe anything a heroine says or presumes something about the heroine and cannot be changed in his thinking by anything - to me, this is incredibly frustrating to read and a poor technique for adding conflict.

The hero and heroine's "issues" (and yes, it deserves the quote marks) are melodramatic beyond belief, by the halfway point in this book I really just felt like telling the characters to get over it!

I feel like I have been really harsh writing this review, but even if you take away all of the above stuff I have talked about, this book still disappointed me. The plot doesn't really do anything new or special that I feel a continuity series should. Also it feels completely cut off from the rest of the series - the characters are isolated and the plot doesn't develop the overall series or the series storyline.

Anyway, moving on...

Xx

The Santina Crown... A series spotlight.

The Santina Crown is this years continuity series from Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents that brings together eight fabulous authors in a series based around a very scandalous royal family and an even more scandalous family of tabloid-royalty!

Royalty has never been so scandalous!

STOP PRESS - Crown Prince in shock marriage

The tabloid headlines...

When HRH Crown Prince Alessandro of Santina proposes to paparazzi favourite Allegra Jackson it promises to be the social event of the decade - outrages headlines guaranteed!

The Salacious gossip...

Mills & Boon invited you to rub shoulders with royalty, sheikhs and glamorous socialites,

Step into the decadent playground of the world's rich and famous...

***

I've said before that royalty romances aren't really my preferred trope. I've had this set of books for a while but it has taken me a while to find the want to read them. This series, though, does include some of my favourite Modern authors so I'm expecting greatness! 

To find out more information about the series have a look at these links

http://www.iheartpresents.com/the-santina-crown/

http://www.iheartpresents.com/tag/the-santina-crown-series/

Book Review... Revelations of the Night Before - Lynn Raye Harris

Revelations of the Night Before - Lynn Raye Harris
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891225











My rating

From the back cover:

"Unmasking the enemy 

Valentina D’Angeli is pregnant. And the father…? The man she shared one sensational night with after a masquerade ball. It wasn't until she stole a peek under his mask while he was sleeping that she discovered he was her brother’s sworn enemy – Niccolo Gavretti! 

For this ruthless Italian there’s only one solution to Valentina’s bombshell – put a ring on her finger…no matter how much she refuses. And if he has to take her to bed to make it happen he’ll enjoy every single minute of it!"


As always from this author, this is a book that is full of emotion and tension that will keep you guessing.

The set up is interesting and unique, and the shared past between the hero and heroine only added to the overall enthral of the story.

The heroine is really identifiable and truly the star of the show; she is mature, intelligent, kind and sensible, fits the mould the author created for her perfectly.

I enjoyed the touch of mystery in the story with the fact that you never really knew the full extent of the hero's past actions. It kept me interested and adds an extra layer to an already captivating romance.

This is a wonderful story and I enjoyed going on the journey with the two characters as they got to know one another. The storytelling is flawless with just the right amount of sizzle and sentiments to really get your teeth into.

Loved it.

Xx

Review... The Husband She Never Knew - Kate Hewitt

The Husband She Never Knew - Kate Hewitt
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891126












My rating

From the back cover:


"What he wants, he takes! 

Cruelly discarded on her wedding night, Noelle Ducasse buries the shame of being an untouched bride – creating a new, glamorous life to mask the relentless ache of loneliness. Until Ammar returns… 

The image of Noelle’s guileless eyes lingers with Ammar still. Noelle can refuse him all she likes, but this time the ruthless Ammar will not be denied. He’ll spend each moment of each night proving that – no matter how much her mind denies it – she will melt under her husband’s exquisite touch… "

I simply adored Kate Hewitt's 'The Darkest of Secrets' so I was really pleased to discover this book is linked (The two heroes are estranged brothers). I was expecting a dark and emotional read, and that is exactly what I got.

The hero of this book made me ache; everything about him is so gut-wrenchingly sad and he had done things that should make him unforgivable yet I was able too as Kate Hewitt takes us on his journey of redemption. He is the most flawed hero I think I have ever read, and it works.

The hero and heroine are perfect together, they so desperately wanted and needed to be with one another. There is no doubt these are two very damaged characters who had to fight their demons and actually work at being together. 

The story is sad, powerful and emotional. It's different and more slow boiling than a lot of other books, it's not easy to read but that makes it even more gratifying. 

Kate Hewitt pens wonderfully emotional books that touch you deep down. I loved it, good stuff!

Xx

Book Review... A Tainted Beauty - Sharon Kendrick

A Tainted Beauty - Sharon Kendrick
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891003












My rating

From the back cover:

"All that glitters...

Merciless businessman Ciro D'Angelo knows an opportunity when he sees it - and Lily Scott's vulnerable sweetness and old-fashioned values are exactly what he needs in a wife. She's the complete opposite to the red-taloned gold-diggers who relentlessly pursue him. 

Isn't gold...

But on their wedding night Ciro realises that Lily isn't quite the pure bride he expected. Does her virtuous facade hide a fortune-hunter as shameless as the rest? It seems their marriage is over before it's begun - yet once you're a D'Angelo wife there's no turning back..."

What a story!

The subject if the book is a little old fashioned but I think it is made the most of and a spectacular romance is told. The start of this book is compelling and really quite beautiful, I was hooked instantly.

Lily is a really well crafted heroine with the perfect mix of sweetness and independence. She and the hero bounce off each other perfectly; lots of sizzling tension, fun dialogue and some genuinely tender moments that made me want to sigh out loud!

I did find it a little difficult to really believe the hero’s reaction to the heroine’s lack of virginity. Too many double standards and judgement in his behaviour for my liking. It’s too much of an outdated idea for today’s world.

However, the author managed to make it work and keeps you intrigued all the way through. I liked it a lot.

Xx

Book Review... The Price of Retribution - Sara Craven

The Price of Retribution - Sara Craven
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891096












My rating

From the back cover:

"Hell hath no fury...

To Tarn Desmond family is everything. So when merciless tycoon Caspar Brandon all but destroys her sweet sister, Tarn is determined to make this notorious playboy pay...

Caz is intrigued by the pure beauty of the new girl in his office - no one has ever said no to him before, and if anything that's just doubled his ruthless desire for her! 

As Tarn sinks deeper into her deception her resolve falters under Caz's sensual onslaught. She hasn't banked on revenge costing her the ultimate price: her heart...and her body!"


I love the revenge trope… and I love Sara Craven books. This book only needed pages and I was pretty sure I would like it! Add in the fact that this is a reverse revenge plot (heroine wanting revenge against the hero) makes it even better. What a book this is.

The prologue being ‘now’ and the story then recapping what had happened is a neat little trick to really hook you in right from the start.

Sara Craven weaves a tale that is full of emotion, mystery, passion and betrayal. The POV is a little random in places, it had a bit from the hero at the beginning but that dropped off eventually. It didn’t make the story any less enjoyable though.

I was desperate to find out the real story behind what the heroine believed had happened, I couldn’t stop reading and it kept you guessing throughout.

Oh. The love story between the hero and heroine is simply awesome – real, emotional, strained amd the conflict is simply spectacular.

A brilliant, dramatic book… a great example of why Sara Craven is still one of the best Modern/Presents authors out there.

Loved it.

Xx

Book Review... Painted the Other Woman - Julia James

Painted the Other Woman - Julia James
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891195










My rating

From the back cover:

" Stripped of her glittering façade… 

Athan Teodarkis knows her type well: women for whom designer dresses and priceless jewellery are paid for only in kind. But he’s never been distracted by one – until now. Suspecting his sister’s husband of having an affair with the dangerously beautiful Marisa Milburne, Athan determines to put a stop to it! 

Confident the Teodarkis millions will easily divert this gold-digger’s attentions, Athan has a simple plan: seduce, then discard. But, contrary to what the cynical Athan believes, shy Marisa is no home-wrecker, and her innocence is powerless to resist his vengeful seduction… "

If you want deep, emotional, and dramatic stories then Julia James is the author to look for.

Aside from the too-often inner monologues from the hero and heroine, this is a wonderfully crafted story about revenge and mistakes. It’s classic Julia James with it’s one great big misunderstanding that would only take a couple of words to rectify, yet the fact that it is dragged out and the full truth never coming out until near the end makes this a really tense read.

You never really know how far this author is going to take her theme and I, for one, love this style of romance novels.

The hero and heroine battle against their growing feelings for one another every step of the way and it is very emotional throughout. I really felt like I was there with the characters, feeling what they were feeling, and being drawn totally into the story.

The passion that explodes from all the confusion, misunderstanding and withheld feeling is powerful and intense, and as a result the love between the hero and heroine feels genuine.

The hero grovels for forgiveness for his actions and I liked that the heroine found her strength and stood up to him, great stuff to read!

Intense, powerful and absorbing. A great Modern/Presents.

Xx

Book Review... One Night With The Enemy - Abby Green

One Night With The Enemy - Abby Green
Mills & Boon Modern 
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263891010











My rating

From the back cover:

"In Argentina’s breathtaking vineyards… 

Nicolás de Rojas and Madalena Vasquez had a stolen affair amongst the Mendozan vineyards – until Maddie discovered a devastating secret about Nic, and left without another word. 

He will have her once again! 

Now Maddie is back, having inherited her family’s struggling vineyard, and she’s at Nic’s mercy – right where he wants her. He’s one of Argentina’s most successful vintners, and Maddie desperately needs Nic’s help. But will she agree to his condition? One exquisite night with him … to finish what they started eight years ago …"


Abby Green’s books are always fraught with tension and passion and that is exactly the kind of story you get here!

The depth of feeling between the hero and heroine is incredible; intense, emotional, a little dark and sad. Abby has written this book with the perfect blend of love and hate, and I couldn’t get enough of it. She does a brilliant job of weaving in the backstory without distracting from the present, in fact it makes the whole story even more rich.

The Romeo & Juliet theme is done with relish and with the revenge theme added in just makes this even more wonderful. The story keeps you guessing, and hooked throughout.

With eye-popping passion and edge-of-seat tension, this is not to be missed. Exactly the kind of Modern/Presents I like best.

Loved it!


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Book Review... Defying Drakon - Carole Mortimer

Defying Drakon - Carole Mortimer
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890679












My rating

From the back cover:

"Can he turn defiance into desire?
Drakon Lyonedes has it all: power, wealth, sex appeal...and any woman he wants Until the beautiful Gemini Bartholomew steps into his life, that is...
Confronting him over his plan to turn her family home into a hotel, Gemini intrigues Drakon. The problem? "Long-term" just isn't in this infamously arrogant tycoon's vocabulary-and Gemini is a virgin who surely wants more than one night of sizzling, scorching passion...?
She's determined to defy him, but whose willpower will prove the strongest?"

This book sounded like it was going to be a classic Carole Mortimer book… While I can’t fault the writing and storytelling, which is flawless as always from this author, the story itself felt flat. It is a rather ‘tame’ book (and I’m not just talking about heat levels), to me it lacked that spark and intensity that makes the Modern/Presents line so appealing.

I couldn’t warm to the hero at all; he was constantly blowing hot and cold and was distrustful of the heroine to the point of it becoming quite frustrating to read.

The heroine is OK, she stood up for herself and had lots of independence. She, in fact, is what saved this book from being a bit of a disaster, in my opinon.

The story is a bit slow going and, at times, eye-rollingly clichéd (e.g. the hero took the heroine to see the opera, she got all dressed up and then they arrived at the airport to fly to the performance… Pretty Woman already did that!)

An OK read but a little disappointing. Not very original.


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Book Review... Contract with Consequences - Miranda Lee

Contract with Consequences - Miranda Lee
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890969












My rating

From the back cover:

"He can give her everything she's ever wanted...

Last year Scarlet King was a blushing bride-to-be, but now she's alone and more than anything longs for a baby. This time she's determined to prove she doesn't need a man! 

Successful, spine-tinglingly gorgeous John Mitchell has desired Scarlet for years, so seizes the chance to claim her. But his proposal comes with a devilish price: if she wants a baby, they'll do it the old-fashioned way! John reminds Scarlet of the pleasures she's been missing, but when the affair is over will Scarlet gain her wish but lose her heart?"

I usually find Miranda Lee's books enjoyable, and this one is certainly that but it doesn't quite have the sparkle that her other books have.

The plot is relatively simple, and I'm all for non-bogged down romances, but this just came across as a little lacking,

The heroine feels a little immature, not at all like her 34 years. With her want to have a baby and her lack of success in relationships there was a chance to give the heroine a really emotional past and make the story a little more deep, but this was missed.

The hero was also a little disappointing, I could see what the author was trying to do with his 'emotional unavailability' as a result of his childhood, but it didn't quite work.

I really liked the shared history between the hero and heroine, especially that the hero had always harboured feelings for the heroine.

Overall this is a really sweet romance that is also full of sizzle. A nice read, not anything more.

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