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

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

Book Review... Never Stay Past Midnight - Mira Lyn Kelly

Never Stay Past Midnight - Mira Lyn Kelly
Mills & Boon RIVA
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263902730












My rating

From the back cover:

"Love-’em-and-leave-’em Levi just got loved-and-left! 

Everything about Elise was so right that night, until at 11.59 p.m. she got out of his bed, got dressed, and left! What the…? 

The tables have turned and Levi realises that he has just met the one woman who leaves him wanting more. But how will he find her again? How can he get her back in his life? And could Hugo the Great Dane be the answer? 

If you like Tilly Bagshawe or Victoria Fox, you’ll love this."


I was looking forward to this book, I have read all of Mira Lyn Kelly's books and enjoyed them and this is the first I picked to read from the newly relaunched RIVA line.

If I had to pick one phrase to describe this book (and indeed all of Mira Lyn Kelly's books) then it would be "twenty-first century", through and through her books are modern and up to date. This author's voice is perfect for her contemporary stories and they very much appeal to me.

Everything about this story feels real; the hero and heroine have real everyday problems and issues that aren't clichéd or trite and through the journey they go on you can see them gradually falling in love with one another.

I liked both the hero and heroine, they are well drawn and well matched to one another. The 'black moment' of this story is heart clenching and allowed the hero to really show his dark side. Riveting stuff, I especially liked that the heroine stood up to the hero.

Stripped down this is a very simple story of two damaged people finding love and it reads nicely. (Although, I'll be honest, I hated the epilogue - too much. Ick!)

A fun, steamy, and sweet read.

Xx

Book Review... Lost in Love - Michelle Reid

Lost in Love - Michelle Reid
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1994
ISBN: 9780263783520












My rating

From the back cover:

"Four years ago, Guy Frabosa had hurt Marnie so deeply that she vowed never to set eyes on him again and had divorced him in a blaze of pain and anger. He fought her, but she'd had a trump card and had been desperate enough to use it. 

Now Guy held all the cards - Marnie needed his financial help and had little choice but to play by her ex-husband's rules. He demanded her body and soul, but the thought of returning to his side as his wife filled her with a raging hatred - made all the more consuming by her utterly wanton desire for his lovemaking."

This is another one of those urban legend Michelle Reid books that so many people say how good it is. And it is worthy of every piece of that praise. This is such a wonderful, beautiful story.

Both the hero and heroine suffer greatly throughout. Their story is fraught with confusion, bitterness, hurt, passion... you name it. But through it all, I could tell these two characters loved each other deeply. The writing is so powerful, Michelle Reid is truly a master at this.

Guy has to be one of my favourite ever heroes; He isn't afraid to own up to his mistakes, yet also not willing to ever give up on the love he and the heroine had. Sigh!

This book is so romantic, as well as heart breaking. So much has happened between the hero and heroine that it would have been easy for the story to get lost under everything, but Michelle Reid manages to keep the focus on the most important part - the love the still, despite everything, have for one another.

And, the result, is a pretty much perfect story.

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... Brittle Bondage - Anne Mather

Brittle Bondage - Anne Mather
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1994
ISBN: 9780263786149












My rating

From the back cover:

"'I want a divorce, Ben. I've met someone else and we want to get married.'
Rachel's marriage had ended in bitterness and recrimination. Ben had been unfaithful to her and had tried to lie his way out of trouble. Two years later the dust had begun to settle and their only point of contact was their small daughter, Daisy. 
And that was the way Rachel wanted it now that Simon had entered her life. It didn't occur to her that Ben might have other views on the matter."


I have read quite a few of Anne Mather’s books and found them all enjoyable. No difference for this book, I liked it… but I don’t think it quite lived up to its potential.

One thing I have noticed from this author is that her books often have a nice level of maturity in the story and older (than usual) characters. I like that about them.

This is a reunion story; the hero and heroine are separated after a rather bitter end to their marriage. I could tell straight away that the hero was still desperately in love with the heroine and couldn’t bear to let her go. I would really like to have had his POV included. The heroine came across as a bit of a shrew at times, I didn’t always warm to her.

This is a sweet and passionate reunion story with lots of emotion. However with the title ‘Brittle Bondage’ I thought it would be more brooding, more dark even. The story dragged in places and the heroine’s neediness just became frustrating.

Overall though, this is a nice, enjoyable book.

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... Runaway Fiancée - Sally Wentworth

Runaway Fiancee - Sally Wentworth
Mills & Boon Presents
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 1998
ISBN: 9780263807387












My rating

From the back cover:

"Bring Back My Bride!
It should have been the wedding of the year...Instead, his beautiful fiancee was in another country, celebrating her engagement to another man - and she had no memory of ever agreeing to marry Milo Caine!
It had taken him a year to track her down. Now Milo just had to find out why Paige had run away one week before their wedding - and to convince her that he was the man who should be exchanging vows and cutting the cake with her!"


This book certainly starts with a bang, and the heroine is spectacular right from the start. She has such a feisty personality and is written brilliantly throughout. It would have been so easy to have the heroine as the ‘victim’ but the author stayed well away from this – although she had been like that in the past so it was a nice touch to have her finally found her backbone.

I like the hero also; the author didn’t hold him back from acting and reacting badly to towards the heroine, but at the same time he was also a very tender character.

With the amnesia trope there is always the risk of walking down cliché avenue, but here the author doesn’t stick too fiercly to this theme and instead makes it a bit more gritty.

I felt for both the hero and heroine, I wanted them to make their own way after having so mnuch of their lives planned out. The love between the hero and heroine is lovely, sweet and passionate.

This is an emotional book, but also quite fun. I really enjoyed 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... Time to Let Go - Alison Fraser

Time to Let Go - Alison Fraser
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1990
ISBN: 9780263768930












My rating

From the back cover:

"I'm sure if we had...um...met, I would certainly have remembered you.
The man was unstoppable! First he'd unashamedly assumed that Sara and he must have been on intimate terms, and now - that misunderstanding having been sorted out - he confidently expected she'd make up the numbers on this bedpost yet. If it wasn't for young Scott, Sara would have told Neville Dryden what he could do with his notches.
She'd been in an emotional deep freeze for three years, and she needed a lot more than the warmth of Nevilles careless actor's charm to bring about the thaw..."

This is a book from my oldie pile; I really love these older ones as they are very ‘classic’ in style.

The few books I have read from Alison Fraser, all enjoyable, have included heroines with careers that actually require devotion, and that is the case again in this book with the heroine being a Social Worker – very unusual, and un-glamorous for a romance novel! I really like this as it adds a bit of reality into these books that they are sometimes lacking, if you know what I mean.

Throughout the book, I really didn’t know what to make of the hero; he is both infuriatingly arrogant and completely charming. Even without his POV, I could tell that he had fallen head over heels for the heroine yet couldn’t work up the courage to show her. Oh, sigh!

The heroine’s grief over the loss of her husband felt real and is dealt with well, it was a nice detail that the hero felt like he could never live up to the legacy of the heroines late husband. It was refreshing to read a book where it is the hero who has the insecurities over the development of the relationship.

Alison Fraser has written a poignant, emotional and beautiful book that is about moving on and opening your heart.

A lovely read.

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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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