Saturday, May 17, 2008

CARETTI'S FORCED BRIDE - Jennie Lucas


Title: CARETTI’S FORCED BRIDE

Author: JENNIE LUCAS

Line: Mills and Boon Modern and Harlequin Presents

Release month North America: August 2008; UK/Australia: May 2008

The S-Factor: Simmering & Very Sensual



He'll take his revenge. He'll be ruthless. He'll make her ready for the taking!
Dark, devilish, rich and ruthless, Paolo Caretti isn’t ashamed of his roots. But he’s ashamed that he once loved a woman who thought she was better than him. Now Isabelle needs him, and Paolo has a thirst for revenge…
She’ll be his bride. She’ll do his bidding. She’ll be happy in his bed!Princess Isabelle de Luceran – she knows she hurt Paolo and it broke her heart. She also knows his help has a price. And when he discovers the true depth of her deceit she’ll be destroyed by his vengeance…
They’ll make vows. They’ll make love. They’ll find love springs from hate!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Yet again, Jennie Lucas delivers a wonderful story full of passion, anger, secrets, pride…..just a very enjoyable and moving love story set in the Mediterranean and surrounded by castles, villas, lush country side and the sea.

Princess Isabelle de Luceran is bound by duty and honor to her Country and her family. Even though her heart was ripped apart years ago when she left the only man she’d ever loved. Isabelle had refused his proposal and in the end let her sister talk her into giving up the baby she had conceived with Paolo, making him heir to the throne. It’s not bad enough that her sister and her husband recently died in an acccident……now their 9 year old son has been kidnapped. She can only trust one man to do the job and that’s her past and only lover Paola Caretti. So she returns to the US and begs him to come home with her to save her nephew, which of course he does but with a price.

Paulo Caretti is ruthless, handsome, and rich and wants Isabelle. Years ago he loved her and proposed marriage and in the end, she refused and returned to her country. Now Paolo can seek revenge and his plan is for Isabelle to become his mistress, get her pregnant and marry her at all costs. Paolo accepts his passion for her but vows never to be caught up in love again. Love hurts and Paolo knows this first hand……from his ruthless father, from the mother who abandoned him and from the only woman he ever love who walked out on him!

What neither of them counts on is their powerful attraction, lust and the passion which goes up in flames when they are together. What they also don’t count on is that they can’t leave each other alone so the affair continues and they are splashed all over media which doesn’t sit well with Isabelle’s family and country.

There is so much anguish, hurt and at times it broke my heart. Their passion will take your breath away and in the end when they resolve their past, secrets and the issues facing them are resolved, you’ll stand up and cheer! Caretti’s Forced Bride is one book you won’t want to miss and I’m hopeful that Jennie will continue on with a series as all of the characters were wonderful, each with a story of their own, I’m sure!

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About the Book - From Jennie’s Website:


Like most girls, I dreamed of being a princess. I was seven years old when my mother woke me up to see Princess Diana’s fairy-tale wedding televised from half the world away. Now I see my own young daughter prancing around the house in fancy dresses and tiaras.


But being a princess isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be, is it? A life can feel so different on the inside than it might look on the outside. You only have to look at Grace Kelly or Princess Diana to realize that.


In Caretti’s Forced Bride, Isabelle is beloved and worshipped as the most beautiful princess in the whole world. She is fashionable, beautiful, adored. Surrounded by paparazzi. But in spite of that, she’s very lonely. She’s lost nearly everyone she loves. And she carries the heavy weight of a secret.


Is it possible to be a princess trapped in a castle—but still be happy? Maybe if you have the right prince…

Reviewed by: Marilyn

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

KING OF THE DESERT, CAPTIVE BRIDE - Jane Porter


Title: KING OF THE DESERT, CAPTIVE BRIDE

Author: JANE PORTER

Line: Harlequin Presents – Desert Kings
(book 2) Mills & Boon Modern Romance

Release month North America: May 2008; UK / Australia: March 2008

The S-Factor: Simmering & Sweet



When Sheikh Khalid Fehr rescues innocent Olivia Morse from the hands of his country's enemies, he guarantees her freedom by announcing she is his betrothed….
Khalid has vouched for Liv with his honor… and this desert king is determined that his new wife will fulfill her marital duties, by his side as his regal queen…and as his captive virgin bride!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

In Jane's the Sheikh's Chosen Queen (book 1) you were introduced to King Sharif Fehr and his wife Jesslyn. Jesslyn was friends with Sharif's two sisters who were killed when they were all three on a trip. The family was devastated, especially his brother Khalid Fehr, who now resides in the Great Sarq Desert.


Khalid has never gotten over the loss so when he reads a post on the Internet from a brother who lives in the US, looking for his sister, Khalid's heart twists. After some research and investigation, he finds out she's been arrested and is now in a prison. Determined to free her, he stakes his honor, his familes as well to obtain her pardon. However, from the moment of Olivia Morse's release, everything goes wrong and so in order not to have Olivia returned to prison, Khalid states that she is his fiancé and they are to be married. All sorts of questions arise with the government and his family.....is she a thief, a drug smuggler, and why would he want to marry when he's always told his family never!


Their journey actually begins in Cairo and then a wonderful river trip on the Nile, sights one dreams of seeing; history, color, artifacts, temples, bazaars, foods.....a dream come true for Olivia who is a travel agent from a small southern town. It's a journey of exploration for them both.....trust, yearning, fear, the unknown factor if Olivia will be able to marry or go back to prison.


For Olivia is not just the adventure, it's finding out about herself, it's about falling for a man she doesn't understand, it's about honor, family and in the end love. It's a romantic adventure as only Jane Porter can write to exotic ports and places with an incredible honor bound sheikh, Khalid Fehr you'll adore!


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

THE SPANIARD'S DEFIANT VIRGIN - Jennie Lucas


Title: THE SPANIARD'S DEFIANT VIRGIN


Author: JENNIE LUCAS

Line:
HARLEQUIN PRESENTS – Innocent Mistress, Virgin Bride series

Modern Romance – Mills and Boon

Release month: North America: June 2008; UK / Australia: November 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering & Sensual


In his Spanish castillo Marcos Ramirez has been planning his retribution for the Winters family…. And now it's time.


Marcos will take Tamsin and destroy her family. But Tamsin isn't the hedonistic society girl he expected. She's beautiful and courageous—bedding her will be sweet. And it's then that Marcos realizes Tamsin's a virgin, and innocent of all she's been accused of!


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Marcos Ramirez is truly a “dark angel”! This Spanish alpha is to die for, he’s angry, he’s seeking revenge and yet he has a protective and extremely sexy side, he’ll melt your heart.

Tasmin is misunderstood by the press and all of London. She’s been deemed a wild heiress, a flirt and a spoiled beauty and actually she’s none of these…..she’s got a secret and she’ll do anything that has to be done to protect a family member. When Tasmin is kidnapped by the “dark angel” she realizes she is indeed in trouble because if she doesn’t follow her step brother’s instructions to marry the nephew of the sheikh to save the family business, she’ll not only be on the receiving end of his wrath she’ll not be able to protect her ten year old sister from her families abuse.

Marcos is seeking revenge, revenge for the loss of his family due to the Winters family greed and that of Aziz the nephew of the sheikh. He kidnaps Tasmin and is seeking revenge and plans to ruin Aziz and Tasmin’s brother’s business. What neither of them counts on is their strong attraction for each other and in the end they act upon it and can’t seem to stay away from each other.

When the time comes to set the revenge plan in motion, everything is turned upside down. You will be holding your breath during the last few chapters, trying to figure out the outcome. Trust me, it’s thrilling, full of suspense and passion, pleasure and you’ll be shedding some tears as well. It’s a lesson for all to learn……leave the past behind and look towards the future and thanks to Jennie Lucas and The Spaniard’s Defiant Virgin one will see how Marcos gives up revenge for love.

A quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Wanted: White Wedding by Natasha Oakley


Title: Wanted: White Wedding
Author: Natasha Oakley
Line: Harlequin Romance
Release month: May/June 2008
The S-Factor: Sweet
Back-Blurb:

Seeing Daniel Ramsey struggle with fatherhood makes memories of Freya's past come flooding back. Freya was a wild child, but on the inside she always dreamed of happy ever afters and white weddings. It was a way to escape the troubles of home. Now she's grown up, stunning and successful, and she knows she can help Daniel and his daughter.

But Freya's afraid of getting too close.… She still has her secrets, locked up tight. Could it be that after all these years, she's met the man who has the ability to see straight into her heart?

Review:

The wonderful Natasha Oakley is back with a brand new Harlequin Romance that will tug at your heartstrings and hold you spellbound until the final sentence: Wanted: White Wedding.

Freya Anthony knows that the people of Fellingham haven’t forgotten her wild child past. She’s well aware of the gossip and sniggers which surround her return, but her beloved grandmother Margaret needs her, and she isn’t going to let a bunch of nosy parkers with nothing better to do with their lives, prevent her from helping the one woman who’s always cared and been there for her.

On her arrival, Freya learns that Margaret wants to sell some of her antiques to local auctioneer Daniel Ramsay, and when Freya visits his auction house, she’s less than impressed! How can Daniel runs a serious business from a ramshackle building?
But Freya’s got other things to worry about: her attraction to the gorgeous Daniel!
Charismatic, charming and drop dead gorgeous, Freya begins to fall for the handsome auctioneer. However, will Freya and Daniel let their pasts and responsibilities push them away? Or will they realize that theirs is a love that will last a lifetime?

Wanted: White Wedding is an absolutely terrific contemporary romance by one of my favourite romance writers! Moving, tender, sweet, poignant and totally absorbing, Wanted: White Wedding is a captivating tale of renewal, new beginnings and happy endings from a writer who never fails to deliver enthralling romance!

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Monday, May 05, 2008

THE GREEK TYCOON'S CONVENIENT BRIDE - Kate Hewitt


Title: THE GREEK TYCOON'S CONVENIENT BRIDE

Author: Kate Hewitt

Line: Harlequin Presents and Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month North America: April 2008; UK / Australia: March 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering & Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Rhiannon Davies's plan was to reunite her late friend's baby with the infant's Greek father, then return home…alone. Instead Lukas whisks them away to his private island! Soon Rhiannon falls under the spell of the sun, sea—and the ruthless tycoon himself. Caught up in a wave of desire for the devastatingly handsome Lukas, she finds herself agreeing to marriage—with a man who has made it clear he'll never love her….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Kate is another new author for me and an exceptional one at that with this almost "Greek Tragedy"! At times, this was painful to read as Lukas struggled with his emotions and refused to love! He is a magnificent Greek alpha, shoulders his entire family's problems and always rises to the cause and takes responsibility for their misconduct.


The first few chapters are intense due to the fact that both characters, Lukas and Rhiannon are immediately drawn to each other. The air sizzles and crackles between them from the very beginning. When Rhiannon contacts Lukas it's for an urgent reason.....she is the ward of an old friend’s infant daughter, Annabel, who recently passed away. Her friend told her Lukas is the father and because of her past upbringing she feels it's important for the infant to be with family. She knows what it's like not to belong as she was adopted and never felt loved. Love is the most important thing to Rhiannon and she hopes someday to find it.


Lukas figures out that the Annabel's father is his nephew Christos, an uncaring, spoiled playboy. No matter at what cost, Lukas is going to take responsibility for this child and claims her as family. However, he demands until matters are settled that Rhiannon accompany them to Greece.


Sparks, sensual tension, all of it and more flare up between this couple. As the days go on, Rhiannon realizes that she loves this baby girl, she fights her attraction for Lukas and worries what the outcome will be.....should she allow this dysfunctional family to be involved in raising Annabelle? Should she stay in Greece to be close to this child she has grown to love and how will she deal with her feelings that are growing for Lukas?


The passion, the heat, the tension and the heartache that encompass this couple will have you in tears. Kate Hewitt sincerely has a "winner" with The Greek Tycoons Convenient Bride; it's an exceptional story and will make you believe in love and happy endings!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Friday, May 02, 2008

IN BED WITH HER ITALIAN BOSS - KATE HARDY



Title: IN BED WITH HER ITALIAN BOSS

Author: Kate Hardy

Line: Harlequin Presents
Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month North America: April 08 UK: July 07 as Breakfast at Giovanni’s

The S-Factor: Sweet & Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Having just been fired, Francesca has three immediate requirements: a coffee, an extremely calorific pastry and a new job. Stopping off at her favorite café, Giovanni's, she manages to pick up all three!

Working for darkly handsome Giovanni Mazetti is fantastic—except Fran discovers the job comes with a tantalizing caveat: pretending to be his adoring girlfriend! Soon their kisses start happening in private as well as in public, and although Fran knows it's all a game to Giovanni, she can't help wishing his feelings were for real….


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

This is the first Kate Hardy book I’ve ever read and I’m so glad I did! It’s a little like Prince Charming meets Sleeping Beauty. Gio is one handsome, sexy and talented Italian. He believes in commitment and family and is a man who made sacrifices for that family. At one time he dreamed of being a musician. However when his father became ill, he rose to the cause and took over the family coffee business giving up his dream.


Fran, is the oldest in her family and was adopted when her parents thought they couldn’t have any children which was inaccurate as they eventually had twins boys and a girl. Fran always felt awkward, a sense of not belonging as her siblings excelled at everything they attempted; where Fran definitely was not an academic as the rest of her family. Fran frequents the Mazetti coffee shop and one particular day stops in feeling a little off as she’s just been told her job is being eliminated. She feels comfortable talking with Gio and in the end, Gio offers Fran a job as his office manager as he needs someone to organize his business because he wants to expand.


What both Fran and Gio don’t count as their working relationship and friendship progress is their attraction for each other. Gio’s family adore him and want him happy so when they learn of Fran they believe her to be more than his office manager. This situation works well for Gio as his Nonna is soon to visit so he asks Fran to pose as his girlfriend for the entire family. What they both don’t count on is how their relationship develops from friendship to lovers. What Fran doesn’t count on is for the very first time, she actually feels she belongs!


This is one sweet and tender love story……an awakening of sorts for both Gio and Fran and one you definitely will not want to miss thanks to Kate Hardy’s storytelling ability!

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Reviewed by Marilyn