WEDDING NIGHT WITH A STRANGER - Anna Cleary

Author: Anna Cleary
Line: Harlequin Presents Extra / Mills and Boon Modern Heat
Release month: North America: Aug 2010 UK: Apr 2010
The S-Factor: Sexy

Back Blurb:

Bride: signed, sealed and delivered!

Ariadne Giorgias has been set up! Instead of being welcomed in Australia by family friends, she's picked up from the airport by a lone, strikingly gorgeous stranger...

Sebastian Nikosto doesn't know what to expect from his contract wife-to-be. But it certainly isn't the beautiful Ariadne, or the combustible attraction that sizzles between them. Perhaps there might be an upside to this ridiculous arrangement?

But once the bartered bride’s been wedded, it seems that neither party is in such a hurry to annul the marriage as planned...

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Anna Cleary has written an intriguing romance which was absolutely fascinating and lovely to read. The way they met, how they first reacted to each other, how the tables were turned on both of them was a sweet, soft and tender romance.

Ariadne Giorgias sole my heart because of all she’d been through’ from loosing both of her parents as a young child, to being raised by a dominating older Greek Uncle, for her reason she left her groom at the alter causing a scandal for her Greek family. Now her family sent to Australia for a holiday and to get away from Greece and the press. She believed it was a fully paid holiday from her Uncle until she phoned them before her plane departed and found out that her uncle had arranged a deal with an Australian businessman. She was shocked because her family expected her to marry him. She was terribly upset and didn’t want to go. And then she found out that the holiday had not been paid for and she needed money to survive, money she didn’t have and the question was how was she going to get it?

As a courtesy to her uncle, Sebastian sets up a meeting with Ariadne because her uncle had made a deal with him. He would provide the cash flow to put his business back on top if he would marry his niece. What he didn't know was that she came with baggage but so did he because he vowed never to marry again as his wife died three years earlier and he never wanted to make that sort of commitment again nor experience the loss. However, he felt a duty to his company and employees and so he decided to meet her; but it started out badly. He didn’t meet her as planned at the airport and she found him frosty. He felt she was a spoiled rich girl. What he didn't know was that she didn't inherit unless she married and at the moment she really needed the money because she was actually stranded in Australia and would have to leave her hotel to seek a place to live and a job.

Boy oh boy did the sparks fly between them. I actually felt like a third wheel while reading their first encounters. And then I felt so badly for Ariadne because she tried to hock her jewelry so she could find a place to live; in the end she didn’t have enough money and had to settle for less and agreed to marry him, stay married for a short time and then when she got her inheritance walk away. Honestly, reading about their married life, how hard they both tried, how sweet Sebastian was to her, how much she adored him and wanted to make a special home for him was very special until everything blew up in their faces. However, like all relationships that were meant to be they had to learn what was important, search their souls so that in the end they could have their happy ending. Charming, sensual, emotional and happy endings all rolled into one by the talented Anna Cleary.


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Reviewed by: Marilyn
Behind the Book from author’s website:

“Imagine you're stranded in a strange country without money, a place to live or any connection to a living soul. Except for an icy, angry, stunningly gorgeous Greek who despises you, that is.
This is the situation Ariadne Giorgias finds herself in when she steps off the plane from Naxos and into a nightmare.
Can this beautiful, sad, and until now very sheltered heroine survive the cruel shocks of life in Australia?”

AT THE BOSS’S BECK AND CALL – Anna Cleary

Author:                 Anna Cleary

Line:                     Harlequin Presents/Mills and
                            Boon Modern

Release month       UK: Aug 2009/
                             North America: Dec 2009

The S-Factor:        Sexy

Back-Blurb:

A sexy Italian should be just the thing to liven up Lara's working life. Except this gorgeous specimen of a man is not only her new boss, he's the last person she ever expected to see again—and the father of her child!

Now Lara is at Alessandro's beck and call— but his mind is on more than just work. How is Lara supposed to tell him about their daughter? He may have asked her to step into his office, but his demands have extended to the bedroom!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

At the Boss’s Beck and Call by Anna Cleary is ‘An Affair to Remember’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, all rolled into one spectacular and emotional romance.

I love romances with conflict and this definitely is one of those because at the end of their affair six years earlier they both agree to have a “time out”. The sexy Italian Alessandro Vencenti is going to America to finish his education and the beautiful Lara Meadows to return to her family home in Australia. They agree to meet months later back in Australia at The Centrepoint Tower if they still feel the same way about each other. Of course that doesn’t happen and now its six years later and they are fated to meet again at Lara’s publishing firm where Alessandro is going to reorganized and restructure and appoint a new Managing Director. What he doesn’t know is that he’s a father!

Alessandro sees a familiar name and wonders could this be the woman who took his breath away so many years ago? The same woman who he was sure loved him? In the meantime, Lara is on pins and needles because she know that Sandro will be at her office and she’s not sure what if he’s going to remember her after all of these years and if he does, will she tell him he has a five year old daughter? At first he plays with her and lets her feel the past meant nothing to him. But the chemistry still exists between them and it’s an emotional roller coaster for them both.

Lara is the one to take the initiative to ask questions about the past but what they don’t know about each other is that on that fateful day Laura was in the hospital due to a fire at her family home where her father died and one is not sure if Sandro showed up or not. Then Lara wonders if he’s still married because he comes from a very high powered family in Venice and he married a wealthy family friend which was published in all of magazines she read a few months later.

They feel their way around each other but it’s so very obvious they both desire each other and it was emotional when Lara finally told Sandro about his little girl for two reasons, because of his family history and also would he have a part in her life or not? And of course, when they finally agree to see each other on a personal level it’s obvious it’s only going to be a short time before they resume their affair and it sizzles off the pages.

Can there be a happy ever after for this family and can they forgive and resolve the past? The emotions one will feel while reading At The Boss’s Beck and Call and the reasons they didn’t meet up all of those years ago plus the reason Sandro married is quite the journey. But mark my word, in the end you’ll be cheering for Alessandro, Laura and Vivi.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

From Anna’s Website – Behind the Book:

Do you know 'An Affair to Remember', that beautiful romantic movie so stylishly acted by the great Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr?

I was inspired by that particular story when I was dreaming up Lara and Alessandro's tale. Like the lovers in the movie, when Lara and Alessandro are separated by the demands of their lives, they make a pact to meet again, at a certain time, in a certain place.

And like the lovers in the movie, Fate intervenes. So, when they do finally meet, their reunion doesn't go smoothly. Old passions, guilt, anger and sizzling desire rise to the surface like furies.

I'm considering who to cast for their characters. For instance, I suspect Andy Garcia would make a gorgeous Alessandro. What do you think? Here he is, intense, strong, brooding and so passionate. Oh yes, he could be Alessandro.

UNTAMED BILLIONAIRE, UNDRESSED VIRGIN - Anna Cleary

Title: UNTAMED BILLIONAIRE, UNDRESSED VIRGIN

Author: ANNA CLEARY

Line: Mills and Boon Modern Heat
Harlequin Presents



Release month North America: May 2009/ UK: December 2008 / Australia/NZ: Feb 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

The rebel billionaire…

Connor O’Brien has scars – inside and out – proof of the dark and dangerous life he leads.

The innocent girl next door…

Inexperienced Sophy Woodruff has never known a man as devastatingly sexy as Connor. Intense, brooding and distant, this bad boy is everything she shouldn’t desire…

He’ll take her – and show her the most exquisite pleasure!
Despite his vow of non-commitment, Connor can’t resist bedding Sophy. But Sophy is a virgin, and once he’s taken her innocence he’s not sure he can walk away…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Our alpha is Connor O’Brien….just envision tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. He is a man who is totally dedicated to his intelligence occupation and for a reason. He wants to attachments, no involvements as he’s been there and done that; as a result he lost his wife and son in an airplane crash.

Sophy Woodruff you’ll immediately love. She’s lovely, sweet and only wants a family who will love and accept her. Sophy was adopted but has always felt her adoptive parents loved their only child more and the proof of that is they have moved to England to be with that daughter and their grandchildren.

Sophy has discovered she has her biological father living right there in Sydney and she has a half brother. She and her father have been secretly meeting but it’s been a very painful experience for Sophy. He’s cold, uncaring and wants to pay her off. Sophy is not aware she also has a grandfather and he was a very old and dear friend of Connor’s dad.

Upon his arrival for his R&R in Sydney, Connor’s father’s dearest friend approaches him and requests he do a favour, surveillance on a young lady he believes is having an affair with his son. Of course, as the story unfolds one learns that the supposed lover is Sophy’s biological father and everything becomes complicated.

Connor takes an office in Sophy’s building so he can watch her and doesn’t count on the attraction they will experience. Their love story is bittersweet. It will have you cheering when Connor finally gives in to his attraction. However, you will cry right along with Sophy when he returns to his intelligence position.

Untamed Billionaire, Undressed Virgin by author Anna Cleary is written in such a manner you’ll actually feel you’re in Sydney, in its posh areas, the gardens, restaurants, and shops. Anna is very expressive and detailed in each of her books and always such a joy to read.


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About the author: Check out Anna’s website here for her inspiration for the book. Reading it, I was transported to a country I’ve never visited but felt right at home.

TAKEN BY THE MAVERICK MILLIONAIRE - ANNA CLEARY

Title: TAKEN BY THE MAVERICK MILLIONAIRE

Author: ANNA CLEARY

Line: HARLEQUIN PRESENTS

Release month North America: August 2008/UK: July 2008

The S-Factor: Sensual and Sexy

Back-Blurb:

Overheard…

Cate Summerfield never meant to eavesdrop. Now powerful Tom Russell must stop her from exposing details of an important deal.

Overpowered…He'll keep Cate very close—seducing the beautiful blonde will be no hardship at all! And in way over her head!

Cate knows Tom's not just a ruthless billionaire—but can the girl from the wrong side of the tracks ever be more than his convenient mistress?

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Anna Cleary has written an extremely, sensual and emotional-packed book which will make one forget whatever it was they were doing before they began reading Taken by the Maverick Millionaire.

This is Anna’s second book set in beautiful Sydney which features the newspaper industry. It’s about secrets, corporate takeovers, a fake relationship which results in a rocky romantic journey for Cate Summerfield and Tom Russell. Tom Russell, the proud and handsome son of the Russell Newspaper dynasty finds himself with three problems……his father has passed away leaving his fortune to charity, if a secret merger doesn’t happen he’ll loose his business and on top of that, the day of the funeral a rival newspaper woman overhears the secret details of that merger. What’s he going to do? He promises to give Cate Summerfield the scoop of the year if she’ll stay with him, pretend to be his mistress until the merger is complete.

Cate Summerfield comes from a middle class family, she’s has two loves, her ailing Grandmother and the desire to make her proud by becoming a successful newspaper woman. She’s recently had one bad relationship and it caused her Gran to suffer a heart attack when they were arguing beside her hospital bed. When Cate is given the chance to cover the Russell funeral and write the story, she’s over the moon. What she doesn’t count on is overhearing a discussion between Olivia West (publicist) and Tom who were making plans for a secret merger and if Cate scoops the story, it would take the Russell dynasty down! What she also doesn’t count on is her attraction for Tom and when she agrees to stay with him, her life if thrown into turmoil.

Both Tom and Cate have secrets and Taken by the Maverick Millionaire allows the reader to take their journey in a beautiful country, see the bond they form, see how they heal each other in the process, and in the end see how they learn to trust and declare their love for each other. It’s quite an emotional and spirited love story and one that would light up any alpha's soul!

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From Anna’s website: “So try on the persona of Cate Summerfield for an hour or two. See how it feels for her when she meets The Man. True heroines like her deserve the very best in the hero line. Someone strong, attractive, sexy, honorable, intelligent, sensitive, humorous and HOT. Someone like Tom Russell? AC
Reviewed by: Marilyn

MY TALL DARK GREEK BOSS - Anna Cleary

Title: MY TALL DARK GREEK BOSS

Author: Anna Cleary

Line: Harlequin Presents Extra
Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month North America: April 2008 UK / Australia: November 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering & Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Tall, dark, handsome Greek…Gorgeous billionaire Samos Stilakos is the answer to every woman's prayers. And from what Ellie O'Dea can tell, he's happily answered a lot of them.Boss?But Sam is also Ellie's new boss! Even though they've had one thrillingly passionate night, Ellie is going to have to forget it—fast.Or lover?Only, Sam wants to explore the attraction that sizzles between them—and being Ellie's boss and the CEO, he's not used to taking no for an answer!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

A “Greek God” in every sense, Sam is proud, very much the alpha but he has a well “hidden sensitive side” when it comes to Ellie his personal PA. You see, they actually at one time were two ‘Strangers in the Night” who shared an incredible night of passion. Months ago, they met at a company masquerade ball and they were so drawn to each other and acted on that attraction. However, Ellie made Sam promise not to remove her masque and if he in the future were to recognize her, he was to never mention their night of passion and Sam agreed because he knew Ellie would run!

Ellie has worked for the bank for years, promoted several times and her main goal is to have enough money saved to quit her job and have a child before it is too late. As far as relationships, Ellie’s success rate is “zero” so she plans to have a procedure in order to achieve her goal. However, when she is given a promotion to be Sam’s PA with an increase in salary she accepts. However, he is a threat to everything she wants and she’s scared. Sam pulls Ellie like a magnet; it is actually painful and a couple of times she gives in to her desire and throws caution to the wind. However, it all backfires for both of them.

This was an incredible love story and at times hard to read as you watched Ellie and Sam’s struggle. Sam in a way lives by the old Greek ways, at one time he was married and hurt so he has trust issues and his strong feelings for Ellie confuse him. Whereas, Ellie is hurt by Sam’s comments, actions and yearns for him to see her as the person she really is and she feels “used” and decides to move forward, which means leaving Sam and the bank she loves.

Heart breaking? Yes! However, you will not want to miss this wonderful romance and you will want to read more of Anna Cleary’s books. Congratulations Anna on this spectacular book; I can’t wait to read your next Presents!


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Did you know...

Anna earned an education degree in Queensland. When a friend suggested they make a pact to each start writing a romance, Anna accepted the challenge.

She was hooked from her very first line. Anna’s first published novel, My Tall, Dark, Greek Boss, explores the dilemma of a woman who longs to exchange her lovely, successful career for the joys and trials of motherhood.