Marilyn S

• Rated 5 stars

“All of her life Emma Delaney had to live up to her father's expectations, work.....achieve.....be the best and she's not only become a workaholic, she has no social life and her co-workers look at her as a "buttoned-up" and uptight person.

Jake Rendel is someone from her past, a neighbour and his sister is Emma Delaney's sister's best friend. As a young girl she adored him and now he's here at the hotel where she works and he's going to be in charge of the renovation! He's handsome, sexy, and full of charm and every woman on the property is drooling over this self made man and millionaire. Emma also remembers how Jake took care of his mother and family and also remembers the "crush" she had on Jake.

Upon seeing Emma and watching how her co-workers treat her Jake's heart aches for her. He can still remember how harsh her father was with Emma and her sister, always pushing them to be the best and Jake felt her father never appreciated Emma and her achievements. In fact, he remembered back to one day when as a young girl he found her crying because her report card did not have perfect marks. And now, he finds he's going to be working with her and observes how her female co-workers look at her so he decides he's going to help her by pretending to be her lover. Can Jake provide a little fun in her life, get rid of her bad rep with her co-workers and help transform her, make her believe in herself?

His Mistress by Arrangement was a beautiful love story, it' was the chase, their attraction for each other and how everything backfired for both of them. It touched me deeply as the book is actually a journey in self discovery for Emma and the realization of how she had put her dreams and hidden them from everyone especially those who meant the most to her, her family and all because they wanted her to be successful so they could brag. As for Jake, this incredible man wanted only the best for Emma, he wanted her to have those dreams, trying to teach her to take a risk and if she wasn't the best, he would still love and support her. As for Emma, could she fight that fear and ask for what she wanted? You are going to want to read this wonderfully written love story by Natalie Anderson as it is so moving, emotional and the happy ending spectacular!”

Marilyn S wrote this review Saturday, July 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Kate Hewitt has written such a powerful love story in Ruthless Boss, Hired Wife. It's so intense and almost desperate and will have the reader on the edge of their seat.

The first half of the book was difficult to read because Cormac Douglas was so intense. He was one self-assured, ruthless, harsh, uncaring man and he had a plan; he was going to fake a marriage to his secretary Lizzie in order to win a prestigious bid to build a resort. The key was the family building the resort wanted a "family man" to design it and Cormac always wins! So he tells his secretary Lizzie that she needs to accompany him on a business trip and while in the air tells her she needs to pretend that they have been married for months.

Lizzie Chandler is a innocent! She's a sweet woman who at an early age had to take responsibility for her sister Dani as their parents died in a car accident. She has worked at Cormac's firm for a few years only seeing him once a month. She's fully aware that he only dates beautiful women, is an extremely hard man and when he drops the bomb on her that she needs to play like they are married, she's angry, frightened and wants no part of it. In the end, she agrees and while they're play acting she realizes she desires him. However, in the end and through different arguments with Cormac she realizes she was only a prop to be used. It was all about power for him and as she got to know him better it was like he was tortured.

Their Charade turned dangerous for both of them. His was lust and for Lizzie she wanted it to be real, wanted him to have feelings for her......she wanted it all! Some of the chapters were difficult to read with his anger and the things he said in anger to Lizzie. However, you could read between the lines and come to some conclusions; Cormac's past and his trust issues.

I encourage you to read Ruthless Boss, Hired Wife, its Kate Hewitt at the top of her game and this very intense and emotional love story will pull at your heart.”

Marilyn S wrote this review Saturday, July 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Lucy Monroe has charmed me again with these three wonderful stories about these three sexy, hot and sensitive brothers. She weaves wonderful romantic tales which brings these incredible men to life. The women in their lives are sensitive to their needs and their love for these men goes "soul" deep.

I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, especially for Lucy Monroe fans. Again, Lucy has produced a real winner! ”

Marilyn S wrote this review Saturday, July 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“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 quite an emotional and spirited love story and one that lite up any alpha's soul!”

Marilyn S wrote this review Wednesday, July 23 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Robyn Grady continues to deliver an emotional and entertaining story in The Australian Millionaire's Love-Child. The reader is introduced to Sophie who is attending a friend's wedding shortly after a break-up with her boyfriend; on top of that, she's feeling insecure about herself and the extra weight she's gained; not to mention old friends comments about her situation. However, in the end it makes her realize she needs to make some changes and take charge of her life!

We've all been there at one time in our lives, single....attending a lovely wedding.....no date and that "horrible" bouquet toss for those single! Talk about embarrassing! Yes, you guessed it, Sophie's was feeling the same way so she tried to be inconspicuous and didn't join the group. However, little did she know the bouquet was not caught but would land in her lap and on top of everything else, Sophie didn't realize that the most gorgeous man she'd ever set eyes on would overhear her friends discussing her lack of a boyfriend or the pounds she had put on!

Enter Cooper Smith to the rescue. Cooper is not only tall, dark and handsome, he's a man who decides to take action and rescue Sophie, by physically swooping her up in his arms, and kissing her in front of the wedding guests. They both decide to have a nightcap in Cooper's penthouse, learn a little about each other and that's when Sophie learns that Cooper is a driven and successful attorney, one with a plan......he's looking for a wife, wants a family and has made a list of requirements, none of which appeal to Sophie; just the man himself and oh what a man! One thing leads to another and they end up making love all night. From the beginning they both realize they want different things and as they say, they are both opposites and disagree about what's important in a marriage......for Sophie its love and for Cooper compatibility, an agreeable and stay at home wife and at least children. So at the end of their evening, they agree to go their separate ways.

So, that's the beginning of this enchanting and dazzling love story. What I felt made this book so remarkable was the way Robyn Grady gave the reader a deep emotional connection to the story and the characters. The way she developed the relationship between Cooper and Sophie and the new found knowledge they would soon be parents will have you reading this story from cover to the end. What's even better is how they deal with their differences in opinion, and Cooper's manipulation and dominance. For Sophie she wonders is she "the pre-wrapped package" or is she his destiny? Can they make this relationship work? Can they find love? Hopefully you'll read and find out the answers and enjoy The Australian Millionaire's Love-Child as much as I did.....you'll laugh, cry, get exasperated with Cooper and love Sophie!”

Marilyn S wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Plain and simply, this was a great and fun read. Katie and Jess have a past, but the first time around they just didn't make it. So when Katie discovers Jess is the guy who can destroy her grandparents home which now houses her radio station, well let the games begin and the third world war!

Their love story is truly a battle of wills and passion? Will they kiss and make up? You'll just have to read this wonderful story to find out!

Book Description:

It's Katie Peterson's job to be a mouthy DJ, but being mouthy just got personal. Jess Harkins has started construction on a sixty-story office tower next to Katie's quaint local radio station. She'd hate his building anyway - who needs another high-rise? But Katie especially dislikes having her view blocked by the guy who turned down the chance to be her "first." So it's time for a little payback....

Jess always got a laugh at Katie's irreverent on-air comments. He'd even thought of asking her out...for old time's sake. But now Katie's barbs are directed at him - implying that any man driven to build a structure this high is obviously compensating for something.... Jess has only one thing to say to Katie, and it isn't something he can just phone in. It's time to turn the radio off...and turn Katie on!”

Marilyn S wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“I was thoroughly charmed by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Natural Born Charmer. All one needs to do is look on Amazon and see that over 80 people for the most part, loved this story as well!

Recently I received notification that a reader’s 2008 poll voted Natural Born Charmer as follows: Best Romance, Favorite Funny and Best Contemporary Romance. That in itself tells the romance reader this is one book worth reading, and I suggest her entire Chicago Stars series as well.

Dean Robillard is not only handsome and full of charm; he is also the Chicago Stars quarterback and never lacks for female companionship. But Dean has issues involving commitment, family and family secrets. He appears to be on top of his game until he meets Blue Bailey and as they get to know each other she “knocks him sideways” Honestly, he is intrigued by her as she’s lives by her own code and she’s not sophisticated and polished like the other women in his past…….she wears combat boots, bike shorts and she’s one fun and sexy woman!

Blue Bailiey has never had a sense of family. Her mother was a “free spirit, do-gooder and from the time she can remember, she was uprooted and moved from one home to another as her mother was always off fighting a cause. Now Blue has a problem, her boyfriend has found another girl, her mother has emptied her bank account and she’s walking alongside a road in a beaver costume she wore as a lure to a local lumberyard. Enter one handsome quarterback to the rescue. As their journey begins, Dean realizes Blue is in trouble and he takes her to his newly acquired Tennessee farm. Neither does he know his estranged mother has been posing as a decorator and is renovating his home. Let the games begin!

I was so intrigued by the cast of characters in Natural Born harmer…..Dean, Blue, Jack (Dean’s rock star dad), Dean’s mom April (an ex-rockstar-groopie” and his step sister Riley. Then let’s not forget the town of Garrison with Nita the town’s matriarch and a cast of many! You will laugh, cry, fume and will not want this charming story to end!”

Marilyn S wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )