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Harlequin Presents

REVIEW – The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress by Kelly Hunter

by Christina on January 3, 2010

in 4 Stars,Contemporary Romance,Harlequin Presents,Kelly Hunter,The Year of Readers 2009

The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress

Author: Kelly Hunter
UK Title: Taken by the Bad Boy
UK ISBN: 978-0-263-86373-4
UK Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon (Modern Heat)
Copyright: 2008

N. A. Title: The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress
N. A. ISBN: 978-0-373-12825-9
Published in N. A.: 2009 (Harlequin); 185 pgs.
Series: Harlequin Presents #2825
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Her: Serena Comino. Serena is on the island to fulfill her obligation to her grandparents by taken her turn at running the family-owned vespa rental stand. Her Greek relations also own a fishing boat, which is being run by her cousin Nico. Serena would rather be pursuing a career in photojournalism. She passes the time, and satisfies her inner shutter-bug, by taking photos to be used in postcards. Her family, even the Australian side, doesn’t understand her desire and considers her photography as a hobby. When she first sees Pete, she views him as someone who would be fun to pass the time with while on the island.

Him: Pete Bennett. Pete was an air-sea search and rescue pilot. One too many “failures” — in situations he had no power to control — have taken a toll. He’s walked away from that life, but he hasn’t made any long-term plans either. He’s in perfect position to sub for a friend, with a broken leg, flying day-trippers to and from the little island. Pete’s attracted to Serena and is willing to be her distraction, but any sort of intimate relationship is hampered by the over-protective friends of Serena’s family. That doesn’t bother Pete too much. He knows a thing or two about over-protective families. After their mother died, Pete and his brothers behave similarly in regards to their baby sister, Hallie.

Taken by the Bad Boy

The relationship progress: Neither of them are looking for a long term relationship when they first meet. Serena is looking for a career and Pete isn’t looking to settle down anytime soon. But, no matter how determined Pete is to keep things casual, he ends up falling for her. He helps her with her search for photojournalism jobs and she helps him deal with his ghosts. Serena also encourages him to return to Australia, and air-sea search and rescue.

The conflict: Just as he’s made the decision to return to his old job, hopefully with Serena at his side, Serena is offered a job in Athens.

What I liked: Pete. He’s a great guy. Good-natured, as he puts up with the crazy locals sabotaging his attempts to be alone with Serena. He supportive of Serena and understands and appreciates her dreams of being a photographer.

What I didn’t like: As it is sometimes the case, the Presents title is a little misleading. It gives the wrong impression about Pete and Serena’s relationship. A more accurate title would have been “The Maverick’s Greek Island Fling”. Pete is not married or in some other serious relationship, and Serena’s is in no way his mistress.

Miscellaneous:

This is the 3rd book featuring one of the Bennett siblings. Previously, we met Hallie (Wife for a Week) and Tristan (Bedded for Diamonds).
There will be two more books, featuring Luke Bennett and Jake Bennett, in 2010 (UK release).
I know I’ve said this before, but Kelly Hunter is still my favorite Presents author. Her books are fun to read.
There is a secondary romance between Nico and Chloe, the woman who runs the little hotel. Her young nephew Sam, befriends Pete.
Jake, Luke, and Tristan make an appearance in this book.

Recommended to: Those who wish to try a Presents book, but are leery of over-the-top alpha men, billionaires, etc. Pete’s almost an ordinary guy. And Serena is a strong heroine: she not afraid go after the things she wants.

Favorite Quotes:
“Wedding photographer in Vegas?”
“Only if I’d be working for Elvis.”
“It’s possible.”
– Pete, Serena (looking at jobs for her)

“A British rock god needs a helicopter pilot to keep on retainer.”
“Just shoot me now.”
– Serena, Pete (looking at jobs for him)

Started: 31 August 2009
Finished: 6 September 2009

Rating:

Liked A Lot

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

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REVIEW – The Magnate’s Indecent Proposal by Ally Blake

by misscz on August 17, 2009

in 5 Stars,Ally Blake,Contemporary Romance,Harlequin Presents,The Year of Readers 2009

The Magnate's Indecent Proposal

Title: The Magnate’s Indecent Proposal
Author: Ally Blake
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); 185 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-12762-7
Series: Harlequin Presents #2762
Sensuality: Warm

Who: Chelsea London and Damien Halliburton
Where: Australia

From the back: When Chelsea realized she’d accidentally swapped cell phones with someone, she knew how it would play out: she’d trek back into town, swap phones with some middle-aged man with a paunch and be on her way. Only, seriously sexy Damien ‘Rich-list’ Halliburton was way out of her league. She’d sworn off men long ago, but with a guy this gorgeous, how could she refuse his wicked, seductive and very indecent proposal?

Comments: First off, the book is not really as, er, debauched as the title makes it sound. Yes, Damien is wealthy — though, I’m no expert on what level of wealth makes him a ‘magnate’ — but his interest in Chelsea, at first, is ‘I would like to continue seeing you, but I can’t promise you a long-term, committed relationship.’ It’s not like he sets her up to be his mistress and she schmoozes his rich friends for backing of her pet grooming business. Or something.

Chelsea London, if fact, does own a pet grooming salon. It’s been doing well enough for her to plan on opening a second salon. She has an appointment with a loan officer, and to celebrate the occasion, she meets her sister Kensington at a trendy restaurant for breakfast. The restaurant has a policy: no cell phones in the dining area. Chelsea, who is very attached to hers, has no choice to surrender it at the door. She literally bumps into Damien, which results in the mix up of their claim tickets, though neither realize this. The fact that they have the same type of phone prevents either of them from figuring it out when they go to claim their phones.

Later, after both have realized that there’s been a mix up, they make plans to meet for dinner. Damien is stunned when he learns that the beauty who fell into his arms at breakfast is the same person who now has his phone. It’s only been a month since his break up with his previous girlfriend, and during that time, it’s been easy for him to swear off woman. Until Chelsea. He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her all day.

: Mills & Boon

Though they are both attracted to each other, both also have issues to overcome. Chelsea has a hard time trusting the ‘new school uniform’ set: the wealthy ‘haves’. Slick looking men in business suits, even loan officers — which hampers her decision to open the second shop — fall into this group. Her father was a con artist and her mother left them after Chelsea was born, so she and Kensington had a rough childhood. Added to this is Chelsea’s terrible track record with men. Right from the start, Damien should have been all wrong for her. But how can you resist a guy who nurses you through a stomach bug, playing hooky from work in order to stay home with you?

Damien broke it off with his last girlfriend because she issued an ultimatum: marry her or leave. Damien doesn’t think he’s capable of making a long-term commitment. His parents divorced when he was eleven, yet they still spend much time together. Damien’s best friend, Caleb, remarks that they are still madly in love with each other. So what sort of statement does that make to him and his younger sister about marriage if their parents are happy to “date” each other, but not remain married?

Damien is up front and honest with Chelsea about not wanting a permanent or long-term relationship. Chelsea’s like no other woman he’s known and he still wants to see her — so he proposes a no strings attached, causal relationship. At first, Chelsea seems to agree. But she’s falling in love with him, and it would be best to break it off sooner, rather than later, when it likely to hurt all the more.

I really liked Chelsea and Damien. Chelsea isn’t naive or timid. She knows how to stand on her own two feet. And though Damien is rich and used to getting things his way, he’s not extremely arrogant or haughty. He doesn’t look down at Chelsea and he really does care about her. The book also has its funny moments, since both characters have a sense of humor.

I really loved this book and I’ve added the author to my list of Harlequin Present writers that I will read again. Ms. Blake has written a book about Caleb and Damien’s sister, Ava.

Started: 28 April 2009
Finished: 30 April 2009

Favorite Quote:
“I can’t! What if he’s some kind of crazy? Or if he’s eighteen years old? Or married? Or brings his imaginary friend to the table? Or smells like fish? Or hates dogs?”
– Chelsea, to her sister

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

What Others Have Said:
Marilyn’s Romance Reviews

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REVIEW – Bedded for Diamonds

by misscz on March 14, 2009

in 2009 2nds Challenge,2009 Romance Reading Challenge,5 Stars,Contemporary Romance,Harlequin Presents,Kelly Hunter,The Year of Readers 2009

Bedded for Diamonds

Author: Kelly Hunter
UK Title: Priceless (Modern Romance Series Extra)
UK ISBN: 978-0-263-85001-7
UK Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon
Copyright: 2006

N. A. Title: Bedded for Diamonds
N. A. ISBN: 978-0-373-82068-9
Published in N. A.: 2008 (Harlequin); 185 pgs.
Series: Harlequin Presents Nights of Passion
Sensuality: Warm

Who: Erin Sinclair and Tristan Bennett
Where: Australia

Bedded for Diamonds (AKA Priceless) is about Tristan Bennett, the youngest of Hallie Bennett’s (Wife For a Week) four older brothers. Tristan had a couple brief appearances in Wife For a Week, but it is not necessary to read that book first.

Tristan is an undercover operative with Interpol. After his last assignment in Prague — which ended badly — Tristan is in need of some serious down time. He returns home to Australia, on his sister’s advice, to find some peace and think about his future. Tristan is a wounded soul, and he’s not sure if he has it in him to go back to undercover work.

Priceless

As for finding peace at home instead of London, he’s not as convinced as Hallie about that possibility. Home has it’s own bad memories of a mother who died and a father who was never the same after. On plus side, his siblings are in far flung lands and dad’s on sabbatical in the Greek Islands. Tristan will have plenty of uninterrupted free time to come to a decision.

Erin Sinclair drives luxury taxis in Sydney, but she is also an aspiring jewelry designer. There is a design competition coming up and Erin plans to make a gem buying trip the following week. After picking up a gorgeous if somewhat broody passenger at the airport, her brother calls to inform her that he cannot accompany her as her co-driver/bodyguard. She doesn’t think she can get a replacement at such short notice and canceling is not an option. She rather get the stones in person than rely on on-line auctions. Desperate, she asks her passenger — who heard her side of the phone call — if he’d like the job.

Tristan points out the obvious, reminding her that they just met and she doesn’t know anything about him. Not that she didn’t try to get him to talk about himself during the car trip. He stubbornly avoided her attempts to draw him out. Erin knows she was being overly impulsive and tells him to forget she asked. But Tristan is now curious and intrigued by the sunny, friendly woman. She explains her predicament, and Tristan offers to help her — if she truly cannot find someone else. Naturally, Erin doesn’t find anyone who can make the trip and subjects Tristan to a brunch date with her mother — her idea of a screening process.

Though they are attracted to one another, once Erin learns he’s a cop, she has second thoughts about allowing him to accompany her. Not that she hates cops, it’s the fact she doesn’t want to get involved, as she tells her mother, with a “passionate crusader.” One who is so committed to his job, that he has nothing left for family and loved ones. One that can’t, or won’t, talk about his job even if he’s suffering.

Tristan is exactly that: he cares deeply, but he’s closed off and doesn’t let people get close to him. Yet Erin, with her generous heart and optimistic outlook, is just what he needs in his life. She understands the pressure and the difficult choices in his line of work. She knows how to reach through his walls and bring balance to his life. The question is, will he let her into his life.

This is the second book I’ve read by Kelly Hunter, and I really loved it. Funny at times and sweet. Pat the cockatoo is priceless. If you’re looking for a Harlequin Presents that doesn’t feature an extremely rich, arrogant CEO or royal, this is the perfect book. Tristan may be overprotective and stubborn, but he’s also a sweetheart of a guy who knows how to be supportive. Erin isn’t shy nor is she weak.

One final note: the North American title is very misleading, to say the least. Erin’s gem buying trip doesn’t involve diamonds at all — she buys opals and sapphires. Diamonds don’t enter the story until near the end.

Favorite Quotes:
“You do realize that bird is in love with you?”
– Erin, to Tristan, regarding Pat

Started: 11 February 2009
Finished: 11 February 2009

Rating: