Natasha Oakley

Wanted: White Wedding

Title: Wanted – White Wedding
Author: Natasha Oakley
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); 182 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-17515-4
Series: Harlequin Romance #4025
Sensuality: Kisses

Who: Freya Anthony and Daniel Ramsey
Where: England

Twelve years ago, Freya Anthony dropped out of school and ran away from home. She made a success of her life in London and has returned to Fellingham to help her grandmother Margaret. Margaret is in the process of moving to a smaller place and she has plans hire a local auctioneer to sell the items she won’t be taking with her to her new place. Freya is concerned that the business might not be very reputable and her grandmother will get cheated. But Margaret speaks of Daniel Ramsey,the owner, as if he was the most wonderful man on the planet.

That doesn’t reassure Freya at all, and she is determined to find out for herself whether or not Mr. Ramsey is trustworthy. After seeing the cluttered, disorganized, and empty office — no receptionist to answer the ringing phone or deal with the unexpected visitor — Freya’s opinion of the man and his business isn’t very high. Then Freya meets him and finds that Daniel Ramsey isn’t anything like she imagined him to be. She is surprised by her instant attraction to him, but notices his wedding ring and is immediately on her guard. No matter how attractive she finds him, Freya doesn’t dangle after married men. Before she can properly introduce herself, Daniel is already under the assumption that Freya is his new receptionist. He is easy-going and friendly to her, explaining what the job entails. However, Freya knows that will change once he knows her name. Though he’s not a native to Fellingham, Freya is certain Daniel has heard the gossip about her that has been buzzing around the village since the day she arrived.

Daniel Ramsey is, truthfully, as nice as Margaret makes him out to be. However, he has his hands full running his own business and being a single father coping with a rebellious teenage daughter. He’s not taking care of some aspects of his business — particularly finding a qualified office manager — and he is at his wit’s end dealing with his daughter Mia. He even goes off on Freya, when Mia skipped out of school, and ends up having to apologize to her. Daniel is doing the best he can for his daughter, but he doesn’t know how to relate to her.

Freya can’t help but get drawn into their lives. She has excellent business skills and assists Daniel while they get Margaret’s things ready for sale. But more importantly, she knows what it’s like to be a confused teenage girl who feels adrift. Though Freya had both parents, they were self-centered and their marriage was sham. She felt unloved by them. She can relate to Mia, get her to trust her, but that can be disastrous, too. Freya has no long-term plans for stay in Fellingham, and Daniel continues to wear his wedding ring, apparently not over his dead wife.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I really liked it. Freya and Daniel were likable and their romance was realistic. Mia was also realistic without being bratty. It was a nice change of pace to see the heroine being the successful, only-in-town-to-help-my-relative character and the hero being the struggling single parent.

Started: 23 March 2009
Finished: 26 March 2009

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

What Others Have Said:
Merrimon Book Reviews

Addendum:
This is a re-post, due to technical difficulties. Comments, if any, were lost. I apologize for the inconvenience. (Aug 09)

KMont, 2009-07-01: This one does sound pretty good! I’m like you the idea of the woman being the successful one and the dad having to struggle a bit as a parent feels like a good change up.

Me, 2009-07-01: It was! It was a quick read. I need something short to read just before MAGIC STRIKES was released. I didn’t want to start a longer book, just in case I didn’t finish it before MS arrived on my door step.

Brie, 2009-07-03: Hi Christina, this book sounds like a Category that I would enjoy. Thanks for the review.

Me, 2009-07-03: You’re welcome.

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This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

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The Tycoon's Princess Bride

Author: Natasha Oakley
Copyright: 2007 (Harlequin); pgs. 186
Series: Harlequin Presents #2667; The Royal House of Niroli
Sensuality: Subtle

Who: Princess Isabella and Domenic Vincini

Last year, I read Natasha’s book, Crowned: An Ordinary Girl and enjoyed it very much. I picked up The Tycoon’s Princess Bride, but I was worried that I would have problems following a story that was part of a multi-authored series. I needn’t have worried. The only thing that puzzled me concerned Isabella’s brother, Alex — which wasn’t important to Isabella’s story. Reading the blurb for his book answered my question. The book has a family tree and a list of rules of the Royal House of Niroli.

Princess Isabella of Niroli is determined to close a deal with hotelier Domenic Vincini of Mount Avellana. Isabella’s goal is to create the most fabulous resort in the Mediterranean. But years of animosity between the two islands — Mount Avellana broke away to become a republic — hinders the project. Domenic may not agree to the plan, even with the possibility of making millions off the deal.

Isabella may be a princess, but she’s so well-trained to be diplomatic at all times that she is afraid to give offense even when she has the opportunity to have something her way. At the moment, even her self-worth is suffering. Denied the opportunity to make her own life off-island by her grandfather, she devoted herself to the promotion of all things Niroli — being the perfect, well-behaved princess and ambassador, adored across Europe. Thanks to the rules and her old-fashioned grandfather, there is no possibility of her becoming queen. This is a slap in the face, as several of her male relatives have made lives for themselves off-island and have — one by one — given up their claim to the throne to marry the women they love. Score points for true love, but I hated them for putting Isabella in such an awkward situation. Irrational, I know, but I really felt for her. Isabella is sure one of her cousins will accept the role of crown prince and marry to please the king. Once this happens, Isabella is certain she’ll be out of a job. The hotel project and her plans for Mount Avellana, she feels, will give her life some purpose. Isabella would also like a family, but all anyone ever sees is the wealthy princess, not the person.

Domenic is a reclusive man. He’s lost family in a fire and was left physically and emotionally scarred. At first, he sees Isabella as nothing more than a fashion plate and can’t understand why the deal was left in her hands after her cousin Luca — who was originally handling the project — suddenly turned his attentions to other off-island interests. Domenic’s intrigued with her plans to make the resort mutually beneficial to both Niroli and Mount Avellana, and agrees to sign the deal — if she agrees to a good-will tour of Mount Avellana first. As he spend time with her, he begins to appreciate her more as a person — reassessing his original opinion — and he begins to fall in love.

Domenic understands her loneliness, and he even regrets insisting on a high-profile, event-filled tour. Even as he’s falling in love, he is rebelling against it. His scars have made him reluctant to appear in public, and he’s convinced that someone like Isabella — beautiful and always in the limelight — couldn’t possibly love, or desire, him. And even if she did, initially, the whispers and the constant reminders of his injuries would eventually become wearisome to her and she’d leave him. Domenic, heart shattered once before, doesn’t want to go through it again.

I thought that this book was very romantic. If you’ve never read a Harlequin Presents before, I would recommend this one especially if you liked tortured heroes. Domenic’s a nice guy, really — just a wounded soul. Isabella is lonely, but surprisingly well-adjusted for a princess in the spotlight.

Started: 21 July 2008
Finished: 23 July 2008