Thanks to Naida (the bookworm) for hosting this challenge
My list (Books in RED are on more than one list/alternate list):
- The Fortune Hunter (Diane Farr) {10 May 08} (REVIEW)
- Killing Time (Linda Howard) {4 May 08} (DNF)
- Tag, You’re it! (Penny McCall) {1 Feb 08} (REVIEW)
- Knights of the Round Table: Lancelot by Gwen Rowley {26 Apr 08} (DNF)
- Wife For a Week by Kelly Hunter {30 Jun 08} (REVIEW)
- My Fair Gentleman by Jan Freed {18 Aug 08} (REVIEW)
- The Tycoon’s Princess Bride by Natasha Oakley {23 Jul 08} (REVIEW)
The goal was to read five romances, regardless of sub-genre, by the end of the year. And though nearly every book I’ve read so far this year could have counted, I stuck to what was on the list. I enjoyed all five that I completed, giving only 4 or 5 stars.
Wife For a Week and The Tycoon’s Princess Bride were my first two Harlequin Presents. Wife was humorous and Tycoon was very moving, I thought. I like the authors’ writing styles and will read them again.
Ms. Freed and Ms. Farr no longer write, I believe. I discovered their books thanks to reviews on All About Romance. I have most, if not all, of Ms. Farr’s backlist, and I found one of Ms. Freed’s other Superromance. As for Ms. McCall, I have her other two books.
Would I join a similar challenge? Yes. I like the short list coupled with the year long reading window. It allows for me to either finish it quickly or space out the books.
My Fair Gentleman
Author: Jan Freed
Copyright: 1996 (Harlequin); pgs. 296
Series: Harlequin Superromance #713
Sensuality: Warm
Who: Catherine Eliza Hamilton and Joe Tucker
Where: Texas
Psychologist Catherine Hamilton makes a bet with her fiancé, Carl, that she can pull off a Dr. Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady): coach an ordinary guy and pass him off as a member of a prominent East Coast family. If she wins, Carl will finance her private counseling practice. If she doesn’t, she’ll put aside her career to be a society wife, like Carl’s mother. The ultimate test to prove who wins: introduce the impostor to Catherine’s snobby father, Dr. Lawrence Hamilton, a man from a sociably — if not financially — prominent Connecticut family.
Joe Tucker, recently released from the Houston Astros as their catcher, can’t seem to find a job that doesn’t involve modeling underwear. He has a 12-year-old daughter, Allie, to think about. If he doesn’t find a job soon, he’ll be reduced to working in his hometown’s refinery. If he goes along with Catherine’s bet, her tutoring will give him the polish he needs to land a job as a sports broadcaster.
Catherine is anxious to succeed. Having lived her whole life with her critical father, who rarely felt she was good enough and continually reminded her that she was like her working-class mother, she needs this victory to prove a point. Though victory will mean she’ll have her private practice, and no longer her father’s research assistant, she’s not adverse to starting a family. Catherine, who has grown up without a mother, bonds with Joe’s equally motherless daughter Allie.
For his part, Joe isn’t particularly fond of psychologists. Catherine turns out to be very perceptive, and he doesn’t want her to start digging too deeply into his issues. Like the fact he’s a lot smarter than he lets on, and why he’s squashed that particular aspect of himself. Joe is also pretty observant. He picks up on the fact that Catherine, good at making people feel better about themselves, seems to be starved for affection. He doesn’t understand how the men in her life can’t see how special she is, though Carl seems to be noticing a difference in Catherine. Even knowing that she’s engaged to another man, Joe can’t stop himself from falling in love with her.
There are two other romances in the book. The first is Allie and her crush on the dreamboat at baseball camp who’s dating Ms. Stuck-Up and Popular. It’s a cute side-story of a tomboy finally catching the eye of the good-looking boy in class. The other involves an older woman who fell in love, only to be badly burned, and now is getting a second chance at happiness.
I picked up this book based on the review on All About Romance. I’m happy to say that I agree with the reviewer. I liked watching Joe and Catherine fall in love. I can see myself re-reading this book. After I finished it, I went on-line to find other books by this author.
Started: 9 August 2008
Finished: 18 August 2008
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
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
LOVED IT !!
Rating:
Wife For a Week
Author: Kelly Hunter
Copyright: 2006 (Harlequin); pgs. 186
Series: Harlequin Presents: The Eligible Bachelors
Sensuality: Warm
Who: Nicholas Cooper and Hallie Bennett
During Nicholas Cooper’s last trip to Hong Kong, the daughter of his potential business partner made a pass at him. To fend her off, Nick invented a wife. Now, he’s about to close the deal, which means he’s got to go back to Hong Kong — with a wife.
Hallie Bennett works at a high-end shoe store. She meets Nick when his mother, who is shoe-shopping, comes into the store with him in tow. Hallie and Clea, the mother, hit it off right away and Clea thinks she’s be the perfect “wife” for Nick (Clea’s not-so-secret agenda is to have grandchildren — the right pretend wife could become the real deal, thus leading to babies). Initially, Hallie thinks the pair is crazy, but eventually agrees to meet up with Nick later to give her final answer. They talk about themselves and their families, getting to know each other. Ultimately, Hallie agrees and some ground rules are established.
I was charmed by the book and there were several laugh-out-loud moments for me. I liked Nick, Clea, and Hallie. Nick’s a nice guy, really. He talks to Hallie and listens to her. And he’s not happy about misleading John Tey regarding his martial status. But exactly how do you tell a widower that his eighteen-year-old only child made a pass at you? What if John thought that they should marry? An issue comes up that puts Hallie in potential danger. Though Nick rather handle the situation, Hallie convinces him to let her handle the problem herself — and he sits on the sidelines. Hallie, having lived in the over-protective shadow of four brothers, needs to know she can take care of the mess she made without interference from them or Nick.
This is my first Presents. I was drawn in by the excerpt: Hallie, in the shoe store, talking to the pricey shoe just before Nick and his mother walk in. I will definitely read more from this author.
Favorite Quotes:
“He’s loaded.”
“Well, yes. But is he creative?”
“You should see his tax returns.”
– Clea, Hallie (re: Nick)
“What does Tristan do?”
“He works for Interpol.”
“Paper pusher?”
“Black ops. But he’s a pussycat really.”
Sure he was. All black ops specialists were pussycats. It was such a caring, non-confrontational profession.
– Nick, Hallie (re: Tristan, her brother)
Started: 30 June 2008
Finished: 30 June 2008
LOVED IT !!
Rating:
tour
The Fortune Hunter
Author: Diane Farr
Copyright: 2002 (Signet); pgs. 344
Series: N/A
Sensuality: Subtle
Who: Lady Olivia Fairfax and George Carstairs, Baron Rival
George Carstairs is good-looking and charming. He’s far from rich, however. Having inherited a destitute estate at a young age, George has lived hand-to-mouth for many years. He has no servants, not even a valet — he must press his own linen and polish his own boots. And, at the start of the book, he doesn’t even own a carriage. So far, he’s kept his true financial plight from most of the ton. He has survived all these years by relying on his luck at the card table, developing a knack for economizing. But all his plans to turn the estate around require capital to implement. No one in his right mind would loan George the amount of money he needs for the project. George has only one choice. He must marry an wealthy heiress.
Lady Olivia Fairfax is on the shelf. After her mother’s death, she never returned to society and has established a school in her mother’s memory with the inheritance from her mother’s estate. The inheritance from her father is substantial enough for her name to be on Lord Rival’s list. Because she was raised by a domineering father, she has no desire to allow another man control her life, and therefore she is not interested in marrying.
When they first meet, Olivia recognizes his name — and his reputation. She lets Lord Rival believe that she is someone other than the wealthy Lady Olivia — an obviously well-bred, educated, but not wealthy woman named Ivy. During the course of this deception, Lord Rival reveals to her that he is pursuing Lady Olivia primarily for her fortune and asks for any information she can give him (i.e., her personality, her appearance). Of course, Olivia lies.
Also during this short acquaintance, Lord Rival finds that he really likes Ivy, that he’s drawn to her. Learning that Olivia and Ivy are the same person is both amazing good fortune and very bad luck. Having his objective known means it will be an uphill battle for him, but because he already admires and respects Olivia, George is willing to make an effort to win her hand. George’s intentions are honorable. He has every intention of marrying her and he is willing to woo her properly.
For her part, Olivia’s dull life has been enlivened by her acquaintance with George. Olivia wants to have things both ways: she enjoys his attention, but she doesn’t want to be more than friends. She suggest that, if George can’t win her hand in five months, then he should give up and move on. He agrees.
One of the reasons for Olivia’s reluctance is that she was duped once before by a fortune hunter — a fortune hunter who had no interest whatsoever in her as a person. No matter how sincere George appears to be in his admiration of her, she doesn’t trust him. Because of this, it’s only when they are both in a similar financial situation before either can fully realize how much they really love each other.
I really enjoyed this book. I was charmed by George. His reasons for wanting to marry are no different from most of the ton, and he values Olivia for her abilities as much as he needs her money. And he loves her, though he doesn’t realize how much because it is tangled up with his desire to save Rye Vale. I thought that Olivia was behaving like a tease at times, but I could understand her predicament.
Started: 4 May 2008
Finished: 10 May 2008
Rating:
Liked A Lot
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