Snowbound Seduction by Helen Brooks

Genre: Romance
Format: EBook
Publisher: Harlequin Presents Extra: Christmas Surrender
Release Date: December 2010-12-15

Marketing Manager Rachel Ellington is recovering from a failed relationship. The last thing she’s interested in is finding another man. When her flatmate invites her cousin for dinner, Rachel tries to fight her attraction for the handsome, sexy, wealthy Zac Lawson, but she finds it beyond difficult.

Still reeling after the loss of his wife and son, Zac has a reputation for being a womanizer. After meeting Rachel, she’s all he can think about. He invites her for a Christmas weekend with friends. Against Rachel’s better judgment she decides to accept the invitation. The weather plays havoc with their plans and the couple finds themselves stranded in a snow storm. They use the time together to get to know each other better.

The sparks absolutely sizzle between these two as they try to overcome many obstacles including his living in Canada, while she lives in London. Not to mention his reluctance to get involved in a serious relationship and her not having any intentions of settling for a one night stand. With all their differences, Rachel is sure that this relationship is doomed before it even begins.

Snowbound Seduction is a sweet romance with some spice thrown in to make for a nice holiday romance. Zac and Rachel are two people readers can truly care about and cheer for. I prefer books with a bit more action to them, but this was a nice diversion.

For reading challenge:

The Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book

The De Santis Marriage by Michelle Reid

Harlequin Presents #2756, September 2008

Genre: Romance

Lizzy Hadley has no intention on going to her best friend, Bianca’s wedding, to Italian tycoon, Luciano De Santis. Lizzy’s brother had been in love with Bianca, but she broke up with him for Luc. Lizzy’s brother and father convince her to attend the wedding anyway, so she does. When she sees Luc, she feels an attraction she never felt before. She tries to control herself, since he is her best friend’s fiancé. Nothing could ever happen between them.

To everyone’s shock, Bianca leaves Luc standing at the altar as she runs off with Lizzy’s brother. Luc intends to make someone pay, unfortunately that someone is Lizzy. He blackmails her into marrying him or he will make sure her family suffers. Lizzy finds herself hating him, but not completely. She really wants nothing more than to make this more than just a marriage of convenience.

This was a nice read for a Sunday afternoon. It was quick, it moved along at a quick pace and I really felt for Lizzy and Luc. It’s been awhile since I read a Harlequin Presents, but this is a good one. I usually do enjoy Michelle Reid’s writing.

For reading challenges:

On the Porch Swing
Romance Reading

Business in the Bedroom by Anne Oliver

Harlequin Presents #2770
October 2008

Genre: Romance

Abby Seymour is very excited about the new business she is planning to open in Australia. It is her dream to start her own massage therapy company and earn enough money to move her foster mother closer to her so that she can take care of her after she suffers from a stroke. She loves the woman dearly and wants to do this without any help from anyone. However, when she goes to her new office ready to set things up, she finds out that she has been swindled. The owner of the office knows nothing about her or her company. Abby is out all that money!

Widower Zak Forrester still feels guilt over his wife’s tragic death. The last thing he wants is any kind of romantic involvement, but when he learns of Abby’s plight, he’s determined to play her Prince Charming. He offers to rent her the office on a trial basis, but it quickly becomes more than business for both of them.

This was a light read with likeable characters. It was fast-paced and a nice way to spend a snowy weekend. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I will keep any eye open for more work by her.

For Reading Challenge: Harlequin Silhouette Reading Challenge

The Tycoon’s Very Personal Assistant by Heidi Rice

Harlequin Presents # 2761

Genre: Romance

Nothing was going Kate’s way! She found herself wearing nothing but her underwear in the office of the hotel’s owner – the handsome and wealthy Zack Boudreaux. Her previous employer left her stranded without her clothes or money when she refused to be more than his assistant. She had no choice but to depend on Zack’s help.

Zack found himself very attracted to Kate. What man wouldn’t, since all she wore was her underwear? He was determined to find a way for him to spend more time with Kate and he came up with the perfect solution for everyone. He asked Kate to work for him as his personal assistant. She made it clear that this was strictly business and nothing more, but did she really mean it?

This is a cute book, although I couldn’t understand why Kate would allow herself to get into such a situation with Zack especially since her previous boss left her with nothing. However, it was a light, fun read and a great way to spend the afternoon.

The Greek Tycoon’s Virgin Mistress by Chantelle Shaw

Harlequin Presents Extra #7, May 2008-06-15

Genre: Romance

Handsome millionaire Damon Kouvaris fell in love with Anna the moment he saw her. He intends to sleep with the woman and get her out of his system. His feelings were purely sexual and he had no intention of anything more permanent, but when he sees her again, he plans to make her a permanent fixture in his life.

Supermodel Anneliese Christiansen is filled with ghosts from her past. She tries hard to make a life for herself, but in the area of romance, her demons just refuse to go away. She resists the undeniable charms of Damon, but there’s only so much resisting a girl can do.

This book was a light, fast-paced read. My only problem was Anna denied her feelings a bit too much for my liking and her insecurities were sometimes a bit much. However, it didn’t stop me from rooting for these two to get together. I fell in love with Damon immediately – arrogance and all!