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I haven’t updated the blog in a few weeks, mostly because I’ve been lazy. I apologize. One of these days I will get on the ball. I have read though. Here is one of the books.


In England, Harlequin/Mills & Boon publishes a line of books called Modern Heat. In the U.S., these books are packaged as Harlequin Presents (Extra). This is significant because Modern Heats have a different sensibility than your typical Presents. As a reader, you just have to “know” or be able to figure out which books are Modern Heats and which ones are regular Presents.  I like to think of Modern Heats as cousins to Harlequin Blazes.  

I became aware of Ms. Hunter earlier this year. I bought her March Presents, Misbehaving with the Magnate, the first in a duet, and stuck it in my “to be read” pile. One day while looking at the RITA nominees, I discovered that the second book in the duet, Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy, was nominated. I instantly became more curious about the book I’d just bought. She had to be a great writer if she was nominated for a RITA, right? Needless to say, I loved it! I actually liked Misbehaving with the Magnate better than the RITA nominee. Isn’t it funny how subjective these things are?

Anyway, I’d been on the lookout for more of her books. And this was published in November.

I know there’s a difference between regular Presents and Modern Heats, but Untameable Rogue still threw me for a loop. The heroine, Madeline, has more money than the hero, Luke. He struggles with this, even more so with the fact that she doesn’t apologize for her history. She married an old guy for the stability and money he brought (she didn’t have a good childhood). In a regular Presents, the hero is a billionaire and the heroine needs his help for something. Madeline doesn’t need Luke's help for anything. She’s running her very successful business and living her life. Their mutual goal is to have a fling and go their separate ways. Like I said, very Blaze-like.

It was an adjustment for me. I enjoyed the book, but I kept thinking how different it was, which distracted me sometimes. It was nothing Ms. Hunter did. I can’t wait to read her next book.

I'd planned on writing about the other book I read, but this post was a little longer than I thought it would be, so I'll save it for tomorrow.

How's that for a tease?

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This week's entry is His Virgin Acquisition by Maisey Yates.

I have a confession to make. I have an addiction to Harlequin Presents. I read them in droves.

Why, you ask? They’re short, which means it doesn’t take long to read them and get to the happily ever after I love. The books are usually set in Europe or Australia, which means I can go to Sydney or Paris or London just by cracking open a book. Everybody's rich, too! The books just have a different vibe than I’m used to as an American.

A lot of romance readers don’t like them because of the alpha heroes found inside. Strangely enough, they’ve never bothered me. Whenever I find an indignant hero certain he knows everything, I just laugh and say, “Looks like we got another angry one.” These heroes amuse, not anger, me.

Anyway…

I became aware of Ms. Yates late last year when she sold this, her first, book, and a party commenced at eharlequin.com for her. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to “know” her mostly through Twitter. When her book was released, I bought it eager to support a new author and did I mention the Presents addiction I have?

When Elaine gives her business presentation to Marco De Luca she thinks she can be cool, calm and collected. She's wrong! The fierce tycoon can see straight through her shapeless suits and scraped-back hair and get right under her skin….

She may have proposed marriage as the perfect business arrangement, but suddenly Elaine's not quite so confident. Marco's made it clear that he's no modern man—if he takes a wife, he wants a ravishing beauty by his side, obedient and willing day…and night!

This book didn’t disappoint. As an aspiring author, I read tons of blogs about how to become a better writer and how to hook the reader. Great opening lines and first pages are often touted as some of the best ways to do so. Ms. Yates did not disappoint. 

“I think the numbers speak for themselves. Marriage is definitely the most profitable course of action.”

It seemed Elaine Chapman had finally come to the end of her lengthy presentation. 

Marco De Luca scanned the expanse of his office, looking for hidden cameras or some other sign that she was here on assignment from a reality show. There was no way she could be serious.

I cracked up reading this. I loved it.

What made the book enjoyable as a whole for me was Elaine, the heroine. She has a goal and a purpose in life. Many times, HP heroines get on my nerves. Why must they be poor and/or destitute? Sometimes they just exist until the hero comes and sweeps them away. Yes, Elaine needs Marco’s help, but he is most definitely her last resort. And as is the case in romance novels, she saves him as much as he saves her. Very Pretty Woman.

 
*SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT*
However, the one thing that made me sigh is the pregnancy that occurs. Not that I’m opposed to babies, but it seems like the contraception in Presentsland NEVER works. These are the richest people in the world. Are you really telling me NONE of them can find some decent condoms? It wasn’t the end of the world that Ms. Yates used this tried and true device, but it did make me sigh.

*SPOILER ALERT OVER*

All in all, I enjoyed the book and can’t wait to follow Ms. Yates’ career.

So whatcha reading? Are you enjoying it?

xoxo,
Jamie

 

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