Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Becoming the Tycoon’s Bride
Author: Patricia Thayer & Liz Fielding
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-17715-8
Release Date: March 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance
Year/Setting: Present day, Oregon and Present day, London
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Patricia and Liz's Website/Blog: www.patriciathayer.com and www.lizfielding.com
The Tycoon’s Marriage Bid by Patricia Thayer
Hugh McCutcheon is a businessman who is used to coming into a business and striking a deal. He takes over businesses and makes them productive again. Right now, Hugh is after a big promotion for taking over the Flanagan Orchard and Vineyard—which has been in the Flanagan family for over 100 years. Hugh is ready to deal with Cullan Flanagan, owner. When he meets Cullan’s granddaughter, Ellie, it changes the terms of the contract. Ellie catches his eye before he even knows who she is. After meeting her and learning of her passions and hopes and dreams for the orchard and vineyard, it becomes harder and harder to keep the business shark mentality going.
Will Hugh make a business proposal or a marriage proposal?
I loved seeing Hugh come to terms with who he has become. Ellie teaches him to slow down a bit and embrace more of life. He realizes he might not really like who he is becoming. Ellie has Irish red hair and an Irish red temper. She’s a spitfire from the word go. I loved her and would want her to be my friend. She’s loyal and caring—as well as smart. What a woman!!
I liked Hugh from the start and realized he was doing his job. My favorite part was watching him grow and change as he realizes who he is becoming. His change is dramatic and beautiful to watch. It was well done for a shorter story and I was not left feeling that the story was lacking.
Chosen as the Sheikh’s Wife by Liz Fielding
Violet Hamilton’s world is falling apart. After the death of her beloved grandmother—who raised her—she has to clean out their shared London home, as she can’t afford to stay. While working in grandma’s bedroom, a floorboard gives way and hidden beneath it is a dagger wrapped in old cloths. It looks like it has a lot of fake gemstones in the handle, including a large red stone. Violet’s neighbor knows and antique television show is filming in town. They go to the show and find out the dagger, called a khanjar, is an antique probably once owned by a sultan or sheik. Its jewels are real and it’s worth an astronomical amount of money if sold.
Sheikh Fayad al Khalifa’s staff spots the article about the khanjar in the London paper. Fayad happens to be in London on business and heads straight to Violet’s house. His family is the rightful owner of the khanjar and he needs to warn Violet of the warring factions that might want to steal it from her. While he’s there, her neighbor is held hostage in an attempt to steal the priceless dagger back. Thus starts a series of events designed to frighten Wendy into handing it over to one faction or another.
After her home is burglarized and everything is trashed, Fayad calls his staff in to clean up and get Violet out of there. He can protect her back at his home in Ras al Kawi. Since Violet’s extended family is another powerful family in Ras al Kawi, it would give her time to realize who she is in his world—a princess. But since his staff has seen him comforting her, custom demands that he take her as a bride. She doesn’t want to marry him and is adamant about staying single. But when fate (and possible kidnappers) step in, will she have any real choice in the matter?
A wonderful Cinderella story of the Middle East. Violet is a strong woman with big dreams. Those dreams had to be put on hold to care for her ailing grandmother and she has done so without complaint. While the khanjar would bring a high price at auction, her true character shines through when she decides to return it to its rightful owner instead of selling it off…even though the amount it would bring could solve her financial trials and pay for the rest of her college education.
Fayad is a man who is used to being in control of every situation and he’s used to people jumping to do his bidding. When Violet tells him no at every turn, he doesn’t know how to respond. And when the threat of kidnappings and being unable to protect Violet come to light, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe. He gave Violet his word and he is a man who will keep his word at all costs. Unfortunately, Violet misinterprets some of his actions and it may cause both of them to lose a chance at love.
A delightful story that I wished would never end. I loved learning more about the customs and traditions of Fayad’s country. There’s a lot of romance in those ancient traditions and it was wonderful to learn some of the meanings behind them.
Robyn
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