The Cinderella Bride - Barbara Wallace

"No matter what , do not leave that dock without Gideon's response."

When Mariah Kent told her effecient secetary, Emma O'Rourke to deliver a package to her grandson Gideon, even she did not think that Emma would take her words literally.

When Emma goes to deliver the pakaage, to the docks, where Gideon was temporarily docked. it was raining and when she saw him working on his boat, in that rain, she knew she had finally met someone with whom she was in danger of losing her heart. She was wary of love since she had seen her mother falling in love with men who ultimately left her. She did not want to end up like her mom and so did her very best not to become a victim in love. 

Gideon on the other hand had a past for which he was ashamed. Ashamed enough to stay away from his home and relatives. He had only returned at Mariah's insistence. She was the only one in the family who loved him despite his past. 

What he did not like was when the loving shrew of his grandma had send a beautiful girl next door type to pursuade him to return. Against his better judgement, he had to invite her inside his boat. He was amused at the way Emma carried her sense of loyalty too far and Emma on the other hand was shocked that he had the audicity to defy Mariah Kent's wishes. 

Their mutual love and respect for Mariah drew them closer. Gideon did not understand why he wanted Emma to see all the things which he felt she deserved. He wanted to show her so many places which she could not imagine also. Whether it was New York or Saint Martin - he wanted to give her the best of everything.

At this point of time Mariah had a mild heart attack. This incidence shook him that only one person could give him comfort. He found comfort in Emma's sweet love making and they soon discovered how well they complimented each other. 

All would have been well if Gideon was not afraid to make a commitment. Emma on the other hand was afraid to be made a fool of. She did not want Gideon to feel compelled to marry her. So she does what she thinks would be best for them - she leaves him. 

Would Gideon understand her needs and find her?

Barbara Wallace has created two very sensitive characters in which both are hurt by their family's history. They both try to sheild themselves from getting hurt. But love finds a way to reach their heart. Though Emma was projected as a timid girl but she does have her headstrong moments. The contradictions in her character keeps me guessing how Gideon will react to actions.

He followed her as far as the sidewalk, in time to see her jump into her car and peel off.

What the hell? Confusion swirled in his muzzy brain. It didn’t make sense. They had a good time together.

Will he be able to get her back? Will she believe in the love they have? Well Dahlings.. that is for you guys to find out.

Rating:

Monsoon Wedding Fever- Shoma Narayanan

So proud of you-Shoma Narayanan!

The best part was when I downloaded it in my iPad. She is the first Indian Mills&Boon writer, whose book I could download via the electronic media. Before that I tried Milan Vohra's "Love Asana" but could not. (I am still searching for a copy).

 I am sure it would have been exciting for Shoma Narayanan, but for the Indian readers abroad  it was totally a new way of looking at a Mills&Boon. Our very own Indian models on the cover. Wow! This was something we all would identify with.

The story line was filled with lot of conflicts. According to some reviewers- too many. But I beg to defer.

Dhruv and Riya were college sweethearts but due to the emotional baggage carried by Dhruv it did not have a happily ever after ending. Both carried on with their lives.( Why shouldn't they?Thank god for non tragical Romeos and Juliets)

But they were destined to meet again and they do so in Gaurav's marriage. Gaurav was Riya's flatmate ( The first shocker for the Rip Van Winkle in me) while Dhruv being Gaurav's cousin lands up in the apartment they both were staying in. Riya did not know of his arrival and stumbles upon him in the middle of the night.

Old feelings raise their head again and engulfes them. But they did try to fight it off. Oh yeah! Even to the extend of Riya selling off her much beloved car and moving out of the country- only to land up having pre marital sex before going off to Hong Kong.( Okay Rip Van Winkle take a chill pill).

I found the constant clash between the characters interesting. Dhruv battleling with his hangups regarding love in a marriage -  due to the constant fights between his parents. On the other hand Riya came from a loving home albeit a poor one. (She definitely had hangups about money)

But overall it was these hangups of the two which kept the story moving. Many readers might feel that every time they were decided to separate only to start kissing after two pages. But isn't that what the clash is supposed to be all about? A clash of emotions?

Besides the love story there was another angle which threw light on the characters of the story. Riya taking care of her parents, proud to ask money from anyone while Dhruv silently helping her parents without informing her. That was the sweetest thing of all. Joining of hearts is definitely important for the success of any relationship but sensitiveness shown towards each others family also creates a stronger bond between two lovebirds.

On the whole I loved this book and would be waiting for Shoma Narayanan's upcoming books. All the best from all the readers.

PS: I think the clash was more between the two covers. Which one to like more? The art or the reality? Leave to you readers.:)

Rating....

credits for image:

http://books.google.com/books?id=ctxDOrnHD4cC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/15796073-monsoon-wedding-fever

All or Nothing - Catherine Mann

GOOD MORNING FROM TEXAS :)

Texan weather never ceases to amaze me. Yesterday it was sunny and bright and today The Titans were at war in heaven. But I am falling in love with this place. And till my travelling shoes doesn't come out from the cupboard I am going to enjoy every minute of this whimsy weather.

Just finished reading All or Nothing by Catherine Mann. The review of the book had been good. I always read Harlequin without expecting anything much. A light romance, a cuppa coffee. silent house - all the rare perks of being a housewife:)

But I must say I was taken my surprise by the psychological aspects touched in this book. Both the protagonists are affected by their fathers duplicity. Strangely they both bring that into their marriage. Got me thinking here? How affected are we with the way our parents behave?

We always give importance to the parent child relationship. But most of us carry this to our adulthood. We all enter with a baggage in a marriage. Some of us overcome it and some don't. Hopefully as parents, we don't make the same mistakes.( Can't avoid the new ones).

Anyway, coming back to the story I must say Catherine Mann has brought out the James Bond affect to the fullest. I heard the signature music in my head while reading this book. The settings, the gadgets, the fast pace of the books kept me glued to this book. ( I accomplished a bag of huge laundry.... grrrr).

So what was wrong with the characters( I should use their names.....Conrad and Jayne.)? They were separated despite being so totally in love with each other. The reason being lack of honesty from Conrad's side. He was an undercover agent and he could not tell her that.

How they overcome it? That is for you guys to find out :) ( On a second thought will a Mills and Boon have it any other way......).

Highlights of this book: 

• Action Packed
• Emotional
• Neat story line
• Want to turn over to the next page to find out what happened.( This believe me Dahlings is the only thing that keeps the reader gripping to the book, nook or iPad :))

Rating.....

Statutory Warning:

This book is not for the prudish. There are some well intricated love scenes in the story. A touch and go eroticism. But then we cannot have a James Bond without that can we? Cheers to Alpha Brotherhood!

Which one next? A Danielle Steele maybe...... doubt it after the collection I have collected in the Harlequin Romance department. 

Thats all  for today folks. :)

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