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Billionaires' Brides #1
The Ice Prince
Prince Draco Valenti, known as the ice prince, bears his title reluctantly, and wears his icy exterior like a suit of armor that no opponent can penetrate….
Except Anna Orsini. She isn't any ordinary adversary, she's a high-flying, straight-talking lawyer in a no-nonsense suit and killer stilettos—conflicting signals that perplex, frustrate and attract Draco all at the same time.…
While they're at odds in business, in the bedroom Draco's desire for Anna has the power to melt his defenses. The temptation to play with fire is overwhelming.
Except Anna Orsini. She isn't any ordinary adversary, she's a high-flying, straight-talking lawyer in a no-nonsense suit and killer stilettos—conflicting signals that perplex, frustrate and attract Draco all at the same time.…
While they're at odds in business, in the bedroom Draco's desire for Anna has the power to melt his defenses. The temptation to play with fire is overwhelming.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
81 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Marton
674 books540 followersI've been a writer, one way or another, all my life. Before I could read, I made up poems and my mom wrote them down for me. In elementary school, my teachers almost always let me write poems or stories instead of requiring me to do art projects. Always, I dreamed of becoming a published writer...and that dream came true! I write novels about sexy, powerful men and independent-minded women, and what happens when they find each other and fall in love. My books are sexy and romantic, and they've very often full of romantic suspense. I write the kinds of books I love to read, and I hope that makes my readers happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 7, 2017
The Ice Prince continues the story of the Orsini Dynasty and it’s the 1st in the Orsini Brides…yes, we get the Orsini’s sisters stories….yippee!!!!
Cesare Orsini is up to his shenanigans again…what a crafty old fox. This time, using emotional blackmail once again….he’s asked his lawyer daughter, Anna to fly to Italy to claim back land in Sicily that once belonged to her mother and had been unlawfully claimed by Prince Draco Valenti.
Naturally there’s more to his request and I wondered what Anna, who has broken away totally from her family fortune, would do when she discovers her father’s deception. She’s smart, independent and the one thing she knows for sure is that she never ever wants to be a man’s doormat…she’s seen what it does to a woman in her mother, pandering to her father’s every wish and whim. No, not for here.
Prince Draco, who, just by the way, hates titles, is one hell of a gorgeous man. Domineering, always gets what he wants and just by the way…he does not do love, romance or marriage. I understood why he cut himself from people…after going through what he did with his family…it’s a wonder that he remained a sane and honorable person. But there’s something about him that fascinated me….and made me like him quite a lot.
After rebuilding his family’s fortune and honor and he finds himself having to defend his family’s land from the notorious American crime boss. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he has to travel First Class on Air Italy from NY to Rome (because his PRIVATE jet is being serviced...that’s the only reason!!!). He does not do commercial flying at all.
Anna has had a day from hell….and after rushing to the airport, asks the airline agent to upgrade her ticket to first class as she needs to charge her computer to work during the flight. But unfortunately, Prince Draco has paid for the last seat available, which has no one sitting on it because he does not want anyone to bother him!!!!!!!
What follows next between these two strong-willed characters is so hilarious that it had me laughing out loud loads of times. Was it at all possible that these two would ever get together???
So Anna arrives in Rome,
discovers that using an online hotel booking engine was not quite the thing to do.....her hotel is a bit of a hovel.....but I digress....let me continue with Draco and Anna's story!!!
And their antics don’t stop on the flight…..within a few hours Draco is at her flea-bag hotel room demanding to know what she’s doing in Rome…and yes, he does want a bit more than that kind of answer from her….he can’t get her out of his mind!!! And Anna…..what does she do when she opens up her hotel room door and sees Draco instead of room service????????
And that is just one of the MANY hot, hot and their chemistry???? Sizzling…burning up the pages. They can’t keep their hands and everything else off each other.
So the sex was great but that’s what it was…sex and nothing else - that's what they kept telling themselves!!!!
But neither of them can ignore that they feel more than just sex. A battle of wills as they become more emotional involved and neither wanting to give in ….even an inch!!!!
Silly idiots. Anna goes back home crying her eyes out!! Draco pines for the person he realizes means so much to him and he just let go by his stupid and tactless actions.
I loved the ending. Love always win!!!!!
And I knew all along...there was something "fishy" about Anna's father's tall story about the land in Sicily..which turns out to be Draco's family castle..
Next book is Isabella’s story and it’s the final book in this amazing series. Looking forward to reading it again.
I do have a gripe about this book!!!!! THE COVER!!!!!!!!! I so hated it. The guy looks nothing like how he’s described and the woman…the hair and the black roots!!! Yuck………Also nothing like Anna is described. What I visualized them to look like.
I hope one day that Mills & Boon gets it right with the covers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cesare Orsini is up to his shenanigans again…what a crafty old fox. This time, using emotional blackmail once again….he’s asked his lawyer daughter, Anna to fly to Italy to claim back land in Sicily that once belonged to her mother and had been unlawfully claimed by Prince Draco Valenti.
Naturally there’s more to his request and I wondered what Anna, who has broken away totally from her family fortune, would do when she discovers her father’s deception. She’s smart, independent and the one thing she knows for sure is that she never ever wants to be a man’s doormat…she’s seen what it does to a woman in her mother, pandering to her father’s every wish and whim. No, not for here.
Prince Draco, who, just by the way, hates titles, is one hell of a gorgeous man. Domineering, always gets what he wants and just by the way…he does not do love, romance or marriage. I understood why he cut himself from people…after going through what he did with his family…it’s a wonder that he remained a sane and honorable person. But there’s something about him that fascinated me….and made me like him quite a lot.
After rebuilding his family’s fortune and honor and he finds himself having to defend his family’s land from the notorious American crime boss. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he has to travel First Class on Air Italy from NY to Rome (because his PRIVATE jet is being serviced...that’s the only reason!!!). He does not do commercial flying at all.
Anna has had a day from hell….and after rushing to the airport, asks the airline agent to upgrade her ticket to first class as she needs to charge her computer to work during the flight. But unfortunately, Prince Draco has paid for the last seat available, which has no one sitting on it because he does not want anyone to bother him!!!!!!!
What follows next between these two strong-willed characters is so hilarious that it had me laughing out loud loads of times. Was it at all possible that these two would ever get together???
So Anna arrives in Rome,
discovers that using an online hotel booking engine was not quite the thing to do.....her hotel is a bit of a hovel.....but I digress....let me continue with Draco and Anna's story!!!And their antics don’t stop on the flight…..within a few hours Draco is at her flea-bag hotel room demanding to know what she’s doing in Rome…and yes, he does want a bit more than that kind of answer from her….he can’t get her out of his mind!!! And Anna…..what does she do when she opens up her hotel room door and sees Draco instead of room service????????
“Goddammit Draco,” Anna said, “what took you so long?”
And then?
Then she was in his arms
And that is just one of the MANY hot, hot and their chemistry???? Sizzling…burning up the pages. They can’t keep their hands and everything else off each other.
So the sex was great but that’s what it was…sex and nothing else - that's what they kept telling themselves!!!!
But neither of them can ignore that they feel more than just sex. A battle of wills as they become more emotional involved and neither wanting to give in ….even an inch!!!!
Silly idiots. Anna goes back home crying her eyes out!! Draco pines for the person he realizes means so much to him and he just let go by his stupid and tactless actions.
I loved the ending. Love always win!!!!!
And I knew all along...there was something "fishy" about Anna's father's tall story about the land in Sicily..which turns out to be Draco's family castle..
Next book is Isabella’s story and it’s the final book in this amazing series. Looking forward to reading it again.
I do have a gripe about this book!!!!! THE COVER!!!!!!!!! I so hated it. The guy looks nothing like how he’s described and the woman…the hair and the black roots!!! Yuck………Also nothing like Anna is described. What I visualized them to look like.
I hope one day that Mills & Boon gets it right with the covers!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
REVIEW COPY
Release Date-1/7/11
This is the first book in the "The Orsini Brides" and Anna Orsini is sent off to Italy by her father Cesare to play lawyer over a small strip of land he claims belongs to her mother but in truth is owned by Prince Draco.
In actual fact, it's his crafty way of playing matchmaker for his daughter and Prince Draco Valenti.
The manipulative old sod.
So this was a sassy hot read from the get-go and though I did find Anna herself to be a bit annoying with her feminist rantings.
I absolutely adored Draco, he was so scrummy sweet and utterly adorable.
This was a lovely engaging story which I would have rated higher if Anna had maybe been a bit more likable.
I just have an issue with woman who argue the toss all the time for no other reason than to be difficult.
Having a giant chip on their shoulder over every common courtesy extended, but would be the first to winge at any lack of chivalry they perceived as a slight.
Wanting there cake and eating it as well.
I mean come on man she was even pulling her face when he wanted her to try a certain ice-cream, flavour, it was bloody ice-cream man.
I still enjoyed this but just felt Draco deserved much more.
So this was an ok read for me that could have better with a different female lead, like someone, not ANNA!!!
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "The Ice Prince"of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
June 4, 2011
The Ice Prince has to be my least favorite Orsini book, it just fell flat for me. Anna is an Orsini and like her brothers hates what her father's does and thinks her mother is second to her father. So she is a lawyer, with all modern outlook, that women can be like men, have sex and kick men out in the morning, she goes to meet Draco on behest of her father(some property claim), but they don't who each other is at the beginning, they fight and make-out on a plane.
Then meet as adversaries, fight and make-up, the whole book is like that. It is not something new. Draco is a prince, but his childhood was not the best, he is determined to be better than his irresponsible and hedonistic ancestors.
The book way just okay, Anna said something then did something else and Draco never really told her about her past. Not the best effort by Sandra Marton.
Then meet as adversaries, fight and make-up, the whole book is like that. It is not something new. Draco is a prince, but his childhood was not the best, he is determined to be better than his irresponsible and hedonistic ancestors.
The book way just okay, Anna said something then did something else and Draco never really told her about her past. Not the best effort by Sandra Marton.
August 28, 2013
I was disappointed with this story.
The hero & heroine were just too much for me..and not in a good way.
The way Aimee acted was weird and too irrational for me...I mean she has sex with the hero in a club's toilet after looking into each other's eyes for a second!!!!!!! Really!!!
And ...hell can't even remember the prince's name..just slipped my mind....all the angst and domination...what it's okay because you're a prince!!!!!! Pleeeeez!!!
Just let's say that I could not bond with any of the characters.
The hero & heroine were just too much for me..and not in a good way.
The way Aimee acted was weird and too irrational for me...I mean she has sex with the hero in a club's toilet after looking into each other's eyes for a second!!!!!!! Really!!!
And ...hell can't even remember the prince's name..just slipped my mind....all the angst and domination...what it's okay because you're a prince!!!!!! Pleeeeez!!!
Just let's say that I could not bond with any of the characters.
June 10, 2015
This was light and fun. They both had the hots for each other and fell into bed rather quickly. Draco was especially yummy! It’s no wonder anna cud not resist him! I loved her modern attitude and resilience. She was not naïve and knew how to treat men as she had 4 brothers! However, I still prefer niccolo’s story.
November 3, 2009
Pretty much as silly as the title makes it sound. Reminded me how blessed I am with my husband.
November 24, 2011
This book started out good enough. But less than halfway through I could not stand the characters. I liked Aimee when I first started reading because she is this strong, independent woman that has proven herself capable of achieving anything she has set her mind to and does not take any crap from anyone, let alone a man. Nicolo I never liked; he is a chauvinistic pig and a borderline misogynist whose mentality and attitude towards women is that of man who existed in Medieval society. He has no respect for women period! He is controlling to the point of being very close to abusive. Not to mention he uses sex as a means of ultimate control and forced submission. He is exactly the kind of man I could not see woman like Aimee even tolerating for less than half a second. That is why when she "falls in love" with him it is totally unbelievable. This is a man that forced himself on her, trapped her in a marriage she did not want, locked her away in his house, never, EVER, gave her a say in anything, treated her as little more than an asset or chess piece and she falls for him? This book was such utter bullshit I literally threw it away when I was done with it. How she falls in love with him I do not even know.
July 8, 2017
Having borrowed this from the library, this had been languishing on my figuratively and literally to-read shelf for several weeks, and after having read it, it was lacking something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
Some positives: I really liked how physically drawn both Draco and Anna were to one another, despite both appearances and snippy attitude. One was a modern-day feminist through and through, and the other, fairly old-fashioned and almost chauvinistic (enough to take charge of any woman's life, if she lets him), so it was understandable that sparks would fly. I had to love how conniving Cesare Orisini was too - fantastic!
Some things I didn't enjoy though... both of them snapped at each other so often, it was slightly maddening to see them go from snippy to kissing to sexing it up in a matter of paragraphs. Talk about whiplash! And then from wonderful sex, it's almost straight to love? Hmm... just a bit too fast for my liking, even though I appreciated that they shared each other's uncomfortable past so easily with one another.
Some positives: I really liked how physically drawn both Draco and Anna were to one another, despite both appearances and snippy attitude. One was a modern-day feminist through and through, and the other, fairly old-fashioned and almost chauvinistic (enough to take charge of any woman's life, if she lets him), so it was understandable that sparks would fly. I had to love how conniving Cesare Orisini was too - fantastic!
Some things I didn't enjoy though... both of them snapped at each other so often, it was slightly maddening to see them go from snippy to kissing to sexing it up in a matter of paragraphs. Talk about whiplash! And then from wonderful sex, it's almost straight to love? Hmm... just a bit too fast for my liking, even though I appreciated that they shared each other's uncomfortable past so easily with one another.
December 19, 2014
Arguably the best harlequin novella out of the three I've read this month.
Good, solid, steaming hot porn that is more than 40 pages long. Nipples everywhere and the protagonist is not a virgin. Hellz yeah. I'm a pleased reader.
The story was somewhat interesting, even if I only half suspected that the father was trying to play the matchmaker (I really think there should be some clarification for the ones who haven't read the previous installments in the series).
It was sexist in a lot of ways and the effort to portray the lead female as a feminist was so naive that it was almost charming. Like watching your child trying to take its first steps but landing on its face instead. Sure, it's a fruitless attempt, but undoubtedly adorable.
I liked the writing better than the other harlequins I read. I only wish the author would find more inventive ways to describe an erection. Oh, well, I guess we can't have everything.
I'm seriously tempted to try to borrow some of the other "books" from this series.
Good, solid, steaming hot porn that is more than 40 pages long. Nipples everywhere and the protagonist is not a virgin. Hellz yeah. I'm a pleased reader.
The story was somewhat interesting, even if I only half suspected that the father was trying to play the matchmaker (I really think there should be some clarification for the ones who haven't read the previous installments in the series).
It was sexist in a lot of ways and the effort to portray the lead female as a feminist was so naive that it was almost charming. Like watching your child trying to take its first steps but landing on its face instead. Sure, it's a fruitless attempt, but undoubtedly adorable.
I liked the writing better than the other harlequins I read. I only wish the author would find more inventive ways to describe an erection. Oh, well, I guess we can't have everything.
I'm seriously tempted to try to borrow some of the other "books" from this series.
July 11, 2017
Just okay.
July 17, 2019
After reading two romantic suspense in succession, I'm back to a contemporary read. And continuing with the Orsini Series. And now it's time for the sister's stories.
The author introduces the book and expresses how she was moved by the reader's pleas to write stories for the sisters, after everyone requested that of her on reading the four brothers' stories. I say, hell yeah! Coz I was also curious to see how the sisters' lives shaped up...
This is Anna Orsini's story, the older one, who's an attorney and defends the poor and the powerless. Prince Draco Marcellus Valenti, who had to fly commercial due to reasons made known, couldn't help but equally like and dislike Anna when he sees her at the airport during a layover. He doesn't prefer career women, especially those like Anna who are typically impatient, irritable, and do not concede power.
What a perfect beginning! With, as usual, his overpowering, unasked for kiss, and her punch to the ... sadly ... ribs. As is the norm, Senior Orsini is again meddling in his children's affairs. He has asked for a favor from her, like he asked of his sons, to take up an old case. A case of her mother's land which was stolen long ago by someone from the House of Valenti.
When Draco's childhood was revealed, it was so sad. For a prince, he had to suffer a lot. The Ice Prince is totally an unsuitable title, which is inspired from two minutes of text in the book. The cover also doesn't do it justice.
Anna is scared of becoming like her mother, who always came second to her father. She is afraid of losing her independence in a relationship.
The sisters are always sassier! Oh, how she embarassed the Orsini Brothers once. The message on her T-shirt completely defines who she is!
And when Draco confronts the Orsini Brothers at The Bar, I almost fell off my chair. Haha! It was a hilarious scene.
This one just lacked a certain something. It fizzled out in the end. Not as powerful as the brothers' stories. Still, I'm eager to read Izzy's story now.
The author introduces the book and expresses how she was moved by the reader's pleas to write stories for the sisters, after everyone requested that of her on reading the four brothers' stories. I say, hell yeah! Coz I was also curious to see how the sisters' lives shaped up...
This is Anna Orsini's story, the older one, who's an attorney and defends the poor and the powerless. Prince Draco Marcellus Valenti, who had to fly commercial due to reasons made known, couldn't help but equally like and dislike Anna when he sees her at the airport during a layover. He doesn't prefer career women, especially those like Anna who are typically impatient, irritable, and do not concede power.
What a perfect beginning! With, as usual, his overpowering, unasked for kiss, and her punch to the ... sadly ... ribs. As is the norm, Senior Orsini is again meddling in his children's affairs. He has asked for a favor from her, like he asked of his sons, to take up an old case. A case of her mother's land which was stolen long ago by someone from the House of Valenti.
When Draco's childhood was revealed, it was so sad. For a prince, he had to suffer a lot. The Ice Prince is totally an unsuitable title, which is inspired from two minutes of text in the book. The cover also doesn't do it justice.
Anna is scared of becoming like her mother, who always came second to her father. She is afraid of losing her independence in a relationship.
The sisters are always sassier! Oh, how she embarassed the Orsini Brothers once. The message on her T-shirt completely defines who she is!
A Woman Needs a Man Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle. Truer words had never graced a T-shirt.
And when Draco confronts the Orsini Brothers at The Bar, I almost fell off my chair. Haha! It was a hilarious scene.
This one just lacked a certain something. It fizzled out in the end. Not as powerful as the brothers' stories. Still, I'm eager to read Izzy's story now.
October 4, 2013
This was one of Sandra's earlier books and it was really a good read. It is the story of a prince, Nicolo, and an american girl Aimee. Aimee's father owns his own business and Aimee was grooming herself to one day take over, but her father doesn't think a woman has any business being at the head of a company so he doesn't even consider him. Nicolo goes to her father hoping to buy his company. Her father comes up with the idea to keep the company in the family, if he marries his daughter then he gets the company. Well as you can tell this is not a successful proposition. It has Nicolo and Aimee both furious. Join in the fun on go on an adventure with them both as you read this book. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
January 28, 2016
3.5
20 years ago or so, I read my first romance novel and it was by the same author Sandra Marton called cherish the flame. The story had a scene where the hero forces the heroin into marriage and during the marriage ceremony The hero takes off his own ring to slip it on the Heroin finger as they did not anticipate the need for a wedding ring...
20 years later I read this book and surprisingly it has the exact same scene!
20 years ago or so, I read my first romance novel and it was by the same author Sandra Marton called cherish the flame. The story had a scene where the hero forces the heroin into marriage and during the marriage ceremony The hero takes off his own ring to slip it on the Heroin finger as they did not anticipate the need for a wedding ring...
20 years later I read this book and surprisingly it has the exact same scene!
May 28, 2011
I did not like the characters Nico just seemed like a women beater and when he said that he felt like hitting her it made me dislike him and not even the ending made me change my mind.
October 29, 2011
the title waspromising but the story itself just didn't live up to that title's promise. why do all the main characters have to be titled and/or rich/and/or gorgeous and/or a royal PITA!
October 3, 2016
Review to come and it was hot and sweet!
September 5, 2017
Jadi ceritanya Anna Orsini diutus ayahnya untuk memenangkan kasus melawan Pangeran Draco Valenti.
Kasusnya perebutan tanah di Sisilia milik leluhur ibu Anna dan Draco..
Tapi setelah bertemu yang ada mereka gagal fokus.. 😄😄😄
Sama2 tidak bisa menolak daya tarik masing2 yaudah deh, pada sibuk di ranjang. Dan pastinya ada kesalahpahaman..
Intinya happy ending sih..
Kasusnya perebutan tanah di Sisilia milik leluhur ibu Anna dan Draco..
Tapi setelah bertemu yang ada mereka gagal fokus.. 😄😄😄
Sama2 tidak bisa menolak daya tarik masing2 yaudah deh, pada sibuk di ranjang. Dan pastinya ada kesalahpahaman..
Intinya happy ending sih..
November 14, 2008
Amazing is the only way to describe The Italian’s Pregnant Bride. From the very moment, I began reading Nicolo and Aimee’s story I knew I was in for an exceptional read. The emotion, passion and attraction these two people feel for each other will have you burning the midnight hours away as I promise you will not be able to put this book down.
This is the first book in Sandra’s Billionaire Brides trilogy and if every male character is as charismatic as Nicolo, then the reader is in for sensational entertainment. You get a glance of each of this European princes’ and find they are old school friends, all wealthy, talented, sinfully handsome and have no interest in marriage.
Both of these characters so very dynamic, especially Aimee Black, who one learns later is the granddaughter to James Black the very man Nicolo is to meet later that week.
Nicolo is on a mission to add a New York bank to his empire, which he felt, would be his crown jewel. Therefore, he has travelled to Manhattan to meet with James Black. On his way his hotel, he literally bumps into a stunning woman who is so “prickly” and bad tempered that he kisses her in order to silence her…..had he gone mad? Later, he runs into her at a “private club” owned by a friend and shares an evening of passion with this mystery woman. She flees in the morning and he has absolutely no idea of her identity. Aimee has haunted him because of her insults and not accepting his apology. As he gets to know her he admires her defiance, her passion, her determination, fire and courage.
As luck would have it, he sees her again at the bank meeting and a bomb is dropped on both of them……James Black wants a union, a marriage if the sale is to go though. On top of everything else, Aimee learns she is carrying Nicolo’s child, a result of their night of passion. Of course being the strong alpha male he demands that they marry to give his heir the Barbieri name.
Aimee lost her parents at a young age, had never felt loved by her grandfather who raised her upon her parents death. She had always tried to prove herself and was in hopes of someday being promoted to the top to replace her grandfather at the helm of the privately owned and prestigious bank Stafford-Coleridge-Black. Aimee appears to be a strong person but underneath she was lonely and my heart ached for her especially when she realized she had left herself behind and began to ponder what she might have been……
This is where their journey begins….it’s such an unbelievable rollercoaster ride it will have you crying, your heart thumping and anxious to learn more about these two wonderful people. Sandra Marton has yet again, written a beautiful and entertaining story and for me, it will go on my top ten list for 2007.
Book Description:
He had to have her, from the moment he saw her. No names, no strings, no seeing her ever again…….
It was payday for Prince Nicolo Barbieri. The Italian aristocrat's negotiations to take over Manhattan's SCB bank were about to bear fruit. But he wasn't expecting Aimee Black, granddaughter of the bank's current owner— who was pregnant with Nicolo's baby!
Nicolo felt duty bound to marry Aimee and give his child his name. But Aimee had other ideas about surrendering herself to this arrogant foreigner, who surely didn't love her!
This is the first book in Sandra’s Billionaire Brides trilogy and if every male character is as charismatic as Nicolo, then the reader is in for sensational entertainment. You get a glance of each of this European princes’ and find they are old school friends, all wealthy, talented, sinfully handsome and have no interest in marriage.
Both of these characters so very dynamic, especially Aimee Black, who one learns later is the granddaughter to James Black the very man Nicolo is to meet later that week.
Nicolo is on a mission to add a New York bank to his empire, which he felt, would be his crown jewel. Therefore, he has travelled to Manhattan to meet with James Black. On his way his hotel, he literally bumps into a stunning woman who is so “prickly” and bad tempered that he kisses her in order to silence her…..had he gone mad? Later, he runs into her at a “private club” owned by a friend and shares an evening of passion with this mystery woman. She flees in the morning and he has absolutely no idea of her identity. Aimee has haunted him because of her insults and not accepting his apology. As he gets to know her he admires her defiance, her passion, her determination, fire and courage.
As luck would have it, he sees her again at the bank meeting and a bomb is dropped on both of them……James Black wants a union, a marriage if the sale is to go though. On top of everything else, Aimee learns she is carrying Nicolo’s child, a result of their night of passion. Of course being the strong alpha male he demands that they marry to give his heir the Barbieri name.
Aimee lost her parents at a young age, had never felt loved by her grandfather who raised her upon her parents death. She had always tried to prove herself and was in hopes of someday being promoted to the top to replace her grandfather at the helm of the privately owned and prestigious bank Stafford-Coleridge-Black. Aimee appears to be a strong person but underneath she was lonely and my heart ached for her especially when she realized she had left herself behind and began to ponder what she might have been……
This is where their journey begins….it’s such an unbelievable rollercoaster ride it will have you crying, your heart thumping and anxious to learn more about these two wonderful people. Sandra Marton has yet again, written a beautiful and entertaining story and for me, it will go on my top ten list for 2007.
Book Description:
He had to have her, from the moment he saw her. No names, no strings, no seeing her ever again…….
It was payday for Prince Nicolo Barbieri. The Italian aristocrat's negotiations to take over Manhattan's SCB bank were about to bear fruit. But he wasn't expecting Aimee Black, granddaughter of the bank's current owner— who was pregnant with Nicolo's baby!
Nicolo felt duty bound to marry Aimee and give his child his name. But Aimee had other ideas about surrendering herself to this arrogant foreigner, who surely didn't love her!
December 18, 2015
If I could describe this book with one word, the word would be *Intense*. The passion burned like a wild fire between Nicolo and Aimee. The chemistry was red hot and steamy, and the fights were just as intense. There were times I thought Nicolo was an arrogant jerk, but he changed in a good way throughout the book. This was one intense romance.
Sample from chapter 5 – Whatever the reason, he’d wanted to believe that the woman with the violet eyes had felt the same uncontrollable hunger he had felt. That she could no more have kept from making love with him than she could have stopped breathing. That what had happened that night was the most exciting memory of her life, and that they had created that memory with equal passion and desire.
Another sample from chapter 5 – Aimee sat slumped on the sofa in her apartment, face buried in her hands. Her anger was gone, replaced by a terrible emptiness in her heart. “Let me Explain,” Grandfather had said. Explain what? That he’d been willing to sell her to a foreigner to get what he wanted for his precious bank?
Sample from chapter 11 – Aimee. Bright. Articulate. And exasperating. But Dio, what courage she had! Choosing a life she didn’t want, a life that was the opposite of the one he knew she’d desired, because it was the right thing to do. Aimee, who excited him more than any woman he’d known. Was she his destiny? Not that he believed in such things. A man was born in the world. Beyound that, the life he lived was his own. You made choices, walked a path you controlled. Or maybe not. Was there a force people called fate? Did it wait for the chance to scoop you up and put you on a different path?
Sample from chapter 5 – Whatever the reason, he’d wanted to believe that the woman with the violet eyes had felt the same uncontrollable hunger he had felt. That she could no more have kept from making love with him than she could have stopped breathing. That what had happened that night was the most exciting memory of her life, and that they had created that memory with equal passion and desire.
Another sample from chapter 5 – Aimee sat slumped on the sofa in her apartment, face buried in her hands. Her anger was gone, replaced by a terrible emptiness in her heart. “Let me Explain,” Grandfather had said. Explain what? That he’d been willing to sell her to a foreigner to get what he wanted for his precious bank?
Sample from chapter 11 – Aimee. Bright. Articulate. And exasperating. But Dio, what courage she had! Choosing a life she didn’t want, a life that was the opposite of the one he knew she’d desired, because it was the right thing to do. Aimee, who excited him more than any woman he’d known. Was she his destiny? Not that he believed in such things. A man was born in the world. Beyound that, the life he lived was his own. You made choices, walked a path you controlled. Or maybe not. Was there a force people called fate? Did it wait for the chance to scoop you up and put you on a different path?
August 26, 2013
I have to say that it was a little hard to rate this. I did not like the story, nor the hero, but relaying the story to my friend caused all kinds of hilarity. In this instance, though, I'm rating the story rather than the entertainment value.
It was rapey.
I kept asking myself WHY the author wanted us to hate her hero so much. At first I thought "Oh, she'll redeem him" because that's the trope you expect with assholes. There was no redemption, there was only acceptance by the heroine which...did nothing for my feelings of disdain for the hero.
There's alpha male and then there's fucking CAVEMAN.
Having a hero who is CONSTANTLY is skeevy as hell.
Fine I can eyeroll my way through it. BUT then a tragic misunderstanding (not to be confused with the ugly misunderstanding that happened earlier in the book (which I didn't mention because it was incredibly predictable and didn't bother me)) is thrown in just because things aren't complicated enough? FOR FUCK'S SAKE
I'll say this, if you like to MST3K books, you might like this one. As long as you're not bothered by rapey bits.
It was rapey.
I kept asking myself WHY the author wanted us to hate her hero so much. At first I thought "Oh, she'll redeem him" because that's the trope you expect with assholes. There was no redemption, there was only acceptance by the heroine which...did nothing for my feelings of disdain for the hero.
There's alpha male and then there's fucking CAVEMAN.
Having a hero who is CONSTANTLY is skeevy as hell.
Fine I can eyeroll my way through it. BUT then a tragic misunderstanding (not to be confused with the ugly misunderstanding that happened earlier in the book (which I didn't mention because it was incredibly predictable and didn't bother me)) is thrown in just because things aren't complicated enough? FOR FUCK'S SAKE
I'll say this, if you like to MST3K books, you might like this one. As long as you're not bothered by rapey bits.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Orsini Brides
February 21, 2015
2.5 Stars!
March 6, 2012
It was okay...bug not one of her best. I much preferred the other sister's story in "The Real Rio D'Aquila"
April 12, 2015
I could not stand the characters, never warmed up to them!
September 13, 2014
This is my favorite book.
November 4, 2014
3.5 stars. This started out ok, but got pretty boring by the end. Plot was boring, and being told what the characters were thinking was also boring. Readable, but not great.
November 24, 2018
Nice quick read. H was a sweeeeeeet, caring, husband- material guy. h was not a virgin and used tacky language all the time. Like calling the H bastard, son of a butch every now and then.
January 22, 2025
ช่วงไม่ถึงสองอาทิตย์ แม็กซ์หยิบหนังสือของฮาร์ลิควิน เพรสเซ่นมาอ่านสองเล่ม ซึ่งนั่นแทบจะไม่ค่อยเกิดขึ้นเลย
สำหรับคนที่ไม่เข้าใจ ฮาร์ลิควิน เพรสเซ่นคือหนังสือที่แนวเรื่องคล้ายกับลินน์ เกรแฮม ที่เขียนถึงพระเอกที่รวยล้นฟ้า เป็นคนต่างชาติที่ไม่ใช่อเมริกัน นิยมสัญชาติกรีก อิตาเลียน สเปนิชเป็นหลัก แต่ชาติอื่ก็ไม่ว่ากัน คุณสมบัติขอให้หล่อ รวย และดูเท่ห์ไว้ก่อน
ส่วนนางเอกจะเป็นสาวน้อยไร้เดียงสา สวย ใส (ไร้สมองนิดหน่อย) ที่สำคัญเป็นคนดี เสียสละ ส่วนใหญ่มักจะยากจน เพื่อให้เรื่องราวแนวซินเดอเรลล่าไปรอด
ข้อดีของเพรสเซ่นก็คือ อ่านง่าย จบเร็ว ส่วนใหญ่แม็กซ์ใช้เวลาราวชั่วโมงก็อ่านจบ เนื้อเรื่องไม่ต้องคิดมาก (แต่ถ้าอ่านเยอะเกินไปอาจเกิดอาการสำลักน้ำครำได้)
เพรสเซ่นสองเล่มที่แม็กซ์หยิบมาอ่านเขียนโดยนักเขียนสองคน แนวเรื่องที่แตกต่าง และคล้ายคลึงกันอย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ
It was payday for Prince Nicolo Barbieri. The Italian aristocrat's negotiations to take over Manhattan's SCB bank were about to bear fruit. But he wasn't expecting Aimee Black, granddaughter of the bank's current owner--who was pregnant with Nicolo's baby! Nicolo felt duty bound to marry Aimee and give his child his name. But Aimee had other ideas about surrendering herself to this arrogant foreigner, who surely didn't love her!
หนังสือเล่มแรกในชุดสามเล่มที่พระเอกเป็นเจ้าชายจากสามประเทศ โอเคแม็กซ์ไม่ค่อยรู้เรื่องไฮโซสมัยใหม่เท่าไหร แต่ยังงงอยู่ว่าอิตาลีนี่ยังมีเจ้าชายเหลืออยู่ด้วยเหรอ (อันนี้ไม่รู้จริงนะ) แล้วเนื้อเรื่องที่มันดูงงพิกล ที่พระเอกรังเกียจลูกคนรวย แล้วบรรยายเหมือนพระเอกเคยจนมาก่อน แต่ก็ไม่ได้เล่าอะไรมากกว่า (แต่ก็ไม่แน่อีกเช่นกัน เพราะแม็กซ์ยอมรับว่าอ่านเรื่องนี้แบบไม่ตั้งใจแม้แต่น้อย เพราะมันไม่น่าสนใจสักกะหน่อย)
และเหมือนกับเพรสเซ่นทุกเล่ม ที่นางเอกเป็นตัวการทำลายทั้งเรื่อง เอมี่เป็นผู้หญิงที่น่ารำคาญ เรื่องบรรยายเหมือนคุณเธอจะเก่งแสนเก่ง เรียนจบปริญญาโท แต่เลือกที่จะทำงานให้ปู่ที่ไม่เห็นคุณค่าของเธอสักนิด แต่สาวน้อยเอมี่ก็ยังมีศักดิ์ศรีที่แม้จะเป็นลูกคนรวย ร้วย รวย เธอก็ไม่ยอมรับเงินของตระกูล อาศัยอยู่ในอพาทเมนต์ซ่อมซ่อ (แต่ดันรับเงินของตระกูลเรียนจนจบปริญญาโท -- ฝรั่งส่วนมากเขาไม่ใช้เงินพ่อแม่ในการเรียนปริญญาโทกันหรอกค่ะ อันนี้เป็นข้อเท็จจริงทั่วไปนะ) เอมี่รับเงินเพื่อเรียน แต่ไม่รับเงินเพื่อใช้ชีวิต
คนแต่งบรรยายว่าเธอเก่ง แต่ไม่เคยโชว์ให้คนอ่านเห็นถึงความเก่ง อันที่จริงเธอเก่งถึงขนาดว่า ถ้าไม่ทำงานให้ปู่ของเธอ เธอไม่มีปัญญาหางานที่อื่นทำด้วยซ้ำ ไม่รู้ว่าเก่งยังไงค่ะ
เอมี่เป็นสาวน้อยสวยใสที่มีเซ็กส์กะพระเอกในครั้งที่สองที่เจอกัน ในห้องน้ำ ในบาร์ แม็กซ์ไม่คิดว่าแฟนเพรสเซ่นจะพอใจกับพฤติกรรมของเอมี่นักหรอกนะ แม็กซ์เองก็ยังรู้สึกประหลาด
เอมี่เป็นคนดี รักคุณปู่ (ที่นิสัยชั่วบัดซบ) ของเธอมาก จนยอมแต่งงานกับพระเอก เพื่อหาทายาทให้คุณปู่ เพื่อรับมรดก
เอมี่คือปัญหา ที่ทำให้แม็กซ์อย่างเขวี้ยงหนังสือเล่มนี้ทิ้งขยะ แต่ก็เสียดายเงินร้อยกว่าบาทที่ซื้อมา
เอมี่คือเหตุผลที่ทำให้เรื่องนี้ได้คะแนนแค่ 35 ค่ะ
สำหรับคนที่ไม่เข้าใจ ฮาร์ลิควิน เพรสเซ่นคือหนังสือที่แนวเรื่องคล้ายกับลินน์ เกรแฮม ที่เขียนถึงพระเอกที่รวยล้นฟ้า เป็นคนต่างชาติที่ไม่ใช่อเมริกัน นิยมสัญชาติกรีก อิตาเลียน สเปนิชเป็นหลัก แต่ชาติอื่ก็ไม่ว่ากัน คุณสมบัติขอให้หล่อ รวย และดูเท่ห์ไว้ก่อน
ส่วนนางเอกจะเป็นสาวน้อยไร้เดียงสา สวย ใส (ไร้สมองนิดหน่อย) ที่สำคัญเป็นคนดี เสียสละ ส่วนใหญ่มักจะยากจน เพื่อให้เรื่องราวแนวซินเดอเรลล่าไปรอด
ข้อดีของเพรสเซ่นก็คือ อ่านง่าย จบเร็ว ส่วนใหญ่แม็กซ์ใช้เวลาราวชั่วโมงก็อ่านจบ เนื้อเรื่องไม่ต้องคิดมาก (แต่ถ้าอ่านเยอะเกินไปอาจเกิดอาการสำลักน้ำครำได้)
เพรสเซ่นสองเล่มที่แม็กซ์หยิบมาอ่านเขียนโดยนักเขียนสองคน แนวเรื่องที่แตกต่าง และคล้ายคลึงกันอย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ
It was payday for Prince Nicolo Barbieri. The Italian aristocrat's negotiations to take over Manhattan's SCB bank were about to bear fruit. But he wasn't expecting Aimee Black, granddaughter of the bank's current owner--who was pregnant with Nicolo's baby! Nicolo felt duty bound to marry Aimee and give his child his name. But Aimee had other ideas about surrendering herself to this arrogant foreigner, who surely didn't love her!
หนังสือเล่มแรกในชุดสามเล่มที่พระเอกเป็นเจ้าชายจากสามประเทศ โอเคแม็กซ์ไม่ค่อยรู้เรื่องไฮโซสมัยใหม่เท่าไหร แต่ยังงงอยู่ว่าอิตาลีนี่ยังมีเจ้าชายเหลืออยู่ด้วยเหรอ (อันนี้ไม่รู้จริงนะ) แล้วเนื้อเรื่องที่มันดูงงพิกล ที่พระเอกรังเกียจลูกคนรวย แล้วบรรยายเหมือนพระเอกเคยจนมาก่อน แต่ก็ไม่ได้เล่าอะไรมากกว่า (แต่ก็ไม่แน่อีกเช่นกัน เพราะแม็กซ์ยอมรับว่าอ่านเรื่องนี้แบบไม่ตั้งใจแม้แต่น้อย เพราะมันไม่น่าสนใจสักกะหน่อย)
และเหมือนกับเพรสเซ่นทุกเล่ม ที่นางเอกเป็นตัวการทำลายทั้งเรื่อง เอมี่เป็นผู้หญิงที่น่ารำคาญ เรื่องบรรยายเหมือนคุณเธอจะเก่งแสนเก่ง เรียนจบปริญญาโท แต่เลือกที่จะทำงานให้ปู่ที่ไม่เห็นคุณค่าของเธอสักนิด แต่สาวน้อยเอมี่ก็ยังมีศักดิ์ศรีที่แม้จะเป็นลูกคนรวย ร้วย รวย เธอก็ไม่ยอมรับเงินของตระกูล อาศัยอยู่ในอพาทเมนต์ซ่อมซ่อ (แต่ดันรับเงินของตระกูลเรียนจนจบปริญญาโท -- ฝรั่งส่วนมากเขาไม่ใช้เงินพ่อแม่ในการเรียนปริญญาโทกันหรอกค่ะ อันนี้เป็นข้อเท็จจริงทั่วไปนะ) เอมี่รับเงินเพื่อเรียน แต่ไม่รับเงินเพื่อใช้ชีวิต
คนแต่งบรรยายว่าเธอเก่ง แต่ไม่เคยโชว์ให้คนอ่านเห็นถึงความเก่ง อันที่จริงเธอเก่งถึงขนาดว่า ถ้าไม่ทำงานให้ปู่ของเธอ เธอไม่มีปัญญาหางานที่อื่นทำด้วยซ้ำ ไม่รู้ว่าเก่งยังไงค่ะ
เอมี่เป็นสาวน้อยสวยใสที่มีเซ็กส์กะพระเอกในครั้งที่สองที่เจอกัน ในห้องน้ำ ในบาร์ แม็กซ์ไม่คิดว่าแฟนเพรสเซ่นจะพอใจกับพฤติกรรมของเอมี่นักหรอกนะ แม็กซ์เองก็ยังรู้สึกประหลาด
เอมี่เป็นคนดี รักคุณปู่ (ที่นิสัยชั่วบัดซบ) ของเธอมาก จนยอมแต่งงานกับพระเอก เพื่อหาทายาทให้คุณปู่ เพื่อรับมรดก
เอมี่คือปัญหา ที่ทำให้แม็กซ์อย่างเขวี้ยงหนังสือเล่มนี้ทิ้งขยะ แต่ก็เสียดายเงินร้อยกว่าบาทที่ซื้อมา
เอมี่คือเหตุผลที่ทำให้เรื่องนี้ได้คะแนนแค่ 35 ค่ะ
November 14, 2024
Was feeling nostalgic, so I picked up a mills and boon. I can now see why I stopped reading. The books are too short to allow any proper character and development or real connection between characters. But for a light read, it was OK. Loved Draco's heavy-handed ways. Hated that the heroine felt she had to argue for the sake of arguing in order to be viewed as 'strong'. That whole airport scene reeked of entitlement and almost made me stop reading the whole book.
What annoyed me:
This is a direct quote from the book:
"Sometimes, despite all the talk of women meaning what they said, women who said "don't" meant just the opposite."
This mentality is rampant in most mills and boons, and I hate it. I love my noncon books, but not when they're masquerading as wholesome vanilla romance books.
There was also little research on the law. Despite her being praised as a lawyer, the heroine showed no intelligence whatsoever. She came unprepared to a meeting. She tried to win an argument by threatening to tell the press. Like seriously? You can't form a proper case? I fear for the clients she had to represent.
The highlight :The great sex. This man could fuck. I think they maybe went it five or six times on the first night? The heroine was also very sex positive and not the shy wilting flower we usually see in mills and boons. Was nice for a change.
#airplaneromance #Italianheroine #Romanianprince #dominanthero #masculinewoman #argumentativeheroine #abrasiveheroine #senselessheroine
What annoyed me:
This is a direct quote from the book:
"Sometimes, despite all the talk of women meaning what they said, women who said "don't" meant just the opposite."
This mentality is rampant in most mills and boons, and I hate it. I love my noncon books, but not when they're masquerading as wholesome vanilla romance books.
There was also little research on the law. Despite her being praised as a lawyer, the heroine showed no intelligence whatsoever. She came unprepared to a meeting. She tried to win an argument by threatening to tell the press. Like seriously? You can't form a proper case? I fear for the clients she had to represent.
The highlight :The great sex. This man could fuck. I think they maybe went it five or six times on the first night? The heroine was also very sex positive and not the shy wilting flower we usually see in mills and boons. Was nice for a change.
#airplaneromance #Italianheroine #Romanianprince #dominanthero #masculinewoman #argumentativeheroine #abrasiveheroine #senselessheroine
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