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Billionaires and Babies #15

Secret Son, Convenient Wife

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Tate Chandler had never wanted a woman as much as he'd wanted Gemma Watkins-until the day she'd betrayed him. Yet when he learned they had a son, he demanded Gemma marry him, or he'd fight for custody. Tate was a man of honor-he'd create a family for his heir, even if it meant marrying a woman he couldn't trust.Their marriage was about duty, nothing more. But Gemma's beauty tempted him to make her his wife in every way. Could he lure her back into his bed without letting her back into his heart?

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

21 people are currently reading
230 people want to read

About the author

Maxine Sullivan

204 books78 followers
I have to say that I pretty much blame my mother for all this. If my dear Mum wasn't an avid reader of romance, then I might not have fallen in love with romance novels myself. And then I wouldn't have decided to write my own romances. Thanks Mum!

Of course, I never thought it would take me 20 years before I saw my first piece de résistance in print. Perhaps I wouldn't even have tried, but you know, I think I still would have reached for my dream. Romance novels offer such wonderful affirmations about love and relationships that I can't imagine not wanting to share my stories with others.

I currently live in Melbourne, Australia but over the years have travelled to New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. In my own backyard, my husband’s job ensured we saw the diversity of the countryside, from the tropics to the outback, country towns to the cities. I find it very fitting that I sold my first manuscript on January 26th 2006, which is Australia Day in my country.

Since that fateful day I have had 12 books published, selling almost a million and a half copies worldwide in as many as 17 languages. I'm also published in short stories worldwide in national magazines.

I am married to Geoff, who has proven his hero status many times over the years. We have two handsome sons and an assortment of previously abandoned animals.

I'm always happy to hear from my readers. For me, it really is a pleasure to be here.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
246 reviews46 followers
April 29, 2018
I quite enjoyed this book. It was angsty and emotional, though it had some light moments too. I liked both Gemma and Tata as well as the other characters of the book especially Tate's family.

Gemma was a kind, caring and non-confrontational person. Despite all the adversities that came her way, she didn't whine about it or let it bog her down. Nor, did she harbour any grudge against the people who'd wronged her, be it her mean and selfish parents who had abandoned her when she was pregnant, or the man she loved, who chose to believe his slimy best friend over a misunderstanding. Having said that, I was also able to understand Tate's difficulty in trusting Gemma.

At the age of fifteen, he'd seen how marriage, two children --Tate and his sister, Bree-- and a comfortable and luxurious life had not deterred his mother from walking out on his father for another man. Etched in his memory was him overhearing his usually strong and proud father begging his wife to return to him. And, even though his mother returned a week later having realized her mistake, and even though things had turned out better for his parents, he could never forget the misery his mother had put his father through. Having seen how loving a woman could tear a man down, he was determined never to give a woman that power over him.

Then, years later, he meets a woman whom he wanted like he'd never wanted any other woman before and finds himself spending as much time he could manage with her. However, when their relationship was barely in its month old infancy stage, he caught her kissing his best friend Drake in his darkened study. And, it didn't look like she was being forced or anything of that sort. On the contrary, she had both her arms wrapped around Drake's neck. Any man or woman walking into such scenario would feel betrayed. Moreover, what he witnessed with his own eyes was further endorsed by Drake, whom he'd known since university, when he awkwardly confessed --actually lied-- that Gemma had been trying to seduce him in this manner when Tate wasn't looking. He didn't believe Gemma when she told him she thought it was him she was kissing, which was true. She'd sent a note to him in the midst of the party he'd thrown for Drake's birthday, asking him to meet her at his study then when a man entered the study she threw herself at him and kissed him. By the time she realized it wasn't Tate, but his slimy friend who'd been hitting on her behind Tate's back, Tate was already there watching them. I guess what he'd seen coupled with his deep-seated trust issues and the fact that Gemma was seeping under his skin made it easy for him to believe his friend's lie over her truth.

Two years later while he was at the hospital attending the dedication of the new children's wing in his late grandfather's name by his family, he meets Gemma, who'd brought their son, Nathan, to the same hospital for a procedure to treat his ear infection. He is stunned to learn he has a son. He feels deceived by Gemma for the second time. He's determined not to lose another minute of his son's life, having already lost a year of it. Moreover, his family was to receive a humanitarian award, but that was being questioned with the discovery of his son. Reporters were calling his family up to ask why have they abandoned a child of their own. To stop those questions and set his grandmother's mind to rest and also for Nathan to grow up with both his parents, he suggests they marry. Relieved that Tate wasn't dragging her to court demanding custody, a battle were it to happen, she had no means to fight, Gemma agrees to the marriage.

However, still unable to forget Gemma kissing Drake, Tate has no intention of consummating the marriage, which breaks Gemma's heart for she's still in love with him. But, she doesn't let him see it and to save her pride tells him neither is she interested in sleeping with him. I liked that although Gemma was not a confrontational person, she didn't let him or his family --who blamed her for keeping Nathan away from them-- walk all over her. I loved the confrontation they had when he catches her talking to a teenager on the beach and goes all jealous and suspicious of her, how her challenging words instigated that steamy kiss from him. It also made Tate see that he wasn't immune to Gemma at all. Nevertheless, despite his trust issues, he was never overtly rude or mean to Gemma. Moreover, he finds himself perpetually in a warzone, battling between what he'd seen two years ago and what he was seeing of Gemma now like what a wonderful mother she was and how caring and thoughtful she was about everyone.

Furthermore, their adorable son's antics brings them closer. Gemma was surprised when Tate actually teased, laughed and even winked at her. I thought Nathan was adorable. I loved the cover picture of that adorable kid in his little tux, a perfect match to the description in the book of Nathan in his tux at his parents' wedding. I also laughed when he taught his father a lesson how not to leave him undiapered. And, Tate's excitement to do things for his son, like fixing the sandbox for him or the activity play area in the house --he was more excited than a kid-- had me chuckling.

Then, when someone posted derogatory article on the internet insinuating that she was a gold-digger, he did not blame Gemma for ruining his family's reputation as she'd thought he would, nor was he concerned about his family not getting the award after all, instead he was determined to find the person who denigrated his wife's name make him or her to pay for it. And, he was supportive of her in front of his family, immediately putting a stop if any of his family member, especially his sister, tried to stir trouble between him and Gemma and the best I liked how angry he was on her behalf when her parents who'd come visiting treated her so appalling and how he threw them out of the house. Also, liked how things played out thereafter, like Gemma asking him to make love to her and they were back to being sexually intimate. Tate further finds he's unable to concentrate on work and wants to be home with his wife and son. The scene where they both share tears of joy over Nathan's milestone was very beautiful. By then Tate was also fully convinced of Gemma's innocence and that there was an evil side to his best friend. I loved how he set up that trap for Drake, roping in his grandmother, Helena, for help.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics in the book. Nice to see that Jonathan, Tate's father, stand up for his wife when his mother takes a dig at her. Nice to see that he'd had forgiven his wife and loved her unconditional. And, I liked how Tate's family had started off as being politely aloof with Gemma --his grandmother and his sister were at times snippy-- but by the end of the book they were concerned and supportive of her. Also, liked how Gemma and Darlene, Tate's mother, found support in each other and how a simple suggestion from Gemma to Darlene help ease away the tension between Darlene and her son and mother-in-law.

There was lots going on in the book, which is why I liked it a lot. I loved the chemistry between Gemma and Tate and felt they belonged together. I wish there was an epilogue showing them with at least one of those many brothers/sisters they'd planned for cutie-pie, Nathan. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,732 reviews315 followers
September 30, 2017
I read this before but for some reason I wanted to read it again and I come away still with mixed emotions. The H was a definite no for me. He didnt' trust the h and he was a jerk. He left her for two years and it sounds like he had plenty while they were apart but never quite says if he did but it was implied. She of course had the child and didn't want anyone else. He didn't trust her because he caught her kissing his friend, but she thought it was the H and it was a dark room. The friend was not a friend at all and just wanted to hurt the H. He finds out about the son and forces her to marry him and then proceeds to treat her like hell. I won't give away any more spoilers but needless to say the book was just okay. I don't think the Hero grovelled enough if at all. I just felt like she was doomed to be with people who never valued her enough. Just made me sad at the end. I read it twice now and that is enough. I wrote this review so I won't forget and read it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
464 reviews55 followers
January 19, 2012
When the hero Tate sees the heroine Gemma in a ward of the hospital wing that has just been dedicated to his affluent family, he is immediately reminded of her betrayal. Gemma tries to hide her reason for being in the hospital, but Tate soon finds out about her son - his son. Tate can't believe that on top of Gemma's betrayal with his best friend she has also kept his son from him. He knows he can never trust Gemma again but for his son's sake, as well as his family's name, he insists they marry. Gemma loved Tate with all her heart and was deeply hurt when he believed his devious best friend over her. But knows she can't deny her son his father. After they are married Gemma soon realises that Tate has no intention of taking their marriage further than convenience, despite desire that is still between them.

This was a good read; enjoyable and well written. The story has a nice flow and there is plenty of emotion weaved into the book. The hero and heroine fit well together and there is a nice bit of chemistry. The hero's trust issues became a little tedious after a while, and a ruined a little bit of my enjoyment of the story. I wanted the heroine to stick up for herself a but more, but generally she was quite a good character.
I had two problems with this book; first is that there wasn't really enough explanation of the motive of Tate's best friend for betraying him - the reason given was that Tate dated one of his ex-girlfriends at university, surely that can't be it? It seems rather petty. The second is that again there was lack of explanation around the heroine's parents and why they didn't like her. Because of these things, I felt that some of the conflict felt a little flat.

Apart from that, I enjoyed it!


Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,160 reviews558 followers
May 15, 2013
This one was really well done, great emotional angst and good characters! Can't believe the hero was so blind to the truth. He was in denial for a long time but he had some "mother" issues so I forgive him. I was so happy when he finally realized Gemma would never cheat on him and they became a true family. Their baby boy was just adorable!
Profile Image for GuisBell.
1,299 reviews32 followers
April 10, 2017
¡Como los errores del pasado influyen en tu futuro! Y van esperando lentamente para cobrarse "y aparece el ganzo llamando a la ganza: -Ven Ganza!! y convirtiéndose en VENGANZA!! y no te das cuenta, e inocentes pagan tus errores
387 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2012
Tate Chandler had never wanted a woman as much as he'd wanted Gemma Watkins—until the day she'd betrayed him. Yet when he learned they had a son, he demanded Gemma marry him, or he'd fight for custody. Tate was a man of honor—he'd create a family for his heir, even if it meant marrying a woman he couldn't trust.
Their marriage was about duty, nothing more. But Gemma's beauty tempted him to make her his wife in every way. Could he lure her back into his bed without letting her back into his heart?

This is another book in the Billionaires and Babies series. It takes awhile to reach the "happy ever after" ending, and, in truth, Gemma Watkins is not the most compelling of characters; however, the idea that sometimes a leap of faith is necessary to achieve one's goals is underplayed in most stories, I enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Latte.
449 reviews4 followers
May 2, 2011
I really wish I could give half stars because I'd only give this 2.5. I just don't like when characters are dumb and have the depth of a Dixie cup but that's what Tate is like. A supposedly brilliant businessman just shouldn't be so quick to judge. Or misjudge as the case was. Of course it ends happily - this IS a Harlequin. I just wanted to like it more.
Profile Image for Emma.
4,962 reviews12 followers
July 11, 2017
I don't know if I would forgive Tate. Okay...I probably would but I would give him hell first.
Profile Image for Claudia Aguilar De Jimenez.
15 reviews6 followers
March 5, 2019
Buen libro romántico, es entretenido y hace la típica historia un poco diferente.
Cosas que me hubieran gustado...
1. Más sobre la relación de ellos antes de casarse.
2. El conflicto del amigo estuvo muy forzado, le faltó algo para ser más emocionante.
3. Me revolvi entre tanto familiar, incluso llegué a creer que la hermana también quería separarlos.
4. El personaje del jovencito del caballo no aporta nada a la historia, quizá si ellos hubieran regresado a ese lugar y lo hubiera visto más se justificaría.
5 y último... Le faltó describir mejor a los personajes principales, quizá porque decía que era rubio de ojos azules y en la portada viene un chico que me parece moreno, me pareció confuso.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
8 reviews
June 17, 2021
Una trama poco complicada dónde un joven rico se enamora de una chica, pero cree que ella lo engañó y se separa de ella estando embaraza. Se vuelven a reencontrar y se da cuenta de que tiene un hijo, se casan, liman asperezas y descubren cómo su mejor amigo los engañó por venganza. Al final, nueva vez, triunfó el amor.
1,448 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2025
Tate was a wealthy man with his best friend Drake. Tate had a month long affair with Gemma but found her in the arms of Drake and Tate believed Drakes story. 18 months later Tate sees Gemma in the hospital and finds a baby boy that looks exactly like himself. Tate married Gemma but doesn't trust her. She continues to tell Tate truths and he's beginning to believe her
Profile Image for Sue Lauzon.
297 reviews2 followers
October 1, 2017
I liked this one better than the usual Harlequin romances. This had a little bit of extra spice with the storyline but at times I wanted to smack the hero of the story upside the head and say smarten up. You will have to read the book to find out what I am talking about.
Profile Image for Lerami.
1 review
January 3, 2022
This is such a beatiful story! I bought this hard copy when I was in my grade 8 because due to my teacher he'd said that he wanted us to buy a novel, and I didn't read it before. And now in my college I read this! This is really a great story! Lovelots, from Philippines!🤎💜🖤💙❤💚
Profile Image for Sophia Tulloch.
8 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2015
This was a nice novel. Tate broke up with Gemma because he saw her kissing his slime of a best friend. She went home tohorrible no good parents, told them she was pregnant. They kicked her out.
Gemma took Nathan -her son -to the hospital for an ear infection. While on the hallway she ran into Tate. Tate found out she had a son. She tried to tell him the child isn't his. Tate didn't trust her because he thought she had betrayed him, so he went into the recovery room looked at the little boy and knew that the child was his.
They got married sparks begin to fly between them. Tate doesnot want to have sex with her because of the mistrust.
Gemma's parents came to visit.( yes now that she married rich man they want to be apart of her life) They were been horrible to Gemma, so Tate told them to leave. They told her what a disappointment she was. Feeling lonely Gemma ask Tate to make love to her. From there on they shared a bed.
Gemma and Tate went to a humanitarian awards dinner in honor of Tate's grandmother. Gemma left the table for the ladies room. Drake stepped out in front of her. Tate came in the hallway saw Drake with his hand on Gemma's shoulder. Gemma fainted when she saw Tate.
Tate started to question his mistrust in Gemma, and his trust in Drake.
They went to dinner at Tate's grandmother house; Drake was invited. Tate set up Drake, so that he could learn the truth about Drake and Gemma. He found out that his best friend is a snakecand was out to destroy his relationship.
Tate apologize to Gemma for not believing her. They kiss and confess their love for each other. Now they are off to make more babies.
Profile Image for Virginia Campbell.
1,282 reviews350 followers
May 16, 2011
Can you learn to trust your heart to someone whom you once believed committed the ultimate betrayal? Are you able to set your heart free from the chains of doubt and let yourself love and be loved in return? In "Secret Son, Convenient Wife", author Maxine Sullivan explores the many sides of trust, including faith in one's self. As a young man, Tate Chandler watched the pain caused by his own mother when she betrayed her husband with another man. While his father was able to forgive Tate's mother and accept her back into his life, Tate's hurt would not allow him to completely reconnect with his mother. He vowed to never let his heart become involved in his own relationships with women. When he met Gemma Watkins, his attraction to her was intense. For Gemma, meeting Tate introduced her to the love of her life. When Tate thinks that Gemma has cheated on him with his best friend, he forces her from his life. Meeting her by accident more than a year later, he is stunned to discover that Gemma secretly bore him a son. Proud man that he is, Tate persuades Gemma to become his wife. His love for his son is immediate and overwhelming, and he cannot deny that his desire for Gemma has become even more intense. Should he believe whispers and lies, or should he accept as truth what he sees with his own eyes? Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith in order to obtain your heart's most coveted dream.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
607 reviews24 followers
August 9, 2012
This books is really different in terms of Romance. I wonder sometimes if the mother Germma was doing something wrong by not telling the father of the baby. She should have told him and let him decide. She was so afraid that see was in a Panic when he showed up at the hospital.

Tate was there for another reason. Germma was more afraid of what Tate would do than wonder if maybe if he was going to take her son away. You will be surpise to learn that all they did for their son and Tate family name along with some other surprises. If you enjoy Romance this is good book to read.
Profile Image for Radiant.
1,179 reviews30 followers
November 30, 2013
It's Billionaires and Babies theme this week for me.

Liked the book..Tate and Gemma had a great start but when Tate thinks Gemma betrayed him,he kicks her out..only to find her with a secret 2 years later.Now he has to do what is right but keep her love n lust apart from her,cos he can't get betrayed again.
Gemma never thought she would meet Tate again after the misunderstanding..but now he wants her and will do whatever to do it..!
Can they both trust and get back together again?
Profile Image for Whit.
3,659 reviews51 followers
September 28, 2015
It was okay. Tate Chandler thought he caught Gemma cheating on him. He threw her out without giving Gemma a chance to explain. What Tate didn't know was that the kiss was an act of revenge by his so-called best friend, Drake. But there was also something else Tate didn't know that could cost him and Gemma everything!
Profile Image for Erika.
33 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2012
I have never before read a Harlequin romance novel and likely wont ever again. The book is completely predicable but a quick enjoyable enough read.
Profile Image for Blzd.
252 reviews
May 4, 2015
I super loved this love story. I loved the ending so much more than most of the other romance books I've read. I had plenty of happy tears
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