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A Night in the Palace
When school teacher Lily Barton flies to Rome at Christmas to see her brother, the last thing she expects is to be kidnapped by the demanding and sinfully attractive Count Scarletti! Captivated by his glare, will she defy his demands?
Dmitri Scarletti's sister has run off with Lily's brother and until he finds them, he's holding Lily hostage. But soon Lily's fiery nature incites a white-hot heat that even the Count can't resist. He has one night beneath the mistletoe to fulfill his every desire, for in the morning he'll be forced to let her go... Won't he?
Dmitri Scarletti's sister has run off with Lily's brother and until he finds them, he's holding Lily hostage. But soon Lily's fiery nature incites a white-hot heat that even the Count can't resist. He has one night beneath the mistletoe to fulfill his every desire, for in the morning he'll be forced to let her go... Won't he?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
56 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,299 books910 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 6, 2024
British school teacher Lily Barton plans on spending the Christmas holiday with her twin brother Felix in Rome, where he is currently working. On her way to Rome she discovers that Felix has run off with his boss’s sister (Claudia). Count Dmitri Scarletti (Claudia’s brother) is not pleased by what has happened, Claudia was meant to have an arranged marriage. So, he decides to keep Lily at his home until he hears from Felix and Claudia. But as time goes by, he regrets his actions and begins to fall for Lily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet read. I liked Dmitri, he wasn’t as bad as he seemed, even though he was a jerk at times. And Lily was a perky and feisty heroine. The story took place around Christmas.
Another lovely romance by Carole Mortimer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet read. I liked Dmitri, he wasn’t as bad as he seemed, even though he was a jerk at times. And Lily was a perky and feisty heroine. The story took place around Christmas.
Another lovely romance by Carole Mortimer.
November 23, 2013
"Chapter 4, and he has announced he's keeping her hostage, basically, until her brother returns his sister ... whom the brother eloped with ... did you follow that?"
Yeah, that described the whole book in a sentence. Oh, and they fell in love. Of course they did. In two days.
I'm not saying that true love/love like that doesn't happen, but two days? And he's chasing around the world for her? That just doesn't seem true.
"I have never seen hair quite this colour before. Like sunlight caught in moonbeams."
I love the descriptions though.
So, the story was good, but it was the same thing. Yes, I know. I'm reading a romance novel. A Harlequin Presents at that, but I would LOVE a story that is more unique, not the same formula over and over!
Yeah, that described the whole book in a sentence. Oh, and they fell in love. Of course they did. In two days.
I'm not saying that true love/love like that doesn't happen, but two days? And he's chasing around the world for her? That just doesn't seem true.
"I have never seen hair quite this colour before. Like sunlight caught in moonbeams."
I love the descriptions though.
So, the story was good, but it was the same thing. Yes, I know. I'm reading a romance novel. A Harlequin Presents at that, but I would LOVE a story that is more unique, not the same formula over and over!
December 23, 2018
What I love about Harlequin presents romances is that you know exactly what you going to get. The romance here happened fast, but I could feel the chemistry immediately between these two. This was a fast, enjoyable read.
November 20, 2020
Protagonistas: Dmitri & Lily
Profesiones: Profesora & Empresario
Paises: Londres & Roma
Profesiones: Profesora & Empresario
Paises: Londres & Roma
August 15, 2024
Absolutely perfect for a quick romance 💗
I honestly enjoyed this book, loved everything about the romance and the crazy storyline.
The storyline just flowed , the characters were great, their interaction was exciting and spontaneous.
Lily was feisty and she was no one's Mistress or doormat.
I did like the Dmitri typical Italian, he was sensitive, he was smitten with Lily at first sight.
The growing love story happens over a period of only two days.
The love scenes were written with gentleness and passion.
I knew the characters would find their way together again, l was interested to see just how the author, would bring them together and she didn't disappoint me.
A very lovely love story and one l highly recommend 💜
I honestly enjoyed this book, loved everything about the romance and the crazy storyline.
The storyline just flowed , the characters were great, their interaction was exciting and spontaneous.
Lily was feisty and she was no one's Mistress or doormat.
I did like the Dmitri typical Italian, he was sensitive, he was smitten with Lily at first sight.
The growing love story happens over a period of only two days.
The love scenes were written with gentleness and passion.
I knew the characters would find their way together again, l was interested to see just how the author, would bring them together and she didn't disappoint me.
A very lovely love story and one l highly recommend 💜
June 8, 2021
When school teacher Lily Barton flies to Rome at Christmas to see her brother, the last thing she expects is to be kidnapped by the demanding and sinfully attractive Count Scarletti! Captivated by his glare, will she defy his demands?
Dmitri Scarletti's sister has run off with Lily's brother and until he finds them, he's holding Lily hostage. But soon Lily's fiery nature incites a white-hot heat that even the Count can't resist. He has one night beneath the mistletoe to fulfill his every desire, for in the morning he'll be forced to let her go... Won't he?
Dmitri Scarletti's sister has run off with Lily's brother and until he finds them, he's holding Lily hostage. But soon Lily's fiery nature incites a white-hot heat that even the Count can't resist. He has one night beneath the mistletoe to fulfill his every desire, for in the morning he'll be forced to let her go... Won't he?
March 13, 2021
I believe this was my second time reading this book. Lily goes to visit her brother only to be kept in the castle with Prince Scarletti because her brother has taken off with his sister. It has the angst and the happy ever after. Enjoy.
January 27, 2013
Good read. Enjoyed the quick tour of Rome I wanted them to do more. I loved the ending.
November 28, 2012
I didn't find this novel amusing at all. In fact I found it brief, rushed and slightly annoying as I read most of it. The ending was cut short and is suppose to be romantic but I found it lacking.
December 1, 2014
¿Dondé esta mi Italiano?
May 25, 2025
I didn't like it.
The entire book (except last chapter) was over the course of 2 days and while I felt they had sexual chemistry, I didn't feel that they loved each other by end of the 2 days.
It was easier to believe heroine was in love with him however hero's thoughts did not convey that he was even falling in love with her.
So when hero flew to her 2 weeks later and declared his love it felt very unbelievable to me. Np.
The entire book (except last chapter) was over the course of 2 days and while I felt they had sexual chemistry, I didn't feel that they loved each other by end of the 2 days.
It was easier to believe heroine was in love with him however hero's thoughts did not convey that he was even falling in love with her.
So when hero flew to her 2 weeks later and declared his love it felt very unbelievable to me. Np.
August 30, 2017
insta-lust and insta-love during the magical Christmas eve and day...must be the Trevi Fountain wish right on the stroke of midnight Christmas hehe...
June 1, 2024
Lily Barton flies to Rome at Christmas to see her brother but he has eloped with the younger sister of his employer, Dmitri Scarletti.
April 16, 2016
When Lily finds herself in Italy over Christmas, staring down her brother's boss with her brother no where in sight, she has no idea what's going on. Turns out that their siblings have run off and are eloping, and Dmitri is determined to stop it.
The premise of this is really interesting. You've got two characters bought together because of the problems of their siblings, and you can really see why there is an attraction there between the two of them. Neither are really what the other expected, which works great in this story. Unfortunately, what didn't work for me was the central conflict.
Felix, Lily's brother and Dmitri's PA, has run off with Claudia, Dmitri's sister. Dmitri is understandably upset about it, and Lily isn't, and then she is, and then she isn't. It's really hard for the reader to know who's side to be on, particularly with Dmitri's description of his sister. The problem was that these side characters are very important to the story, but they're not actually in it.
Usually, in novels where the hero and heroine are stuck together, it's due to outside forces. In this case the novel is driven by the behaviour of two side characters, who are not fully fleshed out at all, and we get very differing information on them throughout the book, which leads the ending to be quite iffy (and certainly rushed) because the conflict isn't actually resolved.
The premise of this is really interesting. You've got two characters bought together because of the problems of their siblings, and you can really see why there is an attraction there between the two of them. Neither are really what the other expected, which works great in this story. Unfortunately, what didn't work for me was the central conflict.
Felix, Lily's brother and Dmitri's PA, has run off with Claudia, Dmitri's sister. Dmitri is understandably upset about it, and Lily isn't, and then she is, and then she isn't. It's really hard for the reader to know who's side to be on, particularly with Dmitri's description of his sister. The problem was that these side characters are very important to the story, but they're not actually in it.
Usually, in novels where the hero and heroine are stuck together, it's due to outside forces. In this case the novel is driven by the behaviour of two side characters, who are not fully fleshed out at all, and we get very differing information on them throughout the book, which leads the ending to be quite iffy (and certainly rushed) because the conflict isn't actually resolved.
August 1, 2018
It is well written although the ending is rushed. Lily flies to Rome to spend Christmas with her brother. She is surprised when her flight is upgraded and even more when she arrives at Count Scarletti's house. Apparently her brother has eloped with the Count's younger sister. Dmitri originally planned to keep Lily near until Felix and Claudia are found. After getting to know Lily he changes his plans. The attraction to each other leads to them going to bed together. The morning after, Dmitri finds out his sister married Felix in Las Vegas and loses his temper. This causes Lily to leave upset but not before giving him some home truths. They are both miserable for two weeks until Dmitri goes to London to see Lily and propose to her. Apparently in their short time together, they fell in love with each other.
July 7, 2013
THat's what I was waiting for.... Exactly what I needed from a Presents novel. The heroine was sassy, intelligent, strong, independent...LOVED Lily. And actually Dimitri wasn't bad either -- the hero's always have their moments of being bad guys in these books, and Dimitri's was mostly due to temper and irrationality. But he actually thought back on his actions and apologized and there wasn't a HUGE amount of bad communication moments. And they had great chemistry together. So that satisfied my Harlequin fix....only took me 3 books to find a good one. *rolls eyes*
December 15, 2014
Lily and the Count's respective siblings went off and eloped with each other. The Count held Lily "prisoner" in his Roman palace and this set off a whole bunch of squabbling between the two of them. They bickered with each other constantly throughout the story. And then, of course, she "fell in love" with him after only one night of sex. The only thing good about this story was the pace. It's a fast read.
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May 7, 2019
The thin blue line between love n hate n allowing siblings to take control of their own lives n choices they make
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews