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Mercenary/Goddard Project #1
Silver Bella
She is the only thing he wants to unwrap.
Bella Jackson models clothes only the most sexually confident woman would dare to wear. But there’s a secret hiding behind the bad-girl reputation and barely there couture. Under the covers, she’s a total novice.
At least it was a secret. Not anymore, thanks to an ex’s blabbing. Now she’s been branded with a potentially career-ending label: Ice Queen.
Only years of practice keep the nerves at bay, and her signature walk rock steady—until a tall, sexy Texan’s gaze fixes like a laser beam on her scantily clad body. And her stiletto heels miss a step.
From the moment Jake Barton locks eyes with the smoking-hot woman on the catwalk, he knows it’s only a matter of time. He never expected the heat between them to melt away her aloof façade before they’ve even touched, revealing the vulnerable woman underneath.
Suddenly he realizes he wants more than a roll in the hay. Now to convince her to take a chance on Texas—and him—before their fragile relationship is bulldozed by tabloid lies and innuendo.
Originally published in the anthology Merry Christmas, Baby
Product Warnings
Contains a sexy, green-eyed, Texas oilman who knows what he wants. And a career-driven model who wants like mad to give it to him…all wrapped up in a skimpy bow.
Bella Jackson models clothes only the most sexually confident woman would dare to wear. But there’s a secret hiding behind the bad-girl reputation and barely there couture. Under the covers, she’s a total novice.
At least it was a secret. Not anymore, thanks to an ex’s blabbing. Now she’s been branded with a potentially career-ending label: Ice Queen.
Only years of practice keep the nerves at bay, and her signature walk rock steady—until a tall, sexy Texan’s gaze fixes like a laser beam on her scantily clad body. And her stiletto heels miss a step.
From the moment Jake Barton locks eyes with the smoking-hot woman on the catwalk, he knows it’s only a matter of time. He never expected the heat between them to melt away her aloof façade before they’ve even touched, revealing the vulnerable woman underneath.
Suddenly he realizes he wants more than a roll in the hay. Now to convince her to take a chance on Texas—and him—before their fragile relationship is bulldozed by tabloid lies and innuendo.
Originally published in the anthology Merry Christmas, Baby
Product Warnings
Contains a sexy, green-eyed, Texas oilman who knows what he wants. And a career-driven model who wants like mad to give it to him…all wrapped up in a skimpy bow.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2004
About the author
Lucy Monroe
621 books1,592 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 17, 2017
Mild spoilers ahead
I thought this one was going to be pure smut, so what I expect is insta-love.
Everything was going ok and then the H...
“'I can’t promise you forever.' Not yet, maybe never. He didn’t know what he wanted from her besides time to sate a desire that grew with each passing minute.”
Oh, so it wasn't insta-love for him, just insta-lust. I stopped reading, left it for two days.
But I did continue reading and can't say it wasn't worth it.
In the end he said he had loved her from the moment their eyes met, but that line above tells me otherwise.
I thought this one was going to be pure smut, so what I expect is insta-love.
Everything was going ok and then the H...
“'I can’t promise you forever.' Not yet, maybe never. He didn’t know what he wanted from her besides time to sate a desire that grew with each passing minute.”
Oh, so it wasn't insta-love for him, just insta-lust. I stopped reading, left it for two days.
But I did continue reading and can't say it wasn't worth it.
In the end he said he had loved her from the moment their eyes met, but that line above tells me otherwise.
December 6, 2012
Silver Bella
No doubt Lucy can write a heck of a love story. The moment I saw the gist for this novella, I was like a mad woman anticipating the December ebook release. I was like a pregnant woman on labor. The blurb was so good. I could not sleep. True enough, it was good. My only complain as a reader was, it was too short for me. Then chief ( tere) pointed out,it was indeed a novella. Another thing, I enjoy dramatic conflicts. The ones that would make you weep, and I mean real tears . Like The Greek's Christmas Baby. Or the ones with antagonist that's a complete nut job. Yes, I'm like that when I'm reading, as the story unfolds, I'm into the moment,like those fictional characters were real.
I did not see that in Silver Bella. Because it was so short, it was really a love story without disconnect, just a happy ending. It was leaning towards on the erotic side, had it been written longer. She could rewrite this, make into a 200 page book. Over all, it was a good book.. :) 4.5/5 --JB
Fave parts:
“A man could get frostbite touching you. You’re all smoke and no fire, babe. If the world knew what a total fraud you are, you’d never get another modeling job again. Who wants the original ice queen modeling clothes for today’s sensual woman?”
“He didn’t know how he was going to stand seeing the model who had been introduced as Bella in anything sexier without coming in his pants.”
“He’d like to wake up and unwrap her on Christmas morning.”
“What did she say?”
“That you’re a rancher and have a lot of oil holdings.”
“I’m rich.”
“I’m beautiful.” She threw it out just as he had, as if it were a gauntlet, and waited to see if he would pick it up.
“There’s more to you than beauty.”
“There’s more to you than money"
--
She is the only thing he wants to unwrap.
Bella Jackson models clothes only the most sexually confident woman would dare to wear. But there’s a secret hiding behind the bad-girl reputation and barely there couture. Under the covers, she’s a total novice.
At least it was a secret. Not anymore, thanks to an ex’s blabbing. Now she’s been branded with a potentially career-ending label: Ice Queen.
Only years of practice keep the nerves at bay, and her signature walk rock steady—until a tall, sexy Texan’s gaze fixes like a laser beam on her scantily clad body. And her stiletto heels miss a step.
From the moment Jake Barton locks eyes with the smoking-hot woman on the catwalk, he knows it’s only a matter of time. He never expected the heat between them to melt away her aloof façade before they’ve even touched, revealing the vulnerable woman underneath.
Suddenly he realizes he wants more than a roll in the hay. Now to convince her to take a chance on Texas—and him—before their fragile relationship is bulldozed by tabloid lies and innuendo.
No doubt Lucy can write a heck of a love story. The moment I saw the gist for this novella, I was like a mad woman anticipating the December ebook release. I was like a pregnant woman on labor. The blurb was so good. I could not sleep. True enough, it was good. My only complain as a reader was, it was too short for me. Then chief ( tere) pointed out,it was indeed a novella. Another thing, I enjoy dramatic conflicts. The ones that would make you weep, and I mean real tears . Like The Greek's Christmas Baby. Or the ones with antagonist that's a complete nut job. Yes, I'm like that when I'm reading, as the story unfolds, I'm into the moment,like those fictional characters were real.
I did not see that in Silver Bella. Because it was so short, it was really a love story without disconnect, just a happy ending. It was leaning towards on the erotic side, had it been written longer. She could rewrite this, make into a 200 page book. Over all, it was a good book.. :) 4.5/5 --JB
Fave parts:
“A man could get frostbite touching you. You’re all smoke and no fire, babe. If the world knew what a total fraud you are, you’d never get another modeling job again. Who wants the original ice queen modeling clothes for today’s sensual woman?”
“He didn’t know how he was going to stand seeing the model who had been introduced as Bella in anything sexier without coming in his pants.”
“He’d like to wake up and unwrap her on Christmas morning.”
“What did she say?”
“That you’re a rancher and have a lot of oil holdings.”
“I’m rich.”
“I’m beautiful.” She threw it out just as he had, as if it were a gauntlet, and waited to see if he would pick it up.
“There’s more to you than beauty.”
“There’s more to you than money"
--
She is the only thing he wants to unwrap.
Bella Jackson models clothes only the most sexually confident woman would dare to wear. But there’s a secret hiding behind the bad-girl reputation and barely there couture. Under the covers, she’s a total novice.
At least it was a secret. Not anymore, thanks to an ex’s blabbing. Now she’s been branded with a potentially career-ending label: Ice Queen.
Only years of practice keep the nerves at bay, and her signature walk rock steady—until a tall, sexy Texan’s gaze fixes like a laser beam on her scantily clad body. And her stiletto heels miss a step.
From the moment Jake Barton locks eyes with the smoking-hot woman on the catwalk, he knows it’s only a matter of time. He never expected the heat between them to melt away her aloof façade before they’ve even touched, revealing the vulnerable woman underneath.
Suddenly he realizes he wants more than a roll in the hay. Now to convince her to take a chance on Texas—and him—before their fragile relationship is bulldozed by tabloid lies and innuendo.
December 4, 2012
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed at: HarlequinJunkie.com
Silver Bella is a sweet whirlwind romance that will keep turning the pages until the end.
Bella Jackson is the cover model for Lexi’s couture designs. Because of her modeling and the sensuality of the clothing, her boss has always encouraged a bad-girl reputation to surround Bella. But after her ex reveals a story calling her frigid and an Ice Queen, Bella has to think if she really likes the bad-girl persona the media had given her.
Jake Barton is a Texas oilman and rancher who finds himself persuaded to attend a fashion trunk show by his writer sister while she does research for next book. But now that he’s there he couldn’t be happier to be there. Bella holds his attention from the first moment they see each other. As he sees more in her than her façade, he sees the vulnerable and innocent behind, he also wants more from her than a quick roll in the hay.
As Jake convinces Bella to spend some time together with him at his ranch, they will have to decide if what they have is forever or just a quick fling. But with Christmas fast approaching and tabloids after Bella for a new scandal, they may have to decide faster than they thought.
If you are looking for a quick read and like a sweet whirlwind romance with characters that will not leave you feeling like you missed something, then this story is for you.
Reviewed at: HarlequinJunkie.com
Silver Bella is a sweet whirlwind romance that will keep turning the pages until the end.
Bella Jackson is the cover model for Lexi’s couture designs. Because of her modeling and the sensuality of the clothing, her boss has always encouraged a bad-girl reputation to surround Bella. But after her ex reveals a story calling her frigid and an Ice Queen, Bella has to think if she really likes the bad-girl persona the media had given her.
Jake Barton is a Texas oilman and rancher who finds himself persuaded to attend a fashion trunk show by his writer sister while she does research for next book. But now that he’s there he couldn’t be happier to be there. Bella holds his attention from the first moment they see each other. As he sees more in her than her façade, he sees the vulnerable and innocent behind, he also wants more from her than a quick roll in the hay.
As Jake convinces Bella to spend some time together with him at his ranch, they will have to decide if what they have is forever or just a quick fling. But with Christmas fast approaching and tabloids after Bella for a new scandal, they may have to decide faster than they thought.
If you are looking for a quick read and like a sweet whirlwind romance with characters that will not leave you feeling like you missed something, then this story is for you.
December 4, 2012
For my full review please click on the link below:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-sil...
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-sil...
March 6, 2020
Bella Jackson is a 26-year-old virgin model of sensual wear whose ex just called her an ice queen to all the tabloids. She’s chatted up by a sexy rancher, Jake Barton and the sparks fly between them. Jake is determined to seduce Bella and take her back to his ranch and to his bed. Bella is on board, but Jake was pretty clear that this wasn’t about commitment, so is there a future for them? This was okay. The virgin thing was a bit overboard here. Bella was overly sweet and innocent given her exposure to the modeling world and she got pretty whiny during sex. And Jake’s attitude was a bit slimy, but typical for romance I think. The two definitely had some great chemistry and there was a nice bit of angst there at toward the end that made this story a bit more enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2018
This book is a short sweet read. Bella is a model, with insecurities, as I think all models do. Jake sees her while accompanying his sister and is drawn to. Bella...he follows most of her shows and invites her to the ranch after her tour is over. I liked the story...wish it had been a little longer.
May 25, 2022
I liked this real well
July 14, 2022
My review was originally posted on RomanceJunkies.com and is shown below:
What happens when a model participating in trunk shows in Texas meets up with a Texas rancher and oilman and the sparks start to fly? Bella has self esteem issues that she needs to resolve and Jake may just be the man to help her if she can manage to trust him and let him by her defenses.
Monroe's SILVER BELLA is a fast paced contemporary romance novella that captured my interest from the first page to the last. There was romance, love, family, friends and lots and lots of chemistry between Bella and Jake even with them being from such different backgrounds which turned up the heat factor to scorching at times. There was good character development with lots of detailed info on each of them and vivid descriptions of both her life and his as well as when they were together. There was an unexpected happily ever after and nice closure but I would have liked the story to continue a little more and would love to meet up with them again.
It's been a while since I've read any of Lucy Monroe's books but between this novella and the two excerpts from the back of the book I will be going back for more. Her books will definitely be added to my ever growing TBR pile.
SILVER BELLA was originally included in the anthology MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY and is connected to several of her other books so you might want to stop by her website and check them out. http://www.lucymonroe.com/Books_CS_ST...
SNIPPET—Lucy Monroe’s SILVER BELLA is a quick reading novella that will hook you immediately and leave you wanting more.
What happens when a model participating in trunk shows in Texas meets up with a Texas rancher and oilman and the sparks start to fly? Bella has self esteem issues that she needs to resolve and Jake may just be the man to help her if she can manage to trust him and let him by her defenses.
Monroe's SILVER BELLA is a fast paced contemporary romance novella that captured my interest from the first page to the last. There was romance, love, family, friends and lots and lots of chemistry between Bella and Jake even with them being from such different backgrounds which turned up the heat factor to scorching at times. There was good character development with lots of detailed info on each of them and vivid descriptions of both her life and his as well as when they were together. There was an unexpected happily ever after and nice closure but I would have liked the story to continue a little more and would love to meet up with them again.
It's been a while since I've read any of Lucy Monroe's books but between this novella and the two excerpts from the back of the book I will be going back for more. Her books will definitely be added to my ever growing TBR pile.
SILVER BELLA was originally included in the anthology MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY and is connected to several of her other books so you might want to stop by her website and check them out. http://www.lucymonroe.com/Books_CS_ST...
SNIPPET—Lucy Monroe’s SILVER BELLA is a quick reading novella that will hook you immediately and leave you wanting more.
January 1, 2013
In this sweet and sexy short we get the story of an unlikely pairing between a model and a cowboy. The model in this case isn't your typical skinny model either, she's petite with curves to match and she's caught the attention of one very big, rich Texas cowboy with a drawl to match. The chemistry between these two is instantaneous, but lacked a bit of that connection for the reader. The plot isn't very suspenseful, but I really liked the idea and wished it would have been further developed. The pacing and dialogue were slightly awkward, but still a cute story to be read in one sitting.
Bella's bad girl persona has kept her on the top of her modeling game for a while, but the personal cost was more than she could've fathomed. The string of tabloid reports and rumors has hindered her dating life in finding a quality man who would look to the woman she is and not just to her looks. At the height of the ice queen scandal her ex spread, Bella's career is in jeopardy as the damage of the rumors spreads to her designer boss. It was suggested that Bella go and get her bad girl on to bolster her sensual image, but her hidden virgin status needs to be dealt with first. Not a problem when a handsome cowboy with mesmerizing eyes walks into the room and leaves her feeling all sorts of bad girl tingly. But is her first time meant to be short term or could this cowboy be the one? Only if he can look past her bad girl reputation first.
Bella's bad girl persona has kept her on the top of her modeling game for a while, but the personal cost was more than she could've fathomed. The string of tabloid reports and rumors has hindered her dating life in finding a quality man who would look to the woman she is and not just to her looks. At the height of the ice queen scandal her ex spread, Bella's career is in jeopardy as the damage of the rumors spreads to her designer boss. It was suggested that Bella go and get her bad girl on to bolster her sensual image, but her hidden virgin status needs to be dealt with first. Not a problem when a handsome cowboy with mesmerizing eyes walks into the room and leaves her feeling all sorts of bad girl tingly. But is her first time meant to be short term or could this cowboy be the one? Only if he can look past her bad girl reputation first.
December 12, 2012
Silver Bella is a short holiday read only in that it takes place around the holidays. Bella is a 26 year old specialty fashion model. She models sleek sexy fashions for petite women. Her world is shook when an ex tells the gossip rags that Bella is a frigid ice princess and not the smoldering sex kitten she appears to be on the runway. The nasty headlines make Bella anxious when she takes the stage at the next show when across the crowed room she makes eye contact with a pair of green eyes. Those eyes belong to Texas oilman Jake who is at the show with his shy author sister. The chemistry between them is instant and powerful even to virginal Bella. Jake feels it too. He knows he wants more than just a night and goes about proving it to Bella.
I've yet to read anything by Lucy Monroe that I didn't like and Silver Bella is no different. This is a terrific lunchtime read.
I've yet to read anything by Lucy Monroe that I didn't like and Silver Bella is no different. This is a terrific lunchtime read.
February 2, 2013
When Jake Barton sees Bella Jackson for the first time on the runway her sensuality speaks to him, but the hint of something else draws him in. Jake knows one thing, he wants to meet her and one night won’t be enough.
Bella is used to me expecting that she is a bad girl who willingly will seduce her way into their bed, but she is not all that her model persona projects her to be. Quite frankly Bella is a virgin , it’s not that she isn’t interested in exploring her sexuality, it’s that she hasn’t met anyone who sees more than the lingerie model. Everything about Jake brings out her curiosity and when he informs her of his plans for her in his bed she is too tempted to refuse.
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=11551
Bella is used to me expecting that she is a bad girl who willingly will seduce her way into their bed, but she is not all that her model persona projects her to be. Quite frankly Bella is a virgin , it’s not that she isn’t interested in exploring her sexuality, it’s that she hasn’t met anyone who sees more than the lingerie model. Everything about Jake brings out her curiosity and when he informs her of his plans for her in his bed she is too tempted to refuse.
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=11551
June 28, 2015
This short story is a fun read, but really makes love seem superficial. I do like the fact that Bella learns some important details about her life. This is the first story or a series of connected stories and the collection appears to be off to a good start.
December 23, 2012
A sweet story.
December 30, 2012
VERY short story but okay.
October 27, 2013
Bella is Joshua "Wolf" Watt's sister of "Ready", part of my mercenary trilogy, so I had to read her story.
May 27, 2014
A nice fast read....steamy and entertaining... loved the foreplay between them. Only thing wrong, it was too short a story but still worth the read.
July 1, 2016
Quick read but interesting.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews