Daniel's Bride

City of Sails #4

by Joanne Hill

A short contemporary romantic novel… of a marriage of convenience, a jilted fiance, and a bachelor determined to make an old man’s dying days his happiest.

Daniel Christie’s beloved grandfather is dying and Daniel knows there’s only way to make his last weeks happy ones – give him the one thing he’s always wanted – the promise of heirs. All Dan has to do is fall in love, have the wedding, follow it with lots of little Daniels and –

Well, that’s not going to happen. So Daniel comes up with the next best solution. He hires jobless Melinda Green to be his wife.
Mel has good reason to accept Daniel’s crazy proposition. Her bills are mounting, and with her invalid mother needing ongoing care, Mel knows a few months as Mrs Christie with a massive cheque at the end is a gift from heaven. And just because Daniel is rich and he’s gorgeous doesn’t mean she’ll end up with “feelings” for him. After all, her fiancé just dumped her for her best friend so men are totally off the radar.
Or so she thought…

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2012

About the author

I write contemporary romance and romantic comedy, stories that celebrate family, friends and love.
Favourite authors include Abby Gaines, Fiona Brand, MC Beaton, Sophie Kinsella, and Nora Roberts.
I live in New Zealand with my family and our lovely tabby cats, Billie and Bobbie.
Founding member of Romance Writers of New Zealand.
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free copy of my short story collection, Love The Commute, at: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor... or follow the link from my website.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, well written. I would have like to have a little more closer on the ending. With years out there and the kids they would have had. It was a nice clean book with sex but you didn't have to read every little deal tail. I was sorry to see the grandfather die but was glad they got the dog back. It's nice to see family still means the world and there isn't much you wouldn't do for them. It would have been nice to know that Mel's mother had the care she needed. but it was a wonderful book with a lovely story.

[Cyndi Hackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I generally enjoy contracts based on contracts. I was a little angry with Melinda towards the end of the story. I wish we could have gotten a chance to see Melinda and Daniel interact a little more. I felt I didn’t get a chance to feel some bond with the them. I also wish the author had provided a better closing for Daniel and Melinda. I was left still wondering what could have happen to them.

[Saunders · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a very contemporary romance

[Darlene Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story

I felt that the story kind of dragged along and did not flow as good as it should. Very clean book for readers.

[Rob. C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story! This is my first book from this author but I definitely want to read more.
I really liked Mel, the heroine, and how she was willing to do anything to make her mum happy, even if it meant enduring Mr. Grouch Daniel Christie. I didn't particularly fancy Daniel at first, since I'm not a fan of billionaire alpha heroes who think they can buy anything and anyone. As the story progressed and I got a better glimpse into Daniel's life, I started warming to him and by the last page I was pretty much in love with him - and hoping for a few more chapters, if I have to be honest.
I liked how the chemistry was strong throughout the book but it never turned to graphic sex scenes, not even when they finally caved and gave in to their feelings. I like it when an author can create chemistry without needing graphic details or colourful language.
I ADORED Barnaby and I really liked the part he played in the story.
I wonder if the fact that Daniel's brothers were mentioned at the end but never showed up is because there will be another book starring them, or if it was just a choice to tie all ends.
There were a few typos here and there that at times interrupted the reading flow, but the book was very well written, the dialogues felt real and the characters were very relatable.
Loved the ending.
If you want a refreshing, clean, romantic read, pick up this book.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Very typical of these stories, but done really well. The characters were interesting, broody and had deapth. The plot was nicely paced and entertaining. The writing style fitted it extremely well.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. Daniel & Mel both had strong passions for their families but struggled to allow it into their own lives. I found the lack of connection between them made it hard to see them together.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong dedication to family theme but lying to those you love most dearly???

So much deception & betrayal I can't really see why Mel would want Daniel with her history & him being so mean. Guess Saint Maria Goretti really helps with forgiveness.

[Rosanna Castillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Janice]

AKA Marrying Melinda

[Jyoti Achameesing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice family story where Daniel marries Melinda to keep happy his dying Granddad and Melinda accepts the wedding arrangements for the sake of her ailing mother in a retirement village.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. A sweet read, well written, good strong characters. Not unrealistic. I recommend it.

[Soraya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Hillary Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I really enjoyed this. A few things bugged like when location or people changed,there wasn't an extra return or a break in the story and made it confusing at first.

[Bungluna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The set-up was promising but the execution was passionless, and I mean more than in a sexual way.

[SB CS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it but the editing was a mess. Changing POV out of nowhere made it a little confusing in some parts.