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The Drakes of California #4

Solid Gold Seduction

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It's more precious than gold...

The discovery of gold on Drake land significantly increases middle son Warren's already overflowing coffers. His ranch is the talk of exclusive Paradise Cove. But it's his gorgeous neighbor who's arousing the California cowboy's fantasies. Charli Reed sits a horse like no woman Warren's ever seen. Instead of pushing him away, her blatant lack of interest only increases his desire to execute the ultimate seduction.

Just because Warren's as rich as Midas doesn't make the entrepreneur turned rancher a hero in Charli's eyes. And how can she trust a Drake--her family's most hated enemy? But Warren's sensual passion is slowly melting her resistance. Working together to catch the thieves who could turn their dreams to dust, Charli has to hold on to the past or risk her heart for a love that's the most priceless treasure of all....

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2013

11 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

Zuri Day

105 books272 followers
Zuri Day is a hopeful romantic. She believes in happy endings, half-full glasses and dreams coming true. That's why she's thrilled to be a contributing writer to this genre...one of her favorites!

Zuri doesn't remember exactly how old she was when she picked up her first romance novel, but she does remember it was love at first sight. "It was probably a Harlequin," she recalled during a recent interview. "And it thankfully took me away from a fairly dull and routine existence growing up in a small Kansas town."

Things aren't dull and routine anymore. Zuri now resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn't writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.

"Many people have given up on love, much less romance," Zuri says. "I'm hoping that somehow, through the love-filled pages of my romance novels, I can ignite the reader's desire to believe again. Because everything is possible, when we believe..."

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5 stars
73 (54%)
4 stars
44 (32%)
3 stars
15 (11%)
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3 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly.
257 reviews
December 13, 2013
Love the Drakes. Warren and Charlene (Charli)were immediately drawn to one another but, because of bad blood between there grandfathers. Charli had a hard time befriending the enemies. But, Warren being the alpha male that he is didn't give up. He also, proved that he was worth trusting, fair and honest.

Looking forward to reading more of the Darkes!
Profile Image for ROSA MICKENS.
230 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2022
Oh , I just love, LOVE stories. This book was really fascinating and really peaked my curiosity as to how it was going to unfold.
I love the Drake family, their generosity and the love that they have for each other.
Love conquers all, the rich and the poor.
This is very good book of love and I enjoyed it immensely.
Profile Image for Tammy.
46 reviews
August 19, 2017
I thought this was a good romance story. I liked the characters Charli and Warren.
Profile Image for CaroMommie.
668 reviews8 followers
May 20, 2018
A lovely book that was a teaser and an easy to read romance. It has just enough intrigue to keep you engaged, and enough steamy hot chemistry to keep you engaged.

A definite winner.
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,211 reviews6 followers
June 26, 2023
Great writing ✍🏾

I'm loving the Drake family. Intriguing, engaging and a bit of suspense. Amazing author, I enjoyed a good Sunday afternoon reading this next book in the series.
Profile Image for Dafort.
618 reviews19 followers
February 11, 2014
Customer rating 4/5.0

CONCEPT
The concept of this story stuck to the theme, where two people meet find out their families are at odds with each other over a past misunderstanding and the two must find a way for love to survive.

STORY
This story dealt with a few occurrences. One, neighbors meet and instant attraction is evident however, whereas the female character realizes who and what her neighbors represents, the male lead has no idea of the mistrust and animosity that is clearly evident and he seeks to win his neighbor’s heart. Of course the storyline centers around a possible gold find and thus the reason behind the animosity but Warren is determine to right the wrong and win Charli’s heart.

CHARACTERS
In this latest installment we meet Warren Drake and his lady interest Charli Reed, both are neighbors in the California wine country. We find that Warren is a man with a giving heart and the drive to set guidelines. The writer did an excellent job displaying Warren’s sensitive as well as his passionate side. His character displayed his maturity level and compassion to inform Charli of the potential gold on her land as well as show he was willing to assist when her animal had to be put down and he purchased another for her. Charli’s character development was also evident where author showed Charli’s need to keep Warren at arm’s length but her compassion and need to prove herself displays her strength. We also see Charli’s independent and need to succeed running the ranch in the pages of this book and how her character has to learn that when someone shows kindness it is not an act of charity or pity.

DIALOGUE
The dialogue throughout this story was engaging and will keep the reader entertained

STRUCTURE
The structure of the story flowed well which made for clear transition between scenes. The pace of the story was good and the relationship did not appear as forced or rushed. The reader will get a chance to meet the Drake cousins and meet the grandfather and finally uncover what the misunderstanding was and how it was resolved. I found it interesting the main characters never actually confessed their love but it was evident in their actions.
OVERALL
Solid Gold Seduction was the latest installment in the Drakes of California series and introduces readers to the Louisiana Drakes. Warren and Charli’s story was an entertaining one and readers will want to see this couple make it. Charli is a strong independent woman must learn to trust Warren despite what transpired between their grandfathers. Warren wants to pursue the attraction and proceeds to win Charli’s heart. This was a good read, and I remain a fan of Zuri Day and this series.

Profile Image for Coffee&Books.
1,162 reviews108 followers
November 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and I'm totally interested in reading more from Zuri Day. I like my romances simple, enjoyable and red hot and Solid Gold Seduction fit the bill. Not to mention that this book is from the Kimani imprint which features black characters, something I really don't see much of from big publishers so YAY.

Solid Gold Seduction takes place on a ranch outside San Francisco that used to be known for gold. After the first initial finding, however, Warren Blake and Charlie Reed's grandfathers were never able to uncover more. Fast forward a generation or two, and mogul Warren Drake is building a house on the land his grandfather owned and mined. Enter his neighbor, spitfire Charli Reed who is as beautiful as she is spunky.

The two initially butt heads- strong willed and both think they're right. However over the course of the story, they can't hide or run from the mutual attraction. Insert dastardly enemy set on enacting revenge on Charli and an old friend of Warren's who isn't so much an old friend and Solid Gold Seduction is well rounded story with lots to cover, not just the romance, and does it well.

Unlike other HQ romances from the Kimani line I found the storyline (though about rich people which is kind a burr in my behind, but it's nice to read about rich black people that own multiple businesses and are successful. It's sort of a literary Cosby show, so I'll allow it) to be believeable, and the dialog to be realistic.

I am definitely looking into Zuri Day's backlist and she'll be on my upcoming releases radar. Great read!
Profile Image for Hsiau Wei.
1,805 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2014
Warren met Charlie when she approached him to demand the reason for him to block the source of water from her ranch animals. It was not a pleasant first meeting between them what more with the history behind the fallout of their grandfathers. Being the ever gentleman, Warren came to a solution that satisfied both. From then on, their relationship begins to developed and when Warren found gold in the border of both their land, Warren wanted to rectify the earlier mistakes by their grandparent. As in other romance book, enter Charlie’s demon in the form of her high school classmates who almost rape her. As the story developed, both Warren and Charlie can’t hide nor run from the mutual attraction that they have for each other but the demon of the past is lurking behind waiting to pop out that could posed threat to them.

This book is part of the Drakes of California series and have two strong personalities as the main characters. The story is rather entertaining especially during the earlier part of the story when two strong headed characters met each other. I like Warren more in this story as he is depicted as one that are trust worthy, fair and honest.

Profile Image for Toni.
248 reviews53 followers
December 18, 2013
Warren Drake is leaving his fancy condo community and building a new home close to the vineyards he's been overseeing for his family's company. New construction is exciting, but unfortunately his new neighbor, Charli Reed is not happy with the new fence Warren has put up that keeps her cattle from their main source of water. Because of her late grandfather's intense hatred of the Drake family, Charli not only distrusts Warren's offers to make things right for her cows, she also wants to deny her attraction for him.

I read a lot of romance novels that tend to be pretty short, so I'm used to love at first sight scenarios and things moving quickly. Solid Gold Seduction seems to move at warp speed making Warren and Charli's relationship a little unbelievable, especially when you add in the discovery of gold on the land and the thwarting of a criminal plot. Only my love for the backstory of the Drakes of California books helped me to hang in there.
Profile Image for Jackie Roberts.
231 reviews8 followers
February 4, 2014
I truly loved Solid Gold Seduction by Zuri Day. Warren Drake's story was really worth it's "wait in gold." This is by far my favorite book from the Drakes of California series.

Warren was as "solid" as they come. Charli Reed couldn't help falling for Warren even though her grandfather warned her that anyone in the Drake Family was off limits. Loved the mystery and intrigue of the storyline as this amazing couple fought to defy the past and find love in the end. Highly recommended purchase and a excellent read. I absolutely adore the whole series.
Profile Image for Shone.
1,337 reviews29 followers
September 27, 2016
Once again Zuri Day grabbed me from page one of this story. The discovery of gold on his land make Warren Drake the most anted and talked about man in Paradise Cove. However his next neighbor the next ranch over Charlene "Charli" Reed could care less. When trouble spills over to her ranch to protect both ranches they must work together and let go of the past.
Profile Image for Toni.
710 reviews
July 22, 2014
Charlene (Charli) Reed and Warren Drake are drawn to each other, but she considers him the enemy due to a feud between their grandfathers. Warren is steadfast and won't give up on her. They end up working together to catch horse thieves. Now Charli has to choose to follow her heart, or hold on to the past.

Zuri Day, I'm waiting for the next Drake family book.
Profile Image for Marilyn Diamond.
711 reviews43 followers
December 23, 2013
Girl... there is nothing like a tomboy that get's dressed up and gives a man a run for his money. That is exactly what Charli Reed did too Warren Drake and I loved every minute. Zuri is a great author I love reading her work.
Profile Image for Jessica Garrett.
6 reviews19 followers
April 3, 2015
Loved this book! I like how they overcame the past history of their families to find true love!! Plus it was in my part of the world, so I liked reading about places that I was familiar with! Personal but added to the book in my opinion!
Profile Image for Michelle Chavis .
376 reviews31 followers
July 16, 2016
I enjoyed this book, but I felt a disconnect from the other books. I guess I wanted to know how this Drake family is related to the other Drake family. I looked for it but didn't see it. I guess I will keep reading. (On to book 5).
397 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2014
Family feud is only the beginning for Warren and Charli. I'm flying through this series, thanks to Ms. Day creative storylines and character development.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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