Taming Mariella

Duvall Sisters #2

by Dara Girard

If they'd stop fighting, they'd be perfect for each other!

Model-turned-photographer Mariella Duvall has just landed her dream job. And she isn't about to let anyone screw it up. Especially not Ian Cooper—the sexiest, handsomest but most ill-mannered man she's ever met. Unfortunately, Ian has been hired to troubleshoot her project, and he's way too fond of dishing out orders.…

Then Mariella and Ian are stranded on assignment in the middle of nowhere, and she is shocked to see Ian's protective side. Suddenly things are heating up between them in a far more pleasurable way—and she is finding it impossible to resist Ian's soul-stirring kisses. But once back in reality, will they be able to overcome their differences and let the sparks between them ignite into an everlasting love?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dara Girard is a national bestselling and award-winning author. After many novels in various sub-genres from contemporary to paranormal romance, women’s fiction, and non-fiction Ms. Girard continues to win readers with each new book.

I was born many years ago in the American Midwest to a brave immigrant couple who decided to call themselves my parents. They moved around the country until they finally settled in Maryland. As a child I was always scribbling something and my family supported my efforts (with white knuckles and a lot of prayer).

After graduating from college, I worked various jobs and did some freelance writing hoping that one day my writing efforts would make me rich and famous and allow me to quit. That didn’t happen. Instead my last job was made redundant and I decided not to look for a new one. Instead I chose to live on my savings (and mild insanity) and write full time.

I would not recommend this route for other aspiring writers. Either marry well or have three years worth of salary saved. I took the risk because I wanted to and fortunately that same year I received an offer from a publisher for a two book contract–after a thirteen year effort, but that’s another story.

Reviews

[Nightwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is a little uneven, but I loved the heroine and the distinctly unglamorous look at modeling. Mariella is a famous model who has launched a photographic career, is determined to keep her independence, constantly pursued by the tabloids, and doesn't believe in love. Alas that the hero is kind of a controlling douchebag. I get it, this happens not infrequently in contemporary romances (especially those set in The Business World and/or involving billionaires), but it was such a shame in this one because Mariella is such an alpha female that it would have been really cool to see her in a relationship with a guy who was less of a jerkwad. At one point the hero attempts to initiate sex with the heroine while she is bored and complains that they're going to be late, which is, uh, not sexy. At all. He also tells her repeatedly that he's going to marry her, while acting like an asshole and yelling at her a lot. Later, as a demonstration that their romance is actually proceeding, he feels her up for literally a sentence and she climaxes. Bonus points for Mariella's strong relationships with her assistant/roommate and her sisters and brother-in-law (who totally call her on her shit), but basically as the romance heated up the book went totally downhill and the secondary romance was obnoxious because that hero - surprise! - was if anything even more of an asshole. I frankly would have preferred a book of Mariella swanning around being amazing.

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Model, turned photographer, Marielle Duvall has landed her dream job and has no intention of allowing anyone to interfere with it. Ian Cooper has been hired to oversee Marielle's project and troubleshoot any problems. The two will immediately lock horns and disagree on everything.

Things will heat up when they find themselves stranded on an assignment. Even though it becomes obvious there is an attraction things will become strained. Is there any hope of a relationship?

[SassyMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Perfect Match

I thoroughly enjoyed the second installment to the Duvall Sisters Series. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. Talk about a combustible chemistry. The intense attraction and the verbal sparring between Mariella and Ian was so HEATED I thought the pages of this novel would burst into flames. They were so alike it was scary. Two beautiful people with so much to offer, but they let their fears and insecurities keep them from seeing what was right in front of them. It was a refreshing story of two people who seemed 'fated' to be together. And if any man could TAME Mariella, it would definitely be Ian. He was her equal in every way! Neither would admit they were looking for love, yet they didn't fight the feelings that were growing between them. But can Ian get past the rumors and the images in the photos and see the TRUTH?!!! Once again I enjoyed the Duvall sisters and their circle of family and friends. It was a sweet, funny, and romantic tale.

[Shani Greene-Dowdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a while to read. While the storyline was good enough and the conflict was definitely present, it fell flat on the romance and passion that I expect from a Kimani Romance.