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Seducing His Enemy's Daughter / Christmas at the Castello
Just a pawn in Salazar's game?
Donato Salazar can't forget his tragic past and he has no intention of forgiving the man responsible. Jilting his enemy's daughter will be the icing on the cake of his revenge, and beautiful Ella Sanderson is certainly sweet enough.
Except Ella isn't the vacuous socialite he expected and she refuses to marry him! Her rebelliousness only makes Donato want her more, so he'll have to persuade her...touch by breathtaking touch. But soon Donato finds himself enthralled by their magnetic connection.
As their fake wedding day approaches, one question weighs heavily on Donato's mind: to love, honor...and betray?
Donato Salazar can't forget his tragic past and he has no intention of forgiving the man responsible. Jilting his enemy's daughter will be the icing on the cake of his revenge, and beautiful Ella Sanderson is certainly sweet enough.
Except Ella isn't the vacuous socialite he expected and she refuses to marry him! Her rebelliousness only makes Donato want her more, so he'll have to persuade her...touch by breathtaking touch. But soon Donato finds himself enthralled by their magnetic connection.
As their fake wedding day approaches, one question weighs heavily on Donato's mind: to love, honor...and betray?
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2015
About the author
Annie West
967 books558 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 18, 2015
3.5 stars
Major plot spoilers ahead.
This wasn't one of my favorites of Annie West's, who I am a huge fan, but I think a big reason for that was because of my expectations of how this story was going to go. Though it was a typical Presents plot, but I just thought the characters and the way the plot was very different. Different is not a bad thing but did skew my enjoyment of it. I think if certain events or situations occurred then it would have added to the intensity and gave it more of an emotional punch.
What was good was the beginning then as the story went on it slowed and got monotonous because a lot of it was repeat, repeat, repeat and I felt like it was too much. I know it was meant to emphasize the point but it could have been done without saying the same thing over and over again.
It was very promising at the start and loved what West did creating this intense physical attraction between Ella and Donato. It was pretty hot and very palatable. And it happened pretty immediately as soon as they met. Chemistry was off the charts and it was good.
Another thing that was nice was the playful banter and sexy byplay between the two in the beginning. It was that push and pull that I really like watching in a romance. It wasn't if they would succumb to their desires but when and it was fun to see how the game played out. He wanted to explore their attraction while she wanted to deny it feeling she was just a pawn in her father's business scheme in order to get money.
When they finally submitted to their passion it was explosive. I mean off the charts explosive with them ripping clothes off and just going at it like rabbits. Their sexual chemistry knew no bounds. Their physical connection never in any doubt. It was hot and fun to watch.
But to me that was the only thing they had going for them as a couple in a majority of the book. Sure the physical usually the beginning of it all and then the relationship grows over time with some development between them. And though Donato and Ella have emotional moments together it was few and far between. I felt all they had going on for them was the sex and that was it. The reason there was so much focus on that early on and for most of the book with development of them growing together happening near the end.
I wanted see more of that aspect of their relationship. I needed more of a balance between the emotional and physical. Not the physical wasn't fun to watch but I just needed. I needed to see them fall in love so I believed. There were emotional bits during the lovemaking scene but felt it was more about physical release more than anything else. I just needed this story to dig deeper and wrench out those intense, gut wrenching moments that would have wounded them as well as me.
I needed a bit more angst in the story. They got together pretty early on so not much angst there but I more want the angst to come from emotional trauma that would have either created a wedge or cause the other to help heal their wounds. That would have upped the game and stakes to create that lovely angst. It would have increased the drama. For example I think more could have been made of Ella's insecurities and how she felt lesser of the two daughters. It was in there and it was explained but I wanted it to be explored more or at least shown more. I felt it was done more on a surface level nothing more. That was one of the things I was expecting when the idea was introduced in chapter one. So I thought it would have been a bigger deal than it was.
Another thing that I expected to be more than was, was the deception/ revenge piece which seemed very glossed over. It was supposed to be the big conflict from them having a genuine relationship between the two. Instead it felt very wishy washy for a conflict. To increase the intensity it would have been better if Ella decided to go through with marriage and decided she wanted to marry him because she loved him after saying throughput that she didn't want to marry because of the deal then she learned about Donato and his motives plans. The emotional blow would have been devastating to Ella. That would be the emotional punch. The one I needed to make it an intense and emotional love story. That would have added so much for me. It was disappointing.
The characters of Ella and Donato I felt neutral about them. Didn't hate them but didn't love them. I just couldn't quite connect to them like I have to other characters in the past. I didn't hurt for them even though they both went through horrible things in their lives as well face abused. So that was a problem for me. Also I didn't really root for them either.
Overall the book was just okay, the beginnings was better than the middle and the end. The setup of their attraction was great. I could feel the heat between them with their chemistry was off the chart. But then it got rather bland and repetitive and therefore less interesting. I needed that emotional conflict explored more with less focus on the physical. There needed to be a balance between the two to make it a more powerful love story. I just wanted more of that angst, emotional ride that Annie West is known for. Those are the stories that I love from her and hopefully those stories from her will continue in the future and I can't wait for them to come. So keep on writing them Annie West.
Major plot spoilers ahead.
This wasn't one of my favorites of Annie West's, who I am a huge fan, but I think a big reason for that was because of my expectations of how this story was going to go. Though it was a typical Presents plot, but I just thought the characters and the way the plot was very different. Different is not a bad thing but did skew my enjoyment of it. I think if certain events or situations occurred then it would have added to the intensity and gave it more of an emotional punch.
What was good was the beginning then as the story went on it slowed and got monotonous because a lot of it was repeat, repeat, repeat and I felt like it was too much. I know it was meant to emphasize the point but it could have been done without saying the same thing over and over again.
It was very promising at the start and loved what West did creating this intense physical attraction between Ella and Donato. It was pretty hot and very palatable. And it happened pretty immediately as soon as they met. Chemistry was off the charts and it was good.
Another thing that was nice was the playful banter and sexy byplay between the two in the beginning. It was that push and pull that I really like watching in a romance. It wasn't if they would succumb to their desires but when and it was fun to see how the game played out. He wanted to explore their attraction while she wanted to deny it feeling she was just a pawn in her father's business scheme in order to get money.
When they finally submitted to their passion it was explosive. I mean off the charts explosive with them ripping clothes off and just going at it like rabbits. Their sexual chemistry knew no bounds. Their physical connection never in any doubt. It was hot and fun to watch.
But to me that was the only thing they had going for them as a couple in a majority of the book. Sure the physical usually the beginning of it all and then the relationship grows over time with some development between them. And though Donato and Ella have emotional moments together it was few and far between. I felt all they had going on for them was the sex and that was it. The reason there was so much focus on that early on and for most of the book with development of them growing together happening near the end.
I wanted see more of that aspect of their relationship. I needed more of a balance between the emotional and physical. Not the physical wasn't fun to watch but I just needed. I needed to see them fall in love so I believed. There were emotional bits during the lovemaking scene but felt it was more about physical release more than anything else. I just needed this story to dig deeper and wrench out those intense, gut wrenching moments that would have wounded them as well as me.
I needed a bit more angst in the story. They got together pretty early on so not much angst there but I more want the angst to come from emotional trauma that would have either created a wedge or cause the other to help heal their wounds. That would have upped the game and stakes to create that lovely angst. It would have increased the drama. For example I think more could have been made of Ella's insecurities and how she felt lesser of the two daughters. It was in there and it was explained but I wanted it to be explored more or at least shown more. I felt it was done more on a surface level nothing more. That was one of the things I was expecting when the idea was introduced in chapter one. So I thought it would have been a bigger deal than it was.
Another thing that I expected to be more than was, was the deception/ revenge piece which seemed very glossed over. It was supposed to be the big conflict from them having a genuine relationship between the two. Instead it felt very wishy washy for a conflict. To increase the intensity it would have been better if Ella decided to go through with marriage and decided she wanted to marry him because she loved him after saying throughput that she didn't want to marry because of the deal then she learned about Donato and his motives plans. The emotional blow would have been devastating to Ella. That would be the emotional punch. The one I needed to make it an intense and emotional love story. That would have added so much for me. It was disappointing.
The characters of Ella and Donato I felt neutral about them. Didn't hate them but didn't love them. I just couldn't quite connect to them like I have to other characters in the past. I didn't hurt for them even though they both went through horrible things in their lives as well face abused. So that was a problem for me. Also I didn't really root for them either.
Overall the book was just okay, the beginnings was better than the middle and the end. The setup of their attraction was great. I could feel the heat between them with their chemistry was off the chart. But then it got rather bland and repetitive and therefore less interesting. I needed that emotional conflict explored more with less focus on the physical. There needed to be a balance between the two to make it a more powerful love story. I just wanted more of that angst, emotional ride that Annie West is known for. Those are the stories that I love from her and hopefully those stories from her will continue in the future and I can't wait for them to come. So keep on writing them Annie West.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2015
Loved this book! I didn't put it down from start to finish because I was so invested in seeing what all the secrets were that were going to be uncovered, and to see if Donato and Ella could truly have a future.
It all starts with Ella Sanderson being summoned by her father Reg, to meet a man that he had an important deal in the works with. He had arranged to make her sister, Felicity, marry this mogul because he wanted money and power from him. Her sister ran off with the man that she loved to avoid her father's scheming. Ella is the only sibling that has no tolerance for her father and his nonsense, and finds no problem telling him no. Until she finds out he's stolen her brother's inheritance that he was counting on to fund his current hotel project.
Donato Salazar is a rich, powerful, self-made ex-con. He's hard and ruthless, but Ella sees through that to the real man underneath. Their attraction to each other is instant, and even though she refuses to marry him, he convinces her to keep up the front with her father and to spend time with him.
Donato has a secret. He never planned to go through with a wedding, he only used it as a distraction to keep Reg occupied while he schemed his plan to ruin the man. As the time grows near, he feels guilty and tells Ella the truth. He can't lie to her, because he's grown to love her. She too has fallen head over heals for him, but how can she forgive him using her to ruin her father?
In the end, the truth will all come out ... but will it be too much for Donato and Ella to overcome?
It all starts with Ella Sanderson being summoned by her father Reg, to meet a man that he had an important deal in the works with. He had arranged to make her sister, Felicity, marry this mogul because he wanted money and power from him. Her sister ran off with the man that she loved to avoid her father's scheming. Ella is the only sibling that has no tolerance for her father and his nonsense, and finds no problem telling him no. Until she finds out he's stolen her brother's inheritance that he was counting on to fund his current hotel project.
Donato Salazar is a rich, powerful, self-made ex-con. He's hard and ruthless, but Ella sees through that to the real man underneath. Their attraction to each other is instant, and even though she refuses to marry him, he convinces her to keep up the front with her father and to spend time with him.
Donato has a secret. He never planned to go through with a wedding, he only used it as a distraction to keep Reg occupied while he schemed his plan to ruin the man. As the time grows near, he feels guilty and tells Ella the truth. He can't lie to her, because he's grown to love her. She too has fallen head over heals for him, but how can she forgive him using her to ruin her father?
In the end, the truth will all come out ... but will it be too much for Donato and Ella to overcome?
October 23, 2015
Annie West knows just how to draw her readers into her stories. SEDUCING HIS ENEMY'S DAUGHTER is deliciously wicked and devastatingly hot! Donato and Ella felt so real you just want to meet them!
All Donato Salazar had on his mind when he agreed to marry his enemy's daughter was revenge. His intention had been to jilt his bride-to-be at the altar. But when Ella Sanderson refuses his proposal, Donato sets out to show her every reason why she should say yes, one touch at a time. He truly wants her.
Ella could see right through Donato Salazar's guise. She knows what he is capable of so no wonder she refused his marriage proposal. However, when she starts to find pleasure in spending time with this super sexy man, Ella discards her rebellious nature by falling helplessly for Donato’s seduction. She knows she shouldn't want him yet…her heart and body yearns for him like no other and accepting his proposal doesn't seem like a big deal just then!
The chemistry between Donato and Ella bursts off the pages, making this story an entertaining and fun read!
Highly Recommended
5/5 Stars
January 8, 2018
I’ve been talking about my love of Annie West books several times on my friends Aurian's blog. I like the way she gave me back the pleasure of reading short stories from Harlequin. These books were the first romances I’ve read. But the use of too standard storylines, too much a-hole ‘heroes’, heroines I couldn’t identify with and other reasons made me stop reading these little books. But reading Annie West books is remembering the tropes and seeing them turned around and spun into a lovely story.
So when Annie offered her latest books for review, I jumped at it. Imagine my surprise when she send me a paper book, all the way from Australia, instead of an digital copy, what I expected.
The book is Seducing his enemy’s daughter.
This is a “Big Secret” book and a “I punish the woman for the crimes her father/brother/distant cousin did” book. I used to hate those books. The Big Mis and Big Secret books are frustrating and the Punishment trope is also cringeworthy, mostly.
But once again Annie turned the tropes upside down. The crime the father did is very real. Also the way the relationship developed is beautifully done. They both have their secrets and know this of each other. I don’t want to spoiler how it develops, but it doesn’t go as I would expect, having read too many of these kinds of stories. No accidental, dramatic reveal of secrets, but reason, communication and love. It gave me a nice warm feeling. That’s why I will keep on buying and reading Annie’s books.
So when Annie offered her latest books for review, I jumped at it. Imagine my surprise when she send me a paper book, all the way from Australia, instead of an digital copy, what I expected.
The book is Seducing his enemy’s daughter.
This is a “Big Secret” book and a “I punish the woman for the crimes her father/brother/distant cousin did” book. I used to hate those books. The Big Mis and Big Secret books are frustrating and the Punishment trope is also cringeworthy, mostly.
But once again Annie turned the tropes upside down. The crime the father did is very real. Also the way the relationship developed is beautifully done. They both have their secrets and know this of each other. I don’t want to spoiler how it develops, but it doesn’t go as I would expect, having read too many of these kinds of stories. No accidental, dramatic reveal of secrets, but reason, communication and love. It gave me a nice warm feeling. That’s why I will keep on buying and reading Annie’s books.
October 19, 2015
Seducing His Enemy's Daughter by Annie West is enthralling, sexy, hot, tempting, provocative, and an enjoyable read. Ella is not going to let her father ruin her brother and sister by offering her in marriage to Donato Salazar in order to keep him solvent. The fire between them is electrifying and leads Ella to learning that she really isn't whom her father 'brainwashed' her to think she is. Donato learns he is capable of love and it is almost lost to him. Enjoy the wild ride of lust and love with Emma and Donato.
September 28, 2016
Donato Salazer cannot forget the wrongs done to his mother and is not ready to forgive the man responsible for it!
So what better than lead the man to his ruin by getting engaged to his daughter and ditching her at the altar. But the plan does not seem to work so well when he meets Ella. Ella does not act like the spoilt daughter of a rich man. She refuses to marry him.
But sparks fly between the two and Donato is torn between revenge and love1
So what better than lead the man to his ruin by getting engaged to his daughter and ditching her at the altar. But the plan does not seem to work so well when he meets Ella. Ella does not act like the spoilt daughter of a rich man. She refuses to marry him.
But sparks fly between the two and Donato is torn between revenge and love1
October 9, 2015
Absolutely amazing!
Ella and Donato's story was..well, I can't believe I'm actually speechless, at a loss for words. It made me cry. What Donato had to endure as a child was shocking. And to think he still succeeded in life and was able to become a honorable man is just breathtaking. I loved the ending so much. This is totally a must read for any romance junkie.
Ella and Donato's story was..well, I can't believe I'm actually speechless, at a loss for words. It made me cry. What Donato had to endure as a child was shocking. And to think he still succeeded in life and was able to become a honorable man is just breathtaking. I loved the ending so much. This is totally a must read for any romance junkie.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews