Per una tua carezza

by Sarah Morgan

C'è una cosa che Zander Volakis vuole ottenere a ogni costo: un'isola greca appartenuta un tempo a sua nonna. Ma per riuscire ad aggiudicarsi l'affare ha bisogno di un radicale cambio di immagine, perché il proprietario non ha intenzione di vendere la sua terra a un individuo con la reputazione da playboy. La soluzione è rivolgersi a un'agenzia specializzata in creazione dell'immagine. Quando Lauranne O'Neill, creatrice di immagine, si trova davanti il suo ex marito come cliente, si rifiuta in ogni modo di lavorare con lui. Costretta però dalle circostanze ad accettare, avrà forse la possibilità di scoprire quei lati nascosti di Zander che il loro breve matrimonio non aveva svelato. Ma qualcuno ancora trama alle loro spalle.

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Mills and Boon, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

About Sarah

USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.

Look out for Sarah's latest novel - All Together for Christmas (UK title)/ A Merry Little Lie (US/Canadian title)

Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com





Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like that while they were apart, he slept with other women, but she was still faithful. Plus I think that she did more of the conceding and apologizing, while he had some apologizing and compromise to do himself. I really like this author's writing, but this is my least favorite of hers that I've read. I think she did the separated and reunited couple much better the second time around with Public Wife, Private Mistress. At least in that book, I can pretend the hero didn't sleep with other women, although I am fairly certain he did not. At any rate, in my fantasy wishes he didn't because he was still in love with his wife. This guy, didn't act like a man who was still in love. He acted as though he was out to punish his wife. Not real romantic to me.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm torn between 1 and 2 stars. 2 for basic writing and since it's OTT and exciting, but probably should be 1 star as a romance since unfortunately the hero is not just a jerk but also doesn't really love the heroine. Whole plot is that she resisted him and that's the only reason he married her. (he really isn't sure why he married her...and thinks she married him for his money even though she never took a dime or bought a thing and hasn't asked for support in the 5 years they've been apart. Which proves her stupidity, because he ruined her professionally so she should have sued him!). Also, the heroine is so weak and pathetic. Her celibacy for 5 years (after a 1 month marriage to a man she believes cheated on her, who destroyed her career and life on a vengeful whim) actually makes her unlikeable, not moral. It's not virtuous to love an abuser who has destroyed your professional life. And the lines about her virginity, her celibacy, his lack thereof, and the repetitive mention of hero's Greekness as if it's an evolutionary limitation are so formulaic, as if they came right out of other crappy books with the same type of selfish jerk hero. Seriously, I've read the same lines before...unfortunately, they are all jumbled into one mess here. It feels like a parody...

Of course, he's with multiple women (one right after the other) while still married, in the last 5 years has not gone 2 weeks without a playmate (laments his 2 weeks of celibacy while reconnecting with heroine), justifies his destruction of heroine professionally because she "angered" him, uses her by kissing her publicly for his own publicity (of course, she swoons) and turns the heroine's life upside down again so he can fulfill his plans to use her body for a few weeks before dropping her. She learns he was with another woman 2 weeks before (right before they met again) and is only interested in her body and doesn't bat an eye, But we are supposed to believe they loved each other? It would have been easier to believe heroine's acceptance if she was mentally or intellectually deficient (she's a bright professional???) or had been horribly abused by her father so was seeking the guy from Sleeping With the Enemy as her very own.

[AvidReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why the hell would I give a book starring cheater hero more star?

[StMargarets · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re-read

This is a second chance story that comes about because the hero needs to improve his reputation so he can buy back his family's island. The man who owns it is a family man and doesn't approve of the hero's womanizing. Hero hires a PR firm and discovers his estranged wife is a co-owner.

Five years before the H/h were married and the heroine worked in his company. They each thought the other cheated. The hero fired the heroine on the spot (in front of the woman the h thought he was having an affair with) and then made sure she couldn't get a job with any other company. The heroine then started her own business with the guy the hero thought she was cheating with.

So, hero has more sins of his side of the ledger from five years ago *and* he's been an adulterous cheat ever since.

The H/h made up nicely and there was some fun angst with the original OW popping up during the signing off of the island, but the hero had a lot to answer for and he didn't do enough to make amends. Yes, he had a short grovel and heroine admitted her culpability in the misunderstanding. She was trying to make him jealous.

But there were no romantic gestures. No actions that showed her understood her as person. Meh - so he didn't hit the OM this time when he saw her hugging him. Baby steps, I guess.

[Leona · Rating 1 out of 5]

ok, this book is the reason why most people shy away from HP's. It started off pretty strong, and I was really intrigued with the tension between the Hero and heroine. Something went down very badly in their past, which forced him to cast her out of his life and set about ruthlessly destroying her. He fires her from her job, he blacklists her amongst colleagues so that she can never work again.. She becomes destitute and ends up relying on the help of a colleague to help build her business and self-esteem back up. She actually does successfully build her career and business again. Wow, now we are talking!!!!

After being separated for five years, they suddenly meet again because Zander (hero) needs Lauranne's (heroine) PR firm to fix his image since he is considered to be a cutthroat and ruthless man. Well buddy, if the shoe fits!!!!

The meeting where they encounter each other again is really full of tension and brutality... He blackmails her into working for him, threatening to take her down AGAIN and this time to take her partner with her, if she doesn't help him. What a guy!!!!!!!!

And this is where, the story really falls apart for me. I could stay with it up to this point because the tension and build up were incredible. I could even see Lauranne agreeing to work for him because of the threat of ruin. But what I couldn't even begin to understand is how Lauranne would fall all over him with heat and passion. (Of course she was filled with remorse and shame for her weakness) Weakness?? From a woman who built her self back up from nothing in one of the most difficult industries??? A woman who had to overcome the most difficult obstacles such as blacklisting from a man who rejoiced in crushing her ruthlessly?? By the way, that's a direct quote from Zander. Zander justs walk back in and all over our heroine without even one small grovel. Of course she never stopped loving him.

Now tell me this, who can love someone that destroys you, not once, but threatens to do it again?

This is a clear case of abuse....with a heroine willing to punish herself over and over again for great sex. I honestly don't know how she could even be slightly interested yet alone sexually attracted to him. I started out by giving this two stars, for okay. But in retrospect I downgraded to 1 because I couldn't get over the humiliating abuse.

[Booklover · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay read,two things that spoiled the book for me was the cheating Zander sees Lauranne kissing Tom ,gives no time to explain or talk out but was very cruel towards Lauranne,crushed her totally,secondly while wife was shown to be celibate for whole 5 years while hubby jumped from one woman's bed to another,if Zander would have also honoured his wedding vows and shown celibate this book would have been worth 4 stars.

Okay read

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Greek’s Blackmailed Wife is the 13th book by Sarah Morgan. Zander Volakis is a very rich, very arrogant, chauvinistic Greek playboy. Lauranne O’Neill, a supposedly intelligent, independent Brit, was employed in the London branch of Volakis Industries. Five years ago, on a two-month posting to the Caribbean, Lauranne met her boss and promptly fell in love. After a quick seduction, their marriage lasted all of 4 weeks, 3 days & 6 hours, at which point circumstances, and a bit of plotting by the evil Marina (who had her eye on Zander), led both of them to assume the worst about each other. Xander fired her from her job (but never actually divorced her) and she set up her (now highly successful) PR business with her good friend Tom Ferrar (the man Zander caught her kissing 5 years ago). Now he needs her to change his image so he can buy an island. She’s none too keen as her brain still goes to mush every time he looks at her.
I read so many times how his shockingly potent masculinity mesmerised her, how vulnerable she was to his overwhelming virility, I don’t know how I refrained from throwing the book into the corner. Irritatingly slow-moving, this is 187 pages of shallow characters, wooden dialogue and transparent plot: 186 pages too long!

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

cheating heroine and hero.

[c.kingreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad this wasn't the first Sarah Morgan or HP I've ever read as it probably would have been the last.

Why? Let's start with the following:

"but he's Greek"
"Does being Greek somehow make you lose your brain?" p. 35
"The man was Greek to the very backbone." p. 37
"She was the antithesis of the woman he'd been brought up to value, so far removed from the obedient Greek woman that it was laughable." p. 44
"And because if you don't, my English beauty." p. 53
"What exactly had she meant about that comment that he was 'so Greek'? Of course he was Greek!" p. 68 (okay, that last one made me chuckle thinking perhaps the author recognized the absurdity here."
"He was too self-absorbed, too stupidly jealous, too-too-Greek!" p.133
(There's many more, but I think I've made my point)

Yeah. So, someone's got some issues with Greek people. Apparently there's a big market out there for books about greek billionaires. And these books are popular. But I'll admit I really don't get it. The insane stereotyping is bad enough (and, excuse me, but none of the Greek women I've ever met could be described as "obedient").

What's worse, the hero is an alpha jerk throughout most of the book. Yes he gives money to charity anonymously, but he's a billionaire for pete's sake. He should . And I'm sorry if his dad's constant marital strife was traumatic on him, but that doesn't give you the right to be a class A jerk.

And I'm also at a loss as to what is with our heroine? Okay I get it, you think he's sexy. But all of the declarations of love seem to stem from the fact that he's really hot and good in bed. He treats you like dirt and orders you around. But you learn he had family trauma growing up so it's okay. Best of luck to both of you.

I know there are folks out there who like this type of book. More power to you. I just don't get the appeal. But maybe it's just me.

[TashNz · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT! I'm a huge fan of stories where they already knew each other and then due to some problem had to split. Well I loved this book and it had me turning the pages as quick as I could read them because i just wanted them to have their happy ever after. The hero needs a PR company to make him an image of being a nice family going guy so he can buy an island resort. His ex wife is the head of the PR company. The background story about why he wants the island is really well done. The hero doesnt want his ex to be ex any more and does as much as he can to get them back together. I just loved it. Doesnt matter about the year it was published, still could have been written today. I now realise how many Sarah Morgan books I have read over the years and can firmly say she has now moved to my automatic purchase pile.

[Jen - Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, well there were things in this book that began to grate on my nerves, like the Greek hero constantly being referred to as some sort of uncivilised caveman. The heroine too was still taking responsibility for some things the hero did until the end.
So, how come I gave it 4 stars? The tension that Sarah Morgan created was intense from beginning to end. It didn't let up even for a second. The writing is fabulous and I can really appreciate that.

[Ms Fine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom sighed. "So now what? Presumably it was him I saw just now burning up the road in his flash car. Is he coming back?" Lauranne hesitated. "He's picking me up at seven-thirty to discuss business over dinner." "Dinner?" Tom gaped at her incredulously. "The last time we saw the guy, you were his dinner and so was I! Main course and dessert. He's a predator, Lauranne, and if you trust him then you're a fool

[Pravana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved Becky's review. So much so, I'm borrowing a couple of shelves from her.Hehehe

Shelves: hero-cheats, hero-thinks-heroine-cheated, heroine-thinks-hero-cheated, hero-not-celibate-during-separation, heroine-blackmailed-to-reconcile, separation-after-marriage, heroine-celibate-while-h-has-ow

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

The Greek’s Blackmailed Wife is an intense standalone Contemporary Romance in the Harlequin Presents line. It was originally published in 2004, yet it reads as though it could have taken place yesterday. I have to say that I’m grateful that so many Harlequin titles are now within Kindle Unlimited. My book budget only goes so far (you, too?), and being able to read some of my favorite authors’ earlier works or even new-to-me authors is a delight.

Lauranne and Zander married quickly in the heat of passion. For Lauranne, it was love, intense in all of its emotions. For Zander, it was intense passion, obsession even. Zander has no clue how to identify love; he’d deny he’s even capable of it. Their passionate marriage lasted a little more than two months before outside manipulation would have them both believing the other had cheated on them, destroying what emotional commitment they had made to each other. Zander lashed out immediately. He demanded she leave at once. He fired Lauranne on the spot, in front of his staff, people she had worked with, tossed her away like yesterday’s garbage, destroying her reputation, her chance at a livelihood, ripping apart her dreams… but he never divorced her.

And five long years later, when he needed her talent at recreating his image almost instantly, he didn’t see why she would say no. The passion was still there between them, easily proven, and when Zander didn’t get his way, of course, he blackmailed her into the recreation of his image. The billionaire who owned an island that Zander has tried to purchase for years has tossed down the gauntlet, and unless Zander cleans up his act, he’ll never have that island. Lauranne was going to help him… one way or another.

I firmly believe that every single reader reads a different version of the same book. I’ve read the reviews for Lauranne and Zander’s story, and there is a very wide range of stars, varying opinions, and, perhaps surprisingly, I believe that each one was right for that person. Yes, there were so many “Greek men act this way” stereotypes that I soon ignored them. She remained celibate for five years, from the trauma and the wish to disappear… remember, Zander destroyed her, so she wasn’t up to dating ever again, even if she was still technically married. I read those statements as the fact that she still loved the guy, and had no interest in men, period, simply kept her head down and recreated her life from almost scratch for herself. I think that the varying reviews for The Greek’s Blackmailed Wife prove my point that no two people ever read the same book.

Frankly, I enjoyed their story. Even if Zander didn’t know how to speak love words due to his upbringing, he showed love. They were torn apart by one manipulative woman, and one jealous action simply intensified those false beliefs. The fact that Lauranne was the only person he ever spoke to about his grandmother and his connection to this particular island speaks volumes (to me) about his feelings for his wife. I liked the story, I’d recommend it… with the comment that everyone is going to take away something different from this passionate, intricate romance.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[Cheryl Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big plot - Spoilers included

The main characters have drama less than 2 months into their marriage resulting in an angry and awful parting. Part of the instigating event is the h believing the H was cheating on her and vice versa with him. 5 years later they are still married but apart. The h was so traumatized by her husband’s infidelity and their harsh parting she has not even dated or had sex. Not so the H who has been publicly busy with an endless run of beautiful women. When the h and H finally get busy he tells the h that he has been celibate for TWO weeks and that’s the longest time he has been celibate. I find it implausible that the disparate circumstances of their sexual history would not have been an issue in the reconciliation or that the H, who believed his wife was unfaithful during his marriage loved her so much (albeit unknowingly) that he did not divorce her but had no issues with 5 years of rampant sex with numerous women not his wife. It made me dislike him very much. The author ignoring this plot hole made me think of this issue during every tender or loving scene spoiling them. Him asking her to forgive him in the end for the horrible break up 5 years before but not for 5 years of endless rutting did not redeem him. I also found myself infuriated by the harsh difference between 2 months of marriage and FIVE years of separation. The writing is good and I enjoyed parts of the book but I wish that both characters had equal sexual history, the time apart was shortened or the plot hole was addressed in some other way.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very passionate romance. They are married because of some misunderstandings they were separated for 5 years. He now blackmails her (his wife) into working for him again.

I really liked this book, but I take one star off because a separation of 5 (!) years is too long and life is too short to be that long away from someone you really love.

And I also didn’t like that he was with other women during their 5 year separation. They were still married. But then again, 5 years is a long time to remain celibate.

It’s always years of separation. Why don’t writers make it just a 1 year separation or a few months separation before the man and woman get back to each other?

[anisa fitri zakirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 3.5. Both were stubborn and weren't a very good match. I don't like the fact that she kissed another man to make him jealous. Even if he actually cheated, it still wouldn't justify the action. Anyway, the hero was a proud Greek that I'm actually annoyed. He gave me Lele Pons energy "cause I'm latina" everytime he claimed that he's Greek 😭😭😭

The hero had reasons to distrust women as his father had married numerous women. He wanted the island because it was his. The heroine was just an insecure young woman, I get it but still annoying that she kissed another man, though it's her best friend.

[About the book · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't know how it was possible for me to love and at the same tame hate a book. It is not that this book isn't well written. Sarah Morgan knows how to write. [SPOILER] It's that I really don't understand Lauranne. She's broken down by Zander, destroyed, but yet she falls for him again. On some level I would have been able to understand this. A women first love stays with them. But Zander doesn't grovel enough in my opinion. And Lauranne deserved that. Also, her staying celibate was hard to accept. Especially after #metoo, I'm torn.

[BAG of Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

The H and h separated because he "wrongfully" accused her of having an affair with a male friend. But the problem is that she arranged things to look like she had slept with her friend. She wanted H to think they were sleeping together. So I can't really fault him for thinking it. Their marriage was toxic and honestly they should not get back together. She points out that they fight all the time and shouldn't get back together, he just responds that he enjoys fighting. What in the fresh hell is this shit?

[رومولا الن emmajain-book · Rating 3 out of 5]

رواية جزيرة الحب الضائع

بعد انفصال لوران وزاندر لمدة خمس سنوات
تجمعهما الصدفه
فيسعى زاندر للانتقام من لوران لضنه انها قد خانته
فهل تعود لوران له من جديد

روايه مسليه جدا
مليئة بالحب والانتقام
فزاندر ولوران شخصان عنيدان وقويا الشخصية
لا يقبلان الخضوع
كالعاده يجب ان يكون البطل يوناني والبطلة انجليزيه
هذه الروايات تقرأ للتسليه فقط
سعدت انني وجدت لدي روايه لم تقراها من روايات احلام

[Michaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story was dumb. Neither of the characters was likable nor was their romance realistic. I also feel like ive read this before but better.

[elstaffe]

Hero is described by the narrator as "Greek to the backbone." No further comments.

[Lel · Rating 1 out of 5]

¿Que rayos acabo de leer?
Ni siquiera puedo creer que me leí todas las 105 páginas que tiene esto

[Sydney pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just starting to read Sarah Morgan,s books like both will keep reading.

[Brenda Pou]

Good.

Very fascinating characters. Kept me waiting to see what was next.
Very good and full of surprises. You must read.

[*Elizabeth* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently scored a huge tote of Harlequin romance paperbacks from my loving mother-in-law. She dropped it by my house with a note that read, "Before there was Christian Grey, I had these guys."
I admit I've never really indulged in these short reads before but I'm glad I have the opportunity now!

This book just oozed intrigue with "blackmail" in the title so naturally I chose to read it first.

The main characters Zander and Lauranne have a lot of history and built up sexual tension. Of course this books takes the same route as most with drama being created from nothing, a mistake, a misunderstanding, a lie. It makes for a good read though.

I really liked Lauranne, she's intelligent, independent and somewhat sane when it comes to Zander, meaning she doesn't jump his bones right away. She does however take him back quicker than I would've hoped but whatever.

Zander on the other hand is just ok. He's handsome and rich and possessive, typical alpha. I would've liked him a little more if he owned up to a few of his mistakes like Lauranne did. It was a two way street IMO.

Anyway, a nice easy read for the day and can't wait to get into the next.

[LilyRosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The misunderstanding that led to their separation was so dumb and could have been easily resolved. Instead they lost five years together. I always find that annoyingN
The writing was great, even though I couldn't connect with the characters. The H was portrayed as a real Neanderthal. If I were Greek I would be insulted at the primitive barbaric way he is portrayed in the story, especially since ancient Greek culture was the height of civilization at one time.

I love that Sarah Morgan often has heroines who are smart and successful at what they do and the H's respect and admire them for that. So I appreciated that the h in this story was not only great at what she did but she had the grit to pick herself up after the H had destroyed her career.
Two and half stars rounded up to 3.

[Brittney Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

the fools should have tried to make it work or at least tried to find out what really was going on. And if the fool girl just screamed or at least scratched the other women eyes out them it would have been smarter them going to her friend and pretending them were lovers.

2nd read
I still think that both of them were fools for not sticking to it. And that she should of tried scratching out that B's eyes out when she thought she slept with her husband. And then gone after him for daring to cheat on her.

[Diamond · Rating 1 out of 5]

جزيرة الحب الضائعة
سارة مورغن
زاندار فولاكيس رجل أعمال ثري لا يرحم ... وهو لن يدع مشروع الجزيرة اليونانية يفلت منه حتى لو كلفه ذلك استرجاع طليقته لوران أونيل التي خانته منذ خمس سنوات .
فهل تقبل لوران بالعودة إليه وهي مقتنعة بأنه دمر حياتها ! لن تعود إليه أبدا حتى لو كان خياله ما زال يسكن أحلامها ولو كان الاقتراب منه يجعل الأرض تهتز من تحتها ... رفضها القاطع لم يبق أمامه إلا خيارا واحدا ... سوف يرشوها ويبتزها إلى أن تصبح ملكه مجددا