Stormy Vows

Donovan Enterprises #1

by Iris Johansen

Fiercely proud of her independence, Brenna Sloan felt her assurance crumble under Michael Donovan's forceful approach. They were both fighters--but Brenna wasn't strong enough to reach out for the love she needed, and Michael knew only how to take--until he met Brenna. With tantalizing persuasion, he overcame her objections, urged her into a sudden marriage, and carried her away. Only after a heartbreaking misunderstanding nearly destroyed their happiness did they surrender to the fiery ecstasy of their passion. But could Michael convince Brenna that his promise to love her was forever?

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary, Loveswept, Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary Romance

184 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1983

About the author

Iris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.

She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.

IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.

http://www.irisjohansen.com

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 3 out of 5]

In an ocean of cheating, disloyal, rude cads and the spineless, leaky, jellyblobs who worship them, you'd think I would wholeheartedly embrace Iris Johansen's crazily possessive, mine-mine-mine, obsessed hero and her feisty, take-no-guff heroine, in the over-the-top, campy romance Stormy Vows. Well, I did like him however, truth be told, he was just a wee bit too obvious. And she was a bit too perfect. I would have liked a little bit more mystery and conflict to spice things up. Definitely pick this up if you have been punched in the guts by one too many asshats masquerading as romantic heroes. It will be a breath of fresh air. But a riveting, must re-read, it was not. It was just...nice.

[StMargarets · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of a virgin raising her dead sister’s toddler while pursing an acting career. The studio head whom she spars with casts her in a movie and pursues her with jealous zeal.

The writing just flows along, so even though the plot was predictable I read with great enjoyment. I also enjoyed the blast from the past in the clothing (lemon yellow with daisies for a wedding dress) to the A-frame bachelor pad to the interior designs ( purple and lavender accessories!)

Other notes of interest:
Hero has red hair (dark mahogany)
Most of the story is set in Oregon – at his studio grounds
The hero’s best friend is a playboy director and has his own story following this one.

[Azet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply WOW..I am surprised that i have come to love "Stormy Vows" this much!
Dramatic, sensual and alluring...Iris Johansen once again delivers an angsty and mindblowing Romantic Tale about the independent and fiery Brenna Sloan and the masterful and dynamic Director Michael Donovan. Michael is a man who have had the world beyond his feet as long as he can remember, but with one look Brenna will change his life forever in the name of Everlasting Love...and he will be a hero after his heroines love...til the end!

..And didn`t i just enjoy that! OMG yes i did!

Brenna is a heroine i simply came to adore. With her patience and wonderful innocence i just was there with her the whole time-with her every decisions. The many sacrifices she has done and her utterly devotion to her nephew made me shed some tears. Little Randy was so adorable! This woman had a great pride, and resists our Hero`s lovemaking-refusing to be his mistress,yeah how i loved it when she gave him the blue balls, haha!

...and our hero...Oh oh oh Michael...what a man!
With his Golden Mahogany hair and Bright Blue Eyes, he simple was a very forceful personality with his brooding looks, wild seduction, passion in his eyes every time he looked at Brenna (They have GOD the best frigging chemistry EVER) and his savage and jealous outbursts...His overly adherence and obvious love for her, it was so passionate that it was heart-breaking to watch. He couldn`t even stomach watching little Randy, thinking that he is Brenna`s child to another man. And he made no secret of that fact.The scenes after their marriage are so breathtakingly romantic i totally swooned,and how i just cheered for their HEA! Michael and Brenna...F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!I love you together so much (swoon)!

I am excited to read the Irresistible and Famous Director (Michael`s best-friend) the Devil himself Jake Dominic. How i just simply fell for him in his secondary character in this book, and i can`t wait for his story in "Tempest at Sea".!

One more thing i will have to add is that i am such a sucker when it comes to romantic books with director/actor as a hero,they are just so arrogant and sexy in a swoon-worthy way and just such irresistible Alpha-males,Michael Donovan is no exception,i dare tell you that,hihi!
They always tend to satisfy with a little bit of danger in the way they so stubbornly fight for their heroine`s!Yeah...i just faint over these Alphas, i just love them so much!

Here are some suggestions to romantic Contemporarys with Alpha-Male Director/Actor/Film-Creator as a hero (these are my favourites):
1.Caleb Steele in Carole Mortimer`s No Longer a Dream
2.Benedict de l'Isle in Penny Jordan`s Shadow Marriage
3.Rourke Somerville in Carole Mortimer`s Golden Fever
4.Leon Masters in Carole Mortimer`s Living Together
5.Damien Savage in Carole Mortimer`s Savage Interlude
6.Alex Stevenson in Charlotte Lamb`s Sleeping Desire
7.Zachary Benedict in Judith McNaught`s Perfect (One of my top fav heroes ever)

[Aou · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You're not ready for this yet," he said calmly, "but I'm tired of playing games." He looked directly into her eyes, and said deliberately, "I don't want your child here, because it drives me crazy to see you with him.”
(...)
“I seemed to have become completely obsessed by you. I never cared a damn about chastity in a woman before, but the thought of another man having had you before me, makes me want to strangle you.”
(...)
“It gives me a good deal of satisfaction to know that you haven't been involved with any other man since Randy's father let you down. I told you I was very possessive about you, and I know damn well I can melt that ice around you, Brenna.”
(...)
“I don't want only a one night stand with you, love. We're going to be together a long, long time. I want your body, your mind, and your soul. I'm going to own you, Brenna Sloan.“

He told all of these the second day they met.

“You get your son, your career, and a wealthy husband. What more could you want?"
The bitter cynicism in his face hurt her in some mysterious fashion. "Why are you doing this?" she asked bewilderedly. "Yes, I'm getting all that, but what are you getting out of this marriage?"
The blue eyes were suddenly impenetrable as Donovan considered her question. "What am I getting?" His mouth twisted cynically. "I'm getting Brenna Sloan in
my bed until I tire of her. I get a chance to work off this obsession I have for you. Closeness has been known to kill stone dead more than one great passion. Maybe I’ll get lucky.”
Just for this great proposal’s sake, 4 stars.

[Seda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Öküz erkek karakter mi daha korkunç, yazım hataları mı?🤔 Karar veremedim. 1983 yılında yazılmış kitap. İçinde ‘videoteyp’in keşfinden falan bahsedince ne oluyor dedim bir an. Film sektörüyle ilgili güzel bir konu bulmuş ama ne konuyu işleyebilmiş, ne de erkek karaktere tek düzgün hareket/diyalog yazabilmiş. Maço, öküz, odun, zorba, tacizci, tecavüzcü karışımı bir şey olmuş adam. Ayy, Michael Donovan’ı beynimden silmek istiyorum.😒😒

[Ayşenur Nazlı · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bu sefer olmamış. Güzel bir konu bulmuş ama karakterler ve işleyiş olmamış. Edisyon da göz kanatıyordu. Ayrıca bu kadının maço erkek ve göğüs kılı fetişi nedir ya? Kusacağım artık

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm going to use this lovely body of yours in every way I know how, and when I've finished, I'm going to do it all over again. I'm going to drown myself in you to the point of satiation, and when I've rid myself of this crazy obsession I have for you, I'm going to kick that lovely tail right out of my life and hope to God I don't have to look into those lying eyes ever again."

"Solitary Vows" is the story of Michael and Brenna.
Now this IJ novel had the most ott ridiculous plot
-A virgin heroine taking care of her dead sisters baby
-An OTT crazy hero..so much that-wait for it- he is jealous of the heroine's attention to the baby!! He even separates the mother from the child because he cant bear to have another man's child in his vision (who touched her prior to him)
-Passionate encounters and searing kisses
-Loads of jealousy and possessiveness
-Wicked evil OM
-Bodice ripping and threats of "rape"
-Hymen surprises
-Truth reveal in the very end
-Overly Dramatic h and H
-Slow realization of love
Really enjoyed the last 1/4th when the couple finally truly discovered each other- and had some genuine angst. Always wish such books had an epilogue.
Safe with minor exception h is forcefully kissed and almost kidnapped by evil OM
3.75/5

[seton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Johansen's first Loveswept, published in 1983.

Spinoff is Loveswept #17, TEMPEST AT SEA.

Very old school category romance. Hero is a Steven Spielberg-like director/producer in his late 30s. Heroine is a 20 year old actress with a 2 year old baby. Yes, we are talking about a 15+ year difference.

Heroine has a Big Secret which she is stupid for keeping from the H. Lots of misunderstandings ensue. The H is a typical IJ possessive alpha who quite openly talks about his obsession with the heroine but in this one, it's a little over the top that he is so jealous that he couldn't even stand being near her baby.

[Melanie♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I read this back in the day, but it was fun to revisit it. Super abrupt ending as was often the case back then.

[Julz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised this one wasn't written in the 70s for all the un-PCness coming from the H. He had a lot of unlikable qualities. One of the worst was his jealousy for the heroine's child because he couldn't stand the thought of another man having her and made her avoid having them together (it was better by the end of the book but I know some will never forgive ;).

Some of the things he would say to the heroine were just awful, and his excuse at the end for his attitude didn't really justify it for me.

However, for those lovers of angry, controlling, alpha men who provide punishing kisses, well, here you go. And for those who like their heroines strong, this one will be for you too.

[Megzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
The jealousy and the language reminded me of late 1970's romance novels and early 80's Hollywood.

Still, a nice quick read but I wasn't a fan of his behavior in the lake house or with her sister's toddler.

[Çisem · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5,0

-Kitap Harlequin kitapları tarzındaydı.
-Çeviri çok kötüydü. Çoğu zaman cümlelerde neler anlatılmak istendiğini anlamadım o kadar kötüydü.
-Kitabın editör elinden geçmediğini düşünüyorum. İsimler yanlış yazılmış bir çok yerde.
-Adamın halleri çok abartıydı bir anda kızın üstünde bu kadar baskı kurması ve bunu kendine hak bilmesi çok aşırı geldi bana. Yani kurguda da istediğim şeyleri çok fazla bulamadım.
----------
+Akıcıydı 1 günde bitti.
+Kafa yormayan kitaplardan olduğu için bu ara iyi geldi.
+Dominic'i çok sevdim onun kitabını okumayı çok istiyorum ama lütfen bu sefer daha iyi bir çeviriyle.

[🅙𝔲𝔩𝔷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. alpha possessive hero. no cheating. The heroine was a bit wishy washy but otherwise a good read.

[Lasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was writing this review in 1983 when Stormy Vows came out, I probably would have given it 5 stars. But many years later, I'm older and wiser and it only rates 3 stars. With a sexist Alpha male protagonist, Michael is a throwback to the MCP characters of the early 1980s romance novels. He takes when he should ask and doesn't really listen to "no."

This book is a product of its times, so I'll cut it some slack, but upon reflection its not my favorite of Ms. Johansen.

[Gamruk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adamimizz cidden hödükkk:))) oyle boyle degil gel git yap et dur falan gibi emirler yagdiran odunsu mahlukat ama yine de seviyoz iste boylelerini napicaz:)))

Sevdim, hatta yazar erkek ic seslerine biraz daha girse azcik daha duygu yuklemesi yapsa vazgecilmez kitaplarimdan bile olabilirdi.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Johansen. What else need i say. 5 stars!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was diffucult to review. It was a good story, but fell short a few times. It was frustrating at times, but it made me think i liked it more than i did. Or was it less?

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems to be the 1st of the series that about movies.
This book is also tied to Capture the Rainbow.

[Carla Sokotuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book read on my Nook. It was a good one.

[Songül · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyaz dizi tadında ve çabukluğunda bir hikayeydi ..

[Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good except too fast.

[Murr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate men who try to dominate women and women who cant say no. And leaving your baby so you can "have a rest"? Really?

[Irene Kiew · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the Loveswept imprint and miss it so much, and I'm also familiar with Iris Johansen's writing and like it. But... this book!!! It was like regressing into the stone age!!!

I couldn't stand Michael. From the get-go he separates Brenna from her son, Randy, just because he's jealous that she had a son with someone else and he can't stand the sight of Randy. What a prize!

And Brenna -- she gets fired up and tells him off at first, but then gives in so easily, letting his dominant personality overpower her. In the end, for almost all the book, she hardly sees or spends any time with Randy, and doesn't particularly seem that concerned about it. She's much more concerned over whether her love affair with Michael is going to end any moment, because he told her right from the start that it was going to be temporary.

So Brenna was weak, but I really disliked Michael. He didn't care at all about her feelings. It was all about what HE wanted, and to heck with everyone else! Including her! She's so enamoured of him that the moment he gets home, she immediately calls the nanny to take Randy away, so as not to upset Michael. My God! What a stellar loving mom! NOT.

Ugh I cannot. In the author's note before the book, Johansen says this was the first story she wrote, and maybe that's why it's such a travesty. I hate steamroller guys. So angry!

[eevee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brenna’s an up-and-coming actress with a kid in tow. When her mentor helps her secure an audition for a Michael Donovan picture, she’s ecstatic. It’s Michael Donovan! But it turns out the famous producer is actually an asshole. Also, he wants Brenna as his mistress. She disagrees. A battle of wills ensues.

Characters! Brenna’s all right. She’s twenty. She’s sassy with Michael sort of. Really loves her kid.

Michael also likes kids according to him, but not Brenna’s specifically. You see, he’s jealous that Brenna had a kid with some douchebag in the past. Is that really what happened? Maybe, maybe not. In any case, I could understand why a reader would dislike Michael for holding a grudge against the child when it’s a... child. The nonsensical and asshole-ishness of that is never addressed, either. Also, Michael confesses to wanting to rape Brenna (doesn’t do it though). He’s kind of a huge asshole, if I haven’t used that word enough. He isn’t even very charming, to be honest. I think that really speaks to how old-fashioned this book really is.

The plot was fine. Involves several tropes. It wasn’t as horrible as it sounds, though. It was just okay. Fun for a day, to have a little fling. Nothing serious.

I would recommend this to people who like jealous assholes as heroes. Wouldn’t keep on my shelf though.

[ANGELIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't bad, despite flaws here and there. I liked the h, Brenna, and how much she loved and cared for her baby nephew, Randy, after her TSTL sister, Janine died. (How Janine fell for a piece of crap like Paul I'll never know, he kept showing up throughout the book and getting more horrible all the time.) Brenna was only in her early 20's, yet she managed to be mom to Randy, work hard and try for an acting career, which is how she meets the h, Michael (auditioning for a role in a film he produced.)

I would have liked it better if Michael was closer in age, instead of being almost 20 years older than Brenna. But it was entertaining, the way he at first thinks Brenna's too innocent for the lead role, then gets quite a jolt when he's confronted with her "past" and finds himself jealous of the baby's father (what a joke that is)! Then there's Brenna having to keep up a lie, Michael playing white knight to Paul's villain, a marriage of convenience, and other stuff I'll leave to the reader to find out.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rocky beginning, I almost didn’t keep reading. It did turn out well and was enjoyable once you got 5-6 chapters in.

2019 Summer Reading Challenge: Fulfilled “New voices: Read a debut novel.”

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams)]

This was icky!! The minute he talked about not tolerating her child it was lost for me!

[Cem73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titre vf : les coeurs ensorcelés

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

formulaic and highly predictable.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

LS #14