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The Sicilian's Defiant Virgin
"Do what you have to, Luca. Seduce her, if you must."
Luca Tebaldi spent his life distancing himself from the family empire. So he's furious at being drawn back in by a gold digger who's gotten hold of his late brother's entire estate!
He'll make Jen Sanderson take her claws out of her ill-gotten riches by luring her to his Sicilian island and seducing the truth out of her!
But Luca discovers that Jen is innocent in more ways than one The sensual virgin challenges him and sets his senses on fire, but is he ready to confront the truth she is enticing out of him?
"
Luca Tebaldi spent his life distancing himself from the family empire. So he's furious at being drawn back in by a gold digger who's gotten hold of his late brother's entire estate!
He'll make Jen Sanderson take her claws out of her ill-gotten riches by luring her to his Sicilian island and seducing the truth out of her!
But Luca discovers that Jen is innocent in more ways than one The sensual virgin challenges him and sets his senses on fire, but is he ready to confront the truth she is enticing out of him?
"
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 21, 2017
37 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Susan Stephens
741 books133 followersUSA TODAY best-selling author Susan Stephens' books have captivated readers worldwide with over 11 million copies sold. Her work crosses cultures and continents, having been translated into 26 languages and reaching readers in 109 countries. This year marks a milestone as Susan's 100th book is slated for publication.
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 14, 2017
The Sicilian’s Defiant Virgin - A five act play
Act I
Sicily
Sociopath Mob Boss Dad: I hate both my sons
Man God Hero: thanks dad.
SMBD – I’m going to retire from Sicily to Florida because you made billions legitimately. Also your brother is dead with huge gambling debts, but he left his trust fund to a casino hostess/gemologist.
Bring her back to Sicily to sort out my bags of gems, don’t tell her about the will, and seduce her.
MGH – You never loved me. And btw, that isn’t much of a plan.
Act II
Casino
Gay DJ – get on stage in your hot bunny outfit, Mary Sue. They’re bidding on a date with you for the charity that helped you after your sister died.
MarySue – I’m still grieving. Did I mention I’m grieving? – all while working two jobs, wearing vintage clothes that hide my hot bod, and getting top honors at college.
MGH – I’ve just bought a date with you. And my brother’s dead-
MS – You’re grieving! Just like me. Let’s have our date here.
MGH – Nope. We’re on a plane to our private island off the coast of Sicily
MS – Is this kidnapping?
MGH – Nope – it’s a date and job offer in one. Let’s talk about my dead brother.
MS – I love to talk about grief
Epilogue
MS – Let’s get married again.
MGH – Why?
MS – so I can wear the cursed diamond and we can name drop our two children.
MGH – It makes as much sense as the rest of this story.
Act I
Sicily
Sociopath Mob Boss Dad: I hate both my sons
Man God Hero: thanks dad.
SMBD – I’m going to retire from Sicily to Florida because you made billions legitimately. Also your brother is dead with huge gambling debts, but he left his trust fund to a casino hostess/gemologist.
Bring her back to Sicily to sort out my bags of gems, don’t tell her about the will, and seduce her.
MGH – You never loved me. And btw, that isn’t much of a plan.
Act II
Casino
Gay DJ – get on stage in your hot bunny outfit, Mary Sue. They’re bidding on a date with you for the charity that helped you after your sister died.
MarySue – I’m still grieving. Did I mention I’m grieving? – all while working two jobs, wearing vintage clothes that hide my hot bod, and getting top honors at college.
MGH – I’ve just bought a date with you. And my brother’s dead-
MS – You’re grieving! Just like me. Let’s have our date here.
MGH – Nope. We’re on a plane to our private island off the coast of Sicily
MS – Is this kidnapping?
MGH – Nope – it’s a date and job offer in one. Let’s talk about my dead brother.
MS – I love to talk about grief
Epilogue
MS – Let’s get married again.
MGH – Why?
MS – so I can wear the cursed diamond and we can name drop our two children.
MGH – It makes as much sense as the rest of this story.
March 24, 2017
Just blah. The story had potential in the H trying to figure out why his little brother left a fortune to the h.
Jumped the rails because I don't have the foggiest what the H was going to do with that information. It's not like he could keep it from her.
Despite some nice sexual tension between H and h, a little too paint by the numbers.
Jumped the rails because I don't have the foggiest what the H was going to do with that information. It's not like he could keep it from her.
Despite some nice sexual tension between H and h, a little too paint by the numbers.
dnf
February 24, 2017Total waste of my 6 bucks, but then again that's what I get for buying a book with 3 stars in Goodreads!
February 10, 2017
Sweet love story if you like kind, gentle heroes. I prefer my heroes alpha and cruel.
September 6, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/קזינ...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/קזינ...
January 14, 2018
Adult romance novels are a guilty pleasure of mine. I now that there are problems with some of them and that most contain love at first sight (which I usually hate), but there's just something about these novels that is so addicting. I have read many Harlequin Presents and some other adult romance novels and while I enjoy some, I also understand that there are many flaws with these and usually I don't mind them as much.
I enjoy romance novels where the girl is hard to get throughout at least half of the novel and it seems more realistic instead of falling for the guy the minute you see him. Does that even happen in real life, is that even possible? Also, I've noticed that the couples in many of these romance novels, can barely handle being in the same room without wanting to touch each other. I've never been in love or lust, but I don't think that's how love and attraction works. It just seems stupid when people say or act like that they can't control themselves is a good excuse, it's not, it just seems stupid. But then again, these are romance novels, so of course they are going to have this kind of stuff in them, it's just hard to tolerate them sometimes, especially when they keep repeating that stuff over and over and over.
It's been weeks since I really enjoyed an adult romance novel. I didn't want to stop reading, I just had to keep going. I hadn't felt this way about a romance novel in a while. In the past few weeks, I either got annoyed of the characters, and or their choices, or the story was just boring, so I had wanted them to be over already, but not this one. I had more than half of the book left and I just finished it in about 4 hours.
I did think that they were having sex too much and was surprised that they never got bored or tired of it. But then again, what do I know about love and sex since I've only done it with one person and didn't even enjoy it the few times we did it (in fact, I felt nothing). Which made me wonder if what I read in books and seen on tv is wrong and that maybe people in real life exaggerate about this stuff, or maybe it might be different with the right person, I don't know. And sorry if this is tmi, but it's a review on a romance novel where there's lot's of sex, so me mentioning my past experiences shouldn't be a problem.
I liked that the guy (Luca) realized and admitted that he was in love with the girl (Jen), before the last chapter in the book, that's kind of rare in these books. I'm surprised that so many people gave this book such low ratings, it's better than many other adult romance novels I read and I'm a very hard person to please when it comes to books, movies, and tv shows.
Full review to come
(I'm not sure if I will write more of my thoughts on the book later or if I'll just leave it like this).
Blog: nazishreads.net/TravelandBookBlog
My twitter account: @NazishTVDSwift
My Instagram accounts: @nazishreads, @nrcharmed01, @nrdisney, and @nazishcosplay
I enjoy romance novels where the girl is hard to get throughout at least half of the novel and it seems more realistic instead of falling for the guy the minute you see him. Does that even happen in real life, is that even possible? Also, I've noticed that the couples in many of these romance novels, can barely handle being in the same room without wanting to touch each other. I've never been in love or lust, but I don't think that's how love and attraction works. It just seems stupid when people say or act like that they can't control themselves is a good excuse, it's not, it just seems stupid. But then again, these are romance novels, so of course they are going to have this kind of stuff in them, it's just hard to tolerate them sometimes, especially when they keep repeating that stuff over and over and over.
It's been weeks since I really enjoyed an adult romance novel. I didn't want to stop reading, I just had to keep going. I hadn't felt this way about a romance novel in a while. In the past few weeks, I either got annoyed of the characters, and or their choices, or the story was just boring, so I had wanted them to be over already, but not this one. I had more than half of the book left and I just finished it in about 4 hours.
I did think that they were having sex too much and was surprised that they never got bored or tired of it. But then again, what do I know about love and sex since I've only done it with one person and didn't even enjoy it the few times we did it (in fact, I felt nothing). Which made me wonder if what I read in books and seen on tv is wrong and that maybe people in real life exaggerate about this stuff, or maybe it might be different with the right person, I don't know. And sorry if this is tmi, but it's a review on a romance novel where there's lot's of sex, so me mentioning my past experiences shouldn't be a problem.
I liked that the guy (Luca) realized and admitted that he was in love with the girl (Jen), before the last chapter in the book, that's kind of rare in these books. I'm surprised that so many people gave this book such low ratings, it's better than many other adult romance novels I read and I'm a very hard person to please when it comes to books, movies, and tv shows.
Full review to come
(I'm not sure if I will write more of my thoughts on the book later or if I'll just leave it like this).
Blog: nazishreads.net/TravelandBookBlog
My twitter account: @NazishTVDSwift
My Instagram accounts: @nazishreads, @nrcharmed01, @nrdisney, and @nazishcosplay
March 29, 2017
A Mediterranean setting is the backdrop for this sensual romance by Susan Stephens, with family connections for the Tebaldi’s dating back hundreds of years. The aged family head, Don Tebaldi, has two sons, Luca and Raoul, neither of whom has followed him into the family business which still has remnants of mafia connections. Luca has become a wealthy businessman following his own footsteps, but Raoul’s gambling addiction resulted in estrangement from the family and his recent death in a reckless car accident.
Raoul’s will has left his trust fund income, to be released in six months time when he would have come of age to a stranger unknown to the family. As luck would have it, she works for an auction house as her day job and precious gems are her forte. With a new gem purchased for the his father’s extensive collection, Luca can have her hired to set up a display of the family jewels on their island, and determine what sway she held over his brother to convince him to name her in his will.
Jen Sanderson works by day at the auction house as in intern for her gemology studies, but is a hostess at a casino at night for extra cash. It’s here that she met troubled gambler Raoul Tebaldi. They developed a friendship but when Raoul’s brother Luca shows up at the casino, she’s shocked to find out that Raoul has passed away. Showing up at the auction house the next day to purchase the gem for his father, Luca makes it clear to her bosses that he and his father want Jen to come to their island to set up the new jewel display. Jen is suspicious at first that Luca keeps showing up everywhere she is, but it’s clear that he is grieving his brother’s death and she believes his interest in her is really to find out more about the brother from whom he’d grown estranged. Travelling with him to the beautiful family island, it’s not long before Luca and Jen share some passionate encounters and become emotionally involved. But when Jen finds out the real reason for Luca’s interest, will what they’ve built withstand the deception?
This is an enjoyable story with likable characters and a lovely setting. Jen comes across as a friendly and smart woman. Her friendship with Raoul was based on sharing confidences about their family situations, Jen having lost her parents and sister and Raoul having some personal reasons for distancing himself from his family, notwithstanding his gambling troubles. Luca is somewhat arrogant due to his wealth and good looks, but he has some charm, and he does have some redeeming virtues. He’s a passionate lover and treats Jen well, though of course the real reason for his pursuit of her eventually comes out.
A couple of interesting notes – there is no mention of birth control when Jen and Luca are together which makes a reader like myself assume that by the second half of the story there’s going to be a surprise pregnancy. (I won’t spoil it for you by telling you if it happens or not). And secondly, the author presents an LGBTQ storyline as part and parcel of the story, which is, in my opinion, a sign of Harlequin getting more in touch with today’s romance reader while still sticking to the tried and true expectations of the Presents imprint. So a minus and a plus for HQN on this one. Overall, I think this will please fans of the author and is worth the read.
This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Raoul’s will has left his trust fund income, to be released in six months time when he would have come of age to a stranger unknown to the family. As luck would have it, she works for an auction house as her day job and precious gems are her forte. With a new gem purchased for the his father’s extensive collection, Luca can have her hired to set up a display of the family jewels on their island, and determine what sway she held over his brother to convince him to name her in his will.
Jen Sanderson works by day at the auction house as in intern for her gemology studies, but is a hostess at a casino at night for extra cash. It’s here that she met troubled gambler Raoul Tebaldi. They developed a friendship but when Raoul’s brother Luca shows up at the casino, she’s shocked to find out that Raoul has passed away. Showing up at the auction house the next day to purchase the gem for his father, Luca makes it clear to her bosses that he and his father want Jen to come to their island to set up the new jewel display. Jen is suspicious at first that Luca keeps showing up everywhere she is, but it’s clear that he is grieving his brother’s death and she believes his interest in her is really to find out more about the brother from whom he’d grown estranged. Travelling with him to the beautiful family island, it’s not long before Luca and Jen share some passionate encounters and become emotionally involved. But when Jen finds out the real reason for Luca’s interest, will what they’ve built withstand the deception?
This is an enjoyable story with likable characters and a lovely setting. Jen comes across as a friendly and smart woman. Her friendship with Raoul was based on sharing confidences about their family situations, Jen having lost her parents and sister and Raoul having some personal reasons for distancing himself from his family, notwithstanding his gambling troubles. Luca is somewhat arrogant due to his wealth and good looks, but he has some charm, and he does have some redeeming virtues. He’s a passionate lover and treats Jen well, though of course the real reason for his pursuit of her eventually comes out.
A couple of interesting notes – there is no mention of birth control when Jen and Luca are together which makes a reader like myself assume that by the second half of the story there’s going to be a surprise pregnancy. (I won’t spoil it for you by telling you if it happens or not). And secondly, the author presents an LGBTQ storyline as part and parcel of the story, which is, in my opinion, a sign of Harlequin getting more in touch with today’s romance reader while still sticking to the tried and true expectations of the Presents imprint. So a minus and a plus for HQN on this one. Overall, I think this will please fans of the author and is worth the read.
This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Read
April 2, 2017received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
March 18, 2017
Luca Tebaldi had long lost contact with his brother, Raoul, but was even further estranged from his father and the family business. The sudden death of his brother brings him back to Sicily to get answers from Jen Sanderson on how she ended up in line to inherit his brother's estate and trust fund.
Jen Sanderson was now alone in the world. He parents death followed by her sister's left her with no one to turn to. Working towards her gemologist degree and working in a casino put her in touch with Raoul. Broken down Raoul that wanted to reconnect with his brother, but unable to take the steps. Instead, gambling away his life in more ways than one.
Overall, the story and characters never stuck. It was more a race to get the book done and over with than anything. Really did not like the ending.
Jen Sanderson was now alone in the world. He parents death followed by her sister's left her with no one to turn to. Working towards her gemologist degree and working in a casino put her in touch with Raoul. Broken down Raoul that wanted to reconnect with his brother, but unable to take the steps. Instead, gambling away his life in more ways than one.
Overall, the story and characters never stuck. It was more a race to get the book done and over with than anything. Really did not like the ending.
August 10, 2017
Great job, Susan Stephens, in tackling such a sensitive reveal/twist! And credit to HQN for taking on such a risky project and not bragging about it. Once in a while, HQN produces a book that defies its critics (haters) and shows why the brand has evolved and survived this long. Risky project but well done.
The story is probably a 3-4 star, very sweet, and to be fair after the big reveal, I'd say in this particular book the epilogue was over-kill. Saying that I think this book is a silent game-changer on what issues can be mentioned or tackled - and definitely one for the critics (and haters) who keep on looking down at the brand. See if you all can do better. Gosh, I feel like a Harlequin Presents Activist...
So an average romance story, with good and sweet moments but big reveal/twist makes it a game-changer!
The story is probably a 3-4 star, very sweet, and to be fair after the big reveal, I'd say in this particular book the epilogue was over-kill. Saying that I think this book is a silent game-changer on what issues can be mentioned or tackled - and definitely one for the critics (and haters) who keep on looking down at the brand. See if you all can do better. Gosh, I feel like a Harlequin Presents Activist...
So an average romance story, with good and sweet moments but big reveal/twist makes it a game-changer!
April 5, 2019
This was poorly written. The characters would be unaware of something and then, with zero textual indication, suddenly know and have processed that information. The emotional maturity levels of the characters & situations are juvenile in the sense that it feels as though the author is very new to either writing or adult life or both. There were multiple cases where the shifting povs and inconsistent and inexplicable knowledge of the characters made the story virtually incomprehensible. There were also some unusual phrasings/idioms that threw me out of the story. And that's leaving aside the whole secret that the woman keeps on behalf of the dead brother.
This story is like a pile of cold wet spaghetti, with a nasty red sauce of a tragic dead gay who had contracted an 'unnamed illness'.
This story is like a pile of cold wet spaghetti, with a nasty red sauce of a tragic dead gay who had contracted an 'unnamed illness'.
February 25, 2017
Great read . Keeps you entertained to the very end. Great job Susan Stephens.
Read
July 16, 2018Sutil Seducción (Versión)
"¿Era necesario anunciar que aquella iba a ser su primera relación sexual completa dado que era virgen?"
Las otras veces fueron "media" relación sexual xD
"¿Era necesario anunciar que aquella iba a ser su primera relación sexual completa dado que era virgen?"
Las otras veces fueron "media" relación sexual xD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2017
Great read, well written, and quite a bit of angst.
March 11, 2017
A great read that I was able to enjoy in one sitting. Together, Luca and Jen grieve their family members but can they ever learn to trust each other? A great read!
July 21, 2022
Do what you have to, Luca. Seduce her, if you must."
Luca Tebaldi spent his life distancing himself from the family empire. So he's furious at being drawn back in by a gold digger who's gotten hold of his late brother's entire estate!
He'll make Jen Sanderson take her claws out of her ill-gotten riches by luring her to his Sicilian island and seducing the truth out of her!
But Luca discovers that Jen is innocent in more ways than one The sensual virgin challenges him and sets his senses on fire, but is he ready to confront the truth she is enticing out
Luca Tebaldi spent his life distancing himself from the family empire. So he's furious at being drawn back in by a gold digger who's gotten hold of his late brother's entire estate!
He'll make Jen Sanderson take her claws out of her ill-gotten riches by luring her to his Sicilian island and seducing the truth out of her!
But Luca discovers that Jen is innocent in more ways than one The sensual virgin challenges him and sets his senses on fire, but is he ready to confront the truth she is enticing out
December 4, 2018
Secrets, distrust, family grief, sex, gems n auction
May 19, 2025
Will never finish
Read
April 2, 2017received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews