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The Marriage Possession
FROM MISTRESS, TO MOTHER, TO MARRIAGE ... BUT WHAT ABOUT LOVE?
For the past year, Lisane Deveraux has been a successful lawyer by day and millionaire Zac Winstone's passionate mistress by night.
A surprise pregnancy changes everything. Zac insists on commitment. But is he simply protecting his prize possessions --- his beautiful lover and his future heir? For the sake of their baby, Lisane will become Zac's trophy wife ... knowing that his heart will never be part of the deal.
For the past year, Lisane Deveraux has been a successful lawyer by day and millionaire Zac Winstone's passionate mistress by night.
A surprise pregnancy changes everything. Zac insists on commitment. But is he simply protecting his prize possessions --- his beautiful lover and his future heir? For the sake of their baby, Lisane will become Zac's trophy wife ... knowing that his heart will never be part of the deal.
185 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
66 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Helen Bianchin
380 books229 followersHelen Shirley was born on February 20 1939 in New Zealand, where she grew up, an only child possessed by a vivid imagination and a love for reading. She wrote stories for amusement in her early teenage years, and when she left leaving school, she took a secretarial job at a father-and-son legal firm.
At age twenty-one Helen joined a girlfriend and embarked on a working holiday in Australia, travelling via cruise ship from Auckland to Melbourne. Alas, no shipboard romance, as she spent all four days in her cabin suffering from sea-sickness! After fifteen months working in Melbourne, Helen and her friend bought a vehicle and took three months to drive the length and breadth of Australia, choosing to work in Cairns in order to fund the final leg of our journey to Sydney.
It was in Cairns that Helen met her future husband, Danilo Bianchin, an Italian immigrant from Treviso. He was a tobacco sharefarmer from the tobacco farming community of Mareeba. His English was pitiful, and her command of Italian was nil. Six months later they married, and Helen was flung into cooking for up to nine tobacco pickers, stringing tobacco, feeding 200 chickens, a few turkeys, ducks... plus killing, cleaning and cooking the same! Her knowledge of Italian improved, and there were hilarious moments in retrospect. Some of what she endured was cooking on a wood-burning stove, having no running hot water, a primitive shower and toilet facilities, washing uniforms for two soccer teams during the soccer season... floods, horrendous hailstone damage to tobacco crops, hardship, and the stillbirth of their first child. Then, to their joy, Helen's daughter, Lucia, was born. Three years later the couple returned to New Zealand, where they settled for sixteen years. During those early years, they added two sons, Angelo and Peter, to the family.
With multiple anecdotes of farm life in an Italian community to friends, the idea of writing a book occurred. A romance, set on a tobacco farm in Australia's far north, Queensland, featuring an Italian hero. Helen says, "the background was authentic, believe me!" However the hero was rich and owned the farm artistic license! It took her a year to complete a passable manuscript, typed on a portable typewriter at the dining room table. That first effort was deemed too short with insufficient detail. Helen rewrote it. This time it was considered too long with too much extraneous detail. She revised, then sent it to London. Four months later she received a telegram from Alan Boon (Mills & Boon) to say they intended to publish and a contract would be sent in the mail. It was the most wonderful news!
Helen wrote ten more books while living in New Zealand, then in 1981, her family resettled in Australia, on Queensland's Gold Coast. She has since published twenty-five more books. Today, with computer technology, the mechanics of writing are much easier. However, the writing process doesn't change. Helen says that she's having a good day if she can achieve 5 good pages, which she is likely to change, edit and rewrite the following day.
She loves creating characters, giving them life and providing a situation where their emotions are tested and love wins out. For her, the greatest praise is for a reader to say they couldn't put the book down... then Helen knows that she has achieved what she set out to do -- "create a moving enjoyable story which holds the reader entertained from beginning to end."
Helen's hobbies are tennis, table-tennis, judo, reading. She loves movies, and leads an active social life.
At age twenty-one Helen joined a girlfriend and embarked on a working holiday in Australia, travelling via cruise ship from Auckland to Melbourne. Alas, no shipboard romance, as she spent all four days in her cabin suffering from sea-sickness! After fifteen months working in Melbourne, Helen and her friend bought a vehicle and took three months to drive the length and breadth of Australia, choosing to work in Cairns in order to fund the final leg of our journey to Sydney.
It was in Cairns that Helen met her future husband, Danilo Bianchin, an Italian immigrant from Treviso. He was a tobacco sharefarmer from the tobacco farming community of Mareeba. His English was pitiful, and her command of Italian was nil. Six months later they married, and Helen was flung into cooking for up to nine tobacco pickers, stringing tobacco, feeding 200 chickens, a few turkeys, ducks... plus killing, cleaning and cooking the same! Her knowledge of Italian improved, and there were hilarious moments in retrospect. Some of what she endured was cooking on a wood-burning stove, having no running hot water, a primitive shower and toilet facilities, washing uniforms for two soccer teams during the soccer season... floods, horrendous hailstone damage to tobacco crops, hardship, and the stillbirth of their first child. Then, to their joy, Helen's daughter, Lucia, was born. Three years later the couple returned to New Zealand, where they settled for sixteen years. During those early years, they added two sons, Angelo and Peter, to the family.
With multiple anecdotes of farm life in an Italian community to friends, the idea of writing a book occurred. A romance, set on a tobacco farm in Australia's far north, Queensland, featuring an Italian hero. Helen says, "the background was authentic, believe me!" However the hero was rich and owned the farm artistic license! It took her a year to complete a passable manuscript, typed on a portable typewriter at the dining room table. That first effort was deemed too short with insufficient detail. Helen rewrote it. This time it was considered too long with too much extraneous detail. She revised, then sent it to London. Four months later she received a telegram from Alan Boon (Mills & Boon) to say they intended to publish and a contract would be sent in the mail. It was the most wonderful news!
Helen wrote ten more books while living in New Zealand, then in 1981, her family resettled in Australia, on Queensland's Gold Coast. She has since published twenty-five more books. Today, with computer technology, the mechanics of writing are much easier. However, the writing process doesn't change. Helen says that she's having a good day if she can achieve 5 good pages, which she is likely to change, edit and rewrite the following day.
She loves creating characters, giving them life and providing a situation where their emotions are tested and love wins out. For her, the greatest praise is for a reader to say they couldn't put the book down... then Helen knows that she has achieved what she set out to do -- "create a moving enjoyable story which holds the reader entertained from beginning to end."
Helen's hobbies are tennis, table-tennis, judo, reading. She loves movies, and leads an active social life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 25, 2020
Wash, rinse, repeat! Helen Bianchin definitely has a formula and she sticks to it.
December 19, 2021
They make love in the shower and in the bath tub many times.
He’s a nice guy.
He’s a nice guy.
October 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this story, the hero & heroine were likable characters with great chemistry. I was waiting for some crazy HP drama, which thankfully never came. Lisane and Zac had a very healthy, mature, modern relationship. They were into each other, but were also very independent. There was a little OW/OM drama, but nothing over the top. They communicated pretty well with each other, and for the most part, didn't jump to the wrong conclusions.
Overall a good HP, I'd recommend.
Overall a good HP, I'd recommend.
December 27, 2020
Re-read: 3.5
September 12, 2018
==>heroine in love + hero coveted by another woman + describes parties and clothes of the rich in detail.
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Zac, the babe magnet.
Commitment wasn’t a word Zac mentioned and marriage didn’t enter the equation.
Allegra made no secret that snaring Zac was her prime focus.
The status quo suited him…suited them both. He couldn’t see any reason for anything to change.
February 1, 2024
CLASIFICATION: 2.0 ESTRELLAS
No se, pero ultimamente no he tenido muy buena suerte en escoger libros de la editorial harlequin para leer. Aunque tambien debo tener en cuenta que este libro se escribio hace mas de 20 años asi que debido a eso le doy 2.0 estrellas, aunque eso si he de confesar que algunas partes de los libros me dieron un tris de cringe por el lenguaje que utilizaban...
No se, pero ultimamente no he tenido muy buena suerte en escoger libros de la editorial harlequin para leer. Aunque tambien debo tener en cuenta que este libro se escribio hace mas de 20 años asi que debido a eso le doy 2.0 estrellas, aunque eso si he de confesar que algunas partes de los libros me dieron un tris de cringe por el lenguaje que utilizaban...
November 14, 2012
Pretty simplistic harlequin if you ask me. I expected a lot more, felt like some vital information was missing but overall it was good.
November 26, 2017
3.5 STARS
This was a good book..I found the initial chapters to be quite boring but after that I did enjoy..I really liked Zac..He was really sensible & so very patient towards her..He comes to attend her sister's wedding all the way to another city, from this it was clear that he was so into her..Ok, I understand she was upset by seeing the news but when he comes all the way to sydney to clear her misunderstanding couldn't she tell he was all serious..She really behaved like an immature person. I wanted to shake her..Yet, he was so patient with her..Anyway, it was good how he confesses his love...
This was a good book..I found the initial chapters to be quite boring but after that I did enjoy..I really liked Zac..He was really sensible & so very patient towards her..He comes to attend her sister's wedding all the way to another city, from this it was clear that he was so into her..Ok, I understand she was upset by seeing the news but when he comes all the way to sydney to clear her misunderstanding couldn't she tell he was all serious..She really behaved like an immature person. I wanted to shake her..Yet, he was so patient with her..Anyway, it was good how he confesses his love...
March 29, 2013
I was curious about this book, I like HB and the plot was one of my favs. The heroine got pregnant, after some time spent in a good relationship and she left him because she felt not worthy/he's too rich/he's suddenly fiancèe (you pick a reason!).
As I was saying, usually I love this kind of plot, but this time, the heroine was a little to unreasonable to me. I found the usual misunderstanding about another woman a bit stretched.
The story is not bad but I read other books of this author more enjoyable than this one!
As I was saying, usually I love this kind of plot, but this time, the heroine was a little to unreasonable to me. I found the usual misunderstanding about another woman a bit stretched.
The story is not bad but I read other books of this author more enjoyable than this one!
February 11, 2020
I liked Lisane and Zac's relationship, although it seemed a bit unequal. Lisane didn't give me the impression of knowing exactly where she stood with Zac, and that made her very insecure. Add to it the fact that she's in love with him and she's unsure of his feelings, and you have some angst.
I really liked it that Zac ran after Lisane the minute he knew she was leaving him.
I really liked it that Zac ran after Lisane the minute he knew she was leaving him.
January 18, 2016
Finally I've managed to come across a matured thinking hero. And a bit childish heroine. As for the childish side is not about her throwing tantrums or anything. Is about the way how she decide to handle her pregnancy and all. Halfway while reading, I do roll my eyes several times. But thank god we have a matured thinking hero who comes in and save the day. He did not threaten or blackmailed the heroine. And he did not even demand DNA test although he's also part of a wealthy and prestige family. So good to say I'm in love with the hero character. And the minus points might be too much sex scenes. It's like they are having sex whenever they are seeing each other. And the story line might be too bland. But anyway, it's a ok read. And don't worry. You won't feel like slamming the book or throw your kindle away.
October 28, 2012
¡Vaya! Hasta las escenas se repiten de un libro a otro... Quizás fuera el caso de escribir menos, pero mejor...
December 4, 2012
how boring
March 1, 2014
Bad. a lot of sex but almost nothing of story. i don't recommend.
May 20, 2020
Nothing happened and they get married...the end. Skip.
January 31, 2020
Lisane is a wonderful lawyer with a fantastic boyfriend at her side. But Zac's family want him to marry someone else. Someone who is more in his league. She goes home to help with her sisters wedding. While there several things happen. Zac's engagement is annouced and she finds she is pregnant. What is a woman to do? Is all to believe? Zac comes to get her to come back and work out their new arrangments. Marriage? I enjoyed this side of story about lawyers and the undercurrents therein. Have read this story several times and will enjoy it again.
February 20, 2018
Solid effort. Not as melodramatic as some of her books. I didn’t want to bitchslap the heroine too much in this one. OW a real psycho and there is a little life or near death drama which sets the tone for the HEA.
January 31, 2020
Very engaging!
I loved the storyline. And the mysterious personality of Zac. I particularly like intelligent minds in characters. I also like the way of writing - more of conversations instead of narrations.
I loved the storyline. And the mysterious personality of Zac. I particularly like intelligent minds in characters. I also like the way of writing - more of conversations instead of narrations.
November 29, 2022
I liked that the couple had an established relationship before the beginning of the book. They've been together for a year but feelings were never discussed. The h had her own thing going on too. Good for a Harlequin!
June 18, 2025
Romantic
This is a sweet and romantic love story. Has all the feels and angst and drama we love about Harlequin books.
A great way to spend some time and lose yourself in the romance
This is a sweet and romantic love story. Has all the feels and angst and drama we love about Harlequin books.
A great way to spend some time and lose yourself in the romance
January 22, 2026
I liked the MCs
But wow is this story slow. And SO many s*x scenes. Just constant showering and s*x.
Pregnancy doesn’t make an appearance until like 50% and the book ends when she’s still 2 months pregnant, so… weird timeline.
But wow is this story slow. And SO many s*x scenes. Just constant showering and s*x.
Pregnancy doesn’t make an appearance until like 50% and the book ends when she’s still 2 months pregnant, so… weird timeline.
May 14, 2019
STOPPED HALF WAY. THE HEROINE DISGUSTED ME
January 28, 2020
Needed a bit more at the end.
December 2, 2020
3 starsss
Boleh lah untuk jenis harlequin
Boleh lah untuk jenis harlequin
December 19, 2020
Book Review
A book by Helen Balanchine is always well worth a read!! This book was no exception! The plot keeps the reader engaged and hold your interest effortlessly!!
A book by Helen Balanchine is always well worth a read!! This book was no exception! The plot keeps the reader engaged and hold your interest effortlessly!!
April 1, 2021
The one worded charged dialogue got a bit annoying after a while, but at least he cares about her. The guy was just a bit too put together to be interesting for me...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
3.5
I wonder how many time ‘suffice’ is in every book of hers? It has to be at least 10…
I wonder how many time ‘suffice’ is in every book of hers? It has to be at least 10…
April 1, 2013
I have to say Helen Bianchin's books are very similar in plot. However, once in a while I like to read her books because I felt that the hero and heroine normally behave as a mature adult. You hardly see the scream to each other when they argue or heroine shouting "I hate you" and yet cannot control her body reaction to the hero. Nor would you see the hero speak or act cruelly towards the heroine. I know her books tend to be quite repetitively and describe a lot of normal day to day activities, some readers may find it boring but for me it is a constant reminder of reality where how normal people go through their days instead of having a relationship is their sole purpose in life. In a way, the day to day activities somehow make me able to connect to the heroine a little more because that's what we all do ourselves even though we are in a relationship.
The only unfortunately part is you can only read her books once in a while. Otherwise you will be bore to tears because all the stories are very similar even her characters' personalities are similar too.
The only unfortunately part is you can only read her books once in a while. Otherwise you will be bore to tears because all the stories are very similar even her characters' personalities are similar too.
doubtful-because-not-v
June 15, 2021For the past year, Lisane Deveraux has been a successful lawyer by day and millionaire Zac Winstone's passionate mistress by night.
A surprise pregnancy changes everything. Zac insists on commitment. But is he simply protecting his prize possessions --- his beautiful lover and his future heir? For the sake of their baby, Lisane will become Zac's trophy wife ... knowing that his heart will never be part of the deal.
A surprise pregnancy changes everything. Zac insists on commitment. But is he simply protecting his prize possessions --- his beautiful lover and his future heir? For the sake of their baby, Lisane will become Zac's trophy wife ... knowing that his heart will never be part of the deal.
December 15, 2011
I liked this book, took me a little while to get into it but once I did I enjoyed it.
Sometimes I wanted to shake the heroine as I could see he loved her tbh but she seemed to want to bury her head in the sand and ignore it. Obviously this was all over come by the end and they got their hea.
Sometimes I wanted to shake the heroine as I could see he loved her tbh but she seemed to want to bury her head in the sand and ignore it. Obviously this was all over come by the end and they got their hea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews