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Fortunes of Texas: Return to Red Rock #1
Plain Jane and the Playboy
Being swept into the arms of a tall, dark, gorgeous stranger at midnight only happened in fairy tales. Yet the rugged Texan who suddenly appeared at Jane Gilliam's side was real enough…and so was the soul-scorching kiss they shared as the bells chimed on New Year's Eve. Only Jorge Mendoza wasn't the happily-ever-after type. Or was he?
As the confirmed bachelor of the Mendoza clan, Jorge had a reputation to uphold. Until he tasted the sweet passion this far-from-plain Jane was offering. It started as an innocent dare. But was it blossoming into a love that was tempting the commitment-shy playboy to change his wandering ways forever?
As the confirmed bachelor of the Mendoza clan, Jorge had a reputation to uphold. Until he tasted the sweet passion this far-from-plain Jane was offering. It started as an innocent dare. But was it blossoming into a love that was tempting the commitment-shy playboy to change his wandering ways forever?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
47 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Marie Ferrarella
1,228 books275 followersMarie Rydzynski-Ferrarella
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2011
The book has one of my favourite plots ever - a plain Jane gets swept away by a charming rake (playboy). :-)
Jane is not having a good New Year's Eve. Her longtime boyfriend just dumped her for a newer (and more beautiful) model. She's sitting all alone in a corner reading a book, when she hears this sinful voice. And it belongs to a handsome playboy - Jorge Mendoza.
Jorge didn't expect to feel anything for the little mouse hiding in the corner, after all he wouldn't have noticed her if it weren't for a bet. But there's something about her that makes him feel alive. And it all began with a New Year's kiss.
Jane is terribly insecure when it comes to her looks. Her mother, a beauty queen, always kept reminding her that she's not pretty. From the beginning she was never sure why he kept pursuing her - after all why would he want her when he could have someone much prettier, even with the bet she knew of, it still confused her.
Jorge is enchanted by her. She's so different from the other women he dated - she was smart, generous, innocent. Of course those were the reasons he had doubts, but his desire was far stronger than his conscience.
All in all, I liked the story, the only part that bothered me is the morning after they made love. Their reactions were off. And the ending felt just a little rushed.
Rating:
3.5 stars
Jane is not having a good New Year's Eve. Her longtime boyfriend just dumped her for a newer (and more beautiful) model. She's sitting all alone in a corner reading a book, when she hears this sinful voice. And it belongs to a handsome playboy - Jorge Mendoza.
Jorge didn't expect to feel anything for the little mouse hiding in the corner, after all he wouldn't have noticed her if it weren't for a bet. But there's something about her that makes him feel alive. And it all began with a New Year's kiss.
Jane is terribly insecure when it comes to her looks. Her mother, a beauty queen, always kept reminding her that she's not pretty. From the beginning she was never sure why he kept pursuing her - after all why would he want her when he could have someone much prettier, even with the bet she knew of, it still confused her.
Jorge is enchanted by her. She's so different from the other women he dated - she was smart, generous, innocent. Of course those were the reasons he had doubts, but his desire was far stronger than his conscience.
All in all, I liked the story, the only part that bothered me is the morning after they made love. Their reactions were off. And the ending felt just a little rushed.
Rating:
3.5 stars
March 24, 2017
Hero makes a bet that he can basically make any woman in the room fall for him.
Jane, the heroine, happens to be the woman.
She's pretty but not stunning like his usual arm candies.
And she finds out about the bet pretty much straightaway, and makes a run for it.
She's a really nice person, and of course playboy hero only ever met catty shallow women before so she's different so he chases.
Heroine decides to kill him with kindness.
She goes all the way.
Then basically freezes him out before HE could do that. Nicely. Points out they wanted sex, they got it, he doesn't want commitment, she's not going to tie him up on the bed and start discussing names for the firstborn, well here's coffee before your meeting, and ciao.
Hero almost dies in fire and has an epiphany.
Comes out alive and starts planning wedding reception.
Very cross father of hero makes him ask properly!
HEA!
Jane, the heroine, happens to be the woman.
She's pretty but not stunning like his usual arm candies.
And she finds out about the bet pretty much straightaway, and makes a run for it.
She's a really nice person, and of course playboy hero only ever met catty shallow women before so she's different so he chases.
Heroine decides to kill him with kindness.
She goes all the way.
Then basically freezes him out before HE could do that. Nicely. Points out they wanted sex, they got it, he doesn't want commitment, she's not going to tie him up on the bed and start discussing names for the firstborn, well here's coffee before your meeting, and ciao.
Hero almost dies in fire and has an epiphany.
Comes out alive and starts planning wedding reception.
Very cross father of hero makes him ask properly!
HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2011
When Jorge Mendoza accepted a bet to enchant any woman picked out for him on New Years Eve, the handsome playboy did not plan on finding a woman who sparked his interest enough to really want to get to know. Jane Gilliam knows she is plain, after a recent breakup she finds herself alone at a party until the handsomest man she has ever seen singles her out.
As Jorge and Jane get to know one another, Jorge finds himself completely riveted with the beautiful woman who seems to not even be aware of it. Jorge has a couple problems he will have to face as a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't want long term and Jane deserves more, also there is the little problem of the bet he made and needs to come clean to Jane about how they met. Will she be able to forgive and forget?
Overall pretty good story, had a few loose ends though that I am not sure what any of that was about because there was no resolution. The romance between Jane and Jorge is sweet. Jane's character is 100% real which was a refreshing change, but she sees Jorge as an opportunity she will never get to have and might as well enjoy it while she can.
As Jorge and Jane get to know one another, Jorge finds himself completely riveted with the beautiful woman who seems to not even be aware of it. Jorge has a couple problems he will have to face as a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't want long term and Jane deserves more, also there is the little problem of the bet he made and needs to come clean to Jane about how they met. Will she be able to forgive and forget?
Overall pretty good story, had a few loose ends though that I am not sure what any of that was about because there was no resolution. The romance between Jane and Jorge is sweet. Jane's character is 100% real which was a refreshing change, but she sees Jorge as an opportunity she will never get to have and might as well enjoy it while she can.
August 17, 2019
leído en Septiembre 2013
2.5 estrellas
Entretenido no más
2.5 estrellas
Entretenido no más
February 16, 2013
I really enjoyed this book because of the fact the heroine is plain. That's what got me to read the book. Aren't we sick and tired of hearing about beautiful heroine's all the time? The hero of course is gorgeous, and why can't a gorgeous guy fall for a plain Jane? The story starts when Jane attends a New Year's Eve party where the playboy, Jorge's family is having. He gave her a New Year's kiss that she never forgets. Jorge has a reputation to uphold, and does not want to get serious. Jane wants something more, but understands him and gives him an outrageous offer he is more than willing to accept. He wasn't into commitments, but with Jane he can't help what he feels for her. This I was part of a series, so there's certain parts of the book that leave you wondering what's going on. That's the only thing I can complain about.
December 23, 2010
It was a nice "clean" book.
Jane is just an average gal with a good heart.
Jorge is a playboy. Flitting from one beautiful woman to the next. His mom would like to see him settle down but at only 38 he is not ready for that.
At a New Years Party at his parents restaurant, Jorge takes a bet from a 14 year old to show the young man how easy to get a woman. Jorge tells the boy you just have to compliment the lady and let her know she is pretty. Ricky points out a sad, plain looking woman who has sat alone at a table all night, with a book even!
Jorge approaches Jane as she's ready to leave but after kissing her when it rings the New Year in, they both find themselves surprised. Until Jane hears Ricky telling a friend about the bet.
I enjoyed the story.
Jane is just an average gal with a good heart.
Jorge is a playboy. Flitting from one beautiful woman to the next. His mom would like to see him settle down but at only 38 he is not ready for that.
At a New Years Party at his parents restaurant, Jorge takes a bet from a 14 year old to show the young man how easy to get a woman. Jorge tells the boy you just have to compliment the lady and let her know she is pretty. Ricky points out a sad, plain looking woman who has sat alone at a table all night, with a book even!
Jorge approaches Jane as she's ready to leave but after kissing her when it rings the New Year in, they both find themselves surprised. Until Jane hears Ricky telling a friend about the bet.
I enjoyed the story.
February 14, 2009
What girl wouldn’t dream of being swept off her feet by a handsome stranger and kissed to ring in the New Year? Well, that’s exactly what happens to our delightful heroine, Jane Gilliam! It all began as a dare, but it turned into so much more. This wonderful story will leave you smiling and searching for your own Prince Charming.
February 10, 2013
from the convention; Seems to be part of a series. Playboy Jorge talks to Jane at a New Year's party as part of a bet, but she's so different than the women he usually hangs around with, and they fall in love.
February 9, 2014
Another example of the too perfect heroine with all of her insecurities still intact at the last page.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews