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Kings of California #1
Paternidad de Conveniencia
Ningún otro negocio le proporcionaría tanto placer
Con tan sólo unas hectáreas de terreno más, el millonario Adam King conseguiría por fin que el rancho familiar recuperara su extensión original. Tal era su obsesión que incluso se planteó casarse con la vecina de al lado, porque el padre de Gina Torino pretendía "venderle" a su hija a cambio de entregarle el ansiado terreno.
Gina estaba al tanto de la manipulación de su padre y decidió negociar con Adam ella misma. Se casaría con el gélido ranchero, él recibiría su tierra… y ella tendría un bebé de King.
Con tan sólo unas hectáreas de terreno más, el millonario Adam King conseguiría por fin que el rancho familiar recuperara su extensión original. Tal era su obsesión que incluso se planteó casarse con la vecina de al lado, porque el padre de Gina Torino pretendía "venderle" a su hija a cambio de entregarle el ansiado terreno.
Gina estaba al tanto de la manipulación de su padre y decidió negociar con Adam ella misma. Se casaría con el gélido ranchero, él recibiría su tierra… y ella tendría un bebé de King.
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 6, 2008
31 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Child
1,146 books548 followersUSA Today best selling author Maureen Child is the author of more than ninety romance novels and novellas. Maureen is a five time nominee for the prestigious Rita award from Romance Writers of America.
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 27, 2019
Hero wants ranch land that the heroine’s father owns. Heroine’s father offers to sell it to him if he will marry his daughter and give her a child. Seems she’s on the shelf at age 30 and not interested in dating since she’s had a crush on the hero since she was 14. Hero is dead inside because his wife and child died in a car accident after an argument. He’s been celibate for five years.
Hero really wants that land and heroine is a babe – so why not? They will marry and then break up when she is pregnant. That way the hero can stay dead inside.
Ethically-challenged heroine is convinced she can make him love her – so she continues her birth control. After two months of daily monkey sex, the hero is starting to feel more alive and decides they need a time limit. Six months of marriage only.
Heroine then ditches her diaphragm and immediately falls pregnant. She moves away so she won’t have to see hero.
Then her ethically-challenged father tells the hero that heroine miscarried. Hero feels bad and then realizes he loves the heroine and wanted that child.
Hero doesn’t seem to mind it’s all a lie when he sees the heroine hale and hearty and still pregnant for an HEA.
Meh. Characters seemed cardboard-y and I couldn’t get past the lying. YMMV
Hero really wants that land and heroine is a babe – so why not? They will marry and then break up when she is pregnant. That way the hero can stay dead inside.
Ethically-challenged heroine is convinced she can make him love her – so she continues her birth control. After two months of daily monkey sex, the hero is starting to feel more alive and decides they need a time limit. Six months of marriage only.
Heroine then ditches her diaphragm and immediately falls pregnant. She moves away so she won’t have to see hero.
Then her ethically-challenged father tells the hero that heroine miscarried. Hero feels bad and then realizes he loves the heroine and wanted that child.
Hero doesn’t seem to mind it’s all a lie when he sees the heroine hale and hearty and still pregnant for an HEA.
Meh. Characters seemed cardboard-y and I couldn’t get past the lying. YMMV
June 28, 2017
Adam King is the oldest of King siblings. When the reign of his family's land falls in his hands, he decides to gain the acres his family had sold to the Torino family.
What he doesn't expect is the patriarch to offer the land in lieu of his daughters hand.
Gina has always loved Adam, so when she hears of her father's proposition- she makes him one herself- he gets the land once she gets her baby.
What happens is a long and tedious one way road of Gina trying to make Adam fall for her, and ultimately having to get pregnant when it doesn't work.
Mild misunderstanding and a confession regarding his ex wife's and kids death later, they find their HEA.
Mild on hotness scale but maximum on the hero being a robot annoyed me scale.
The only saving grace of this book was
- Family dynamics
- Gina
- Horses
- The writing
Safe
2.5/5
What he doesn't expect is the patriarch to offer the land in lieu of his daughters hand.
Gina has always loved Adam, so when she hears of her father's proposition- she makes him one herself- he gets the land once she gets her baby.
What happens is a long and tedious one way road of Gina trying to make Adam fall for her, and ultimately having to get pregnant when it doesn't work.
Mild misunderstanding and a confession regarding his ex wife's and kids death later, they find their HEA.
Mild on hotness scale but maximum on the hero being a robot annoyed me scale.
The only saving grace of this book was
- Family dynamics
- Gina
- Horses
- The writing
Safe
2.5/5
November 11, 2014
3 stars
It was a good read but I disliked the heroine.
It was a good read but I disliked the heroine.
October 15, 2025
This was ok. I can understand why he was done with relationships, but to totally block out any mention of it was a bit much. Nobody could talk about his late wife and son.
He wants to complete his family's ranch by buying back the last parcel of land from Gina's dad. She wants to get married and have a baby. They make a bargain that once she's pregnant, he will get the land and they will divorce and he will have nothing to do with the baby. I'm not a fan of walking away from kids.
He wants to complete his family's ranch by buying back the last parcel of land from Gina's dad. She wants to get married and have a baby. They make a bargain that once she's pregnant, he will get the land and they will divorce and he will have nothing to do with the baby. I'm not a fan of walking away from kids.
September 13, 2021
This was a good book. Great storyline. Great characters. I totally enjoyed this one. A marriage of convenience was my cup of tea. I always loved books with that storyline. And this one was so well done.
Adam King had wanted the land for years. But marrying Gina Torina was the only way to have it. He turned it down. Been there, done that. But when Gina gave him a deal, he accepted it. Marry her, give her a baby, divorce her, then he can have the land.
Gina Torino had been in love with Adam King for what felt like forever. And when she saw an opportunity to be with him, she grabbed it. Give her a baby, and he can have the land. But what Adam didn't know was that she was still using her Diaphragm. And I totally understand her reasons for tricking Adam. She just wanted Adam to realize that they could have something special together, and she wanted to make him fall in love with her.
I thought this was really a good book. About letting go of the past and moving forward. A second chance at love and family. There was some angst. But there's also a lot of hot-steamy-sizzling-sex.
Adam King had wanted the land for years. But marrying Gina Torina was the only way to have it. He turned it down. Been there, done that. But when Gina gave him a deal, he accepted it. Marry her, give her a baby, divorce her, then he can have the land.
Gina Torino had been in love with Adam King for what felt like forever. And when she saw an opportunity to be with him, she grabbed it. Give her a baby, and he can have the land. But what Adam didn't know was that she was still using her Diaphragm. And I totally understand her reasons for tricking Adam. She just wanted Adam to realize that they could have something special together, and she wanted to make him fall in love with her.
I thought this was really a good book. About letting go of the past and moving forward. A second chance at love and family. There was some angst. But there's also a lot of hot-steamy-sizzling-sex.
June 3, 2017
i enjoyed every moment, i would love to see this become a movie
September 13, 2012
The book wasn't too bad but Gina irritated me a lot. She pushed Adam too much and she lied him although he doesn't know it. And maybe she did what needed to be done to make Adam live and feel again but the way she did it was still annoying.
August 31, 2017
I really don't know why, but I liked the book a lot. I also like the hero and heroine in spite of the hero stubbornly sticking to keep himself cold and emotionless (which of course he found difficult to do) and the heroine forcing hero's hand into falling in love with her, by lying to him.
August 24, 2013
Originally read June 2011, Re-read August 2013 and rated 3 stars both times.
April 18, 2021
It was ok however I didn't like how devious heroine was. I didn't like how she went into marriage planning to make hero love her and that she used diaphragm to prolong marriage. I get it that it was for his own good and to bring him back to life but I think it could have been so good had everyone just been truthful and then him naturally coming back to life as he comes to terms with a for real baby not a theoretical future baby.
I thought in beginning of book with her finding out what her father did that there wouldn't be lies and deceptions and really liked that only to have her lie about trying to get pregnant by using diaphragm. P.
I thought in beginning of book with her finding out what her father did that there wouldn't be lies and deceptions and really liked that only to have her lie about trying to get pregnant by using diaphragm. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
A nice romance, first in a family saga. But! I didn't like how the Torino family was manipulating Adam. First Sal, then Gina herself - pretending you're trying to get pregnant while at the same time using contraceptives is a big no-no for me, it's a shitty thing to do, no matter your good intentions, especially to a man who lost a child in the past - then Sal again with lying to Adam. The whole thing was, after Sal's initial pitch, totally unnecessary and the book would've been so much better if the author avoided that.
October 7, 2019
Kinda liked this one. :)
July 5, 2021
I know I read this. Never left a review. 3 stars because I know I didn’t dislike it.
October 12, 2016
Muy buen comienzo, esos King son tremendos ;)
June 1, 2013
Setting: 2 central California ranches;
Theme: forgiving the past; falling in love;
Characters:
Adam King: millionaire; runs the ranching part of family business; 10 years earlier married, neglected family for work – 5 years ago, his wife impatient with his priorities, took their son and started home to her mother, both died 20 minutes later in car accident; he has cut himself off from his emotions since; has repurchased all of the land his family originally owned 150 years earlier, except 20 acres – and he wants it… belongs to the Torinos.
Travis and Jackson King: brothers – run other parts of family business (tech and wine);
Gina Torino: raises Gypsy horses (smaller looking Clydesdales, gentle); 30 years old; has been in love with Adam since high school (he was a few years ahead of her) – families friendly, he was nice to her on a few occasions (when prom date got too frisky); hasn’t seen Adam since funeral of his wife and son; when dad suggests that if Adam and her were to marry, he could have the land he wants, she counters – with him, that she wants his baby, then she will leave him and he can have the land, and no worries;
Salvatore and Teresa Torino: Gina’s parents; want her married and happy; dad (not wanting his daughter to know, but she figures it out) says Adam can have the land if they marry; mom sees darkness in Adam, and doesn’t want her daughter to have anything to do with him.
Summary:
Though Adam says no, he walks out to Gina and her horses; he feels an attraction he hasn’t felt in 5 years, and asks her out… she agrees… she figures out what dad offered… goes on date, and counters… they agree to marry, until she is pregnant.
The passion is there between them… they marry in Las Vegas… they return to ranch… during day he does his best to ignore her, but thinks of her all day… and they have passionate nights… she is using a diaphragm because she wants time for him to fall in love with her… she moves her horses over, they have words… when a family come to investigate the horse, and a child excitedly screams, Adam rushes out, and they have words.. and they have kisses… and he remembers his last day with his wife, his indifferent, selfishness… and though he doesn’t exactly blame himself for the accident, he takes responsibility…
They have another argument, she goes out riding (a storm hits)… she visits his family grave stones, and realizes that he will not love her… she should cut her losses… she goes home, he is in a panic over her – they have sex without the diaphragm… and 6 weeks later she is pregnant… she goes to his study, delivers the deed, tells him she loves him, that she is pregnant and going to stay in Colorado with her brother, and he need not worry about her…
Two weeks pass… he is miserable, he doesn’t know what to do… dad shows up, and after accessing his mood, tells him that his daughter lost the baby – he should go to her… and he is drawn to her, he cannot stay away… he loves her… he gets to the ranch – finds an apparently happy Gina, pulls her into his arms – tells her he loves her… and she happily kisses him – realizes he thinks she lost their baby – and assures her she is fine, the baby is fine. ahhhh
Theme: forgiving the past; falling in love;
Characters:
Adam King: millionaire; runs the ranching part of family business; 10 years earlier married, neglected family for work – 5 years ago, his wife impatient with his priorities, took their son and started home to her mother, both died 20 minutes later in car accident; he has cut himself off from his emotions since; has repurchased all of the land his family originally owned 150 years earlier, except 20 acres – and he wants it… belongs to the Torinos.
Travis and Jackson King: brothers – run other parts of family business (tech and wine);
Gina Torino: raises Gypsy horses (smaller looking Clydesdales, gentle); 30 years old; has been in love with Adam since high school (he was a few years ahead of her) – families friendly, he was nice to her on a few occasions (when prom date got too frisky); hasn’t seen Adam since funeral of his wife and son; when dad suggests that if Adam and her were to marry, he could have the land he wants, she counters – with him, that she wants his baby, then she will leave him and he can have the land, and no worries;
Salvatore and Teresa Torino: Gina’s parents; want her married and happy; dad (not wanting his daughter to know, but she figures it out) says Adam can have the land if they marry; mom sees darkness in Adam, and doesn’t want her daughter to have anything to do with him.
Summary:
Though Adam says no, he walks out to Gina and her horses; he feels an attraction he hasn’t felt in 5 years, and asks her out… she agrees… she figures out what dad offered… goes on date, and counters… they agree to marry, until she is pregnant.
The passion is there between them… they marry in Las Vegas… they return to ranch… during day he does his best to ignore her, but thinks of her all day… and they have passionate nights… she is using a diaphragm because she wants time for him to fall in love with her… she moves her horses over, they have words… when a family come to investigate the horse, and a child excitedly screams, Adam rushes out, and they have words.. and they have kisses… and he remembers his last day with his wife, his indifferent, selfishness… and though he doesn’t exactly blame himself for the accident, he takes responsibility…
They have another argument, she goes out riding (a storm hits)… she visits his family grave stones, and realizes that he will not love her… she should cut her losses… she goes home, he is in a panic over her – they have sex without the diaphragm… and 6 weeks later she is pregnant… she goes to his study, delivers the deed, tells him she loves him, that she is pregnant and going to stay in Colorado with her brother, and he need not worry about her…
Two weeks pass… he is miserable, he doesn’t know what to do… dad shows up, and after accessing his mood, tells him that his daughter lost the baby – he should go to her… and he is drawn to her, he cannot stay away… he loves her… he gets to the ranch – finds an apparently happy Gina, pulls her into his arms – tells her he loves her… and she happily kisses him – realizes he thinks she lost their baby – and assures her she is fine, the baby is fine. ahhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2017
Great book. Enjoyed their story.
February 9, 2017
Cute little story, but wish it had been a bit longer.
Adam King is trying to return his family's ranch to its former glory. There's just one problem, the last 20 acres are not going to be easy to get. Not unless he is willing to marry Gina Torino, the owner's daughter.
Gina is aware of her father's plan, but has plans of her own. Adam gets the land he's always wants in exchange for a baby, and maybe even Adam's heart as well.
I liked the idea of this story from the get-go. Two people getting married for personal reasons rather than mutual love and then falling in love as the time passes.
What I didn't expect was the tragic backstory for Adam and why he is so against marriage. While so enjoyed it because it added another level to the story, I felt that because the story was so short I missed a lot of opportunity to see Adam coming to grips with the past and accepting a future with Gina.
I loved Gina, but felt that she had moments when she was too naïve in her love for Adam and stubborn in her thoughts that she could save him or get him to open up to her. I also didn't like that she was basically tricking him for part of the book and was never caught. I kept expecting him to find out about it and create another level between them, but it didn't happen.
Overall, I liked this story a lot and will probably read it again when aim looking for a quick read.
Adam King is trying to return his family's ranch to its former glory. There's just one problem, the last 20 acres are not going to be easy to get. Not unless he is willing to marry Gina Torino, the owner's daughter.
Gina is aware of her father's plan, but has plans of her own. Adam gets the land he's always wants in exchange for a baby, and maybe even Adam's heart as well.
I liked the idea of this story from the get-go. Two people getting married for personal reasons rather than mutual love and then falling in love as the time passes.
What I didn't expect was the tragic backstory for Adam and why he is so against marriage. While so enjoyed it because it added another level to the story, I felt that because the story was so short I missed a lot of opportunity to see Adam coming to grips with the past and accepting a future with Gina.
I loved Gina, but felt that she had moments when she was too naïve in her love for Adam and stubborn in her thoughts that she could save him or get him to open up to her. I also didn't like that she was basically tricking him for part of the book and was never caught. I kept expecting him to find out about it and create another level between them, but it didn't happen.
Overall, I liked this story a lot and will probably read it again when aim looking for a quick read.
April 9, 2014
Queensland sheep station owner Jack Prescott wasn't ready to be a full-time father. He'd do his duty and care for his orphaned nephew, but he had no place in his battered heart for a baby...or for guardian Madison Tyler, the woman hell-bent on disrupting his life.
Yet Jack couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for Madison. Their affair was fast and furious...and soon fraught with regret. The city girl's stay in the Outback was only temporary and Jack had a little boy to care for. How could they even consider bargaining for more time when neither was prepared for forever?
This is another of the Billionaires and Babies series from Harlequin.
I liked the characters, but there were moments when I thought the actions were not believable.
Yet Jack couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for Madison. Their affair was fast and furious...and soon fraught with regret. The city girl's stay in the Outback was only temporary and Jack had a little boy to care for. How could they even consider bargaining for more time when neither was prepared for forever?
This is another of the Billionaires and Babies series from Harlequin.
I liked the characters, but there were moments when I thought the actions were not believable.
February 8, 2017
Leído el 19/03/2010
May 23, 2012
This was my first book that I've read by this author. I don't normally read, Desire, books. I don't see the need to have the bedroom scenes, done. All in all, this book was well written, and a good story. I did feel there was some weak point, areas that could have been played out better. But still, a good story, and well written.
January 7, 2017
I have ZERO (0) respect for the heroine. She's manipulative and a liar. I hate her as a character and don't consider her a good fit at all for the Hero. If you don't think manipulating someone's emotions while calling it "love" is domestic violence, then this book is for you. Otherwise, throw this in the trash where it belongs.
January 12, 2013
I love the Kings of California, so I thought I needed to go back to the beginning and read the first books. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A marriage of convenience on both sides with the HEA ending I love so much. Maureen Child is an autobuy for me.
February 6, 2011
I love this book good read like the ending. can't wait to read the other brothers. A Keeper
January 1, 2012
This is the first book in Maureen Child's Kings of California series and it is an outstanding read.I loved the hero and heroine in this one.,
July 1, 2013
es una historia diferente de las tradicionales novelas románticas en el ambiente descrito.. bien definida,emocinante y tierna.. me gusto muchisimo.
June 26, 2013
I find it just so sad that his failure in one marriage nearly lead to the death of another marriage to so one who truly loves him for who he is.
October 21, 2013
The fifth story of No.1 Bestsellers collection.
Bargain for Adam King's baby is proposition from Gina Torino when she learn her father proposed her marriage for exchange the land that Adam wanted.
Bargain for Adam King's baby is proposition from Gina Torino when she learn her father proposed her marriage for exchange the land that Adam wanted.
November 5, 2014
Kaycee's review was good.
September 22, 2015
Beautiful love story that started from a marriage of convenience. I admire Gina's persistence but I'm glad that she took back her pride again. And bless Sal for his lying interference
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews