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Morning Rose
Alek Rykovsky was handsome, rich, charming — in fact, he was eligible to his fingertips; and he had asked Tara to marry him. Tara for her part had vowed never to be poor — or dominated — again, and she was looking, she declared, for a rich husband.
So where was the problem? First, that she hated Alek; second, that she knew he would dominate her in just the way she was adamant no man ever should. Yet fate seemed determined to trap her into a situation from which there was no escape from him...
So where was the problem? First, that she hated Alek; second, that she knew he would dominate her in just the way she was adamant no man ever should. Yet fate seemed determined to trap her into a situation from which there was no escape from him...
187 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
7 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Joan Hohl
162 books41 followersFor as long as she can remember, Joan Hohl has always wanted to be a writer. Her mother said Joan had her head in the clouds, always daydreaming. The only thing was, Joan's daydreams had plots!
She is a popular U.S.American writer of over 60 romance novels since 1980. She also signed her novels as Paula Roberts and Amii Lorin
She is a popular U.S.American writer of over 60 romance novels since 1980. She also signed her novels as Paula Roberts and Amii Lorin
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 8, 2023
All my stars go to this stalkerific manipulative relentless bulldozer of a hero. 😍😍😍
Hats off to you, Sir. You fulfilled all my throwback old skool hero desires with your masterful manhandling and jealous rages. You dubcon with the best of them, you 80’s Heartthrob you.
I don’t know what that annoying heroine’s problem was. 🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? This was vintage romance in all its trashy salacious glory. We even get a kicked in locked door. 😈🤡I’ve already downloaded my next book by this author. It loses a star for it’s unsatisfactory handling of the light OW drama and the over-cold and resistant heroine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - H’s ex bed-buddy approaches the h and says rude stuff at a party - the h assumes the H goes back to her when the h rejects him (he doesn’t)
- OM drama - several men have the hots for the h and the H flies into a rage over anyone touching the h
- dubcon - couple forced seduction scenes, one of which verges on noncon but doesn’t quite get there
- manhandling
- h is a 25 yr old virgin
- H is a 34 yr old manwhore
- condoms aren’t used or discussed. There is some celibate time for the H while he pursues the h
Hats off to you, Sir. You fulfilled all my throwback old skool hero desires with your masterful manhandling and jealous rages. You dubcon with the best of them, you 80’s Heartthrob you.
I don’t know what that annoying heroine’s problem was. 🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? This was vintage romance in all its trashy salacious glory. We even get a kicked in locked door. 😈🤡I’ve already downloaded my next book by this author. It loses a star for it’s unsatisfactory handling of the light OW drama and the over-cold and resistant heroine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - H’s ex bed-buddy approaches the h and says rude stuff at a party - the h assumes the H goes back to her when the h rejects him (he doesn’t)
- OM drama - several men have the hots for the h and the H flies into a rage over anyone touching the h
- dubcon - couple forced seduction scenes, one of which verges on noncon but doesn’t quite get there
- manhandling
- h is a 25 yr old virgin
- H is a 34 yr old manwhore
- condoms aren’t used or discussed. There is some celibate time for the H while he pursues the h
February 24, 2019
As classy a story as the title suggests.
June 17, 2012
Stalkerazzi Russian hero is cwazy 4 heroine but she wants nuffink 2 do w/ him. He camps out every night in front of her apt, sends flowers anonymously & spreads juicy tidbits behind her back that they have hanky panky. Her ol-fashioned parents are not happy campers & when the shite hits the fan, she decides to pay back the favor w/ a lame ass, 1/2-cooked revenge plan that explodes in her own face. Slick alpha hero maneuvers her into marrying him & shows the depth of his lurve by kicking the locked door down & constricting her windpipe, etc. Scarce dialogues & plenty of heroine's internal fuming, but an engrossing read. Heroine was determined to date only men w/ above average prospects & non-dominant blokes, due to her cash-strapped upbringing & domineering dad. Hero is intrigued upon hearing the scoop of her preference in dating & employs underhanded tactics to melt the heroine's icy facade. Their intense luv-hate r/s results in a hollow marriage & heroine's parents notice. After an enlightening convo w/ long-suffering mommie, heroine realizes she's been wrong 'bout her parents' r/s & gotta decide if she should say buhbye to hubby & head to splitsville, or stick to her vows. The ending is too abrupt, but not a total waste of time. Still not sure why H/h fell in luv cuz they hardly evah had a long, solid convo, mayhap I just like stories where loaded, besotted hero goes 4 broke in making sure heroine has no way out.
October 10, 2019
“You’re right. There are a number of females ready and willing.” His eyes, searing like twin blue flames, raked her body boldly, heightening her color still more with embarrassment. “But, for some reason, my body demands the possession of yours. It is as simple as that. I want you. I intend having you.”
"Morning Rose" is the story of Tara and Alek.
In this book, we meet a super obsessed, insanely possessive hero that spends the entire book chasing a reluctant, teary eyed and jittery heroine. He makes his intentions very clear from the start- that he wants to marry her- but she chooses to ignore him- until the society starts thinking of her as his mistress due to his pursuit. Now, being pressured by family and social norms, she accepts his proposal. The hero is a lovesick alpha who declares his feelings again and again, but the heroine just keeps running away. When he finally does manage to catch her, their lovemaking is passionate and oh so HOT. Even after that the heroine keeps fighting him at every turn despite loving him deeeeeply.
If you're a fan of long drawn, frustration inducing, cat-and-mouse romances, tstl heroines and yummy heroes, this book will be for you.
Safe
3.5/5
"Morning Rose" is the story of Tara and Alek.
In this book, we meet a super obsessed, insanely possessive hero that spends the entire book chasing a reluctant, teary eyed and jittery heroine. He makes his intentions very clear from the start- that he wants to marry her- but she chooses to ignore him- until the society starts thinking of her as his mistress due to his pursuit. Now, being pressured by family and social norms, she accepts his proposal. The hero is a lovesick alpha who declares his feelings again and again, but the heroine just keeps running away. When he finally does manage to catch her, their lovemaking is passionate and oh so HOT. Even after that the heroine keeps fighting him at every turn despite loving him deeeeeply.
If you're a fan of long drawn, frustration inducing, cat-and-mouse romances, tstl heroines and yummy heroes, this book will be for you.
Safe
3.5/5
May 19, 2023
Incredibly dated. The h’s in a rage the entire book, it was annoying.
This is a modern romance, but shes forced to marry the H, because people think she’s having sex with him.🙄 This is the entire plot.
Someone forgot to tell the author, she’s not writing a regency.
Also, the Hs suppose to be super obsessed with the h, but they barely spend anytime together.
What a strange book.
This is a modern romance, but shes forced to marry the H, because people think she’s having sex with him.🙄 This is the entire plot.
Someone forgot to tell the author, she’s not writing a regency.
Also, the Hs suppose to be super obsessed with the h, but they barely spend anytime together.
What a strange book.
May 30, 2012
I actually liked this better the second time I read it, unfortunately that's not saying much. The hero in this book takes alpha male to the extreme of stalker. He forces her to have a relationship and eventually marry him by ruining her reputation and making her straight laced parents think they are already lovers. He insists that he knows best and that she's just being stubborn. In some books this may seem romantic but in this one I couldn't see the romance.
February 21, 2023
She cries or pales or panics every other page. It was annoying. What I didn’t like, was that the H started the gossips and rumours about her to force her to marry him.
June 22, 2012
3-star rating for moi. ^.^
*Le gasp* Mills & Boon..why, you old filthy codger. Haha. I rather enjoyed this contemporary 'mini' bodice ripper. The plot was MIA, and I believe her parents were relocated from the Stone Age, but it is fiction. The fact that I was waiting for the hero's serial killer MO, and wondered how far M&B would take it, kept me reading.
Honestly, Alek was a major loon-douche, who but I wasn't dissuaded by it, as some may have been considering it was contemporary, and you know--we women have rights now..and there are actual laws that protect us and stuff. :D
What really irked me, was the constant battle against old tradition and the modern woman views. Strong willed men and women can co-exist. I know this for a fact. Also, the girl's entire family turned against her, at the first signs of gossip or misleading information against her; as if their love was conditional at the slightest sign of ruin. 14th century, much? I realize, the book took place in the early 1980s, but SERIOUSLY?! Paternal affection has been popular since forever now. :P
The story was missing a subplot! Otherwise, a good, quick read. His Monsieur train wreckage was something I couldn't stomach, but that loathing is what's there for. This isn't romance to me, and I rarely read romance as is. I read bodice rippers. ;]
Alek, the hero, is Christian Grey in 20 years; a watered down S/Mly misconstrued tyrant, two assaults away from his abusive nature ruining his otherworldly wealth & career in the tabloids.
To: Christian Grey & Alek Tykovsky, to quote Ole Brother Where Art Thou? See ya in the funny papers, boys!
*Le gasp* Mills & Boon..why, you old filthy codger. Haha. I rather enjoyed this contemporary 'mini' bodice ripper. The plot was MIA, and I believe her parents were relocated from the Stone Age, but it is fiction. The fact that I was waiting for the hero's serial killer MO, and wondered how far M&B would take it, kept me reading.
Honestly, Alek was a major loon-douche, who but I wasn't dissuaded by it, as some may have been considering it was contemporary, and you know--we women have rights now..and there are actual laws that protect us and stuff. :D
What really irked me, was the constant battle against old tradition and the modern woman views. Strong willed men and women can co-exist. I know this for a fact. Also, the girl's entire family turned against her, at the first signs of gossip or misleading information against her; as if their love was conditional at the slightest sign of ruin. 14th century, much? I realize, the book took place in the early 1980s, but SERIOUSLY?! Paternal affection has been popular since forever now. :P
The story was missing a subplot! Otherwise, a good, quick read. His Monsieur train wreckage was something I couldn't stomach, but that loathing is what's there for. This isn't romance to me, and I rarely read romance as is. I read bodice rippers. ;]
Alek, the hero, is Christian Grey in 20 years; a watered down S/Mly misconstrued tyrant, two assaults away from his abusive nature ruining his otherworldly wealth & career in the tabloids.
To: Christian Grey & Alek Tykovsky, to quote Ole Brother Where Art Thou? See ya in the funny papers, boys!
May 30, 2023
It can be written in 50s instead of 80s but nice vintage!
August 20, 2025
His tactics were abominable, spread rumors, leave his car by her apartment all night for months, kiss her and innuendo about sleeping together. Other than that this is a great story. Poor h was so mixed up and H didn’t help saying he wanted her, not loved her.
I wouldn’t want to be “courted” with his methods but having someone that determined would be scary fun.
Reread, didn’t remember anything and liked less and lowered rating using math: had been 4, now 2, voila! 3
I wouldn’t want to be “courted” with his methods but having someone that determined would be scary fun.
Reread, didn’t remember anything and liked less and lowered rating using math: had been 4, now 2, voila! 3
Read
March 8, 2023Whelp, Tara is an idiot.
July 17, 2018
Unreasonable conflict.
July 26, 2021
I stayed up late at night because of this book!
The hero's behaviour is DESPICABLE. He's hurt the heroine tremendously by spreading the rumours about them. I was truly sorry for her. She was ostracized by her family and friends. Her wish to retaliate is totally understandable.
Have I forgiven him? Yes. Why? Because I could see the heroine had the power to hurt him. He had no armour where she was concerned.
The hero's behaviour is DESPICABLE. He's hurt the heroine tremendously by spreading the rumours about them. I was truly sorry for her. She was ostracized by her family and friends. Her wish to retaliate is totally understandable.
Have I forgiven him? Yes. Why? Because I could see the heroine had the power to hurt him. He had no armour where she was concerned.
May 10, 2015
oldie quick read
stalker alpha jealous hero who is completely in love with h.
Though i felt end confession was rushed i guess that must be the writing style back
stalker alpha jealous hero who is completely in love with h.
Though i felt end confession was rushed i guess that must be the writing style back
July 3, 2018
Sorry for any spoilers...however this book was PAINFUL! Usually, I love the fem-fails in old school harlequins. In this particular case, I cannot believe our TSFL heroine followed along with the hero's horrible, mentally abusive scheme! She should have called the police or at least reported him.
I forced myself to finish this train wreck, hoping for at least a good grovel from hero. This was not to be satisfied...he explains his reasoning, but all he says is that hurting her, hurt him just as much, but he was "too much in love"...Heck no! He never had to walk in her shoes and understand what she was forced to suffer through. Literally ruining someone's credibility in the workplace in such a way, especially for a woman at that time, in order to seduce someone is disgusting! What self-respecting woman would willingly play along with that?
If this was at least a typical harlequin cliche of holding damning flimsy 'evidence' over her head like corporate espionage from a dubious relative with the intent of seduction is one thing, but deliberately starting rumors about the heroine to make her fall in line and make it true! Then, not providing a satisfying explanation for his machinations, gah! No, just no! Read at your own risk. *Warning, reading this book may result in blindness, and in some more extreme cases, eyes bleeding out.
I forced myself to finish this train wreck, hoping for at least a good grovel from hero. This was not to be satisfied...he explains his reasoning, but all he says is that hurting her, hurt him just as much, but he was "too much in love"...Heck no! He never had to walk in her shoes and understand what she was forced to suffer through. Literally ruining someone's credibility in the workplace in such a way, especially for a woman at that time, in order to seduce someone is disgusting! What self-respecting woman would willingly play along with that?
If this was at least a typical harlequin cliche of holding damning flimsy 'evidence' over her head like corporate espionage from a dubious relative with the intent of seduction is one thing, but deliberately starting rumors about the heroine to make her fall in line and make it true! Then, not providing a satisfying explanation for his machinations, gah! No, just no! Read at your own risk. *Warning, reading this book may result in blindness, and in some more extreme cases, eyes bleeding out.
January 1, 2022
Skim-read morning rose. My all time fav trope is the H crazy for the h and chasing after her so I had high hopes. The beginning was nice with the H declaring himself in the first few page and wanting to marry the h but the h constantly backpedals and freaks out and runs away and becomes shrew like. The H fit every single one of her criteria so idk. There are some iffy moments such as the H doing a S& M style throat choking of the h but honestly he had been murmuring I love yous and I Adore yous in Russian at her since day ONE so I partially forgive that.
February 19, 2023
Alek Rykovsky was handsome, rich, charming — in fact, he was eligible to his fingertips; and he had asked Tara to marry him. Tara for her part had vowed never to be poor — or dominated — again, and she was looking, she declared, for a rich husband.
So where was the problem? First, that she hated Alek; second, that she knew he would dominate her in just the way she was adamant no man ever should. Yet fate seemed determined to trap her into a situation from which there was no escape from him...
So where was the problem? First, that she hated Alek; second, that she knew he would dominate her in just the way she was adamant no man ever should. Yet fate seemed determined to trap her into a situation from which there was no escape from him...
June 8, 2024
an okay read
September 8, 2015
This was part of a 5-in-1 Candlelight book that I started reading on open library. I could not finish this book. The H is a sicko control freak who decides he is in lust with a woman he meets and must have her at all costs. So he proceeds to ruin her reputation so she will marry him. She tells him the rumors made her mother cry but that doesn't bother this creep he is all about getting what he wants regardless.
October 30, 2012
the novel is quite interesting, the plot intriguing and the story captivating, after reading it some years back i still remember the story quite vividly among many others i had read
March 14, 2015
it was fantastic
August 24, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews