Review: THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL by Lynne Graham

Volakis Vows #1

Harlequin Presents
Harlequin
192 pages

Tally Spencer is stunned to be pursued by Sander Volakis, though she gets it. She is not his usual type, and he's just looking for some fun. When Tally discovers she's pregnant, after they broke up, Sander balks at first, though eventually does a complete turn around and asks Tally to marry him. What caused his about face? Can they have a future of love and happiness?

*****

Lynne Graham is one of my favorite HP authors. She has a great knack for blending humor, passion and drama perfectly in a quick read. Sander is your typical high-strung arrogant ass of a HP hero. Oh, and of course he's a Greek Tycoon. :) I really liked Tally, she didn't let Sander walk all over her, sure she got sucked into the whole affair, but she was intelligent enough to see when things were off, and confronted Sander about it. This book had the added “surprise, I'm pregnant” theme going for it, which added to the drama, especially when Sander is blackmailed into marring Tally. There was a huge trust theme going on throughout the whole book. Whereas Tally is very trusting, Sander, of course, is not.

This is the first category romance that I've ever read were the couple is featured in this book AND a book next month, so this is just the Happy For Now book, but if I didn't know that I would have been perfectly happy with the way this book ended. But I do know, and now we have to WAIT for their Happy Ever After. I hate waiting. I was kinda bummed when I realized that this was a HFN ending, until I really thought about it and realized that YAY I get to read MORE about Sander & Tally! Don't forget to look for BRIDE FOR REAL next month, for the conclusion of their story.

Harlequin Presents are my crack. How else can I explain it, they are my quick easy fix when I want to loose myself, but don't have time to get wrapped up into a thicker book. I refer to them as my “popcorn” reads, as I can finish one of these in about the same time as I could watch a movie. These are something that I tend to glom onto, and usually read about 4 or 5 in row, until I get my fill.

Rating: 5

Author's Website 

Review: BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES by Jane Graves

a

Contemporary  (humor)

Forever, an imprint of Hachett Book Group

432 pages 

Bernadette Hogan can't believe what she has gotten herself into, of all the crazy situations she could imagine getting pregnant by her infuriating boss was not even a blip on her radar. This is so not like her, she already has her plate full. 

Jeremy is willing to try to make things work, even though he is still reeling from the shock of that he let things get so out of hand. But how can an independent woman and a self-made millionaire learn to compromise without chewing each other to pieces?

****

In BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES, Jane Graves had penned a delightfully entertaining tale with a fascinating cast of characters, keeping me laughing and smiling all throughout the book. I loved following Bernie and Jeremy on their journey to love and happiness.

Bernie was a great heroine! This is the first book I've read where the woman has been the muscle. Jeremy was no slouch, but Bernie definitely could handle her own in a fight. I loved that she was independent and more than capable of taking care of herself, no matter what the situation, but I also like watching her learn that it's okay to lean on someone elses shoulder.

Jeremy was an irritatingly arrogant guy, but you could sense the loneliness he kept so well hidden. I loved watching him grow emotionally, learning how to love and be loved. Bernie and Jeremy are definitely a couple I can picture living Happily Ever After, forever.

I can't wait for Ms. Graves' next book! Her characters and stories are always very humorous and well plotted.

Rating: 5

Author's Website