His Inherited Bride by Jacqueline Baird ... QC #157

4 Stars! ~~~ This is an emotional read with intensely passionate characters.

His Inherited Bride by Jacqueline Baird

Harlequin Presents #2385 ~ April 2004

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Jules Diez and Randolfo Carducci are linked by a dead man and an estate in Chile. The man was Jules estranged father and Rand’s step-mother’s brother. But they were also linked by a tragic accident that happened when a 17 year old Jules fled Chile and left her fiancé only days before the wedding. Enrique in a fit of anguish had smashed his car killing himself and Rand’s fiancée. Now seven years later Rand as executor of Jules father’s estate must deal with the selfish girl. Only Jules is no longer a girl, she is a very beautiful young woman and Rand has an immediate and unsettling attraction to her. Jules had refused to come to Chile when her father was ill and she’d even missed his funeral. Now almost six months later, she’s in Chile looking for cash. The attraction is not one sided, as Jules too has a hard time fighting Rand’s magnetism. These two Latins shoot sparks at each other. Rand agrees to wire the money Jules asks for to her bank if she stays in Chile with him for one week. Jules has to agree to stay, but makes it clear that sexual favours are not part of the deal.

Theirs is a complicated relationship even before their attraction becomes combustible. Rand because of his fiancée’s death had found it easy to believe the worst of Jules, that she was selfish and a gold digger. Jules presents herself as cool and sophisticated, hiding well that she is totally unnerved by Rand. Ms. Baird writes heroines who stand up for themselves and give as good as they get, knocking the heroes arrogant ego about. Though her heroes are alpha, we get delightful insight to their vulnerabilities and we understand what may seem ruthless. In this book, I like how Jules constantly renders Rand speechless and he’s forced to take a hard look at his own actions and reactions. This is an emotional read with intensely passionate characters.

Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Yummy

My Totals = 57 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 56 ~ Other Publisher = 1

~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
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