The Millionaire’s Blackmail Bargain

Book Fifty-eight:  “The Millionaire’s Blackmail Bargain””, Heidi Rice, Harlequin Presents, 2008 in North America,  eBook, Adobe format

       “The Millionaire’s Blackmail Bargain” is the best romance I’ve read in 2008. It has the best hero and heroine combination.  The action is very visual and would make an excellent romantic movie filmed in London, New York, and Paris. It is also written with a strong sense humor. 

      “The Millionaire’s Blackmail Bargain” is also unique in that it could easily fit into several Harlequin family lines.  

•  If you like Presents, You should really like this book.

•  If you like Desire, You should really like this book.

•  If you like Blaze, You should really love this book (and the 7 mile high action).

•  If you like Harlequin Romance, this is a classic love story – (but it is steamy.)

          Now, let’s look at the hero, Jack Devlin:  He is tall, dark, and handsome along the lines of George Clooney only younger. He is a self-made millionaire who has never had to cheat or intimidate anyone in business. He is a highly intelligent, sensitive, vulnerable,  generous, best-selling author; he has a great sense of humor; he is an accomplished yet unselfish lover; he speaks fluent French and he is a great tour guide who takes the heroine to the most romantic locations in Paris and New York City;  he is very romantic for a man;  he is supportive of the heroine’s needs especially her career, he also works to build the heroine’s self confidence whether it’s her writing or ice skating, (did I mention he is an excellent ice skater?)

     When the heroine tells him that he’s getting something wrong in their relationship, he corrects his ways. He is not stubborn.  He is generous and kind to the people around him and amazingly he speaks reasonably good English without a tawng!  Best of all: Jack Devlin is an American!   

      The heroine, Carmel Rourke, is beautiful, highly intelligent, has a great sense of humor, (She says things like: “Never listen to a woman who can eat like a trucker and still fit into a size six. People like that never paid for their crimes.” )  She is adventurous, passionate, creative and daring. (Seven mile high daring.)

      Mel also acts as an angle of mercy when Jack faces his extreme fear of flying. I did mention he is vulnerable. Both the hero and heroine are complex real people. The heroine has a wonderful loving relationship with her parents and brothers. She also has a very good and interesting friend in Louisa. For a short novel there is extensive character development. You really get to know and like the characters.

      When the hero does a “dumb guy thing”, she doesn’t get hurt or walk out, she just corrects him. After asking if she looked fat in a dress and he says that he likes her fat, she says that was the wrong answer. You should have said that I don’t look fat, I look voluptuous.   With this heroine the hero doesn’t have to be a “mind reader”. Mel is a great woman.  There is no way this hero is going to let this heroine “get away”. Mel is perfect for this hero and vice versa.

       The story has a great ending that will leave you on an emotional high. Then comes the best epilogue I’ve read all year which doubled my HEA feeling.

Excellent – Best Romance I’ve Read in 2008!

Thanks,

Vince

“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince