Book Fifty-seven: “Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride”, Kate Walker, Harlequin Presents, April, 2007, #2622, eBook, Adobe format
“Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride”, is another example of writing pyrotechnics. The prologue absolutely hooks the reader with a quickly Las Vegas wedding. Then Chapter I hooks the reader again but with a reverse of the prologue. As I was reading I thought: “OK, author you have me totally hooked into this story but how in the world are you going to out of the predicament you created here?” The answer is very smoothly.
This book is very intense. It never lets up. The action was unpredictable every paragraph of the way -- except you knew it was going to have a HEA. It also has a surprise ending I never saw coming. The hero, Guido, is one of the best and most passionate lovers I’ve seen in a romance. He just seems to mesmerizes the heroine who likewise drives him into a frenzy. I really liked Guido. He’s no saint but he is a consummate lover.
Amber, the heroine, is English and I see her as the strong, sensible person in the book. She keeps giving the hero the benefit of the doubt and tries to figure out just what is behind all the misunderstandings that are creating the tension and keeping them apart. She tries very hard to make the relationship work. She tries to see things that are hurtful to her from the point of view of the hero just to be sure she didn’t misunderstand him.
When it looks like there is going to be a big “black moment” near the end of the book Amber puts her foot down:
“No,” she said more softly but more confidently. “The car can wait. I don’t think we’ve finished talking.” P176
She then gets to the bottom of things. She really saves the day and this hero is lucky to get her. Amber understood that a man needs a little help getting in touch with his feelings. Her efforts got him to open up. He was not about to do it on his own.
This is another book I highly recommend to aspiring writers.
Excellent. --- Great Hero -- Even Better Heroine -- A Winner!
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
Mmm... sounds like a good
Mmm... sounds like a good read. I love that you used the word "frenzy", I love a good frenzy. And this sounds like it has really intense H/h, particularly nice that the h is very grounded.
Thank you
Thank you Vince. I'm glad you liked this one - and that Amber was a heroine you could relate to
. This is the book Donna was saying she loved. It's actually one of two linked books . The other is The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge and it's Guido's brother's story. Some readers loved one brother best, some preferred the other.
Thanks
Kate
http://www.kate-walker.com
Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife - Presents June 2008
The Alcolar Family - 3 in 1 ebook bundle June 2008
Bedded By The Greek Billionaire Presents October 2008
12 Point Guide To Writing Romance
Hooray for Guido!
I thought you'd like it Vince. I'm glad you did. I noticed you loved Heidi's book too.
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Guido is outstanding -- Vito Might Be Even Better!
Hi Donna:
Guido is outstanding. However, he did get some help from the heroine in becoming even better. From the little there was in the book, his brother Vito might be a shade better hero. I have to read Vito's story. Actually, I have to read all of Kate's books because you never know what "impossible" writing technique she is going to attempt.
Yes, I loved Heidi's book. It didn't hurt that Mr. Wonderful Hero was an American.
I was very proud of Jack!
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
I read them back to back...
And I'm still a Guido girl. Not by an analysis. I just fell for him more.
I really liked Heidi's book as well.
Do you read any non-fiction Vince? I just got Brothers In Battle, Best of Friends. I got through half of it yesterday. If you've watched or read Band of Brothers it is well worth it.
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Hello Donna:
Hello Donna:
For decades I use to read at least 80% non-fiction. This was mostly ancient Greek and Roman history. I also read a lot about the Vikings. I was a member of the Scandinavian American Society for many years and also bought the new translated Nordic fiction as it came out. I also read Presidential history and WWII naval history.
Today because I need large type, I have been reading mostly fiction and listening to college lectures from the Teaching Company in place of reading non-fiction. The Teaching Company has the best teachers in the world and since I teach it really helps to see how it is done by the very best. It also helps up-date my college investment. Their course on the Vikings is fascinating. They have a very good course on the social history of WWII which you might like.
I’d really like to see some romances set in Europe in 1938 just before the war began. It was like living before a huge dam and knowing it would probably break soon. Talk about stress. Are you thinking of doing a WWII story?
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
"Impossible " writing technique?
>>Actually, I have to read all of Kate's books because you never know what "impossible" writing technique she is going to attempt.
Vince, now you have me intrigued! I never thought of anything I've written as attempting an 'impossible' technique! I just have characters whose stories need telling - and I tell those stories.
I'm now going to look at the next couple of books I have coming out and wonder if they're 'impossible' as well.
Thank you for your interest in my books! I've been fascinated to read all your reviews.
Kate
http://www.kate-walker.com
Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife - Presents June 2008
The Alcolar Family - 3 in 1 ebook bundle June 2008
Bedded By The Greek Billionaire Presents October 2008
12 Point Guide To Writing Romance
It is only Impossible before you do them!
Hi Kate:
Some of your writing techniques are not impossible after you actually do them. They just seem impossible if you consider the challenge the approach posed beforehand. Often you don’t take the easy approach and that makes your writing more interesting to read. Let me put it this way: I learn a lot by reading your books about the different ways to tell the characters stories.
Thanks,
Vince
P. S. I need some more of your titles made available as eBooks.
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
Your wish is my command . . .
>>Often you don’t take the easy approach and that makes your writing more interesting to read.
You do pay some of the best compliments, Vince. Thank you - I've always had a personal challenge to myself to keep writing the best I can - and that means not taking the easy way if I possibly can, After 54 titles, this is a real challenge sometimes.
About ebooks - I have some good news for you on that. I just learned that my trilogy of linked books - The Alcolar Family - is being rereleased as an ebook 'bundle' next month. So that means that you will be able to get your hands on the three titles in this series all in one download then. If you're interested in the titles, they are: The Twelve Month Mistress, The Spainard's Inconvenient Wife, and Bound By Blackmail. I'll hope you enjoy those too.
Oh - and the first and original story that sparked off The Alcolar Family Trilogy is an ebook mini. It's only a short story that I wrote as an online read - Wife For Real. The challenge there was to keep to the 10,000 word limit and still tell a story - and - because it was a serial, to have 'cliff-hangers' at the end of each episode to bring the readers back the next week.
Now my next challenge is to start a complete new book!
Kate
http://www.kate-walker.com
Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife - Presents June 2008
The Alcolar Family - 3 in 1 ebook bundle June 2008
Bedded By The Greek Billionaire Presents October 2008
12 Point Guide To Writing Romance
PS . . .
I just checked and The Antonakos Marriage and At The Sheikh's Command are also available in ebook versions. And an older book (2004) called Their Secret Baby is in a 'Secret Babies' bundle.
Will those keep you busy?
My next new title will be out in October.
Thanks again
Kate
http://www.kate-walker.com
Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife - Presents June 2008
The Alcolar Family - 3 in 1 ebook bundle June 2008
Bedded By The Greek Billionaire Presents October 2008
12 Point Guide To Writing Romance