SYNOPSIS: Alannah knows she has to face Raul, but the words are so hard to find. The past between them keeps getting in the way as they are both attracted physically to one another, but that isn't enough for Alannah. Will their second chance turn out right in spite of the dark circumstances?
MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit, I picked this book up for only two reasons as the plot on the back didn't appeal to me at all. I picked it up because Kate Walker challenged me elsewhere to give her writing a shot despite my distaste for the titles of the Harlequin Presents and because another blogger was so negative towards the heroine that I had to read this book for myself since the other review seemed very skewed. Thank goodness I did give this one a try!
Kate Walker's writing is pure poetry. Her descriptions of grief are so heartbreakingly real, so vivid that one can feel the pain emanating off the pages. The first portion of this book is so achingly intense that I almost didn't want it to end. Kate Walker uses language so exquisitely that SPANISH BILLIONAIRE, INNOCENT WIFE is truly a thing of beauty.
The characters are very passionate, very intense. Alannah is a likable character, a woman of strong passions and desires who isn't willing to settle for second best. Raul is the quintissential dark, brooding hero, a man difficult to see what is beneath the surface. The resulting clash is powerful.
I've been reluctant to read any of the Harlequin Presents but after reading Kate Walker's book, I am going to have to look into more books by her. SPANISH BILLIONAIRE, INNOCENT WIFE simply blew me away. I know I keep using the word intense, but the power of the scenes and the very words Ms. Walker uses are just so poetic that it is hard to say anything other than WOW!
Wonderful blog on this
Wonderful blog on this one. I know the blurbs on Jane Porter's books never ever capture the beauty of her Presents. With Glenn's new ER experience and Blue Cross Blue Shield's horrible small business insurance benefits I am going to have to seriously curtail my book buying for a while
but I put this one in my shopping cart for the next time. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Merri...
I think this one will thoroughly captivate you. The way Kate Walker builds the tension between the two characters and her very vivid portrayal of grief in even the smallest, most minute details, will be appreciated by you.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
I got a Kate
I got a Kate Walker after seeing someone's review for it thought I'd give the ole HP's another try. I'll have to check and see what the title is. Wonderful review by the way.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Thanks, Deb
I don't know that I'm sold on the HP line because I'm not sure as a whole it fits my reading tastes (heck, no vamps, weres, etc!
) but I do plan to look for more books by Kate Walker as this one is VERY well written and drew me into the story and the atmosphere quite well.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
I used to
I used to read a lot of HP's but that was years ago and I do have some older ones in my pile I need to read. I still like the short sweet love story just not the arrogant jerks that become the loving family man in the last chapter of the book. I love Alpha men but they need to caring too.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
HP men...
Kate Walker provides a bit of perspective from both the hero and the heroine so it's not that magical *poof* he's a decent man sort of feeling. You could see how both of these characters were hurting from their misunderstanding in the past.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
I looked through
I looked through my books and I have a HMR by her, Her Honourable Playboy, and two HP's In Bed With Her Italian Boss, and The Pregnancy Ultimatum. I'm kinda disappointed I don't have this one. Oh darn, I will just have to force myself to go to the UBS. Such a chore for me, NOT!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
This book was a KEEPER for
This book was a KEEPER for me. I loved it.
Now it seems some people here are willing to be swayed towards MORE HPs.... so I'm going to plug my keeper list. I have a "keeper list" and it mostly has HPs, since I'm a rabid HP fan. So if you're interested in giving HPs a shot... and you're searching UBS.... maybe you can try to find some of the titles on my keeper list? I do seriously recommend them... to put it in perspective, this list contain the keepers I've found in the past six months.... so these are the top 30 or so books that I've read out of a stack of 340 or so. Sooo.... to me personally they're the loveliest of the lovely.
http://community.eharlequin.com/content/janets-keeper-list-regularly-updated
You've already
talked me into two Kelly Hunter's. They were the only ones I could find right now and a Penny Jordan but I've liked hers for years so STOP, I've gotta get to reading my shelves to TBR's. My ears are plugged. No, not listening here. Going off whistling so I'm not tempted. OK be by later.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Thank you!
I've been away at the UK's Romantic Novelists' Association Conference so I've only just notice this
Debbie- thank you so much for the wonderful review of Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it so much. And how great that you were so open minded and looked past the titles that some of the books have in order to give reading them a go. That's fabulous!
I wrote on my personal blog of something of the story behind SB,IW - Sadly, I have personal experience of the sort of tragedy that is in that book. Perhaps that's why it rings so true. It certainly made it a hard book to write at times.
Paisley - I hope you find the book enjoyable as Debbie did, specially when you have to restrict your book spending.
Oh - and Deb - the books you have in your TBR pile are by Kate Hardy not me. I've never written any Medicals. Kate is a great friend of mine but she's not me!
Thank you again Debbie - your review was very special to me
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
Thanks....
Kate, for stopping by! I have to admit, I delved a bit into your backlist today at the bookstore and I'll be keeping an eye out for any more upcoming releases you have after reading this one. I read your blog and am sorry to hear about your sil and the story about the rose is just so poignant. Knowing that story only makes this book even more powerful to me but yes, I do think the emotions came through quite clearly in it.
Janet, I'm slowwwwllllllyyyyy trying a few HPs so I'll be sneaking a look at your list and then trying a few here and there. This book really blew me away.
And LOL, Deb, I know that going to the ubs is just a TERRIBLE chore but you know, someone's got to do it!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
*pumps a fist in the
*pumps a fist in the air*
victory..... *grin*
Well darn
Well darn not paying attention again and I wonder about my students that don't pay attention. Huh, must be catching. Well okay I'll look for the right author this time.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog