Janelle Denison
Denison, Janelle - BRIDE INCLUDED (Harlequin Romance 3565) (4+)
Although they had been raised to hate each other because of a family feud, Josie McAllister and Seth O'Connor fell in love. Seth was excited when Josie became pregnant, but when he was led to believe the baby might not be his, he spurned her before
she could trap him into marriage. Because of their affair, he was disinherited and the animosity between the two families continued.
Eleven years later, Josie and her ten-year-old daughter Kellie are living on the ranch that her great-grandfather won in a poker game from an O'Connor, which is what started the feud between the two families. Seth arrives at the Circle M Ranch one day with some very disturbing news. Josie's father apparently lost the ranch to Seth in a poker game, and he shows her the deed to prove it. But that's not all. The deed has a stipulation—a bride is included in the deal! Josie must marry him within a week or forfeit the ranch. Seth is willing to put up with her and Kellie in order to have something he's wanted for many years—a home of his own. Josie doesn't have anywhere else to go, so she has no choice but to accept. However, she wonders if Seth will accept a marriage of convenience....
BRIDE INCLUDED is a wonderful traditional romance with plenty of conflict and sexual tension between the hero and heroine. The focus of this often-used plot is the love and forgiveness that develops between two people who have been torn apart by narrow-mindedness, lies, and misunderstandings. All the characters are very believable and their personalities are well developed, which enhances the story. I haven't read a Harlequin Romance in years, but I'll be sure to look for Janelle Denison's books in the future. She is able to move from one category romance line to another, from blazing to sweet, quite successfully. I highly recommend BRIDE INCLUDED to readers who enjoy well-written "second chance at love" stories. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Denison, Janelle - CHRISTMAS FANTASY (Harl. Tempt. 759) (4)
Career woman Teddy Spencer and her two best friends, Brenda and Laura, meet at the Frisco Bay lounge and their conversation drifts to fantasies about men. Teddy's favorite fantasy
involves a cowboy because such a man goes against her parent's conservative standards. Months later, after celebrating her
26th birthday at a boring dinner with her parents who nag
her again about settling down, Teddy's two friends meet her at the lounge and surprise her with a very special gift—an exotic dancer dressed up as a cowboy. And he is all hers for twenty minutes!
After dancing with the handsome "cowboy," then watching him gyrate to music while removing everything but his well-worn jeans, Teddy is amazed at her reaction to this man and can't stop thinking about him later. At work the next day, in an attempt to thwart her boss's sexual overtures, Teddy tells him she will attend the company's Christmas party with her boyfriend—and the name that pops out of her mouth is Austin McBride, her fantasy man from the night before.
Founder and owner of the highly successful Fantasy For Hire, Austin has now decided to put the company up for sale. It has served him well, enabling him to pay off school loans and the bills he accumulated while setting up his second business, McBride Commercial Landscaping. Austin also has Fantasy For Hire to thank for introducing him to Teddy Spencer. At her party, he had filled in for one of his male strippers at the last minute. Even though it's always been his policy never to mix business with pleasure, he had been sorely tempted to ignore that rule when he met Teddy—until he'd noticed the ruby and diamond ring on her left hand. Austin had no way of knowing she wore that ring in order to deter her boss's advances. Imagine his surprise and pleasure the next day when she calls and asks for his help!
Once again, Janelle Denison has written a marvelous contemporary romance with sexual tension galore. Teddy and Austin are very confident people who have worked hard to get where they are professionally, but they are still vulnerable. Both are looking for love and acceptance, even though Teddy isn't yet ready for commitment. But Austin hopes he can change the lady's mind and make her fantasies real—and he knows how to turn up the steam! CHRISTMAS FANTASY will definitely keep you warm on a snowy winter's eve! You'll also want to watch for the next book in the Fantasy For Hire series, Jamie Denton's VALENTINE FANTASY. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Denison, Janelle - FORBIDDEN (Harlequin Temptation 732) (4)
Josh Marchiano, a North Miami Beach police detective, has been
in love with his best friend's wife for years. During this time, he has frequently seen the unhappiness in Paige Montgomery's eyes due to her unsatisfactory marriage. Josh doesn't realize it, but his friendship with Paige has kept her sane throughout the years. Although she has always known there was an attraction between them, she ignored it because of her marriage. Then her husband Anthony, an undercover cop, is killed in an accident while trying to infiltrate a jewel-smuggling ring. At the funeral reception, Josh promises Paige that he will notify her when the accident investigation is finished and the report is released.
Three months later, Josh returns with some very unsettling news: Anthony's death was not an accident and all indications are that he was murdered—not because his cover had been blown as previously thought, but because he stole an expensive diamond-and-emerald necklace for which he was responsible. It appears that Anthony hid the stolen merchandise, and as a result of his greed, Paige is now being dragged into a dangerous and violent situation. In order to protect her and set up a sting operation, Josh moves in with Paige and poses as her live-in lover. It is impossible to ignore the attraction that flares up between them while living under the same roof, but Paige has no intention of getting involved with another police officer. She doesn't want the constant worry and danger ever again, so she decides to sell her home and business and move to Connecticut. Can Jake persuade her to stay with him and give their love a chance? And will Paige survive the retribution of the smuggling ring?
FORBIDDEN is a well-written, enjoyable story with main characters who are strong, independent and very likable. Paige was betrayed by her former husband and she doesn't want to open herself up to hurt again...even though Josh is special to her. And Josh, who has harbored a forbidden love for his best friend's wife all these years, is not about to give up his chance of happiness with her. Conflict mingles with danger in this fast-paced, sensual romance! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Denison, Janelle - PRIVATE FANTASIES (Harl. Tempt. 682) (4)
Ever since Kyle Stephens first laid eyes on his sexy neighbor, Jade Stevens, he's wanted to be part of her life. She fascinates him with her witty snubs to his blatant come-ons, and her apparent disinterest in him only incites him all the more. When he comes across her very private journal of sexual fantasies at a yard sale, he thinks he's finally found a way to get her into his bed. He proceeds to fulfill each one of her fantasies and eventually wears down her defenses. But his plan may blow up in his face if she ever discovers what he's been up to...
This is one knockout sensual read! The plot is one I hadn't read before and it's simply sizzling. The characters are fun, witty and likable, and the story really zipped along. Jade is a realistic heroine who has been emotionally damaged in the past and fears opening up to another man, and Kyle is one of those rare breeds of heroes—persistent, patient and willing to put his honey's pleasure before his own. If you demand good character and relationship development, along with steamy love scenes, I think you're going to love PRIVATE FANTASIES. I sure did! ~Laurie Shallah for Bookbug on the Web
Denison, Janelle - PRIVATE PLEASURES (Harl. Tempt. 679) (4)
As lovers, Grey and Mariah are compatible in every way, so he's a bit thunderstruck when she refuses to move in with him. She wants marriage, children, and a lifelong commitment, which he is unable to give her because of his atrocious childhood—a childhood filled with hurt and degradation that he will not share with anyone. Although Mariah loves him deeply, she is unwilling to give up her dream of having a family, knowing that's exactly what will happen if she stays with him. Even though it breaks her heart, she ends their relationship immediately. I really liked that about her. She had the strength to let Grey go when she realized they both wanted very different things out of life.
Grey, who has never been without a date, let alone dumped by a lover, won't accept her giving him the old heave-ho. He's handsome, successful, and sexy (and boy, does he use it to his advantage). *grin* Our hero is quite a catch and he has women drooling all over him, but he doesn't want them—doesn't even want to look at them. Grey misses Mariah terribly and can barely function without her. He's honest and won't give her false promises, but he can't let her go. So he woos her, using his stunning sensuality in an attempt to win her back.
I enjoyed the characters and this story a whole bunch. Grey is a lovable jerk—he's arrogant, pushy, and to say he's persistent is an understatement. But he's also honest, sweet and caring, which is why I liked him right away...despite his "manly faults." Watching his heartfelt attempts to win back the heroine was a delight, and it's always fun watching an overly-confident man grovel. PRIVATE PLEASURES is truly a relationship-driven story, with strong characterization, and it most definitely lives up to the Temptation Blaze standards because of its steamy sexual tension. ~Laurie Shallah for Bookbug on the Web
Denison, Janelle - READY-MADE BRIDE (Harlequin Romance 3531) (3)
Megan, a divorced author of a popular series of children's
books, strikes up a correspondence with a fan and promises
to visit him on his birthday. The little boy, Andy, convinces his widower dad to grant his birthday wish and allow her to stay with them for a week. Naturally, he wants a new mommy and a
wife for his daddy. He has no doubt that they'll fall in love and get married. It's too bad things aren't that simple. Megan and Andy's father, Kane, are instantly attracted to one another, but Kane has been hurt too deeply to easily love again and he's hiding a secret that he believes makes him unlovable and
unworthy of love and kindness.
This book brought tears to my eyes a few times. Andy is a real cutie, whose wish for a mom comes across as genuine. The little boy gave me several warm and cuddly feelings, but best of all, his character isn't overly intrusive. The hero has a gruff, tough exterior, but it's all an act to conceal his pain and protect himself. I liked him a lot. I did have a bit of trouble with the heroine, however, who was too manipulative for my taste. Megan barges in and takes over; but fortunately, it all works out very well in the end and what she did was for love. All in all, READY-MADE BRIDE is a pleasant way to spend a few hours, and the sweet (but sensual) marriage of convenience story should appeal to many readers. ~Laurie Shallah for Bookbug on the Web
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