For Services Rendered by Patricia Kay

A likeable Mills & Boon romance
3 stars

When Claire Kendrick is summoned to the boss’s office, she can’t think what anyone would want with her. All she wants is to do her job, get her paycheck and take care of her ailing mother.

CEO, Nick Callahan, is handsome, smart and successful. When he asks Claire to write an article on him, Claire knows that there’s something else that he wants. But what she doesn’t realise is that Nick’s had her background checked and has chosen her for a very lucrative position - as his wife.

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Although not billed as such, this book reads very much like a Modern Mills and Boon romance. It follows many of the traditional formulae - down on her luck female, strong, successful man and a relationship that starts off as one thing and turns into something more.

I liked the premise of the story and both Claire and Nick were characters that I could root for. Claire was strong despite her situation and I did like that Nick didn’t walk all over her. Nick was strong, silent and arrogant but I still liked him as he wasn’t too alpha male. The pair didn’t have much depth but I could still enjoy them and their interactions.

Despite having a publication date of 2012, this book was clearly written many years ago(1993 as I’ve just found out). For the most part this doesn’t matter although I was quite taken aback and amused by the reference to listening to cassette tapes in the car!

As another reviewer mentioned, there are numerous mentions of fur coats in the book which I really didn’t like. Even though this book is a reprint, I would have thought the author would have removed these before publishing it in this day and age.

Despite that, the writing was good and, at one point in particular, quite emotional. I had no problems finishing it although I would have liked to see an epilogue to find out what happened to Nick and Claire after their happily ever after.

If you like the Mills & Boon Modern line or a quick romance then I think you would like this book. It’s quick, enjoyable and worth a look at such a low price. 3 stars.

Prince Voronov's Virgin by Lynn Raye Harris

A likeable and readable romance
4 stars

When Paige Barnes finds herself scared and alone on the dark streets of Moscow she is more than surprised to find herself rescued by the intriguing and mysterious Alexei Voronov – a Russian prince and her boss’s arch rival.

Although she knows she should stay away, once Alexei sets his sights on shy, bespectacled Paige neither can anticipate the passion that flares between them. But what are his true motives and how will their relationship develop when he discovers she is carrying his royal heir?


As soon as I started reading this book I began to enjoy it. Unlike other Modern books I have read, Alexei is the perfect blend of arrogance and kindness. You can understand why he acts as he does and he comes across as the perfect, brooding hero. Paige, too, is a good heroine and although shy, she isn’t as insipid or weak as other heroines I have read even if I did want her to be a little bit bolder when it came to her sister. Together they have good chemistry and a relationship you can root for.

The story was interesting and kept you wanting to read and turn the pages. The storyline is quite simple but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially since there isn’t any annoying secondary romance to distract from the main love story.

If you’re not a fan of romance novels or don’t enjoy Mills and Boon novels then perhaps this isn’t the book for you! However, if you do like a good romantic story that will allow you to escape for a couple of hours then I can definitely recommend this book. It’s got good characters who work well together and a storyline that’s interesting and keeps you wanting to turn the pages. I enjoyed it a lot. 4 stars.

For Love or Legacy by Ruth Cardello

Enjoyable second part of the trilogy
4 stars

Nicole Corisi will do anything to break the terms of her tyrannical late father’s will – even if it means pairing up with ruthless businessman Stephan Andrade to do it. But not only is Stephan her estranged brother’s rival but he’s also the man Nicole could never forget.

Stephan is one step away from ruining Dominic Corisi and taking back the legacy that was stolen from him years before. When Nicole walks back into his life he realises he can put a new spin on his revenge until he realises he might have to choose between reclaiming his legacy and the love he has found.


This is the second in the Legacy Trilogy after Maid for the Billionaire and before Bedding the Billionaire. You probably could read them on their own but it’s so much better if you read them in order so you know who’s who in the supporting characters and situations.

Although looking forward to this book I was wondering whether I would identify with Nicole as she seemed a bit snippy in the first book. I was glad to be proven wrong as she instantly came across as a real woman who had insecurities but a real strength about her. She was fun and likeable and a great foil for the delicious and broody Stephan. The pair also had good chemistry although I would have liked to see a little more action between the pair in the earlier stages!

The storyline was interesting and I was always keen to pick up the book and continue where I’d left off. The writing flowed and the style was very readable. The book also nicely set up Jake and Lil’s story which I’m very much looking forward to. And I have to make mention of the second last line of the book which I thought was so sweet and made me swoon!

Like with Maid for the Billionaire, I feel that this author shows exactly how Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Desire books should be written. Men who are powerful without being too arrogant and women that are strong enough to tame them. I am really enjoying Ruth Cardello’s books and would recommend you give her a try. 4 stars.

Maid for the Billionaire by Ruth Cardello

A fresh and enjoyable modern romance
4 stars

When Dominic Corisi comes across Abigail Dartley cleaning his mansion, he instantly wants her to distract himself from the problems he’s been having in his personal life and with his business. When she doesn’t fall instantly into his arms he plans to do whatever he can to make her his.

Schoolteacher Abby isn’t used to taking risks with men, especially rich, arrogant and sexy ones like Dominic. So when she agrees to a trip to China, she can’t help but think she’s losing her mind. Or is she just losing her heart?


The book would fit into the Mills and Boon Modern line so if romance is not your thing then this book probably isn’t for you.

This is the first time I’ve ever read a self-published novel so I’ll admit to being a little apprehensive at first. However, once you start to read you get swept up into the story and you can’t help but want to read just a little bit more each time you pick up the book.

Personally, I found it refreshing to find a heroine with compassion and vulnerability but also with a real strength. Despite Dominic’s strong, forceful and, at times, arrogant personality, Abby never lets him bully her. It was also nice to see Dominic’s emotions and motivations shown throughout the book. He was deliciously alpha but not in an overbearing way. The pair had nice chemistry and played well off each other.

I enjoyed the overall story and the interactions between the characters. I’m really looking forward to reading Nicole and Stephan’s story (For Love or Legacy) as well as Lil and Jake’s story (Bedding the Billionaire) who all appeared as minor characters in this book.

The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is that I would have preferred to see a little bit more of a grand romantic gesture at the end. Having the family descend on Dom and Abby when they’d only just declared their love made it a little anti-climactic and took the focus off the main pair. But that’s a minor point in what was a very enjoyable story overall. 4 stars and definitely worth a read.

Claiming His Wedding Night by Lee Wilkinson

Readable modern romance

3 stars

Perdita Boyd has one chance to save her father’s ailing business and there’s only one man that can help her do it. Unfortunately, that one man is Jared Dangerfield – the sexy, dangerous man who also happens to be her estranged husband.

Married in a secret ceremony, Jared and Perdita were young and in love. But when Jared seemingly betrayed Perdita on their wedding night, she left and managed to stay hidden for three years. But now Jared’s back and ready to take his revenge and ensure he gets the wedding night he’s due.

I liked the premise for this book as I always like a ‘second chance at love’ story. Being part of the Modern Mills & Boon line, I was expecting the strong, ruthless man and a woman perfect for him. However there were times that I thought that Perdita was a little too weak and almost pathetic compared to Jared. With his strong, domineering ways it would have been nice to see her match him rather than sometimes come across as bending to his will. It wasn’t all the time but it irked me a little!

Overall the plot is quite basic but easy to understand and perfectly believable for the most part. It’s not demanding and I enjoyed reading about Perdita and Jared and the evolving love story up to the inevitable conclusion. I would have liked the ending to be a little bit more fleshed out with perhaps an epilogue but it was satisfying nonetheless.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable, readable Modern romance story that takes you away for a couple of hours then I would recommend this book to you. It’s not earth shattering but I enjoyed it and it did the job. 3 stars.

A Mistake, A Prince and a Pregnancy by Maisey Yates

Romance that falls a little flat

2 Stars

A mistake at an IVF clinic means that resolute singleton, Alison Whitman, now finds herself having a child with a man she knows nothing about. When she turns up to tell him about it, she finds that he’s Maximo Rossi, Prince of Turan and she’s now carrying his royal heir,

Whisked off to Turan and finding herself engaged to Maximo, Alison is determined to keep her distance. But she can’t hide from the burn of desire whenever she’s near Max and soon she finds herself with a royal problem – love.

Maximo was the perfect hero for the Modern line – sexy and strong while also arrogant and headstrong. Alison was a little bit more of a puzzle as she was by turns indpendent then shy and needy - I didn’t really understand her but I did want to like her. The pair had chemistry but it wasn’t anything special that made you sigh.

The storyline was a little far-fetched and relied on a lot of coincidences. But it’s much more interesting to read a fantasy romance than read about real life so that’s fine for me.

Unrelated to the actual content of the book, I did quite like the new cover designs for the Modern line. They’re not as cheesy as they used to be which is always a good thing!

I’m only going to give this book 2 stars as it didn’t really capture my attention from beginning to end. The writing is good and all the elements are there for a Modern M&B but it just lacked sparkle. Not one to pass up if it’s on your book shelf but also not one that I would go out of my way to recommend.

The Christmas Love Child by Jennie Lucas

Light, winter romance

4 Stars

American secretary Grace Cannon is determined to save enough money to ensure her family don’t lose their house. Working in London at Christmastime should be fun but instead she’s buying lingerie for her boss’s fiancé and being paid very little for her trouble.

But then she is swept into the glamorous world of Russian Prince Maksim Rostov. He treats her like a queen and teaches the unworldly Grace all the secrets of seduction.

When Grace realises Maksim took her innocence for a business deal, she flees but not before discovering she’s pregnant with his child. When Maksim finds out, he steals her away, keeping her captive in his snowy mansion in Moscow. Both are determined to keep the other at bay but they can’t help their hearts from thawing despite the weather outside.

I actually really enjoyed this story which has a wintry, if not really Christmassy feel throughout. The characters were likeable, realistic and although you never did delve completely into their motives and thoughts, you still root for the couple to get together.

The only thing that annoyed me about the story was Grace’s lack of faith in Maksim. It irked me quite a lot and I would have preferred to see the pair’s time in Russia drawn out a bit more rather than just getting conflict from the characters inability to have a conversation with one another or believe each other when they did speak.

Regardless, this is a light, fun romance with a touch of winter sparkle. If you’re looking for something to take your mind off things for a while then this book is recommended.

Seduced by Christmas

Enjoyable romantic stories

4 stars

Mills and Boon bring together two authors for a pair of stories about love and the Christmas season.

THE SICILIAN’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE by Sandra Marton

Three years ago, Taylor Sommer disappeared out of Dante Russo’s life, leaving just a brief note to thank him for their passionate affair. Sicilian tycoon, Dante, has never got over the fact that someone left him so he hires an investigator to track Taylor down. When found, the pair still have that essential spark but all Dante wants is her in his bed so he can sate his desire for her once and for all. However, things have changed in three years and the pair must learn to put the past aside as well as revealing their deepest secrets, even at the risk of their new-found relationship.

While not being a particularly new or innovative plot, I still very much enjoyed this story and the characters in it. Dante was a strong, passionate, alpha male who also had a tender side while Taylor, or Tally as she’s known, is a feisty and independent woman who will do anything to protect her family. The story was interesting, readable but you can’t look too deeply into the emotions of the characters as in one breath they hated each other and the next they loved each other, and so on. Without particular festive touches, the story didn’t work as a Christmas tale for me, but as a romantic, love story it worked well.

THE BOSS’S CHRISTMAS SEDUCTION by Yvonne Lindsay

Virginal Holly Christmas has loved her boss for years but high-flying Connor Knight has never noticed her in that way. Until the Christmas party. Their fiery, passionate night surprises them both – especially when they learn that Holly is pregnant. But Holly feels she doesn’t belong in Connor privileged world, while he needs to be sure that she really does want a family, him included.

The standard plot line of the secretary and her boss is used here but it still stands out as an original tale. Holly is a woman with a past that has managed to pull herself through and become somebody yet she still has a lot of demons from what happened to her as a child. Connor is a typical alpha male – strong and passionate but at times I was uncomfortable with how controlling he became. Despite that, the pair still worked well together and you are really pleased that they get their happy ending. Again, this story didn’t feel Christmassy enough for me, but it was still an enjoyable tale.

Overall, if you’re looking for festive stories then there are definitely more Christmassy ones out there. Yet these stories are still readable, enjoyable, sensual and most importantly, romantic. 4 stars.