Book review: The Italian's Rags-to-Riches Wife by Julia James

The backdrop: He's planning a bedding - but not a wedding...

Allesandro di Vincenzo is a connoisseur of women. A perfece male specimen, there's no woman he can't have - until Laura Stowe crosses his path, and he discovers there may be an exception to his rule...

There's no other word for Laura than...plain! What's more, she's poor as a church mouse, and hides behind her homely appearance to avoid getting close to any other human being - including Allesandro...

But her family connections mean that Laura unknowingly holds the key to the door of ultimate corporate power that Allesandro craves. So he must grit his teeth and charm this ugly duckling out of her shell and in between his sheets - where, like all his fleeting conquests before her, Laura will learn what it is to be a beautiful, desired swan...

Rating: * (Poor)

Detailed Review: Mirror, Mirror On the Wall? Who's the Shallowest of them all?

From the beginning to the end, the book is all about looks, looks, and looks. The hero is a perfect male specimen - a devastatingly handsome Italian who loves powerplay and women. The heroine is the unacknowledged daughter of an Italian philanderer who is hideously plain - in fact, in the words of the hero "ugly."

So what's the big deal? The big deal is that the book just keeps beating around the same bush in 186 pages. To wrap the story up - The hero is set to a task by the ageing chairman of his company to bring his late philanderer son's daughter to Italy.

The hero flies to Devon where he encounters a totally plain, homely girl with a bad temperament. The girl, of course, is not amused by the sudden overtures from the family, who till now, had ignored her existence.

But inside, she's stupefied by the Italian visitor's perfect male beauty.

The hero bribes her to come to Italy and she does.

The grandfather, thrilled by his long-lost granddaughter, bribes the hero to take her to Rome and show her around. The hero, irritated by this blackmail and openly embarassed to be seen with this ugly creature, takes her to a spa first so that some grooming might benefit her appearance.

Only, the miracle of miracles has happened, and the ugly duckling has turned into a swan.

Now, the hero couldn't take his eyes off her or his hands. And within 24 hours, he takes the now beautiful virgin to bed and introduces her to rapturous delights of sex. The girl is also amazed by her now "good looks" and is openly thrilled to be the part of the "beautiful, in crowd" and coveted by the "most handsome man."

So what goes wrong in this beautiful paradise? Well, nothing much to be honest. When there was never any character building in the first place, it seems a bit awkward that the girl would take in her mind to be upset about a deal made between her grandfather and her lover that in exchange of chairmanship, her lover would marry her. And she doubts it's all for money. What tripe!

However, a rule in Mills & Boon is that there has to be a conflict in the second to last chapter of a book. And the last chapter is always devoted to the making up scene between the couple. But the problem with the M&B is that they are brief. So unless there is a quick character building, it gets very boring and predictable (the usual staple diet) otherwise. I've read some very good M&B with some plain heroines (Lynne Graham is a very good example of an authoress who handles such stories well). But Julia James just keeps on harping and harping about the same issue. Pages and pages of this book are devoted to the utter miracle of turning an ugly duckling into a swan

A perverse thought about the entire shallow escapade. What about 20 years down the line? In my experience, good-looking men remain good-looking even at the ripe age of 60. And when they've endless money and power, there's no shortage of young, beautiful desirable women in their lives. So if the hero of a book is concerned about a woman only after she's shown her swan feathers, it makes me concerned about the longevity of the relationship.

Well enough said! I would say just ignore this book, or get it in a second--hand thrift shop or a library.

• The plot: Nice concept but poor treatment.


• The male lead: Shallow


• The female lead: Boring and spineless


• The supporting characters: Useless


• The hotness quotient: The act is there, but without sensuality. The soul is missing from the sex.

The best scene of the book: Toward the end of the book, I really started getting worried about finding a scene good enough to write in this section. Well, there was just one where I started to respect the heroine a little as she did not mistake her 6-7 days of affair into an everlasting commitment and was cool about it coming to an end. Sorry, to make it brief, but I didn't want to write about the endless monologue of the heroine talking again about her transformation.

'I'm sorry,' he told Laura, 'but I have to get back to Rome.'

As she got up and set about getting dressed, started to pack, she didn't make a fuss. She just got on with it. Accepting it. Not asking questions, either of him or herself.

They set off after breakfast, and all that Laura allowed herself was a single moment of simply drinking him in, outlined against the azure sea far below, as they sat eating breakfast on the sunlit terrace for the last time.

Remember this, was all she allowed herself to think.

And one other thing.

Just before they quit their room she suddenly put her hand on Allesandro's arm. He turned his head to look down at her.

'Allesandro, I just want to say thank you,' she said. 'For everything.'

Her eyes were wide and calm. Their message clear.

Then lightly, very lightly, she lifted her face to his and brushed his mouth, like a butterfly's wing.

Then she walked out and set off down the corridor to the lift.

They talked very little on the journey back to Rome. Laura knew why. There was nothing to say, that was all. She didn't feel emotional - she would not let herself. There was no point, and no reason to, either.

There was reason only to be glad, to be grateful. Glad beyond any measure she could think of that something so incredibly wonderful had happened to her---and grateful beyond measure to the man who had given her this wonderful, wonderful time, this fantastic gift.

The gift of beauty. The gift of womanhood. The gift of desire.

Three precious, precious gifts.

He had given them to her, bestowed them upon her, and they would, she knew, stay with her for ever. She had been allowed into the world that had never let her in before. Oh, it might take a lot of styling, a lot of beautifully designed clothes, a lot of personal grooming that she was not used to, but it could be done---and even without the luxury lifestyle that made it so easy she knew she would never allow herself to relapse into what she had been. A woman in angry exclusion from her womanhood.

Book review: He Loves Lucy by Susan Donovan

The backdrop: Most women would KILL to have round the clock access to personal trainer/demi-god Theo Redmond. But Lucy Cunningham's starting to wish she'd never laid eyes on him!


When marketing exec Lucy pitched the idea of a reality TV show in which Theo took a 'fitness-challenged' woman, and turned her from flabby to fabulous, she wasn't planning on being the star. But then, she reasons, she could stand to lose a few pounds, only not with the whole of Miami and gorgeous Theo watching. But then again for every pound she loses she gains big bucks...


As Lucy sweats her way into a whole new life, things start to heat up between her and Theo. But what can a chocoholic and a gym bunny possibly have in common? Or could Lucy and Theo be about to discover that appearances can be deceptive - and true love lies somewhere between pizza and Pilates?


Rating: **** (Excellent)


Detailed Review: Wonderful story of how two people get in a reality show for a cause and extra cash, how they deal with their attraction to each other, how they tap into their psyche to unleash the hidden demons, and how finally they settle for an happily-ever-after.


The latest trend in Hollywood is to turn hit chicklit books into successful movies or TV shows. Examples: The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle, He's not that into you, etc.

Well, this book is also a potential hit-maker if a smart producer is looking for one. All the ingredients are here: Weight issues, relationship issues, physically challenged children issues, family issues, love and sex issues, and image issues.



Lucy Cunningham is a successful, fat woman in her late 20's who works for the 'sickest boss in the world' in an advertising firm. She is harboring a deep, dark secret involving a high school football star, a one-night stand, a 'shame,' and media frenzy. For the last 10 years, she's trying to move on from that episode with the support of a therapist. One day she hits on the concept of a reality show where they enrol a fitness-challenged (read, fat) woman in a fitness and nutrition program with a hi-fi personal trainer.

• The goal: To lose 100 pounds in a year.
• The official reward: For every pound lost, the trainee and the trainer will get a thousand dollars.
• The trainer: Theo Redmond - the hottest fantasy of women (and some men) in Miami and way out of Lucy's league.
• What Lucy hopes to achieve?: Start her own business with the reward money. Lose a few pounds and gain some dignity and maybe a little love life.
• Challenges: Her unwarranted and downright XXX fantasies involving her trainer, Theo. Her boss's erratic, crazy behavior. Her insecurities regarding her image and other people's perception. Her craving for food when things start to go downhill.

Theo Redmond is too good to be true. Not only is he hot to look at, but he has brains and sensitivity to go with those devastating looks. He wants to be a medical doctor. After his parents were killed in an accident, he had to drop out mid-term to care for his 16-year old brother, Buddy, who is a Down Syndrome child.

• What Theo hopes to achieve?: Get back to the medical school and become a physiatrist (no confusion with psychiatrist!).
• Challenges: His growing attraction to Lucy. Caring for his brother. Juggling of three jobs. Studies. And oh yes! Nursing a broken heart after his fiancess for 5 years had dumped him for a much older, richer doctor. So he does not want to do relationships. Period! But when it comes to Lucy, his heart goes for a spin not to mention the nether points of his body because HE LOVES LUCY.

• The plot: Very interesting and sweet. Not much suspense though. You know what's gonna happen; the question is when and how.


• Lead characters: Lucy is amazing, delightful, and wonderful. Too bad, she doesn't believe in herself. It takes Theo's persverence to get her to lower her defenses. However, at times, I did feel her constant procrastination with her past is slowing the novel. Theo's character, on the other hand, is a well-rounded one. He's perfect, yet human, and he knows it and doesn't mind admitting to his faults. Simply fabulous!


• Supporting characters: Of all the characters, I really loved Buddy, Theo's brother suffering from Down syndrome. Also, Theo's friend Tyson Williams, another physical instructor who is hilarious with his self-proclaimed expertise on women and their issues. Makes some riveting moments!


• Hotness quotient: Hot! What makes the love scenes even more interesting that the authoress uses them to deal with Lucy's image problems, like, Lucy's refusal to strip all the way for Theo till the very last end because of low self-esteem.
  

The best scene of the book: How about a scorching kiss scene, right after those old demons start surfacing? Read on...

'You've got to talk to me, Luce.'

'Just don't touch me anymore, Theo.'

She turned away and began to cut across the oval infield of grass, arms swinging high as she took big strides toward her gym bag.

Theo arrived at her side - a polite distance away - and said nothing. After they walked for a few moments, he risked a sidelong glance, only to find her face contorted and streaked with tears.

'What in the hell is this about? Tell me!'

She shook her head and held up a hand. 'I'm sorry. That was completely ridiculous.'

He sighed. 'Look. We all have our hot buttons, and it seems I just hit one of yours. So tell me what's going on.'

There was no humor in Lucy's eyes or curve to her lips, which now formed a grimace. She turned away without comment.

He decided not to push. Like everything else about Lucy, he would have to discover it one little piece at a time.

'How about we just move on to the exercise ball?' Theo tried to sound cheerful. 'You're warmed up, and I've got a few new tricks up my sleeve I'd like to show you.'

She came to a halt, then stomped her feet in the grass in indignation. 'You want to keep going after I've had a complete mental breakdown?' She waved her arms in the air. 'All I want to do is go home and eat a large pepperoni with extra cheese and a box of Fiddle Faddle! I don't want to do my stupid tricks on your fucking big red exercise ball!'

'Lucy---' Theo somehow kept himself from brushing away the strand of hair swaying across her forehead. Then he restrained himself from taking her in his arms, holding her, and telling her everything would be all right. This woman baffled him. She made him laugh. She stirred up feelings in him that he had no business having. He didn't know how to handle this. He didn't know how to handle her.

So he said, 'Junk food isn't the way you deal with bad days anymore, remember?'

'Oh, fuck off!' Lucy leaned down, gripped the exercise ball in her arms, and threw it at him.

Theo caught the ball and stared at her. She was glistening and her hair was a mess and her breasts heaved from exertion and her lips were red and her eyes wild - and he suddenly needed to kiss her mouth hard, rip off her pink sweatpants, and throw her down on the dewy grass before the Wakeup Miami camera crew got here.

Theo felt himself go numb.

Lucy blew the hair out of her face. 'What is wrong with you?' she spit out. 'Why are you looking at me like that?'

Theo threw the ball down. 'I happen to be flipping out a bit myself today.'

Lucy let out a loud snort of a laugh. 'Oh, really? And what could possibly be bothering you? Did they discontinue your favorite brand of hair gel or something?'

Theo stared at her, letting her comment sink in. 'You don't think very much of me, do you?'

She sighed, 'You didn't deserve that.'

'Damn right, Cunningham.'

'Do you want to talk about it?' She bit her lip. 'Is everything OK with your brother? Your cat?'

Theo shook his head slowly, wondering once again if a hundred grand was worth the loss of his sanity. She insulted him. He lusted after her. There was something very wrong with that picture. 'My brother and cat are excellent. My hair is excellent, too.'

'Yeah. OK.' Lucy moved a little closer to him, trying to gauge his expression. 'I'm sorry, Theo. I can get real ugly with self-pity sometimes. But I'm a good listener. Let me make it up to you.'

She reached for his hand, and the soft touch of her fingers sent a bolt of awareness through him. This was nuts. It was almost like Lucy's outburst had opened something in him that he was now unable to close. Theo suddenly ached with desire for that fiery, passionate, angry woman he'd just seen revealed in all her glory.

He looked down at their joined hands. 'You said no touching.'

Her gray eyes searched his face. 'I take it back.'

'Oh yeah?'

'Yeah. Now tell me - why are you having a bad day?'

Theo opened his fingers and entwined them with Lucy's. 'My ex stopped by to tell me she's engaged,' Theo said. 'She's marrying the middle-aged dude she dumped me for seven months ago. It took me off guard, I guess.'

Lucy took a step back. Someone actually dumped Theo Redmond? 'What a complete idiot!'

Theo shrugged. 'He's a jerk, but an extremely smart one, as it turns out.'

'No, I meant your ex-girlfriend! She's obviously not the brightest crayon in the box if she left you for someone else.'

Theo shot her a smile full of mischief that it stunned Lucy. She was suddenly burning up, and she knew it wasn't because she'd just run a mile for the first time in a decade. It was because Theo's smile acted like gasoline thrown on that secret little flame inside her, the one he'd ignited the day she met him.

He grabbed her other hand in his.

She had to be imagining this. Theo was holding both her hands in his, and it had nothing to do with adjusting her grip on a fitness machine. All she could think was, Don't blow it, Cunningham!

'I thought Gia Altamonte was your girlfriend at first. Did I ever tell you that?' Oh great - bring up the most gorgeous woman on the planet while he's holding your hands.

'Gia?' Theo's eyebrows shot high on his forehead. 'She's not exactly my type.'

'Of course. Homely creature that she is.'

Theo laughed a little and noticed how the exercise ball had come to a stop near Lucy's feet. He gave it a tap with his toe until it was directly behind her.

'Gia is a live wire, Lucy. She has the attention span of a gerbil. She's great, but I prefer my women a little more predictable. Besides, I don't date clients.'

'Why not?' He gave her a gentle nudge and Lucy found herself lowering her bottom onto the huge ball, Theo still holding her hands.

'Palm Club policy.'

'Of course.' Lucy bounced a few times, getting the feel of the weight of her body balanced on the curved surface, anchored by her widely spread feet. When she let go of Theo's hands, the ball felt like a life raft on choppy seas.

'Now it's your turn. Tell me what just happened back there.'

Lucy tried to get up from her perch but should have rearranged her legs first, because once her butt cleared the ball, her center of gravity pulled her backward. 'Uh-oh...'

Theo grabbed her, and in an instant she was standing in his arms, his nose up against hers and his lips not two microns away from her own. She feared her beating heart would punch a hole through her damp T-shirt.

Theo whispered, 'A kiss is not dating. Just so we're clear on that.' His lips brushed hers even as he spoke.

'Of course.' Her lips grazed his.

'I don't want to violate company policy.'

'Then just violate me.'

Theo pressed his mouth full against hers while he gripped her hard by the upper arms. Lucy closed her eyes and swayed. OK, perhaps she vaguely remembered kissing as a concept, but she'd never felt a kiss like this in her whole life.

His mouth seemed to know exactly what it wanted, and took it. Theo's kiss had a unique rhythm. Its own language. Theo's kiss was like visiting an exotic foreign land that she'd only seen in travel brochures. It felt so strange. So perfect. And she thought to herself, So this is a kiss.

Lucy felt herself sink into it, the heat and the connection and the soft, sweet questions Theo seemed to ask her. And at that instant, her answer to everything was, Hell yes.

Theo found it difficult to kiss and smile at the same time, but he found he had no choice with Lucy. He knew it would be like this. He knew she'd be soft and delicious and responsive and he'd get one taste of her and not be able to stop himself - so why had he started? Now all that mattered was that he feel every inch of her body, kiss her until they both couldn't breathe, until he knew her down to her very last secret.

His hands roamed around her back, down her sides, and they were just about to grab the full globes under those pink sweatpants when the camera crew pulled into the parking lot.