Limecello’s review of Secret Baby, Public Affair by Yvonne Lindsay
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Mar 09
I really enjoy Yvonne Lindsay’s Silhouette Desire books, and it’s a good thing too, because her titles are not a draw for me. I might even go so far as to say that I read them in spite of the titles, because I know I can expect a great story from Ms. Lindsay. Secret Baby, Public Affair is happily, no exception.
This book is the second installment in the Rogue Diamonds trilogy, and while the books are connected, each seems to stand alone beautifully. Ms. Lindsay is one of my favorite Silhouette Desire authors, and I’d say this book is a good indication of why that is so.
Blair Carson is a great heroine – she’s career minded, but doesn’t let that dictate her life. She’s also a chef, and I have a great love of food, so that’s another plus for her. Blair is sweet and likable, but Draco really steals the show. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciated the fact that Blair has a spine, and is both able and willing to stand up for herself. It’s a refreshing change of pace for a heroine, and especially one in a category.
Draco Sandrelli is the dream hero. He’s perfect in pretty much every imaginable way, and mad for the heroine. He knows that he and Blair had a deep connection, and he’s not willing to let anyone, or anything get in his way of trying to establish a relationship. Draco is charming and sweet, heavy handed, but never to the point where he crosses the line.
I really liked the story, and the characters. Blair and Draco’s interaction and budding emotional connection is the major focus in this story. Although I’m not fond of the title, I suppose interpreted loosely it does fit. “Secret babies” seem all the rage in harlequin books, but in this case, Blair’s pregnancy is a major issue, and plot point.
Yes, there were some things that Blair and Draco could have resolved by having a simple conversation, but I wasn’t ever really frustrated. I understood and believed their feelings, and fears, and what made them hold back. Both have an interesting history and rather a lot of baggage, that puts them in the positions they’re in. I also must admit that – there’s so much about this book that I like. Blair is a chef – she owns and runs a very successful restaurant. Draco is practically Italian royalty, and a tycoon. They’re Down Under. What’s not to love?
I have to say, I really loved the ending, and a part where Blair basically says horrible things to Draco. (It fits- and there’s a good reason for that.) It was unexpected, refreshing, and perfect. That moment, where Draco just takes it – and shows that Blair is his main concern really brings everything together. I’ve already re-read this story, and I know I’ll be coming back to it again in the future.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Ms. Lindsay’s writing, the Silhouette Desire line, or if you’re just interested in trying out a category book.
Grade: B+
Summary:
She’d run from a disastrous betrayal straight into the arms of a sexy Italian aristocrat. From the moment their eyes met, Blair Carson had been under Draco Sandrelli’s spell. She’d fallen into their affair with total abandon, without thought.
Now the time had come to face reality. She was pregnant by a man she barely knew. Draco was demanding she return to Tuscany to have their baby. And never once had he uttered the word love.
Read an excerpt here.
