Limecello’s review of The Tycoon’s Instant Family by Caroline Anderson (no author site found)
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Romance on 7 Nov 06

I haven’t read many books from this line (Silhouette Romance) – but I’m always game to try something new. Aside from Caroline Anderson being a successful and prolific author, based on the category line I knew I could expect a story with a lot of warmth and focus on emotions, and The Tycoon’s Instant Family definitely delivers.

Georgie Cauldwell is a warm character, but I had a difficult time identifying with her. The reader immediately knows Georgie is barely getting over a rough break-up, and is currently laying low. Despite what should evoke an outpouring of empathy, I didn’t really feel attached to Georgie outside some cursory sympathy. She seems to be a rather static character. However, she’s the perfect woman for Nick. And, aside from hurting emotionally, Georgie is a smart successful woman who is gifted at her job as an architect.

Nick Barron stole the show in this book. He’s charismatic, successful, loving, and has a good heart. Other than getting a little frazzled and impractical, Nick’s the perfect guy. (But a person – and character – with some flaws is a good thing, otherwise they’re boring and unnatural.) Nick is responsible, but circumstances force him to take on more than he should. Still, he’s bearing up the best he can, and you have to respect him for that. He also has a sense of humor, and is ultimately human in a wonderful way.

The story is well written, but the flow of it sometimes got a bit choppy. It seemed that the conflict was rushed, and the temporal feel became a bit odd. It may be the word count, but I felt that a major fight Nick and Georgie had came out of nowhere, though the resolution was sound. Nick and Georgie interact well otherwise, and begin with a fun and flirty relationship. After, that is, some misunderstanding and initial aggression. Ms. Anderson had them work through numerous conflicts, big and small, making their bond stronger.

Ms. Anderson also does a good job with the character’s emotions, and she writes an array of realistic and believable situations. Not only that, but the children in the story are natural and likable. The other characters also support the plot well, and there’s a nice secondary romance, that is quite sweet (two, really).

I liked The Tycoon’s Instant Family - and enjoyed reading the story with a big punch in a little package. It’s actually surprising just how much happens in one hundred eighty-seven pages. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with a lot of substance and is a quick read, this is the perfect book for you.

Grade: C+

One boss – two kids – and a baby!

When wickedly handsome business tycoon Nick Barron recruits Georgie Cauldwell to work for him he also ends up saving her shattered heart. They spend a few gorgeously romantic weeks together. But just when Georgie thinks she has finally found happiness… Nick disappears!

When he returns, as suddenly as he vanished, it is with two young children in two and a tiny baby cradled in his arms. Experience tells Georgie she shouldn’t fall in love with a man with a family. But there’s something about Nick and his babies that Georgie doesn’t have the power to resist…

No excerpt available.

2008 is the National Year of Reading in the UK.

It is about celebrating reading in all its forms and highlighting the importance of libraries. It is about encouraging parents to read to their children, and people in general just to read.

It is about challenging employers to turn their old smoking rooms into quiet reading rooms, and encouraging workers to read. Natasha Oakley whose Wanted: White Wedding is out this month explained further ‘Setting aside the fact I earn my living writing books,as a mum of five this is something I really want to be involved in. The hope is that the campaign will reach people who don’t consider themselves ‘readers’. The slogan is ‘Reading – Anytime, Anything, Anywhere’. I’m all for taking the snobbishness out of books. It should be fun!’

Authors from literary authors to series romance authors are involved in a wide number of events. As part of the NYR nine Mills & Boon authors have been asked to be ‘Writers in Residence’ in nine of England’s library authorities. The timing and the match could not be more perfect, as Mills & Boon celebrates its 100^th birthday, there is no one who knows a good book like a Mills & Boon author – or reader! It’s a fantastic accolade and tribute to the importance of Mills & Boon to libraries and all the hard work done by so many of our authors in them.

The Mills & Boon ‘Writers in Residence‘ for the NYR are

Louise Allen – Peterborough

Susan Stephens – Kirklees

Kate Hardy – Norfolk

Nicola Cornick – Wiltshire

Sharon Kendrick – Hampshire

Caroline Anderson – Suffolk

Michelle Styles – Northumberland

India Grey – Cheshire

Natasha Oakley – Bedfordshire

A spokesperson for Mills & Boon said : ‘Mills & Boon is extremely proud to support the National Year of Reading, a government-backed initiative which aims to get more readers reading more! It will be supported by a TV advertising campaign featuring Geri Halliwell, Lenny Henry, Bill Bailey, Jon Culshaw and Jo Brand amongst others. The NYR will see a nationwide campaign reminding reluctant readers, hesitant readers and even prolific readers of the joy of reading. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Mills & Boon to be part of this fantastic year celebrating reading!’

You can see the launch video