Devon’s review of Under the Italian’s Command by Susan Stephens
Contemporary Romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Jul 08

One definitely has certain expectations when reading a Harlequin Presents. Larger than life, super wealthy, super gorgeous, super domineering hero, overwhelming a less wealthy, less powerful, less gorgeous heroine with his desires. At their best, they can be fabulously escapist Cinderella fantasy, at worst obnoxious drivel. The blurb for Under the Italian’s Command seems par for the course for this line, but it left quite a bit out. This book was surprising, sometimes in delightful ways, sometimes in jaw-dropping ones. A mixed bag indeed. Under the Italian’s Command takes place against the backdrop of the British legal system, which I am pretty unfamiliar with. From what I can glean, senior law students are assigned a practicing lawyer to act as advisor and pain in the ass. Awkward, Rubenesque Carly Tate has been given Lorenzo Domenico, an Italian American barrister, who is hot, well built, confident, domineering and all those other HP qualities. He seems to delight in testing her with crazy challenges. They spark off of each other, but it is an unlikely pair.

There were some very entertaining moments, but the words that keep coming to mind are disjointed and choppy. The characters and plot kept switching gears so suddenly. Lorenzo starts out cut from the HP mold. He’s arrogant and high-handed with Carly, determined to test her mettle. He finds her unattractive. Then, out of the blue, he thinks she gorgeous, and turns into sensitive therapist man, trying to figure out what will fill the empty place inside Carly. Not that we’ve been given much reason to think Carly had major issues before he brings it up. Carly appears to have escaped from a chick-lit novel. Super-smart, but frowzy and klutzy, Carly definitely lacks confidence in herself. Her internal monologues were often laugh out loud funny, though. She was a charming character.

Too bad the storyline went careening all over the place, throwing her into one ridiculous situation after another. She crashes her bike into an Alfa Romeo, then Lorenzo wants her to throw a Christmas party, then there’s a roast she has to go to, then Lorenzo moves in, then she has to make canapés for Lorenzo and his friend, then an incident in a bar with speed-dating, then oh yeah, the party! Plus, a scholarship competition. Plus family woes. You get the idea. So much piled on, then they fall in love somewhere along the way. But it all seems to take place in the course of a few days. Even the love scenes confused me. One moment they’re in one position, the next a completely different one.

It seemed slapdash and frenetic. Several significant scenes take place offstage, which was disappointing. They did have chemistry, but I wish the characterization had been more consistent. Every time I started to get into the romance, something would happen to jar me out of it, going “What? Who? Why?” It was readable, due to the sense of humor, and the charm that was displayed by the hero and heroine. I’d try Susan Stephens again for that reason. But I have misgivings about recommending this to others beside her fans.

Question: In Great Britain, are people of Italian heritage referred to as “Latin,” “Latin lover”, having a “Latin soul” or some other variation on the theme? I’m Italian-American and I’ve never heard that before. When I’ve heard such a phrase used it’s in reference to someone with Latino heritage i.e. Spain, Central or South America. Either way, I find it corny, but I was curious if it was a cultural difference.

Grade: C

The Summary:

An innocent mouse… Sheltered and mousy Carly Tate is out of her depth. Dark, dangerous Lorenzo Domenico is the first man to make her heart race, but she knows the gorgeous Italian will never see past her frumpy clothes and awkward shyness.

She’s his for the taking! Little does she realize that, to Lorenzo, sweet, endearing Carly is a breath of fresh air. He’s sure that underneath her disastrous fashion there’s a voluptuous figure—and he’s going to be the one to discover it….

Read an excerpt here

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