Veena’s review of A Madaris Bride for Christmas (Madaris Family, Book 20) by Brenda Jackson
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequinn Kimani Arabesque 29 Oct 13
Poor Lee so determined to resist and avoid his grandmother’s matchmaking machinations and finds that you can run but you can’t hide, especially when fate lends a hand. This is a sweet holiday romance with great characters and a fast-paced story. It also has the distinction of being the 100th published romance for the author. Congratulations to Ms. Jackson for achieving this milestone.
I have read other books by this author, but the Madaris family and friends have just flown below my personal radar, so I am glad to discover them now. Lee Madaris seems to have it all – rich, handsome, and a high emotional quotient. Lucky Carly Phillips, who’s not necessarily looking for romance when she comes to work in Lee’s hotel in Las Vegas but finds it nonetheless.
Las Vegas, with its access to cash that flows through the casinos, is very attractive to the mob and such is the case with Lee and his hotel in Sin City. Working with the FBI, Lee and his partner become a part of a sting operation which unwittingly snares Carly in its web.
Before moving to Las Vegas, Carly had witnessed a murder which she had reported the police as an anonymous tipster. Suddenly her past collides with the present as the murderous players from Florida are the bad guys that Lee is helping the FBI flush out through the sting operation at his hotel.
Will Lee be able to save Carly and move beyond passion into love? Can he help her move on from her unhappy past, which has also come to roost in her present in a dramatic way with the arrival of her half sister? Can he really outwit his grandmother by presenting his bride of passion instead of love at Christmas? Read the book to find the answers to all these questions.
I enjoyed this fast-paced book which incorporates romance with thrills and chills. I also enjoyed meeting some of the interesting characters in the extended Madaris family circle and definitely plan to stay connected in the future.
Grade: A
Summary:
One by one, Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes of Felicia Laverne Madaris, matriarch of the family. But Lee Madaris isn’t letting anyone else control his destiny. He’ll bring a bride of his own choosing to the family’s holiday gathering—if his hotel’s gorgeous new chef will agree to a marriage of convenience.
It’s not just the chance to work at the Strip’s hottest hotel that brought Carly Briggs to Vegas. Witnessing a crime in Miami may have made her a mob target. Though she’s reluctant to complicate their working relationship, Lee’s tempting offer is so hard to resist. And soon, desire is clouding their no-strings arrangement.
The danger that made Carly flee Miami is about to land at their door. So Carly and Lee must decide who to trust, when to let go—and whether a love they never anticipated is strong enough to pass the ultimate test.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
