"Love can be a deal breaker!"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted February 19, 2011
Romance Contemporary
Rather simple, if put into strictly a business
perspective, kind of a barter agreement if you will. A
very desirable tract of land, prime undeveloped real estate
with significant financial backing in exchange for -- a
baby. A father desires to give his daughter the one thing
she dearly wants but seems petrified to pursue, motherhood.
So that's the deal Grayson Crowell has on the table for Max
Jerrnigan and his partner. Even for a love 'em and leave
'em kind of guy like Max, this deal seems problematic from
the very beginning. Since he is definitely not looking for
anything remotely resembling a committed relationship --
been there, done that -- having a child with a woman would
forge a lifelong bond and the list of obstacles seems
insurmountable. Not to mention the deed required intimate
contact with Grayson's daughter, basically a stranger, whose
involvement with the company would inevitably keep them in
close contact. The game's odds keep getting steeper, but the
rewards would be great for both sides. Catherine "CC" Crowell was off the dating and marriage
track. Her last relationship that could have fulfilled her
dreams of love, marriage, and motherhood ended disastrously.
Now, she has devised a test to eliminate even the most
remote challenge to her reserve. Triple chocolate macadamia
nut cookies had a history but her test was simple -- the
prospective guy had to eat at least three of these huge
cookies without turning green (and he definitely could not
be in real estate). CC's first meeting with Max had gone reasonably
well until he mentioned his line of work. Imagine their
mutual surprise when they meet once again but this time in
Grayson's office. Max's dream of building community
friendly office parks and CC's dream of motherhood could be
attained if this deal was forged. Since there was a mutual
attraction between them, Max decided to shake hands on the
deal, but with conditions. Needless to say it was these
conditions that would ultimately put the deal in a very
precarious place. The goals could definitely be met and the
only thing that could sweeten the deal would be love. This book actually centers around three couples, each one
with distinct issues, but equally entertaining. Although
Max and CC are the stars I have to admit I was rather taken
with Rhyder and Roxie, perhaps they could have their own
story. I love a book with bright intelligent men who can't
see what's right in front of them and those that can almost
see through the woman they love. It's the stuff romance is
made of and Mary Campisi did a notable job.
SUMMARY
Max Jernigan is ready to close the most important business
deal of his life-all he has to do is agree to one request
from Grayson Crowell: impregnate the mogul's daughter. No way can Max do this. He's a decent guy. But he would
love a child. He just doesn't want a wife. C.C. Crowell gave up on dreams of a family after Mr. Worse-
Than-Wrong broke her heart. Hiding behind spreadsheets,
boring suits and an icy attitude, she's more than a little
suspicious when arrogant, handsome Max is suddenly chasing
her. But she can't deny their chemistry. Until she learns
about the deal and plans to pay Max back in kind....
ExcerptOf course, the man who had stolen her opportunity would
have to stay at the same hotel. C.C. took the elevator to
the eighth floor and stepped into the hall. Be nice, be
nice. Act like you’re crazy about him, her father had said.
She wanted to strangle both of them right now. Her father
had no idea what he asked of her. Pretending wasn’t in her
nature. If she were his son, he wouldn’t have handed the
project over to an outsider or told him to act like he was
crazy about that person.
C.C. adjusted the strap on her black cocktail dress.
Roxie had tried to talk her into buying a red one, but
thank God she hadn’t listened. Red was for people like
Roxie who thumbed their noses at life and laughed, not C.C.
who stuffed extra quarters in parking meters and never even
jaywalked.
Act like you’re crazy about him. Right. She wet
her lips and knocked on room 812.
The door flew open and Max Jerrnigan stood in front of
her…too tall, too dark…too male…shirt partially unbuttoned
to reveal an abundance of dark chest hair. Instinct warned
C.C. to look away but curiosity glued her eyes to the patch
of chestnut hair visible between the crisp folds of open
shirt. A jolt of heat shot through her. She assured herself
it was only anger, paired with resentment.
"You’re early," he said, his expression unreadable. "I’m
almost ready. Why don’t you come in while I finish getting
dressed?"
"All right." She stepped inside and her gaze shot
straight to the unmade king-size bed. Big mistake.
He caught her staring. "Sorry about that."
She yanked her eyes from the rumpled sheets and
mumbled, "That’s fine." Was it hot in here? She fanned her
face and scanned the rest of the room while he disappeared
into the bathroom. A briefcase and laptop lay open on a
table in the corner. Fine. Business-related objects she
could handle. She moved toward them, anxious to distance
herself from the heat and the man. That’s when she spotted
the black silk boxers tossed on the chair next to the
table. Visions of a naked Max Jerrnigan flitted through her
head.
What was wrong with her? This man was lead on a project
she believed should have been hers.
Max emerged from the bathroom adjusting his tie. "So,
are we going to get this over with now or just pretend
until the night is over?" He moved closer, blocking her
ability to think straight.
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