AN HEIRESS FOR HIS EMPIRE is Book one in Lucy Monroe's Ruthless Russians mini-series. Happily for me, AN HEIRESS FOR HIS EMPIRE is lacking a lot of the angst and conflict between the hero and heroine that I find to be staples of the Harlequin Presents line. There is conflict in this story and drama, but there wasn't a lot of negativity between the hero and heroine. Lucy Monroe puts a unique spin on the "forced marriage of convenience" theme. I am a huge Lucy Monroe fan and AN HEIRESS FOR HIS EMPIRE does not disappoint.

I really love that Lucy Monroe takes a common romance trope and mixes it up with unconventional characters. It starts out in familiar territory for the genre -- a media scandal plagues an heiress, and her domineering father makes a power play and demands she marry to hush up the scandal as well as advance his business plans. However, Madison Archer is not the typical headline-grabbing socialite. The things she's being accused of are all lies and she often makes news for her social activism rather than for the typical celebrity excesses. Lucy Monroe succeeds at creating a complex, intelligent, and likable heroine. I like that both Maddie and Vik have dysfunctional relationships with their fathers and are able to connect and bond over that.

Viktor Beck makes for a delicious alpha hero with a caring side. He is a pitch perfect balance of determined businessman and empathetic lover. His ability to empathize with Maddie is a big part of why I think he's such a great hero. Although he and her father have similar business goals, he always takes her side, believes in her, and gives her some much needed support. I like that he admires and encourages her philanthropic endeavors, as well as supporting her choices like attending therapy. Their past history coupled with the way they now work in perfect harmony make the passion more believable.

AN HEIRESS FOR HIS EMPIRE is another extremely sexy romance by Lucy Monroe with great characters. After reading this story, I am eager to read the next book in this addictive Ruthless Russians mini-series --A Virgin For His Prize. I can't wait to see what's in store for Maxwell Black and Romi Grayson.