I admit to being a Harlequin junkie for years—actually decades. What I most enjoy about the Harlequin experience is their continuing practice of teaming up authors for series. This way you get to discover authors who may have escaped your notice. A travesty for sure.

Harlequin has always tried to get beyond its pocketbook low cost identity, and it's time to move on earning the stature of diverse enjoyable adult fiction. An article from several years ago spoke of a female corporate officer who admitted that Harlequin books were a guilty pleasure. I am in good company.

I appreciate being surprised by the fabulous story line and intriguing characters I meet and in HIS SECRETARY'S SURPRISE FIANCÉ by Joanne Rock. My love affair with Harlequin continues. Most interesting was the fact that I had no idea HIS SECRETARY'S SURPRISE FIANCÉ was part of a series until I reached the end where past releases in the Bayou Billionaires were listed and new installments were announced.

Dempsey Reynaud and Adelaide Thibodeaux were childhood friends who helped each other survive what clearly was a tough past in a precarious neighborhood. Dempsey escaped before Adelaide, but as soon as he could, he took her under his wing and made her his right hand person.

As a football coach of the Reynaud's team, Dempsey made sure Adelaide had the position of his assistant, but she is so much more. They have a fabulous partnership— business partners so well attuned that Adelaide easily anticipated Dempsey's every need, at work and in his social life. A very busy social life with practically a revolving door of beauties. Part of her job is to basically run interference with his lady friends.

So you can only imagine how surprised Adelaide is when Dempsey suggestes they get engaged. For Dempsey it is a strategic move until he can think of a better idea to prevent Adelaide from resigning. For Adelaide it brings her closer to her biggest fear—completely falling in love with her best friend.

At a crossroad in her life Adelaide may have to decide whether to follow her intended career path or settle for a relationship with Dempsey that just doesn't approach the one reward that would seal the deal—love.

I love the football references, and Joanne Rock shows off her knowledge of competitive sports. Joanne Rock nailes the team environment and commitment of those not only on the field but in the front offices. HIS SECRETARY'S SURPRISE FIANCÉ pits two very passionate, stubborn and intelligent characters. It's a true test of wills. The prize is way more than winning a game or a bowl. The prize is love, and there are lots of hot sexy scenes between these two vying for a very different prize at the final whistle. Joanne Rock scores with HIS SECRETARY'S SURPRISE FIANCÉ.