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Unforgettable Hinton #1
Unforgettable
Ladies' man Marcel Taylor, or Casanova Brown as he's known, finally meets his match when he's seduced by a mysterious beauty, Mayte, at a masquerade ball. But beneath the mask, Mayte is hardly a stranger to the infamous Casanova Brown. Yet, once revealed, she will finally show him the true face of love.
Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
21 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Adrianne Byrd
60 books280 followersNational Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 28, 2018
Just ok and a little rushed.
July 27, 2008
Eh... not Ms Bryd's best and rather implausible. This tale is told in flashbacks (not as jarring as it sounds) by Solomon to his friend Ophelia (I think), in how the couple got together. It's basically the story about a secretary who dresses up at a masquerade party to seduce her boss. It's the notion of you being the mask, and Di (the protagonist's name) is able to let her guard down, seduce her boss and then disappear. Unfortunately for her, her boss knows who this mysterious Mayte is, and sets to woo her.
Unfortunately for me, Ms Bryd's books always sound better in blurb than how they read in real life. One day, I'll know better and stop reading.
The story took too long to get into the action. I can understand Bryd's desire for us to get to know the characters (she seems to take about the first four or five chapters to do so) but the masquerade (the point of the book) doesn't take place until near half way through the book, so by the time I got to it, I was pretty ho-hum at this point.
Di was supposed to be this Cinderella/Red Riding hood like archetype: orphan, check. Ailing grand mother, check. The gay bf -check. To compound everything, the 'prince' wasn't really all that. Yeah he had a big house, company and car, but he's supposed to be rakish and charming - that bad boy you can't help but like despite everything. This guy was so unimportant, I've forgotten his name, and don't feel excited enough to go forage for it.
Again, snore.
The book had odd flashes of humour that saved it from being 1 star.
Unfortunately for me, Ms Bryd's books always sound better in blurb than how they read in real life. One day, I'll know better and stop reading.
The story took too long to get into the action. I can understand Bryd's desire for us to get to know the characters (she seems to take about the first four or five chapters to do so) but the masquerade (the point of the book) doesn't take place until near half way through the book, so by the time I got to it, I was pretty ho-hum at this point.
Di was supposed to be this Cinderella/Red Riding hood like archetype: orphan, check. Ailing grand mother, check. The gay bf -check. To compound everything, the 'prince' wasn't really all that. Yeah he had a big house, company and car, but he's supposed to be rakish and charming - that bad boy you can't help but like despite everything. This guy was so unimportant, I've forgotten his name, and don't feel excited enough to go forage for it.
Again, snore.
The book had odd flashes of humour that saved it from being 1 star.
May 7, 2021
I loved Di an Marcel's love story. I was meant to read this book several years ago as a Undergrad. Losing Ms. Byrd has made me pay better attention to my library of older books. Bravo. Love Masquerade Parties, all inhibitions an fantasies become true.
June 11, 2023
Favorite Quote: “A life full of regrets is no life at all.”~Louisa Styles
Interesting intro into the story. I like the element of it being a story told to someone. I like the employer to lovers, very quick paced. The characters Lou, Solomon and Tim were fleshed out slightly which I enjoyed reading and wish it was a bit longer so we can learn more about Tim and Solomon for sure.
Interesting intro into the story. I like the element of it being a story told to someone. I like the employer to lovers, very quick paced. The characters Lou, Solomon and Tim were fleshed out slightly which I enjoyed reading and wish it was a bit longer so we can learn more about Tim and Solomon for sure.
March 10, 2018
A Cinderella Story
A Fairy Tale that came true. I really love this story of how the least expected can become the most wanted. The chemistry that was between Diane and Marcel was off the charts. Looking forward to read the next book in this series.
A Fairy Tale that came true. I really love this story of how the least expected can become the most wanted. The chemistry that was between Diane and Marcel was off the charts. Looking forward to read the next book in this series.
September 22, 2020
The most exciting chase I have read so far. The secret lover.
August 28, 2019
I love a good Cinderella story. I so enjoyed the way this story opened up and invited me in.
May 25, 2012
This concept of the boss falling for his secretary has been done before, but nobody does it like Adrienne Byrd. You can always count on her to deliver a romance packed with a powerful combination of sexual tension, witty bantering, and a fresh storyline. Marcel is your typical "casanova". He's got the face, the body, and the charm to be inducted into the "Fine as Hell" Hall of Fame. But he's also smart and wealthy. Three weapons a woman is powerless against. Yet, he's also considerate of others and he shows Diane the type of passion she only dreams about in her fantasies. Once I picked this book up, it was hard to put down. I read it in one day. There were some other elements I really liked about this book. I enjoyed how Ms. Byrd ties in the Cinderella theme when Diane has to have the limo back by Midnight and she loses her high heel. A modern twist on a classic fairy tale. I also love how two romances are weaved into the book with the character of Solomon telling Ophelia how the romance between Marcel and Diane began. It was kind of like the Princess Bride, where the movie goes back forth between the grandfather reading to his sick grandson about the lovestory of Westley and Princess Buttercup. That was really the only reason I gave this 4 stars - because for me, there was no happy ending for Solomon - unless Ms. Bryd plans a sequel (hint, hint). Lastly, I have to point out the author's incredible ability with words and descriptions. I love how she describes emotions. In one instance, she doesn't just say that Diane's heart beat fast. She says, the inside of her chest was like a carnival...bumper cars slamming into her heart. With romance that has been done the same way time and time again, Ms. Byrd always find a way to put her signature stamp on it!
October 29, 2007
Classic Happily Ever After
Ms. Adrianne Byrd has done it again! Since discovering her romance novels I've had to back track and get copies of the books I've missed. I thoroughly enjoy the way she spins a tale. Although, the story starts out a little slow, as she takes time to develop her characters, Ms. Byrd does a excellent job in creating a very endearing romance with some hilarious and intriguing moments throughout. I'm so glad that she moved the romance along by letting the attraction build between Diana and Marcel. She didn't throw them into a physical relationship within the first few chapters. And the scenes at the masquerade ball simply wonderful. As the title states, this tale is an "UNFORGETTABLE" reminder of the power of true love and the quest for that fairy tale ending every hopeless romantic hopes to find. To date I have not been disappointed by this author.
Ms. Adrianne Byrd has done it again! Since discovering her romance novels I've had to back track and get copies of the books I've missed. I thoroughly enjoy the way she spins a tale. Although, the story starts out a little slow, as she takes time to develop her characters, Ms. Byrd does a excellent job in creating a very endearing romance with some hilarious and intriguing moments throughout. I'm so glad that she moved the romance along by letting the attraction build between Diana and Marcel. She didn't throw them into a physical relationship within the first few chapters. And the scenes at the masquerade ball simply wonderful. As the title states, this tale is an "UNFORGETTABLE" reminder of the power of true love and the quest for that fairy tale ending every hopeless romantic hopes to find. To date I have not been disappointed by this author.
April 4, 2012
I couldn't decide what to read next so I started this along with one or two other books. I wasn't too thrilled with the boss falling in love with the secretary storyline but I think that's just my bias. My disgruntlement didn't last long anyway because Diane and Marcel are very likeable characters. I love Diane's grandmother (Louisa Mae) and her friend (Tim). They are both hilarious and so much fun.
p.s. I was pretty fascinated by Solomon providing Ophelia with the flashbacks that it made me curious to want to read their story. That curiosity drove me to pre-order the ebook. Heh.
p.s. I was pretty fascinated by Solomon providing Ophelia with the flashbacks that it made me curious to want to read their story. That curiosity drove me to pre-order the ebook. Heh.
July 26, 2013
I loved the love story between Diana aka Mayte and Marcel, better known as Casanova Brown. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for his best friend and business partner Solomon. Although the boss in this story is breaking his own rules, it was still a fairytale that I enjoyed reading. Hats off to grandma who still had a few tricks up her sleeve to help her granddaughter find true love. Awesome!
March 16, 2013
This was an interesting story. It started out slow at first, but then it got interesting. It was a nice romance going on between Marcel and Diana. She played hard to get for a long time, but I was glad she finally gave in. I was excited to see they finally hooked up and got married. That was true love and I give it 2 thumbs up...... I read in February.....
March 30, 2016
So romantic and funny.
Brandy was my favorite character. I laughed so hard at her and Diana. The only thing I regretted was no descriptions of the men. I had to find a picture of Morris Chestnut to give me an idea of who Marcel would look like. But still my imagination wasn't convinced. Next time more details. However, I live bed the Cinderella story.
Brandy was my favorite character. I laughed so hard at her and Diana. The only thing I regretted was no descriptions of the men. I had to find a picture of Morris Chestnut to give me an idea of who Marcel would look like. But still my imagination wasn't convinced. Next time more details. However, I live bed the Cinderella story.
April 30, 2016
Excellent Read
Secret love, trying hard to hide the way they felt about each other. Casanova behind the skirts of many and Diana behind her profession. When realisation hits, both realise it's better not to fight it but rather succumb to the passion and desire that has existed beneath the surface. A totally relaxing read. I enjoyed it immensely.
Secret love, trying hard to hide the way they felt about each other. Casanova behind the skirts of many and Diana behind her profession. When realisation hits, both realise it's better not to fight it but rather succumb to the passion and desire that has existed beneath the surface. A totally relaxing read. I enjoyed it immensely.
November 15, 2008
A great romance. Very enjoyable!!!
April 30, 2011
I loved the book so much like a page out of the ultimate fairy tale, Cinderella. Only disappointment was Solomon not having such a happy ending. I hope another story shows him going for his woman!
April 27, 2012
A sweet love story. I loved Diana and Marcel's characters, but I really loved Louisa, Diana's grandmother.
May 12, 2012
Loved this book, just what I was in the mood for!
August 4, 2012
A quick read with pleasant characters. A pleasant "relaxation" read if you are looking for something light.
August 17, 2012
I love this book, I end up reading it over again like 5 times.
September 3, 2012
The book was very entertaining. I actually "LOL" several times while reading the book. I enjoyed the book.
August 30, 2013
A great love story. I enjoy Adrianne Byrd's style of writing.
February 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this love story!!!!!!diana found her Prince Charming....
September 11, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book. It was quite entertaining.
September 25, 2014
Great book
best romance written. Author captures the story of true love. this book I is funny and funny loving. Great author!
best romance written. Author captures the story of true love. this book I is funny and funny loving. Great author!
January 31, 2016
Still amazing
I read this book years ago and it is still amazing. I just had to restart the series after reading "Unbreak my heart".
I read this book years ago and it is still amazing. I just had to restart the series after reading "Unbreak my heart".
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March 11, 2017Miniseries: Hinton Bros.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews