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Italian Billionaires #1
The Tuscan's Revenge Wedding
Revenge can indeed be sweet...
When her brother's car plunges off a cliff with him and his fiancée in it, Amanda Davies gets the news personally from the fiancée's brother. The devastatingly handsome Italian businessman appears in Atlanta and whisks Amanda off to Italy to be with the hospitalized couple. But could his motive be more?
Nicholas de Frenza never approved of his sister's choice in husband to begin with, and now that Carita is in a coma due to her fiancé's reckless driving, it seems the perfect time to resurrect an ancient Italian custom of revenge: the seduction calls for a similar seduction in return, a sister for a sister. But Nico is too civilized for such vengeance -- or is he?
Even as Amanda falls for the Tuscan's charms, she knows his code and his family would never approve of her as more than a simple dalliance. But then the secret about the car wreck comes out -- and that's when everything changes...
When her brother's car plunges off a cliff with him and his fiancée in it, Amanda Davies gets the news personally from the fiancée's brother. The devastatingly handsome Italian businessman appears in Atlanta and whisks Amanda off to Italy to be with the hospitalized couple. But could his motive be more?
Nicholas de Frenza never approved of his sister's choice in husband to begin with, and now that Carita is in a coma due to her fiancé's reckless driving, it seems the perfect time to resurrect an ancient Italian custom of revenge: the seduction calls for a similar seduction in return, a sister for a sister. But Nico is too civilized for such vengeance -- or is he?
Even as Amanda falls for the Tuscan's charms, she knows his code and his family would never approve of her as more than a simple dalliance. But then the secret about the car wreck comes out -- and that's when everything changes...
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2012
About the author
Jennifer Blake
145 books502 followersA pseudonym used by Patricia Maxwell.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall of Fame, and recipient of the RWA Lifetime Achievement Rita. She holds numerous other honors, including two “Maggies”, two Holt Medallions, multiple Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times BookReviews Magazine, and the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence. She has written over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall of Fame, and recipient of the RWA Lifetime Achievement Rita. She holds numerous other honors, including two “Maggies”, two Holt Medallions, multiple Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times BookReviews Magazine, and the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence. She has written over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 22, 2012
I stopped at 63% because I was disgusted.
Challenging/persuading/forcing/coercing/etc someone to drink who has made a conscious decision not to because her mother died of an alcohol and pill OD demeans and insults victims and survivors of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse.
Beyond that, the hero isn't alpha. He's obsessed with control. She seems to think it's nice suddenly when before she didn't. Just, POOF! Oh, I understand and so I’ll give up my belief system and have this glass of wine.
No.
I probably won't try this author again if that's how she chooses to handle such impactful situations.
Challenging/persuading/forcing/coercing/etc someone to drink who has made a conscious decision not to because her mother died of an alcohol and pill OD demeans and insults victims and survivors of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse.
Beyond that, the hero isn't alpha. He's obsessed with control. She seems to think it's nice suddenly when before she didn't. Just, POOF! Oh, I understand and so I’ll give up my belief system and have this glass of wine.
No.
I probably won't try this author again if that's how she chooses to handle such impactful situations.
November 29, 2015
Read this for a challenge as they said October is Italian A. Heritage Month. It was OK. I would probably give it a 2 1/2 stars.
The independent Amanda drops everything to go to her brother who has been in a car crash in Italy. Well she learns this through a very abrupt meeting with an Italian man named Nicholas de Frenza. She doesn't recognize the name even though he thinks she should. He wisks her away with very few questions asked. I found this a little unbelievable. She is supposed to be this independent woman who makes all her own decisions, yet she doesn't question this man "coming" to get her. It all didn't make sense and I would be asking, "why didn't you call me?", "why didn't you just have a person pick me up if money isn't a problem? Would have taken a lot less time." etc.., etc..,
So she is totally taken over by this man and whisked into a private jet and off to Italy. There he controls her every move. This irked me and I was actually wondering when she was going protest. She never truly did as he explains things and she doesn't think for herself. He is very controlling and she does question aspects of "HIS" life but not of him controlling hers.
If I went to my dear, dear brothers hospital in another country, I would be right by his side every moment I was there instead she is an hour here and then a couple days later another visit for an hour. Really?
This beginning was horribly boring and put me to sleep a couple of times. She becomes more headstrong through the book and the relationship becomes more interesting but only at the very end. Then the story ends very abruptly and I felt the emotions were contrived. Just OK.
In addition to the story line, the book is in need of an editor so that the typos and grammar errors don't stop the flow of the story. There were over dozen.
The independent Amanda drops everything to go to her brother who has been in a car crash in Italy. Well she learns this through a very abrupt meeting with an Italian man named Nicholas de Frenza. She doesn't recognize the name even though he thinks she should. He wisks her away with very few questions asked. I found this a little unbelievable. She is supposed to be this independent woman who makes all her own decisions, yet she doesn't question this man "coming" to get her. It all didn't make sense and I would be asking, "why didn't you call me?", "why didn't you just have a person pick me up if money isn't a problem? Would have taken a lot less time." etc.., etc..,
So she is totally taken over by this man and whisked into a private jet and off to Italy. There he controls her every move. This irked me and I was actually wondering when she was going protest. She never truly did as he explains things and she doesn't think for herself. He is very controlling and she does question aspects of "HIS" life but not of him controlling hers.
If I went to my dear, dear brothers hospital in another country, I would be right by his side every moment I was there instead she is an hour here and then a couple days later another visit for an hour. Really?
This beginning was horribly boring and put me to sleep a couple of times. She becomes more headstrong through the book and the relationship becomes more interesting but only at the very end. Then the story ends very abruptly and I felt the emotions were contrived. Just OK.
In addition to the story line, the book is in need of an editor so that the typos and grammar errors don't stop the flow of the story. There were over dozen.
February 17, 2013
It is a simplistic story with a sincere heroine, with logical reactions, and a very macho hero who doesn't respect the decisions and ideas of the heroine and does not allow the women in his family to take initiatives and even less decisions. At the same time he is not too overbearing nor dismissive. 2,5 stars.
October 22, 2012
Miss Amanda Davies is having a bad day. She is just finished eating lunch when a strange rich Italian man shows up to tell her that her brother has been in an accident in Italy and she now must go there.
Mr. Nicholas de Frenza is a rich guy that is used to having his way, much like Mr. Darcy, we could call it rich person's Darcy-itis, so he is shocked when Amanda doesn't immediately recognize him and follow his instructions. So he semi-kidnaps her and takes her to Italy on his private jet, then to the hospital to see her broken brother. Carita, Nico's sister is still unconscious and may never awaken. To make matters worse, she is pregnant with Jonny's child and that may be what keeps her from getting strong. That sounds very dubious medical opinions, I would ask for a second doctor's opinion if I were part of that family.
The whole time Amanda and Nico are mentally undressing each other with lots of sexy thoughts (which if it were me, my face would be painted red the whole time). Nico is obviously going to seduce the poor girl since he is out for revenge, but honestly it just sounds like a bad idea if she is soon to become family (his sister's baby's aunt!) and you can never get rid of family. Anyway, the whole story had no real surprises so I had to give it an okay 2 star review, even though it was well written and edited.
164 pages and kindle freebie
Mr. Nicholas de Frenza is a rich guy that is used to having his way, much like Mr. Darcy, we could call it rich person's Darcy-itis, so he is shocked when Amanda doesn't immediately recognize him and follow his instructions. So he semi-kidnaps her and takes her to Italy on his private jet, then to the hospital to see her broken brother. Carita, Nico's sister is still unconscious and may never awaken. To make matters worse, she is pregnant with Jonny's child and that may be what keeps her from getting strong. That sounds very dubious medical opinions, I would ask for a second doctor's opinion if I were part of that family.
The whole time Amanda and Nico are mentally undressing each other with lots of sexy thoughts (which if it were me, my face would be painted red the whole time). Nico is obviously going to seduce the poor girl since he is out for revenge, but honestly it just sounds like a bad idea if she is soon to become family (his sister's baby's aunt!) and you can never get rid of family. Anyway, the whole story had no real surprises so I had to give it an okay 2 star review, even though it was well written and edited.
164 pages and kindle freebie
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December 26, 2016No Rating: DNF
This book drove me crazy! I wanted to kill both the heroine and the Hero!
Nope, not for me.
This book drove me crazy! I wanted to kill both the heroine and the Hero!
Nope, not for me.
February 26, 2018
Swept away
An unlikely love, A sweet love story. Characters are strong and seem So o real. If you enjoy romance with a Happy ending this book is for you.
An unlikely love, A sweet love story. Characters are strong and seem So o real. If you enjoy romance with a Happy ending this book is for you.
October 23, 2012
I downloaded this for free from amazon. It is a DNF, and I would give it negative stars. The heroine's brother is in an auto accident in Italy, and the hero's sister is in the car and is also injured in the same accident. The hero shows up and collects the heroine. It is here that I run into trouble, and was so mad that I quit reading. The heroine never stops to verify the hero's story! She just goes with him. There is no call to make sure that this guy is legit. It has all the hallmarks of a kidnapping. The hero might as well have pulled up in a creepy van instead of a private jet. While it is common in fiction to have jobs just magically put on hold for characters, it does not speak well of the heroine to not check out her facts or to be safe. The hero might be rich and used to getting his own way, but come on, no one should get in any vehicle with a stranger without first checking to make sure this person is legit, nor should any citizen cross any borders with a stranger. The rights that we enjoy in this country as citizens change with one crosses international borders.
I didn't like the hero, either. That whole revenge thing just rubbed me wrong. A sister for a sister? While there people still in the world like that, it offends my feminist side that the heroine would be attracted to someone who would boss her around. She is described as being the responsible one, and a strong person in her own right. Throwing her power away to a guy that isn't willing to respect her on a basic human level is just stupid. I thought she should know better than that.
I would not recommend this book. There were just too many problems with it in the first few chapters.
I didn't like the hero, either. That whole revenge thing just rubbed me wrong. A sister for a sister? While there people still in the world like that, it offends my feminist side that the heroine would be attracted to someone who would boss her around. She is described as being the responsible one, and a strong person in her own right. Throwing her power away to a guy that isn't willing to respect her on a basic human level is just stupid. I thought she should know better than that.
I would not recommend this book. There were just too many problems with it in the first few chapters.
March 18, 2013
Another great book by Jennifer Blake. She has the right amount of romance and sex appeal to be hot, yet tasteful in a sexy romance book. Amanda is a strong woman, unsure of her sexuality or appeal to the sexy Italian billionaire Nico. Nico is the proud and Italian head of family of the De Frenza Olive Oil Company. The dynamics between the two are great, Amanda does not want to give in, and Nico finds it fascinating that she is unlike most the woman he has dealt with in his life. The fact he can't read her and predict anything about her, intrigues him and draws him to her like a moth to a flame. Amanda's insight to Nico's one sister Carisa is an eye opener for Nico and shows again that Amanda is nothing he has ever dealt with before. In a lot a ways Nico and Amanda are alike, in there steadfast beliefs in family and honor. If you are a sucker for a great romance and sexyness as well this is the book for you.
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August 3, 2013This is the first book I have read by Jennifer Blake.. I was not disappointed..I loved this book.. fantastic story.. great believable characters.. A true love story.. I for one am developing a thing for Handsome Italian lovers.. so looking forward to reading more of Jennifer's books..I highly recommend this book
January 13, 2017
This book was slow and not very realistic. Nico was too gruff and weird about his sisters, while Amanda was supposedly strong but too simpering. It wasn't for me.
October 28, 2020
2.5 Stars
Amanda Davies is having lunch when Nicholas de Frenza walks into the restaurant and tells her to come with him because he has something private to tell her about her brother. I don’t know too many women that would go to a hotel room with a total stranger. A restaurant booth is private enough!
Nicholas has an I am the man and I’m in charge attitude. He makes decisions for his perfectly capable family members because he cares about them and knows what’s best. Yeah right! I especially didn’t like the fact that he made Mandy feel stupid for not wanting to take a drink and basically convinced her to take a drink. Isn’t that what the friend who your parents tell you to stay away from do? And so much for her resolve to not drink, ever.
Amanda Davies is supposed to be an independent woman but she allows herself to depend on Nico and follow his orders like she is his dog. She does occasionally do things she knows he would not like as long as he has not specifically told her he did not want her to do it.
What I did like: The relationship between Mandy and her brother Jonathan. Although Jonathan‘s fiancé was in a coma through most of the story you got the impression that they were very much in love and I would definitely read that story.
I did finish this book but only because I skimmed a lot of it. My overall opinion: Not my cup of tea.
Amanda Davies is having lunch when Nicholas de Frenza walks into the restaurant and tells her to come with him because he has something private to tell her about her brother. I don’t know too many women that would go to a hotel room with a total stranger. A restaurant booth is private enough!
Nicholas has an I am the man and I’m in charge attitude. He makes decisions for his perfectly capable family members because he cares about them and knows what’s best. Yeah right! I especially didn’t like the fact that he made Mandy feel stupid for not wanting to take a drink and basically convinced her to take a drink. Isn’t that what the friend who your parents tell you to stay away from do? And so much for her resolve to not drink, ever.
Amanda Davies is supposed to be an independent woman but she allows herself to depend on Nico and follow his orders like she is his dog. She does occasionally do things she knows he would not like as long as he has not specifically told her he did not want her to do it.
What I did like: The relationship between Mandy and her brother Jonathan. Although Jonathan‘s fiancé was in a coma through most of the story you got the impression that they were very much in love and I would definitely read that story.
I did finish this book but only because I skimmed a lot of it. My overall opinion: Not my cup of tea.
January 25, 2022
Hmm disappointed
I don't mind men being men but I do mind if a man pressures a woman and I despise women who allow a man to pressure her into doing stuff. When I reached chapter 7 I was already at the.point where I thought the man needed be slapped but when it reach the part where knowing she doesn't drink wine and for a good reason he slowly pressures her to drink. A the fool thinking he's not pushing her in the corner drinks the damn wife.
I despise women who allow men to move the around the chess board of life and he pretty much doing that. He lied to his sister saying the woman is his girlfriend and he lies about how there going to have a baby to said sister.
I hate women who act like they have a brain cell but then allow men to manipulate them all because the man is a good or would be a good fuck. And on that note I hate men doing the same thing. No good relationship should be based on blackmail, rape, or manipulation those kinds of relationships are doomed to end with hurt, Self sacrifice, Divorce, murder or Hatred or a Combination of those types of feeling.
I don't mind men being men but I do mind if a man pressures a woman and I despise women who allow a man to pressure her into doing stuff. When I reached chapter 7 I was already at the.point where I thought the man needed be slapped but when it reach the part where knowing she doesn't drink wine and for a good reason he slowly pressures her to drink. A the fool thinking he's not pushing her in the corner drinks the damn wife.
I despise women who allow men to move the around the chess board of life and he pretty much doing that. He lied to his sister saying the woman is his girlfriend and he lies about how there going to have a baby to said sister.
I hate women who act like they have a brain cell but then allow men to manipulate them all because the man is a good or would be a good fuck. And on that note I hate men doing the same thing. No good relationship should be based on blackmail, rape, or manipulation those kinds of relationships are doomed to end with hurt, Self sacrifice, Divorce, murder or Hatred or a Combination of those types of feeling.
December 31, 2018
Grab your tissues and get ready to swoon!
Nicholas and Amanda are brought together by the worst of circumstances when her brother and his sister are critically injured in a car accident. Nicholas blames Amanda's brother for the accident, so he believes "a sister for a sister" is the fair response. He sweeps Amanda off her feet - basically kidnaps her, really, but she wants to see her brother, too, so she does consent - but finds that the more he tries to focus on his anger and revenge, the more he falls for Amanda and realizes there's more to the story than he thought.
This really works well as a beautiful love story, one that drew me in instantly and kept me spellbound throughout. The emotional turmoil is vividly described, such that the reader really feels the pain that Nicholas and Amanda both endure as they await their siblings' recovery. Nicholas' family was a delightful addition, serving to soften his edges and help us see beyond his pain.
I loved this exquisite story very much, and have gone on to read most everything I can find by this author.
Nicholas and Amanda are brought together by the worst of circumstances when her brother and his sister are critically injured in a car accident. Nicholas blames Amanda's brother for the accident, so he believes "a sister for a sister" is the fair response. He sweeps Amanda off her feet - basically kidnaps her, really, but she wants to see her brother, too, so she does consent - but finds that the more he tries to focus on his anger and revenge, the more he falls for Amanda and realizes there's more to the story than he thought.
This really works well as a beautiful love story, one that drew me in instantly and kept me spellbound throughout. The emotional turmoil is vividly described, such that the reader really feels the pain that Nicholas and Amanda both endure as they await their siblings' recovery. Nicholas' family was a delightful addition, serving to soften his edges and help us see beyond his pain.
I loved this exquisite story very much, and have gone on to read most everything I can find by this author.
January 29, 2017
A wonderful story jammed packed with lots of excitement, a bit of the unexpected, action and lots of heated passion, both in and out of the bedroom. As Amanda is eating her lunch at the café/diner not far from work, a man of what appears of means enters. Little did she know just how much the gorgeous man was about to change her life. Nico is on a manhunt, or should he say, womanhunt, as he tracks down the sister of the man he believes responsible for an accident that has almost claimed the life of one of his younger sisters. What he wasn’t expecting was the strong chemistry present when he finally finds her. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s stubborn and resilient to all of his charms. When he finally convinces her that she is need in Italy, for her brothers’ sake of course, he’s not sure if he’s made the right decision or not. So much going on in this book as sparks fly and tempers run, and of course, love trumps all. A beautiful tale you won’t want to put down.
September 9, 2019
I’m not sure but I think this might be one of the books published back in the 1980s and re-published again after a few modifications to go with modern reading...except those changes didn’t really work!
Anyway and on a separate note, I had downloaded the audio book listen to it and for some reason the narrator had given the Italian hero and very Dracula like accent, or a Russian mob lord accent instead of the very sexy romantic Italian accent 🤣
Anyway and on a separate note, I had downloaded the audio book listen to it and for some reason the narrator had given the Italian hero and very Dracula like accent, or a Russian mob lord accent instead of the very sexy romantic Italian accent 🤣
January 10, 2020
This ebook is part of the Jennifer Blake collection I got via bookbub, and each book is very different from the previous ones. I enjoyed this mainly as I enjoy the region of Italy it's mainly set in. It always takes me a while to read these books as they are on my kindle and I only use it when I am travelling or away from home (and even then I usually take real books with me). This was fun and light.
February 16, 2017
Love this book!!!
If you like to get those warm fuzzy feelings and like to talk to the characters as if they could hear you, this is a good choice for you. I've just completed reading it again and still received those warm fuzzy feelings. Highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story.
If you like to get those warm fuzzy feelings and like to talk to the characters as if they could hear you, this is a good choice for you. I've just completed reading it again and still received those warm fuzzy feelings. Highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story.
October 4, 2018
Cute and sweet
This is a rather tame romance novel, but very sweet.
The overplayed plot of the incredibly sexy, handsome foreign billionaire meets cute but serious American girl is a too predictable for me, although well written.
Readers of contemporary romance fiction might like this one. I just wasn't overly impressed.
This is a rather tame romance novel, but very sweet.
The overplayed plot of the incredibly sexy, handsome foreign billionaire meets cute but serious American girl is a too predictable for me, although well written.
Readers of contemporary romance fiction might like this one. I just wasn't overly impressed.
August 2, 2020
I grew up reading Mills and Boon romances and this story was a bit of a throw back to the stories of that era. No modern twist on this classic. The female melts into a hopeless puddle at his simple touch and once or twice some of the things he was musing about would be considered sexual assault in this day and age. Not a bad story but just not in keeping with modern sensibilities.
March 14, 2020
After a car wreck leaves his sister in a coma and Amanda,’s brother severely injured, Count Nicholas travels from cinque terre to atlanta to bring Amanda back to see her brother. I enjoyed the plot but it was way too short to develop the story. The end was rushed and too abrupt and incomplete.
August 21, 2020
Nothing special but still enjoyable.
Just your typical romance read but still good.
Likeable characters with the obligatory autocratic mediterranean male head of family and a misunderstanding.
Liked that Jonathan was a stand up bloke.
Just your typical romance read but still good.
Likeable characters with the obligatory autocratic mediterranean male head of family and a misunderstanding.
Liked that Jonathan was a stand up bloke.
January 3, 2021
Italian billionaire
Oh why didn't I just stop reading it when it got so predictable? An acquaintance suggested I read this and now I know not to take her advice on "good books" again.
Oh why didn't I just stop reading it when it got so predictable? An acquaintance suggested I read this and now I know not to take her advice on "good books" again.
May 12, 2021
Interesting Romance
This is a sweet and heartwarming love story with adorable and loveable characters as well as some heartfelt moments as they journey toward unconditional love and understanding.
This is a sweet and heartwarming love story with adorable and loveable characters as well as some heartfelt moments as they journey toward unconditional love and understanding.
July 13, 2017
pretty good
easy read and makes a person smile even though you know how it goes. it is basically a good romantic story.
easy read and makes a person smile even though you know how it goes. it is basically a good romantic story.
June 13, 2017
Did not finish because it was so horrible. I don't recommend it.
October 16, 2017
It was a nice read. Not sure I got the whole revenge thing he was actually pretty nice to her the whole time.
June 10, 2018
The Tuscan’s Revenge Wedding
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story line was great. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story line was great. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.
October 11, 2018
Brilliant
It's a brilliant read. I loved how revenge lend to a great love story, truly magnificent. Kudos, looking forward to read more.
It's a brilliant read. I loved how revenge lend to a great love story, truly magnificent. Kudos, looking forward to read more.
January 23, 2019
DNF at 40%,
I don't even remember the last time i read something this bad.
I don't even remember the last time i read something this bad.
March 14, 2019
This is basically a fairly well done Harlequin Presents. It might have been a 4 but I don't think I want to re-read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews