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Countering His Claim
Passion sets sail in USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Bailey's tale of high-stakes inheritance
Never be distracted by a woman is hotel magnate Luke Marlow's golden rule, especially when the woman just inherited half his late uncle's luxury cruise liner. But ship's doctor Della Walsh is the exception. Her dignified beauty ignites Luke's desire despite his suspicions. Even so, he will gain full control of the ship at all costs.
For Della, the ship has been a sanctuary. Now she has just three weeks to change Luke's mind and save the ship—until passion comes along and steers them off course….
Never be distracted by a woman is hotel magnate Luke Marlow's golden rule, especially when the woman just inherited half his late uncle's luxury cruise liner. But ship's doctor Della Walsh is the exception. Her dignified beauty ignites Luke's desire despite his suspicions. Even so, he will gain full control of the ship at all costs.
For Della, the ship has been a sanctuary. Now she has just three weeks to change Luke's mind and save the ship—until passion comes along and steers them off course….
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 15, 2019
It was a good plot, I just wish there was more to the romance than just sex. There were a few moments, but the majority of the book was the reader being told of how much time they were in bed together. You were told more about the relationship rather than being shown and I wanted to be shown how they fall in love.
September 5, 2013
This such a great story set on a cruise ship sailing the South Pacific with a very wounded heroine Della physically and emotionally scared she prefers life as the ships Doctor on The Cora Mae but when her friend and owner passes away and she meets his nephew Luke who also has emotional problems from his past this tory hots up they are drwan to each other but it takes a lot for them to come to terms with their growing love. This is a great sensual and emotional story I loved it.
October 23, 2013
Imagine going to a will reading and instead of you inheriting what you wanted you only get half of it!
Feelings of let down, unfair, I have to fix this somehow all start running around and can take their toll on you if you don't then and there decide what you will or will not do to let the situation work in your favor.
In the new read from the always brilliant Rachel Bailey, she takes hero let-me-set -sail-with-your-body Luke and how he plans to go about getting the entire ship of his late uncle and turn it into a hotel, but first he has to get rid of co-owner, ship Dr. Della. Easy right? Well yes if he can manage to not let his attraction to her take flame!
The character of Luke was sensational, yes he is a jerk and cannot see the real value of what is in-front of him, but he does over time turn into one awesome hero! The author takes him from always suspicious and set on getting his own way to fabulous, bone melting deliciousness.
Through his character I was also reminded that we all tend to focus on what we want and never stop to think about what our actions will do to others, we instead prefer to steamroll over them and ensure we walk away with all the glory and none of the hurt.
The character of Della was the one I felt true sorrow for, she absolutely broke my heart. Strong willed yet deeply scarred. The author developed this character in very intriguing stages before letting her fully unfold as the true woman she is. Through this character I saw how the overpowering feeling of love and attraction can replace a spark once thought lost to the world.
The backdrop settings were magical and so very calming yet also very exciting with a little bit of that ocean found madness! The dialogue was written with such a easy,calming effect flow by the author that it truly blended in with the world of romance found as sea to absolute perfection.
I am taking away a message of focusing only on your goals in life and not taking the ideas of others into consideration might leave you with exactly what you wanted but when you get there, the truth of the matter that will always remain is "Was it worth it?" And never, ever judge someone based on past experiences.
I highly recommend this read for all romance fans. The ocean, romance, passion blossoming, intrigue and secrets, what more could a reader ask for!
5/5 star review
" He wants her off the ship, but once she is gone will he be able to make it without her?"
Feelings of let down, unfair, I have to fix this somehow all start running around and can take their toll on you if you don't then and there decide what you will or will not do to let the situation work in your favor.
In the new read from the always brilliant Rachel Bailey, she takes hero let-me-set -sail-with-your-body Luke and how he plans to go about getting the entire ship of his late uncle and turn it into a hotel, but first he has to get rid of co-owner, ship Dr. Della. Easy right? Well yes if he can manage to not let his attraction to her take flame!
The character of Luke was sensational, yes he is a jerk and cannot see the real value of what is in-front of him, but he does over time turn into one awesome hero! The author takes him from always suspicious and set on getting his own way to fabulous, bone melting deliciousness.
Through his character I was also reminded that we all tend to focus on what we want and never stop to think about what our actions will do to others, we instead prefer to steamroll over them and ensure we walk away with all the glory and none of the hurt.
The character of Della was the one I felt true sorrow for, she absolutely broke my heart. Strong willed yet deeply scarred. The author developed this character in very intriguing stages before letting her fully unfold as the true woman she is. Through this character I saw how the overpowering feeling of love and attraction can replace a spark once thought lost to the world.
The backdrop settings were magical and so very calming yet also very exciting with a little bit of that ocean found madness! The dialogue was written with such a easy,calming effect flow by the author that it truly blended in with the world of romance found as sea to absolute perfection.
I am taking away a message of focusing only on your goals in life and not taking the ideas of others into consideration might leave you with exactly what you wanted but when you get there, the truth of the matter that will always remain is "Was it worth it?" And never, ever judge someone based on past experiences.
I highly recommend this read for all romance fans. The ocean, romance, passion blossoming, intrigue and secrets, what more could a reader ask for!
5/5 star review
" He wants her off the ship, but once she is gone will he be able to make it without her?"
April 7, 2014
COUNTERING HIS CLAIM by USA Today Bestselling author Rachel Bailey is a Harlequin Desire release for October 2013.
Luke Marlow is not happy to learn that his inheritance is shared by someone else. His uncle left which rightfully belonged to him to his doctor Delia Walsh.
And Delia is not ready to sell him her share. Especially when she finds out that Luke wanted to anchor the cruise ship and turn it into a hotel. She asks for time from Luke to sway him to her way of thinking. Meanwhile the chemistry between them flares into passion. And they give in to their attraction for each other. But would Luke change his mind or is he just stringing Delia along?
COUNTERING HIS CLAIM is an emotional story. The progression of love between Luke and Delia is tender and overwhelms the heart. The poignant and realistic way in which they deal with their pasts and any future hurdle is truly magical to read. Rachel Bailey spellbinds us with her superb storytelling. This romantic tale is rich with emotion and all of the characters are exquisitely rendered. The setting on the cruise liner gives us an escape which is incomparable!
Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.
September 2, 2014
Amore a bordo della Cora Mae
L’amore è qualcosa che si desidera a costo di ogni cosa, anche se le delusioni sono state tante. È così che arriva la seconda occasione per Della e Luke. Leim medico di bordo. Lui, milionario e armatore navale.
Tre settimane a bordo di una nave da crociera di lusso e il sogno si realizza e sembra che tutto accada con naturalezza e semplicità e, forse, è davvero così o lo può essere, visto che entrambi i protagonisti, di questo romanzo, hanno avuto più di un’occasione per soffrire. È arrivato, anche per loro, il momento di essere veramente felici , imparando a conoscersi a bordo della Cora Mae, dove li aspetta una crociera da sogno e soprattutto l’AMORE.
Grazie a Rachel Bailey e al suo romance CROCIERA MILIONARIA.
Confesso di aver sognato un po’ anche io, leggendolo.
http://youtu.be/afXhJe5g9tk
August 26, 2016
I don't generally read 'pure' romance, so I was happily surprised that there was a good strong story thread through this book apart from the romance. Della is bequeathed a half-share in a cruise ship, much to the chagrin of Patrick, who expected to inherit the whole thing. He wants to turn it into a floating hotel. Della wants to make sure it continues to sail the seven seas. Who will win in this battle of wills?
July 18, 2021
What a great read!
Not all scars are on the outside, but we still hide them all the same.
Both main characters (Luke and Della) have emotional traumas that they keep hidden from everyone, including each other. Throughout this novel they slowly peeled back their layers of protection, and helped each other understand and accept themselves for who they truly are, finally not letting their scars define them any more.
This story was actually quite cheerful and entertaining especially to read about Luke and Della constantly bargaining with each other, trying to win the other one over with their plans for the cruise ship.
Overall I really enjoyed this book for what it was.
Not all scars are on the outside, but we still hide them all the same.
Both main characters (Luke and Della) have emotional traumas that they keep hidden from everyone, including each other. Throughout this novel they slowly peeled back their layers of protection, and helped each other understand and accept themselves for who they truly are, finally not letting their scars define them any more.
This story was actually quite cheerful and entertaining especially to read about Luke and Della constantly bargaining with each other, trying to win the other one over with their plans for the cruise ship.
Overall I really enjoyed this book for what it was.
January 16, 2020
A very lovely story. I enjoyed spending time with Della and Luke as they each tried to convince each other what to do with the cruise ship they'd inherited. A nice love story with a wonderful resolution. :)
April 1, 2023
I got introduced to the romance world reading the graphic novel of this book and went into the actual book itself eventually. I was originally just into young adult and popular fictional reads, but this was an opening to a door that has now led me to the romance reader I am.
September 20, 2013
Very good book with emotional growth on the parts of both Della and Luke. Della has been the ship's doctor for two years, ever since the death of her husband. She is physically and emotionally scarred and intends to lead a celibate life. She refuses to open herself up to the pain of that kind of loss again. She became good friends with the ship's owner and was there for him during his final illness. Luke is Patrick's nephew and has scars of his own. After family issues and a bad marriage, his motto is "No distractions. Rely on no one." When the will is read, they discover that each has been left half of the ship. Luke is determined to get full control of the ship, which he intends to anchor and make into a floating hotel. Della doesn't like that idea at all and is convinced that Patrick intended for her to show Luke the joys of cruising. She challenges him to spend three weeks on board. Neither expects the passion that flares between them. Della resists because of the scarring she suffered in the attack that killed her husband. She feels that no man would consider her body beautiful. It will take a great deal of patience on Luke's part to overcome those feelings. Meanwhile, Luke makes it clear that he doesn't do commitments of any kind. His parents had always been too busy to give him any loving attention and after his sister's death he was sent away to school. Patrick had been the only loving relationship he had, and even Patrick would only visit. Luke's brief marriage to a woman who used him cemented his resolve. I loved the slow developing of their relationship. Della learned that there was more to her than the scars on her body and Luke learned that there is more to life than the bottom line. I really liked seeing the way that being with Luke moved her out of her self imposed exile and opened her up to feeling again. Even though she knew the end of their relationship would hurt she embraced her love for him. Luke tried really hard to convince himself that what he felt for Della was only lust. I loved his patience and understanding once he knew about her scars. His feelings for her grow stronger even though he doesn't want to admit it. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect for the two of them.
September 15, 2013
Countering his claim was a very satisfying read. Let me count all the great things about this story. Della, the doctor heroine, and Luke, the entrepreneur hero, are engaging- I wanted them to find their happy ending. Of course, it wasn’t clear how they were going to do this, given their nicely opposed goals! They’ve each inherited half of a cruise ship. Luke, the nephew of the deceased owner, expected to inherit it all and had plans to anchor it and run it as a hotel. Della, the ship’s doctor, convinces Luke, our smoldering hero, to spend time appreciating the ship as it cruises. We learn at just the right pace what motivates the heroine, making her independent and eager to rely only on herself, why she loves cruising and how she is selling herself short... The hero has his own challenges, not quite as daunting as Della’s, but enough when combined with his suspicions about the split inheritance, to give the book great tension. I think I’m not going to write a spoiler. Instead, I want to say that the book is sweet and hot, not at all raunchy. The adventures shipboard are lovely- I've not taken a cruise and the author made the activities and excursions sound great. I re-read the ending of the book from that black moment when Della leaves the ship, convinced they cannot find a way forward until Luke lures her back. It’s great. What a deft touch this author has.
October 1, 2013
I loved this story.
Luke and Della both had locked their hearts and emotions away after each experiencing tragedies of their own. Him being shipped off to boarding school from his parents, shut out after the death of his sister and enduring a horrible marriage to a woman who only wanted him to further her own interests, with only his uncle Patrick giving him some sort of love/affection. Her from recovering from the scars both physical and emotional she was left with after her husband was murdered in front of her.
Their emotional journey together of experiencing love and it actually not being such a terrible thing was really touching and I liked how the author wrote the character of Luke- he really was a prince among men.
Luke and Della both had locked their hearts and emotions away after each experiencing tragedies of their own. Him being shipped off to boarding school from his parents, shut out after the death of his sister and enduring a horrible marriage to a woman who only wanted him to further her own interests, with only his uncle Patrick giving him some sort of love/affection. Her from recovering from the scars both physical and emotional she was left with after her husband was murdered in front of her.
Their emotional journey together of experiencing love and it actually not being such a terrible thing was really touching and I liked how the author wrote the character of Luke- he really was a prince among men.
September 8, 2013
Della Walsh is a widowed doctor aboard a luxury cruise liner. Luke Marlow is the nephew of the late owner of the ship and he has come aboard for the reading of his uncle's will. Imagine their surprise when they discover his uncle left 50 percent of the ship to each of them. Luke wants to dock the ship and make it into another hotel for his empire. Della believes his uncle would have preferred to keep the ship afloat. Go on the journey as they each try to persuade the other to their point of view. This is a wonderfully moving book. The ending had me in tears! I was given this book in return for my honest review.
November 16, 2013
I love this story! Della is very lovable and Luke grows on you:). Definitely recommend this book to anyone.
June 11, 2014
Really more of a 2.75. Way way sweeter and lovelier than I expected. And FINALLY a hero in a Harlequin that is just ... respectful and nice and understanding and supportive.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews