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Fortune's Children #1
Hired Husband
Hired Husband by Rebecca Brandewyne released on May 24, 1996 is available now for purchase.
With eyes as dark as night and a gaze that laid all secrets bare, Nick Valkov was the kind of man any smart woman would avoid. But dire circumstances forced levelheaded Caroline Fortune to proposition this compelling stranger…with marriage. Her family's fate rested in Nick's capable hands—and brilliant mind. Yet her proper upbringing hadn't prepared this reluctant bride for her husband's soul-stirring embrace. And neither expected that their practical union would lead them to dark hours of danger…and the ultimate surrender.
With eyes as dark as night and a gaze that laid all secrets bare, Nick Valkov was the kind of man any smart woman would avoid. But dire circumstances forced levelheaded Caroline Fortune to proposition this compelling stranger…with marriage. Her family's fate rested in Nick's capable hands—and brilliant mind. Yet her proper upbringing hadn't prepared this reluctant bride for her husband's soul-stirring embrace. And neither expected that their practical union would lead them to dark hours of danger…and the ultimate surrender.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Rebecca Brandewyne
61 books180 followersBorn in Knoxville, Tennessee, Rebecca lived in Knoxville and then, later, Chattanooga for the first few years of her life. After that, she and her family moved to Kansas, where she grew up, spending her summers in Alabama, visiting both sets of her grandparents. She says she's just a country girl with a dash of big city sprinkled in for spice. But having traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean, she moves easily between the publishing world of New York and her hometown.
Rebecca graduated cum laude with departmental honors from Wichita State University, earning a B.A. in journalism, minors in history and music (theory and composition), and an M.A. in communications [mass (broadcasting) and interpersonal (dyadic relationships):]. During the course of her education, she was fortunate enough to study at various times under, among several other distinguished instructors, three Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and one of the foremost authorities in the field of interpersonal communication. Twice a recipient of the Victor Murdock Scholarship, Rebecca taught interpersonal communication at the university level before becoming a published writer.
She was twenty-one when she started work on her first novel, No Gentle Love. She finished the book a year later and sold it to Warner Books some months after her twenty-third birthday, making her, at that time, the youngest romance author in America, a record that stood for ten years before finally being broken. To date, Rebecca has written over thirty consecutive bestselling titles, including novels and novellas on the following lists: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Magazine & Bookseller, Ingram, B. Dalton, and Waldenbooks, among many others.
Her books have been translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; and they have been published in over sixty countries worldwide. Many have been selections of the Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild. Hardback editions of several titles have been published by Severn House, and large-print editions of some books are also available from Macmillan Library Reference and Thorndike Press. Rebecca currently has millions of books in print in the United States alone.
From Affaire de Coeur magazine, she has won: the Classic Award for Classic Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Golden Quill Award for Best of the '80s Historical Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Bronze Pen (Wholesalers' Choice) Award, 1989; the Silver Pen (Readers' Choice) Award, 1988, 1987, and 1986; and a Gold Certificate for The Outlaw Hearts, 1987.
From Romantic Times magazine, she has won: the Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Romantic Mystery, for The Ninefold Key, 2004; the Reviewer's Choice Certificate of Excellence for Victorian Historical Romance, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995; the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) of the Month for Best Hero, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995, and for Swan Road, 1994; the Career Achievement Award for Futuristic Romance, 1991, for Passion Moon Rising and Beyond the Starlit Frost; the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Gothic, for Across a Starlit Sea, 1989, and for Upon a Moon-Dark Moor, 1988; the Historical Romance Novelist of the Year Award, 1987; and the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Western Romance, for The Outlaw Hearts, 1986. Rebecca has also been named one of Love's Leading Ladies and inducted into Romantic Times magazine's Hall of Fame.
http://www.brandewyne.com/castle/gall...
Rebecca graduated cum laude with departmental honors from Wichita State University, earning a B.A. in journalism, minors in history and music (theory and composition), and an M.A. in communications [mass (broadcasting) and interpersonal (dyadic relationships):]. During the course of her education, she was fortunate enough to study at various times under, among several other distinguished instructors, three Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and one of the foremost authorities in the field of interpersonal communication. Twice a recipient of the Victor Murdock Scholarship, Rebecca taught interpersonal communication at the university level before becoming a published writer.
She was twenty-one when she started work on her first novel, No Gentle Love. She finished the book a year later and sold it to Warner Books some months after her twenty-third birthday, making her, at that time, the youngest romance author in America, a record that stood for ten years before finally being broken. To date, Rebecca has written over thirty consecutive bestselling titles, including novels and novellas on the following lists: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Magazine & Bookseller, Ingram, B. Dalton, and Waldenbooks, among many others.
Her books have been translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; and they have been published in over sixty countries worldwide. Many have been selections of the Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild. Hardback editions of several titles have been published by Severn House, and large-print editions of some books are also available from Macmillan Library Reference and Thorndike Press. Rebecca currently has millions of books in print in the United States alone.
From Affaire de Coeur magazine, she has won: the Classic Award for Classic Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Golden Quill Award for Best of the '80s Historical Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Bronze Pen (Wholesalers' Choice) Award, 1989; the Silver Pen (Readers' Choice) Award, 1988, 1987, and 1986; and a Gold Certificate for The Outlaw Hearts, 1987.
From Romantic Times magazine, she has won: the Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Romantic Mystery, for The Ninefold Key, 2004; the Reviewer's Choice Certificate of Excellence for Victorian Historical Romance, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995; the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) of the Month for Best Hero, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995, and for Swan Road, 1994; the Career Achievement Award for Futuristic Romance, 1991, for Passion Moon Rising and Beyond the Starlit Frost; the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Gothic, for Across a Starlit Sea, 1989, and for Upon a Moon-Dark Moor, 1988; the Historical Romance Novelist of the Year Award, 1987; and the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Western Romance, for The Outlaw Hearts, 1986. Rebecca has also been named one of Love's Leading Ladies and inducted into Romantic Times magazine's Hall of Fame.
http://www.brandewyne.com/castle/gall...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 30, 2018
"Hired Husband" is the story of Caroline and Nicholas.
Caroline fortune is the oldest grand-daughter to Kate, who is the matriarch of Fortune companies, including Fortune Cosmetics. When their chief chemist, the Russian Nicholas is threatened by the INS for deportation, Kate and her brothers come up with a pretend marriage plan between Caroline and Nicholas to keep him in the country.
But Caroline has been burnt by love before, and doesn't believe in Nick's attraction towards her. There are also rivals threatening to steal their secret formula, as well as tragedy is about to strike them.
Can the couple overcome all obstacles and fall in love?
Sweet story with a dominating but kind her, sweet but careful heroine and a cunning grandmother. Mild drama but minimal on angst.
Safe/SWE
3/5
Caroline fortune is the oldest grand-daughter to Kate, who is the matriarch of Fortune companies, including Fortune Cosmetics. When their chief chemist, the Russian Nicholas is threatened by the INS for deportation, Kate and her brothers come up with a pretend marriage plan between Caroline and Nicholas to keep him in the country.
But Caroline has been burnt by love before, and doesn't believe in Nick's attraction towards her. There are also rivals threatening to steal their secret formula, as well as tragedy is about to strike them.
Can the couple overcome all obstacles and fall in love?
Sweet story with a dominating but kind her, sweet but careful heroine and a cunning grandmother. Mild drama but minimal on angst.
Safe/SWE
3/5
April 18, 2023
I first read it about 20 years ago, and I still perfectly recalled the story in all the minute details. To be honest, I had read it maybe three times back to back. At the time I had loved the idea of a brainy, bespectacled yet stylish and somewhat sexy heroine, getting an equally brainy hunk. This seemed like the dream, to my little bookish self. Add to that some good chemistry and a sizzling hot scene with a little dose of male possessiveness and I had found HP heaven.
Twenty years later, the book has lost a bit of its luster, I find it a bit dated (especially since the author really likes detailing her main characters' fashion). That said, the heroine is richer and more powerful than the hero, but he's more self assured and is pursuing her. The hero still betrays a few insecurities as to her feelings for her, which kind of balances the power dynamics. I still love this book, and will probably come back to this book in twenty years from now (probably much sooner)!
Twenty years later, the book has lost a bit of its luster, I find it a bit dated (especially since the author really likes detailing her main characters' fashion). That said, the heroine is richer and more powerful than the hero, but he's more self assured and is pursuing her. The hero still betrays a few insecurities as to her feelings for her, which kind of balances the power dynamics. I still love this book, and will probably come back to this book in twenty years from now (probably much sooner)!
March 20, 2010
Título em português: Um Marido Contratado
Tadução: Marcelo Neves Almeida
Sinopse: Nicolai Valkov é o tipo de homem que qualquer mulher inteligente não quer por perto. Seus pertubadores olhos negros desvendam qualquer segredo, por mais escondido que esteja. Mas, por força das circunstâncias, a esnobe Caroline Fortune é obrigada a se casar com Nicolai. Afinal, o destino da família Fortune dependia totalmente dele e também de sua mente brilhante. Apesar disso, a educação refinada de Caroline não a preparou para saber lidar com um marido tão intenso. E nem ambos estavam prontos para os desafios que seu casamento teria de enfrentar.
Tadução: Marcelo Neves Almeida
Sinopse: Nicolai Valkov é o tipo de homem que qualquer mulher inteligente não quer por perto. Seus pertubadores olhos negros desvendam qualquer segredo, por mais escondido que esteja. Mas, por força das circunstâncias, a esnobe Caroline Fortune é obrigada a se casar com Nicolai. Afinal, o destino da família Fortune dependia totalmente dele e também de sua mente brilhante. Apesar disso, a educação refinada de Caroline não a preparou para saber lidar com um marido tão intenso. E nem ambos estavam prontos para os desafios que seu casamento teria de enfrentar.
March 29, 2014
Disclaimer: this review is incredibly covered in nostalgia, because this series was among the first romances I ever read.
And while I'd probably give this a harsher grade if I were reading it for the first time now, it still has a lot of the things that I look for in romances. It's set in Minneapolis of all places. It's a big, sprawling family saga, complete with missing twins and long lost war babies. The books are split between male and female family members, but all of the female Fortunes have careers that they're good at, that aren't compromised for the man they fall in love with. (That might not be true of one of them. I haven't gotten that far in my reread.) And yeah, Nick's a little alpha in this one, but he respects Caroline and her talents and that's made clear right from the start.
Reading these again is going to be fun.
And while I'd probably give this a harsher grade if I were reading it for the first time now, it still has a lot of the things that I look for in romances. It's set in Minneapolis of all places. It's a big, sprawling family saga, complete with missing twins and long lost war babies. The books are split between male and female family members, but all of the female Fortunes have careers that they're good at, that aren't compromised for the man they fall in love with. (That might not be true of one of them. I haven't gotten that far in my reread.) And yeah, Nick's a little alpha in this one, but he respects Caroline and her talents and that's made clear right from the start.
Reading these again is going to be fun.
February 14, 2022
I really enjoy reading about the Fortunes of Texas and this book was as good as the rest of them. I could not put it down.
Caroline is the Vice President of Marketing at Fortune Cosmetics and Dr Nick Valkov is the chemist who is designing the new Fabulous Face cosmetics for Fortune Cosmetics. It seems that the INS is threatening to revoke his green card so that he can't stay and finish the project.
His boss, masterminds the wedding so that he does not have to leave. If you think this sounds intriguing then you should read this book. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what happens next.
Caroline is the Vice President of Marketing at Fortune Cosmetics and Dr Nick Valkov is the chemist who is designing the new Fabulous Face cosmetics for Fortune Cosmetics. It seems that the INS is threatening to revoke his green card so that he can't stay and finish the project.
His boss, masterminds the wedding so that he does not have to leave. If you think this sounds intriguing then you should read this book. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what happens next.
December 16, 2023
Primeiro volume da série Fortune's Children.
A série da família Fortune é enorme, com mais de cem títulos - algo que só é explicável pela visão da editora que não se deixou abalar por esse romance mal feito.
Caroline, a heroína, não é apenas esnobe... ela é imatura. A incongruência de casar alguém como ela com Nikolai, que por pouco não age como um ogro, só é desculpável na presença da matrona. A avó que também é a chefe da empresa onde ambos trabalham é quem rouba a cena no romance inteiro.
A série da família Fortune é enorme, com mais de cem títulos - algo que só é explicável pela visão da editora que não se deixou abalar por esse romance mal feito.
Caroline, a heroína, não é apenas esnobe... ela é imatura. A incongruência de casar alguém como ela com Nikolai, que por pouco não age como um ogro, só é desculpável na presença da matrona. A avó que também é a chefe da empresa onde ambos trabalham é quem rouba a cena no romance inteiro.
August 22, 2017
Really good, fun, light and entertaining read however not knowing who the intruder was or if Kate found the flower and left the Amazon Rainforest alive annoyed me.
May 19, 2022
Rebecca brandewyn 's books are lushly fabulous!
November 12, 2024
Terminei esse livro com a sensação que deixei algo passar e que não fez sentido.
Gostei da leitura rápida, gostei até dos personagens. Mas, e minhas respostas? Nunca respondidas.
Gostei da leitura rápida, gostei até dos personagens. Mas, e minhas respostas? Nunca respondidas.
November 26, 2013
Família Fortune 01
Um Marido Contratado
Rebecca Brandewyne
H.Destinos 01
2006
Me surpreendeu em vários aspectos. Só posso dizer que autora amarrou muito bem a estória. Já que é o primeiro livro de uma série, escrita por vários autores.
Poderia ter deixado pontas soltas para ser amarradas por outros autores, mas não foi o caso.
Só pra registrar, Nicolai (russo) é extremamente sexy, muita coisa para um químico, sua sensualidade grita. É agressivo na medida certa.
Além disso, ele é descrito como um homem belíssimo, um pouco autoritário, mas para a descuidada e certinha Caroline, ele sem duvida é uma benção.
Não se engane, pois, o gato russo vai colocá-la na linha. Kkkk...
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
Um Marido Contratado
Rebecca Brandewyne
H.Destinos 01
2006
Me surpreendeu em vários aspectos. Só posso dizer que autora amarrou muito bem a estória. Já que é o primeiro livro de uma série, escrita por vários autores.
Poderia ter deixado pontas soltas para ser amarradas por outros autores, mas não foi o caso.
Só pra registrar, Nicolai (russo) é extremamente sexy, muita coisa para um químico, sua sensualidade grita. É agressivo na medida certa.
Além disso, ele é descrito como um homem belíssimo, um pouco autoritário, mas para a descuidada e certinha Caroline, ele sem duvida é uma benção.
Não se engane, pois, o gato russo vai colocá-la na linha. Kkkk...
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
November 30, 2013
A cute little HEA!
February 5, 2015
3.5 stars
contemporary-but-not-hq
January 25, 2019With eyes as dark as night and a gaze that laid all secrets bare, Nick Valkov was the kind of man any smart woman would avoid. But dire circumstances forced levelheaded Caroline Fortune to proposition this compelling stranger...with marriage. Her family's fate rested in Nick's capable hands--and brilliant mind. Yet her proper upbringing hadn't prepared this reluctant bride for her husband's soul-stirring embrace. And neither expected that their practical union would lead them to dark hours of danger...and the ultimate surrender. (
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews