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Kings of California #2
Marrying for King's Millions
Wed and bed one of his biggest client's unsavory daughters? No thanks. But the only way millionaire Travis King could get the man off his back was to marry someone else. So he handpicked his temporary and on-his-terms bride— hometown girl Julie O'Hara. The woman was desperate and should easily fade into the background. And, as per their contract, she'd do exactly what he wanted during their year of platonic marriage. Unless what he wanted began to change.…
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 8, 2008
32 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Child
1,151 books548 followersUSA Today best selling author Maureen Child is the author of more than ninety romance novels and novellas. Maureen is a five time nominee for the prestigious Rita award from Romance Writers of America.
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 28, 2017
Travis, the middle of King brothers needs access to a winery, and to escape the owner's matrimonial clutches, married his casual acquaintance Julie for an year, in order to give her the monetary support needed to start her own bakery.
What they realize post marriage is she is still married to her ex Jean, who decides to blackmail her.
How they get out of the situation while falling for one another, and have hot lovemakin' is the story.
This story was so annoying. The characters were immature, and the heroine was naive and stupid. She keeps doing things like going to meet her blackmailing ex, and he keeps suspecting her of all wrongdoings despite him being the one who propositioned her. AND WHY DO THEY KEEP PAYING THE ASSHAT?!
Pissed me off
Unsafe?
1.25/5
What they realize post marriage is she is still married to her ex Jean, who decides to blackmail her.
How they get out of the situation while falling for one another, and have hot lovemakin' is the story.
This story was so annoying. The characters were immature, and the heroine was naive and stupid. She keeps doing things like going to meet her blackmailing ex, and he keeps suspecting her of all wrongdoings despite him being the one who propositioned her. AND WHY DO THEY KEEP PAYING THE ASSHAT?!
Pissed me off
Unsafe?
1.25/5
December 23, 2022
3.5 stars
It was a very cute story so I'm rounding it up to 4 because you know, Christmas spirit and a bit of booze... XD
It was a very cute story so I'm rounding it up to 4 because you know, Christmas spirit and a bit of booze... XD
April 27, 2021
It was ok, I did like the heroine and that she wasn't a doormat and stood up to the hero at times. Hero was ok, he could be a jerk at times but not cruelly and he planned to be celibate during the 1 year marriage not cheating on heroine regardless that was supposed to be a name only marriage. What I didn't really like was the whole ex husband stuff (like his existence as a character). P.
February 8, 2021
Llore como loca con este libro, ya que la falta de comunicacion puede hacer muy malos entendidos entre personas que se tienen confianza y que pueden llegar a quererse
October 13, 2025
The King series is awesome!!!
November 25, 2013
Setting: castlelike home on King Vineyard; Terri’s Diner Birkfield California; Castello de King (luxury hotel), Mexico;
Imagery:
“Sunlight slanted in through the windows across the room and the golden wash from the sun created shadows on the walls that looked eerily like the bars on a cell. Coincidence? She didn’t think so.”
Theme:
Friendship turned to love; opening oneself up to what seemed impossible.
Characters:
Travis King: rich, good looking; aware women look at him for his money and looks – never plans to marry – walking away from a relationship when women start to look for a wedding band; calls himself a serial monogamist; invested in advancing the King winery to go nationwide and then worldwide… and really wants a contract with _____, who in turn wants his ugly daughters married; Travis decides to a marriage of convenience for a year, so that the deal can be sealed without his marrying… he asks Julie – a childhood friend, she’d come to their house when her mother cooked for them… as adults friendly without being friends… and he trusts she would uphold her side of the bargain…
Julie O-Hara: a bad, two-week marriage with a con artist; is saving money to open her own bakery… though against the idea, finally agrees to marry Travis – with signed contract of how much money she’d receive, no sex, duration a year;
Jean Claude Doucette: Julie’s ex-husband… who shows up at the wedding reception saying he lied about getting a divorce – and accepts $100,000 to not tell the press Julie is a bigamist;
Adam & Gina / Jackson King: Trevor’s brothers (and one wife); help him to deal with Jean Claude
Rico King: cousin in Mexico; helps to arrange for divorce / wedding;
Summary:
I liked the people… but Problems with this story… first of all, after her show of possession in the lobby, Travis gets overwhelmed with attraction for her? No hint of it before this? Hmmmm : ( and then, he too easily distrusts Julie about her role in her ex-husbands shenanigans… and then too easily gives it up three months later when she tells him she is pregnant… and then an elevator with frayed wiring falling one flight when they step on? The stimulus he needs to realize he fully loves her? Hmmmm : (
Memorable scenes:
When checking in at hotel – where Travis had been many times with a different woman each time – and the hotel clerk flirted with him… Julie inserted herself and made sure clerk realized she is his wife.
Imagery:
“Sunlight slanted in through the windows across the room and the golden wash from the sun created shadows on the walls that looked eerily like the bars on a cell. Coincidence? She didn’t think so.”
Theme:
Friendship turned to love; opening oneself up to what seemed impossible.
Characters:
Travis King: rich, good looking; aware women look at him for his money and looks – never plans to marry – walking away from a relationship when women start to look for a wedding band; calls himself a serial monogamist; invested in advancing the King winery to go nationwide and then worldwide… and really wants a contract with _____, who in turn wants his ugly daughters married; Travis decides to a marriage of convenience for a year, so that the deal can be sealed without his marrying… he asks Julie – a childhood friend, she’d come to their house when her mother cooked for them… as adults friendly without being friends… and he trusts she would uphold her side of the bargain…
Julie O-Hara: a bad, two-week marriage with a con artist; is saving money to open her own bakery… though against the idea, finally agrees to marry Travis – with signed contract of how much money she’d receive, no sex, duration a year;
Jean Claude Doucette: Julie’s ex-husband… who shows up at the wedding reception saying he lied about getting a divorce – and accepts $100,000 to not tell the press Julie is a bigamist;
Adam & Gina / Jackson King: Trevor’s brothers (and one wife); help him to deal with Jean Claude
Rico King: cousin in Mexico; helps to arrange for divorce / wedding;
Summary:
I liked the people… but Problems with this story… first of all, after her show of possession in the lobby, Travis gets overwhelmed with attraction for her? No hint of it before this? Hmmmm : ( and then, he too easily distrusts Julie about her role in her ex-husbands shenanigans… and then too easily gives it up three months later when she tells him she is pregnant… and then an elevator with frayed wiring falling one flight when they step on? The stimulus he needs to realize he fully loves her? Hmmmm : (
Memorable scenes:
When checking in at hotel – where Travis had been many times with a different woman each time – and the hotel clerk flirted with him… Julie inserted herself and made sure clerk realized she is his wife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2010
Maureen Child's Kings Of California mini-series for Silhouette Desire is probably one of my favorite mini-series. I was introduced to her books by Harlequin Ambassadors, first with the free ebook Wedding At King's Convenience and then this current book.
Maureen really knows how to write a good, spicy book, without neglecting the plot. Even though its hard to identify with the super rich King family, its easy to fall for Travis King, just as easily as Julie does.
In this story, Travis and Julie have entered into a marriage of convenience. Travis gets a wife for the year so that he can get a distribution deal for the King family wines, and Julie gets paid a tidy sum so that she can open the bakery she's always dreamed of owning.
However things start going wrong from the minute they say "I do" and that's what makes the story so great. Julie's ex shows up with blackmail on the mind, and with a little tidbit of information that causes havoc.
When its discovered that Julie is still married to her first husband Jean-Claude, Travis find it hard to trust Julie, even though he's finding himself passionately attracted to her. But scandal after scandal follows them, threatening his business deal and then Julie ends up pregnant, something Travis wasn't planning for either.
I loved the way the character's interacted. Travis definitely fit the bill as a wealthy celebrity and Julie was properly out of her element as his "Queen."
It was great to watch Travis fall for Julie and the baby, even though he had his doubts about her. You could understand his weariness as a result of each scandal, just as you could understand Julie's frustrations and her inability to control the situation.
Maureen has created a strong cast of characters and a great read that will happily reside on my keeper shelf.
Maureen really knows how to write a good, spicy book, without neglecting the plot. Even though its hard to identify with the super rich King family, its easy to fall for Travis King, just as easily as Julie does.
In this story, Travis and Julie have entered into a marriage of convenience. Travis gets a wife for the year so that he can get a distribution deal for the King family wines, and Julie gets paid a tidy sum so that she can open the bakery she's always dreamed of owning.
However things start going wrong from the minute they say "I do" and that's what makes the story so great. Julie's ex shows up with blackmail on the mind, and with a little tidbit of information that causes havoc.
When its discovered that Julie is still married to her first husband Jean-Claude, Travis find it hard to trust Julie, even though he's finding himself passionately attracted to her. But scandal after scandal follows them, threatening his business deal and then Julie ends up pregnant, something Travis wasn't planning for either.
I loved the way the character's interacted. Travis definitely fit the bill as a wealthy celebrity and Julie was properly out of her element as his "Queen."
It was great to watch Travis fall for Julie and the baby, even though he had his doubts about her. You could understand his weariness as a result of each scandal, just as you could understand Julie's frustrations and her inability to control the situation.
Maureen has created a strong cast of characters and a great read that will happily reside on my keeper shelf.
February 18, 2017
The knowing how the kings family retire one by one from bachelorhood is exciting. A few window into the life of the other Kings is great.
February 12, 2017
Leído el 14/04/2010
September 13, 2021
I loved it. It got me hooked from page one up to the last. Marriage of Convenience was really my cup of tea.
Travis King wants to secure the distribution agreement for his winery, and when he wants something, he'll do anything to get it. But not marrying the daughter of the distributor he has picked. So he proposed a deal to his childhood friend Julie O'Hara. A Marriage of Convenience for one whole year.
Julie O'Hara was once bitten, twice shy. She promised not to marry again after her husband dumped her. But now, Travis King, her childhood crush, was offering her a deal. An offer she can't refuse. A marriage in name only, and after a year, she's free to go, and she will finally have her dream bakery.
Sounds easy, right? Until she had the mistake of falling in love with her husband.
I sure had fun reading this. The right amount of sweet gestures from the hero, witty banter, hot sex, and spicy romance make for a satisfying read.
Travis King wants to secure the distribution agreement for his winery, and when he wants something, he'll do anything to get it. But not marrying the daughter of the distributor he has picked. So he proposed a deal to his childhood friend Julie O'Hara. A Marriage of Convenience for one whole year.
Julie O'Hara was once bitten, twice shy. She promised not to marry again after her husband dumped her. But now, Travis King, her childhood crush, was offering her a deal. An offer she can't refuse. A marriage in name only, and after a year, she's free to go, and she will finally have her dream bakery.
Sounds easy, right? Until she had the mistake of falling in love with her husband.
I sure had fun reading this. The right amount of sweet gestures from the hero, witty banter, hot sex, and spicy romance make for a satisfying read.
June 14, 2010
It's supposed to be a marriage of convenience. Travis King needs a wife and Julie O'Hara needs money to start her bakery. It's a temporary arrangement. But Julie's sleazy ex-husband makes problems on their wedding day that threaten their friendship but ultimately help prove their love. The sex was hot but the character development was only so-so. Travis and Julie knew each other so marriage wasn't that odd between them but there aren't words that show them discovering each other outside the bed. The characters are likable, just not memorable.
March 20, 2010
I was sent this free as part of the Harlequin Ambassadors program. I read a lot of Harlequin, but I think this was my first Desire. I quite liked it, and it was a good piece of brain candy. A very quick read. I would be open to reading more books by Maureen Child, in fact I have found the other two books in the King Of California series and will probably read them at some point.
July 11, 2012
Just finished listening to this audio book. Strange to have a man read a romance novel - but not bad!. Typical romance novel, simple plot: two people, grand plans, marriage, strong attraction...etc.
I enjoyed the simplicity of the book but not convinced that the actions of the female would not have led to the male to make very different decisions!!!
I enjoyed the simplicity of the book but not convinced that the actions of the female would not have led to the male to make very different decisions!!!
January 2, 2012
Book 2 in the Kings of California series by Maureen Child Is Travis King and Julie O' Hara's story. their characters are somewhat less intense than the characters in Book 1, Bargaining For King's bably, but still the story is very enjoyable.
February 28, 2010
I received this as part of a Harlequin book club I belong to. A quick, light read on Sunday morning. One of Harlequin's better books, in my opinion.
August 24, 2013
Originally read June 2011, re-read August 2013 and rated 3 Stars both times.
January 27, 2014
3.5 stars
November 11, 2014
4 stars
Loved the heroine but not so the hero. Loved the plot line too.
Loved the heroine but not so the hero. Loved the plot line too.
September 29, 2015
Travis and Julie.. I still prefer Jackson King story over Travis though. Nevertheless, this story still hook me throughout the night and missed my bedtime.
January 9, 2017
Jesus Christ, the heroines suck in this series. I don't like the Hero either, but the heroines have gravy for brains. I deeply regret committing to reading this series.
October 9, 2019
A skosh melodramatic with the constant crises, but mostly okay
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March 22, 2019A very true harlequin book. Short and sweet. Predictable, but that's to be expected.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews