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Golden Paradise
NIGHTTIME SEDUCTRESS
Desperate for money, curvaceous Valentina Barrett had to exploit her dancing talent in San Francisco's notorious Crystal Palace. Ashamed that she had to resort to such a base profession, the golden-haired beauty appeared as the veiled Jordanna to protect her reputation. Then she met wealthy, jet-haired Marquis Vincente and immediately knew he was the only man she could ever marry. Now, though, she was tangled in a trap of her own making, for "Jordanna" couldn't resist making him her lover—and Valentina learned she could never hope to trust him as a husband!
DAYTIME INNOCENT
Towering and arrogant, handsome and rich, Marquis Vincente knew there were two types of women: one to wed, the other to bed. After meeting sweet Valentina Barrett, she stole his heart and he instantly pegged her as his bride. But when he saw the intriguing Jordanna whirl across the stage, Marquis followed her arching back, her shapely legs, and her swiveling hips and decided that the undoubtedly experienced courtesan was the one to be his mistress. He could never unleash his lust upon his virginal wife; with Jordanna he'd share his powerful, masterful touch and revel in love's GOLDEN PARADISE
Desperate for money, curvaceous Valentina Barrett had to exploit her dancing talent in San Francisco's notorious Crystal Palace. Ashamed that she had to resort to such a base profession, the golden-haired beauty appeared as the veiled Jordanna to protect her reputation. Then she met wealthy, jet-haired Marquis Vincente and immediately knew he was the only man she could ever marry. Now, though, she was tangled in a trap of her own making, for "Jordanna" couldn't resist making him her lover—and Valentina learned she could never hope to trust him as a husband!
DAYTIME INNOCENT
Towering and arrogant, handsome and rich, Marquis Vincente knew there were two types of women: one to wed, the other to bed. After meeting sweet Valentina Barrett, she stole his heart and he instantly pegged her as his bride. But when he saw the intriguing Jordanna whirl across the stage, Marquis followed her arching back, her shapely legs, and her swiveling hips and decided that the undoubtedly experienced courtesan was the one to be his mistress. He could never unleash his lust upon his virginal wife; with Jordanna he'd share his powerful, masterful touch and revel in love's GOLDEN PARADISE
509 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1987
About the author
Constance O'Banyon
54 books203 followersEvelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 23, 2016
I hated this book.
Okay, okay, I really only hated the hero...and that's a problem.
And I feel like I have to warn everyone who put this book into their TBR pile that the main love interest is an asshole. Not a sexy asshole either because there was only one moment in this entire book where I pictured him being extremely sexy. The rest of the time he's just being a jerk to everyone, especially the heroine, who wasn't even a bad character. Valentina had a great sense of responsibility, mostly towards her ill mother and missing father, yet her biggest flaw was her taste in men.
The hero, Marquis, went beyond the possessive and arrogant stereotype to the point where he was glaring at everyone. He's seeing a mistress, but gets disgusted when his betrothed (who he doesn't want to marry) is seen with another man. There's a point when his betrothed asks him why it's okay for him, but not for her, and he ignores her question. He tells her to think on it. No, I can't handle his level of douche. Someone can argue there are reasons or that its the time era, but I can't even get past how mean he is. And towards the end, he becomes unbearable.
However, the absolute punch in the gut was that Marquis's best friend, Tyree, is fucking perfect . No, seriously. He is. He's sharp and smart, he's trusting and honest, he's a smooth bastard who does everything you want in a hero, but he's not the hero. Tyree literally drops everything for Valentina and shows more than once that he's completely in love with her, but she friend zones the hell out of him. Valentina leads him on so badly that, in the end, I'm thankful he didn't end up with her, because he deserves a lot better.
The book became a one star because of Marquis. The writing and characters weren't bad, but he was awful.
Okay, okay, I really only hated the hero...and that's a problem.
And I feel like I have to warn everyone who put this book into their TBR pile that the main love interest is an asshole. Not a sexy asshole either because there was only one moment in this entire book where I pictured him being extremely sexy. The rest of the time he's just being a jerk to everyone, especially the heroine, who wasn't even a bad character. Valentina had a great sense of responsibility, mostly towards her ill mother and missing father, yet her biggest flaw was her taste in men.
The hero, Marquis, went beyond the possessive and arrogant stereotype to the point where he was glaring at everyone. He's seeing a mistress, but gets disgusted when his betrothed (who he doesn't want to marry) is seen with another man. There's a point when his betrothed asks him why it's okay for him, but not for her, and he ignores her question. He tells her to think on it. No, I can't handle his level of douche. Someone can argue there are reasons or that its the time era, but I can't even get past how mean he is. And towards the end, he becomes unbearable.
However, the absolute punch in the gut was that Marquis's best friend, Tyree, is fucking perfect . No, seriously. He is. He's sharp and smart, he's trusting and honest, he's a smooth bastard who does everything you want in a hero, but he's not the hero. Tyree literally drops everything for Valentina and shows more than once that he's completely in love with her, but she friend zones the hell out of him. Valentina leads him on so badly that, in the end, I'm thankful he didn't end up with her, because he deserves a lot better.
The book became a one star because of Marquis. The writing and characters weren't bad, but he was awful.
July 14, 2015
Takes too long to get to the point, all these descriptions are not necessary.
A few pet peeves about this book:
- took forever to get to anything at all
- a hero with a Spanish accent - since when is that hot? (Just my bias, I don't care for Southern European men)
- a hero who claims to love you but also loves this dancer he met and cannot tell you are the same person?
- the heroine is so beautiful that without knowing her, the hero's Spanish penis already told him that he loves her
- the writing was rather superficial. I know the writer is great. I am surprised that you don't see her talent much in this book.
A few pet peeves about this book:
- took forever to get to anything at all
- a hero with a Spanish accent - since when is that hot? (Just my bias, I don't care for Southern European men)
- a hero who claims to love you but also loves this dancer he met and cannot tell you are the same person?
- the heroine is so beautiful that without knowing her, the hero's Spanish penis already told him that he loves her
- the writing was rather superficial. I know the writer is great. I am surprised that you don't see her talent much in this book.
December 10, 2015
Review soon to follow...
August 15, 2026
Writing is good but frustrating read. H was jerk, I was waiting for h to get backbone and give him back what he deserved. Her hiding and even telling him truth was of no use when H was really idiot can't put two and two together, too full of himself. Misunderstandings and hiding truth was the theme of that era books, but atleast it interesting and engaging.
October 28, 2025
Golden Paradise
Another wonderful book written by Constance O'Banyon. I had read this book before years ago. I'm always amazed at the way Constance O'Banyon brings the characters to life.
Another wonderful book written by Constance O'Banyon. I had read this book before years ago. I'm always amazed at the way Constance O'Banyon brings the characters to life.
April 12, 2012
This is one of my all-time favorites. I read this when I was young and dragged a copy across the US and back.
March 10, 2013
This is an excellent story of love at first sight that circumstances will keep thwarting. A lot of adventures and suspense. Difficult to put it down.
May 18, 2016
Typical misunderstanding, how they didn't realise each other's love for one another! Still a good read though
Want to Read
September 30, 2013Great!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews