The Italian's Pregnancy Proposal

Bought for Her Baby #1

by Maggie Cox

When tall, dark, rich and gorgeous Dante di Andrea made love to her, Bliss knew she couldn't keep him in her life. But then he discovered she was pregnant! Dante was furious! No child of his would be brought up in poverty.

However, Bliss wasn't happy when Dante proposed. Surely he needed to marry a woman of his own kind—and do it for love…?

Genres: Harlequin Presents, Romance, Harlequin, Novella, Contemporary Romance

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Maggie Cox loved to write almost as soon as she learned to read. Her favorite occupation was daydreaming and making up stories in her head, and this particular pastime has stayed with her through all the years of growing up, starting work, marrying and raising a family. No matter what was going on in her life, whether joy, happiness, struggle or disappointment, she'd go to bed each night and lose herself in her imagination. Through all the years of her secretarial career she kept on filling exercise books and the "joy oh joy" her word processor with her writing, never showing anyone what she wrote and basically keeping her stories for her own enjoyment alone.

It wasn't until she met her second husband and the "love of her life" that she was persuaded to start sharing those stories with a publisher. She settled on Mills & Boon (Harlequin) as she had loved romance novels since she was a teenager and read at least one or two paperbacks a week. After several rejections, the letters that were sent back from the publisher started to become more and more positive and encouraging, and in July 2002 she sold her first book A Passionate Protector. Since then she has continued written.

The fact that she is being published is truly a dream come true; however, each book she writes is still a journey in "courage and hope," and a quest to learn and grow and be "the best writer she can." Her advice to aspiring authors is: "Don't give up at the first hurdle, or even the second, third or fourth, but keep on keeping on until your dream is realized because if you are truly passionate about writing and learning the craft, as Paulo Coehlo states in his book The Alchemist: "The Universe will conspire to help you make it a reality."

Reviews

[Shatarupa Dhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this one because don't remember the story and hadn't reviewed earlier and it's a part of a series, though not related. I have read five books by Maggie Cox till now. And this is Book Three of Bought for Her Baby quartet.

Bliss Maguire has taken an out-of-the-blue job at a department store which caters to the fashion-conscious. Just when the day was becoming unbearable for her, a woman is unconscious in front of her with the last request to look after her child. With the toddler in tow, she accompanies the ambulance which takes her to the hospital. And whom does she meet there but Dante di Andrea, brother of the woman who collapsed in front of her? Tatiana Ward has recently lost her husband, Renata her papa, and Dante's worrying over his sister isn't doing the toddler any favours as the girl refuses to leave the bliss she's feeling by staying in Bliss' blissful arms. Sorry for overdoing it. Haha! While Renata brought up all the maternal instincts Bliss has ever had, her uncle is quite a different ballgame. Attractive doesn't even begin to cover it!

Dante - a thirty-three-year-old hotelier - is at first irritated at the Englishwoman's stubbornness, is gradually drawn to her violet eyes and to the compassion she has for a stranger's child. What awkward situation to be attracted to one another! But they both know in their hearts how impossible it is for them to find the one true love, settle down, and have a family for themselves. Bliss doesn't even know what career she should be aiming for. Until, Dante offers her a job as a live-in nanny for Renata, at least till his sister is well to take care of her child. She reminds him of the young Claudia Cardinale, such is her beauty.

Both of their families have had tragedies in the past which continue to affect their present. And then comes the day they have to part ways, she because she wasn't needed anymore since his mother was coming to take care of Renata and he because he had to be in Milan for business purposes, but not before they have a hot, passionate coupling. And Dante promises he will come back for her.

Six weeks later, he's back. And on the same day when she discovers she's pregnant. Bliss couldn't believe that they could exist together, being from such different backgrounds. While Dante was adamant on being a good father since his sense of belonging as a child left much to be desired because he didn't want his kid to face what he had to face as a kid himself. There was this particular scene between Dante and Isabella di Andrea, his mother, which was so very beautiful and emotional.

Dante and Bliss find it tough to open up to each other due to their respective pasts. And there is a bit of danger too, in the cavalier attitude of his cousin Alessandro Visconti. It has very cute epilogue.

This was a heartwarming story and a keeper. I'd definitely recommend it to romance readers.

The series is as follows:
Book 1: The Marciano Love-Child
Book 2: Desert King, Pregnant Mistress
Book 4: Blackmailed for Her Baby

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bliss worked as a shop girl at the cosmetic counter of a London department store. Serving wealthy women was not the job she had hoped for but her lack of career education and family support limited her choices. A lovely well dressed woman passed out at the counter while inquiring about a lipstick. When Bliss rushed around the counter to help her she saw the charming little girl in the stroller. The woman's last words before the ambulance came was "take care of my child". Bliss took the little girl and rode in the ambulance to the hospital. The most handsome man Bliss had ever seen arrived to take charge of the little girl. Dante introduced himself as the brother of the woman who had collapsed and the baby was his niece Renata. The little girl did not appear to recognize Dante and held on to Bliss. Bliss led Dante to reception to have his identity confirmed before she would hand over her charge. Beautiful, arrogant, wealthy Dante had never been turned down by a woman and he found Bliss very refreshing. Reluctantly exchanging contact information with Dante for a thank you note to be sent by his sister when she was better, Bliss left the hospital certain that she would never see or hear from Dante again. Bliss was awakened the next morning with a phone call from Dante wanting her help with his niece till his mother arrived from Italy to take this responsibility. Bliss was a giver and pleased to help. Arriving at the ultra expensive flat, Bliss realized how large the socioeconomic gap was between her and them. It was hard to breathe sometimes near the gorgeous man but she wanted to help and because of Bliss's past marriage and children were something she had no desire to ever be a part of. Dante revealed that he would be staying in the flat also and this threw them into a picture of mother-father-child. Dante gave her many compliments and was attentive to her. Bliss's common sense told her that this was his charm and she should not take it to mean anything. The baby help job was over quickly when Dante's mother arrived and Dante insisted on taking her home. Bliss realized that her small flat in a poor neighborhood was something she would have rather not had Dante see but he insisted on coming in. He proceeded to express his feelings for Bliss and his overwhelming desire for her. Bliss could not turn away his honest and sincere confession from a man who could probably have any woman he desired, so she decided she would accept this love making experience as a once in a lifetime memory for herself. The experience was amazing until Bliss suddenly realized they had used no protection after the fact. Knowing she would never see him again, Bliss did not want to destroy the memory. She reassured Dante that this was a safe time for her. Dante left for Italy suggesting that she would like to spend time with him again when he was in London. Saying goodbye, Bliss sincerely doubted she would ever hear from him again. Six weeks later, Bliss was throwing up and pregnant. Out of no where Dante shows up a her flat in his expensive car looking delicious. Bliss makes every effort to get rid of him and avoid any embarrassing confrontations. Concerned about the continuous wretching coming from the bathroom, Dante forces his way in to help her. Things were going smoothly until he discovered the pregnancy test in the trash bin. Everything changed. Bliss valued her independence above all things and now Dante was demanding marriage and planning her life. Everything suddenly became all about the baby and Bliss realized that what she wanted did not matter. Bliss had never had anyone who cared for her and even Dante's attempts to show her how much he cared were offensive to Bliss. But later when Bliss could no longer fight with him, she realized that Dante had a lot of baggage in his life also. When Bliss ends up in the hospital, she and Dante start to break down the walls between them.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Italian's Pregnancy Proposal
3 Stars

The first half with an opposites attract / wealthy boss-nanny type romance is wonderful. The hero, Dante di Andrea, and heroine, Bliss MacGuire, have excellent chemistry and their connection is believable.

Unfortunately, the second half contains several problematic tropes as Dante becomes a domineering jerk whose arrogant "I know what's best for you" attitude is exceedingly irritating. Bliss, who started out as a strong and intelligent heroine devolves completely. She puts on a token display of resistance to the hero's condescending attitude but then becomes a complete doormat.

Despite these issues, the writing is engaging and the character development is good. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumble upon this book by accident. I was looking for a similar title book. Then I try to read this book. Ok.. It's really cute. And I do really Bliss. She really is a tough fighter. Parts of her action really do reflect myself. Lol. Can be as stubborn as a bull. Can't be help if we have the same growing up environment. As for Dante.. Bit of dense as I suppose but other than that.. I kinda like him. Maybe I do like a bit of forceful guys. But not too forceful. ☺️

[Tia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was decent but there wasn't much drama at all. It was an all together smooth read with a HEA.

[Shanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it a lot. Both characters evolve and are changed by their relationship.

[Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, but wouldn't want to re-read. The heroine was not my favorite, I cannot stand when a heroine is so determined to be a single parent and wants little involvement from the father. She didn't even plan on telling hero about her pregnancy, she tried so hard to get him to leave.

The hero wasn't horrible, he was overbearing at times and did threaten to take custody of baby, but was understandable with how heroine was behaving and that she didn't even plan to tell him about baby.

I think they would have still ended up together if she wasn't pregnant, the baby just sped up timeline. He left for 6 weeks because of his job but thought of her the whole time and went back to her as soon as he could. I think she would have been happy to see him again if she wasn't pregnant and wouldn't have tried to make him leave.

She had issues with him only being with her for baby, not realizing that he literally came back to her not knowing she was pregnant so obviously he wanted to pursue something with her. P.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Liked both Bliss and Dante. both had family issues while growing up. Which they got over together.

[Abanobi Noella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second read by maggie and i can say that i loved it. It was so calm and soothing and i loved that the heroine had a backbone. Great one, expecting more reads from this author.

[RomLibrary]

When tall, dark, rich and gorgeous Dante di Andrea made love to her, Bliss knew she couldn't keep him in her life. But then he discovered she was pregnant! Dante was furious! No child of his would be brought up in poverty. However, Bliss wasn't happy when Dante proposed. Surely he needed to marry a woman of his own kind--and do it for love..

[Regina taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

i like it

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

[Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante i love him!

[Desi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leído el 07/09/2009