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Texas Cattleman’s Club: Blackmail #4
Expecting the Billionaire's Baby
A Texas-size pregnancy surprise!
Cecelia Morgan needs to take her business to the next level, and decorating the new luxury resort in Royal, Texas, is just the ticket. But at the meeting to pitch her designs, she comes face-to-face with Deacon Chase, her former flame from the wrong side of the tracks who grew up to be a billionaire hotelier. Turns out he's the silent partner in this project. Their chemistry is off the charts. Too bad she's spoken for.
But when the blackmailer terrorizing the Texas Cattleman's Club targets Cecelia, revealing a past secret that ruins her present engagement, she turns to Deacon for comfort…only to soon be expecting!
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
42 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Laurence
382 books211 followersAndrea Laurence has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned to read at a young age. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her special blend of sensuality and dry, sarcastic humor with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she's working on her own "happily ever after" with her new husband and a golden retriever puppy.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 12, 2017
The ultimate in reunited love! I didn't think it was possible for me to like Cecelia after how mean and uptight she and her "mean girl clique" were in a previous book in the series, but Andrea Laurence performed a miracle and made her likable! Not only did I understand her attitude, but I even pulled for her to win her guy. Great characters, a sweet reunion and a happily-ever-after with all the feels!
Cecelia Morgan is crossing her fingers that the expansion she wants to happen with her successful business will work out. She's putting her all into this presentation to decorate the new luxury hotel in Royal, Texas, The Bellamy Hotel. When she walks into the meeting to present her bid, she's sure she's about to be laughed out of the room though, when she finds out the silent partner in the hotel is none other than the high school boyfriend she dumped years ago.
Billionaire Deacon Chase has come a long way from when he was the boy from the wrong-side of town dating the rich, popular girl in school. He dearly loved her, and even though it's been many years and he's had a good life since, he's never forgotten her or the future they had planned together. When the blackmailer targeting the Texas Cattlemen's Club sets their sights on Cecelia, will he be able to help rescue her from becoming the talk of the town?
Cecelia Morgan is crossing her fingers that the expansion she wants to happen with her successful business will work out. She's putting her all into this presentation to decorate the new luxury hotel in Royal, Texas, The Bellamy Hotel. When she walks into the meeting to present her bid, she's sure she's about to be laughed out of the room though, when she finds out the silent partner in the hotel is none other than the high school boyfriend she dumped years ago.
Billionaire Deacon Chase has come a long way from when he was the boy from the wrong-side of town dating the rich, popular girl in school. He dearly loved her, and even though it's been many years and he's had a good life since, he's never forgotten her or the future they had planned together. When the blackmailer targeting the Texas Cattlemen's Club sets their sights on Cecelia, will he be able to help rescue her from becoming the talk of the town?
September 21, 2017
Andrea Laurence has a way with words. She is known for her intense drama, passionate heroes and compelling storylines. However, I cannot say Expecting the Billionaire’s Baby has all of those qualities. Something is missing in this book but I can’t quite put my finger on it. But let it be noted that the book is not all that infuriating. There are parts of it that I found compelling and engaging. For instance:
The character behind the Maverick moniker intrigued me from the start.
Cecelia’s ex-fiancé. I can’t remember his name right off the bat, but his attitude towards Cecelia stuck in my head. He is a rich, spoiled brat and I hated him for his actions towards her. I hope he finds a woman who marries him for his money.
The sensual passion shared between Cecelia and Deacon made up for all the flaws in the story. Their passion is slow burning from the start and once it fully ignites…wow!
The writing is sharp and expressive.
Overall, Expecting the Billionaire’s Baby is a good reunion story. However, I really wished it had wowed me as much as Ms. Laurence’s previous books have in the past. Regardless, I still believe romance lovers would take away something from this book.
Recommended
3.5 Stars
June 18, 2017
This is a nice reunion story. Not my favourite kind as they've been separated for more than ten years so we know there have been others on the way but I like that we don't get any details beyond the fact that the heroine, Cecelia Morgan, is engaged at the start of the story. And I seriously would have put the book down if we got any nasty details because her fiance is a real jerk.
Deacon Chase left Royal (yes this is part of a Texas Cattleman's Club series) at around eighteen after Cecelia dumped him under pressure from her parents. He's done very well for himself and is back in town as part owner of a resort with one of the other heroes from the series.
Cecelia hasn't left town and spent her time building her own business and a reputation as part of the mean girls clique in Royal. We get mentions of her nasty actions that presumably occurred in earlier books.
So we have a reunion, a redemption story and a baby. Not a secret if you note the title.
This isn't one of those reunions where the hero comes back all vengeful. In fact both hero and heroine were pretty decent and intelligent people. Mostly. A lot of the action comes from external conflict. There is a blackmailer causing trouble in Royal as the overall suspense arc in the series. Apart from that and the trouble caused by Cecelia's ambitious ex ( I really hope we don't see him redeemed.) it's all quite amicable.
Overall a nice story and easy to read without the earlier books in the series.
I received an ARC for an independent review.
Deacon Chase left Royal (yes this is part of a Texas Cattleman's Club series) at around eighteen after Cecelia dumped him under pressure from her parents. He's done very well for himself and is back in town as part owner of a resort with one of the other heroes from the series.
Cecelia hasn't left town and spent her time building her own business and a reputation as part of the mean girls clique in Royal. We get mentions of her nasty actions that presumably occurred in earlier books.
So we have a reunion, a redemption story and a baby. Not a secret if you note the title.
This isn't one of those reunions where the hero comes back all vengeful. In fact both hero and heroine were pretty decent and intelligent people. Mostly. A lot of the action comes from external conflict. There is a blackmailer causing trouble in Royal as the overall suspense arc in the series. Apart from that and the trouble caused by Cecelia's ambitious ex ( I really hope we don't see him redeemed.) it's all quite amicable.
Overall a nice story and easy to read without the earlier books in the series.
I received an ARC for an independent review.
July 10, 2017
Great read! Beautiful rich girl falls for poor boy from the wrong side of town then breaks both their hearts because of her snooty parents. He leaves town, makes millions and comes back to town to show Royal how successful he's become.
She's successful in her own right and their paths cross when she is chosen to decorate his new resort in town. A local busy-body is wreaking havoc in town by digging up and exposing peoples' secrets. Cecelia is his latest victim. As a result, he engagement to rising politician Chip is broken. She seeks out Draco for comfort and sparks fly just like when they were kids.
Her parents and ex-fiancé are convinced she'll take old Chip back but little do they know she has secrets of her own.
I read this book in one evening. I couldn't put it down! Always a joy to visit Royal and the TCC. This book was no exception. Great job Andrea!
She's successful in her own right and their paths cross when she is chosen to decorate his new resort in town. A local busy-body is wreaking havoc in town by digging up and exposing peoples' secrets. Cecelia is his latest victim. As a result, he engagement to rising politician Chip is broken. She seeks out Draco for comfort and sparks fly just like when they were kids.
Her parents and ex-fiancé are convinced she'll take old Chip back but little do they know she has secrets of her own.
I read this book in one evening. I couldn't put it down! Always a joy to visit Royal and the TCC. This book was no exception. Great job Andrea!
September 15, 2018
I really did not like Cecelia in the other books. But after her whole childhood and family status came out, I changed my thinking. She deserved someone to really love her for her. Deacon became a success in-spite of what people thought that he would be a no body.. he fooled everyone and claimed his true love. I loved these two characters.
May 22, 2023
well written..interesting
April 1, 2017
This is the next installment of Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail. This time I was surprised to see one of the characters that has been suspected of being Maverick as the one being blackmailed by him. So that scratches her off my list of suspects. Cecelia is a prima donna spoiled rich girl that has gotten everything she has wanted..she is engaged to a rich man that is on the up and up of running for all these seats to one day become president. She gets a note from Maverick saying she is a liar as she really isn't from a rich family..... Cecelia goes to a new hotel in town with a presentation to be the one that decorates the whole hotel.while there she runs into a blast from her past, Deacon...She tries to ignore him but sparks are still there. Her Fiance Chip dumps her when he finds out.she runs to Deacon...She leaves the next morning though and they ignore each other til they have to do something for the hotel...When the town learns of her secret Deacon whisks her away to France where they become close..things happen and Deacon thinks Cecelia has used him again..but she straightens that all up in a social media post..another great story in the series
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April 2, 2017Miniseries: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail
April 3, 2017
Hmm, wonder why she went right for rich babies as her target audience.
Sure, lots of mothers work. Chip and her father sound like sexist pigs.
What's more important, your social standing or your daughter, idiot?
Damn. Talk about having something to stick in people's faces!
Lot of hassle just to see an old girlfriend. And what if she finds out Deacon got her the interview?
Simone sounds flighty. I can definitely see her as a Mean Girl.
Did this guy just order for her? Oh, hell no!
Love is supposed to be unconditional.
Can we clone him? I want a Deacon.
I hate her parents more and more with every page.
Okay, now I'm hungry. And thirsty.
She should stay and hold her head up. Although, France.
Well, that's giving a little boy a lesson in sex ed he won't forget!
Pompous twit. And why are you taking this lying down, Deacon? You're richer. So what if he has more "class". You're a better human being.
This must be some ring.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sure, lots of mothers work. Chip and her father sound like sexist pigs.
What's more important, your social standing or your daughter, idiot?
Damn. Talk about having something to stick in people's faces!
Lot of hassle just to see an old girlfriend. And what if she finds out Deacon got her the interview?
Simone sounds flighty. I can definitely see her as a Mean Girl.
Did this guy just order for her? Oh, hell no!
Love is supposed to be unconditional.
Can we clone him? I want a Deacon.
I hate her parents more and more with every page.
Okay, now I'm hungry. And thirsty.
She should stay and hold her head up. Although, France.
Well, that's giving a little boy a lesson in sex ed he won't forget!
Pompous twit. And why are you taking this lying down, Deacon? You're richer. So what if he has more "class". You're a better human being.
This must be some ring.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2017
Great story line with wonderful characters, add a little mystery and this is an amazing book. I loved the interaction between Deacon and Cecelia and that their young love never died. Enjoyed this story very much!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions expressed are my own.
April 9, 2017
Expecting the Billionaire’s Baby by Andrea Laurence is the fourth book in Harlequin Desire’s Texas Cattleman’s Club: Blackmail series. I’ve read practically all of the Texas Cattleman Club stories over the years but this one is different. We’re not dealing with Cowboys but instead we have a hotelier and a designer that have a past. This was a change from prior books in the series and I loved it.
I love reading second chance tropes and Ms. Laurence wrote a fabulous story about Cecelia and Deacon. Between dealing with their past and also uncovering a blackmailer, this was a captivating story that I couldn’t put down. It’s a fast read that I read in one sitting. I highly recommend Expecting the Billionaire’s Baby.
I love reading second chance tropes and Ms. Laurence wrote a fabulous story about Cecelia and Deacon. Between dealing with their past and also uncovering a blackmailer, this was a captivating story that I couldn’t put down. It’s a fast read that I read in one sitting. I highly recommend Expecting the Billionaire’s Baby.
April 9, 2017
Expecting the Billionaire's Baby
The Texas Cattlemen's Club: Blackmail
Andrea Laurence
Once again back to Royal, Texas to see what is going on at the Cattlemen's Club. This time the blackmail is continuing and Cecelia is in the crosshairs! Will her secret ruin her plans for marriage, her job of decorating and furnishing the new hotel in town? How does the return of Deacon Chase throw a wrench into her plans or be her lifesaver?
Andrea has created a story with characters you pray will overcome their issues and secrets in order for them to have the life they are meant to. Read it straight through as I had to know how it turned out. Definitely a must read.
I received an ARC which I voluntarily reviewed.
The Texas Cattlemen's Club: Blackmail
Andrea Laurence
Once again back to Royal, Texas to see what is going on at the Cattlemen's Club. This time the blackmail is continuing and Cecelia is in the crosshairs! Will her secret ruin her plans for marriage, her job of decorating and furnishing the new hotel in town? How does the return of Deacon Chase throw a wrench into her plans or be her lifesaver?
Andrea has created a story with characters you pray will overcome their issues and secrets in order for them to have the life they are meant to. Read it straight through as I had to know how it turned out. Definitely a must read.
I received an ARC which I voluntarily reviewed.
April 18, 2017
Really enjoyed it. A great read.
May 1, 2017
The past is not forgotten….
I loved this book (even when folding my laundry I kept on reading, lol) and I couldn’t wait to finish it. The insecurities of the past crept up for both hero and heroine and I loved how they both handled it (at last). It was wonderful to read that the hero understood his heroine and loved her despite her imperfections and how he managed to reverse her character back to the girl she once was and still is when she’s not pressured to achieve.
Cecelia Morgan needs to take her business to the next level, and decorating the new luxury resort in Royal, Texas, is just the ticket. But at the meeting to pitch her designs, she comes face-to-face with Deacon Chase, her former flame from the wrong side of the tracks who grew up to be a billionaire hotelier. Turns out he's the silent partner in this project. Their chemistry is off the charts. Too bad she's spoken for.
But when the blackmailer terrorizing the Texas Cattleman's Club targets Cecelia, revealing a past secret that ruins her present engagement, she turns to Deacon for comfort…only to soon be expecting!
I loved this book (even when folding my laundry I kept on reading, lol) and I couldn’t wait to finish it. The insecurities of the past crept up for both hero and heroine and I loved how they both handled it (at last). It was wonderful to read that the hero understood his heroine and loved her despite her imperfections and how he managed to reverse her character back to the girl she once was and still is when she’s not pressured to achieve.
Cecelia Morgan needs to take her business to the next level, and decorating the new luxury resort in Royal, Texas, is just the ticket. But at the meeting to pitch her designs, she comes face-to-face with Deacon Chase, her former flame from the wrong side of the tracks who grew up to be a billionaire hotelier. Turns out he's the silent partner in this project. Their chemistry is off the charts. Too bad she's spoken for.
But when the blackmailer terrorizing the Texas Cattleman's Club targets Cecelia, revealing a past secret that ruins her present engagement, she turns to Deacon for comfort…only to soon be expecting!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews