What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brunellesci Baby
From mistress to mother... Italian tycoon Zandro Brunellesci's brother has died. Zandro has no hesitation in deciding that his brother's baby must be raised as a Brunellesci--and taken away from the woman he considers a most unsuitable mother! ...to marriage? Lia won't let her baby go. She seems to have changed more than Zandro could have imagined...and he finds himself feeling a powerful desire for his brother's mistress. Could a convenient marriage give them both what they want?
187 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
About the author
Daphne Clair
124 books64 followersDahpne Clair is one of many pseudonyms of Daphne de Jong, a New Zealand writer who also uses the names Laurie Bright, Claire Lorel and Clarissa Garland. She is the winner of the Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award and has been a finalist for the Romance Writers of America Rita Award more than once.
Daphne Clair de Jong decided to be a writer when she was eight years old and won her first literary prize for a school essay. Her first short story was published when she was sixteen and she's been writing and publishing ever since. Nowadays she earns her living from writing, something her well-meaning teachers and guidance counsellors warned her she would never achieve in New Zealand. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and a collection of them was presented in Crossing the Bar, published by David Ling, where they garnered wide praise.
In 1976, Daphne's first full-length romantic novel was published by Mills & Boon as Return to Love. Since then she has produced a steady output of romance set in New Zealand, occasionally Australia or on imaginary Pacific islands. As Laurey Bright she also writes for Silhouette Books. Her romances often appear on American stores' romance best-seller lists and she has been a Rita contest finalist, as well as winning and being placed in several other romance writing contests. Her other writing includes non-fiction, poetry and long historical fiction, She also is an active defender of the ideology of Feminists for Life, and she has written articles about it.
Since then she has won other literary prizes both in her native New Zealand and other countries. These include the prestigious Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award, with Dying Light, a story about Alzheimer's Disease, which was filmed by Robyn Murphy Productions and shown at film festivals in several countries. (Starring Sara McLeod, Sam's wife in Lord of the Rings).
Daphne is often asked to tutor courses in creative writing, and with Robyn Donald she teachs romance writing weekend courses in her home in the "winterless north" of in New Zealand. Daphne lives with her Netherlands-born husband in a farmlet, grazing livestock, growing their own fruit and vegetables and making their large home available to other writers as a centre for writers' workshops and retreats. Their five children, one of them an orphan from Hong Kong, have left home but drift back at irregular intervals. She enjoys cooking special meals but her cake-making is limited to three never-fail recipes. Her children maintain they have no memory of her baking for them except on birthdays, when she would produce, on request, cakes shaped into trains, clowns, fairytale houses and, once, even a windmill, in deference to their Dutch heritage from their father.
Daphne frequently makes and breaks resolutions to indulge in some hearty outdoor activity, and loves to sniff strong black coffee but never drinks it. After a day at her desk she will happily watch re-runs of favourite TV shows. Usually she goes to bed early with a book which may be anything from a paperback romance or suspense novel to history, sociology or literary theory.
Daphne Clair de Jong decided to be a writer when she was eight years old and won her first literary prize for a school essay. Her first short story was published when she was sixteen and she's been writing and publishing ever since. Nowadays she earns her living from writing, something her well-meaning teachers and guidance counsellors warned her she would never achieve in New Zealand. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and a collection of them was presented in Crossing the Bar, published by David Ling, where they garnered wide praise.
In 1976, Daphne's first full-length romantic novel was published by Mills & Boon as Return to Love. Since then she has produced a steady output of romance set in New Zealand, occasionally Australia or on imaginary Pacific islands. As Laurey Bright she also writes for Silhouette Books. Her romances often appear on American stores' romance best-seller lists and she has been a Rita contest finalist, as well as winning and being placed in several other romance writing contests. Her other writing includes non-fiction, poetry and long historical fiction, She also is an active defender of the ideology of Feminists for Life, and she has written articles about it.
Since then she has won other literary prizes both in her native New Zealand and other countries. These include the prestigious Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award, with Dying Light, a story about Alzheimer's Disease, which was filmed by Robyn Murphy Productions and shown at film festivals in several countries. (Starring Sara McLeod, Sam's wife in Lord of the Rings).
Daphne is often asked to tutor courses in creative writing, and with Robyn Donald she teachs romance writing weekend courses in her home in the "winterless north" of in New Zealand. Daphne lives with her Netherlands-born husband in a farmlet, grazing livestock, growing their own fruit and vegetables and making their large home available to other writers as a centre for writers' workshops and retreats. Their five children, one of them an orphan from Hong Kong, have left home but drift back at irregular intervals. She enjoys cooking special meals but her cake-making is limited to three never-fail recipes. Her children maintain they have no memory of her baking for them except on birthdays, when she would produce, on request, cakes shaped into trains, clowns, fairytale houses and, once, even a windmill, in deference to their Dutch heritage from their father.
Daphne frequently makes and breaks resolutions to indulge in some hearty outdoor activity, and loves to sniff strong black coffee but never drinks it. After a day at her desk she will happily watch re-runs of favourite TV shows. Usually she goes to bed early with a book which may be anything from a paperback romance or suspense novel to history, sociology or literary theory.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 6, 2019
Two stories in one. The first part is mother-having-her-baby-taken-away-by-the-father’s-relatives angst. The second is a marriage of convenience story that centers around the H/h’s true feelings for each other.
So DC tips us off to the resolution of a drug-addicted mother signing away her rights to her baby when the heroine thinks the Australian customs agent calls her “Liar” as opposed to “Lia” - the name on the passport.
The scene shifts to the h sitting outside the H’s house watching the baby with the nanny and the grandfather. Hero confronts her and allows her stay with the family to spend time with her baby – even though he’s not giving an inch on the guardianship. And it’s hard for the reader to blame him – the heroine admits to pot smoking, partying, suicide attempts, addiction to pills, grief over the baby’s father’s death (hero is his brother), and other dubious behavior.
Doesn’t sound like an HP heroine, does it?
I’m sure you've guessed the twist by now.
When the hero discovers this, he is justifiably angry, but then asks the heroine for a marriage of convenience. It will be win-win. He needs an heir, she wants to be with the baby, they have sexual chemistry.
The conflict during this section is the heroine spending more time with the baby than the hero and the hero feeling short-changed. Heroine realizes she’s in love by now, but doesn’t want to show it. The usual drill.
The impasse is broken when the heroine steps on a jelly fish and almost dies from an allergic reaction. Hero then declares his love in the hospital for an HEA. There is an epilogue with the H/h and their newborn and their adopted toddler.
How well you buy into the DC’s bridge between the two stories, will probably determine your enjoyment. She gave enough hints that the mid-book revelation wasn’t shocking – but it did feel a bit contrived. Still the angst at the beginning was well done, and I always enjoy a good marriage of convenience story. Hero was a good guy and heroine’s actions were a bit misguided, but understandable.
So DC tips us off to the resolution of a drug-addicted mother signing away her rights to her baby when the heroine thinks the Australian customs agent calls her “Liar” as opposed to “Lia” - the name on the passport.
The scene shifts to the h sitting outside the H’s house watching the baby with the nanny and the grandfather. Hero confronts her and allows her stay with the family to spend time with her baby – even though he’s not giving an inch on the guardianship. And it’s hard for the reader to blame him – the heroine admits to pot smoking, partying, suicide attempts, addiction to pills, grief over the baby’s father’s death (hero is his brother), and other dubious behavior.
Doesn’t sound like an HP heroine, does it?
I’m sure you've guessed the twist by now.
When the hero discovers this, he is justifiably angry, but then asks the heroine for a marriage of convenience. It will be win-win. He needs an heir, she wants to be with the baby, they have sexual chemistry.
The conflict during this section is the heroine spending more time with the baby than the hero and the hero feeling short-changed. Heroine realizes she’s in love by now, but doesn’t want to show it. The usual drill.
The impasse is broken when the heroine steps on a jelly fish and almost dies from an allergic reaction. Hero then declares his love in the hospital for an HEA. There is an epilogue with the H/h and their newborn and their adopted toddler.
How well you buy into the DC’s bridge between the two stories, will probably determine your enjoyment. She gave enough hints that the mid-book revelation wasn’t shocking – but it did feel a bit contrived. Still the angst at the beginning was well done, and I always enjoy a good marriage of convenience story. Hero was a good guy and heroine’s actions were a bit misguided, but understandable.
March 9, 2019
It was a slow-burn romance and H was quite smitten and nice one, unfortunately for me. Lol
June 8, 2021
From mistress to mother...
Italian tycoon Zandro Brunellesci's brother has died. Zandro has no hesitation in deciding that his brother's baby must be raised as a Brunellesci--and taken away from the woman he considers a most unsuitable mother!...to marriage?
Lia won't let her baby go. She seems to have changed more than Zandro could have imagined...and he finds himself feeling a powerful desire for his brother's mistress. Could a convenient marriage give them both what they want?
Italian tycoon Zandro Brunellesci's brother has died. Zandro has no hesitation in deciding that his brother's baby must be raised as a Brunellesci--and taken away from the woman he considers a most unsuitable mother!...to marriage?
Lia won't let her baby go. She seems to have changed more than Zandro could have imagined...and he finds himself feeling a powerful desire for his brother's mistress. Could a convenient marriage give them both what they want?
May 21, 2021
Read StMargarets review if you don’t mind spoilers. This one is hard to write without spoilers but I’m going to try...It is more vague than usual but that can’t be helped to avoid spoilers.
There is a baby. The h and H both want the baby. The baby was given up when the mother could not handle the responsibilities. The baby is now well taken care of and loved by the H’s Australian Italian family(Grandma, Grandpa, cousins etc) the h has no family. The h is a stranger to the baby. The h wants the baby and is willing to fight for it.
The h and H have a sizzling connection that neither wishes were true.
The h and H marry for the sake of the baby and the H insists, based on their chemistry, that their marriage will be real. He also says that marriage is sacred and there will bE no additional sleeping partners. But after all the reasons he gave to the h for wanting to marry her, it’s obvious our H is smitten! h has blinders on doesn’t see it and the H probably hasn’t realized either.
Although not graphic, the h and H are extremely compatible in the bedroom. The h also seems to be fulfilling all her wifely duties. She’s so good at the mothering aspect that the H becomes angry. They have a nanny. The H wants more h time in and out of the bedroom.
At first she is outraged but decides she wants to be more a fixture in H’s life as she realizes she loves him.
It takes an event for them to declare their love for each other. The H admitting he thinks he fell in love with her on day 1.
There is a sweet epilogue...Thank You!
What I like...Hero was a good guy! He made my heart flutter with the way he touched the h. He also noticed things about her...which says he was paying attention when she least expected it.
The h made mistakes but overall she was a good person...it makes one happy that the h and H found each other.
There is a baby. The h and H both want the baby. The baby was given up when the mother could not handle the responsibilities. The baby is now well taken care of and loved by the H’s Australian Italian family(Grandma, Grandpa, cousins etc) the h has no family. The h is a stranger to the baby. The h wants the baby and is willing to fight for it.
The h and H have a sizzling connection that neither wishes were true.
The h and H marry for the sake of the baby and the H insists, based on their chemistry, that their marriage will be real. He also says that marriage is sacred and there will bE no additional sleeping partners. But after all the reasons he gave to the h for wanting to marry her, it’s obvious our H is smitten! h has blinders on doesn’t see it and the H probably hasn’t realized either.
Although not graphic, the h and H are extremely compatible in the bedroom. The h also seems to be fulfilling all her wifely duties. She’s so good at the mothering aspect that the H becomes angry. They have a nanny. The H wants more h time in and out of the bedroom.
At first she is outraged but decides she wants to be more a fixture in H’s life as she realizes she loves him.
It takes an event for them to declare their love for each other. The H admitting he thinks he fell in love with her on day 1.
There is a sweet epilogue...Thank You!
What I like...Hero was a good guy! He made my heart flutter with the way he touched the h. He also noticed things about her...which says he was paying attention when she least expected it.
The h made mistakes but overall she was a good person...it makes one happy that the h and H found each other.
May 8, 2020
The Brunellesci Baby
She came to find her child. She had planned to get him back. But the family that was his his family also wanted him. Secrets come out and she must reevaluate the situation. Can marriage to his uncle be what she finds a happy medium? Or will the family ties be too much for her?
She came to find her child. She had planned to get him back. But the family that was his his family also wanted him. Secrets come out and she must reevaluate the situation. Can marriage to his uncle be what she finds a happy medium? Or will the family ties be too much for her?
May 2, 2019
A great story but I was so confused when the secret was discovered....... no hints at all unless I wasn't paying attention.
November 22, 2020
Really quite good, maybe almost 4 stars. She's confused and determined and afraid but still falls in love.
Read
July 26, 2024not memorable
April 27, 2017
Leído el 22/01/2011
EN SUEÑOS TE AMARÉ
The Brunellesci baby
¿Podría un matrimonio de conveniencia darles a ambos lo que deseaban?
El hermano de Zandro Brunellesci había muerto, ¿quién cuidaría ahora de su pequeño? El despiadado empresario no dudó ni un segundo que el niño debía ser criado como un Brunellesci... y por tanto había que alejarlo de Lia, a la que consideraba una madre poco recomendable.
Lia no tardó en reclamar a hijo, pero Zandro se negaba a entregárselo porque no confiaba en ella. Aunque lo cierto era que aquella mujer parecía haber cambiado mucho... de hecho de pronto él mismo se sentía atraído por la que había sido amante de su hermano.
EN SUEÑOS TE AMARÉ
The Brunellesci baby
¿Podría un matrimonio de conveniencia darles a ambos lo que deseaban?
El hermano de Zandro Brunellesci había muerto, ¿quién cuidaría ahora de su pequeño? El despiadado empresario no dudó ni un segundo que el niño debía ser criado como un Brunellesci... y por tanto había que alejarlo de Lia, a la que consideraba una madre poco recomendable.
Lia no tardó en reclamar a hijo, pero Zandro se negaba a entregárselo porque no confiaba en ella. Aunque lo cierto era que aquella mujer parecía haber cambiado mucho... de hecho de pronto él mismo se sentía atraído por la que había sido amante de su hermano.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews