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The Hinton Family #3
Love Takes Time
All her life, Alyssa Jansen has loved handsome, wealthy Quentin Dwayne Hinton—a man who barely knows she exists. Now, after years away in France, Alyssa's back, and suddenly Q is seeing her in a whole new light. The surprising thing is, so is his brother Sterling.…
Sterling is stunned by the sexy, smart career woman Alyssa has become, and by his desire to protect her from his irresponsible brother. Platonic friendship turns into a deep, passionate affair that leaves them both feeling confused and guilty. And when Q decides he wants Alyssa after all, she'll have to choose between a fairy tale come true and a new, unexpected love….
Sterling is stunned by the sexy, smart career woman Alyssa has become, and by his desire to protect her from his irresponsible brother. Platonic friendship turns into a deep, passionate affair that leaves them both feeling confused and guilty. And when Q decides he wants Alyssa after all, she'll have to choose between a fairy tale come true and a new, unexpected love….
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Adrianne Byrd
60 books280 followersNational Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 24, 2009
Ms. Byrd spins a tale like no other! She ALWAYS takes me on an emotionally-charged roller coaster ride with her CAPTIVATING stories. Once again I LOL, cried, cheered and sighed. "Love Takes Time" arrived yesterday, late afternoon, and it was a HUGE struggle every time I had to put it down! Poor, sexy, serious, and sweet Sterling Hinton always seems CAUGHT between his brothers and their love interests. Will he EVER find his own TRUE love?!! I enjoyed the fact that some of the scenes are similar to the movie, "Sabrina" (Audrey Hepburn/Humphrey Bogart or Julia Ormond/Harrison Ford) but of course Ms. Byrd adds her own special FLAVOR to keep the pages turning. I REALLY don't want to give ANYMORE away, so I'll just say this novel is a MUST read to all my fellow romance junkies! The storyline is highly ENTERTAINING, the cast of characters, main and secondary, with all their antics throughout are quite MEMORABLE, and the love scenes as usual are HOT & SPICY. This is DEFINITELY a series not to be missed! I can hardly wait to see what Ms. Byrd has in store for the last Hinton brother. JOB WELL DONE, Ms. Byrd!
June 25, 2012
This book was surprisingly good. When I first started reading it I wasn't sure I was gonna like it, because it read a lot like the movie Sabrina. I liked the movie, but duplication is a turn off. I glad I didn't allow the similarity keep my from finishing it. The story was good, even though I agree that it felt a little rushed. I would have liked to have seen Alyssa and Sterling's relationship developed more, but it was a quick read so I guess I won't complain. There was a lot of focus on their age difference, but Alyssa's father married a woman 15 years younger than him so what was the big deal. Although Sterling and Alyssa's father were friends, I originally didn't get the impression that they were the same age. I figured Alfred was more of a mentor to Sterling. You won't be disappointed because it is a good story, just a little too rushed.
March 18, 2012
The book was good however I have mixed feels. Quentin is so endearing that it broke my heart to see that his brother Sterling stole his “Alice”. Since I started the series off with the King’s brothers, Quentin just captured my heart with his wit, charm, and his pain. I truly believe that Alyssa could've show him what loves means. Nevertheless, it was not the case. It seems the Hinton brothers didnt have a problem dating the same woman that their brothers were interested in (feel the fire with Jonas and Sterling). I am looking forward to unbreak my heart to see Quentin finally find happiness and love, it’s truly overdue.
January 5, 2016
This was really good, I can't wait to read the next on bring it on. Hinton brother's
November 18, 2017
Beautiful family love story. I was happy to see Allysa and Sterling "wake up" to their love. The forever juvenile and mercurical "Q" is endearing but still on the hunt.
June 20, 2011
I originally read this in Dec 2010, but after reading King's Passion I had to come back and re-read this book to remember what went down between Sterling, Quentin, & Alyssa, and what a story it was! I always felt that Quentin would straighten himself out, and him and Alyssa could be, but of course that didn't happen. Sterling and Alyssa had such a powerful connection, especially in the bedroom. This book had some really hot love scenes, that make you feel like you are actually there with them, experiencing it as well (Kudos Ms. Byrd).
After reading another person's review that Sterling was 21yrs older than Alyssa, I did find the relationship a bit creepy (after the fact) since that would really put him around the same age as her father, who Sterling was good friends with. I know they kept saying their was an age difference between them, but I thought maybe 10yrs or so, not 21! That is the only damper about this book, other than that it was a gr8 read.
After reading another person's review that Sterling was 21yrs older than Alyssa, I did find the relationship a bit creepy (after the fact) since that would really put him around the same age as her father, who Sterling was good friends with. I know they kept saying their was an age difference between them, but I thought maybe 10yrs or so, not 21! That is the only damper about this book, other than that it was a gr8 read.
January 15, 2012
Alyssa Jansen's father worked as a live-in personal chef to the wealthy Hinton family so she grew up with the Hinton brothers, Quentin and Sterling. Her childhood crush on Quentin was widely known about by everyone in the family and on staff. Quentin, the consummate flirt, never took the little girl seriously, while Sterling ignored her altogether. When and adult Alyssa, now a successful model, returns to the home for her father's wedding, the brothers begin to see her in a new light.
September 17, 2011
The story was amazing. I really like how Adrienne incorporates humor in the novel. She has me ROFLAO. It’s almost ridiculous because I have to apologize to my family (that’s how loud I’m laughing).
My only issue was the age difference. However the story was so good, I just ignored references to the age because I didn’t want to lose the essence of the story.
GOOD READ. The story had me laughing, crying, and grinning.
By the way, I started in the evening and finished before midnight. I couldn't do anything but read because it was that good. Now I'm truly ready for Q's story.
My only issue was the age difference. However the story was so good, I just ignored references to the age because I didn’t want to lose the essence of the story.
GOOD READ. The story had me laughing, crying, and grinning.
By the way, I started in the evening and finished before midnight. I couldn't do anything but read because it was that good. Now I'm truly ready for Q's story.
January 5, 2017
The book was great considering I read the 3 king books first. I didn't like how the father bullied Quentin into marrying that woman knowing he wasn't going to stay with her. And then he talked about Quentin not getting a real job and stuff but he doesn't realize he's the reason he acts like that? You let the man do whatever he wanted for so many years. Then Alyssa, I could never see someone falling in love with the person brother she say she was madly in love with.
April 8, 2016
I love the stories Adrianne Byrd writes! She is one of my favorite romance authors. I enjoyed every twist and turn to Sterling and Alyssa's romance. I couldn't help but hear Mariah Carey singing "Love Takes Time"....which caused what I thought was a great rendition in the shower....lol. I hope there's another book with Quentin (Q's) story....I would love to see him find his match.
April 3, 2016
Quentin, Quentin, Quentin. (Spoiler alert)
I enjoyed the final conclusion, but I don't like situations that make women look desperate and hard up. Especially, in a family. I totally expected her to be with the person she always believed she would be. Don't like pitting brother against brother.
Good read but heartbreaking on so many levels beginning with Alfred.
I enjoyed the final conclusion, but I don't like situations that make women look desperate and hard up. Especially, in a family. I totally expected her to be with the person she always believed she would be. Don't like pitting brother against brother.
Good read but heartbreaking on so many levels beginning with Alfred.
June 3, 2012
This is the first book I've read in this genre where I did not care for the hero. If this book did not include the triangle I would have loved the story, but there are some bonds that are stronger than the chemistry. Sterling violated that bond.
February 6, 2012
A really good read. Another one that boast age as not being a factor in love. The Love triangle was a new twist on the classic Humphrey Bogart move "Sabrina". Harrison Ford did a more recent movie with the same name. This certainly on my list to read again someday.
May 24, 2012
I have one thing to say why on earth do we have to wait until next year to see how Quentin does!!!!!! BYW I can honestly see why Q didn't talk to his brother or his family, did his father care anything about him? I can't wait to see his story.
July 31, 2013
Awesome way to end a wonderful series. I am glad that Sterling Hinton and Alyssa Jansen finally got together, leaving poor Quentin in the wind. Even though I thought that Quentin got what he deserved, I hope that he learned his lesson and is able to one day find true love. Excellent read!
March 8, 2016
I love Alyssa and Sterlings love story
I love that Sterling finally found love. Especially with Alyssa. And Quentin, I guess he's getting to know karma. I love reading all these stories and the new characters I get to know and love!!!!!
I love that Sterling finally found love. Especially with Alyssa. And Quentin, I guess he's getting to know karma. I love reading all these stories and the new characters I get to know and love!!!!!
November 11, 2013
i love it
Read
August 10, 2012Loved it! But they all seem to like the same women a little scary...lol
January 4, 2013
This was my first Adrianne Byrd book, I was instantly hooked after this!
September 16, 2013
Loved It!!!!
July 17, 2014
A very good read, reminded of the classic movie Sabrina with urban characters,loved it. Would watch this as a movie or play..hint,hint.
January 17, 2015
What a beautiful story. Adrianne Byrd is now one of favorite author. Love the chemistry between Sterling and Alyssa!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews