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Boardroom to Bedroom
The Boss's Marriage Arrangement by Penny Jordan
Everyone in her office thinks Harriet is boss Matthew Cole's fiancée! Harriet has to keep reminding herself it's all just for convenience--but how far is Matthew prepared to go with their arrangement... marriage?
His Darling Valentine by Carole Mortimer
It's Valentine's Day and a secret admirer is bombarding Tazzy Darling with gifts! Any woman would be delighted--but not Tazzy. There's only one man from whom she wants to receive love tokens, and that's her boss, Ross Valentine....
Everyone in her office thinks Harriet is boss Matthew Cole's fiancée! Harriet has to keep reminding herself it's all just for convenience--but how far is Matthew prepared to go with their arrangement... marriage?
His Darling Valentine by Carole Mortimer
It's Valentine's Day and a secret admirer is bombarding Tazzy Darling with gifts! Any woman would be delighted--but not Tazzy. There's only one man from whom she wants to receive love tokens, and that's her boss, Ross Valentine....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Penny Jordan
1,146 books676 followersPenelope Jones Halsall
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 13, 2015
First story was really maybe a 2 at most. The hero was just stupid and unseeing which was just sloppy writing on the part of the author. Like she didn't try hard enough to set up motivations and situations where the hero's feelings and assumptions about the heroine would have been more believable.
I really enjoyed His Darling Valentine much more. Poor guy was trying to secretly woo his secretary and kept crashing and burning. It was cute and fit the short story format perfectly as it took place all in just one day.
I really enjoyed His Darling Valentine much more. Poor guy was trying to secretly woo his secretary and kept crashing and burning. It was cute and fit the short story format perfectly as it took place all in just one day.
April 11, 2013
I dont particularly fancy reviewing short stories; two-in-one books or whatnot, cause you will most likely end up liking one story more than the other and hating some parts that will probably affect your review in its entirety. However、 this book wasn't the case. I liked it! I really did, sure, it was predictable/corny and at times too sweet but hey thats harlequin for u.
Its good old fun, sweet and romantic without any realistic views whatsoever. If I wanted to get away from reading something that involves cheating/infidelity then I go and read harlequin books. Because the men are vocal, at times feminine- they know what the want/feel and you can be sure theyll get it. The men here are loyal 、pining and whipped- but I loved that. I like stories that have plots involving the hero loving the heroine first.
So 、 if u love sappy romance (like me) then read this! The men are intense, driven and whipped, me loves..
Its good old fun, sweet and romantic without any realistic views whatsoever. If I wanted to get away from reading something that involves cheating/infidelity then I go and read harlequin books. Because the men are vocal, at times feminine- they know what the want/feel and you can be sure theyll get it. The men here are loyal 、pining and whipped- but I loved that. I like stories that have plots involving the hero loving the heroine first.
So 、 if u love sappy romance (like me) then read this! The men are intense, driven and whipped, me loves..
November 29, 2012
These two stories are quick, cute and delightful. They definitely bring a whole lotta love.
February 19, 2021
The Boss’s Marriage Arrangement was a descent read although Harriet had me ready to pull my hair out. After being accused of being in love with her best friend and trying to sabotage his relationship, he boss whom she actually is in love with, decides to put them in a fake relationship including marriage. This story was filled with miscommunications and irony but had a nice HEA.
His Darling Valentine I just wanted to slap Tazzy. Throughout Valentine’s Day she receives expensive gifts and her boss even hints that he is the one sending them, even kisses her. For someone supposedly in love with someone and hoping he finally sees her and wants her, when she does find out it was him after he had wined and dined her, she throws him out. Just a big mess but she realizes what a fool she was of course and goes to him where they have their HEA.
As a woman, I can’t imagine ever acting so foolish so I was constantly angry the the female characters.
His Darling Valentine I just wanted to slap Tazzy. Throughout Valentine’s Day she receives expensive gifts and her boss even hints that he is the one sending them, even kisses her. For someone supposedly in love with someone and hoping he finally sees her and wants her, when she does find out it was him after he had wined and dined her, she throws him out. Just a big mess but she realizes what a fool she was of course and goes to him where they have their HEA.
As a woman, I can’t imagine ever acting so foolish so I was constantly angry the the female characters.
October 20, 2020
His Darling Valentine: Such a sweet short story! Poor Tazzy is head over heels for her boss, but who keeps sending her these valentine gift and why is her boss suddenly spending so much time with her! This was a fun, sweet, and romantic read ❤❤❤❤
August 5, 2017
Won't read again
First book was all right but the going back and forth between H and h POV was to quick. Second was ridiculous and unbelievable.
First book was all right but the going back and forth between H and h POV was to quick. Second was ridiculous and unbelievable.
May 26, 2020
Two enjoyable short reads by two talented authors.
August 21, 2024
Ślub z szefem - Penny Jordan 3/5 (2015)
Walentynka dla Anastazji - Carole Mortimer 2/5 (2024)
Walentynka dla Anastazji - Carole Mortimer 2/5 (2024)
November 6, 2015
The Boss's Marriage Arrangement: 3.0 stars
I liked how smitten Matthew was with Harriet. What I wasn't so enamored with was his unprofessional behavior at the office. I think the author was trying to emphasize how overcome Matthew was with love and desire for Harriet that he couldn't focus on anything else. But the preoccupation with sex - they were jumping on each other at almost every opportunity - was jarring. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for hot sex scenes, but I would have liked to have seen an equal expression of their emotional and physical desires, like in Jordan's earlier work.
Speaking of her previous efforts, the author's writing technique is usually more elegant. It was less polished in this book, as if a teenager wrote it. No offense to teenagers, but there was a notable difference.
His Darling Valentine: 3.5 stars
I liked Carole Mortimer's story better (even though Penny Jordan is my favorite Harlequin author). Ross was just a sweetie.
Tazzy, though, disappointed me a bit near the end. She didn't give Ross a chance to explain his behavior. I thought she was too mean to him.
There weren't any love scenes, but I really didn't miss them while reading or notice the lack until I was finished.
I liked how smitten Matthew was with Harriet. What I wasn't so enamored with was his unprofessional behavior at the office. I think the author was trying to emphasize how overcome Matthew was with love and desire for Harriet that he couldn't focus on anything else. But the preoccupation with sex - they were jumping on each other at almost every opportunity - was jarring. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for hot sex scenes, but I would have liked to have seen an equal expression of their emotional and physical desires, like in Jordan's earlier work.
Speaking of her previous efforts, the author's writing technique is usually more elegant. It was less polished in this book, as if a teenager wrote it. No offense to teenagers, but there was a notable difference.
His Darling Valentine: 3.5 stars
I liked Carole Mortimer's story better (even though Penny Jordan is my favorite Harlequin author). Ross was just a sweetie.
Tazzy, though, disappointed me a bit near the end. She didn't give Ross a chance to explain his behavior. I thought she was too mean to him.
There weren't any love scenes, but I really didn't miss them while reading or notice the lack until I was finished.
February 17, 2013
The Boss's Marriage Arrangement 4*
Matt loves Harriet, who loves Ben, who loves Cindi, who loves Ben, who does not love Harriet, who does not love Matt, who does love her—with the kind of savage,self-destructive, all-consuming hunger that set all his inner emotional buttons on overdrive and meltdown every damned time he saw her.
So Harriet's best friend is male-Ben and his girlfriend doesn't get their relationship so Harriet will pretend to date her boss Matt,of course they are in love but hide their attraction from each other-so it's light,funny and sexy story with some silly events that work pretty well actually.
His Darling Valentine 3*
is on the other hand sweet but sometimes boring and predictable,we also have boss in love with PA so he secretly sends her Valentine gifts from 7-20h when he's gonna reveal himself,but...
Both stories are cute and fast reads!
Matt loves Harriet, who loves Ben, who loves Cindi, who loves Ben, who does not love Harriet, who does not love Matt, who does love her—with the kind of savage,self-destructive, all-consuming hunger that set all his inner emotional buttons on overdrive and meltdown every damned time he saw her.
So Harriet's best friend is male-Ben and his girlfriend doesn't get their relationship so Harriet will pretend to date her boss Matt,of course they are in love but hide their attraction from each other-so it's light,funny and sexy story with some silly events that work pretty well actually.
His Darling Valentine 3*
is on the other hand sweet but sometimes boring and predictable,we also have boss in love with PA so he secretly sends her Valentine gifts from 7-20h when he's gonna reveal himself,but...
Both stories are cute and fast reads!
January 4, 2018
Darling Valentine only
Ahhh..the things one does when in love.
Ahhh..the things one does when in love.
April 22, 2016
2.5 stars
September 29, 2012
Two quick short stories .... Cute..fast read.
November 27, 2013
A fun valentine read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews