Total Possession

by Kathryn Ross

Their eyes had met across a crowded roomBut whereas Alexi Rossini's look had registered a heady combination of power and sexuality, Max Channing's had held more than just appreciation for Alexi's beauty. There had been a cool, calculating assessment of her in his eyes that hadn't quite fit a first encounter. Nor had their conversation been the stuff of which dreams were made, when they'd joked about getting married--then divorced--in the space of a fortnight.Yet in a town where such happenings were the norm, they appeared to have gotten it right. Until Alexi realized with a shock that, although she loved the man she'd married, she hardly knew him. After all, what reasons could Max possibly- have had for distrusting the Rossini name so? And had their initial conversation really been in jest or a prediction of their fate?

Genres: Harlequin Romance

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Kathryn Ross is a professional beauty therapist, but writing is her first love. At thirteen she was editor of her school magazine and wrote a play for a competition, and won. Ten years later she was accepted by Mills & Boon, who were the only publishers she ever approached with her work. Kathryn lives in Lancashire, is married and has inherited two delightful stepsons. She has written over twenty novels now and is still as much in love with writing as ever and never plans to stop.

Reviews

[RomLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their eyes had met across a crowded room

But whereas Alexi Rossini's look had registered a heady combination of power and sexuality, Max Channing's had held more than just appreciation for Alexi's beauty. There had been a cool, calculating assessment of her in his eyes that hadn't quite fit a first encounter. Nor had their conversation been the stuff of which dreams were made, when they'd joked about getting married--then divorced--in the space of a fortnight.

Yet in a town where such happenings were the norm, they appeared to have gotten it right. Until Alexi realized with a shock that, although she loved the man she'd married, she hardly knew him. After all, what reasons could Max possibly- have had for distrusting the Rossini name so? And had their initial conversation really been in jest or a prediction of their fate?

[StMargarets · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a revenge story - couple that with a morning-after-the-wedding-betrayal and I am a happy camper. But this story had a million plot holes, uneven characterization, and a forced happy ending.

Heroine is an interior designer to the Hollywood elite. The author makes sure the reader knows how much she hates this superficial lifestyle, but this is where she has chosen to work and these are her clients. Her father is a famous director and men pay attention to her to secure parts in his movies. So heroine is used to handsome men dating her for selfish purposes.

Enter hero who comes in hot and then plays all kinds of games with her. He takes her out and then has his servent drive her home. He leaves for business for a week and never calls. He treats her like crap and she laps it up.

They marry after a few weeks and hero drags her to his vineyard for a working honeymoon. He also has her sign papers dividing up their assets in case there is a divorce. LOL - why the heroine didn't realize she was in a revenge novel right then and there is beyond me.

Her father has to explain to her that the hero married her for revenge against him and that hero never loved her. All the pieces fall into place for the heroine (finally!). She leaves the hero, who now is in love with her.

Hero works (kinda) to get her back and heroine believes his declarations of love for a shaky HEA.

Everyone got what they deserved, I guess. I didn't - I deserved better. *pouts*

[Amazingdaffodils · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated the "hero"; he was incredibly insufferable. He had a superior attitude and found everything amusing, even the heroine's insecurities. Throughout the story, he had a laid-back attitude as if he didn't really care about her and could take or leave their relationship. For instance, after proposing, he doesn't contact her for days. Then, after marrying her, he goes on a business trip for two weeks without any communication. To top it all off, he secretly purchases her property and shows no remorse when confronted with the evidence, expecting her to believe he cares for her. Yes, on what evidence?How is she supposed to know that he loved her by then (as he later claims) when he had her sign a contract on their wedding day? This contradiction is never addressed, and his actions are never adequately explained away, making his eventual sacrifice for her feel unearned and unsatisfactory. I rather have a horrible "hero" who doesn't hide that he is horrible and shows more emotion.

[Mary-jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked it.
A vintage book loaned from the library. Second book by this author and it's pretty good.