What do you think?
Valente #3
Valente's Baby
For Matthew Valente, paternity trumped everything. Never mind that his ex-employee Lana had kept his baby a secret for nearly a year. Never mind that he considered her a liar and a thief. Their child would bear the Valente name…and so would she.As tension mounted in the House of Valente, Matthew fought to resist the memories of their past indiscretion. His bewitching bride insisted things were not as they seemed. But as restraint turned to passion, would the corporate king fall victim to the very worst form of takeover-his heart?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Maxine Sullivan
210 books79 followersI have to say that I pretty much blame my mother for all this. If my dear Mum wasn't an avid reader of romance, then I might not have fallen in love with romance novels myself. And then I wouldn't have decided to write my own romances. Thanks Mum!
Of course, I never thought it would take me 20 years before I saw my first piece de résistance in print. Perhaps I wouldn't even have tried, but you know, I think I still would have reached for my dream. Romance novels offer such wonderful affirmations about love and relationships that I can't imagine not wanting to share my stories with others.
I currently live in Melbourne, Australia but over the years have travelled to New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. In my own backyard, my husband’s job ensured we saw the diversity of the countryside, from the tropics to the outback, country towns to the cities. I find it very fitting that I sold my first manuscript on January 26th 2006, which is Australia Day in my country.
Since that fateful day I have had 12 books published, selling almost a million and a half copies worldwide in as many as 17 languages. I'm also published in short stories worldwide in national magazines.
I am married to Geoff, who has proven his hero status many times over the years. We have two handsome sons and an assortment of previously abandoned animals.
I'm always happy to hear from my readers. For me, it really is a pleasure to be here.
Of course, I never thought it would take me 20 years before I saw my first piece de résistance in print. Perhaps I wouldn't even have tried, but you know, I think I still would have reached for my dream. Romance novels offer such wonderful affirmations about love and relationships that I can't imagine not wanting to share my stories with others.
I currently live in Melbourne, Australia but over the years have travelled to New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. In my own backyard, my husband’s job ensured we saw the diversity of the countryside, from the tropics to the outback, country towns to the cities. I find it very fitting that I sold my first manuscript on January 26th 2006, which is Australia Day in my country.
Since that fateful day I have had 12 books published, selling almost a million and a half copies worldwide in as many as 17 languages. I'm also published in short stories worldwide in national magazines.
I am married to Geoff, who has proven his hero status many times over the years. We have two handsome sons and an assortment of previously abandoned animals.
I'm always happy to hear from my readers. For me, it really is a pleasure to be here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
avoid
March 18, 2018Self note:
I just didn’t like the premise of hero’s monumental lack of trust.
But his lack of celibacy can be debatable. He said he didn’t have as many affairs as the heroine thinks before their marriage. Which could simply have been a reference to the his “playboy/manwhore lifestyle” (I think he’s trying to say he’s not REALLY a manwhore) and the fact he wanted a divorce after a while to go back to having affairs afterwards. It doesn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t celibate during separation. Doesn’t mean he was either.
However as Melody points out in the comments, that we are privy to his inner monologue which takes us to his plan of all night sex fest which was interrupted by finding out he was father to a child, so sad. I’m no longer willing to buy what this guy is selling.
I just didn’t like the premise of hero’s monumental lack of trust.
But his lack of celibacy can be debatable. He said he didn’t have as many affairs as the heroine thinks before their marriage. Which could simply have been a reference to the his “playboy/manwhore lifestyle” (I think he’s trying to say he’s not REALLY a manwhore) and the fact he wanted a divorce after a while to go back to having affairs afterwards. It doesn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t celibate during separation. Doesn’t mean he was either.
However as Melody points out in the comments, that we are privy to his inner monologue which takes us to his plan of all night sex fest which was interrupted by finding out he was father to a child, so sad. I’m no longer willing to buy what this guy is selling.
March 17, 2018
***3.5 Stars*** Just okay storyline.
Matthew Valente's father had a big shocking surprise for him. He informed Matt that he was a father of a little girl whose mother used to work for him. She and Matt had one night together. Matthew had accused, no that's not right, he found her guilty of stealing money without any proof. (She was not guilty as someone had set her up to take the fall. But Matt Valente, being a good-looking, wealthy alpha male was positive he was correct in his accusations. Don't they all think that?! Of course when he convicted her of the crime he gave her no chance to say a word, no opportunity to defend herself.
Then to top that off in the same breath he finds out he has a little girl and his own father has the jet ready to take him to her, he tells his father that he can't go because he has a date...with a lady-friend (an all-night date and they weren't staying up to play checkers or chess.)
The story was pretty good but our hero was so mistrusting and he has no idea how to handle a relationship with his child's mother as he had forced her into a marriage of convenience. She so did not want to be married to a man who always thought the worst of her. He considered her a liar and a thief and treated her as though she was guilty without a trial. I did have reservations about this man. A man gets so carried away that he forgets a condom for the first time in his life and doesn't bother to check-in with her for two years to see if there were consequences??!! So she leaves his employ and moves away. I certainly didn't blame her for that. She had a pregnancy to get through and a child to raise and protect from ruthless men like him.
Matthew Valente's father had a big shocking surprise for him. He informed Matt that he was a father of a little girl whose mother used to work for him. She and Matt had one night together. Matthew had accused, no that's not right, he found her guilty of stealing money without any proof. (She was not guilty as someone had set her up to take the fall. But Matt Valente, being a good-looking, wealthy alpha male was positive he was correct in his accusations. Don't they all think that?! Of course when he convicted her of the crime he gave her no chance to say a word, no opportunity to defend herself.
Then to top that off in the same breath he finds out he has a little girl and his own father has the jet ready to take him to her, he tells his father that he can't go because he has a date...with a lady-friend (an all-night date and they weren't staying up to play checkers or chess.)
The story was pretty good but our hero was so mistrusting and he has no idea how to handle a relationship with his child's mother as he had forced her into a marriage of convenience. She so did not want to be married to a man who always thought the worst of her. He considered her a liar and a thief and treated her as though she was guilty without a trial. I did have reservations about this man. A man gets so carried away that he forgets a condom for the first time in his life and doesn't bother to check-in with her for two years to see if there were consequences??!! So she leaves his employ and moves away. I certainly didn't blame her for that. She had a pregnancy to get through and a child to raise and protect from ruthless men like him.
April 20, 2017
Leído el 25/07/2010
December 29, 2019
A beautiful story of two people finding each other by a dad who finds that this son needs to marry. A cute little baby in the mix and boom a great story of love. The Valente man know how to catch their woman. Great read.
July 16, 2010
Valente's Baby by Maxine Sullivan
Matthew Valente and Lana Jensen
Matthew Valente is the youngest son of Cesare Valente, founder of the House of Valente. The sexcapades of the three Valente brothers is well documented. When Cesare Valente tells Matt that he has a child he laughs. When Matt realizes he’s not joking he livid when he tells him who the mother of the child is Lana Jensen. Unbelievable the one woman Matt didn’t protect himself from at that company party. Just great. Well he would expose the thief and liar. She would rue the day messed with Matt Valente.
Lana Jensen is shocked when she opens her door. The last person she ever expected to see was Matt Valente. Matt tells her that he wants to see his daughter. Lana can’t believe that Matt knows about Megan. Lana you will marry me for one year, I’ll give my name to Megan and support both of you. You either agree or I will take Megan away. Don’t think I won’t win custody. I will and you will never see her again. Lana knows she can’t win so she agrees to the marriage of convenience. Even though Matt still feels she stole money from House of Valente when she worked for him. All she could think was that life wasn’t fair. She knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Megan, her daughter.
It’s strange how a child can bring two parents to realize that they belong together. That love for that small life is all that matters. Matthew and Lana feel that love with their daughter Megan. Lana realizes that her attraction to Matthew Valente has never changed. The only difference is that now she realizes that she loves Matt. Matt is attracted to her but he doesn’t love her. After one year he will move on to his next conquest. He still sees her as a liar and thief.
Matt change of heart towards Lana makes him realize that she didn’t steal from House of Valente. When Lana shows up at his office as they have the real thief she realizes that Matt will never and has never trusted her and never will. She is too torn and promises him that she and Megan will be gone by morning. Lana is heartbroken but realizes that her love for Matt just isn’t enough.
Matt races home and realizes that he loves Lana and nothing will stop him. Lana can’t stay married to Matt knowing there is no trust. He won’t accept defeat, he loves Lana and his daughter and vows to make them truly a family, forever. It almost takes losing the most important loves in his life to realize how much he needs them.
In the end love did make the difference. Matt and Lana would build on that love. Years from now when they would look back at their family they would cherish their love forever.
This book was definitely a Five Star MUST read.
Matthew Valente and Lana Jensen
Matthew Valente is the youngest son of Cesare Valente, founder of the House of Valente. The sexcapades of the three Valente brothers is well documented. When Cesare Valente tells Matt that he has a child he laughs. When Matt realizes he’s not joking he livid when he tells him who the mother of the child is Lana Jensen. Unbelievable the one woman Matt didn’t protect himself from at that company party. Just great. Well he would expose the thief and liar. She would rue the day messed with Matt Valente.
Lana Jensen is shocked when she opens her door. The last person she ever expected to see was Matt Valente. Matt tells her that he wants to see his daughter. Lana can’t believe that Matt knows about Megan. Lana you will marry me for one year, I’ll give my name to Megan and support both of you. You either agree or I will take Megan away. Don’t think I won’t win custody. I will and you will never see her again. Lana knows she can’t win so she agrees to the marriage of convenience. Even though Matt still feels she stole money from House of Valente when she worked for him. All she could think was that life wasn’t fair. She knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Megan, her daughter.
It’s strange how a child can bring two parents to realize that they belong together. That love for that small life is all that matters. Matthew and Lana feel that love with their daughter Megan. Lana realizes that her attraction to Matthew Valente has never changed. The only difference is that now she realizes that she loves Matt. Matt is attracted to her but he doesn’t love her. After one year he will move on to his next conquest. He still sees her as a liar and thief.
Matt change of heart towards Lana makes him realize that she didn’t steal from House of Valente. When Lana shows up at his office as they have the real thief she realizes that Matt will never and has never trusted her and never will. She is too torn and promises him that she and Megan will be gone by morning. Lana is heartbroken but realizes that her love for Matt just isn’t enough.
Matt races home and realizes that he loves Lana and nothing will stop him. Lana can’t stay married to Matt knowing there is no trust. He won’t accept defeat, he loves Lana and his daughter and vows to make them truly a family, forever. It almost takes losing the most important loves in his life to realize how much he needs them.
In the end love did make the difference. Matt and Lana would build on that love. Years from now when they would look back at their family they would cherish their love forever.
This book was definitely a Five Star MUST read.
January 14, 2022
I didn't like it, I didn't like that hero wasn't celibate for the 20 months they were seperated and even planned on sleeping with a girlfriend when book first started. I didn't really feel the connection between them was all that strong. B.
January 1, 2019
Leído 2010
February 24, 2017
2.5 stars!!!
March 25, 2012
For Matthew Valente, paternity trumped everything. Never mind that his ex-employee Lana had kept his baby a secret for nearly a year. Never mind that he considered her a liar and a thief. Their child would bear the Valente name...and so would she.
As tension mounted in the House of Valente, Matthew fought to resist the memories of their past indiscretion. His bewitching bride insisted things were not as they seemed. But as restraint turned to passion, would the corporate king fall victim to the very worst form of takeover--his heart?
Matthew Valente does what is necessary for his child, and I find that quite remarkable. I love how he softens toward the child. Ms. Sullivan has done an excellent job in defining the characters in this story line. This is another book in the Billionaires and Babies series.
As tension mounted in the House of Valente, Matthew fought to resist the memories of their past indiscretion. His bewitching bride insisted things were not as they seemed. But as restraint turned to passion, would the corporate king fall victim to the very worst form of takeover--his heart?
Matthew Valente does what is necessary for his child, and I find that quite remarkable. I love how he softens toward the child. Ms. Sullivan has done an excellent job in defining the characters in this story line. This is another book in the Billionaires and Babies series.
July 26, 2015
I've found treasure in this one.
Nothing new about the plot, but the writing and the characterization were great.
Lana was a good heroine. Strong without being annoying, stubborn but not stupid, didn't give up easily to her attraction to Matt and she fell in love with Matt after seeing his good sides (not just because he's soo hot and good in bed).
As for Matt, at the beginning he was your regular jerk hero. But he learned to respect Lana, trust her and love her.
A very good romance story.
Nothing new about the plot, but the writing and the characterization were great.
Lana was a good heroine. Strong without being annoying, stubborn but not stupid, didn't give up easily to her attraction to Matt and she fell in love with Matt after seeing his good sides (not just because he's soo hot and good in bed).
As for Matt, at the beginning he was your regular jerk hero. But he learned to respect Lana, trust her and love her.
A very good romance story.
August 20, 2015
Perfect ending to the Valente brothers series. A beautiful romance story. It started with Matt being so harsh and cruel, but he was such a loving hands-on father. I like that Lana was strong, intelligent and independent. Megan was adorable. Cesare finally had everything he had always wanted for his family even if he did things in such unconventional and manipulative ways.
November 15, 2010
i really liked this one. i loved that Lana stood up for herself and didnt let Matt just boss her around. i also liked that there was a lot of baby scenes, usually with these books the nanny takes over or the baby is always sleeping, but we got to see all three of them interact.
October 18, 2016
Good storylines
I enjoyed reading about Matt and Lana story. It captivated my attention and I couldn't put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to families and friends.
I enjoyed reading about Matt and Lana story. It captivated my attention and I couldn't put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to families and friends.
December 9, 2016
Not bad. Short. To the point.
I felt there was something mising: maybe more development in the characters, maybe in the sstory. I just couldn't believe of falling in love htat way.
I'm losing my liking of romance.
I felt there was something mising: maybe more development in the characters, maybe in the sstory. I just couldn't believe of falling in love htat way.
I'm losing my liking of romance.
May 8, 2009
I will give that the book doesn't skimp on interaction between Lana & Matt,
though it's as formulaic as all get out. Secret Baby romance is a acquired taste,& this one tastes pretty foul.
though it's as formulaic as all get out. Secret Baby romance is a acquired taste,& this one tastes pretty foul.
August 5, 2010
This was a cute, light story. The dialog at times was a little lame, but otherwise not a bad read. If this was part of a series, I'd read more.
December 30, 2010
awesome book
April 12, 2011
3.5 Stars!
September 16, 2011
predecible, entretenido, un típico libro de harlequin. Bueno para pasar el rato, pero no una obra maestra.
February 21, 2012
This book is from the Billionaires and Babies series from Desire. It's a good book, but has I said before a bit racy for me, but I love the story line, really good idea.
May 17, 2012
This is a cute standard fare Harlequin fluffy romance. Nice mindless read with a happy ending.
June 27, 2012
Lovely
March 25, 2013
This was boring. I didn't like the hero or the heroine. At least this was a fast read.
June 4, 2013
Light and enjoyable read.
January 2, 2014
Nothing special
January 14, 2015
very short nice read
February 11, 2016
just loved it...
January 23, 2017
I didn't know this was a series!
February 4, 2011
2.5 This was an ok, quick short read. A few steamy love scenes.
January 3, 2013
Nice story. I like a heroine with mental scars and this one was feisty as well!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews