Any Rich Man Will Do [Paperback]

Francis Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2005

In this new novel from the national bestselling author Francis Ray, a bad girl falls on hard times, and forgiveness and redemption are the only things she has left.

Broke and living in a shabby motel, beautiful bad girl Jana Franklin has become an outcast in the elite Dallas society she once ruled. With her divorce from wealthy Gray Livingston, her dubious past, and no skills to claim, Jana is unable to support herself. Without friends and without hope, she has no one she can depend on but herself.
Then one night she stumbles (literally!) into Olivia Maxwell's store, Midnight Dreams. There she meets Tyler Maxwell---the first man she can't maneuver, toy with, or fool. After this chance meeting, tough girl Jana learns that it takes more than scheming to get her man.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The gorgeous heroine of Ray's how-the-mighty-fall—and learn a valuable lesson—story (after You and No Other) has made a career of manipulating men. But 32-year-old, thrice-married Jana Franklin is down on her luck after a divorce and ensuing scandal. As the novel opens, a disheveled Jana—teetering on her last worn pair of Manolos—crashes a Dallas, Tex., charity gala in search of one more affluent knight in shining armor, but she's ousted unceremoniously by the censorious hostess. Impoverished, friendless and helpless, she makes her way to the linen boutique of Olivia Sanders, a generous young woman who takes pity on her and gives her a job and a place to stay. Then Tyler Maxwell arrives, Olivia's protective, manly brother, whom Jana desperately hits on right away. Though Tyler is not one to be easily fleeced, he's both intrigued and confused by the forlorn, sensuous Jana. Over the course of the novel, he's increasingly compelled to discover more about this fierce yet fragile woman, as she learns the value of love and self-reliance. This fairy tale story requires total suspension of disbelief, but romance readers may relish following Jana's reform. (Oct.)
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Review

Praise for Any Rich Man Will Do

"Any Rich Man Will Do is a heartfelt story about redemption, second chances, and love."
---Elizabeth Lowell, New York Times bestselling author

"Ms. Ray's eloquent writing style and her development of memorable characters captured my attention from page one, and held it all the way through to the end."---J. D. Mason, award-winning author of Don't Want No Sugar and One Day I Saw a Black King

"This is a wonderful story about love, friendship, and a woman coming to terms with who she is and finding out what's important in life. Sometimes it's not about what you see on the outside. Sometimes it goes a little bit deeper than that."---Ursula Inga Kindred and Mirranda Guerin-Williams, bestselling authors of Mister Gumbo and Sister Gumbo

Praise for Like the First Time

"With each successive book, the talented Ms. Ray moves further from her roots in romances for African-American audiences, and closer to general bestselling status. This book will appeal to any reader, of any race, who simply yearns for a satisfying story, gorgeously told."
---Dallas Morning News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1ST edition (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312324316
• ISBN-13: 978-0312324315
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,033,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. Her literary fiction series-Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends have consistently made bestseller's lists, and are enjoyed by readers world-wide. She has written forty-seven books to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, Atlantic Choice, Borders 2008 Romance Award for bestselling Multicultural Romance for NOBODY BUT YOU. IF YOU WERE MY MAN was selected as Written 2010 Book of the Year.

Ms. Ray is hard at work on her next book. I'd love to 'meet' you on my Yahoo group at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That's What Friends Are For, October 10, 2005

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Any Rich Man Will Do (Paperback)

Jana Franklin was used to men taking care of her. She had no need for friends or employment as long as the wealthy men of Dallas were willing to subsidy her lifestyle. That was before her downfall. Humiliated and hungry, Jana opens the door of Midnight Dreams and faints. Luckily for her, Tyler Maxwell and his sister Olivia were there to help her. Fearing a lawsuit, they took her to the hospital where she was treated by Dr. Julian Cortez. For Tyler, Jana was a mystery waiting to be solved. For, Olivia, Jana was a woman in need and she was going to do everything she could to help, including taking her home and hiring her to work in her shop. For Jana, Olivia proved to be something she had never expected to have, a true friend and Tyler was a man who wanted her for more than just her body. The relationship between Jana and the Maxwell siblings is what makes up Francis' Ray newest novel Any Rich Man Will Do.

While touted as women's fiction, for this reader this book is another example of why Francis Ray is one of my favorite romance writers. The conflict and resolution were just enough to keep me eagerly turning the pages. Ms Ray usually includes social issues and during your reading and fantasizing, a lesson is being woven throughout the story. While reading this novel, the store Midnight Dreams had me longing for any linen store that sells Fretti sheets and towels. If you enjoy glamour and romance, this is the novel for you.

Jeanette

APOOO BookClub

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Grace Changes Us, October 20, 2005

By 

Loose Leaves Book Review (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Any Rich Man Will Do (Paperback)

Do you believe people can change? Any Rich Man Will Do focuses on change and how people react to it.

Jana lived the majority of her life as a gold digger. Moving quickly from one wealthy man to another, regardless of his marital status, role in the community or family relation. Jana has flipped her last trick and spent her last dollar, which is why she is living in a pay-by-day motel. Believing she has one last opportunity to catch a man while wearing an out-of-season, two sizes too big formal gown, she crashes the high society gala of the year. At the gala, she not only sticks out like a sore thumb but she is confronted by Priscilla, leader of the socialites, and tossed out. Thinking she can go no lower, Jana accepts the cash proposition of a famous basketball star. During the ride to a secluded location, he attempts to rape her, but at a stop light Jana garners enough strength to run.

Her energy is completely drained as she reaches the storefront of Midnight Dreams. Upon entering the store to ask for a drink of water she faints which alarms the storeowner, Olivia and her brother Tyler. Olivia takes Jana to the hospital to be checked out. However, Tyler is not as trusting because he believes Jana might be running game. The doctor examines Jana and determines that she is suffering from malnutrition. She is discharged from the hospital with nowhere to go, or so she thought.

Jana and Olivia become fast friends. Olivia has a garage apartment for rent and a sales position open at the store. Jana needs a place to live and a job. Olivia has problems trusting people while Jana has never needed to trust anyone. Both ladies have issues with men so they help each other, learn from their mistakes and trust God to bring forth the right mate.

Once again Francis Ray has written a spectacular romance that is sure to hit the bestseller list. Her characterizations are fantastic, the love scenes are dramatic and the fighting scenes are full of action and suspense. The plot moves along at a fast pace, offering a few twists that will keep you guessing. Any Rich Man Will Do is an example of why Ms. Ray continues to dazzle readers and is one of the most popular African American authors writing today.

Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding yourself, November 8, 2005

By 

aNN (Newport News, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Any Rich Man Will Do (Paperback)

For far too long, Jana Franklin's battle cry was 'ANY Rich Man Will Do.' But as past deeds have a way of catching up, Jana falls on hard times. She becomes an outcast from the elite society she once ruled. Attempts to reconcile with her ex-husband prove fruitless, which leaves her living in one star hotels and crashing socialites' parties. For the first time in her life, she absolutely has nowhere to go.

A desperate Jana stumbles into specialty store, Midnight Dreams; a store that specializes in linen for the rich and famous. The irony of this moment is that Jana supported herself for the longest on the luscious sheets of rich men's bed. So it will be her knowledge of exquisite linen that will be her saving grace. Olivia Maxwell, owner of Midnight Dreams has always had a soft spot for the under dog; so she offers Jana a place to stay and a job. Olivia's brother, Tyler, sees Jana as a liability for his sister and maybe something else equally damaging for himself.

Determine to prove Tyler wrong, Jana is desperate to accomplish things that before were once beneath her consideration. She becomes fast friends with Olivia and develops confidence in herself, outside of the bedroom. But Jana's issues are rooted in an unusual past, and until she can conquer them, her biggest struggle will be with herself.

Ms. Ray is proving that she has the vision and skills to lessen her grip on the Romance genre and move into more demanding literary waters. She gives us a tale of redemption that is believable but not maudlin. This is a well written story of learning about hard work, self-respect, and the fact that maybe 'love can be better the second time around'. Any Rich Man Will Do will undoubtedly appeal to readers of any financial status.