If You Were My Man [Paperback]

Francis Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2010

Nathalyia Fontaine has been the sole proprietor of the restaurant Fontaine since her husband died four years ago. She hasn't dated anyone in all those years, choosing not to open her heart again, or risk revealing her dark past. That is, until she meets Rafael Dunlap.

Rafael is a hostage negotiator with his own set of problems. Though he loves women, he vows he'll never marry because his job is just too unpredictable.  He can't imagine leaving a widow and children behind. But his thinking and game plan of loving and leaving changes when he meets Nathalyia. Though she tries to resist him, Rafael sweeps her into a whirlwind romance. When the unexpected happens, and Nathalyia is forced to keep it a secret, she ends things with Rafael before he can break her heart. But when Rafael is in harms way, will Nathalyia resolve to tell him the truth before it's too late? Or will past demons keep them apart forever?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ray has delivered another page-turner. Nathalyia Fontaine is the proprietor of her late husband’s restaurant, Fontaine. Since his death, she has not dated and has maintained his high standards as her only passion. When she meets hostage negotiator Rafael Dunlap, she is forced to reevaluate her decision to remain single and celibate. Rafael is fighting his own demons and has vowed not to marry and to keep all of his relationships casual. His job is so unpredictable that he can’t imagine leaving a widow and children behind. Rafael’s bachelor ways are challenged when he meets Nathalyia, and to his surprise he is smitten by her beauty, elegance, and independence. He woos her with his good looks, charm, and persistent attention. When the unexpected happens, Nathalyia decides to keep it a secret and changes the dynamics of their relationship. Yet, when Rafael has an on-the-job injury, Nathalyiais forced to reconsider her decision and tell Rafael the truth before it is too late. An engaging, character-rich story. --Lillian Lewis

Review

"Ray, a prolific storyteller in the mode of Nora Roberts, demonstrates a veteran’s skill for crafting fascinating, soulful characters with believable motives and mishaps."--Publisher's Weekly on If You Were My Man

 

"An artful, sensual storytelling feat about a woman needing healing and a man with bridled passion."--Fresh Fiction on If You Were My Man

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (March 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312573693
• ISBN-13: 978-0312573690
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,450 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Were My Man, March 12, 2010

By 

Ms. M (Rockland County, Ny) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: If You Were My Man (Paperback)

This book has a rich environment where the characters are richly formed. The story takes us on a journey where you know the foibles of the main characters. Nathalyia is a dynamo as the owner of the restaurant Fontaine. However, she has no social life. Is there a man that can compete or understand the life she has built for herself? Rafael Dunlap is a man who has come to a cross road in his life. Will he continue to be a love them and leave them kind of man? He is not the typical player by any means. It is just that unknown emotional hurts might stop him from claiming the woman he adores. These are the questions that this story answers. I also loved the interactions of the secondary characters. They are touching and sometimes humorous. Yes, these are the people that help kick our main characters in gear and in some cases get their own happily ever after.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Francis Ray At Her Finest!, March 13, 2010

By 

Urban Reviews "Your Source for the Best in AA... (Online) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: If You Were My Man (Paperback)

Nathalyia Fontaine only has time for Fontaine, the restaurant left to her by her late husband. So when sexy hostage negotiator Rafael Dunlap sets his eye on her, Rafael doesn't stand a chance. He also doesn't give up very easily. Rafael wears Nathalyia down until he wins her over. Their relationship was going great until something and someone from Nathalyia's past threatens to ruin it all. Nathalyia feels walking away is the only possible solution. That is until Rafael is injured in the line of duty. Nathalyia and Rafael both have to figure out if the love they share is worth fighting for.

If You Were My Man is a wonderful read. Francis Ray is a fantastic author. She has a writing style that is very natural and just flows without having lagging moments. Her characters and plots are always well developed. Ray has a way of making everything come to life. This time is no different!

Reviewed by Tenecia for Urban Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Francis Ray - The Black Barbara Cartland, March 15, 2010

By 

Denise Bolds "Lion Who Reads A Lot!" (New York United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If You Were My Man (Paperback)

Francis Ray does it again - Here is another feel good story that is almost Disney like in goodness and fantasy - No one does it better that Francis Ray. I enjoyed this story - Ms. Ray really developed the characters, however the plot ws once again too predictable: Two beautiful people, affluent, she is the virgin damsel in distress, he is the alpha male, good family, a bad guy and you have a story.

Honnestly, my favorites in the story were Jake and Clarice, the additional characters. I loved Jake and Clarice's interaction and I am glad they were present in this rather predictable story. Jake and Clarice made the story real.

No one does it beter than Francis Ray: for a 'clean' story that not 'Urban Fiction' and is like a fairy tale - this story is for you. I wanted Nat to be stronger, she had been thru so much - she came across as being too airy, too sheltered to be the successful dynamic business woman.

I have been reading Ms. Ray's books for years - She will always be one of my top favorites - I just wish I were her editor! :)