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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Marcelli Male's Story, July 11, 2006
This review is from: The Marcelli Bride (The Marcelli Sisters of Pleasure Road, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)
Navy SEAL Joe Larson is the biological son of Colleen and Marco Marcelli, the result of a teen romance that their parents thought would fizzle out. Several decades and four daughters later, the Marcelli's are still going strong, and after suffering a lonely childhood in the foster system, Joe just wants to be left alone. When a prank by his SEAL team goes awry, he is sent to baby-sit Darcy, the president's daughter while she is hiding from potential kidnappers at the family winery. The last thing Joe expected is to fall for the black sheep of the first family.
Darcy is a plain Jane who likes to wear black and sink into the background. Always a distant second to her blond and buxom sister, she has always felt that she was not enough, especially for her father. At sixteen, she discovered on her mother's deathbed that she was the result of an illicit affair, and her insecurities have only become more prevalent. Add to that the fact that her kidnappers release her because she "is the wrong one." It is enough to make anyone lack self esteem.
Marcelli family patriarch Lorenzo insists that Joe join the family in his rightful place - as the head of the winery operation, despite no desire and no knowledge or interest in wine. Joe resists Lorenzo and the rest of the family at every turn, and tries to resist Darcy, who is more in tune with him than he wants. And his attraction to her is putting her in danger as he cannot control his desires.
Mallery adds another great chapter in the romantic exploits of the Marcelli family. While this is a great stand alone novel, it helps to have a little family background to understand why Lorenzo is so set in his ways about a male heir. Adding tons of comic delight is sister Brenna - in all her pregnant glory. And a secondary romance (though not fully developed) between two of Darcy's security agents adds additional romantic tension.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, entertaining, lots of family dynamics, June 8, 2006
This review is from: The Marcelli Bride (The Marcelli Sisters of Pleasure Road, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Marcelli Bride was one of those books you just couldn't put down or didn't want it to end. It's a story about family, a story about feelings, and a story about passion.
This book stands alone in the Marcelli Sisters series. However, I would strongly suggest that one reads all of the series in order to understand this complex and loving Italian family. First in the series is The Sparkling One - Katie's story. Second, The Sassy One, Francesca's story and the third The Seductive One, Brenna's story. All three books also incorporate their sister Mia, who will soon have a story as well.
The Marcelli Bride is Joe's story, their brother they didn't realize they had. Their parents had been young and in love and also pregnant. Their parents felt it best for them to give Joe up for adoption even though Colleen and Marco did not want to give up their baby. In later books, one finds out that Joe's adoptive parents died and he was raised in foster homes. Is Joe bitter? A little and weary and of course overwhelmed by this over zealous family who want to bring him into the fold, love him and of course have him involved in the family wine business. Yes, but Joe learns many lessons about family, responsibility, belonging and love.
Joe is a Navy Seal, strong, proud, and smart and gorgeous. He loves his job, but when the President's daughter is kidnapped and needs a "safe house", Joe is asked to assist her security team and take her to the family winery for safe keeping. To further go into details would ruin this story. However, it's full of action, suspense, and love so hot it burns the pages, and family dynamics that will blow your mind!
Darcy, the President's daughter is lovely but insecure. Her story is the one that touched me because even though she loved her beautiful sister whom she believed the President favored, she was insure within her own family and afraid to trust and love. Joe and Darcy's story is beautiful and moving and have some tissues available, you're going to need them.
Again, Susan Mallery has penned a beautiful and entertaining story, one that I personally didn't want to end but I will read over and over again..
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Marcelli Bride should be on every romance lovers reading list!, May 27, 2006
This review is from: The Marcelli Bride (The Marcelli Sisters of Pleasure Road, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)
Lt. Commander Joe Larson hasn't come to terms with his family issues. Given up for adoption as a baby, his adoptive family had loved him dearly, but when they unexpectedly died, he was dumped into an unforgiving foster system. So, when the Marcelli's suddenly appeared in his life and wanted to claim him as their son, grandson, and brother he's understandably unwilling to give them the opportunity to have a chance after they threw him away. Especially since they want him to end his military career as a Navy Seal and settle down as their only male heir, running the family winery business.
When a kidnap attempt on the president's daughter, Darcy Jensen, calls for her to be placed in protective custody, Joe is called upon to help hide her at the Marcelli Winery. Now Joe is forced to deal with not only the family he's trying to avoid, but also Darcy, a woman he finds himself falling in love with, no matter how hard he fights against it.
Susan Mallery is an author who continually delivers stories that I am unable to put down! In The Marcelli Bride both Joe and Darcy are facing personal issues that make it hard for them to trust in love, but that doesn't stop them from falling for each other. And I quickly fell in love with them too! I can't wait for the next Marcelli book. Filled with humor, emotion and action, The Marcelli Bride should be on every romance lovers reading list!
Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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