Customer Reviews

A Passionate Marriage (Hot-Blooded Husbands)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I LOVED this book! Ms. Reid did a wonderful job of displaying the "passion" between Isobel and Leandros. You feel their anger, their pain and the love they have for each other! I couldn't put this book down!!!

The story deals with a couple who have been apart for three years, but never really stopped loving each other. Each has insecurities and doubts to deal with, which Ms. Reid reveals in very passionate writing. They see each other and all the passion and love returns. However, before things can be made right, they have to deal with past hurts and disappointments. I couldn't put this book down! (Oh yeah, I said that already.)

This books makes you laugh, too! There's a particular scene during their divorce meeting which is laugh out loud funny! Again, I couldn't put this book down! So, if you enjoy your romances with spice and laughter -- this is a definite keeper!

From the back: Greek tycoon Leandros Petronades married Isobel on the heels of a wild affair. But, within a year, the marriage crashed and burned. Three years later Leandros wants to finalize their divorce.He's found a girl who will make him a suitable wife...so unlike fiery Isobel. But face to face again with Isobel in Athens, Leandros is in for a shock: their all-consuming mutual attraction is just as strong as ever. Suddenly, his plan has changed and he's ready to tame his headstrong wife...by whatever means it takes.
I loved this book! This follows the typical Reid plotline, with a strong, stubborn Greek husband who has some big misunderstanding with his beloved wife, leading to a long separation. I really enjoy this about Reid's novels, because oftentimes Harlequins can feel rushed in developing a romance. Reid's novels, however, usually start out with the history already established between the two leads, leaving the rest of the book to simply build on the sexual tension. Fantastic!

Michelle Reid is a stand out in the Harlequin Presents line of authors, and "A Passionate Marriage" displays the extraordinary story-telling skills that earn her that distinction. Isobel, fiery and English, and Leandros, passionate and Greek, have been separated for three years. When they meet to finalize the end of their marriage, sparks fly and it becomes apparent to both of them that they are not ready to end their tumultuous union. While this sounds like the plot of any hundred or so romance novels you might have read in the past, Reid quickly displays the intensely-drawn characters, layered and woven plots, and emotionally driven stories that set her books apart from the rest.

Making a cameo appearance in this novel are Eve and Ethan from "Ethan's Temptress Bride" (Harlequin Presents, No. 2272), loosely tying this book to the last 4 or 5 that Reid has written, and briefly introduces Felipe Vazquez, a sure bet to play a leading role in a future offering. If it's a book by Michelle Reid, it's a winner, and this was one of her best.

Pros: The book was short so the assualt on your senses were minimal. The sex scenes were good, if you're into that.

Cons: Even though he never physically hit her, the verbal abuse was bad enough. He actually called her a B@#$% more than once! How the hell is that romantic? He treated her like she was someone off the streets but referred to her as his wife in the same breath. He actually called her a "slut." They bickered and fought throughout the entire book. At the end, I was left with the feeling that maybe it was better if they stayed apart. His family didn't like her, she didn't like his family and I wonder if they felt anything other than an erotic lust! He was aggressive and high handed, yet the reader is to believe that she just succumbed everytime he touched her? Oh puh-leeze!

A Passionate Marriage by Michelle Reid
Harlequin Presents # 2307 - March 2003
Hot-Blooded Husbands ~ Book 4 of 4

Three years before, Isobel left Greece heartbroken and emotionally battered. Marrying Leandros Petronades had been like a fairy tale until she met the cold reality of the Greek upper crust and then every move she made was ridiculed and deemed totally inappropriate by her husband's family. But Isobel's fiery stubbornness would rise up against the conservative views as a defense against the beating to her self-esteem and to Leandros she became an irritation when he was struggling to fill his recently deceased father's shoes. Leandros has now called Isobel back to Greece to discuss a divorce settlement, however, one look at his estranged wife and he realizes that their intense passion for one another is very much alive. So he demands that Isobel give their marriage another chance.

I absolutely loved this book! Ms. Reid ends her Hot-Blooded Husband series with sparks and sizzling passion. Isobel and Leandros are so richly developed; I could feel their pain, their anger, and their deeply passionate love. Through memories, Ms. Reid gives us wonderful insights in how the fairy tale had fallen apart, and how both Leandros and Isobel, now more mature, come to see things more clearly and from the other's eyes. I loved the way Isobel holds her own, and how Leandros comes to realize how arrogant and selfish his behaviour has been. Leandros becomes the white knight, and Isobel's champion to his family and the Greek society. I couldn't put this one down, and when I finished the last word, I had to start from the beginning all over again: D

other books in this series ....
The Arabian Love-Child - Harlequin Presents # 2290 - December 2002
Ethan's Temptress Bride - Harlequin Presents # 2272 - September 2002
The Sheikh's Chosen Wife - Harlequin Presents # 2254 - June 2002

I really enjoyed this book. The character of Isobel is a very strong willed character with an acid tongue. In a lot of romances novels I read the women characters are so weak and needy it makes me want to hurl.

This is probably the best harlequin presents I have read and I have read alot. This is a very passionate read without alot of silly misunderstandings but it deals with some real issues. what I like about this book is that the whole book is about how the couple works through their problems to not get the divorce they were seeking in the beginning. There is alot of chemisry between them and you can see they are meant to be together. The opening scene of when they see each other again in over 3 years is the best. They are suppose to be negotiating a divorce and the sparks between them are just flying of the pages.

This book followed typical a typical Harlequin Presents formula: a couple from a failed hot marriage reunite. This one, however, was different from the rest. While it was very hot, it was open and more real that similar book of the genre. It it was more touching becuse of it.

The marriage failure was the fault of all involved and no one was sparred as the couple decided that honesty was the only way to heal the wounds of the past. The heroine had been immature, selfish and unwilling to deal with conflict. The hero was arrogant, re-occupied and allowed himself to be manipulated. The hero's family WAS rude to the heroine and the hero acknowledged it and stood up for her in the present as he neglected to do in the past.

I liked how both honored their wedding vows. I hate separation books where the hero sows his oats while the heroine myrters her sexuality like a vestal virgin.

I also liked that the writer did not cheat and take the easy way out by making a secret baby or business venture be the catalyst for the reunion. This couple got back together because they loved and wanted each other. There was no fake plot point to hide behind.

The emotions and sex were raw. The people and situations were real. And I have become a fan of Michelle Reid.

If I could have given this more stars I would have! If you love a great love story with strong leads, you will really love this book.

This story was a fantastic read, the hero was a true alpha male, but loved his wife and this was evident from very early in the story. Isobel was a hot head like her red hair. They had tonnes of chemistry and were very emotional. Great read! I would recommend it.A Passionate Marriage (Harlequin Presents)