Customer Reviews

The Real Deal

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Amanda Zachary gets the chance to head up negotiations for a merger between her company and Brant Computers, she knows she's one step closer to getting that promotion that she's wanted for so long. Things are going well with the negotiations, but when she meets eccentric Simon Brant, a shareholder in Brant Computers, Amanda realizes things aren't going to go as smoothly as she'd hoped. Simon is drop-dead gorgeous and absolutely frustrating! He is opposed to the merger and isn't afraid to tell her that. Can Amanda fight her attraction to Simon and keep it all business while trying to change his mind about the merger?

Simon was such a special hero! He was a wonderful mix of sexy and sweet. Amanda was a very likable, strong woman who had been hurt in the past. The sexual tension between Simon and Amanda was strong right from the beginning and the love scenes were very sensual. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. I didn't want to put this book down! If you're looking for a book that is fun, has wonderful characters and steamy love scenes, THE REAL DEAL is one book you don't want to miss!

Recovering from a toxic marriage after walking in on her husband having sex with another woman, as well as a familiar male, Amanda divorces him and throws her energy into her career. She is about to make her dreams come true when she is assigned to make a merger between her company and a rival software firm come to fruition.

The only thing blocking her success is sexy co-owner Simon Brant, who is more at home in a lab than an office. He is so dedicated to his work, that he often leaves a room mid-sentence if an idea regarding one of his experiments pops into his head. After being stalled in merger talks with him numerous times, his sarcastic butler jokingly tells her she should move in to his home. So she does, and attempts to sell Simon on the merger.

When her boss tells her to sell Simon on the merger using her feminine wiles if necessary, she shudders. But soon the two are burning up the sheets. She is falling in love; he is not sure what is happening with him, but he does not want her to leave, so he stalls any talk of the merger. When her ex-husband is brought in to close the deal, all bets are off.

"The Real Deal" is a captivating and sensual story featuring two engaging characters with wounded souls who somehow find each other. Amanda is a great combination of confidence, with self-esteem issues. Her painful marriage has turned her off men, and has made her feel that she is the inadequate one. I like how Simon feeds her delicate ego as he comes to terms with his own feelings. Simon is a sexy heartthrob with a big heart. His major problem with the merger is the potential loss of jobs.

The Real Deal is a must have book.

Amanda Zachary has come off a disastrous marriage to focus on her career. She is brokering one of the most important merger deals. Amanda runs into a problem with one Simon Brant.

Simon very seldom interfered in the business side of Brant Computers. He was always engrossed in his lab. But this possible merger has brought him to the negotiations and head to head with Amanda.

Simon and Amanda are taken aback by their intense reactions to each other. What starts out as a business deal becomes a battle of wills to fight their growing attraction. Each has issues to overcome and watching them come to terms is moving.

The Real Deal is a sensational book. It's sexy, steamy, funny and emotional. Simon and Amanda are delightful to watch. This book really touched my heart and should be on any auto-buy list.

Amanda Zachary has experienced the ultimate betrayal-her husband cheating on her with another woman and a man-and she walked in on the busy threesome! So, Amanda's starting over. The first feeling she claims is a relief that she no longer has to suffer the emotional abuse of her husband-all critical comments and sexual rejection. It is time to take her life into her own hands and to start enjoying it.

Amanda has a good job. She is on the inside fast track at Extant Corporation. Investing her time, energy, and emotion in her career made more sense than giving those precious resources to her jerk of a husband, or any other man for that matter. She's about to face a serious, hardcore businessman, Simon Brant, as her newest assignment is to try to get her company to merge with Brant Computers. From the outset, Simon is against the merger. Furthermore, Simon is an eccentric genius, and Amanda finds it difficult to hold his attention long enough to get her presentation through to him.

Simon has a goal. The entire computer industry is racing to see who can develop a usable prototype of a fiber-optic processor, and he is determined to be the first. Worrying about a merger that could cost people their jobs is at the bottom of his scale of interest.

Amanda mentally went over the game plan for her upcoming meeting with the president of Brant Computers as the elevator made its ascent. She could barely believe her luck. When she had put the proposal for a friendly merger before the Executive Management Team at Extant Corporation, she hadn't been sure they'd go for it. Having been chosen over several colleagues to make the initial approach to Eric Brant could mean a huge promotion for her. He had been receptive, and the Executive Management Team had appointed her point man for negotiations.

What is Simon's initial problem with the merger? Aside from the fact he doesn't want anyone losing their jobs, he reminds his cousin Eric that Brant is a family held company. If they merged, everything done for decades with Brant would be for nothing. Amanda's first meeting with Simon is a disaster. So she shows up at his house. That doesn't work. Simon's irascible house man, Jacob, makes the joke that, since Simon practically lives in his laboratory, Amanda should move in-then she could possibly catch Simon long enough to actually complete her presentation. After several failed attempts to reach Simon, Amanda takes Jacob up on his offer. She is actually that desperate. Her job is at stake now.

In the meantime, business aside, when Amanda does see Simon, all she can say is, "Oh my!" He is a force of nature, with dark, exotic looks, mixed with hot desire. He raises her sensual receptors like no other man before. And, despite his crankiness and his extremely busy schedule, he's just as affected as Amanda. He sees her as hot, beautiful, built to stop a man's heart. And, oh, her voice!

Now these two are sharing close quarters, and it is only a matter of time before they combust. When they do come together, it is worth every second of time they can share together. Amanda had thought herself unattractive, but Simon makes her feel like a goddess. Simon has had failed relationships because of his sheer intensity, in life, and in build. He can't believe Amanda can take him-in more ways than one-and actually enjoys being around him. So, what is the real deal taking place anyway?

While the deal is still on the table, something is going on behind the scenes. It's hopeful that Amanda and Simon have built enough trust in one another, as what happens next is truly shocking. This particular shock is just one of many in Lucy Monroe's utterly compelling book! I was drawn in by all the characters-Amanda, with her tough nature, despite her hurtful past; Simon, with his intensity and charm; Jacob, with his wit and role-playing; and, also, Simon's cousin, Eric, and his wife, Elaine. This fine cast of characters, a wonderful plot that goes deeper than the actual merger, and the coming together of two people completely ideal for each other all play together to make THE REAL DEAL a fantastic book, one headed for my keeper shelf.

(For Sizzling Romances, October 2004)

I wouldn't say I am an avid reader, but lately I cannot stop reading. A customer of mine suggested Lucy Monroe's Ready, Willing, and Able series. Since I did not have access to any of those, I read "The Real Deal". It took me about 3 chapters to get into the book but after chapter 4, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I loved all the characters and I have never read a book that made me scream OH MY GOD! (Read the book and you'll see why)There were so many parts to this book that made me want to cry in sympathy for Amanda but the sex scenes were great (Not as steamy as some other's that I've read) but I laughed a lot too. I urge you to read this book. I can't wait to read another by Lucy Monroe!

I could not put this book down! I was captivated by the love story between Amanda Zachary, a self described career woman who does not think she is capable of being attractive to men, and Simon Brant, the genius, recluse inventor responsible for the technology that drives his family computer company. When Amanda pursues a merger between Extant, her employer and their main competitor, Brant Computers, she finds herself at odds with Simon, who has no intention of taking the company public and losing even one employee in the process. His cousin Eric is in favor of the merger, mostly because of Amanda's sound proposal and his trust in the integrity that he feels she brings to the table. Simon is intrigued with Amanda from the start, although it is she personally that he wants to learn more about, not the merger.

The attraction between Amanda and Simon is explosive. Both feel that they don't quite "fit", Amanda due to her failed prior marriage and Simon due to his need to be in the lab working on experiments that drive him and the fact that he has no real emotional connection to anyone other than his butler/caretaker Jacob and his cousin Eric. But together, Amanda and Simon appear to fit extremely well.

Harlequin Presents author Lucy Monroe has ventured into the exciting world of Brava, and will wow you with her first contribution, "The Real Deal". Watch for more to come from this talented writer.

Amanda Zachary is a junior executive on the rise at Extant Corporation, and she's about to negotiate a deal that will bring her one step closer to her goal of being the youngest executive in the company. All she has to do is complete a merger between Extant and Brant Computers, and with Eric Brant, the president, in favor of the merger, she's confident she will close the deal in no time. She doesn't count on Eric's cousin, Simon, to bring her plans to a screeching halt. Or to attract her so intensely.

As the person in charge of research and development, Simon Brant is a scientist who doesn't think like other people. His days are filled with formulas and experiments, and the only schedule he follows is his own. But when he feels his family's company is about to be destroyed by a merger, Simon knows he can't let that happen to the employees of Brant Computers. No matter how beautiful Amanda Zachary is.

Having been hurt before, Amanda is determined to ignore the attraction and convince the stubborn scientist how beneficial the merger would be for both companies. Simon is just as determined to make sure the merger doesn't happen, and fights his desire for Amanda. They are from two different worlds, and those worlds just don't mesh.

Wow, Simon is wildly irresistible. Lucy Monroe has created a dynamic hero whose intelligence is extremely sexy, and his insecurities about himself are endearing. Amanda is confident when it comes to business, but when it comes to relationships, she's a shy, reserved woman who past experience has made her unsure around men. Together, these two set the pages on fire! Simon sees Amanda as a sexy, voluptuous woman that must have men constantly chasing after her, and Amanda sees past Simon's looks to his lonely, vulnerable side, a result of growing up too fast. Throw in a prickly housekeeper by the name of Jacob, and you've got an addictive mix of passion and humor. You will LOVE this book!

I started reading this book and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN until I had read the whole thing!! Monroe really outdid herself this time with a sweet, sensual....and HOT, HOT, HOT storyline with tender humor one moment and hot, erotic scenes the next. Both characters were dynamic in thier own right and very unpredictable throughout the entire book. I thought it was going to be slow when I started reading, but it really picked up quickly and kept my interest through every page. Simon and Amanda were just an extraordinary couple, and the supporting characters were so much fun to learn about. I can't wait for her next one!

Okay Simon was a very sexy hero. Having a brain pan did not in any way, shape, or form detract from him being a hero. In fact Simon was one of those hero's you just want to curl up next to, make all of his issues go away. And the best part of all of this, he would probably be open to this. Okay...so we've established that Simon is an 5 star hero. Why the lower rating? Amanda is less than a perfect match. She has such a low opinion of herself (granted she was raked over the coals by her nasty ex-husband) but still refuses to think better of herself. Self confidence is not a word in her vocabulary. As a result this reader became less than patient with her.

This story revolves around a business merger that Amanda is trying to put together. Everything is a go until Simon Brandt catches wind of it and puts a stop to it right away. This genius is not about to have the family business sold and putting many loyal employees out of business. The fact that this is the first time he's ever shown an interest in the running of Brandt Computers is not even an issue. Or is it.

Amanda needs this merger to go through. Her whole career is riding on her being able to pull this off. But when Simon becomes a road block she is sure that she can turn his way of thinking around. Well...things aren't as always easy as they seem and getting Simon to listen to her purposal is more of an issue then coming up with it to begin with. Oh and we can't forget that on top of all of this is the burning attraction that Amanda feels for Simon and the fear that it's only one sided. Does Amanda have a chance at all to see her dreams come true?

This story had such potential but I was sad to see that there were so many slow parts that truly took away from the story. I found my attention wandering while I read it. I was also quickly fed up with the less than positive way of thinking that Amanda had. After awhile I found my self thinking..."alright already...move on." Simon on the other hand is so clueless and socially inept that he was sweet and endearing. Ms. Monroe has great potential as a romance author and she is one that I will look forward to reading again in the future. This story was good, not earth shaking...making room on my "keeper" shelf but a generic good. I would recommend that you not overlook this read, but I would suggest that you pick it up second hand or borrow it from a friend.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

This is my first time reading anything by Lucy Monroe. The positive reviews of this book convinced me to borrow it from the library. (I never buy a romance unless I've read it first, I can't justify dropping $14 on something I may never read again.) I was immediately put off by Monroe flexing her vocabulary for us. Who talks like that?! Eventually I came to accept it, though. Simon is a genius, and Amanda is a smart woman, so I guess it isn't too far fetched.

To be fair, I didn't finish reading the story. I stopped somewhere in chapter 17. I liked the characters, mostly, and I liked the story, but the conservative undertones bothered me. Just little things, but for me the most irritating was when Amanda, Jillian, and Elaine went to the Indian salon for makeovers and Amanda was trying to pick out a dress. "Amanda was torn. Part of her wanted one of the exotic saris, but another part of her didn't want to go the whole length of the transformation to a woman of another culture." God forbid we try something new. I also didn't like her ex-husband, Lance, being referred to as a pervert because he's bisexual. He's a total scumbag for cheating on her and treating her like dirt, but there's no need to make it seem like anyone other than heterosexuals have something wrong with them.

I usually gravitate to books by J.R. Ward, Laurell K. Hamilton, etc., so maybe the problem is me. Like I said, it is a cute story, and if you value a more traditional outlook, you'll probably like this one.