Book Review: Having the Frenchman's Baby
Having the Frenchman’s Baby (The Brides of Bella Lucia) by Rebecca Winters HR 3904 Aug 06
I enjoyed reading this book set in the vineyards of France. It’s the story of a woman who’s been busy with her career while waiting for the perfect man. And, it’s the story of a man who uses everything in his power to try to assuage his guilt. When these 2 people meet, they see themselves and their lives as if a curtain has been opened.
Rachel Valentine is a wine buyer for the exclusive Bella Lucia restaurants in London. She has an estranged twin in the US, a dying grandfather in England, and a father she can’t please. Her family is bogged down in strife. Add to that, the guilt she feels because she couldn’t make it back to the States in time to say a final farewell to her dying mother. But, even with all this going on, Rachel looks the picture of perfection. When she reaches the province of Alsace with its terraced vineyards, Rachel feels like she’s come home. Add to that her physical reaction to a certain vintner and for the first time in her life, Rachel wonders if it’s time she stopped her wandering and settled down with a loving husband and a baby or two in a sunny home in a quiet location.
Luc Chartier is devoted to his ex-wife who’s in a coma in a nearby hospital. He provides the absolute best care for her and never misses a day of sitting beside her bed willing her to wake. She's been in a vegetative state for 3 yrs already, but Luc refuses to let the family ‘pull the plugs’. And then one day, Rachel drives into Luc's world and jumpstarts his thirst for life. He starts questioning his reason for wanting his ex-wife to wake. And he starts devising a plan to keep Rachel in the province awhile longer to see what the attraction is all about.
Luc is making one horrendous mistake, however – he neglects to tell Rachel about his devotion to his ex-wife....
This is the 2nd book in The Brides of Bella Lucia series. For the complete listing, go here: http://thebridesofbellalucia.blogspot.com/2006/04/brides.html
Heat Level: Romantic
My Rating: Great - 4 stars
I enjoyed reading this book set in the vineyards of France. It’s the story of a woman who’s been busy with her career while waiting for the perfect man. And, it’s the story of a man who uses everything in his power to try to assuage his guilt. When these 2 people meet, they see themselves and their lives as if a curtain has been opened.
Rachel Valentine is a wine buyer for the exclusive Bella Lucia restaurants in London. She has an estranged twin in the US, a dying grandfather in England, and a father she can’t please. Her family is bogged down in strife. Add to that, the guilt she feels because she couldn’t make it back to the States in time to say a final farewell to her dying mother. But, even with all this going on, Rachel looks the picture of perfection. When she reaches the province of Alsace with its terraced vineyards, Rachel feels like she’s come home. Add to that her physical reaction to a certain vintner and for the first time in her life, Rachel wonders if it’s time she stopped her wandering and settled down with a loving husband and a baby or two in a sunny home in a quiet location.
Luc Chartier is devoted to his ex-wife who’s in a coma in a nearby hospital. He provides the absolute best care for her and never misses a day of sitting beside her bed willing her to wake. She's been in a vegetative state for 3 yrs already, but Luc refuses to let the family ‘pull the plugs’. And then one day, Rachel drives into Luc's world and jumpstarts his thirst for life. He starts questioning his reason for wanting his ex-wife to wake. And he starts devising a plan to keep Rachel in the province awhile longer to see what the attraction is all about.
Luc is making one horrendous mistake, however – he neglects to tell Rachel about his devotion to his ex-wife....
This is the 2nd book in The Brides of Bella Lucia series. For the complete listing, go here: http://thebridesofbellalucia.blogspot.com/2006/04/brides.html
Heat Level: Romantic
My Rating: Great - 4 stars
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2009 Harlequin 100,000 Book Challenge: 11 books read
Harlequin Imprint: 11, Others: 0
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I am in total dismay that you and I are opposites in book selection. I have no doubt that they are talented writers with wonderful messages that touch the heart, but I would never pick up a book with that much drama in the blurb. Maybe I'm superficial, but I want to be entertained without yanking my tear lever. :(
ReplyDeleteKel, that's exactly why I don't read ChickLit or Women's Lit.
ReplyDeleteI want the drama of charged emotions when you put 2 people together and the air sizzles with the energy between them.
I want to cry along with them as they hide behind a wall of stoicism wanting to admit their love but knowing to do so would expose their fragile heart to unbearable pain.
I feel their confusion and I worry.
I feel their pain and I cry.
And, I feel their joy and I laugh.
To me, these 3 elements are the basis of an excellent story and if I can't truly feel it, it's not worth my time.
It takes hours out of my life to read a book. And if it's not a cathartic experience, what's the point?
Hmmmm... yup... I think I just agreed you're superficial, Kel.
ReplyDeleteOkay, how's this: it's like the difference between POV and Deep POV... some people need it and some people don't.
C'est la vie!
LOL!! I'm not worried. I read for escape from life, so I read for humor and suspension of the real world problems that are already way too oppressive.
ReplyDeleteGuess that's what makes the market broaden. I'll wear my superficiality with pride. ;)