Olivero's Outrageous Proposal by Kate Walker

Olivero's Outrageous Proposal
by Kate Walker

Olivero's Outrageous Proposal is a gorgeous April 2015 Harlequin and Mills and Boon release by the incredibly talented Kate Walker.

Lady Alyse is caught between two waring half-brothers, Marcus, the one she's trying her best to avoid and Dario Olivero, the one who Alyse is 100% attracted to, regardless of the fact she's a pawn in Dario's revenge party.  An exciting and heart racing start full of drama sets the rapid pace through out the story.  A delicious tale full of twists and turns, revenge and blackmail, love and heartbreak, Olivero's Outrageous Proposal ticked every box for me.

Alyse is being thrown from pillar to post by all her loved ones and with Marcus on her back about accepting his marriage proposal, she's so desperate to get him to leave her alone she decides to go against everything she knows and in an attempt to make Marcus go away she dances with a handsome and perfectly dashing, drop dead gorgeous Italian.  What she doesn't expect is for him to completely turn her feelings upside down and awaken in such a way she didn't know was possible.  In the taxi on the way back to his place she turns to see Marcus.  Dario doesn't miss the hint of a smile.  Perhaps the hint of the smile helps Dario feel less guilty when Alyse finds it wasn't an accident they meet.

In between the waring brothers, Alyse's family is slowly falling into ruins.  There's two hands offering help, Alyse chose the hand Dario offers.  Marriage of convenience.  What's not convenient is the feelings both Alyse and Dario feels and fights.  Dario has risen from the gutter, he has revenge on his mind and a marriage of convenience will get him what he thinks he wants.  Alyse needs to help her family and get away from Marcus. Dario is the short term answer.  That's not all tho, there's still more secrets to spill.

Kate has an such incredible way with words, they flow right off the page into my imagination, they set the scene, they build in a rising crescendo, they tug at your heart strings, they send you away to beautiful locations, they make you absolutely love the hero and feel for the heroine.  There's a depth and intensity that make Dario and Alyse's story 3D in my mind.

Thank you Kate, I'm so honored to receive an ARC for my honest opinion, I really appreciate it and absolutely adore your work.


5 Stars
Review by TashNz

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Review by Nas
5 Stars

OLIVERO’S OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSAL by author Kate Walker is an April 2015 release by Harlequin Presents.

Alyse Gregory wanted to get away from one persistent suitor so she planned on being seen with another man. But meeting Dario Olivero put the plan put of her mind as she was scorched by desire so hot that there was nothing else on her mind. 

Yet was Dario also hit by desire or had she played in his hands? Then he proposed marriage to her as a way of getting out of her problems, would she accept it? Now that she knew why he came after her in the first place?
What would happen to their super-charged chemistry? Would they give in to their passion? But Dario doesn’t do family, what would he do when Alyse drops the bombshell on him?

OLIVERO’S OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSAL is a sizzling romance. Author Kate Walker once again brought a tale of romance shimmering with emotions and sensuality. A reader would stay hooked to the book till the very last page.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.

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Reviewed by Maria

When it comes to romance authors, I have some favourites to whom I go every time, knowing that they give exactly what it says on the tin when it comes to romance.  An escape from the everyday monotony, a flight of fantasy and plenty of passion, along with a story firmly grounded in reality.

No one does passion better than Kate Walker.  And her romances always have a touch of the storyteller about them.  Behind this romance is a story of two brothers.  A ‘good’ brother and a ‘bad’ brother.  One born to wealth and entitlement, the other, born on the wrong side of the blanket and therefore, out in the cold.  There is a struggle.  Who will be the winner?

When Dario Olivero proposes to Lady Alyse Gregory,  he’s doing it in the full knowledge that he’s taking the woman his brother wants to marry.  When Alyse accepts, it’s because she wants to avoid Dario’s brother, who’s not her type at all.  But the real reason why both of them marry is because of the instantaneous conflagration of passion which rages between them.

At the end of the day, a woman needs to know she’s being loved because of who she is and what she is, not because she stands for something or brings something to the marriage table like prestige, property or even money.  There has to be real love and desire too.  Kate Walker gets to this conundrum in a way that voices the inner longings of a woman’s heart.  That’s why I loved reading this.

Put simply, I love me a good Kate Walker romance read.  This one checks all the boxes.  Get a  copy.

5*


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Reviewed by Desere


Kate Walker is back and this time it's a real humdinger of a journey ! We have Dario Olivero, he sees Alyse Gregory as a way to reap revenge against his estranged half brother, he 'll use her to get the family acceptance he has always craved and then walk away. But then he discovers Alyse's family debts and realizes he cannot simply walk away.

There is only one solution and it's in true Harlequin Presents fashion.... a marriage proposal ! Of course this is not what Alyse was expecting yet she does see the logic therein and besides her body might be saying yes and her head no, but she can always find her head and steer it in the right direction, right ?

But whilst basking in the Tuscan sun their mutual attraction escalates out of hand and soon they have a whole other inconvenient dilemma to deal with! Oh and did I forget to mention there's also Marcus who wants Alyse all to himself! It's the perfect heart-racing rush to the end of feelings, overpowering emotions, heartache, blackmail and a whole lot of secrets !

This was  the type of book that is so fast paced and emotionally packed that it is impossible to put it down once you start, do not I repeat do not start reading this book when you have to get to bed early for an early start, trust me your thoughts will be whirling around and no sleep will come! Oh and as myself you will end up grabbing it and reading it till the very end and at  am realize you have to get up in an hour! Talk about a long day, but with these characters and the remarkable journey created by a very talented author it was all worth it!

I loved the characters, both strong and passionate and both with that delicious ' Back off, don't mess with me" vs " I am all yours as long as ..." attitude , it gave the read the perfect dark meets light element that I love so much when it comes to romance books.

For those that read my reviews , you will know that this is where  I start digging into the characters and breaking them down bit by bit, but today that is something that will cause a huge injustice to this book. Why? Because this is the number one Kate Walker book! You have to read it for youself Passion. amazing flair, an incredible journey of love, self discover and just so much more that I am finding it really hard to place the exact words

After completing this read I was in a daze for days, and not just because of the lack of sleep no, it was the a state of complete awe, as to just how amazing this author's work is. She took a simple found in so many other romance books plot and changed it into one of the most magical journeys of romance I have ever come across.

I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance. It had the danger vs anger vs passion and betrayal , the this is not over till I say it is and the roller coaster of emotions that completely overwhelmed me! Just perfect!!

5/5 star review
" One problem leads to one solution but then a whole other problem arises"


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Reviewed by Janie




"Olivero's Outrageous Proposal" by Kate Walker was a wonderful, quick read. The more I read from this author I have to put her up into my top 10 list for authors. 

We meet Alyse Gregory who is being pursued by one man that she doesn't care for so she decides to go after another man Dario Olivero. Dario doesn't mind because he is just as taken with her as she is with him. The desire between these two is HOT. There is just one problem...the man that Alyse wants nothing to do with is Dario's brother and Dario knows that his brother wants this woman. Is everything all happy and roses? Well, not quite. Dario wants her but Alyse is looking for love. 

Much more to this book than I wrote about but definitely worth the read.
5 * 

The CEO'S Baby Surprise by Helen Lacey

Reviewed by Nas

THE CEO’S BABY SURPRISE by Helen Lacey is Harlequin Special Edition release for April 2015.

Unable to ignore the sizzling chemistry, Mary-Jayne Preston gave in to passion and had a fling with the CEO of the hotel group where she was looking after a boutique for her friend. She walked away the next morning before Daniel Anderson even woke up.

Yet Daniel doesn’t think one night was enough and he pursued her. But she thwarted all his effort. She knew widower Daniel had closed off his heart to love and commitment. Wanting it all, she was not ready to be Daniel’s short-term fling. 

Then she found out that one night had consequences and she was pregnant. Would she tell Daniel? And what would Daniel do? Would he commit to her for his twin sons she’s carrying or for the love he had in his heart for MJ? Would MJ accept Daniel’s proposal of marriage knowing he was doing the honorable thing only?

THE CEO’S BABY SURPRISE is a story that will stay with a reader long time after she closes the book. It has that momentous impact by all the emotion depicted in this romance. Another shimmering and mesmerizing romance full of breathtaking emotions from author Helen Lacey.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance. 

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Reviewed by Maria

Mary Jayne Preston is quite a firecracker.  Even when extremely  pregnant and in the worst predicament in which a woman can find herself, she has a cracking sense of humour that makes her a joy to read.  The man who’s gotten her into this situation had better watch out!

Daniel Anderson suffered beyond anything anyone could imagine when he lost his wife and unborn child in an accident.  But now that he has the feisty Mary Jayne in the family way, and a family is literally what she’s carrying, he has a second chance to have the love and the family of which he’d always dreamed.  But Mary Jayne isn’t going to step into another woman’s shoes so easily.

She’s strong and gutsy and ready to take on the world as a single mom.  And although Daniel’s a successful businessman and would make a great husband, she’s not sure if she can buckle down and settle for the white picket fence and the perfect family.  She’s a free spirit indeed.

I enjoyed revisiting Crystal Point and catching up with what my favourite characters are doing.  But be warned!  This is not what you might call a predictable story.

So what’s it to be?  Read and enjoy!  This family story is lots of fun.

5*
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Reviewed by Janie

"The CEO's Baby Surprise" by Helen Lacey is a quick, easy and lovely read. We have Mary-Jayne Preston, M.J., who is one of the good girls. She is watching her friends boutique in a hotel and meets Daniel. Daniel Anderson is the CEO of the hotel and sweeps M.J off her feet. 

After a very HOT one night together M.J. leaves but Daniel wants more time together with her intimately, and she is looking for more than being the girl he comes to just for sex. Daniel who is a widower whose wife and unborn child died wants the fun, but not the commitment. That is until he finds out their one night has consequences and M.J. is pregnant.

You'll love this story. It makes you root for this couple and hope that things turn out well in the end. Much more to the book than what I've given you but it is definitely worth the read.
5*

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Reviewed by Desere


The saying never say never comes true in this wonderful read from Helen Lacey. Mary-Jane Preston never does one night stands until she comes face to face with an out of control attraction that completely overpowers her. The attractions comes in the form of Daniel Anderson, he's devastatingly handsome , suave and everything a girl could want,except for the last four years he has made sure to never let his guard down, letting it slip will just bring tragedy to his life again.

So when Mary-Jane informs him that their one night stand has resulted in her being pregnant with twins , he 's all for marriage to make sure their twins are protected but falling in love with her is the one thing he refuses to do. But Mary-Jane doesn't just want his ring and his protection she wants his heart and fight to get it is what she will do.

This is one of those books that will stay with romance readers for a long time after the last page has been read. I adored the character of Mary-Jane, even with everything the world of an unexpected pregnancy brings she still holds her head high, and even still sees the humor in life. Spunky, fun and just so very likable, that I doubt any reader will be able to find fault with her.

Daniel was the one that my heart broke for, the heartache and loss he faced in the past really is something no one ever has to go through. He is a truly broken man and of course in desperate need of some serious tender loving care. But as we all know not every broken person wants to let anyone in so the author letting Mary-Jane be this really awesome in your face try and make me go away kin of character was really neat.

It's a stunning story of romance, new hope and all set within the perfect bubble of beautiful writing. I highly recommend this read for all lovers of romance journeys with powerful emotion and a message of there is always being a new tomorrow.

5/5 star review
" One night and nine months leads to the road to of happiness " 

The Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey

Reviewed by Desere

A few months ago I read a online article about an apartment in Paris that had been abandoned for 70 years. In 1942 the owner had fled Paris fearing Nazi persecution but had continue to make the monthly payments for the apartment. Only after her death in 2010 at the age of 91 her executor sent a team to find out why payments on the apartment had been kept up for 70 years.

When the team arrived and unlocked the apartment door, they found a stunningly preserved Parisian apartment filled with many antiques and artwork, all dating back to as far as 1888. What they also found were love letters written by some of the wealthiest and powerful men in history. I am talking Prime Ministers and famous artists! 

As they dug through the various artworks, clothes, jewels and antiques the team were in complete shock as I am sure I would be too, history from so many years ago was perfectly preserved. But why the owner never returned is a mystery that will never be solved. 

Except if you are an author with a stunning imagination, brilliant writing skills and a strong believe in happy endings. Then us reading addicts get the chance to step into the abandoned apartment and get taken on a beautiful journey of romance, mystery and history. 

Author Ella Carey, incorporated this remarkable real life event into a even more remarkable read. We meet Cat, who suddenly finds herself as the new owner of the abandoned apartment. But upon arrival in Paris the original owner's grandson suddenly makes an appearance and Cat immediately knows he and his mother are the rightful heir's, why they are refusing to claim what clearly belongs to them, is something she intends to rectify, but to do this she needs to solve the mystery and discover why the apartment was left to her in the first place. 

The read was absolutely stunning from start to finish. From the moment the author took me inside the apartment I was hopelessly trapped ! The author described the detail of the contents with such vivid clarity that I could actually picture it all, without even once having to refer back to the web images, as I often find myself having to do when reading a book based on a real life event. 

And I was so lost in this stunning world that I could smell the dust and the rot when the doors are opened, I could imagine myself dressing up and sitting down in front of the mirror, dabbing on some perfume and adding some jewels. Yes I realize the author had lots to work with as the images are all over the web, but it takes a very talented author to describe it all to me as reader and not make me want to go look up pictures to form the image in my mind, I am a very visual person and only if you describe something to me in vivid detail will I not go on the hunt. 

The mystery surrounding Cat and her inheriting something that clearly belongs to someone else was so intriguing that it captured my attention so badly I wished I could climb inside this book and discover for myself what the what, how and who is, lucky for me the author did it for me, she took me on a intense journey as Cat travels through France to discover the truth and along the way I am very pleased to say,  she also finds her own little piece of romance. 

Everything about this book was simply magical, the vividly described backdrops, the remarkable characters, the mysteries being unraveled, the romance, everything blended to pure perfection by the author.

I highly recommend this read for anyone and everyone that loves reading. It was a history lesson mixed with a large dose of mystery and a dash of romance, what more could a reader ask for!   

Thank you Ella Carey for letting me experience a touch of magic and wonder, and letting my mind drift into the world of the possibilities of just why someone would never return to some of the world's most amazing treasures. 

5/5 star review 

" The mystery starts with a key, a portrait and some old love letters" 

**** The story is the author's own and no possible reason for the owner never returning has ever been found. 

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Reviewed by Nas 

THE PARIS TIME CAPSULE is April 2014 release by author Ella Carey.

Catherine Jordan receives a package from a lawyer in Paris. It states that she had inherited something and enclosed she finds a key. She is intrigued by the idea of an inheritance but knows it could be something really small. She knows that her grand-mother used to live in Paris in her wild youth.

So she has to go to Paris to find out the truth as the lawyer refused to divulge the truth of her inheritance to her over the phone. What she finds in Paris astounds her because she has inherited the beautiful and mysterious Isabelle de Florian’s legacy, her apartment full of old, unique and antique treasures. Among them a very valuable painting of Isabelle’s grandmother Marthe  de Florian, a courtesan of the high class. And the apartment is full of love letters from the very powerful and wealthy men.  

She is not sure that she is the rightful heir when another heir turns up. She is all for giving it all up to Loic Archer and his mother, the true heirs. But they refuse to take her inheritance. They just wanted to find out why Isabelle kept this a secret. She had so much wealth yet she lived a very poor life. Loic’s mother cannot reconcile to the fact that she was brought up in poverty while her mother had all this wealth stashed away. And the main reason…why Cat Jordan as the heir? So Cat has to find out the truth for them as well as for herself. Then she embarks on a fascinating journey of discovery.  Unearthing the truth also brings her self-discovery and what she wants in her life.

THE PARIS TIME CAPSULE is an intriguing story. A reader would get hooked from the first page and would keep turning the pages till late at night, trying to unravel the mystery this story is. It is a mysterious, thrilling and suspenseful story. Yet the author Ella Carey also did justice to the romance thread running throughout the story. The interaction between Cat, Loic and his mother is warm and tender. It is a pleasure to read this spin on a true story. 

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Reviewed by Janie

The book starts with Catherine "Cat" Jordan receiving a package.  Turns out a woman that her Grandmother knew has left her an inheritance.  Cat travels to Paris and finds out she has inherited an apartment.  Loic Archer is the Grandson and rightful heir but refuses to let Cat give it up.

Once they enter the apartment the story takes off.   Author Ella Carey describes each artifact so that you can see it in your minds eye.  Cat and Loic are finding out some interesting information about each of their Grandmothers. 

Once you pass through the slow beginning of the book you will not be disappointed.  Mystery and Romance of Lore.  The stories behind the artifacts will come to life.  Very enjoyable.  Since it is based on a true story you can imagine someone going through this in their life.  Always a plus to tie it into history.  

4.5 Star review 
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Reviewed by Shirley Buchanan

 

How could Catherine Jordan have ever believed that a plainly wrapped package with a pretty bow from Paris would turn her world upside down and inside out? It wasn't just a simply wrapped present from someone in that city, but an immersion into a mysterious world of suspense, intrigue and complications that now filled her former calm and stable life.

Plodding along in her calm and serene life, Catherine “Cat” Jordan is content as a photographer for a studio and pleased in her stable relationship with her boyfriend,Christian Carter. When the package arrives and she needs to go to Paris to straighten it out, she never realizes all the changes that would take place. The key she received in the package belongs to an apartment caught in a time warp, filled with priceless possessions, and a decades old mystery. With the arrival of Loic Archer, the grandson of the previous owner, on the scene, the mystery deepens. She wants to do the right thing and give it to him and his family, but they refuse without knowing why Isabelle de Florian, their grandmother, wanted it this way. So a deal is struck between them. She will investigate the mystery and if she can prove it is theirs, they will take it. But she can't forget Christian, who wants to hurry their engagement along swiftly. No one seems to care what she wants. Only she has the same question, what does she want?

With every answer came another question. Why did Isabelle leave a Parisian apartment filled with antiques, love letters and an original Boldini painting to her? Why was everything not left to her own family instead? Was she so accommodating now with Christian that she would allow others to plan her engagement party and wedding regardless of her desires? How could she continue to ignore the feelings that she felt for Loic? And what about the questions she asked herself? Was she trying to mold herself into Christian's world? Had she forgotten her dream of owning a photography studio? All valid questions that needed answers that only she could find. Maybe with the answers she could satisfy herself, Christian, Loic and Slyvie, Isabelle's daughter.

A fabulous book. The intricate weaving of a superbly written plot with well developed characters around a true historical event. With the descriptions of scenery, residencies, and other intimate details, such as, the dust storm upon first opening the apartment after so many years, the rows of grape vines trailing across the hillside and perusing old texts in an ancient nunnery, I felt as if I was there trying to help solve the mystery. The intertwining of several stories about love, life and the pursuit of happiness provided an excellent backdrop to the main plot. Ella Carey weaved an incredible, marvelous story. This was the first book I have read of hers, but it will not be the last.

Highly recommend to all romance readers who enjoy a story filled with history, mystery, love and romance.

I was given a copy by the author for an honest review.

5/5 stars                      A package, a key and a mystery could change your entire life.

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Reveiw by TashNz

What a lovely story to read over the Easter break!

I have been keeping up with the lovely reviews this story has been receiving and looking forward to getting stuck in and I wasn't disappointed.  Packed with loads of information I do recommend you find a quiet corner to fully appreciate the story.  It's certainly not a book that you can read with the TV on in the background.

Inspired by recent events and a true story Ella Carey has written a wonderful tale about Cat Jordan who inherits an apartment in Paris.  It doesnt belong to her or her family so she's quite sure it isnt rightfully hers to inherit.  Along the way we meet many interesting characters, Loic Archer, grandson of the owner, her boyfriend Christian, the art investigators and characters Cat uses to delve into the mystery of the apartment.  The apartment is filled with antique parisian furniture and art which is worth a fortune.  What's priceless tho is the historical letters that are discovered.

It's hard to discuss the plot without spoiling the story so I would like to draw attention to the lovely way the story is written, it flows well and slowly drew me in as the mystery surrounding the apartment and the past owner is gradually discovered thru the letters and the furniture and art which also tells its own story while in the meantime we have Cat and her fiancee and his family in the background then mixed with that is Loic, Cat's partner in crime if you will, who is there with his realistic outlook on life and I can tell you it wasn't very far into the story that I wished and hoped Cat would look his way and throw stuck up Christian to the curb.

I was very lucky to receive an ARC from the Author for my honest opinion which summed up is: The Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey is a magical story, it swept me back to a past era, a time long gone by, with characters that were endearing and charming, it took me on a great ride that my imagination had a ball of a time with and which I felt was quite lovely when I finished.

I must also mention the lovely cover, it begs to be read.


Find yourself a secluded corner and let The Paris Time Capsule sweep you away to another time and place, you are only limited by your imagination and Ella Carey's story certainly lets you use tons of it.


Reviewed by Maria

This is the debut novel from the Francophile Ella Carey.  And what an experience reading this has been.  Beautifully crafted, it’s as tempting as a profiterole, as delicious as a freshly baked croissant, as satisfying as a cup of French ‘café’  and as heady as a glass of French red wine.  Am I a Francophile?  The answer is yes.  My French is a bit rusty I know, but I adore the whole French experience and love to visit ‘la belle France’ when the opportunity arises, even if it’s only through the pages of a book……

When the lovably boho photographer Cat Jordan, who is in a serious relationship with a Wall Street financier, receives the key to a French apartment in the post and realizes that a certain Isabelle de Florian has bequeathed her an apartment, totally ignoring her own heirs, Cat is drawn into a web of intrigue which will send her on a journey from Paris to Provence, turning back the pages of history. The journey takes her to wartime France and even further, back to those legendary Parisian days when the ladies of the ‘demi monde’ ruled Paris.  The beautiful courtesan, Marthe de Florian, looms large in the story, even if she’s only a shadow from the past.  The film ‘Camille’ starring Greta Garbo, springs to mind, along with the glamour of another age.  As Cat unravels the mysteries of Marthe’s Paris apartment, her own world (not to mention her Wall Street financier) is calling her back.  But does she really want to return?  Cat will not only discover the truth about her grandmother, she will also discover the truth about herself.

For readers of romance and mystery, THE PARIS TIME CAPSULE is highly recommended.  Considering that it practically brings you on a trip to France and back, it’s worth every cent you’ll spend on its purchase. I consider myself very lucky  to have received my copy in exchange for an honest review.

5/5