Lady in Black

By Christina Dodd

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565970438
• ISBN13: 9781565970434
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Meteor Publishing Corporation
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Great Read

I tracked down a copy of this book based on the review posted by shereads, and I'm glad I did. This is a small book, but it has everything you'd want for an entertaining read. After a devastating personal tragedy, Margaret Guarneri needs to start over with her daughter, Amy. She attends butler school and lands a job w/ Jim Donovan, an elderly--and very rich--Houston businessman. Margaret thrives on the security and stability of her new life, but everything changes when Mr. Donovan begins receiving kidnapping threats and Reid Donovan arrives to find out why his grandfather suddenly changed his will. Reid is rich, powerful, and devastatingly attractive. Despite his suspicions about Margaret's intentions towards his grandfather and her possible involvement in the kidnapping/extortion plot, he is drawn to the cool and detached Margaret and is determined to crack her facade. Margaret is equally determined to resist, but the magnetism between them is intense and undeniable. The relationship that subsequently develops between Reid and Margaret is both incredibly sweet and incredibly sexy. Almost all of the characters are believable and richly drawn. Mr. Jim Donovan is a lively and intelligent man who chafes at the restrictions enforced on him by age and infirmity. He fills the void by taking an interest in the engaging Amy, scheming w/ his friend Manuel, and playing matchmaker. Other wonderful characters include Mr. Jim's colorful cook, Abigail; Reid's taciturn bodyguard, Nagumbi; Margaret's vivacious friend, Chantal; the mysterious Dommy and Jules; the smarmy security expert, Cliff Martin; the urbane Frenchman, Pierre; and even Simon the footman. I'm not one to laugh out loud when reading, but this book is both hot and humorous. I certainly smiled when reading the scene where Reid and Pierre casually dropped under the dining room table to privately discuss Reid's pursuit of Margaret, only to be publicly and embarrassingly caught. I also smiled at the scene when Reid was delivered back home after being questioned about "his intentions." Or the scenes where he turned up the pressure on Margaret. Or. . . well, you get the idea. Ms. Dodd is an incredibly gifted writer and this is a gem of a book. Initially, I rated it a solid 4 stars based on the slight weakness of a somewhat contrived kidnapping plot and villain. I also thought Reid's suspicions of Margaret were a tad exaggerated and prolonged. But those are very small quibbles and, after re-reading the book yet again, decided that I really should have added an extra star. Track down a copy of this book (don't be put off by the cover art) and treat yourself.

This butler knows judo!

...Good story, characters, and plot. The growing desire and love between Reid and Margaret is nicely paced. You know something is going on with the kidnapping plot, but up until the very end you can't be sure. About the only drawback was Reid's forcefulness in pushing the relationship with Margaret. But it worked.