Sweet Talking Man: A Novel

By Betina Krahn

Book Overview

Betina Krahn, the New York Times bestselling author of The Soft Touch and The Perfect Mistress, casts her beguiling spell once more with this warm and witty love story....She was an independent... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553576194
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

4.5 stars

This is set in 1890s New York. The heroine is a businesswoman--she inherited her elderly husband's businesses. The hero is a politician. There are a lot of fascinating details about scandals, Tammany Hall, and living conditions in New York back then. But it was also an entertaining and amusing story, and I laughed aloud in several spots. My only quibble was that the heroine didn't seem to understand that supporting women's rights before the election could cost the hero the election. Realistic characters, realistic conflicts, realistic resolution of the conflicts.

Connor Sullivan Barrow was certainly a charmer!

This is my fifth book by Ms Krahn and yet another confirmation of her talent. She tells such terrific stories with lots of humour, sensuous romance and an examination of the major issues of the period. This time, it's 1892 New York, the Tammany Hall political machine and the Women's Suffrage movement.Beatrice Von Furstenburg is a hard-nosed business woman who was given the reins of Consolidated Industries on the death of her elderly husband much to the dismay of it's otherwise male board of directors. She's also guardian for her niece, 16 year old Priscilla, who is madly in love and wants to marry her 18 year old beau. Beatrice claims not to have a romantic bone in her body and repeated tells them they're too young and stupid to marry. Frustrated, they hatch a hairbrained scheme intended to change Beatrice's low opinion of Jeffrey but the scheme goes terribly wrong and the teens must look to Jeffrey's estranged cousin to get them all out of this mess!Connor Sullivan Barrow is focused on running for Congress and wants nothing to do with "precious Jeffrey" or his problems. But he winds up involved and once he meets Beatrice, he's helplessly intrigued. "I was always taught to beware a touch of red in a woman's hair. It bespeaks a strong will. But, speakin' personally, I like a strong bit of will in a woman. Always a site more enjoyable than a strong bit of won't". And so starts the charm offensive! On the outside, she's unmoved, but on the inside, she must admit that his "smile was pure alchemy" and she starts to slowly fall.But the road to romance is quite rocky for these two. She pushes him to endorse the suffrage movement, his bosses in Tammany Hall tell him never to see her again. She has to contend with a mutiny in her board of directors and he has to choose between her and his political future. And then there is his hostile estranged WASP grandfather who never forgave Connor for marrying a "shanty Irish" girl so far beneath him (she ultimately died) and for turning his back on the family and it's banking interests. And almost every problem in their relationship seems to be splashed in the headlines of the newspapers, compounding the problems these two face.I really had fun reading this story, as with all the author's other stories. The lead couple was smart, sexy, conflicted and utlimately perfect for each other. You hoped Beatrice would lighten up and you adored Connor all the while hoping, along with Beatrice, that his "sweet talk" was sincere!Another enjoyable, fun and romantic read from Betina Krahn!

A Refreshing Read - From Title to Last Page

SWEET TALKING MAN definitely lives up to its title. When a handsome politician running for congress meets corporate giant Beatrice Von Furstenberg in a most unusual fashion, it is his smooth tongue that irresistibly wins her trust. Not an easy thing to do with a sassy suffragette.When I first picked up this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I usually don't buy romance novels with clinch covers, even when they are somewhat tastefully done -- as is the case with SWEET TALKING MAN. In any event, as soon as I started reading, I was pleasantly surprised. And I could not put the book down.Betina Krahn is a newly discovered author for me, and now that I found her, I plan to read more of her work. Her writing is crisp and fresh. Everything from the dialogue to the mannerisms of her characters flows musically and with a realism that never seems contrived. But the most noteworthy prase I can offer Ms Krahn is the intelligence that practically radiates off the pages. Here is a writer who showers her prose with unique historical issues and cleverly blends it with modern-day morals. And it is so nice to read a historical romance that doesn't involve castles!I have to respond to Shawna Ianne's review. I do not see how you missed the chemistry between Conner Barrow and Beatrice Von Furstenberg. From the minute he walks into the "dungeon" and sets his eyes on her, you can almost hear their breathing quicken. In fact, Ms Krahn is a master at building chemistry before the hero and heroine ever take off a stitch of clothes. The way Conner looks at Beatrice. And the way he TALKS to her! How could you have missed that? Those were the best parts!As to the ending, how insightful to move ahead to present day. I loved it. Beats the typical ending that I can always predict. In fact, this is the first novel in a long time that I've read every word on the last few pages.Thanks Ms. Krahn, for the entertaining read!

Light, Entertaining Romance

I can't equate this novel with Krahn's best novel, "The Last Bachelor". In that one she had hero and heroine on opposite sides of an issue in the Victorian era, just as she does in this one. "Bachelor", however, was absolutely LOL hilarious as well. This is an extremely likable couple nonetheless. A struggling Irish politician, who is virtually in the pocket of New York City's Tammany Hall, up against a wealthy widow suffragette, determined to open her own bank for women, provide us with many early Tracy vs. Hepburn feuding but romantic moments. This alone makes it worth buying. It is a big improvement over her last novel, "The Soft Touch", which I couldn't even finish. The stepback (inner cover on two facing pages) by cover artist Franco Accornero is a knock out portrait of the two romantic lead characters and just may push you over the edge into buying it. I know it did the trick for me! If you are wavering, buy Krahn's "The Last Bachelor" instead, which is a solid 5 star read.

Excelllent romance

In 1892 New York, widow Beatrice Von Furstenburg refuses to permit her niece Priscilla Lucciano to marry her beloved Jeffrey Granton. The astute businesswoman Beatrice believes the two teens are too young, too inexperienced, and definitely too moronic to wed right now. The suffragette knows first hand what it is like to marry as a pimply teen since she was forced to do so. The wannabe lovers hire thieves to abduct Beatrice so that Jeffrey can heroically rescue her. However, the plan fails and Beatrice is held prisoner in a brothel.A desperate Jeffrey turns to his cousin attorney Connor Barrow for help. The sweet talking Connor negotiates with Beatrice on terms to free her even as he finds himself very attracted to the modern thinking woman. As the duo falls in love, Connor knows he faces the most difficult negotiation of his life. He must persuade his beloved that she can trust him and remain free and married at the same time.SWEET TALKING MAN is a spectacular Americana romance that brings alive the late nineteenth century women's rights movement and the Tammany Hall control of New York City. The story line is humorous with a serious undertone that makes for a wonderful reading experience. The audience will adore the lead couple who brings vigor to the tale. Best-selling author Betina Krahn has written a great novel that will return her to the top of all the lists.Harriet Klausner