RESISTING THE SICILIAN PLAYBOY

Wedding planner Dara Devlin plans dream Sicilian weddings for brides from all over the world. Dara's newest client, actress Portia Palmer, has her heart set on her wedding to be held at Castello Bellamo, in Monterocca, Sicily. Knowing what a great opportunity this will be, planning the most high-profile wedding of her career, Dara is eager to discuss this with the owner of the Castello, Leo Valente. But he keeps rejecting her emails, phone calls, etc... So one night, during the pre-launch/re-opening party for his nightclub "Platinum I" in Milan, (which is by invitation only) a determined Dara tries to sneak into the club to talk to him, ends up climbing the emergency ladder outside to get in the club, and gets stuck on an outdoor terrace. (Dara has little time to convince him since she has to go back to where she works in Syracuse in a few days). Suddenly she hears a man speaking to her through an open window. And to her surprise, and embarrassment, she discovers it's the nightclub and castello owner Leo Valente himself! After he lets her come inside he is intrigued by her and tells her to stay at the party and he'll listen to what she has to say sometime later. While she's there Dara makes some comments about how his club can be improved. So he makes her a deal. Be at his official grand re-opening event the next night. If she helps him with his club, and does a good job, then he will consider her contract/pitch about the wedding. What follows is a very entertaining, fun, and romantic read.

I really liked Leo! He was sexy, charming, and gorgeous, with his wavy and unruly dark hair and his deep green eyes. Women described him as, mouthwatering, delicious, and sinful! Leo also had some pain in his past and this is why he was reluctant to go back to the Castello and revive old/bad memories. I liked Dara. She was feisty, smart, and determined. Her fiancé Dan left her when he found out she couldn't have children. So she threw herself into her career. Dara and Leo had great chemistry and I thought they were perfect for each other. I loved the locations, especially the Castello. This book had some funny moments and sexy love scenes.

This was a great debut from new Harlequin Presents author Amanda Cinelli!

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CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTELLO

bonus short story by Amanda Cinelli

This story picks up a few years after the previous story (“Resisting the Sicilian Playboy” by Amanda Cinelli) ended.

Dara and Leo Valente have been married for two years and are very happy. Dara now runs/works at Devlin Events, which creates perfect Sicilian Weddings for their high-profile clients. Christmas is fast approaching. Leo has been gone on business for a few weeks so Dara has been at their home, the Castello Bellamo, alone. Dara and Leo’s joint venture into charity work in Sicily kept her busy---The Valente Foundation was doing fantastic work in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the island. Dara found herself attending a handful of fundraisers and benefits and she found herself taking the role as patroness at the Syracuse orphanage. She has been visiting the orphanage alot lately because she has become very fond of one of the orphans there---a small boy named Luca. Dara has given up hope of ever becoming a mother after she was told she couldn’t have children. So she focused on her work and was happy with that. But there is just something about this boy. When Leo gets home he notices something is wrong. Dara eventually tells him about the boy, Luca. What follows is such a heartwarming and touching story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Leo---he was a wonderful hero. I loved how he surprised Dara when he came home from his business trip---she always loved traditional family Christmases as a child, and he sure gave her one! I loved how he charmed the children at the orphanage. I liked the little boy Luca. This was a lovely, short, and sweet read, with three people getting their well deserved Happy Ever After! ( )