When hearts resist, finding love is simply a matter of...
Jared Rutledge needs a wife for one year to inherit his family's business, and beautiful, spunky Kate fills the bill perfectly. But what will happen when his need to succeed clashes with Kate's need for a "home-n-hearth" husband? Kate Lawson needs funds to provide a kidney transplant for her ailing son, David. But after a lifetime spent with a "company man" father and husband, is she willing to get involved with another workaholic, even in a marriage of convenience, for the sake of her child? Jared has always believed that a man shows his love by how well he provides for his family. But too often, he isn't there when his new family needs him because of his business. As he and Kate fall in love, she teaches him that there is more to life than the next contract. When they come to terms, Jared learns love is the best deal of all!
ISBN # 1-58200-611-3
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Hard Shell Word Factory
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with BROKEN PLEDGE
ISBN # 0-7599-0602-5
Reluctantly, he drew back slightly. Her eyes were half-closed, a smoldering storm in them. He noted that her mouth was damp with his kisses. Excited by her rapid breathing, her feminine arousal threatened to fog his mind.
"Kate, I've waited as long as I can. I want you. I've wanted you since I first regained consciousness and saw you, standing like an angel over me. I've tried to give you time. I know you want me as much as I want you. Now it’s time for you to admit it, too."
Her eyes opened, unfocused and dazed. "Jared..." she whispered.
Her unspoken plea stoked his rising passion and he gritted his teeth against the demands of his body.
"Kate, if you don’t tell me ‘no’ now..." He shuddered as raw hunger clawed at his control. “I won’t be able to pull back.” Tenderly, he laid his hand along the side of her face, stroking her silken skin with his fingertips. "Tell me, Kate,” he whispered. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you."
Desire warred with wariness in her expression as she stared at him. "Jared..." Her lips trembled as she stumbled to a stop.
A hard cold knot developed in his chest, spreading as her fingers restlessly flexed on his shoulders. She's going to refuse. The thought howled through him like a wolf on the tundra, and he unconsciously braced himself for her rejection.
"Yes," she whispered, her lips softening tremulously. "Yes, I want you."
His sense of triumph shattered the ice around his heart. "Honey, I've waited for this a long time." He lifted her in his arms and strode up the stairs, feeling like a conqueror. Her slight figure curled trustingly in his arms, her face snuggled against his throat. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest. A few tendrils of her jasmine-scented hair tickled his jaw.
In the doorway of their bedroom, he halted. Here for the past six weeks had been his place of torture. Here he had had to share a space with Kate, her scent permeating the air; her lingerie next to his underwear in the dresser; her things scattered around, always reminding him of her. But the main tribulation had been the beds.
Those damned over-sized twin beds his grandmother had selected when Bertram proved to be a restless sleeper. For too many nights, Jared had slipped into his lonely bed after Kate had fallen asleep and listened to the sound of her gentle breathing. Too many mornings he had awakened before her, and had to resist the sight of her lying in her bed, sleep-tousled amid the tumbled bedding, to combat his craving to kiss her soft, pink lips. No, no doubt. Those were the beds from hell. But all that was about to change.
Jared glanced at Kate, and saw her staring at the beds as if they were torture devices. An unaccustomed tenderness touched his heart. He stepped into the room, closing the door behind them with his hip. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose until she turned her attention to him, then smiled into her deep, pansy-brown eyes.
“Your place or mine?”
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"Another outstanding story from Hard Shell Word Factory! COMING TO TERMS is a touching story of love and the challenges that a marriage can endure. Jared is devoted to his company, as is demonstrated well in the hospital scenes, and when his character adapts to new circumstances, the change is satisfying. Scenes between Kate and Jared will not disappoint; they are sensual without being overwritten. The chemistry between the two builds slowly and steadily, making the wait for their union well worth it! I thoroughly enjoyed this story from Jackie Kramer and am eager to read more of her work!"
Romance Reviews Today
Reviewed by Tracy Farnsworth
"...COMING TO TERMS takes two strong-will people and throws a whole bunch of baggage at them. Neither Kate nor Jared comes to the other emotionally free. Kate is a wonderful heroine, determined to 'pay her own way', but equally determined to make her forced marriage work. Jared is a yummy hero who really is trying to do the right thing, according to his perceptions of a lifetime... ...Ms. Kramer definitely weaves a good story."
SCRIBES' WORLD
4 Stars
Reviewed by Karen Larsen
"...Jackie Kramer has penned a sweet little romance which deals with the age-old problem of women married to men married to their jobs. While there are no surprises here, the writing is good, and Kate’s internal conflict is familiar to women everywhere. Light reading for a lazy afternoon."
Affaire de Coeur
3 ½ Stars
Reviewed by Rickey R. Mallory
"...The plot is a familiar one; nevertheless, this story is an endearing tale."
Romantic Times
3 Stars
Reviewed by April Redmon