This RITA® Reader Challenge 2013 review was written by Kylie. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Best Short Contemporary Series category.

The summary:     

Wild parties, wanton women, relentless work—nothing helps tycoon Lucas Jackson escape his dark and haunting past. Arriving at his rural castle in a snarling snowstorm, he craves only complete isolation.… But it seems oblivion can take an unexpected and highly intoxicating form!

Personally delivering the vital file left on her boss's desk, secretary Emma Gray starts to seriously regret her dutiful overtime mission. She never expected the dark side of the usually controlled Lucas could generate such a primitive, powerful—and entirely inappropriate—reaction.

And here is Kylie's review:

Harlequin Presents generally have a few elements that are standard- a wealthy, aloof hero, a virginal/near virginal heroine and some kind of forced proximity.  What I enjoy about Sarah’s Morgan’s Presents is that they she varies these elements more than most.

The hero (Lucas), while wealthy, still works for a living as a significant architect.  Although we don’t actually see him at work, we only see the results.  The heroine (Emma) is living a very quiet life and working as his PA, due to family circumstances.  She has still chosen that life, and it is a conscious decision.  These make the characters more real, and less of the typical Presents stock characters.

Both Lucas and Emma have issues that need to be resolved before they can be in a relationship with each other.  I like that while they can help each other with recognising and identifying the issues, ultimately each has to make their own decision about how to handle them.  That said, one of the more irritating moments was [potential spoiler] when Lucas’ friends decide to push him to deal with his issues over the death of his child by getting him to babysit unexpectedly, with Emma’s assistance/approval.  She stays in the bathroom (in a bath) for two or so hours while he has sole care of the little girl. Just too contrived.  The happy ending only comes when both have made changes and can manage a real relationship.

I like that there are no major communication stuff ups.  There is information not shared, and there is one misunderstanding fairly early in the book and Emma sets him straight immediately.

There is also a set up for the next book woven into the storyline (not plunked in the last chapter) that has caused me to spend more money to buy that book.

Overall, the story is well written.  I will admit, not as memorable as some of her other books (I forgot their names and large chunks of the story quickly).   Sarah Morgan’s books often feel like a tiny therapy session: “communicate, identify issue, take control of issue and communicate more”, but in an enjoyable package.  This one is no different.  I would give it an A- .

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