This HaBO comes from Robyn, who is looking for this Harlequin:
I have been searching for a book I read a long time ago. I’m almost positive it was from one of those monthly shipments from Harlequin (I think it came with a pink wineglass). The basic story is pretty common – an estranged couple is forced back together. The husband is a traditional Greek billionaire and the woman was from England, I think. His family and friends hated her. They thought she didn’t speak Greek so they would talk about her in front of her. I don’t remember exactly who left who or why or exactly how he forced her to come back. I believe the original leaving was partly because his mom (or a sister or close family friend) was telling him lies about her, like she was cheating on him.
I vividly remember a scene where he follows her because he thinks she’s cheating on him. She’s carrying her camera. It ends up she’s doing what she did a lot in the past – going down to the wharf (something like that) to speak Greek with the “common” folk. He brings her to a fancy party and makes comments to her in Greek so everyone understands that she understands Greek and knew what they were saying about her.
That’s all I think I remember. I thought I had found the book in The Greek’s Marriage Bargain but it doesn’t have those scenes. Please help! It’s driving me crazy!
Okay, but I want to hear more about this monthly subscription. Did any of you participate?
How long ago? For some reason, Violet Winspear comes to mind, but that would be 1970s-80s. She had one or two series (a couple of books each) with Greek families under the Harlequin imprint.
This listing shows wineglasses from what it says is the 80’s and 90’s, so a long time ago could be pretty long ago!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Harlequin-Majestic-Plum-Wine-Glasses-63920a847f29dd1412fb6c53?srsltid=AfmBOop8qyxDUY2skly9vfzqlQuzMNIkLIVr8bclK5UABnQjMmIQ8PJo
The 80s and 90s weren’t all that long ago…
(And get offa my lawn already, ya whippersnappers)
I remember the pink wine glasses! I had a Harlequin subscription for a short period of time; it must have been the late 90s. Unfortunately, I do not remember the book. (And the glasses went in a garage sale since they didn’t match anything I had.)
I subscribed to Harlequin in the very early eighties but sadly don’t recall this book or the wine glass.
I never participated in the book subscriptions but I remember the excitement of the neighborhood moms and grandmas on the day the box of books arrived each month (late 70s/early 80s) They had a pretty much their own traveling library in the neighborhood. I remember them all arriving at their weekly coffee dates with a brown paper bag. They’d pile all the books up and redistribute them and all leave with new books to read. I thought it must be wonderful to be a grown-up and share all the books with all your friends.
Not the book, but in one of my favorite Mary Stewart’s – The Moon Spinners, which is set in Crete, the MMC is speaking Greek to his Greek guide about the FMC, and the guide replies that the FMC speaks Greek. She then responds in Greek that he didn’t embarrass himself too badly, which leads to a rather nice grovel in English.
I think you are looking for a Harlequin Presents from 2002: Michelle Reid, A Passionate Marriage. it features all the scenes you describe.
I believe the book you are looking for is a Harlequin Presents 2002, Michelle Reid, A Passionate Marriage. It has all the elements you describe.
I have a couple of “on the rocks” glasses from Harlequin subscription boxes my mom gave me.
I was astonished to find I have this book on my Kindle from over a dozen years ago. May have to reread.
Linda Howard’s All That Glitters had a Greek billioniare and English woman couple. I’m guessing it was an old Harlequin.
I think I still have some pink ones and even some blue/green ones