Rating: 
Summary: Not That Good!
Review: A first for me from this author. I was really impressed with the writing and depth. Its hard to find such depth and emotion, true emotion in a romantic suspense, but this had it. I loved the way the writer Ms George touched on a very sensitive subject in this and made us wonder in the end how it would turn out. There was no 'I knew it' or 'so typical' in this one.
Written in more true and realistic form, it impressed me at her use of several touchy subject matter that I found refreshing in a romance novel. One being the heroine wasn't perfect nor was she flawless. She was flawed and real and I loved her.
A different spin on the good twin bad twin storyline.
Abby St. James finds herself suddenly at the mercy of a company her father has built and her twin has run without a safety net. Her sister is none other than the 'Black Widow,' or also known as Michaela St. James, three-time widow to old men...old rich men that is.
Abby is nothing like her conniving and deceitful sister who loves money and men and designer everything. Abby is shy and reserved and every bit the 'country mouse.'
Taking over her sister's designer shoes for a while in the trendy magazine called 'Bastian,' she comes face to face with Michaela's adversary and the very man her sister detests. Also the very man she has dreamt about for nealy ten years, Stephan Massari.
Stephan mistakes Abby for her evil twin and soon Abby feels stretched beyond her limits. Despite his adverse taste for the hateful woman, he seems oddly attracted to the 'new' Michalea. And soon he feels she is playing a deadly game with him.
Abby soon realizes impersonating her twin is not only dangerous with Stephan, for the man seems like he is about to snap, but another deadly game has begun...someone else seems determined on ending her sister's life and doesn't know who she is.
Can Abby get through this alive? Is her sister's hide worth this trouble? How had she made so many enemies? A list a mile long is forming and the more the killer contacts her, the more she must trust to reason with Stephan, the only person who may be able to save her.
Creepy and enthralling. I Loved it! A true delight.
Tracy Talley~@
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting and Completely Original!
Review: A first for me from this author. I was really impressed with the writing and depth. Its hard to find such depth and emotion, true emotion in a romantic suspense, but this had it. I loved the way the writer Ms George touched on a very sensitive subject in this and made us wonder in the end how it would turn out. There was no 'I knew it' or 'so typical' in this one.
Written in more true and realistic form, it impressed me at her use of several touchy subject matter that I found refreshing in a romance novel. One being the heroine wasn't perfect nor was she flawless. She was flawed and real and I loved her.
A different spin on the good twin bad twin storyline.
Abby St. James finds herself suddenly at the mercy of a company her father has built and her twin has run without a safety net. Her sister is none other than the 'Black Widow,' or also known as Michaela St. James, three-time widow to old men...old rich men that is.
Abby is nothing like her conniving and deceitful sister who loves money and men and designer everything. Abby is shy and reserved and every bit the 'country mouse.'
Taking over her sister's designer shoes for a while in the trendy magazine called 'Bastian,' she comes face to face with Michaela's adversary and the very man her sister detests. Also the very man she has dreamt about for nealy ten years, Stephan Massari.
Stephan mistakes Abby for her evil twin and soon Abby feels stretched beyond her limits. Despite his adverse taste for the hateful woman, he seems oddly attracted to the 'new' Michalea. And soon he feels she is playing a deadly game with him.
Abby soon realizes impersonating her twin is not only dangerous with Stephan, for the man seems like he is about to snap, but another deadly game has begun...someone else seems determined on ending her sister's life and doesn't know who she is.
Can Abby get through this alive? Is her sister's hide worth this trouble? How had she made so many enemies? A list a mile long is forming and the more the killer contacts her, the more she must trust to reason with Stephan, the only person who may be able to save her.
Creepy and enthralling. I Loved it! A true delight.
Tracy Talley~@
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Romantic Suspense!!
Review: Abby St James finally returns to New York, stepping in to oversee her twin sister Michaela’s interest in “Bastian” men’s magazine, left to Abby by her late father, but most recently to Micky’s best (?) intentions. From sexy Italian publisher Stefan to the secretaries, everyone mistakes Abby for Micky, and Abby decides it might be easier to accomplish her task if she lets everyone believe she is Micky. Except that everyone hates Micky, some enough to want to see her dead. Abby starts falling for Stefan, and vice versa. As Abby continues the deception of being Micky, the ensuing revenge against Micky escalates. So does the passion between Abby and Stefan, whose heart is definitely in the right place. Add a past history of sexual abuse, a life threatening illness and its culmination, this story line will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the end. I found this is a somewhat emotional story for a suspense novel, but lends to the strength of the characters becoming who they are and giving them more depth. This us my first read by Melanie George, but definitely not my last. I immediately picked up “The Mating Game” and laughed through this whole entertaining book. Her heroes are to die for (no pun intended), and I look forward to reading the “Devil” series
Rating: 
Summary: 1/2 * A tearjerker romance addicts would die for
Review: Astute fans of Melanie George will find that her last effort The Art of Seduction albeit of a historical timeframe bears an uncanny resemblance to her newest contemporary romance To Die For. Both features twins of polarized nature and switches identity to mislead their love-interest. However To Die For is distinctly darker and more sexually oriented materials with its theme on voyeurism and S/M normally eschewed by romances. Abby St. James embarks on a stint stipulated by her deceased father in a codicil and takes the helm from the domineering, wilful Micky to supervise Bastion, a leading Magazine pioneered by their father. She meets sexy Italian hunk Stefan Messari and finds herself attracted as both shares their dark secrets. Abby decides to abandon all for a night of passion with Stefan, knowing that her days are numbered with an illness. Yet the greater danger lies in a sadistic and deranged psychopath threatening Abby's sanity when he assumes Abby is Michaela.... Even with its taboo topics and intermittent suspense, To Die For is actually a melodramatic tearjerker that will have you emptying out Kleenex - and unabashedly drives our cynicism aside with the saintly noble Abby forfeiting her chance of love because of her illness and sterility while the brooding Stefan is her knight in shining armour. Can't stand the mush? Then why in the first place are you doing here in romance genre? Ms. George again delights us with a read of sheer escapism and gooey-eyed, melting romance with searing passion. It's one hard-core addicts of romance would die for but pragmatists would gladly avoid.
Rating:
Summary: Sizzling!
Review: I just finished TO DIE FOR and LOVED it. It's a contemporary, with a virginal heroine who is afraid of men do to an attempted rape in college. The hero Stefan is a total Italian alpha male hunk who mistakes innocent Abby for her not so innocent sister Micky. The sex scenes are sizzling, and I balled my eves out towards the end. It's a bit grittier than most novels, the language is more crued, but I think that made the book more realistic. She didn't tiptoe around anything. You won't be able to put this book down!
Rating:
Summary: A Sizzling Winner!
Review: I just finished To Die For, and wow, am I impressed! I so love dark stories and the sex had ME sizzling. The hero, Stefan was the perfect alpha male, and the suspense was wonderfully done. Never would have guessed the killer. Abby's sister, Micki, was remarkable! Loved her earthy, gritty personality. I think she deserves a book of her own! LOL! I think Ms George has an incredible talent for contemps, and I'm crossing my fingers that she'll reward us with many more. Bravo, Ms George! Keep 'em coming!
Rating:
Summary: Not That Good!
Review: It was a good story line, but the leding lady was just weak. She just couldn't make up her mind, yes she was sick but why did she not want him there for her. I just disliked her alot. I was happy to put the book down.
Rating:
Summary: Are there two Melanie George's?
Review: It's hard to believe that the same writer wrote this book and all the great Devil books. Devil May Care, Handsome Devil, The Devil's Due...all great reads. Like No Other and The Art of Seduction. Great reads. Her two contemporary books (this one and The Mating Game which I could even finish) lack the writing style, the witty dialogue, the great characters. In To Die For, the heroine is a dull, lifeless, boring person and you have to wonder what does this amazing man see in her? This is not true in her good books. I'd say stay away from her contemporary books and read all the others. Like night and day.
Rating:
Summary: Contemporary Perfection in an Italian Hero
Review: Melanie George delivers a riveting and enticing novel with "To Die For." Rarely have I read such a heart stopping depiction of a contemporary romance hero. Although this story occurs in a corporate setting of a successful magazine publisher, the main characters definitely carry the majority of the story. Often, it seems, in a romance novelist's efforts to set the environment of the novel, the reader is deluged with facts and figures and sometimes dragged down in too many details. Most readers, I would presume, read a romance novel for the romance and we want it to be in a believable, accurate setting. But we are not reading the book, as in this case, to learn more about publishing. We are reading about the lives of the people who manage the publishing. This author has created an interesting publishing arena for her story that frames a remarkable romance. Abby St. James has just inherited her father's business, Bastion, a highly successful gentleman's magazine. Abby has never been involved in her father's business and lives in Idaho. Abby has not lived with her father since her parents' divorce when she was a child. She has lived with her mother, caring for her until her recent death. Abby's twin, Michaela, has both lived with her father since the divorce and has worked for his magazine. Michaela has a bad reputation with men. She has cruelly used men and actually married several older men, all who have died. Her reputation also reaches to the magazine publishing business where she is known to be vindictive, autocratic, and impulsive to a fault. Through her actions at work, she has alientated the publisher, Stefan Massari, and he hates working with her and distrusts her is all matters. When Abby inherits all of the magazine company, Michaela goes to Europe for an extended vacation and Abby begins working at Bastion. Upon her arrival at work her first day, she is blasted by the magazine's publisher, Stefan, for Michaela's actions prior to her trip to Europe. Abby has no intention of deceiving any one about her identity, but just as Stefan has mistaken Abby for her twin, others within the company do so as well. Almost immediately, Abby decided to keep her true identity a secret to give her time to assess the possible damage her twin has done within the company. Needless to say, no one likes Michaela and Abby contends with her enemies within the company as well as in her personal life. Stefan is appalled to find he is consistently drawn to Michaela when he has never before. He cannot figure out what she is up to because she is no longer the hostile, demanding, and selfish woman he remembers. Abby is a gentle spirit and as opposite her twin as possible. She is inexperienced with men and basically a very shy person. This is the person that Stefan is drawn to and Abby is definitely fighting a strong attraction to Stefan. This book is not a light read. It covers a lot of heavy issues such as rape, suicide, illness, sexual perversion, and murder. It is not your typical romance novel. I usually read several novels concurrently. It helps me savor each story if I do not allow myself to rush through a book to see how it ends. This, however, is one book I could not read while reading other books at the same time. It demanded all of my attention. I did not want to quit reading it and did read it non-stop with only one or two breaks. The hero, Stefan, is certainly dreamy. He is not so much the forceful dominant male we see so often in romances but yet he does dominate any scene he is in because of his immense self-confidence. He is also not your typical rake - he is choosy about who he dates and does not play around just for the sex. He has a very mature personality and carries the role of publisher of this very classy magazine easily. He seeks to understand the motives of a person's behavior and is a well-liked and accepted manager. Abby is a saint compared to her twin, Michaela. She works hard, treats her co-workers with respect, and offers smart, sensible suggestions. She is thoughtful and conservative and is the type of woman Stefan has always wanted. He has the desire and need to have as his future wife a person he can take care of. Michaela could never fit that role but this new Michaela he sees - does. Yes, he is one confused man. The romance between Abby and Stefan is bittersweet until Stefan discovers her true identity. The two don't communicate through fighting and misunderstanding. The growth in their relationship is truly touching. The chemistry between the two is rich and tangible. On a scale of one to five, the sensual scenes are a solid four (see "more about me" for sensual rating guidelines) and occur several times. Any time in the book that Abby and Stefan are on the same page, you have got some great interaction going - even if it is a disagreement. You truly feel their emotions when in each other's company. The story is moving and heart wrenching. Stefan is one of my favorite contemporary heroes. I will definitely keep this book to read again at another time. I could read it again right now. This is the first book I have read by this author and am now looking forward to reading her other novels. Although this book has been referred to as melodramatic, it is still a wonderful story!
Rating:
Summary: Contemporary Perfection in an Italian Hero
Review: Melanie George delivers a riveting and enticing novel with "To Die For." Rarely have I read such a heart stopping depiction of a contemporary romance hero. Although this story occurs in a corporate setting of a successful magazine publisher, the main characters definitely carry the majority of the story. Often, it seems, in a romance novelist's efforts to set the environment of the novel, the reader is deluged with facts and figures and sometimes dragged down in too many details. Most readers, I would presume, read a romance novel for the romance and we want it to be in a believable, accurate setting. But we are not reading the book, as in this case, to learn more about publishing. We are reading about the lives of the people who manage the publishing. This author has created an interesting publishing arena for her story that frames a remarkable romance. Abby St. James has just inherited her father's business, Bastion, a highly successful gentleman's magazine. Abby has never been involved in her father's business and lives in Idaho. Abby has not lived with her father since her parents' divorce when she was a child. She has lived with her mother, caring for her until her recent death. Abby's twin, Michaela, has both lived with her father since the divorce and has worked for his magazine. Michaela has a bad reputation with men. She has cruelly used men and actually married several older men, all who have died. Her reputation also reaches to the magazine publishing business where she is known to be vindictive, autocratic, and impulsive to a fault. Through her actions at work, she has alientated the publisher, Stefan Massari, and he hates working with her and distrusts her is all matters. When Abby inherits all of the magazine company, Michaela goes to Europe for an extended vacation and Abby begins working at Bastion. Upon her arrival at work her first day, she is blasted by the magazine's publisher, Stefan, for Michaela's actions prior to her trip to Europe. Abby has no intention of deceiving any one about her identity, but just as Stefan has mistaken Abby for her twin, others within the company do so as well. Almost immediately, Abby decided to keep her true identity a secret to give her time to assess the possible damage her twin has done within the company. Needless to say, no one likes Michaela and Abby contends with her enemies within the company as well as in her personal life. Stefan is appalled to find he is consistently drawn to Michaela when he has never before. He cannot figure out what she is up to because she is no longer the hostile, demanding, and selfish woman he remembers. Abby is a gentle spirit and as opposite her twin as possible. She is inexperienced with men and basically a very shy person. This is the person that Stefan is drawn to and Abby is definitely fighting a strong attraction to Stefan. This book is not a light read. It covers a lot of heavy issues such as rape, suicide, illness, sexual perversion, and murder. It is not your typical romance novel. I usually read several novels concurrently. It helps me savor each story if I do not allow myself to rush through a book to see how it ends. This, however, is one book I could not read while reading other books at the same time. It demanded all of my attention. I did not want to quit reading it and did read it non-stop with only one or two breaks. The hero, Stefan, is certainly dreamy. He is not so much the forceful dominant male we see so often in romances but yet he does dominate any scene he is in because of his immense self-confidence. He is also not your typical rake - he is choosy about who he dates and does not play around just for the sex. He has a very mature personality and carries the role of publisher of this very classy magazine easily. He seeks to understand the motives of a person's behavior and is a well-liked and accepted manager. Abby is a saint compared to her twin, Michaela. She works hard, treats her co-workers with respect, and offers smart, sensible suggestions. She is thoughtful and conservative and is the type of woman Stefan has always wanted. He has the desire and need to have as his future wife a person he can take care of. Michaela could never fit that role but this new Michaela he sees - does. Yes, he is one confused man. The romance between Abby and Stefan is bittersweet until Stefan discovers her true identity. The two don't communicate through fighting and misunderstanding. The growth in their relationship is truly touching. The chemistry between the two is rich and tangible. On a scale of one to five, the sensual scenes are a solid four (see "more about me" for sensual rating guidelines) and occur several times. Any time in the book that Abby and Stefan are on the same page, you have got some great interaction going - even if it is a disagreement. You truly feel their emotions when in each other's company. The story is moving and heart wrenching. Stefan is one of my favorite contemporary heroes. I will definitely keep this book to read again at another time. I could read it again right now. This is the first book I have read by this author and am now looking forward to reading her other novels. Although this book has been referred to as melodramatic, it is still a wonderful story!
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