The Tuscan Tycoon's Wife

Rating:
Summary: Cinderella with a twist
Review: Selena Gates just wants to make it to the next rodeo, the next chance for a payday that will keep her, her aging trailer, and her aging barrel pony on the road for another chance. When her friend suggests she marry a millionaire, Selena laughs. A miracle would be easier--millionaires don't go for women without curves. Selena's hopes seem shattered when she runs into a car--and meets handsome Leo Calvani--the Italian farmer who just happens to be a super-rich aristocrat. Leo keeps his personal history a secret when he discovers that Selena has strong class prejudices. She distrusts the rich and is absolutely fearful of the titled aristocracy.

The two find the attraction overwhelming and Selena, after a series of rodeo successes made possible by Leo's secret financing of a new trailer and a new horse, visits him in Italy. She is shocked to discover that he is rich--and hobnobs with the titled of Italy. Still, he is a farmer at heart and she consoles herself with that when he asks her to marry him. But when she learns that he is to be the heir to the Venetian palace and the title of Count, she draws the line.

Author Lucy Gordon tells a Cinderella tale with a twist--this Cinderella doesn't want a prince. She wants a horse. Failing a horse, a farmer would do. Gordon's strong writing sustains reader interest despite her limited explanation of exactly what made these two people right for each other. American readers are likely to find Selena unconvincing as a fellow American. Her diction is ever-so-British (no American would ever wear a bathing costume), and her anti-aristocratic reverse snobbery is unknown in the states (we don't have enough contact with the aristocrats to have any negative feelings about them). Even lacking this, Selena is annoying with her willingness to assume that everyone thinks the worst about her, and to blame others for her problems (she was the one who ran into Leo's car but she failed to take responsibility for following too closely).

It's a challenge to combine an independent heroine with a care-giving and wealthy hero. Gordon makes a valiant attempt and THE TUSCAN TYCOON'S WIFE makes for a mostly enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Selena is a gutsy cowgirl who's led a rough and nomadic lifestyle. She's alone in the world with the exception of Elliot, her old horse that she considers her only family. Selena has never loved anyone and no one has ever loved her. She's not used to love and tenderness from anyone.

Then she meets Italian tycoon, Leo Calvani. He's a kind hearted, gentle, and generous soul. He's like no man she's ever met before and her world changes. They fall in love.

Selena thinks that Leo's poor and struggling like her. When she finds out otherwise, she has to make the decision of whether she can stay with Leo and be happy.

What a wonderful story of two people from different worlds, brought together by love and how one of them has to learn to accept that love. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes.

As usual, all the characters in Gordon's book are captivating. I liked Liza, the woman responsible for helping Selena find her unfamiliar way in the world of love. She has a unique story of her own, as well.

You'll get caught up in the moving story of Selena and Leo when you read THE TUSCAN TYCOON'S WIFE by Lucy Gordon.

Fafa Demasio

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Selena is a gutsy cowgirl who's led a rough and nomadic lifestyle. She's alone in the world with the exception of Elliot, her old horse that she considers her only family. Selena has never loved anyone and no one has ever loved her. She's not used to love and tenderness from anyone.

Then she meets Italian tycoon, Leo Calvani. He's a kind hearted, gentle, and generous soul. He's like no man she's ever met before and her world changes. They fall in love.

Selena thinks that Leo's poor and struggling like her. When she finds out otherwise, she has to make the decision of whether she can stay with Leo and be happy.

What a wonderful story of two people from different worlds, brought together by love and how one of them has to learn to accept that love. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes.

As usual, all the characters in Gordon's book are captivating. I liked Liza, the woman responsible for helping Selena find her unfamiliar way in the world of love. She has a unique story of her own, as well.

You'll get caught up in the moving story of Selena and Leo when you read THE TUSCAN TYCOON'S WIFE by Lucy Gordon.

Fafa Demasio

Rating:
Summary: Storyline info
Review: Selena is tough and independent, scraping just enough money to survive. When she falls for Leo Calvani she thinks he's a kindred spirit - apparently he lives a simple life in rural Italy and, like her, he's illegitimate....

But she arrives at his home only to discover it's the largest house in the district, that he owns two villages and his uncle is a count! This is not the Leo she thought he was. But then a new discovery comes to light - Leo is proved not to be illegitimate after all, which makes him the count's heir! It's Selena's worst nightmare. There's no way she could ever be a countess....

Rating:
Summary: Minor disappointment
Review: This final book in the series was a bit of a disappointment. The story itself is good - poor, struggling rodeo girl meets wealthy European aristocrat and landowner - but the book didn't quite meet the level of quality I found in the first two stories. The use of American slang was stilted at times, almost as if it had been thrown in as an afterthought. Leo seemed much more American than Italian, and the resolution to the central conflict seemed quite abrupt. Not what I'd come to expect from Ms. Gordon's stories.