The Real Deal

Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book by Monroe!
Review: Amanda Zachary has experienced the ultimate betrayal-her husband cheating on her with another woman and a man-and she walked in on the busy threesome! So, Amanda's starting over. The first feeling she claims is a relief that she no longer has to suffer the emotional abuse of her husband-all critical comments and sexual rejection. It is time to take her life into her own hands and to start enjoying it.

Amanda has a good job. She is on the inside fast track at Extant Corporation. Investing her time, energy, and emotion in her career made more sense than giving those precious resources to her jerk of a husband, or any other man for that matter. She's about to face a serious, hardcore businessman, Simon Brant, as her newest assignment is to try to get her company to merge with Brant Computers. From the outset, Simon is against the merger. Furthermore, Simon is an eccentric genius, and Amanda finds it difficult to hold his attention long enough to get her presentation through to him.

Simon has a goal. The entire computer industry is racing to see who can develop a usable prototype of a fiber-optic processor, and he is determined to be the first. Worrying about a merger that could cost people their jobs is at the bottom of his scale of interest.

Amanda mentally went over the game plan for her upcoming meeting with the president of Brant Computers as the elevator made its ascent. She could barely believe her luck. When she had put the proposal for a friendly merger before the Executive Management Team at Extant Corporation, she hadn't been sure they'd go for it. Having been chosen over several colleagues to make the initial approach to Eric Brant could mean a huge promotion for her. He had been receptive, and the Executive Management Team had appointed her point man for negotiations.

What is Simon's initial problem with the merger? Aside from the fact he doesn't want anyone losing their jobs, he reminds his cousin Eric that Brant is a family held company. If they merged, everything done for decades with Brant would be for nothing. Amanda's first meeting with Simon is a disaster. So she shows up at his house. That doesn't work. Simon's irascible house man, Jacob, makes the joke that, since Simon practically lives in his laboratory, Amanda should move in-then she could possibly catch Simon long enough to actually complete her presentation. After several failed attempts to reach Simon, Amanda takes Jacob up on his offer. She is actually that desperate. Her job is at stake now.

In the meantime, business aside, when Amanda does see Simon, all she can say is, "Oh my!" He is a force of nature, with dark, exotic looks, mixed with hot desire. He raises her sensual receptors like no other man before. And, despite his crankiness and his extremely busy schedule, he's just as affected as Amanda. He sees her as hot, beautiful, built to stop a man's heart. And, oh, her voice!

Now these two are sharing close quarters, and it is only a matter of time before they combust. When they do come together, it is worth every second of time they can share together. Amanda had thought herself unattractive, but Simon makes her feel like a goddess. Simon has had failed relationships because of his sheer intensity, in life, and in build. He can't believe Amanda can take him-in more ways than one-and actually enjoys being around him. So, what is the real deal taking place anyway?

While the deal is still on the table, something is going on behind the scenes. It's hopeful that Amanda and Simon have built enough trust in one another, as what happens next is truly shocking. This particular shock is just one of many in Lucy Monroe's utterly compelling book! I was drawn in by all the characters-Amanda, with her tough nature, despite her hurtful past; Simon, with his intensity and charm; Jacob, with his wit and role-playing; and, also, Simon's cousin, Eric, and his wife, Elaine. This fine cast of characters, a wonderful plot that goes deeper than the actual merger, and the coming together of two people completely ideal for each other all play together to make THE REAL DEAL a fantastic book, one headed for my keeper shelf.

(For Sizzling Romances, October 2004)

Rating:
Summary: The Real Deal is the genuine article!
Review: Harlequin Presents author Lucy Monroe has ventured into the exciting world of Brava, and will wow you with her first contribution, "The Real Deal". Watch for more to come from this talented writer.

Amanda Zachary is a junior executive on the rise at Extant Corporation, and she's about to negotiate a deal that will bring her one step closer to her goal of being the youngest executive in the company. All she has to do is complete a merger between Extant and Brant Computers, and with Eric Brant, the president, in favor of the merger, she's confident she will close the deal in no time. She doesn't count on Eric's cousin, Simon, to bring her plans to a screeching halt. Or to attract her so intensely.

As the person in charge of research and development, Simon Brant is a scientist who doesn't think like other people. His days are filled with formulas and experiments, and the only schedule he follows is his own. But when he feels his family's company is about to be destroyed by a merger, Simon knows he can't let that happen to the employees of Brant Computers. No matter how beautiful Amanda Zachary is.

Having been hurt before, Amanda is determined to ignore the attraction and convince the stubborn scientist how beneficial the merger would be for both companies. Simon is just as determined to make sure the merger doesn't happen, and fights his desire for Amanda. They are from two different worlds, and those worlds just don't mesh.

Wow, Simon is wildly irresistible. Lucy Monroe has created a dynamic hero whose intelligence is extremely sexy, and his insecurities about himself are endearing. Amanda is confident when it comes to business, but when it comes to relationships, she's a shy, reserved woman who past experience has made her unsure around men. Together, these two set the pages on fire! Simon sees Amanda as a sexy, voluptuous woman that must have men constantly chasing after her, and Amanda sees past Simon's looks to his lonely, vulnerable side, a result of growing up too fast. Throw in a prickly housekeeper by the name of Jacob, and you've got an addictive mix of passion and humor. You will LOVE this book!



Rating:
Summary: Very good read
Review: I liked this book from the very beginning, I guess Simon's long hair did it to me. It's a keeper, and I plan to read it again.

Rating:
Summary: A Gem of a book
Review: The Real Deal is a must have book.

Amanda Zachary has come off a disastrous marriage to focus on her career. She is brokering one of the most important merger deals. Amanda runs into a problem with one Simon Brant.

Simon very seldom interfered in the business side of Brant Computers. He was always engrossed in his lab. But this possible merger has brought him to the negotiations and head to head with Amanda.

Simon and Amanda are taken aback by their intense reactions to each other. What starts out as a business deal becomes a battle of wills to fight their growing attraction. Each has issues to overcome and watching them come to terms is moving.

The Real Deal is a sensational book. It's sexy, steamy, funny and emotional. Simon and Amanda are delightful to watch. This book really touched my heart and should be on any auto-buy list.


Rating:
Summary: Hot and Classic
Review: This is the first book I've picked up from Brava on a recommendation from a friend and *boy!* was I not disappointed.

This contemporary story appeals to the most contemporary of girls. But the larger appeal is the classic guy/girl love story. Eric and Amanda are attracted to each other instantly, but both must keep perspective because of their business relationship. The deeper story contniues with both Eric and Amanda needing to overcome past hurts and this is where the classic storyline connects. The fact that both these characters appear to be alpha-beings make their characters a little too unbelievable sometimes, but the hurts they've experienced in the past is what makes this a realistic read. The intimate scenes were hot, the getting-to-know scenes were touching, and the peripheral players were funny. Glad to see this new author starting off with a bang!

Rating:
Summary: Where can I find a guy like Simon?
Review: When Amanda Zachary gets the chance to head up negotiations for a merger between her company and Brant Computers, she knows she's one step closer to getting that promotion that she's wanted for so long. Things are going well with the negotiations, but when she meets eccentric Simon Brant, a shareholder in Brant Computers, Amanda realizes things aren't going to go as smoothly as she'd hoped. Simon is drop-dead gorgeous and absolutely frustrating! He is opposed to the merger and isn't afraid to tell her that. Can Amanda fight her attraction to Simon and keep it all business while trying to change his mind about the merger?

Simon was such a special hero! He was a wonderful mix of sexy and sweet. Amanda was a very likable, strong woman who had been hurt in the past. The sexual tension between Simon and Amanda was strong right from the beginning and the love scenes were very sensual. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. I didn't want to put this book down! If you're looking for a book that is fun, has wonderful characters and steamy love scenes, THE REAL DEAL is one book you don't want to miss!