A Grand Passion

Rating:
Summary: A new author to glom! Sexy and sweet!
Review: I first discovered this author when I was checking out the new ebook publisher loose-id.com and read the excerpt for her latest ICE MAN (which I wound up buying and which was terrific BTW) and it got me digging up other stories she's written. I found A GRAND PASSION in paperback here at Amazon and snapped it up. I really enjoyed this story!

Casey Hatter is a widow of two years who has moved to Italy (Turin) to study art and to start her life anew. She cherishes her husband's memory and meeting a man is the last thing on her mind, but when her former boss, editor of a women's magazine, asks a favour she is hard-pressed to refuse. The favour is to interview an Italian soccer star for a profile on international athletes. Though she knows nothing about soccer and has never even seen a game, she agrees. But when she meets Alessandro Sottini unexpected sparks fly (he's got gorgeous raven curls and mesmerizing amber eyes) and she finds herself agreeing to have dinner with him. Little does she know what's in store for her as she has no idea how famous and popular he is in Turin!

Alessandro is immediately attracted to the blond-haired brown-eyed out-of-a-Botticelli-painting Casey. In complete contrast to the various actresses and models his publicist usually sets him up with she's genuine and sweet and just plain nice. A woman he wants to get to know and spend time with. But it's easier said than done when Alessandro can barely go out in public without being mobbed by his fans and the papparazzi. While he loves his fame and the lifestyle it affords him it's also lonely, isolating and at times superficial. All of which makes Casey even more desirable and he is determined to have her in his life. But Casey is not comfortable with life in a fishbowl or with the reaction of his fans to their relationship and when her former in-laws visit, even more complications arise. But you'll root for this terrific couple to overcome all of there obstacles and have the happily ever after they deserve!

My only issue with the story was with Alessandro's passive attitude toward the actions of his fans and the press, but I guess there really is only so much one can do in that situation. Anyway, I loved it and recommend it highly!