The Unwilling Executive by Miranda P. Charles
Publisher: here (3/17/2015)
Series: Captured by Love, book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
He doesn’t care about the wealth and opportunity his father offers.
Racing car mechanic Lucas Renner never expected his biological father to start acknowledging him as a son and only heir. He bet the old man has ulterior motives that has nothing to do with wanting to develop a relationship with him. He refuses to make contact with the man who has rejected him all his life… until his father’s message is hand-delivered by a blushing beauty who stirred him in the right places.
She cares about keeping her job.
Jade Tully thanks her lucky stars for her new role as the personal assistant to a wealthy CEO. Heaven knows she needs it. But she doesn’t anticipate getting entangled in the personal conflict between her eccentric boss and his extremely hunky son—a man who rattles her poise and melts her heart. She wants to help bring father and son together. But if she continues to do her boss’s bidding, would she lose Lucas’ trust and her chance to capture his heart?
The Unwilling Executive can be enjoyed as a stand-alone or as part of the Captured by Love series.
about Miranda || I've loved reading romance novels since my early teenage years. My auntie used to send me boxes of her books and I would devour them one after another. Every so often, I would read a mystery or a suspense or a paranormal novel as I love those genres too. But romance is still my favourite.
For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel. Then, one day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book. The result? My debut novel, "Will To Love", the first in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series. After that, I knew that I'd love to write more beautiful love stories. I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on in my journey as a writer.
For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel. Then, one day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book. The result? My debut novel, "Will To Love", the first in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series. After that, I knew that I'd love to write more beautiful love stories. I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on in my journey as a writer.
{ excerpt } .
Lucas stared at the signature line of the printed letter. Scrawled in black ink were three unmistakable words: Your father, Thomas.
Heat rose to his face and he didn’t bother hiding his scowl.
“This is from Thomas Bilton,” he said accusingly to the brunette in front of him.
“Yes,” Jade said with a hint of apprehension. “I’m his new PA.”
“I don’t appreciate being conned like this,” he rasped, slitting his eyes.
“Conned? I don’t understand,” she said, her eyes rounding.
He crumpled the sheet and put it in his pocket. “Did you type the letter?” he grunted as he took a couple of bills from his wallet and dropped them on the table.
“No. Mr. Bilton must have typed it himself,” Jade answered, sounding nervous. “I don’t know anything about it. He just told me to come here and hand it to you.”
He inhaled deeply, scrutinising Jade. She held his gaze, looking bewildered… and damned attractive. It was a pity she worked for Thomas Bilton.
“I wouldn’t have turned up if I knew this was Bilton’s doing,” he said, standing up. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m leaving now.”
“Wait, Lucas, please,” Jade said, rising to her feet. “Could you please just read it? I’m supposed to relay your answer back to Mr. Bilton.”
He snorted.
“Please, Lucas,” she said quietly. “He told me it’s imperative that you read it.”
Something in Jade’s tone made Lucas pause, and he found himself pulling the letter out and smoothing it. Admittedly, this whole business of a beautiful woman hand-delivering him a letter made him curious as to its contents.
He read it and his lips twisted. The old man was good. He penned quite a moving piece—if Lucas didn’t know any better. But he did. Thomas Bilton was simply trying to manipulate him to protect his reputation.
He shoved the paper back in his pocket. “You said you don’t know what this is all about?”
Jade shook her head.
“So if your boss tells you to jump off a cliff, you’d do it without any question?”
Jade’s face reddened. “Of course not. I didn’t ask questions because he said it was a private matter.”
“So you’re the kind of person who doesn’t care if your job requires you to lie, as long as you get paid good money for it.” Why he felt the need to goad the truth out of her, he didn’t know.
Jade lifted her chin up in defiance. “I’m sorry, but I never lied to you. I was simply following instructions to meet you.”
They glared at each other, and Lucas felt his anger start to evaporate. Jade’s expression seemed honest enough. And hell, her captivating face was distracting him. Those long lashes that framed her beautiful hazel eyes didn’t seem embellished by mascara. And her lips—full and sexy, and—
“I need your answer, Lucas,” Jade said.
The bitter taste came rushing back in his mouth. “My answer is no. And if the circumstances were different, I would have said it was a pleasure meeting you, Jade Tully.”
Then he walked off.
{ review } .
Right away you get the idea that there's a reason why Jade is kept in the dark with the errand Thomas sends her on -- just from his urging her to keep at it, don't let him get upset. Obviously, Thomas knows Lucas well..
...oh, but how well he does know him.
Lucas wants nothing to do with his father, and has managed to steer clear of him for the previous many years. Finally, Thomas essentially ploys him to his side by way of a pretty lady.
Jade is very family oriented. As much as it pains her brother to accept her help, Jade is trying her best to keep her job from crumbling so she can continue to help her brother and sister-in-law foot their baby boy's medical expenses. Jade can't imagine not helping, so she does what she can.
On the flip side, Lucas is (seemingly) not the family person -- he is, after all, estranged from his father. He's a confirmed bachelor, even. He will be single for the rest of his days... but after his friend settles down, he starts to dislike the 'nickname' he has been given, now that his predecessor is married.
Also -- I loved the small moments of comedy in this story. One particular scene I have highlighted is when Lucas refuses to sit on a couch in his best friend's office, because, as he states it, he knows darn well his friend and his wife have had sex on it.
I think the hardest part for me to grasp in this story was the dialogue between Lucas and the other men in the story, such as Connor and Nick. A lot of the time, I felt their conversations held too much significance on the emotional aspects... A bit too much of a feminine conversation between these seemingly men's men.
...oh, but how well he does know him.
Lucas wants nothing to do with his father, and has managed to steer clear of him for the previous many years. Finally, Thomas essentially ploys him to his side by way of a pretty lady.
Jade is very family oriented. As much as it pains her brother to accept her help, Jade is trying her best to keep her job from crumbling so she can continue to help her brother and sister-in-law foot their baby boy's medical expenses. Jade can't imagine not helping, so she does what she can.
On the flip side, Lucas is (seemingly) not the family person -- he is, after all, estranged from his father. He's a confirmed bachelor, even. He will be single for the rest of his days... but after his friend settles down, he starts to dislike the 'nickname' he has been given, now that his predecessor is married.
Also -- I loved the small moments of comedy in this story. One particular scene I have highlighted is when Lucas refuses to sit on a couch in his best friend's office, because, as he states it, he knows darn well his friend and his wife have had sex on it.
I think the hardest part for me to grasp in this story was the dialogue between Lucas and the other men in the story, such as Connor and Nick. A lot of the time, I felt their conversations held too much significance on the emotional aspects... A bit too much of a feminine conversation between these seemingly men's men.
{ giveaway } .
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