THE CEO TAKES A WIFE – Maxine Sullivan
Silhouette Desire #1883
ISBN: 978-0-373-76883-7
July 2008
Contemporary Series Romance

Sydney, Australia – Present Day

You thought being the son of a wealthy family and CEO of a profitable perfume company was all wine and roses, didn't you? Huh! Alex Valente has just been told by his father, Cesare, that he is retiring from the company and Alex must get married and produce an heir within the year or Cesare will sell the company, give the money to charity, and let Alex and his two half-brothers make their own way in the world. Several weeks later, still going over his father's words in his mind, Alex joins his stepmother at a fashion show and immediately notices the designer and presenter, Olivia Cannington. Hmmm, maybe marriage wouldn't be that bad if he can persuade this beauty to marry him.

Olivia Cannington also knows the perils of being a celebrity. Her mother, Felicia, is a famous Australian actress who went to the United States and had a great career, along with three husbands. Olivia and her partner are opening three boutiques, and as she helps pay her mother's extravagant debts, money is in short supply. When Alex approaches her with the facts of his father's order and his own idea for a temporary marriage, Olivia is mightily tempted, especially when an offer of money is thrown into the mix. Hello marriage...and now Olivia must hold up her end of the deal while living a normal life with a hunk for a husband who is sweet and tender in bed.

Alex and Olivia have a fantastic sexual connection, but his trust of her is not reciprocated. Olivia constantly hurts Alex by always thinking the worst of him and seems to always see the specter of a short year-long marriage hanging over her head. It's only when they go to the United States for business that the feelings they have for each other come to a head. Can their delicate relationship survive the bombshells that are thrown at them? Is their "temporary" marriage something they both want to make permanent and real?

Maxine Sullivan has created two characters that are perfect. Olivia is a proud businesswoman with a less than perfect past regarding her family. Alex is a strong man with deep family feelings, but he's used to living life under his own rules. I really appreciated that each character, while having secrets, does not keep them forever but feels the other deserves to know everything, no matter how delicate or heartbreaking. Alex and Olivia's relationship has its ups and downs, but underneath we can easily see the deep passion between them and the seriousness with which they face their marriage, despite that it may be only temporary.

The characters who fill out Alex and Olivia's story are Olivia's mother, Felicia, and Alex's father. Despite everything going on in their lives, Alex and Olivia live for each other and are trying to make sense of the quick marriage they entered into.

THE CEO TAKES A WIFE is a yummy, sweet read that satisfies your inner romantic and leaves you with that feeling of satisfaction over a story that answers all your wants and needs. This month is a great time to pick up THE CEO TAKES A WIFE and lose yourself in the lives of the rich and famous...and the joy of true love.

Carolyn Crisher