TRIANGLE OF LOVE: MIGUEL'S SURRENDER

Author: Kate Hofman ISBN: 9781921347528 4/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: DARK CASTLE LORDS

Miguel, owner of Dominguín, a famous Spanish restaurant in Jacksonville, meets Danielle, the cousin of Beau, his best friend. When Miguel spends the weekend with Beau and Lise, he finds himself interested against his wishes. He was engaged to be married before, and his bride, on the eve of their wedding, slept with the best man. Miguel will only consider brief flings now. Danielle loves him desperately, and when passion flares between them, she pretends she is protected against pregnancy. Danielle hopes to become pregnant by Miguel and after he breaks off the usually brief fling, she will have his child to love. But Miguel falls in love and proposes. Danielle tells him that she is pregnant and why. Miguel is incensed, and is only civil to her in public. Will Miguel come to realize that Danielle did not have to tell him the truth? That she told him because of her innate honesty? Will they reconcile?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

MIGUEL'S SURRENDER is a sexy, old-fashioned tale with a strong conflict. The book was reminiscent of a cross between Mary Stewart and Harlequin Presents style in terms of the type of writing and characters. The plot is a marriage of convenience and there's a secret baby, too.

I missed the beginning of the romance between the hero and heroine since MIGUEL'S SURRENDER is the second in a series. You might want to read the first book since only reading this one misses the moment where Danielle fell in love with Miguel and the plot was set into motion. Characters from the first book are also important here as secondary characters.

A reader will have to decide where she falls on the morality question. Is it okay to choose a man to father a child without his permission? Does a man who publicly announces he won't get seriously involved with any woman set himself up for trouble? And which is worse, lies or cheating? Hofman explores these issues in her book.

I enjoyed the lush language and sensuality. The author creates a fantasy world of wealth and business and sexy Spanish men that's fun to inhabit while you're reading her series, called Triangle of Love.

Heather Hiestand