Judith’s review of The Things I Do For You (The Alexanders #2) by M. Malone

A bargain. A baby. A billion things can go wrong.

Nicholas Alexander doesn’t mind being called a playboy. His charm serves him well in business and a beautiful woman is always on his arm. Except the one he’s in love with.

Raina Winters doesn’t believe in love, so when she’s dumped right before her wedding, she’s more upset about losing what she really wants from marriage. A baby.

When Nick learns about Raina’s dilemma, his first reaction is to leave her hanging like she left him after their steamy one-night stand. But he finally has something Raina needs, so he offers her a deal. He’ll give her a baby if she gives him something he desires just as much.  Just two little words.  I. Do.

This was the kind of story most of us think of when we hear the word “romance.”  It is certainly built on the premise that strange things can sometime happen when one least expects it.  We all read stories where the heroine is left hanging just moments before the wedding or at the wedding or the day before the wedding.  I have to say that I really found it disappointing that the main reason Raina was marrying was to have a baby.  We also all know there’s lots more to a marriage than having kids–in fact, having kids can put quite a strain on a marriage relationship.  But our heroine lost that bet and had to move on.  Little did she know that there was someone out there who wanted her in the worst way while he wanted her because he really wanted her, he also wanted to pay her back for abandoning him after a night together that seemed to mean far more to him than it did to her.  “Let the games begin” was what I thought when I read all this.

But this author pulls this story off in the best of ways.  It really is a love story in the best of ways.  And while it was emotional blackmail on Nick’s part in getting Raina to marry him, there is that deep hope in this man that she will come to feel just a bit for him of what he feels for her.  That kind of hope drives this story and keeps the reader hoping for the HEA.

This is the second book in a series and it did not disappoint.  It takes a very good writer to keep the tension and interest alive in book after book and I think this author has proven the ability to do so.  Those who love this author’s work will be delighted with the unusual premise underlying this book as well as the warm and sexy way the story develops.  I do have to say, however, that there were times when I wondered if Raina was going to remain clueless about the depth of feeling Nick had for her.  But then again, I don’t think any of us is very good at expressing deep emotion when we feel the relationship is unbalanced, when we don’t know where we stand.  All of us fumble around then.  So I ended up being forgiving for these two having some of the communication breakdowns they had.  I think that just added to the tension in the story.

All in all, I recommend this as a novel that will warm the reader’s heart and satisfy that something in all of us who really like a good love story.  It is also wonderful to read about a woman of color who has “made it” in today’s difficult and often prejudiced society.  I hope you’ll take the time to check it out.

I give it a rating of 4 out of 5

The Series:

You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place.

This title is available from CrushStar Books, M. Malone.  You can buy it here or here in e-format.