this was really good ( )

this was really good ( )

Caren Blakemore (who's 28) heads to Jamaica after experiencing too many pressures at home---her husband of seven years recently left her for another woman, she's making mistakes at her job in Washington, D.C., she needs money to support her sister financially through private school, etc... Caren's boss insists that she get away for a week and take a break. So she decides to go to Jamaica....

In Jamaica, while lying on the beach one day topless in a very secluded area, (not something she usually does), a man who is jogging almost falls over her. A handsome stranger with green-gold eyes and brown hair. Derek Allen is his name and he is quite charming. But Caren is embarrassed to be caught topless and leaves fast.

Derek is attracted to Caren and he is very persistent. He is staying at a neighboring bungalow and he keeps trying to see her and seduce her. Eventually he succeeds in seducing her (and what a lovely seduction that was)! Caren discovers that she is falling in love with Derek and realizes the pain she will endure when their time/week is up so she decides to make a clean break of it and leaves Jamaica without telling Derek (after a few hot nights of passion). But when she gets back to Washington, D.C. she unexpectedly sees Derek again and she discovers some surprising facts about him.

This was a highly enjoyable story by Sandra Brown. It was sexy and romantic. I liked the settings. Derek was a gorgeous and wonderful hero. Caren was a likable heroine. A terrific read! ( )

Very good courtroom drama scenes. Some of the best I've ever read. A good story that kept my interest throughout. The ending was a little hokey but not too bad. My first book by Martini but certainly not my last. ( )

Typical early contemporary Brown. The characters make or break her books. ( )