The McNeill Magnates

The Magnate's Marriage Merger

Book 2

Joanne Rock

- May 1, 2017

Harlequin

- Publisher

( 2)

Description

The matchmaker meets her match…in one very persistent tycoon!

Secretive matchmaker to the rich and famous, Lydia Whitney prefers to stay behind the scenes. But after one mistake, rich resort developer Ian McNeill is hot on her trail, and he's more attractive—and persistent—than ever before.

Ian can't believe it when he figures out who's messing with his family: a woman who has deceived—and seduced—him before. What's her agenda? And why can't he resist her? He'll get the answers to all his questions, if Lydia agrees to his convenient marriage proposal. But once she's in his arms again, will he let her go?

The Magnate's Marriage Merger is part of The McNeill Magnates trilogy.

Joanne Rock

Catherine Mann Book 3 May 5, 2015

Hair stylist Lindsey Ballard hates answering questions about her family’s country music roots in Nashville. She’s been avoiding music producer, Myles Emery, at all costs, who’s trying to write a book on her famous relative. But he can’t get to her today. It’s her wedding day. Or so she thought…

When Lindsey suddenly needs to call off the ceremony to Atlanta’s popular mayoral candidate, she makes her getaway with the persuasive producer, all the while trying to ignore the chemistry between them that had never existed with her ex.

Myles Emery has his own reasons for needing the truth about a country music legend–secrets the Ballard family keeps closely guarded. But when he happens to catch Lindsey running out on her wedding, he knows his luck is about to change. Too bad Myles wants Lindsey on first sight and the attraction is making it complicated to stay on task. “Uncovering her secrets” begins to take on a whole new, delectable meaning…

Joanne Rock January 1, 2011

A deadly storm brings Duncan the Brave back to Cristiana Domhnaill's home, but the Highland laird is seeking more than shelter….

As their rekindled passion for each other heats up the long winter nights, Duncan is sure he can win Cristiana back and forge a much-needed alliance between their families.

But Cristiana is no longer the girl she was, and hidden secrets are about to be revealed….

Catherine Mann Book 2 April 6, 2015

The tabloids call her the Hit and Run Bride after reality show starAnnamae Jessup walked out on Atlanta’s favorite baseball player on cable television. Eager to escape her notoriety, Annamae takes a road trip to find the grandmother she’s never met and winds up discovering a whole lot more than a band of back woods relatives. There’s no escape from reality TV, even in Beulah, Alabama, population 3000.

The last thing Wynn Rafferty needs in his new life is a spoiled television princess who can’t even know his real name. He’s in temporary witness protection as an apple farmer after his undercover work put his life in danger. He needs to lay low until the heat dies down from his last case— even if he sucks at growing apples as badly as he sucks at relationships. But Annamae turns his new town into a media circus, unwittingly threatening the lives of him, her and most of Beulah. Wynn is an expert at keeping the world at arm’s length, but when it comes to Annamae, the only way he can keep her safe is to keep her very, very close.

Joanne Rock January 1, 2008

A Forbidden Attraction...

When Malcolm McNair sees the ethereal beauty on the battlements, wielding her crossbow, he swears he's been bewitched by a powerful fairy queen. But Rosalind of Beaumont is definitely all woman, a lady of fierce determination, ready to do all it takes to safeguard her home from invasion.

Never has Rosalind seen a warrior to equal Malcolm MacNair, and her resolve to hite her attraction to this burly Scot proves impossible. But she is English born--a guarded truce is all she can hope for. Why, then, does Malcolm's merest touch promise so much?

Catherine Mann Book 4 June 16, 2015

Valerie Dimitri is on the run from her former fiancé who’d only wanted to marry her for her family’s questionable criminal ties. She also has the perfect cover with an assumed name and a thriving call-in advice show, “Sex Talk with Serena”, until one messy call blows up in her face. When she counselled “Anna J” to break up her with her boyfriend, she had no idea that she was telling a local celebrity to dump the hometown hero ballplayer, Boone Sullivan.
Boone has discovered Valerie’s real identity and he’s determined to expose her secrets… and maybe more. What he didn’t expect was to be blindsided by a crazy attraction to the buttoned-up lady with the sultry voice and a hidden past. He had carefully plotted his revenge, but soon all he can think about is how much he’d like to take Valerie as very own his stand-in bride…

The Runaway Bride series
Book 1: How to Lose a Groom in 10 days
Book 2: The Wedding Audition
Book 3: There Goes the Bride
Book 4: Bride on the Run

Joanne Rock March 1, 2009

Gareth of Domingart has abducted Lady Emma of Westleigh to get revenge on her cousin, the man who plundered his home and sold him into slavery. Gareth meant to simply hold Emma for ransom, yet once he brings the fiery noblewoman back to his keep, the urge to possess her becomes overwhelming...especially after Emma makes a startling demand:

"You must steal my innocence."

For Lady Emma has a plan of her own: to lose her virginity and thwart her guardian's plot to marry her off to a brutish knight. And the scarred warrior holding her captive is just the man to save her...

But once their revenge is complete, will Gareth and Emma be satisfied with only one night of pleasure...or can they have a future filled with wicked delight?

Joanne Rock May 1, 2014

Scotland, 1890

Lillian Desalles has no business trespassing in Iain Darroch's family stronghold. By rights, the American beauty shouldn't even be able to see him. Cursed to wander the Highlands for all time, Iain appears to other mortals as a specter. Yet to Lily, he's every inch a man. And the desires that have been dormant for over a century come crashing back to life at her touch.

Lily needs to claim her late husband's Scottish property if she's to have any chance of independence. Invergale keep is rugged and rough but breathtaking—as is the warrior protecting it. And loving the Highlander may free him at last…or doom her to share his fate forever.

Secrets of the Darroch Clan

Joanne Rock June 1, 2014

Scotland, 1890

Doomed to eternal wandering for over a century, Highlander Magnus Darroch has never encountered any creature—mortal or fae—like American heiress Elizabeth Harrison. She may be considered too tall and ungainly for polite society, yet the moment she dares to kiss him, Magnus knows he must possess her.

Magnus has vowed to protect Elizabeth from his family's curse even if it means they must part. But in his strong embrace, Elizabeth feels desirable for the first time. And she soon finds that no force is greater than this highland warrior's passion….

Secrets of the Darroch Clan

Catherine Manne Book 1 April 6, 2015

He thought their love was a grand slam, until his bride called foul…

After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseball’s rising stars, landscaper Melanie Webb wonders if she’s fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socks—and more!—right off her. She couldn’t resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield she’d worked so hard to maintain. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.

But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can convince her to come along for the ride, he’ll convince her that their forever can be something special… and sizzling too. The road trip brings them both deeper understanding, surprise revelations and a love every bit as fiery as the passion.

Leslie Kelly December 1, 2013

These men in uniform can be counted on to deliver presents…all night long

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly

Rafe and Ellie have always had sizzling chemistry and horrible timing. Being stranded together in a blizzard may be Rafe's opportunity to prove that this Christmas, his timing is perfect.

PRESENTS UNDER THE TREE by Joanne Rock

The sexy air force captain Arianna foolishly married four months ago is coming home, and Ari knows they have to fix their mistake. But she had forgotten just how convincing Dylan's kisses can be….

IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS by Karen Foley

When Aiden is ordered home after an illness, he's thrilled the sexy medic he's been having X-rated dreams about is on the same flight. When they're unexpectedly grounded, Aiden wonders if this is their chance to be deliciously naughty….

Reviews

5.0

2 total

Isha Coleman

Lydia and Ian had a love written in the stars. Until real life got in the way. Now fate has given them a second chance. Will the heartache be worth the wait? The McNeill men exude power, presence and personality, but when faced with matters of the heart, they have a hard time facing reality. Ian loves to be in control. Lydia is the one woman, he never expected, could not forget and had no control over. Lydia offered her heart to the one man who managed to break her spirit. Now he's back and ready to expose her secrets and desires. Amid the heartache, blackmail, secrets and betrayals lie misunderstandings, pride and an everlasting love. Will these two shattered hearts be able to piece their love together again? Ms. Rock has a way with words. The Magnate's Marriage Merger appeals to the emotional, hormonal and dream lover in every romantic soul.

Mo Daoust

Quinn McNeill had asked brother Ian to look up a matchmaker who caused Quinn problems a few months before, Ian hired a private investigator, and he is stunned to see that the mystery matchmaker is his former lover Lydia Whitney. Lydia had broken up with Ian when she learned that he had a profile on a dating website, and at the time, she made a rash decision. It was Ian’s grandfather who had put it there: The McNeills’ grandfather insists the boys marry if they want their share of the family business. Ian has learned that Lydia, an interior designer, will be working in the company’s resort in South Beach, so Ian asks to handle business matters over there and get even for the mess with Quinn. However, Ian hadn’t counted on his attraction to Lydia not having dimmed; Lydia is also very much attracted to Ian, but she feels betrayed, and she’s had some serious issues in the meantime. Ian strongly suggests that it would be in Lydia’s best interests to agree to a marriage of convenience, as it would solve both their problems. Lydia doesn’t like the idea very much, but she can’t see other way to avoid a scandal. THE MAGNATE’S MARRIAGE MERGER is a terrific take on the marriage of convenience in a contemporary setting, done just as brilliantly as the first book of the McNeill Magnates series, THE MAGNATE’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDE, whose subject is obvious. Ms. Rock’s eloquent prose had me living vicariously in exotic locales such as South Beach and Costa Rica, and in the world of the privileged few. The McNeills might be billionaires, but they don’t act as spoiled, entitled rich boys; they work for their money. The conflicts were entirely logical and believable, the air is cleared promptly, and there is no tiptoeing around the issues. Ian had been a bit of an enigma in the first book, he’s a quiet man, and we got to know him better. Lydia’s backstory was unusual and heartbreaking at times. Ian, as Quinn before, is a beautiful hero just the way I like them; not a cartoon alpha, but a real, reasonable man, who is willing to work for what and who matters. There is quite a bit of tension, sexual and otherwise, but Ms. Rock never makes it unpleasant and at no time does the reader have to suspend her sense of disbelief. I also loved that in one instance, both characters are adult enough not to repeat an unfortunate mistake. Ian cares for Lydia, and it shows. It’s not all smooth sailing, but the rekindled romance is going relatively well, until the author Rock drops a major bombshell on us. And dear readers, this is called meticulously structuring one’s story and carefully planning one’s story arc, especially as when you look back, the signs were there in the previous book; Joanne Rock knew where she was going right from the start: no snags, and a stunning surprise. I know I’ve mentioned THE MAGNATE’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDE, the first book, a few times (and I consider it an absolute must-read), but still THE MAGNATE’S MARRIAGE MERGER can totally be read as a standalone. Joanne Rock has created an amazing series in the McNeill Magnates, giving tired old tropes fresh spins, and doing an incredible job. Am I impressed the second time around? You bet! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

User reviews

Isha Coleman May 6, 2017

Mo Daoust May 1, 2017

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224

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9781488011610

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