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Chad Harwood is a famous writer
with a dedicated amanuensis, Cara St. James, an
intelligent woman who is an excellent foil for
Chad’s authorial brainstorming. They share an
unspoken mutual depth of feeling, but neither will
admit that to Self, much less to Other. Cara
cohabits with little emotion with an arrogant
high-flying financier, Reese, who at best is
shallow; at his worst he is psychologically abusive
and pathologically controlling and unfaithful.
Chad knows Cara could do
better-much better-but out of respect and due to his
own integrity of character he never pushes the
issue, until she determines on her own to leave
Reese and Reese’s lying nonsense. Chad makes an
extra suite in his huge apartment available to her,
and the work situation continues with growing
emotional depth.
Reviews::
Kate Hofman
has outdone her already-excellent
writing in A Marriage of Convenience. Chad
Harwood is a famous writer with a dedicated
amanuensis, Cara St. James, an intelligent woman who
is an excellent foil for Chad’s authorial
brainstorming. They share an unspoken mutual depth
of feeling, but neither will admit that to Self,
much less to Other. Cara cohabits with little
emotion with an arrogant high-flying financier,
Reese, who at best is shallow; at his worst he is
psychologically abusive and pathologically
controlling and unfaithful.
Chad knows Cara could do
better-much better-but out of respect and due to his
own integrity of character he never pushes the
issue, until she determines on her own to leave
Reese and Reese’s lying nonsense. Chad makes an
extra suite in his huge apartment available to her,
and the work situation continues with growing
emotional depth.
Accompanying Chad on a
fact-finding trip to Arizona to locate a locale for
his next book, Chad and Cara find circumstances
conspiring to force a relationship. Still, each is
fearful of rejection, and miss clues the other puts
out. Persisting through misunderstandings and
miscommunications, Cara and Chad persevere to a
happy and emotionally stable conclusion.
A hero and heroine demonstrating
the highest of moral integrity and depths of
character, despite circumstances and emotional
turmoil, create in A Marriage of Convenience
a story qualifying as a multiple reread. This
reviewer expects to return to this story again and
again and again, for the sheer pleasure of sinking
into the story and reliving the characters’
experiences.
5 Swords
Reviewed by
Frost of JLFoster.biz
If you like your love stories
packed with romance, engaging characters and easy to
dislike villains, you will love A Marriage of
Convenience.
Cara St. James has been secretary to writer Chad
Harwood for a quite some time. Though she finds
him fascinating she is engaged to Reece Andrews,
a man who is controlling and psychologically
abusive. Growing more and more disheartened by
Reece’s petulance and bullying, she has her
suspicions confirmed he is having an affair, so
leaving Reece for good, Cara returns to Chad’s
place who offers her the housekeeper’s rooms in
his apartment.
Chad and Cara have worked together for the past
three years and he feels they have become
friends. As a result of increasing pressure from
Reece when Cara dumps him, Chad suggests a
research trip and eventually a marriage of
convenience. He has feelings for the beautiful
woman; they are alike in so many aspects of
their lives yet he knows he need not fear
falling in love with the young woman. What Chad
and Cara deny, fate has a hand in bringing into
the light, as with Reece’s threats increasing,
it may be the push each needs to admit to
falling for each other.
A
Marriage of Convenience presents readers with
two of the most admirable characters I have read
for some time. Though Chad and Cara feel
something for each other they do not cross the
boundary while Cara is involved, even with such
a jerk of a guy. Chad is a romantic hero in that
he seems to always be the “rock” to which Cara
can turn, bailing her out when the promise of an
escort to a party for her sister is suddenly
withdrawn by Reece. He stands by her even when
he knows Reece is a bad choice for her,
maintaining his friendship no matter what. As
threats escalate for Cara, Chad offers a way
out, stepping in with a solution founded within
his heart, though he doesn’t realize it. Cara is
a strong woman who has the “blinders” removed
early in the story; Reece is a verbally abusive
and petulant whom she leaves at first
verification of his infidelity. Though she
thinks of Chad as a good friend, we see feelings
gradually come to light but held in check for
fear of rejection. Author, Kate Hofman has
written a poignant and realistic love story that
I will re-read again. Chad and Cara are likable
individuals with human flaws and foibles. The
chemistry is subtle at first but blooms into
much more with each connection. If you like your
love stories packed with romance, engaging
characters and easy to dislike villains, you
will love A Marriage of Convenience.
Sensuality Rating:
Sensuous
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Written by Lettetia Elsasser of
Ecataromance
Cara
St. James is secretary to Chad Harwood. Her sister,
Beryl believes she should work for Reece Andrews, as
his personal assistant and make more money. Cara
finds Reece a rude tycoon to his employees, and
working for a fiancé is not in her cards.
Chad Harwood is a fiction author. He does not
practically like the way Reece treats Cara. The more
he works with Cara, he feels something stirring
inside him, but something keeps his feelings at bay.
Cara has worked for Chad for over three
years. He is a fascinating writer and good friend.
She finds him interesting to work with as he
develops stories. Cara has no interest in marrying
Reece. She sees what Beryl is going through with her
recent divorce and Cara does not want to end up that
way. While Chad is busy on his next book, Cara
learns that Reece is spending leisurely time with
someone else. After she leaves Reece, Chad offers
her a place to stay. Chad invites Cara to join him
on his next book research in Arizona. Neither
expected Reece to cause problems. With only one
thing left to do, Chad proposes a marriage in name
only. Only time will tell if the two can form a bond
stronger than friendship without Reece’s
interference.
What a delightful story. Not
only does A Marriage of Convenience engage the
reader but Chad and Cara are so refreshing, they
leave an impression upon the reader. Their love is
very exceptional. Reece plays a ruthless character
very well. Kate Hofman paints the characters
irresistible while crafting a story that keeps going
after the conclusion. She weaves a tale so magnetic,
and extraordinary, it is worthy of more than one
read. With detailed precision, she cast her
characters with expressions that are priceless.
Rating: 5 Cups
Cherokee Reviewer for
Coffee Time Romance
New York, Arizona, and Florida – The Present
Cara St. James is best-selling author Chad
Harwood’s secretary, working from his New
York City co-op, Château de la Roche.
It is a demanding job but one she loves. For
the last year she has lived with her lover,
Reece Andrews. A man she has admitted to her
sister Beryl that she has no interest in
marrying. Beryl thinks she is crazy to
refuse an offer from the rich financial whiz
kid, but then, she has been leaching money
from her ex to make him pay for an
extra-marital affair that he swears never
happened.
Shortly after her
admission, Cara learns Reece is having an
affair on the side and moves out. Chad
offers her shelter in the empty
housekeeper’s room at his place. She
accepts. When talk fails to bring Cara back
to him, Reece starts a campaign of
harassment and terror. To help Cara, Chad
decides he needs to take a trip to
investigate the territory in Arizona for his
next novel, and Cara must accompany him,
putting her out of reach of Reece. While on
the trip, he decides Cara will need more
permanent protection and convinces her to
marry him in a quickie Las Vegas marriage of
convenience. The wedding becomes more than
just a quick ceremony, and the marriage one
very much to both the bride’s and the
groom’s pleasure. They find themselves
compatible in all ways. Reece, however,
isn’t about to give up his quest to get Cara
back. It takes Chad a long time to realize
that what he has felt for Cara is much more
than mere friendship, and it will take
longer for Cara to believe his feelings go
far beyond chivalry.
No matter how
modern their lifestyle, Cara and Chad are
both old-fashioned when it comes to loyalty
and vows, no matter what happened before
those vows were made. In Reece, Cara faces a
lying, abusive man who won’t take no for an
answer. She becomes enraged when he involves
her closest relative in his deception. Kate
Hofman has penned a fast-paced romance with
fascinating characters whose situations will
keep you engrossed in the story.
Robin Lee
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