SECOND CHANCE SEDUCTION – Kate Carlisle
MacLaren's Pride , Book 1
Harlequin Desire #2273
ISBN: 978-0-373-73286-9
December 2013
Contemporary Series Romance

San Francisco, California – Present Day

With an important beer brewery competition coming up, and a potential merger with another company, it's important that Connor MacLaren and his brothers present their best. Connor prefers to do the hands on work at the brewery, leaving the business side to his brothers, Ian and Jake, so when he's informed that he'll need to wear a suit and tie at all times—and bring a woman to be his escort, he's flummoxed since he currently isn't dating anyone. Connor and his ex-flame, Maggie, were high school sweethearts until she abruptly left him for another man years ago, but now she's come crawling back in need of money for her sick grandfather. She offers up a prized beer recipe in exchange for cash, and Connor sees this as an opportunity to combine business with a little pleasurable revenge. He'll get Maggie in his bed and seal the deal on the company he and his brothers are after.

Maggie has tried to keep a low profile since returning to Marin County after her divorce. Many of her old friends still hate her for breaking up with Connor, yet she has managed to start a new brewery, the only thing of value she has to help her ill grandfather. Connor's request that she spend a week with him—in his hotel suite—during the brewery festival has her almost balking. She lets him know that she doesn't plan to sleep with him, but both know deep down it will only be a matter of time before that happens. Maggie begins to feel like Cinderella at the ball as Connor's attentions pull her into a vortex of desire for him once again. But once midnight strikes will her fairy tale come crashing down?

Connor still isn't sure why Maggie broke off with him all those years ago, but now that she's back and wanting something from him, the first thing that comes to mind is getting revenge. While he thinks he's going to enjoy watching her squirm, he doesn't factor in that he still desires her. Being in close quarters makes for some steamy chemistry in SECOND CHANCE SEDUCTION and will have readers reaching for an icy cold drink. Their attraction for each other hasn't died…it only has remained dormant, but now returns in full force.

Readers will get a look into the brewery industry, as brewers and aficionados gather to celebrate and enjoy fine beer. Maggie has to contend with people from her past being around and their hostility, which only puts more pressure on her to keep her feelings locked away. While I won't give away why Maggie left Connor and what happened in her marriage because they're potential spoilers, it's enough to say that readers will understand her issues. Will both Maggie and Connor be able to get past it all to find a future together?

SECOND CHANCE SEDUCTION is the first book in the MacLaren's Pride series about the three MacLaren brothers and their business. The men are proud and industrious, but unlucky in love until now. In SECOND CHANCE SEDUCTION, Connor rekindles his love for Maggie, and readers are in for a treat in this enjoyable tale.

Patti Fischer