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THE ILLEGITIMATE BILLIONAIRE – Barbara Dunlop
Billionaires & Babies
Harlequin Desire #2590
ISBN: 978-1-335-97150-0
May 2018
Contemporary Series Romance

Charleston, Virginia – Present Day

Black-sheep billionaire Deacon Holt is on the brink of finally being acknowledged by his even richer father, but there's a catch: Deacon must romance and marry his half-brother's widow so that her children could be brought into their grandparent's lives. Deacon would normally balk but the lure of getting one-fourth of his father's company handed to him is too tempting. Will Deacon do what his father wants by marrying a woman he doesn't love?

Callie Clarkson's resources are tight as she tries to keep her bakery afloat while raising her two children alone after her husband's death. The town's mayor, Hank Watkins, has plenty of influence in deciding the fate of Callie's business and he makes it clear that he'd like to date her—in exchange for some considerations to her bakery. Deacon Holt shows up at Callie's bakery several times and there is this chemistry that sizzles between them. When Hank tries to force Callie to date him—with marriage in mind—or he will push through a proposed city project that will financially harm her business, it's Deacon who steps in to help her out. Deacon is attractive, attentive and her children adore him. What a perfect guy…right?

Deacon is between a rock and a hard place in THE ILLEGITIMATE BILLIONAIRE by Barbara Dunlop. While he's garnered success on his own, being acknowledged by his father and brought into his company would give Deacon what he's always wanted. His late half-brother left the family behind years ago and Callie's boys are the only grandchildren. One can see why the grandparents might want to see them, but it is inferred to Deacon that Callie is keeping them apart. Deacon arranges to meet Callie—expecting a gold digger—but she appears barely able to survive financially. She should have been left well off by her husband. What is going on?

Callie had a tenuous childhood that left her wanting security as an adult. She married her husband despite not being madly in love with him because he promised to take care of her, just as she said she would take care of him because he was paralyzed and in a wheelchair. They had two children but her life was shattered when he died. Deacon's entrance into her life has her conflicted. He makes her feel something she's never felt before. But her children are her first priority. Deacon promises to cherish and take care of her, and when he proposes marriage, she hesitates. Is marrying him the right thing to do?

How will Callie react when she learns Deacon needs to put a ring on her finger in order to reach his goal of being accepted by his father? Callie doesn't seem to know her boys' grandparents exist, which has Deacon confused. Where is all the money that was left to her since she seems to be in need of financial assistance? Readers will love Callie and her children while wanting to smack Deacon over the head at times. It is until he nearly loses her that he finally comes to his senses and discovers that love is all that matters. An intriguing tale, don't miss THE ILLEGITIMATE BILLIONAIRE.

Patti Fischer
     
 
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