Birkfield, California ~ Present Day

Travis King is trying to secure a wine distribution contract while warding off his client’s attempt to force a marriage between the client’s daughter and Travis. Looking for a way out, he approaches hometown girl Julie O’Hara about a business proposition: they marry for a year, and at the end of the year, she gets enough money to fund the bakery she wants to open. Although reluctant at first, the offer is tempting, and Julie finally agrees. However, the wedding celebration turns into a nightmare when Julie’s ex shows up claiming he’s still married to her.

Julie has always been attracted to Travis, but she is also all too aware that his very attractiveness will make it hard for her to resist him and then have to walk away in a year. When Julie’s ex ruins the wedding reception, she expects Travis to call the deal off, but instead, he’s even more determined to marry her, although he’s hoping the media won’t find out about the second ceremony. Travis whisks Julie off to Mexico where they await the finalization of her divorce. In the meantime, will the wedding night be celebrated without a legal marriage when sparks sizzle between them?

While the idea that a businessman can force another to marry his daughter seems antiquated, Maureen Child has given Travis King credible reasons to try to foil his business associate’s plans. Julie has had one bad marriage in her past and has no intention of entering another, but Travis is very convincing. Well, and the fact that she likes him a lot has something to do with her decision. Travis sees Julie as plain and easy to fade into the background; however, when they arrive in Mexico, he’s soon changing his tune and can barely keep his hands off her. But even as they are good together in bed, Travis still feels some distrust of Julie. Did she plan all this with her unsavory ex just to get money out of Travis? Her innocence is not all cut and dried in Travis’s eyes, even as their sexual compatibility exceeds his expectations. As their relationship grows, his concerns rise as he realizes that it may be more than just his money he’ll lose when their marriage ends.

The second story in the Kings of California series, we get another peek at Gina and Adam King from BARGAINING FOR KING’S BABY (March 2008), but MARRYING FOR KING’S MILLIONS can be read as a standalone. Next up is Jackson’s tale in May.

For an entertaining story from start to finish, be sure to pick up MARRYING FOR KING’S MILLIONS.

Patti Fischer