Lady Minerva Sharpe hopes to thwart her grandmother's plans to make sure her family is married off before they can inherit. All Minerva wants to do is write her books, and no man wants a wife who writes for a living. Besides, the only man she ever considered marrying spurned her years ago and took her heart with him. So she does what any woman would do, she holds auditions for a husband. No one need know she has no intentions of marrying.

Giles Masters has known Minerva for years. When he discovers her plan he comes up with a plan of his own. After all, should anyone discover that her novels are about him his life and career could be in jeopardy. He sets out to trap her in a marriage with him which really is no hardship for Giles since he kissed her years before.

When Giles confronts Minerva with his marriage proposal she turns him down but counters with her own proposal that they pretend to be engaged until she can change her grandmother's mind about this harebrained idea. With no other option, Giles accepts Minerva's proposal but he is far from giving up on marrying the woman who has captured his heart.

Sabrina Jeffries does it again with HOW TO WOO A RELUCTANT LADY, book three in her Hellions of Halstead Series. This story contains humor, romance, and two people so strong that you wonder who will win in the end. Ms. Jeffries always makes you feel like you are there with the characters through the details she gives and the personalities she brings to life within the pages of her books. I will always pick up one of her books because I know I will never be disappointed. I look forward to what will be coming our way next.

Book Summary

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong- willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him.

Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.

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