Disillusion is tough no matter what age. People are expected to be honest but this can actually set you up for hurt and disappointments as Melinda was to learn. She grew up in a small community (basically an island), Tesoro, where her grandfather held control over its future with a rather iron fist. Now it seemed time for some progress in the form of a luxury resort attracting only the very well to do.

Melinda Stanford's first words to Sean King were that they should get married. This said to an absolute stranger! But Melinda had a viable reason to be so forward. Melinda had no desire to leave her home and venture out of the safety the island provided and so she had considered herself fortunate to find a man who loved her. Her future was to be with Stephen but their dreams were cut short by a tragic car crash leaving her with the sustaining love and support of her grandfather Walter. But Walter had goals for Melinda and he wanted her married, settled, and once again in love. She knew her grandfather was holding court over prospective suitors and wasn't surprised that when the King's submitted plans for their resort that somehow grandfather had an ace up his sleeve. So when Sean came to try where his brothers had failed Melinda decided to take the initiative and offer him a plan that would solve both their dilemmas. She would get a temporary husband and the King family would get approval for their resort. What Sean couldn't grasp was why he was even listening to this absurd proposal of sorts. Sure she was absolutely gorgeous and there was an instant attraction but he was an astute businessman who had long ago learned business and pleasure do not mix and if truth be told the last thing he was looking for was marriage. Been there done that. But the more time spent with Melinda the more captivated he was by much more than just her beauty. Beautiful and determined -- made Melinda quite a threat and Sean was pretty well convinced that there was more to the story. Question was whether he was interested enough to pursue the many unanswered issues he had with this plan. How would his family react to his brokering himself to acquire the rights to the land they coveted? And perhaps even more important, what impact would it have on Melinda once the contracted amount of time lapsed and their temporary marriage ended? The more time he spent with Melinda on her island the more Sean realized that they both wouldn't come out of this so-called bogus marriage unscathed. And then of course the burning question, what would happen if either of them wound up truly in love?

Love is not temporary and most of the time it isn't love at first sight -- that's lust. Love takes time and Maureen Child gives us all a chance to fall in love with two enchanting souls.

Book Summary

It doesn't take long for Sean King to realize he's in trouble. Despite the idyllic setting and the exquisite contract bride, his marriage to Melinda Stanford is meant to be strictly business. Pure profit is his for the taking. All he has to do is marry the boss's granddaughter—and keep his hands off his sexy new wife.

Melinda had made the rules, but now her marriage seems a little too convenient. Is it just the Caribbean heat making her burn for her groom? Or is she ready to make their temporary arrangement a permanent one?

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