Review of HOLD ME by Lucianne Rivers

HOLD ME
Lucianne Rivers
Entangled Publishing
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-16-9
Novella, ebook, 69 pages
Publisher Requested Review
Entangled Publishing Website
Lucianne Rivers Website

Still reeling from her mother’s death, news anchor Jane Caldwell’s life is upended further when she learns the father she lost twenty years ago is still alive. Her mother’s will unleashes a manhunt—the Caldwell sisters must find their father, or their mother’s estate will not be settled, and their questions about his disappearance will remain unanswered.

Jane’s search leads her to Guatemala to investigate a man who claims to be her father and heir to the family fortune. Needing a translator, she enlists enigmatic Harrison DeNeuve, a sexy ex-patriot with a penchant for wearing dark sunglasses in public.

As Jane struggles to reunite with her would-be father, Harrison fights to suppress his desire for Jane. He has a secret—one he’s sequestered himself in a third-world jungle hideaway to keep safe—and falling for Jane puts more than his heart at risk.

Jane finds two men in Guatemala—a father and a lover—but can she trust either of them?

My Ratings

Sexual                                                                       Review

Jane Caldwell and her two younger sisters have just been stunned. Through their mother’s Will they have discovered their father, who they thought dead these past 20 years, is alive and kicking. The Will stipulates that the daughter who finds the ole’ man (Zach T. Caldwell) gets the ranch. Ah ha! The scavenger hunt is on! One sis, Allison, stays at the ranch. One sis, Margo, takes off to the Virgin Islands (a story for another day). And of course our heroine, Jane, takes off to Guatemala.

Once she arrives in Mexico/Guatemala, she doesn’t speak the language, has no idea where to stay or how to get around the country. She is wearing a suit with heels (and didn’t pack any other shoes), all the while dragging her suitcase behind her. This is a woman who is a news anchor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She could have at least googled the country! Not even the numerous references to ROMANCING THE STONE, Kathleen Turner, et al, can be a saving grace.

Enter Harrison DeNeuve who helps Jane secure the basics: food, sex transportation and shelter. These two connect on an extremely basic level. He’s very attracted to Jane and takes an immediate protective attitude towards her. I like Harrison despite his idiosyncrasies and understand why he thought he deserved self-exile. What I didn’t understand was Harrison’s abstinence as some form of punishment for past sins. I find it odd that he would have condoms conveniently stashed in his nightstand and the dresser. So much for abstinence.

With a gentle shove I went over the edge. Jane, Jane, *shaking head* you have joined the ranks of TSTL. With your 20 year-old photo in hand as you search for your father, you have lost all intellect. Good thing you have a man at your back to catch you when you fall.