Title: A Greek Love Story
Author: Kate Hofman
Published in February 2007 by Romance At Heart Publications
Genre: Contemporary
ISBN: 0-97545589-4-4
Other Books by Kate: Castle In Spain
Nissa McLean has been through a rough ordeal that she would like to forget. As a reasonably seasoned fiction writer, living the secluded life in Florida, she has formed a very good friendship with neighbor, Louise Sinclair. Of course since Louise has a sprained ankle, Nissa is pitching in to help her get the home organized before her brother, Alexander arrives for a visit. Nissa had no idea that she would find her first meeting with Alexander to be one where she was on her knees scrubbing floors. Now the handsome man believes she is the housekeeper. Nissa feels an attraction for Alexander and after they get on the right foot things seem to go well for them, but there is a part of her life that she doesn’t care to share with Alexander. Nissa has already been in a marriage, one that left her scarred with physical abuse and psychological brutality. After the vicious attacks on Nissa, the marriage ended tragic. She keeps her guard with any relation, not wishing to fall prey to anyone that could mistreat her again. Then again there is something about Alexander that sort of makes her feel safe and not in harms way.
Alexander Xandro Karagiannis is half-brother to Louise. Even though he is from Greece and has his own Island in Greece, he lives in New York. As a huge businessman, most often seen as a Greek tycoon, he has other houses in the United States but for now he wishes to spend some time with his sister in Ocean Breeze. When he enters Louise’s home, he believes Nissa to be the cleaning woman because she is scrubbing the floor, but when he learns she is the neighbor, Alexander wishes to learn more about Nissa. After he hears that Nissa was abused and she doesn’t wish to discuss it, he speaks to Louise to learn the truth behind the matter. The more time Alexander spends around Nissa, he is deeply drawn to her, yet Louise warns him not to hurt Nissa, because she guards her heart well since the trauma she endured. He is bothered by Louise’s wishes, but determines to make his way into Nissa’s heart very delicately.
The feelings that transpire between Nissa and Alexander are powerful. He has a spine-tingling laugh that she enjoys but she still is troubled by the husband that accused her of cheating even when someone kindly spoke to her in the supermarket. Everyone had thought her marriage was a bed of roses, but they never knew that Lawton was nothing but a master of vicious putdown and after it got worse two years into the marriage, Nissa had to confide in her friends. She is glad that Louise has been there for her but once she and Alex begin to share lots of quality time together, she feels that she may be the one to fully heal her broken heart. In the meantime, Nissa wishes to play matchmaker for Louise so she invites her publisher, Philip DeVilliers to Ocean Breeze for a dinner invitation. If she can find happiness, it is time for her good friend, Louise to find the same equal feelings. Alex falls head over heals in love with Nissa and wishes to protect her always. While he is there visiting, they engage in some dating adventures and learn a bit more about the other, but once he has to leave for a spell, Nissa finds she really truly misses not having her Alex around. She is so torn to be a part from him that she can’t even write. Everything seems to be going well for them and Alex even takes her to Manhattan to be with him during his trips. After making Nissa his fiancé, things spiral for the happy couple when she learns she is with child but tragedy brings sorrow to their fairytale happiness, making her wonder about their relationship. The two try to get over the painful event as it brings them closer together, and with the wedding in the works, both can only hope that things will run smoothly so they can have a wonderful life together.
A Greek Love Story is a wonderful love affair that is slow, sensual and absolutely spellbinding in the way that Alex and Nissa meet and easily allow their friendship to grow and blossom into a love everlasting. Alex and Nissa are refreshing characters and quite likeable. I was so moved by the way Alex is concerned over the well being of Nissa after he hears what she has endured with her first husband. He is a terrific hero that is indeed a shining prince. Nissa exhibits so much courage even though she has been dealt a harsh deck of cards. Others would have given up, but she keeps herself motivated trying to endure each day. Louise is a great friend that comes across as loving and compassionate. She and Philip make a nice pair and I am glad that these characters were a part of the storyline. They added dimension and some more play that was delightful.
Kate Hofman takes some interesting characters, adds some love along the way, with a few mishaps that only draws them closer together, leaving the reader entertained while making one outstanding tale. It is a story of love and loses and picking up the pieces, in hopes of repairing a heart so broken that perhaps the right person can ease the pain and make a difference. There are many secondary characters that blend well to create a more realistic picture that comes to life in these pages. The detailed visual landscape is lovely and allows the reader to feel the ambience of the area. I liked the way she started the story slow allowing Nissa and Alex to get to know each other before they rushed into anything. It was a love that was most memorable and one that makes the reader feel so much a part of their lives and their wedding. A Greek Love Story is a moving love story that touches upon many senses and allows the reader to connect with the appealing characters and one read that should not be missed. It can be found at www.rahpubs.com/ where romance stirs in the air.
Sincerely good reading,
Linda
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