*Lisa Kleypas ~ Sugar Daddy*

SHE’S FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS
Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas—if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

HE’S THE ONE MAN SHE CAN’T HAVE
When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon—a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.

WILL THEY FIND THEIR HEARTS' DESIRES - OR WILL HEARTBREAK TEAR THEM APART?

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you'll root for every step of the way. A love story you'll never forget.

- Taken from the back cover of Lisa Kleypas' "Sugar Daddy" novel

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~*~My Review~*~

Lisa Kleypas has to be one of the most phenomenal authors I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. I can say with all honesty that I have truly loved every novel I have ever read by her - to the point that reading each book once through is simply not enough. Kleypas has the unique and wonderful ability to bring life into her stories in a way that astounds her readers, leaving them breathless and longing for more, while at the same time feeling a sense of complete satisfaction and fulfillment. I think what amazed me the most was Kleypas' adaptability as an author.

Before "Sugar Daddy" the only books I had read by Kleypas were all Historical Romances, thus I was a bit hesitant to read one of her few contemporary novels. However one day I found the book in one of my favorite used bookstores and my curiousity got the better of me. I found the summary on the back interesting, so I chose to read the first chapter and THAT is what got me hooked! I loved that Kleypas began the book while our heroin was still young. Unlike most books where you are introduced to the lead female character right before she encounters her soon-to-be-true-love, Sugar Daddy allows readers to follow Liberty through her life. You meet her as a young girl, and follow her along her long, difficult, and wonderful journey through life, so that you not only understand her life, but you yourself feel as though you are a part of it...you become Liberty Jones. And don't be fooled by the fact that this story starts off with our lead female character at a young age, nothing about this book is slow or drawn out and there is plenty of romance within this story from the very start.

As I mentioned before, one of the things that stood out to me the most was Kleypas' ability to adapt to this different genre of romance storytelling. It was as if she transformed her writing and author's voice to fit that of her main character. I'm afraid I'm probably not doing a very good job of describing it, so I will simply say: it is an amazing story and she was the perfect author to write it!

I am not going to describe the storyline any further than I already have because, one: it would be near to impossible to truly explain how complex and wonderful it is. And two: this is the type of story you need to experience...

If you give it a shot I know you will love this story - and please do not let the title discourage you in any way! It is ony of my all-time favorite stories and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!! :)

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~*~Excerpts~*~

" ...'What do you want from me?'

'I want you to admit just once what you feel for me. I want to know if you'll miss me even a little. If you'll remember me. If you're sorry for anything.'

I felt his fingers clench my hair, tugging until my head tilted back. 'Christ,' he whispered. 'You want to make this as hard as possible, don't you? I can't stay, and I can't take you with me. And you want to know if I'm sorry for anything.' I felt the hot strikes of his breath on my cheek. His arms wrapped around me, stifling all movement. His heart pounded against my flattened breasts. 'I'd sell my soul to have you. In my whole life, you'll always be what I wanted most. But I've got nothing to give you. And I won't stay here and turn into my father. I would take everything out on you - I would hurt you.'..."

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"...'You need a wife,' I told him one morning as I came to take his breakfast tray.

'I had a wife,' he said. 'Two good ones, as a matter of fact. Trying for another would be like asking fate for a kick in the ass. Besides, I do well enough with my lady friends.'

I could see the sense in that. There was no practical reason for Churchill to get married. It wasn't like he had a problem finding female companionship. He got calls and notes from a variety of women, one of them an attractive widow named Vivian who sometimes stayed overnight. ...

'Why don't you get a husband?' Churchill countered. 'You shouldn't wait too long or you'll get set in your ways.'

'So far I haven't found one worth marrying,' I said, making Churchill laugh.

'Take one of my boys,' he said. 'Healthy young animals. All prime husband material.'

I rolled my eyes. 'I wouldn't have one of your sons on a silver platter.'

'Why not?'

'Joe's too young. Jack is a ladies' man and isn't nearly ready for that kind of responsibility, and Gage...well, personality issues aside, he only dates women whose body fat is in the single digits.'

A new voice entered the conversation. 'That's not actually a requirement.'

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Gage walking into the room..."