The Italian's Defiant Mistress

The Italian's Defiant Mistress by India Grey Harlequin Presents # 2674 - October 2007 Presents theme - Mistress to a Millionaire Rumours have it that the world famous photographer Raphael di Lazaro, heir to the Lazaro fashion house, is back in Italy; and Eve Middlemiss knows that he has something to do with her sister Ellie's death, and she means to prove it. So taking her bestfriend's place as a Fashion Journalist, Eve travels to Florence to shadow a Lazaro model and cover the debut of a new Lazaro fragrance. Raphael has cause to hate paparazzi and any other journalist; but there's something about Eve that brings out his protective instincts and when he finds his brother, Luca hitting on her, he whisks her away. The power of their attraction is intense, and Eve begins to think that the only way to get close to Raphael is to seduce him. And Raphael knows that the only way to keep Eve safe from his drug pushing brother is to keep Eve with him always. This was originally released as a Modern Extra by Mills & Boon and is Ms. Grey's debut. Though Raphael is an alpha hero, he is not quite as sure of himself as the typical Presents hero. Eve is very young, which is reminiscent of the very early Presents. Though young and inexperienced she forces herself to overcome her shyness in her desperation for justice in her sister's death. The chemistry between Raphael and Eve is wonderfully written, and the added intrigue of fashion and the drug world, keeps the story on edge. I think Ms. Grey has done exceptionally well in her debut; her fresh voice is appealing and this reader is eager to read more. :D