"Nifty Start to a Year Long Series"

DYNASTIES:THE BARONES is a new year-long series from Silhouette Desire. Leanne Banks jump starts the series with the really enjoyable THE PLAYBOY & PLAIN JANE.

Nicholas Barone is the oldest son of the Boston Barones, whose roots are Italian and whose fortune is based on ice cream. Nicholas has just discovered that he is the father of a one year old girl, Molly, who screams her head off every time he enters the room.

Nicholas's whole world has been turned upside down by Molly, but he is determined to be a good father and hires nanny extraordinaire Gail Fenton to help Molly settle in and hopefully help him to bond with Molly.

Gail who's degree is in computer technology, much prefers interacting with children then a computer screen and settles happily into Nicholas's household. Of course, she has to keep reminding herself that Nick--who is drop dead gorgeous--would never notice her in her jeans and sweats. But, the more she comes to know Nick the more she admires his devotion to family and Molly.

Nicholas was burned badly by Molly's Mom and he is still bitter about her having kept the knowledge of his daughter from him. Nick is a playboy who has his choice of beautiful women, who all want one thing from him: his money. Nick quickly realizes Gail is different, but more dangerous--she would want his heart and he is determined never to fall in love.

Banks gives this Plain Jane story some fun twists. I especially loved Gail's makeover via Goddess Magazine. Goddess is a nice parody of Cosmo, with tips for women on how to catch a man and become a Goddess--complete with hysterical pick up lines. I enjoy Plain Jane stories as I have always thought beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that with a good makeover most of us would look much better; so it is not difficult to believe Gail was a gorgeous gal hiding under no makeup and a bad hair cut.

Nicholas and Gail are a sensual pair and I hope we will see them again in the future series novels about Nick's extended family as they were just plain fun. Intriguing hints about the various family members are given and several of the stories sound interesting. I have a feeling that I will be reading a lot about the Barones this year.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted January 29, 2003

Summary

FROM CONFIRMED BACHELOR TO BEFUDDLED DAD

Boston hunk Nicholas Barone could hardly believe one-year- old Molly was his daughter. The sexy businessman was committed only to his extended Italian family, to their business—Baronessa Gelati—and to short-term relationships with gorgeous socialites. Then one pint- sized female turned his priorities upside down.

Enter Gail Fenton, nanny extraordinaire. Within days she had a cranky Molly smiling; within a few sleepless nights, she had a frustrated Nicholas fantasizing. Bewitched by a virgin. Vexed by the girl next door. Man-about-town Nicholas was in serious trouble, for unlike his former lovers, who wanted only his money or his name, Gail wanted his heart.

DYNASTIES: THE BARONES — An elite clan caught in a web of danger, deceit... and desire!