The Baby Proposal - Andrea Laurence (HD #2485 - Dec 2016)

Series: Hawaiian Nights (Book 2)

Faking a marriage for baby's sake…

When Lana Hale asks hotel tycoon Kal Bishop to marry her, he can't let his best friend down! To keep her sister's baby out of the foster-care system, Lana needs Kal to pose as her husband. Soon his luxury Hawaiian resort sets the stage for an unexpectedly passionate honeymoon…

Before they know it, playing the part of lovers turns into the real thing. And once the need for their ruse ends, Kal faces losing a wife he didn't even know he wanted. Will the reluctant husband take the ultimate risk and make a proposal of his own?

Good friends to lovers story, helped along by an unexpected marriage of convenience. Kal and Lana have been best friends for three years. Lana is the choreographer and a dancer for the hula show at Kal's Maui resort. They spend most of their free time together, except on those occasions when Kal lives up to his reputation as one of the Bishop Bachelors.

When Lana's older sister, Mele, is arrested on drug charges, her six-month-old daughter ends up in foster care. Lana petitions for custody, but as a single woman and dancer in the tourist industry, she worries about her success. Lana turns to best friend Kal and proposes a temporary marriage for Akela's sake.

I loved how Kal jumped right in to help. He's a little wary, as marriage has never been in his plans, but it's for Lana and only temporary. I liked his all-in attitude, from the traditional Hawaiian wedding to setting up the perfect nursery. Kal and Lana began the marriage as friends and determined to keep it that way. Neither wants to risk their friendship. However, between taking care of Akela and "playing house," the marriage soon begins to feel all too real. Add in the attraction that neither can deny, and it is obvious that their hands-off vow is in trouble.

Kal was aware of his attraction to Lana early in their friendship but fought it. He has no intention of ever marrying and knows that Lana has those dreams. Kal lost his parents ten years earlier and never wants to open himself up to that kind of pain again. So he limits himself to superficial encounters. Lana is attracted to Kal, but their friendship is too important to her. Besides, a man like him would never be interested that way in a woman from a family like hers.

I loved watching Kal and Lana's relationship grow and change. Before their marriage, Kal was a workaholic who spent more time at his office than at home. But with the arrival of Lana and Akela, suddenly, he had a reason to go home. Spending so much time together, it wasn't long before their attraction got the better of them. Kal was all for enjoying it while it lasted, but Lana is warier. She senses that it would be very easy for her to fall in love with him. I ached for Lana as she was proved right. When it was time for Akela to go back to Mele, that signaled the end of the marriage.

I hurt for Lana, who was brave enough to tell Kal how she felt. I hurt for Kal, too, because he was oblivious to his own feelings for her. I had to laugh when his brother, Mano, showed up at the hotel. Kal's misery rubbed off on his employees, and they called for help. It was fun to see the tables turned, as Mano gave Kal the same advice he had received a few months earlier (The Pregnancy Proposition). Once Kal saw the truth, I loved what he did with it. His big moment at the end was terrific. It's always great to see a strong man willing to put himself out there in public, all for love.

I enjoyed the setting of Maui for this book. The descriptions of the wedding and the dances were vivid and made me feel that I was there.

 

The Pregnancy Proposition - Andrea Laurence (HD #2475 - Oct 2016)

Series: Hawaiian Nights (Book 1)

Pregnant and heartbroken…will one white-hot week become more?

After her breakup, the last thing Paige Edwards wants is a romantic getaway. But then an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii lands her in bed with sexy hotel owner Mano Bishop! An explosive affair with Mano could be the perfect rebound -- except for the fact she's carrying her ex's baby…

Blinded as a teen, Mano has nevertheless achieved success in business, if not in love. An occasional fling has always been enough -- until Paige. One week with the unassuming woman, whose inner beauty captivates him, has Mano reevaluating everything. Could he father another man's child for the chance at a future with Paige?

Terrific book. Paige has had a rough few weeks. Her boyfriend dumped her for her prettier sister. Then Paige found out she was pregnant with his baby. To make matters worse, her beloved grandfather died. In his will, her grandfather specified that Paige was the one he designated to take his ashes to Hawaii, to be interred with his shipmates on the Arizona. He even made the arrangements for the trip - first-class flight and luxury accommodations at a Waikiki resort. Paige was stunned to find herself in the penthouse suite at the Mau Loa hotel. It is far more than she expected, but so like her grandfather to spoil her that way. On her first night there, she runs into the hotel's owner, Mano Bishop, an incredibly handsome and sexy man who is also blind.

Mano has been blind since an accident when he was a teenager. Despite the challenges, he has become very successful. He rarely leaves the resort property, preferring to remain where he is comfortable and confident in his surroundings. He doesn't do relationships but indulges in flings with hotel guests once or twice a year.

I loved the first meeting between Paige and Mano. She's flustered and embarrassed about her clumsiness and floored by her immediate attraction to him. Mano is intrigued by the woman who isn't like any other woman he's met. Because he can't see, Mano depends on his other senses to learn about the people and things around him. It was fascinating to see the things that made an impression on him. Mano is determined to get to know Paige better and immediately makes arrangements to see her again.

I loved watching the relationship between Paige and Mano develop. Because of her work at a VA hospital, Mano's blindness does not fill her with pity or the need to baby him. She tends to lean the other way, and I enjoyed watching her push him outside his comfort zone. There were so many sweet scenes of their dates where Mano introduces Paige to the beauties and fun of the island. Both agreed at the start that it would only be a one-week fling, with neither expecting their emotions to become involved.

Mano has never forgotten that his high school girlfriend broke things off because she thought he'd be a burden. That feeling has stayed with him, making him determined to avoid any kind of permanent relationship. But Paige works her way past his walls, and he wants longer than a week with her. He doesn't recognize his feelings as love, and can't give her the commitment she needs.

Paige has two issues to overcome. The first is her pregnancy. She can't believe that Mano would be willing to raise another man's child. Paige also has some serious self-esteem issues. She considers herself to be very plain and that Mano wouldn't look twice at her if he could see. I especially loved how Mano saw Paige's inner beauty and worked to convince her of that beauty. I liked how she gained a bit of confidence, thanks to him, and the way it came out during that fantastic pool scene!

I ached for them both when the end of the week came, and neither could admit their feelings or get past their fears. Their parting did not go well, and some hurtful words were exchanged. It was fun to see Mano's grandmother call him out on his moping and give him the kick in the pants he needed. The ending was awesome. Mano's big moment was sweet and romantic, and I loved the reactions all around!

One of my favorite things about the book was the setting. I was born in Honolulu, though we left when I was only a year old. I returned with my husband when he was stationed there, and we lived there for four years. So many things in this book brought back wonderful memories of our time there, from luaus to the hotels on Waikiki to the beautiful beaches of the North Shore. Paige even had my favorite flavor of shave ice - Tiger's Blood!