Just the Way You Are

From Publishers Weekly
Shining with all the humor of her historical romances-but with a sassy edge that reflects the story's modern setting-Dodd's (My Favorite Bride, etc.) first foray into the contemporary arena is nothing short of a success. Separated from her siblings since her parents' death seven years earlier, Hope Prescott works as an answering service operator and dreams of getting a job that will finance her search for her family-not to mention socks without holes. While calling in for his messages, Zack Givens, a Boston CEO notorious for his cold manner, accidentally leads Hope to believe that he's his butler, and her scorn for the rich and heartless as well as her warm, caring manner encourages him to continue the charade. Upon meeting Hope in person and realizing that she has a heart of gold, Zack's focus turns possessive and sexual, and his stratagems revolve around getting her in bed and then showering her with wealth. But secrets from Hope's past and Zack's distrust conspire to ruin their happiness. Zack's poor estimation of Hope's moral strength may disturb some readers, but his bewilderment and agony when he realizes his mistake will soften hearts. Aside from one farcical side trip-when Hope is kidnapped by a crime lord-Dodd's surefooted story is lively, sexy and certain to expand her readership.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
When Hope Prescott was 16, tragedy destroyed her family and sent her across the country to Boston. Seven years later, as a student and answering-service operator, she saves every penny to search for her sisters and brother. Takeover king Zach Givens, an aristocratic, technophobic snob, meets Hope through the answering service. Positive that the nice man on the phone is Givens' butler, Hope allows a telephone friendship to escalate to a hot encounter. When she is wrongly arrested for embezzling money from a local gangster, Zach sees her with one of his enemies and decides that she was just after his money; at the same time she discovers that he has been lying to her about his identity. By the time he comes to his senses, she has been kidnapped, so Zach and all the friends Hope has made answering phones band together to conduct a zany rescue. The warm characterizations and caperlike plot make Dodd's hot contemporary romance a delight, and the cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eager for the sequel. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd, one of the most acclaimed authors of historical romance, makes a dazzling foray into contemporary fiction in this intriguing and sensuous novel about a hard-working young woman who mistakenly falls in love with Boston's wealthiest bachelor. JUST THE WAY YOU ARE When Hope Prescott's parents disappeared, her carefree teenage life vanished forever. She and her three siblings were separated and sent to different foster homes around the country. Now, seven years later, Hope is still searching for them. To support herself, she works for an answering service, and cares for her clients as if they were family. When wealthy businessman Zachariah Givens hires Hope's service, Hope initially mistakes Zack for his butler. Tired of being coddled and þattered because of his money, Zack is charmed by Hope's candor, not to mention her sexy voice, and keeps up the charade. As their friendship turns into passion, Zack is determined to have her, even if that means the unthinkable -- marriage. But when Hope discovers his deception, Zack knows he must solve the mystery that haunts Hope's past in order to convince her that their futures lie together....


About the Author
Christina Dodd's novels regularly appear on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. The author of twenty-four novels, including Scandalous Again, My Favorite Bride, Lost in Your Arms, and In My Wildest Dreams, Dodd also coauthored Once Upon a Pillow, a sparkling romantic saga published by Pocket Books. She has won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart and RITA Awards. She lives in Texas.


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Brutally separated from her younger siblings after her clergy parents were killed in a car crash and posthumously accused of theft, 16-year-old Hope Prescott has neither forgotten nor given up trying to find her family. Now, seven years later, going to college and working at a telephone answering service, she falls for a delightful "butler" and ends up charming and changing the life of a powerful man who is determined enough to help her locate her brother and sisters. Pairing a no-nonsense, compassionate innocent pastor's daughter who just can't help helping people with a wealthy, arrogant man who is used to taking what he wants, Dodd adds humor, sizzling sensuality, and a cast of truly delightful secondary characters to produce a story that will not disappoint. Dodd (Scandalous Again) is a popular writer of sensual historicals and lives in Texas. This is her first contemporary romance. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.


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