Title: The Billionaire Baby Bombshell

Author: Paula Roe (twitter, website)

But is she Australian?: Yep, lives in Western NSW

Line: Mills&Boon Desire

Sub-series?: Billionaires and Babies

Release date: July 2010

Still available: Yes, eformat

Book setting: Canberra and Uluru

Okay, got a synopsis? Absolutely. Yelena and Alex’s families have been intertwined on both business and personal levels, but circumstances have caused not only a breach, but a lot of bad blood. Alex has devised a plan to enact revenge - and to protect his mother and sister - and Yelena is the key. Hiring her to get some positive PR for his business and his family, he plans also to seduce her, waving his power over her in both a public and private arena in front of her family’s faces. However, he’s in for a surprise when Yelena shows up - with her 5 month old baby in tow. Not only is she proficient and professional, the heat that once simmered between them has only been banked, and threatens to erupt at any moment. But there have been lies and secrets on both sides, and it looks unlikely that either will be able to forgive the other for betrayals - both real and imagined.

What makes it worth reading? This book is a perfect example of how a category romance can pack in a complete story in a reduced word count. The back story comes out slowly, in pieces, but the reader never feels lost for details or left behind. The conflict between Yelena and Alex isn’t manufactured or overblown, and the resolution, while awfully neat, is very satisfying.

Any quibbles? Yelena’s brother as villain is utterly villainous - and his motivation seems a little weak. I kept waiting for more information as to his reasons, but they weren’t forthcoming.

Also, even in the worst Canberra traffic, it would never take 25 minutes to get from Yarralumla to the city. ;)

Recommended? Absolutely - hot sex, emotional story, well-developed secondary characters, and a strong backstory make this an engrossing read.

Anything else? Remember the Indigenous Literacy Project - visit the website for information on this fantastic initiative!