| Title | : | Trouble in High Heels (Fortune Hunter, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0451219120 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780451219121 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 381 |
| Publication | : | First published August 1, 2006 |
Trouble in High Heels (Fortune Hunter, #1) Reviews
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Well......
This is not one of my favorite Christina Dodd books. It was decent, but I expect more than decent from her. I think it's a timing thing. Being an extremely moody reader, it's hard when I read something and it doesn't fit what I am feeling at the time.
The Not-So Good:
*I never fell in love with the storyline, to be honest. I didn't like how Roberto and Brandi got together. She picked him up to make herself feel better after her fiance dumped her. Imagine her telling her grandkids that story. I don't like the fling/hook-up/one night stand storyline at all. Furthermore, I just couldn't get behind Roberto as a glitzy, celebrity count who happened to be a jewel thief (and the subsequent reveal on this). I couldn't suspend my disbelief on that one. And the connection between that and the men who were stalking Brandi was highly tenuous.
*Love scenes were too short, not satisfying to me. Christina Dodd writes good love scenes, but these didn't set this book on fire for me.
*The suspense part didn't work for me. It was a bit too thin and didn't come together well.
*Roberto didn't blow me away or hit me hard like many of Christina Dodd's heroes. He wasn't a bad hero. He just didn't do much for me, except for his beautiful gesture at the end, and how he stood up for Brandi with her ex-fiance'. Those were a few sigh-worthy moments on his part. It might be that I am just not into the Italian allure when it comes to guys. They don't do much for me. And I especially don't go for the high profile ladykiller type like he was.
*Sometimes I didn't get Brandi. She acted in ways that didn't make sense and didn't seem like something a logical, goal-oriented type person would do. She had some esteem issues from her dad and I could see that in her. On the positive side, I respected her for taking control of her life and helping out her mother when her father failed them.
The Good:
*This was a quick, fast-paced, breezy read, which is nice if you want a quick pick-me-up.
*The humor was good
*Interesting storyline
*Smart, independent heroine
*I loved Roberto's grandfather. He was adorable!
*Despite not liking how Brandi and Roberto met, I did like their chemistry together, although it didn't grow as fully-bloomed as I would hope. This read like an expanded short story instead of the full-fledged novel it was.
*I thought Brandi's relationship with her sister and mother added to the book, but her father was a full-on jerk.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Honestly, I would say avoid this one if you haven't read any Christina Dodd. I think she has written better. If your expectations aren't very high, you will probably find it to be a serviceable read, and you might enjoy it. I just expect so much more from her, and maybe I wasn't in the right mood when I read this. It's like ice cream. If the ice cream tastes pretty good even if it's not great, it's still better than no ice cream at all. But you'd rather eat really good ice cream if you're going to splurge on those calories. That's how I would describe this book.
Rating: 3.25/5.0 stars. -
Love this writer. Strong, compelling and good suspense.
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This is my first time reading a book by Christina Dodd.
Mrs. Dodd hit the nail with hammer in showing how some fathers can be selfish and not care about anyone, but themselves. In this book, the heroine - Brandi's father showed how her loved himself. He didn't even see Brandi as a person in this book. He wouldn't claim her as his child. He married her mother Tiffany. To him, Tiffany was nothing but a woman that loved to be pretty and spend his money. He hated the fact that she enrolled Brandi in ballet and gymnastics. He thought that Brandi should be like his oldest daughter, Kim and play sports, so that she could get a scholarship. He had put his oldest daughter by a different wife, on a pedal stool. Tiffany had told him, Kim's secret and he didn't want to believe it, but later on he knew. This man that shouldn't be anyone's father left Tiffany to be with his secretary, who had a son for him that he didn't care for as well. The boy didn't want to follow in his father's foot, play sports like his father. People have to realize, just because you were something in school, doesn't mean your children will want to be that.
Brandi has gone to college to be a lawyer. What I hated in this book, in regards to Brandi and her mother is that she called her mother Tiffany. I know some children call their parents by their first name and their parents don't care, but I do. I would never want to be called by my first name by my children. Even the hero - Roberto found that strange that Brandi called her mother by her first name.
Brandi was engaged to a guy named Alan. They have dated for four years and then gotten engaged. The two timer betrayed Brandi's love. He went to Vegas and married his girlfriend. A girl that he has gotten pregant and the stupid thing is, he blamed Brandi, all because she moved to Chicago to be close to him and work for her uncle Charles. She gets even with him though. She pawns the $10,000 diamond ring he brought for her. Not only that, she goes out looking to hook up with another man and that's what she does. She meets Roberto, an Italian Count at her uncle Charles party and they hook up later at his hotel room.
Monday, she's introduced to Roberto again. He's her client. Brandi wasn't looking to ever see Roberto again, but that changed. Roberto knew they would meet again.
Roberto is a jewel thief. His grandfather, his mother's father is a jewel thief as well.
Although, Roberto is a jewel thief, he's also a good guy. He helps the FBI bring down a bad guy. One that he was happy to help bring down. The man broke his grandfather's hand with a hammer.
Roberto and Brandi gets a HEA. He's her dragon.
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Romantic Suspense, Contemporary
Series: Fortune Hunters, book #1
Publication date : August 1, 2006
Brandi Michaels moves to Chicago to be near her fiance and start her career as a lawyer. She doesn't even have the boxes unpacked when her fiance calls to tell her shocking news: he's in Las Vegas and married to another woman. When he asks for the engagement ring back so he could give it to his new bride, it's the last straw for Bradi. She takes the ring to a pawn shop instead.
She decides that a hot night with a stranger will help her get past the break-up. Dressed to kill, she goes to a party and meet with a sexy and mysterious stranger, Count Roberto Bartolini. They decide to spend the night together - without exchanging names or anything.
When Brandi returns home from the sultry weekend, she discovers that her apartment has been ransacked, it also turns out that Roberto is a suspected jewel-thief and she's the new lawyer assigned to his case and on top of all - someone is trying to kill her ...
Another enjoyable story by Christina Dodd. -
Trouble in High Heels
3.5 Stars
When Brandi Michaels’ cheating fiancé elopes to Las Vegas, she decides to pawn his engagement ring and treats herself to a one night stand in the arms of a gorgeous stranger. Little does she know that said stranger, Roberto Bartolini, is about to become a whole lot more familiar come morning . . .
A cute read, but Brandi and Roberto’s chemistry is lukewarm at best and the suspense plot lacks any real excitement.
Aside from their mutual attraction, Brandi and Roberto’s relationship is not all that believable. She is intelligent and resourceful, but also organized, rational and looking for security. He is charming and debonair, but not exactly stable considering his secrets. Although their sexual close encounter is reasonable given the circumstances, the rest of the romance plot doesn’t make much sense.
The suspense sub-plot involving Roberto’s sideline business reads like a paint-by-numbers robbery caper with events unfolding one after the other in a predictable fashion and connections made rather conveniently and coincidentally. The climax lacks any real tension and the big reveal is obvious.
All in all, a quick, light read but Dodd has certainly written better. -
First of all...huge fan! And, once again, Christina Dodd hit it out of the park!
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This was an odd book for me. I really liked the main plot - a young attorney's new guy turns out to be an international jewel thief who's being forced to steal a famous jewel for the Chicago mob. It felt like the plot of a Cary Grant movie. Or maybe Reese Witherspoon. :) And the final scene with the dragon had me laughing out loud, which is always a plus for me.
But the MCs relationship was based only on sex, and the MCs were so gorgeous and desirable that they kind of turned me off. I prefer people who are a little more human. Also, the heroine's family relationships didn't make sense to me, and neither did his motivation. So a hit-or-miss book that at least left me smiling at the end. 2.5 stars -
Kratkomalo pozabim,kako so stare romance še vedno zanimive in prijetne za branje.
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Author:
Christina Dodd
First published: 2006
Length: 279 pages
Setting: Contemporary, Chicago.
Sex: Explicit. Reasonably frequent.
Hero: Wealthy Italian count from a family of thieves, suspected to be a jewel thief.
Heroine: Newly graduated lawyer.
Surprisingly enjoyable.
Very strong, independent heroine who uses her assets, physical and mental, to move through life. Somewhat whimsical secondary characters and a hero who manipulates but Brandi’s strength pulls the story through for me. There are silly things, ridiculous plot points, unnecessary sexual encounters.
Somewhat HFN for Roberto with issues of his paternity left up in the air, picked up in later books.
Overall, the book still works and I enjoyed it.
Fortune Hunters:
Book 1
Trouble in High Heels - Brandi Michaels and Roberto Bartolini
Book 2
Tongue In Chic - Devlin Fitzwilliam and Meadow Szarvas
Book 3
Thigh High - Nessa Dahl and Jeremiah MacNaught
Book 4
Danger in a Red Dress - Hannah Grey and Gabriel Prescott
with links to Lost Hearts:
Book 1
Just the Way You Are - Hope Prescott and Zack Givens
Book 2
Almost Like Being in Love - Pepper Prescott and Dan Graham
Book 3
Close to You - Kate Montgomery and Teague Ramos
Book 3.5
Gabriel's Gift (short story)
References:
Author:
http://www.christinadodd.com/book/exc...
(Read in
Dangerous Ladies ISBN 9780451228826)
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เรื่องนี้เริ่มด้วยนางเอกมีปมครอบครัวที่พ่อดูถูกเหยียดหยามผู้หญิงอย่างเธอกับแม่และทอดทิ้งพวกเธอไปเธอเลยพยายามอย่างเต็มที่ ที่จะพิสูจน์ตัวเองให้พ่อเห็นว่า ผู้หญิงอย่างเธอไม่ใช่มีเพียงความสวยแต่ยังมีสมองและมีความสามารถด้วย
ซึ่งในเรื่องนี้จะเน้นมากกับเรื่องการเหยียดเพศ ผู้ชายอย่างพ่อของนางเอก อย่างหมออลันคู่หมั้นของนางเอก หรือแม้แต่คนในที่ทำงานใหม่ของนางเอก ก็มองผู้หญิงสวยเซ็กซี่อย่างเธอว่ามีดีแค่เปลือกนอก โดยเฉพาะพ่อกับคู่หมั้น ที่นิสัยแย่มาก จนจบเรื่องก็ยังแย่อย่างคงเส้นคงวา
ส่วนตัวพระเอก โรแบร์โต ก็มีปมในเรื่องชาติกำเนิดของตัวเองเหมือนกัน เขาเป็นคนร่ำรวยและมีชื่อเสียงในสังคม ที่สำคัญ นางเอกเค้าบอกไว้ว่า
เขาหล่อมากเหมือน ... จอห์นนี่ เดปป์ ที่ไม่ได้เขียนขอบตา ... กรี๊ดเลยค่ะ55555
เรื่องราวความสัมพันธ์ของพระเอกนางเอกก็มาเร็วเคลมเร็วตามสไตล์นิยายโรมานซ์ และก็เร่าร้อนพอสมควร แต่ด้วยความที่เวลาในเรื่องมันไม่นาน แค่อาทิตย์สองอาทิตย์ที่ได้ใกล้ชิดกัน เลยทำให้ยังไม่ค่อยรู้สึกซาบซึ้งไปกับความรักของทั้งคู่เท่าไหร่
ส่วนเรื่องปัญหาทางด้านคดีขโมยเพชรต่างๆนาๆ ที่พระเอกนางเอกเข้าไปเกี่ยวข้องก็อ่านได้เรื่อยๆ ค่ะ รู้สึกว่าเรื่องในจุดนี้ไม่ได้เข้มข้นเท่าไหร่ เพราะคงจะเน้นที่ความสัมพันธ์ของพระนางมากกว่า
โดยรวมเรื่องนี้อ่านได้เรื่อยๆ ค่ะ
>> 6 / 10
พล็อต (2) = 1
การดำเนินเรื่อง (2) = 1
สำนวน ภาษา (4) = 3
ความสมบูรณ์ของหนังสือ (1) = 1
ความประทับใจพิเศษ (1) = 0 -
Quickie Thoughts:
Trouble in High Heels is a fun book. It was entertaining to listen to and provided a lovely break from the darker more suspenseful books I've been reading lately. Brandi is a girl with serious daddy issues, she is a beautiful girl desperate to prove she is more than a pretty face. When her fiance leaves her to marry his girlfriend, she decides to splurge on herself and have a sexy night of fun. That sexy night lands her in bed with a wealthy Count and suddenly her entire life is turned upside-down and she is in the middle of a jewel-heist conspiracy.
I listened to the audio version of this book and overall, I simply enjoyed the experience. There are some seriously cheesy lines, and the plot was fairly simple. Nevertheless, the characters were interesting and witty and I liked both Brandi and Roberto. I even liked Brandi's mother Tiffany, who was touted as a trophy wife for much of the book.
Sometimes a light-hearted, fun book is just what I need to kick back and relax with, and lift my mood. Trouble in High Heels fit the bill for me. So, thank you audible for the book sales, without which I may not have ever read this book. :) -
Every once in a while, I pick up a book just for the hell of it, just for a fun read. Sometimes, I need a break from the nail-bitting suspense or the horror and terror of other books. This one was refreshing! I laughed a few times, feeling what Brandi was feeling (near the beginning because of the 'ex-fiance' and near the end thinking and feeling like a doormat), tears and laughter make for a pretty good book. I liked Brandi's character, the way she developed is something I enjoyed. No holds barred. At the end, when she refused to be the 'doormat' she thought he was playing her, even if unknowingly sticking herself in a dangerous situation, took a lot of guts, more than I can say for some characters I've read. What I enjoyed most was the 'idiocy' of Roberto showing up at her office with the dragonsuit on. 'Do what you gotta do to win back the girl'. I really like that motto, I've read the things the guys had done to win back his girl, but this one tops them all off. Sure, injury to pride and dignity, but he won back his girl. Couldn't have asked for better.
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2.5*
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I picked this book up during a sale on Audible and I'm so glad I did!
This was a very enjoyable listen with lots of action and heat! I will definitely continue this series. -
4.5 stars.
This is a pretty great book, especially for Dodd, who is better known for her historicals than her contemporaries. Brandi Michaels is a kick-butt new attorney who, at the beginning of the book, is dumped by her fiance for his pregnant mistress. Instead of getting mad, Brandi decides to get even, right into the arms of an Italian Count who is in legal trouble for suspected jewel theft. It's supposed to be a onenightweekend stand, but of course it's discovered that Brandi is on the legal team defending Roberto and the hijinks start.
One thing I enjoyed about this book is the way Brandi isn't some perfect Mary Sue waiting for an alpha male to reform. She's kind of a bitch and not always in the good way. Luckily, the book addresses these issues and calls Brandi out on them instead of just waiting for the magical peen to cure her of her bitchy behavior. This also means that in several scenes when a lot of romance FMCs would be swooning with lust, Brandi swoons, then remembers the topic, and gets right back into it. Her backbone is pretty refreshing on the feminine side of a romance novel.
Roberto is also atypical for an Italian alpha male in that he's funny. He doesn't rampage around expecting Brandi to just fall in line for him and the aforementioned magical peen. He's got a good sense of humor and while he knows his appeal toward the opposite sex, you get the genuine impression he respects Brandi, rather than simply wanting to have sex with her until she submits (although I'm sure he wants that, he just knows that it wouldn't work with her). This book also features a pretty bad-ass grovel scene combined with a marriage-proposal-gone-wrong-in-the-right-way that made me giggle the whole time. Violet, my inner Angst Whore, was happy.
There are certainly some slow bits in the book, and it does take a bit for the book to really get going, but for me the book was all about the characters, rather than the plot, so that made it okay for me. -
Very good read. I had trouble putting it down this weekend and finished it in a couple days. I guess I was in need of a little old fashioned romance. lol
When Brandi Michaels uproots her life to move to Chicago to be with her fiance Alan she never suspects that her life is about to change in the way that it is. The day she moves into her new apartment during one of Chicago's coldest winters she gets a phone call from Alan telling her that he has flown off to Las Vegas to marry his pregnant girlfriend. She decides to pawn Alan's engagement ring and goes out on a mission to find the perfect stranger to have a one night stand with to help her forget Alan. What she finds in Count Roberto Bartolini, a notorious Italian jewel thief. After a passionate night like nothing she has ever experienced before, Roberto convinces Brandi to stay the weekend. Since she starts a new job on Monday at a prestigious law firm she agrees to this last fling.
When she is introduced to her first client Monday morning, imagine he shock when she discovers that it is Count Roberto Bartloni whom she will be defending. Being thrown back together ignites the flames and both Brandi and Roberto find themselves consumed by their desire for each other. Getting involved with this notorious jewel thief is not what Brandi had in mind but she is drawn further and further into the danger of his world.
A wonderful read with just the right amount of heated romance, humor, and intrigue. I am ordering the other books in the Fortune Hunter series since this one was so much fun. -
I really liked this, maybe it's just my mood, because I know there isn't much substance to it. Brandi was what I think all women wish they were when they grew up: witty, smart, gorgeous, successful, self confident, although slightly vulnerable, and don't forget flexible (***smile***hehe). What girl wouldn't want to be all of that? And Roberto, of course he's a perfect hero for this story. And if I'm being honest, probably too perfect. But the whole thing was very enjoyable and easy. A great sexy, smart and romantic jewelry- mystery caper.
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This was an entertaining read. I had read the second book in this series, "Tongue in Chic", previously and enjoyed that one more. So far, this particular series does not need to be read in order. I enjoy Dodd's style because there is always a lot of humor in her stories. I would recommend it for a beach book or when you want to read something light.
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I'm afraid this book falls into the "books I wish I hadn't read" category. Totally. The dialogue was too smarmy for words, the plot was over the top ridiculous, and the heroine was way too sarcastic to be likeable. Not funny at all. I was bummed by the whole thing. It was too bad too because the summary on the back sounded cute and funny, and I love the cover art. Oh well.
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I loved this book! Fast paced, straight to the point. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but it didn't go that way. Brandi is very goal oriented, and knows what she wants...or thinks she does, until her fiancé calls to say he's married and it's all her fault. I love how she stays strong and finally finds what she's really looking for. A great read!
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Definitely a fun read, and a delightfully humorous one. The story may have been a little too light for some, but the characters and humor made up for it. It was actually quite a refreshing change from some of the books I've been reading recently.
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Fun start to a series that has been on my TBR shelf for yonks. Am looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
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4,5 stars
Great fun; I really enjoyed reading this book. -
I read this awhile ago but I never rated it on here. Fabulous series!
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bad book, I mean the scene when the elevator is going down because the Italian gangsters are trying to kill the lovers, then it stops abruptly & what does lover boy do? take a knife to cut his educated temporary bimbo's panties. I mean come on, I know this is fiction but there is fiction & then there is seriously tasteless stupid fiction.
He's trying to protect her from the gangsters during the parties & in the diner but uses a knife in the elevator as a sexual turn on? what if the elevator started again & his hand jerks & he nicks her?
Plus she is a lawyer, I mean I know she's trying to get her vengeance but to sleep with the first hottie she finds, who turns to be a criminal & it's a family trade, hmmm. After years of trying to better herself & saw what men can do when they are jerks & self centered, she does a classic cliche & hooks up with the first drop dead gorgeous guy, nevertheless she just had a bad breakup. -
Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd was a fun read! I enjoyed to story line and the characters! Christina Dodd’s books are well written and fun to read!.
Brandi Michaels moves to a new city to be closer to her fiance. She gets a phone call from him only to be told that her was having an affair and flew to Vegas to marry her. What a slap in the face for her. Brandi knew she needed to mix things up and fast! She pawns her engagement ring for a fabulous outfit and spa day. She goes to a party to meet her fellow co-workers at her uncle’s house. It is there she meets Roberto and her life changes dramatically!
Now she is being chased by killers. Roberto seems to be a jewel thief and her job seems to be in jeopardy. What more could happen? Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd is a great read! -
Trouble In High Heels
One of the best caper stories I've ever read! A beautiful jilted bride meets a man at a party. He is a swoon worthy Italian Count. Renowned as an international playboy, he's the perfect revenge against Brandi's lying, cheating ex. After spending a weekend of unbridled passion, Brandi is determined to forever leave Roberto's decidedly addictive charms to begin her new life as a high-powered attorney at a prestigious Chicago law firm. What she doesn't know is that Roberto Bertolini is destined to become her first client. To her horror, not only is he a Count, it seems he is also an accused jewel thief and she has been given the job of keeping him in her sight at all times. What follows
