2007-05-25 The last book of the Trilogy

This is book is part of a trilogy the -The Ramirez brides. A collaboration by three M&B authors -Emma Darcy (The Ramirez bride), Michelle Reid (The Brazilian's blackmailed bride) and Sandra Marton (The Disobedient virgin).

This is the last book of the Trilogy and is set in America. It tells the story of Jake Ramirez. Jake Ramirez is a tycoon amongst tycoons, a self made man who is very down to earth. The day that changed Jake's life started like any other day. When he was told by his secretary that a package was hand delivered to his office post marked Brazil and marked confidential, with a small gift box, Jake thought it was a clever advertising trick for time share apartments in Rio with a small gift to encourage his interest. When Jake eventually got into the office and opened his package his world was turned upside down. Everything he grew up believing was a lie, the father he had grown up venerating had not existed. He was not the son of a poor Hispanic boy who had died a hero in a vicious unheralded war in the jungles of South America rather he was the son a wealthy Brazilian tycoon who died in his bed only a few days ago. The gift box contained a gift for his mother from this Enrique Ramirez. Jake took the package and the gift and dashed straight to his mother's apartment demanding to know the truth. His mother acknowledged the contents of the letter and explained to Jake why she had to lie to him. After all honouring the memory of his dead war-hero father was what pushed Jake to become a successful and wealthy young man. This was not the only shocking `info' in the letter; he also found out that he has two step brothers who were unaware of his existence. To claim his inheritance and get to meet his brothers he has to fulfil certain conditions. Jake did not care about the inheritance but he wanted desperately to meet his brothers. The only family he has ever had and known was his mother. Jake thought that once he contacted the lawyer Mr. Javier Estes that he will just hand him the names of his brothers, but was he in for some more shock. Jake flew to Rio within hours of reading the letter and confronted Mr. Estes, threatening him with legal action if he failed to give him the names of his brothers. Mr. Estes explained that his fathers' will was iron clad and the law suit could take years, but if he was willing to fulfil the conditions of his father's will he will get to meet his brothers. The condition was -` he is to nurture and protect Catrina Mendes his fathers ward, introduce her to polite society and to men of good character and excellent means, and see to it that she marries such a man within two months so that Catrina can meet the conditions of her own inheritance'. Jake resisted dancing to the tune played by his dead father, but what choice did he have if he wanted to meet his brothers?

Catrina Elena Teresa Mendes has been living in a convent for the past eight years since her parents died in a car accident. Her hopes of freedom when she turned 18 were dashed when her uncle died and passed her guardian ship to Mr. Enrique Ramirez. She was to stay another three years until she turned 21. In a few hours Catrina will be free to leave the convent, she is awaiting her new guardian - Jake Ramirez. When Jake first saw Catrina he wondered why he ever made a fuss, she looked like a demure little girl of the `butter will not melt in her mouth' kind. After all how hard can it be to watch her for two months? As soon as they left the convent, Jake discovered otherwise. Catrina was not docile; she spoke fluent English and spat fire and brimstone. In devising ways to tame Catrina, Jake was loosing his heart and soul to Catrina, so how can he hand her over to another man in two months time? How can he fulfil the conditions of both wills?

This is a beautifully crafted romantic tale of love, passion and honour. Sandra Marton did a great job in bringing the brothers together at the end. A fantastic ending to a great series. This book is a definite keeper