Yes, this is an older book, that was published back in 1989, but still it is one of my favorites. If you are a romance reader, than this is a must have in my opinion.

Our hero is: Taylor Braddock. He was in the Army, then a prisoner of War in Vietnam. He was only in his late teens and came back, with horrid nightmares and no hope.

Our Heroine is: Sharon Philips. She was the girl who feel in love with her new step brother. She saw around his pride, bad manners and odd habits, to the man inside.

This is a story of loved lost and then being given a second chance. The back of the book reads:

FOR BETTER OR WORSE
Taylor Braddock. His name brought back memories of a man so handsome that a young girl had fallen in love- and made a fool of herself. A man so unique he'd spoiled Sharon Philips for any other love

But now her father's will had joined their lives once again. In a final attempt at match making, Dad left half his California ranch to Sharon, the other half to Braddock- provided they were husband and wife.

A quick wedding. A quick divorce. A quick sale of the ranch. It seemed simple. But time had only fueled their passion. Could Taylor erase ten years of pain and show Sharon that loving him was her destiny.

My Opinion:
If the back of the book wasn't enough, I'll tell you what I think. I think Dan Philips (Sharon's father), was a genius to make out his will the way he did. One half to her and the other to Taylor. One with water rights and one to the road access. One is completely useless without the other. Sharon loved Taylor, but he hurt her badly. Taylor loved her too, but knew she was to young. She was only 18, just out of high school. He didn't think it would be right to take all the experiences of life from her. especially since she was on her way to college.

Sharon went on to become a very successful lawyer. She dated, was even engaged, but no one could ever compare to Taylor. No matter what she did, she could never get over him, then they are thrown together.

The Ranch is Taylor's very life and he refuses to sale, but he can't buy Sharon's half either. They fight and go through endless battles to save their ranch, but the biggest war of all is between them. They love each other, so much, but neither will come out and say the words. Can they fix their problems and make their marriage a real one or will they end up hurting each other for the rest of their lives.

My copy of this book shows a lot of wear and I won't be surprised if I end up having to buy another copy of it within another year or two. All together I must have read it at least 50 times between 1989 and now.

When I first got my copy of this book, I was really into all the cowboy/ranch romances. That was what first drew me in, but what kept me coming back to read it over and over again was the author herself. Doreen Owens Malek, is a brilliant writer. In Chapter 2 she does a flash back, to explain all the history behind her characters. The flash back lasts through quiet a few chapters. Now normally in that situation the reader would whined up getting confused, but not with this book.

Doreen Owens Malek's writing style flows fast, yet smoothly. She has a way of pulling you into her characters' lives and holding your interest with each word. She tends to make you feel a wide range of emotions for her characters. With Taylor, you wonder if he lost his chance for true love and make you think he should have married her when he had the chance, no matter what anyone thought. With Sharon, you cry for her and pray she will find the happiness she so deserves.

A Marriage of Convenience touched me and all of my emotions in so many ways. Personally I think that this is one of the best romances of all time.:) Happy reading.

Recommended:
Yes