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Maldición de amor (Regencia histórica #Volumen 1)
by Jacquie D'Alessandro¿Será el amor capaz de vencer a una extraña maldición? Philip Whitmore, vizconde de Greybourne, ha sobrevivido a tormentas de arena, ha desenterrado tesoros ocultos de antiguas civilizaciones y ha vencido a múltiples y peligrosos ladrones de tumbas. Pero una extraña maldición pesa sobre él: no es capaz de encontrar a una mujer que quiera casarse con él. Es como si todo su encanto, su título y su fortuna desaparecieran ante el altar. Tras el último fiasco, Philip recurre a la hermosa Meredith Chilton-Grizedale para encargarle la difícil tarea de encontrar la esposa perfecta. Pero desde el momento en que conoce al misterioso vizconde, Meredith se enamora perdidamente de él y, a pesar de la maldición y a riesgo de su vida, decidirá dar rienda suelta a una pasión que podría conducirla a la locura...
Maldito Destino (Trilogía Destino #Volumen 1)
by María Heredia¿Qué puedes hacer cuando el destino no deja de ponerte a tu nuevo vecino en el camino? Jimena está convencida de que el destino la odia. Desde que era pequeña, el universo no ha parado de ponerle trabas y obstáculos, así que está acostumbrada a que todo le salga mal. Acaba de mudarse a Málaga por trabajo, pero ni por esas el destino parece dispuesto a portarse bien con ella. Álex es guía turístico y conoce a Jimena gracias a un pequeño accidente en un restaurante mexicano. No tardan en descubrir que son vecinos y acaban cenando juntos. Aunque ninguno de los dos se imagina que, después de esa noche, el destino no parará de cruzar sus caminos. Accidentes, conspiraciones del universo y muchas noches de charlas y risas lograrán que entre Jimena y Álex surja una gran amistad. O puede que algo más. Pero ¿dejará el destino que Jimena consiga por fin su final feliz?
Maldito Romeo
by Leisa RayvenEl apasionante romance que ha seducido a más de 2.000.000 de lectores online y que te dejará sin respiración hasta la última página. El corazón es caprichoso... y a veces quiere lo que menos le conviene. Ella era la niña buena a la que le gustaba actuar. Él era el chico malo del campus. Pero su elección para representar juntos Romeo y Julieta de Shakespeare lo cambió todo. Al igual que los personajes que encarnaban sobre el escenario, el épico romance de Cassie y Ethan parecía ser cosa del destino. Hasta que terminó en tragedia cuando él le rompió el corazón. Ahora han triunfado en Broadway, donde han vuelto a coincidir como pareja protagonista, y sus apasionadas escenas les obligan a enfrentarse a los dolorosos recuerdos y los excitantes momentos de su romance universitario. Para Ethan perder a Cassie fue el mayor error de su vida. Pero, a pesar de que él fue su primero y único amor, ella no está dispuesta a perdonar. El problema es que, cuando se trata del corazón, a veces las cosas que no son buenas para nosotros resultan ser las más irresistibles. La crítica ha dicho...«Leisa Rayven irrumpe en la escena de la novela romántica: riendo, coqueteando y, simplemente, desafiándonos a intentar parar de leer Maldito Romeo. ¡Yo no pude!»Christina Lauren, autora del best seller Beautiful Bastard «Un apasionante debut cuya deliciosa tensión hará que te suden las palmas de las manos, que te sonrojes y que el corazón se te dispare.»Alice Clayton, autora del best seller El seductor «La perfecta combinación de novela excitante y divertida. Maldito Romeo es absolutamente deslumbrante. ¡Me encantó!»Katy Evans, autora del best seller Real «Devoré este libro de una sentada. Las emociones entre los personajes son fantásticas. ¡La nueva pareja más sexy de la literatura!»Jennifer Probst, autora del best seller Casarse con un millonario
Male Call
by Heather MacallisterTHE CITY: San Francisco, California THE SINGLE: Desperate but determined computer geek Marnie LaTour THE SOLUTION -- THE SKIRT! After the guy she thinks she's dating tells her she's not 'girlfriend' material, Marnie LaTour decides to make some changes. She's going to learn how to be a femme fatale -- or else. Only, attracting guys isn't as tough as she thinks. Especially when she's wearing the skirt her landlord swears works like a man magnet. And it sure isn't long before rugged construction worker Zach Renfro finds himself under the influence. . .
Male Consort Upgrade System: Volume 1 (Volume 1 #1)
by Lian XiNingMou"What!?" Waiting for the male contestants? "What a scam!Being a male concubine was a technical job, and the most important thing was to tightly hug the big legs. (_) *[Small amount of palace fights, levelling up, establishment, and strength]"I would like to request a recommendation vote, and also request for a collection of 'The Transmigration of Men' for my eyes."
Male Consort Upgrade System: Volume 2 (Volume 2 #2)
by Lian XiNingMou"What!?" Waiting for the male contestants? "What a scam!Being a male concubine was a technical job, and the most important thing was to tightly hug the big legs. (_) *[Small amount of palace fights, levelling up, establishment, and strength]"I would like to request a recommendation vote, and also request for a collection of 'The Transmigration of Men' for my eyes."
Male Order
by Lillian GrantSam's living every man's dream. Sure, Meg has issues, but she's trying to work through them. She agrees to a no-strings-attached arrangement with Sam and seems to finally be finding joy in sex. That is until the hot, handsome, and hunky strip-club owner, Michael, decides to horn in on the action. With Meg investing in a male order escort business and Michael determined to make the move on Meg, Sam's dream life is turning into a nightmare. Meg's mother can't even say the word sex. Her great aunt is a nymphomaniac. The few men she's slept with left her frustrated. The closest she's come to sex was as the unwitting visual aid for hot flatmate, Sam's cowboy style wanking session. No wonder her libido went on permanent vacation and she substitutes ice-cream and chocolate for sex.With so many hang ups, why does she agree to no strings sex with Sam? Why is hunky, strip club manager Michael bent on seducing her? And why the hell does she invest in a male escort business offering extra services?Sam's delighted when he convinces Meg to let him go looking for her missing G-spot. A ride on his wild stallion shows her how good sex can be...with the right man. One encounter leads to a dozen. Sam is living every man's dream, sex with no commitment, too bad it's not his dream.His new life turns into a nightmare when Michael enters the scene. Will the Irishman steal her away, or will his involvement in her Male Order business lead to a disaster that gives Sam a chance to prove to Meg their relationship is more than a sexual rodeo?
Male Review
by Lillian GrantAll Meg wants to do is jump into bed with Sam, anytime, anywhere. But first, she has to find a new home for Great Aunt Maud, negotiate a truce between her warring parents, keep from being arrested ... again, and find a way to rekindle Sam's dying flame of desire. The BDSM-themed male strip joint, Male Review, may just be the solution to all her problems.Sam Stephens and Meg Riley are in love, and finally on the cusp of sex anytime, anywhere, anyhow. That is until Meg's Great Aunt Maud, the octogenarian nymphomaniac, gets tossed out of the old folk's home and moves in with them, closely followed by her polar opposite, Meg's scarily frigid mother.Meg's best friend Laura convinces Aunt Maud to invest in Male Review, a BDSM-themed male strip joint. For Meg, it's just one more step along the path to disaster, made even worse when former prostitute Michael is hired as the bar manager. After all, Laura's last venture ended with Meg being arrested as a pimp. And Michael's to blame for the crazies invading Meg's home, and even worse, he still has the hots for her.If she wants to get her life back, all Meg needs to do is find a new home for Maud, resolve the dispute between her warring parents, keep Michael at arm's length, and rescue her relationship with Sam before it disintegrates completely. Male Review appears to be just one more problem to deal with, but perhaps it could provide an unexpected solution.
Male for Sale
by Tiffany WhiteDateless in Chicago...Noelle Perry had bought the wrong man! She'd attended the bachelor auction with her sights set on a conservative businessman in a three-piece suit. Instead, she got a sexy bad boy in a black leather jacket.At least she had a date for her younger sister's wedding. And surely Hunter Ashton could act like a gentleman, discuss golf with her dad and look at her adoringly. Right?Well, two out of three ain't bad....
Male for Sale
by Tiffany WhiteWhen you open your wallet for love, make sure you get what you pay for. Single in Chicago, Noelle Perry doesn’t see the harm in going to a bachelor auction. It’s for a good cause, and if she’s going to write a fat check, it might just get her out of the house and across from a charming guy for one evening, right? Besides, she needs a date for her younger sister's wedding--someone she can bring home to the family. But when she signs her check, she doesn’t realize that she’s bid on the wrong man! She meant to select the guy her dad would love: conservative businessman in a three-piece suit. Instead, she bought a sexy bad boy in a black leather jacket. At least she wouldn't have to go solo to the wedding and suffer everyone's pitying looks at the older sister still on the shelf. And surely Hunter Aston, the bad boy, could act like a gentleman for a few hours and look at her adoringly. Right?
Male/Male Romance Series Starter: Off Base\Loose Cannon\Single Malt\On Duty
by Annabeth Albert A. R. Barley Sidney Bell Layla ReyneFour outstanding contemporary male/male romances from Carina Press authors Layla Reyne, Sidney Bell, Annabeth Albert, and A.R. BarleySingle Malt by Layla ReyneEight months after the car crash that changed everything, FBI agent Aidan Talley is back at work. New department, new case and a new partner. Smart, athletic and handsome, Jameson Walker is twelve years his junior. And firmly off-limits. But Jamie’s talents paint a target on his back, and Aidan is determined to protect him. With time running out to thwart a deadly terrorist attack, they’ll have to filter out distractions—on and off the job—to identify the real enemy, solve the case and save thousands of lives, including their own. Loose Cannon by Sidney BellReleased after five years in the system, Edgar-Allen Church is ready to leave the past behind. Miller Quinn—a patient, solidly masculine pillar of strength and support—has always been there for him. Except in the one way Church has wanted the most. Miller has been playing it straight his whole life. But with Church so close again, it’s getting harder to keep his denial intact. As they fumble their way back to friendship after so many years apart, Miller struggles to find the courage to accept who he really is. What he has with Church could be more than desire—it could be love. But it could also mean trouble. Off Base by Annabeth AlbertAfter trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, whose flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike’s arrival would spark from Zack’s teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can’t refuse. Pike Reynolds knows he’s an acquired taste, but he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he’s had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can’t risk his heart on another, not even one as hot and built as Zack. On Duty by A.M. ArthurFormer marine and seasoned firefighter Troy Barnes has always kept his sex life on the down low, until he takes back-to-back hits: physically injured in a suspicious warehouse explosion and emotionally blindsided when he’s ditched by his boyfriend. When a flirty young paramedic offers him a place to crash, Troy’s not so willing to give in. He’s never needed help before. But if anyone can break through his tough-guy act, it’s Alex Tate.Alex has crushed on Troy since the minute he saw him. Now here he is, stripped of his turnout gear and recuperating in Alex’s bed. The tattooed hero may be a fantasy-come-true, but Alex wants more than rebound sex—and he’s not sure Troy’s ex is gone or forgotten.
Malediction
by Sally SpeddingRomance and noir thriller set in France during the European Year Against Racism: 1997 A group of neo-Nazis infiltrate the Catholic Church ranging from lowly priests to Archbishops. While carrying out their religious duties as upright representatives of the Church, they scheme in organising an earth-shattering terrorist attack. Meanwhile, one of their members is in love with a lady... This is a stunning book with vivid characters and a gripping story.
Malen nach Zahlen
by Andrew GreyVerhelfen das Polarlicht und eine Liebe im zweiten Anlauf einem sich quälenden Künstler zu neuer Inspiration? Als der New Yorker Maler Devon Starr seine Sucht aufgibt, verschwindet auch seine Inspiration. Devon braucht eine Veränderung und reist wegen des Schlaganfalls seines Vaters nach Hause, nach Alaska. Die kleine Stadt, in der er aufgewachsen ist, ist jedoch nicht mehr so wie in seiner Erinnerung. Enrique Salazar kann sich noch ausgesprochen gut an Devon erinnern und macht es zu seiner persönlichen Mission, Devon die Augen für die wilde Schönheit und all die Möglichkeiten um sie herum zu öffnen. Die beiden Männer kommen sich näher, und gerade als Devon langsam begreift, was immer für ihn da war, sind sie gezwungen, sich gegen eine Bergbaugesellschaft zu wehren, die die unberührte Natur bedroht, dank derer sie sich verliebt haben. Der gemeinsame Kampf verstärkt ihre Bindung noch, doch als das Verlangen, wieder einen Pinsel in die Hand zu nehmen, zurückkommt, vernimmt Devon auch den Ruf der Stadt. Ein Mann gefangen zwischen zwei Welten. Devon bleibt nur, seinem Herzen zu folgen.
Malentendido de Amor
by Eva Romero Ailene FrancesLa inocencia y el engaño la alejaron del único hombre al que amó. Huérfana a la temprana edad de ocho años, Elizabeth pasó los siguientes diez años bajo la tutela de su tío en un hogar carente de amor. Para liberarse de esta carga, su tío concierta la unión entre Elizabeth y Stephen, el futuro Duque de Eastwick, sin consultarlo con ella. Viendo truncados sus sueños de casarse por amor, y careciendo del consejo de una mujer para prepararla para lo que iba a suceder, Elizabeth asume mal su matrimonio. Un viejo amigo de su difunto padre se aprovecha de la situación convenciéndola para que financie un viaje al extranjero con su herencia. Le promete ejercer de su guardián. Ansiosa por liberarse de un matrimonio sin amor, emprende un viaje por mar rumbo a una nueva vida. Desafortunadamente, su guardián no está a la altura de los peligros que le aguardan en el Nuevo Mundo. Sola y abandonada, se da cuenta de que el amor con el que tanto había soñado siempre estuvo allí junto al hombre con el que se casó, pero, ¿se ha dado cuenta demasiado tarde?
Malevolent: A Kendra Spark Novel (A Kendra Spark Novel #2)
by S. Peters DavisKendra Spark, suspense-mystery romance author and communicator with the dead. Jenna Powers, ghostified criminal analyst, sticks close to the case as she and Kendra are also marked by the same malevolent supernatural force. Derek Knight, lead FBI Agent on this case, learns of the malevolent entity and the deeper paranormal realm of danger. Kendra’s unfiltered feelings for Derek struggle to take a backseat, and as the menacing threat grows more intense, so does her passion for Derek. Derek faces uncertainties he’s never dealt with in his past, like malicious entities and the loss of his heart to love. How can he protect Kendra against forces he can’t see? As boundless supernatural danger intertwines with the future reality of the trafficked teens, Kendra and Jenna realize only they can shoulder the rescue by calling in a voodoo priestess…
Maleït vint-i-u de Març
by Maria Ferrer PayerasUna apassionant i divertida història d'amor plena d'embolics. No et perdis aquesta novel·la de l'autora de Te quiero, Marta i Quédate en mi vida. El que ens està vetat sempre ens atreu. Però què passa quan l'atracció es converteix en amor en un sol cap de setmana? La Sara i el Pablo són amics des de que tenien tretze anys. Són més que amics, són com germans. Tenen un caràcter molt diferent, fins que arribaren a la universitat el Pablo era un enamoradís i en canvi la Sara gaudia molt sortir a lligar. Ara, i en contra de tot pronòstic, s'han canviat els papers. la Sara està a punt de casar-se amb la Nieves, de qui està enamorada fins a la medul·la des de la primera vegada que la va veure; i en Pablo s'ha convertit en un caçador implacable. Mai passa més d'una nit amb la mateixa noia. L'Alícia és la germana petita de la Sara, fins que va descobrir que la feina era el seu gran i únic amor, va estar penjada del millor amic de la seva germana, el Pablo. La seva cunyada, Nieves, li ha demanat que l'acompanyi a comprar el vestit de noces. Per això, un divendres, arriba a Salamanca amb la intenció d'ajudar a la promesa de la seva germana, veure als seus pares i tornar, el més aviat possible cap a Madrid. El maleït vint-i-u de març girarà cap per avall la vida de tots quatre. El que diuen els lectors sobre la novel·la:«De lectura fresca, dinàmica i fàcil. Maleït vint-i-u de març ha complet i superat les meves expectatives. La primera novel·la de l'autora ja em va deixar encantada, aquesta segona m'ha agradat igual o més que la primera i no dubtat gens en donar-li 5 estrelles.» «Meravellosa novel·la que m'ha enganxat des de la primera pàgina, amb uns personatges molt ben dibuixats, que aconsegueixen atrapar-te en les seves històries, amb les seves pors, els seus traumes, però amb una visió divertida i amena.» «María ha escrit un llibre estupend, amb una història que enganxa des de minut 0. Lectura fàcil i gens pesat. No decep.»
Malibu Summer: A Novel
by Libby GillLose yourself in this opposites-attract romance set on a sunny Malibu hillside Ivy Bauer is a young, bright soil scientist and inventor of a game changing organic irrigation system. She&’s on top of the world when, suddenly, her husband is killed in a biking accident. Needing space to grieve, she takes a summer job as a gardener in Malibu. Conrad Reed is a wealthy Hollywood has-been who, after the death of his wife, feels overwhelmed by the care of his anxious stepson Hudson, massive cliffside estate, and deteriorating career. He hopes Ivy will help take at least one thing off his plate. But the bossy, opinionated Ivy isn&’t making things any easier for him. Sparks fly—and not the good kind. But it&’s when Ivy finds the key to Hudson&’s heart that Conrad&’s own heart begins to melt as well—and then the sparks that fly are the ones that kindle the best kind of love affair . . .
Malice at the Marina (The Lost Girls #4)
by Carol EricsonHe wants his missing sister back. She needs her escaped witness. All the years Detective Billy Crouch has searched for his missing sister, she&’s been in witness protection. Now she&’s fled…with criminals in pursuit. And US marshal Mia Romano must locate her before it&’s too late. Joining forces, Mia&’s focused on recovering her witness, while Billy just wants to keep both women safe. But the searing attraction he and Mia share may prove to be a distraction they can&’t afford.From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.Discover more action-packed stories in The Lost Girls series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order: Book 1: Canyon Crime SceneBook 2: Lakeside MysteryBook 3: Dockside DangerBook 4: Malice at the Marina
Malicia
by Danielle SteelDanielle Steel aborda en profundidad dos temas tan actuales como inquietantes: los abusos sexuales a menores y los perniciosos efectos que la prensa sensacionalista ejerce en la vida privada de las personas. Grace Adams es una adolescente que lleva años soportando los inconfesables abusos sexuales de su padre, en apariencia un respetable abogado, con el consentimiento de su madre enferma. Al límite de la desesperación, Grace consigue reunir el valor necesario para matar a su padre, un acto terrible que inevitablemente marcará su vida para siempre. Grace pasa un tiempo en la cárcel, donde madura y aprende a vivir ante la adversidad. Al salir es una mujer curtida que intenta rehacer su vida y, de hecho, tras varios tropiezos logra encontrar por fin el verdadero amor. Pero las pesadillas del pasado no son tan sencillas de olvidar y pondrán en peligro la felicidad que tanto le ha costado conseguir.
Malinche: A Novel
by Laura EsquivelBestselling author of Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquivel returns with Malinche, an extraordinary retelling of the passionate and tragic love affair during the conquest of the Aztecs between the conquistador Cortez and his Indian interpreter Malinalli.When Malinalli, a member of the tribe conquered by the Aztec warriors, first meets the conquistador Hernán Cortés and becomes his interpreter, she—like many—believes him to be the reincarnated forefather god of her tribe. Naturally, she assumes she must welcome him, and help him destroy the Aztec empire and free her people. The two fall passionately in love, but Malinalli soon realizes that Cortés's thirst for conquest is all too human, and that he is willing to destroy anyone, even his own men—and even their own love.
Mally
by Sandra HeathAn early Signet Regency Romance by superstar and award-winning author Sandra Heath. Available Digitally for the First Time Widowed Mally has returned to her girlhood home in Wales to seek her younger sister, who is believed to have run off with a charming but disreputable American. With her is the devilishly tempting Sir Christopher Carlyon, who yearns to marry her. But the new owner of the castle, and Christopher's oldest friend, Richard Vallender, complicates her feelings. Even as Mally suspects his involvement in her sister's disappearance, she is drawn to her charismatic host. Questions of the heart and seductive lies of love are twin puzzles for Mally, who will discover that everything once safe and familiar is now menacing and strange... Don't miss The Smuggler's Daughter and An Unwilling Heiress--now available in e-book.
Malone's Vow
by Sandra MartonRead this classic romance by bestselling author Sandra Marton, now available for the first time in e-book!His runaway bride…When Jessie runs away from her wedding, it’s because she’s fallen for the best man, Liam Malone! But Jessie doesn’t know he’s the corporate raider who’s taken over the company she works for. Or that finding the errant bride has become Malone’s vow….Originally published in 2000
Malrith's Shield
by Azalea MooneIn a world where dragons are killed on sight and their summoners executed, Kohaku finds love in the arms of Sawyer, the hunter who saved his life. Together, the two search for a missing dragon and dare to fight the evil that threatens them all. Azalea Moone breathes life into a world filled with magic in her new fantasy romance novel, Malrith's Shield.Forced into exile for being a dragon summoner, Kohaku's problems only worsen when his dragon becomes inexplicably dormant. In attempt to find the reasons why, he runs into Sawyer, the handsome dragon hunter who freed him from persecution two years ago, and winds up awakening something very different--a love like no other he's experienced before.Sawyer's never forgotten about the gorgeous red-haired summoner. He sets out to prove he's no longer interested in slaying dragons. Instead, he wants to gain Kohaku's trust, and his affection, while he helps search for the key in the dragon's recovery.However, there's another frightful magic at play, and suddenly things are starting to fall apart around them. Can they maintain this forbidden love while facing the evils coming their way? Content Notes: Spicy, Anal Intercourse, Fantasy, Paranormal, GLBT, M/M
Malvinas, la ilusión y la pérdida: Luis Vernet y María Sáez, una historia de amor
by Silvia Plager Elsa Fraga VidalEsta novela es, además de un exquisito viaje al pasado, la historia deamor de dos seres excepcionales que imaginaron un futuro próspero,feliz, en el lugar más lejano e inhóspito de nuestro territorio. «Aquí el aire es frío pero no apaga las pasiones», escribe María Sáezen su diario. La protagonista de esta epopeya fue una mujer admirableque por amor a su marido, Luis Vernet, un americanista de espírituaventurero, aceptó trasladarse al extremo sur del mundo, sin sospecharque las islas se adueñarían de su corazón. Los Vernet fueron los últimosgobernadores argentinos en Malvinas, entre 1829 y 1831. Auténticospioneros, lograron vencer la geografía salvaje y el clima hostil paracrear un hogar. El salón de María, con su araña de caireles, subiblioteca y su piano, reproducía los de las tertulias porteñas delsiglo XIX. Pero hacia 1832 los Vernet debieron abandonar las costas enlas que habían invertido su fortuna y depositado sus sueños. Eldesembarco de naves británicas dispuestas a conseguir el control de lasrutas del Atlántico destruyó todo lo que ellos pacientemente habíanconstruido.
Mama Dearest
by E. Lynn Harris Karen HunterDiva supreme Yancey Harrington Braxton is working her way back to Broadway and beyond--and stirring up drama in and out of the spotlight--in the acclaimed New York Times bestseller from E. Lynn Harris.After being out on tour, the ambitious singer and actress is fired up to move past her recent setbacks--including an explosive romance with NFL tight end John Basil Henderson--and prove her talents are stronger than ever. What Yancey really wants is to star in her own reality TV series, and she's even found a rich and well-connected lover to make it happen. There are, however, two women fierce enough to derail Yancey's comeback dreams: Madison B., a hot new bombshell taking the music industry by storm, and Ava Middlebrooks, who happens to be Yancey's own mama dearest.Not even a stint in prison for attempted murder has curbed Ava's competitive nature. Now she will bring down her #1 rival--her own daughter--by using Madison B. to turn Yancey's world upside-down. . . . competitive nature, and it doesn't faze her in the least that her #1 rival is her own daughter. Ava is willing to do whatever it takes to make Yancey pay, including using Madison B. to turn Yancey's world upside-down by forcing her to confront the past...and making her comeback dreams more exciting and dangerous than she ever imagined. Taking readers on a wild, passion-filled tour of the entertainment world, E. Lynn Harris's Mama Dearest delivers sensual thrills and electric plot twists -- with one unforgettable woman of radiant star power, sexual magnetism, and unapologetic ambition at the heart of the action.