Lily Wharton and Declan Gates were friends when they were young, despite the cruelty their town directed at Declan's family. Or rather, they were, until they shared a mind blowing kiss that scared Lily so badly she turned her back on him.

Now Declan is back, ten years later, an extremely successful business man determined to get his revenge on Lily and the entire town. What better way than to fight her for her family's old homestead and accompanying mill, and tossing a little seduction into the mix?

Lily and Declan have both changed in the ensuing years but one thing remains the same... Declan's kiss still has the power to enflame Lily's passion and make her throw sensibility out the window. But is that enough to forgive the heart breaks of the past and Declan's current schemes?

I’ve been following Jennifer Lewis’ development as a writer since her debut book earlier this year and she has steadily improved her skills with each successive book.  She has the ability to take a classic story and turn it into something fresh and new. This is something very important to me as I always enjoy seeing a new spin on a traditional plot. I am always happy to read one of Lewis’ books, knowing I’m in for a treat.

In Black Sheep Billionaire we have a modern day Romeo and Juliet story with a twist… and without the tragic ending. The Gates and Wharton families have hated each other for multiple generations, ever since the Gates family gained ownership of the Wharton family home. It certainly doesn’t help that the whole town frowns on the wild Gates family and throws all their support behind the Whartons. Declan and Lily defied everyone with their friendship growing up and continue to do so as they develop a new relationship now that they are both back in town and all grown up.

Lily and Declan learn to overcome their past mistakes and the people's perception of their relationship to make a new reputation for themselves that is based on love, not hate. Watching them forgive and forget past mistakes to grow stronger in each other makes for a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable tale in Black Sheep Billionaire.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.