The Black Sheep

by Laura Leone

Adventure guide Roe Hunter has enough adventure for a life time. To escape the jet-set crises of his famous mothers' scandal-ridden life, Hunter retreats to the family villa on the Mediterranean island of Sontara. But when he settles in, he ends up babysitting notorious rock star Gingie-whose sensuality, glamour and penchant for trouble give no allusion to the fact that she's a virgin. A condition, Roe discovers, may only be temporary.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373056966
• ISBN13: 9780373056965
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Harlequin Books

Customer Reviews

Sometimes the Black Sheep is the Good Sheep

Prospero "Roe" Hunter is the black sheep son of a Frank Sinatra like singer and a Judy Garland like mother. He has grown up in the shadow of the tabloids and his mother's alcoholism. His parents were always fighting. His older brother, Vince, left home early and is a successful business manager, in fact he manages one of the most successful rock acts in the world, Gingie, who is a Madonna like superstar. All Roe ever wanted was a loving family and privacy, two things denied him, so is it any wonder that when he was old enough to leave home, that he went as far away as he could get. And that was to Africa, where he conducted six month overland expeditions. No phones, no photographers, no reporters, no news from the outside world at all. But after several years of doing that, he decides to come back to the States for a visit and he finds his younger sister in the throws of addiction, on a fast track to an early death, so he blackmails her into a treatment center, then runs to Sontara, a Greek island and the estate there that had been left to him and his brother by his famous mother in her will. There he plans on doing nothing but lazing his days away until he decides what to do with his life. Then he gets the phone call from brother Vince. He is going to have heart surgery and he needs somebody to babysit Gingie. Though she is a superstar, she has been pampered her whole life, she can't shop for herself, much less write a check. All she can do is sing. Roe does not want this charge, but Vince persuades him. Two days later Gingie arrives on Sontero and is held up by Customs because they suspect she is bringing in drugs which turn out to be homeopathic medicines supplied her by her doctor sister Letitia. However her arrival has created a stir on the quiet island and she is photographed with Roe as they leave the airport. Gingie isn't exactly the airhead, she's been painted to be. And she's not the floozy the tabloids think she is. In fact she's been celibate her whole thirty-one years. She is the daughter of genius parents and has genius siblings and because of this and because she'd always done poorly in school, she'd worked extra hard at the only thing she knew how to do, sing. And she'd sung her way to the top. Music had been her whole life. As she settles in on Sontero, Roe starts feeling that old devil attraction. But before they can get to know each other in that way, Gingie's friends descend on the island and now the place is in a real uproar and Roe is confused as all get out. Gingie is confused too. She's beginning to think that maybe sacrificing her art to celibacy might not be such a good idea after all. Ms. Leone, who is actually the gifted fantasy writer Laura Resnick, has written a fun filled romance that kept me up all night. Ms. Leone-Resnick writes about what she knows, for example she once did a six month overland trip in Africa and that is certainly why the reader is so engrossed when her hero Roe talks about his African adv

4 1/2 stars - Really fun, refreshing romance

This is my second book by Laura Leone (first was the wonderful ULTERIOR MOTIVES) and I really enjoyed it. It's a modern-day (well, 1992 when this book was published) twist on Shakespeare's The Tempest with a man named Prospero whose island sanctuary is suddenly invaded. Prospero "Roe" Hunter has spent most of his adult life trying to escape his family's very public tabloid lifestyle. His mother was a famous actress, his father a well-known crooner. His brother is an agent in the music end of the entertainment industry but Roe has chosen to lead adventure tours in the most remote and often dangerous places around the world. He's taken a break to recharge his batteries at his family's villa on a small island off the Sicilian coast. Unfortunately one phone call from his brother is about to change everything. He informs Roe that he must have heart surgery and, while he's recouperating, he's sending his biggest client to stay on Sontara and asks Roe to keep an eye on her. Much to Roe's dismay, she's the biggest rock star in the world and she's brought her strange entourage with her. So much for peace and quiet! Gingie (think Madonna only kind, sweet and unassuming) is a huge star and her whole adult life has been dedicated to her songwriting and music career. Her family background is idyllic compared with Roe's, coming from a family of high achievers. But Gingie's calling was music, not academia and eventhough she's proud of her career and accomplishments, she still feels like she doesn't quite measure up. After several days spent relaxing on the island she comes to recognize that Roe is likely suffering from depression and decides to reach out to him. But she never intended to develop feelings for him! Gingie's song lyrics, music, clothing and live performances drip with sensuality and Roe is as affected as the next guy. The more time he spends with Gingie, though the more he sees some contradictions in her. While overtly sexy, she also exudes an unexpected innocence. Though she's a huge star, she's also extremely unassuming and very kind to all of the people she meets. He slowly comes to the realization that not all of his assumptions about her are anywhere near accurate. While Roe is drawn to Gingie both on a physical and emotional level he is not interested in becoming swept up into a life in the public eye again - but can he bear to let her go? A great "take me away from the ordinary" read with a likable hero and heroine. My only issue was with certain aspects of Gingie's character. It seemed to me just too unrealistic that a woman who had spent over a decade in the music business would still be so naive and innocent. Other than that minor criticism, it's a really nice read. Recommended.

They don't write them like this anymore!

If you're looking for a romance that will make you forget your daily stresses, Laura Leone's The Black Sheep will not disappoint you. Though this was originally published as a Silhouette Desire way back in 1992, it doesn't come across dated in the least. In fact, it is a refreshing change from the chick lits and covert agent-kick ass heroine-based romances that proliferate the romance genre today. Gingie is an appealing heroine who grows on you page after page and their romance is not only sweet in the old-fashioned sense but hot and sensual. Leone's descriptions of Sontara bring it to life and the secondary characters all add up to a vastly enjoyable romance. This is how romances ought to read like! I loved Fever Dreams but I thought the Black Sheep had a charm of its own that no other romances except Mary Stewart's can compare with. If you haven't read Leone's romances, get them today - they are well worth the tradeback prices!

Sometimes the Black Sheep is the Good Sheep

Prospero "Roe" Hunter is the black sheep son of a Frank Sinatra like singer and a Judy Garland like mother. He has grown up in the shadow of the tabloids and his mother's alcoholism. His parents were always fighting. His older brother, Vince, left home early and is a successful business manager, in fact he manages one of the most successful rock acts in the world, Gingie, who is a Madonna like superstar.All Roe ever wanted was a loving family and privacy, two things denied him, so is it any wonder that when he was old enough to leave home, that he went as far away as he could get. And that was to Africa, where he conducted six month overland expeditions. No phones, no photographers, no reporters, no news from the outside world at all.But after several years of doing that, he decides to come back to the States for a visit and he finds his younger sister in the throws of addiction, on a fast track to an early death, so he blackmails her into a treatment center, then runs to Sontara, a Greek island and the estate there that had been left to him and his brother by his famous mother in her will. There he plans on doing nothing but lazing his days away until he decides what to do with his life.Then he gets the phone call from brother Vince. He is going to have heart surgery and he needs somebody to babysit Gingie. Though she is a superstar, she has been pampered her whole life, she can't shop for herself, much less write a check. All she can do is sing. Roe does not want this charge, but Vince persuades him.Two days later Gingie arrives on Sontero and is held up by Customs because they suspect she is bringing in drugs which turn out to be homeopathic medicines supplied her by her doctor sister Letitia. However her arrival has created a stir on the quiet island and she is photographed with Roe as they leave the airport.Gingie isn't exactly the airhead, she's been painted to be. And she's not the floozy the tabloids think she is. In fact she's been celibate her whole thirty-one years. She is the daughter of genius parents and has genius siblings and because of this and because she'd always done poorly in school, she'd worked extra hard at the only thing she knew how to do, sing. And she'd sung her way to the top. Music had been her whole life.As she settles in on Sontero, Roe starts feeling that old devil attraction. But before they can get to know each other in that way, Gingie's friends descend on the island and now the place is in a real uproar and Roe is confused as all get out. Gingie is confused too. She's beginning to think that maybe sacrificing her art to celibacy might not be such a good idea after all.Ms. Leone, who is actually the gifted fantasy writer Laura Resnick, has written a fun filled romance that kept me up all night. Ms. Leone-Resnick writes about what she knows, for example she once did a six month overland trip in Africa and that is certainly why the reader is so engrossed when her hero Roe talks about his African adventures. This