Elizabeth Harbison - A Dash of Romance

Business associates would have been a mischaracterization. “Acquaintances?” Rose offered, closing her eyes for a moment against the tingle his touch sent through her.

There was a smile in his voice. “That’s a start.”

Warren didn’t move his hand from her face. And she didn’t want him to.

She realized she’d been holding her breath. “A start?”

“Well,” said Warren, “technically you could say we already had a start, a few weeks ago.”

She swallowed. “You could also say that was an aberration. A moment of weakness.”

Warren laughed and reached out, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Or maybe just basic attraction,” he said, looking into her eyes before he drew her into a kiss….

Dear Reader,

No month better suits Silhouette Romance than February. For it celebrates that breathless feeling of first love, the priceless experiences and memories that come with a longtime love and the many hopes and dreams that give a couple’s life together so much meaning. At Silhouette Romance, our writers try to capture all these feelings in their timeless tales…and this month’s lineup is no exception.

Our PERPETUALLY YOURS promotion continues this month with a charming tale from Sandra Paul. In Domesticating Luc (#1802) a dog trainer gets more than she bargained for when she takes on an unruly puppy and his very obstinate and irresistible owner. Beloved author Judy Christenberry returns to the lineup with Honeymoon Hunt (#1803)—a madcap adventure in which two opposites pair up to find their parents who have eloped, but instead wind up on a tight race to the finish line, er, altar! In A Dash of Romance (#1804) Elizabeth Harbison creates the perfect recipe for love when she pairs a self-made billionaire with a spirited waitress. Cathie Linz rounds out the offerings with Lone Star Marine (#1805). Part of her MEN OF HONOR series, this poignant romance features a wounded soldier who craves only the solitude to heal, and finds that his lively and beautiful neighbor just might be the key to the future he hadn’t dreamed possible.

As always, be sure to return next month when Alice Sharpe concludes our PERPETUALLY YOURS promotion.

Happy reading.

Ann Leslie Tuttle

Associate Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To Paige and Jack with love from Mommy

Silhouette Romance

A Groom for Maggie #1239

Wife without a Past #1258

Two Brothers and a Bride #1286

True Love Ranch #1323

*Emma and the Earl #1410

*Plain Jane Marries the Boss #1416

*Annie and the Prince #1423

*His Secret Heir #1528

A Pregnant Proposal #1553

Princess Takes a Holiday #1643

The Secret Princess #1713

Taming of the Two #1790

A Dash of Romance #1804

Silhouette Special Edition

Drive Me Wild #1476

Midnight Cravings #1539

How To Get Your Man #1685

Diary of a Domestic Goddess #1727

Silhouette Books

Lone Star Country Club

Mission Creek Mother-To-Be

has always been an avid reader. After devouring the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden series in grade school, she moved on to the suspense of Mary Stewart, Dorothy Eden and Daphne du Maurier, just to name a few. From there it was a natural progression to writing, although early efforts have been securely hidden away in the back of a closet.

After authoring three cookbooks, Elizabeth turned her hand to writing romances and hasn’t looked back. Her second book for Silhouette Romance, Wife without a Past, was a 1998 finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award in the Best Traditional Romance category.

Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her husband, John, daughter Mary Paige and son Jack, as well as two dogs, Bailey and Zuzu. She loves to hear from readers and you can write to her at c/o Box 1636, Germantown, MD 20875.

ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOT AND CHAMPAGNE TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Serves 4

3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

3 shallots, sliced and tossed with a little brown sugar

1 large garlic clove, minced fine

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp brut champagne or sherry

2 tbsp champagne vinegar

3 tbsp white truffle oil

Pinch of salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cups artichoke hearts, marinated in oil and drained

1 cup baby arugula, washed and drained

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced shallots and sauté slowly until they start to caramelize. Once the shallots start to achieve a deep amber color, toss in the garlic and sauté for one minute.

Remove pan from heat.

Whisk together lemon juice, champagne or sherry and champagne vinegar. While whisking briskly, slowly drizzle in the white truffle oil. Add salt and a grind or two of black pepper.

Put the artichokes into the pan with the shallots and garlic and heat very gently over low heat, tossing the artichokes to fully integrate the flavor of the shallots and garlic.

Remove artichokes, shallots and garlic, placing them in a decorative bowl. Pour the champagne and truffle oil mixture over them. Toss again.

Add arugula. Toss again.

Serve warm or chilled.

Prologue Prologue Twenty-Five Years Ago “What a shame,” said Virginia Porter, director of the Barrie Home for Children, looking at the little girls who had lost their parents in a car crash just one week ago. The little angels were sleeping now, but they had spent more restless hours awake and crying than Virginia could count. She’d walked the floors with them every night. If any of her hair had remained brunette at the beginning of the week, it was all gray now. “So young to be all alone in the world. It’s a terrible, terrible shame.” The air conditioner kicked on, sending, as if on cue, a cold breeze into the room. “Do you think we’ll be able to keep them together?” Sister Gladys asked, kneading her hands in front of her. “I can’t bear the idea of separating them.” Virginia sighed. “Of course we’ll continue to try and find some next of kin, but it’s not looking hopeful at this point. We’ll have to start thinking about placement.” She frowned, already worried about how little control she might have over the matter. Like Sister Gladys, Virginia wanted to keep the girls together, but it would be hard to refuse a good home to one if the parents wanted just one child. At least the girls were young enough, at thirteen or fourteen months, that they probably wouldn’t remember any of this later. “We’ll do the very best that we can.” “They’ll need each other, Miss Porter,” Sister Gladys insisted. If possible, she was even more tender-hearted than Virginia. “They’ve lost their parents so horribly, so suddenly. Surely we can make sure they keep each other. Please.” The little redheaded girl, Rose, stirred in her sleep and Virginia bent down and stroked her hair to soothe her back to sleep. If she woke up, she’d cry…They could already tell that Rose was the most sensitive one of the three. “We’ll try.” Virginia said softly, smoothing the child’s copper curls as she spoke. “I promise you, we’ll try.”