Amy Ruttan - Melting the Ice Queen's Heart

His kiss had been like nothing she’d ever experienced. It had made her melt. And if it had been anyone but Gavin she would have taken it a little bit further.

Since their stolen kiss and her panicked reaction to it she’d tried to get her mind off it. Only she couldn’t. All she thought about was the feel of his lips against hers, his stubble tickling her chin, his tongue in her mouth, his fingers in her hair.

Her knees knocked and she felt herself swooning like some lovelorn heroine in a romance novel.

She’d been berating herself for walking away, and she couldn’t face being alone in her apartment reliving that kiss over and over again. So she went back to work on Monday instead of taking the rest of her time off. Janice didn’t even question her early return to work. Virginia often came in on her days off.

Truthfully, Virginia didn’t want to admit to her or to anyone else that she just couldn’t stand the oppressive loneliness of her apartment and Gavin invading her dreams, her thoughts, her every waking moment.

One kiss had made her realise how lonely she was.

Dear Reader

Thank you for picking up a copy of MELTING THE ICE QUEEN’S HEART. I don’t think authors can ever truly express how much it means to us that readers like you enjoy our stories.

MELTING THE ICE QUEEN’S HEART is set in one of my most favourite cities of the world: San Francisco. My grandmother had a painting in her dining room of the Golden Gate Bridge. I used to stare at it for hours on end. It’s now in my home.

I always wanted to go to San Francisco, and in 2008 at a Romance Writers of America conference I had that chance. It was amazing, and I knew I had to set a romance in that city some day.

This story is about two stubborn surgeons who have never wanted a family of their own because they’ve both lost someone they cared about deeply and it has made them afraid to love.

Yet somehow love always finds a way, and even the most stubborn man can melt a heart of ice.

I hope you enjoy MELTING THE ICE QUEEN’S HEART. I love hearing from readers, so please drop by my website www.amyruttan.com or give me a shout on Twitter @ruttanamy.

With warmest wishes

Amy Ruttan

Born and raised on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario, AMY RUTTANfled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer she’s mom to three wonderful children, who have given her another job as a taxi-driver.

A voracious reader, she was given her first romance novel by her grandmother, who shared her penchant for a hot romance. From that moment Amy was hooked by the magical worlds, handsome heroes and sigh-worthy romances contained in the pages, and she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Life got in the way, but after the birth of her second child she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a romance author.

Amy loves to hear from readers. It makes her day, in fact. You can find out more about Amy at her website: www.amyruttan.com

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This book is dedicated to one of my best friends, Diane.

You are so strong and my awe and admiration of you is so much I can’t even begin to explain it. Love you.

And to a great friend, Chris. There are friends you make who you feel like you’ve known your whole life in just a few short moments upon meeting. You were one of them.

My family and I miss you every day, Mr. Baxter.

Cover

Excerpt His kiss had been like nothing she’d ever experienced. It had made her melt. And if it had been anyone but Gavin she would have taken it a little bit further. Since their stolen kiss and her panicked reaction to it she’d tried to get her mind off it. Only she couldn’t. All she thought about was the feel of his lips against hers, his stubble tickling her chin, his tongue in her mouth, his fingers in her hair. Her knees knocked and she felt herself swooning like some lovelorn heroine in a romance novel. She’d been berating herself for walking away, and she couldn’t face being alone in her apartment reliving that kiss over and over again. So she went back to work on Monday instead of taking the rest of her time off. Janice didn’t even question her early return to work. Virginia often came in on her days off. Truthfully, Virginia didn’t want to admit to her or to anyone else that she just couldn’t stand the oppressive loneliness of her apartment and Gavin invading her dreams, her thoughts, her every waking moment. One kiss had made her realise how lonely she was.

About the Author Born and raised on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario, AMY RUTTAN fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer she’s mom to three wonderful children, who have given her another job as a taxi-driver. A voracious reader, she was given her first romance novel by her grandmother, who shared her penchant for a hot romance. From that moment Amy was hooked by the magical worlds, handsome heroes and sigh-worthy romances contained in the pages, and she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Life got in the way, but after the birth of her second child she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a romance author. Amy loves to hear from readers. It makes her day, in fact. You can find out more about Amy at her website: www.amyruttan.com

Title Page Melting the Ice Queen’s Heart Amy Ruttan www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication This book is dedicated to one of my best friends, Diane. You are so strong and my awe and admiration of you is so much I can’t even begin to explain it. Love you. And to a great friend, Chris. There are friends you make who you feel like you’ve known your whole life in just a few short moments upon meeting. You were one of them. My family and I miss you every day, Mr. Baxter.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Copyright

“WE HAVE A state-of-the art facility here at Bayview Grace and we’re staffed with some of the top surgeons in the country.” Dr. Virginia Potter gritted her teeth, but then flashed the board of directors and investors the best smile she could muster.

She hated this aspect of her job, but as Chief of Surgery it was par for the course. She’d rather have her hands dirty, working the trauma floor with the rest of the emergency doctors, but she was used to schmoozing. Earning scholarships and being on countless deans’ lists had helped her perfect the fine art of rubbing elbows. It’s how she’d got through school. Her childhood certainly hadn’t prepared her for that.