Jennifer Taylor - Reawakened By The Surgeon's Touch

But can he heal her heart?

When surgeon Jude Slater volunteers for a post in Mwuranda, romance is the last thing on his mind! But something about his coworker Claire Morgan unleashes emotions he’s always strove to hide.

Claire can’t fall for any man until she deals with the event that haunts her and caused her escape to Africa. Yet Jude reawakens her wounded soul in ways she never thought possible. Is he the man to heal her? And in opening his heart to Claire, can Jude also heal himself?

‘About this morning, Claire... I’d hate to think that you might feel awkward around me...’

‘I don’t,’ she said quickly, not wanting to get into a discussion. Something told her that it would be the wrong thing to do when her emotions were in such turmoil. ‘You were trying to comfort me and I understand that.’

‘I was.’

He didn’t say anything else apart from wishing her goodnight. Claire switched off the lights after he’d left and made her way upstairs. She knew she should be relieved to know that Jude had merely been trying to comfort her, yet she couldn’t deny that her heart was aching as she got into bed. Maybe it was foolish, but she couldn’t help wishing that he had kissed her because he had wanted her, because he had desired her—because he simply hadn’t been able to help himself!

She pulled the sheet over her head, her cheeks burning. How crazy was that?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Praise 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 EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ,

I planned this book several years ago but, as sometimes happens, life got in the way and I put it aside. However, the central characters never quite left me, and I knew that one day I would have to tell their story. At the end of last year the time was right, and Jude and Claire stepped out of my imagination and onto the page. And what a journey they took me on!

Bringing these two together at last was a real joy, even though I probably worked harder on this book than on any previous one! Although I said at the beginning that I had planned Jude and Claire’s story, that isn’t quite true. Oh, I knew the basics—who they were, what obstacles they needed to overcome—but that was it. I am not a planner; I wait to see how my characters want to ‘behave’ and this pair kept on surprising me. Suffice to say it was an emotional journey. I hope after reading this book you feel that they deserved their happy-ever-after. I did!

If you want to know more about the background to this book then please visit my blog: jennifertaylorauthor.wordpress.com. I would love to hear your comments.

Love to you all,

Jennifer

Reawakened by the Surgeon’s Touch

Jennifer Taylor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JENNIFER TAYLORhas written for several different Mills & Boon series, but it wasn’t until she ‘discovered’ Medical Romances that she found her true niche. Jennifer loves the blend of modern romance and exciting medical drama. Widowed, she divides her time between homes in Lancashire and the Lake District. Her hobbies include reading, walking, travelling and spending time with her two gorgeous grandchildren.

In memory of Jean and Bob Taylor.

The best parents anyone could have had.

Praise for Jennifer Taylor Praise 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 EPILOGUE Extract Copyright

‘A superbly written tale of hope, redemption and forgiveness, The Son that Changed his Life is a first-class contemporary romance that plumbs deep into the heart of the human spirit and touches the soul.’

—CataRomance

‘Powerful, compassionate and poignant, The Son that Changed his Life is a brilliant read from an outstanding writer who always delivers!’

—CataRomance

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text But can he heal her heart? When surgeon Jude Slater volunteers for a post in Mwuranda, romance is the last thing on his mind! But something about his coworker Claire Morgan unleashes emotions he’s always strove to hide. Claire can’t fall for any man until she deals with the event that haunts her and caused her escape to Africa. Yet Jude reawakens her wounded soul in ways she never thought possible. Is he the man to heal her? And in opening his heart to Claire, can Jude also heal himself?

Introduction ‘About this morning, Claire... I’d hate to think that you might feel awkward around me...’ ‘I don’t,’ she said quickly, not wanting to get into a discussion. Something told her that it would be the wrong thing to do when her emotions were in such turmoil. ‘You were trying to comfort me and I understand that.’ ‘I was.’ He didn’t say anything else apart from wishing her goodnight. Claire switched off the lights after he’d left and made her way upstairs. She knew she should be relieved to know that Jude had merely been trying to comfort her, yet she couldn’t deny that her heart was aching as she got into bed. Maybe it was foolish, but she couldn’t help wishing that he had kissed her because he had wanted her, because he had desired her—because he simply hadn’t been able to help himself! She pulled the sheet over her head, her cheeks burning. How crazy was that?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Praise 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 EPILOGUE Extract Copyright , I planned this book several years ago but, as sometimes happens, life got in the way and I put it aside. However, the central characters never quite left me, and I knew that one day I would have to tell their story. At the end of last year the time was right, and Jude and Claire stepped out of my imagination and onto the page. And what a journey they took me on! Bringing these two together at last was a real joy, even though I probably worked harder on this book than on any previous one! Although I said at the beginning that I had planned Jude and Claire’s story, that isn’t quite true. Oh, I knew the basics—who they were, what obstacles they needed to overcome—but that was it. I am not a planner; I wait to see how my characters want to ‘behave’ and this pair kept on surprising me. Suffice to say it was an emotional journey. I hope after reading this book you feel that they deserved their happy-ever-after. I did! If you want to know more about the background to this book then please visit my blog: jennifertaylorauthor.wordpress.com . I would love to hear your comments. Love to you all, Jennifer

Title Page Reawakened by the Surgeon’s Touch Jennifer Taylor www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JENNIFER TAYLOR has written for several different Mills & Boon series, but it wasn’t until she ‘discovered’ Medical Romances that she found her true niche. Jennifer loves the blend of modern romance and exciting medical drama. Widowed, she divides her time between homes in Lancashire and the Lake District. Her hobbies include reading, walking, travelling and spending time with her two gorgeous grandchildren.

Dedication In memory of Jean and Bob Taylor. The best parents anyone could have had.

Praise Praise for Jennifer Taylor Praise 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 EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ‘A superbly written tale of hope, redemption and forgiveness, The Son that Changed his Life is a first-class contemporary romance that plumbs deep into the heart of the human spirit and touches the soul.’ —CataRomance ‘Powerful, compassionate and poignant, The Son that Changed his Life is a brilliant read from an outstanding writer who always delivers!’ —CataRomance