Elizabeth August - Truly, Madly, Deeply

“Do you really think marrying just to win a court battle is a wise move?” “Do you really think marrying just to win a court battle is a wise move?” Minerva asked, feeling her stomach sink at the thought of Judd marrying another woman. “I’m not certain. But I’m willing to take the chance. I will make it worth your time.” “Make it worth my time?” He wanted to marry her! Nervous excitement flowed through her. Although he wasn’t offering her a lifetime commitment, and there would be no love involved, she’d never been so tempted by anything in her life. She recalled the heat his touch had sent through her and wondered what his lips would taste like. Embers of desire sparked to life within her, but her conservative nature caused her to hesitate. “We barely know each other.” “I know all I need to know about you.” His voice softened into a plea. “Will you help me keep my children, Minerva? Will you marry me?” Letter to Reader Dear Reader, Compelling, emotionally charged stories featuring honorable heroes, strong heroines and the deeply rooted conflicts they must overcome to arrive at a happily-ever-after are what make a Silhouette Romance novel come alive. Look no further than this month’s offerings for stories to sweep you away.... In Johnny’s Pregnant Bride, the engaging continuation of Carolyn Zane’s THE BRUBAKER BRIDES, an about-to-bemarried cattle rancher honorably claims another woman—and another man’s baby—as his own. This month’s VIRGIN BRIDES title by Martha Shields shows that when The Princess and the Cowboy agree to a marriage of convenience, neither suspects the other’s real identity...or how difficult not falling in love will be! In Truly, Madly, Deeply, Elizabeth August delivers a powerful transformation tale, in which a vulnerable woman finds her inner strength and outward beauty through the love of a tough-yet-tender single dad and his passel of kids. And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick shows the romantic aftermath of a surprising kiss between best friends who’d been determined to stay that way. A runaway bride at a crossroads finds that Weddings Do Come True when the right man comes along in this uplifting novel by Cara Colter. And rounding out the month is Karen Rose Smith with a charming story whose title says it all: Wishes, Waltzes and a Storybook Wedding. Enjoy this month’s titles—and keep coming back to Romance, a series guaranteed to touch every woman’s heart. Mary-Theresa Hussey Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3 Title Page Truly, Madly, Deeply Elizabeth August www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author ELIZABETH AUGUST lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her husband, Doug, a chemist. They have three grown sons. Their oldest is pursuing a career in medicine, their middle son is a chemical engineer and their youngest is now in college. Having survived a bout with cancer, Elizabeth has now joined the ranks of cancer survivors. Writing will always be her primary pursuit and will remain at the top of her list of loves just below her husband, sons and daughter-in-law. Elizabeth has also written under the pseudonym of Betsy Page for Harlequin. 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 Copyright

“Do you really think marrying just to win a court battle is a wise move?”

Minerva asked, feeling her stomach sink at the thought of Judd marrying another woman.

“I’m not certain. But I’m willing to take the chance. I will make it worth your time.”

“Make it worth my time?” He wanted to marry her! Nervous excitement flowed through her. Although he wasn’t offering her a lifetime commitment, and there would be no love involved, she’d never been so tempted by anything in her life. She recalled the heat his touch had sent through her and wondered what his lips would taste like. Embers of desire sparked to life within her, but her conservative nature caused her to hesitate. “We barely know each other.”

“I know all I need to know about you.” His voice softened into a plea. “Will you help me keep my children, Minerva? Will you marry me?”

Dear Reader,

Compelling, emotionally charged stories featuring honorable heroes, strong heroines and the deeply rooted conflicts they must overcome to arrive at a happily-ever-after are what make a Silhouette Romance novel come alive. Look no further than this month’s offerings for stories to sweep you away....

In Johnny’s Pregnant Bride, the engaging continuation of Carolyn Zane’s THE BRUBAKER BRIDES, an about-to-bemarried cattle rancher honorably claims another woman—and another man’s baby—as his own. This month’s VIRGIN BRIDES title by Martha Shields shows that when The Princess and the Cowboy agree to a marriage of convenience, neither suspects the other’s real identity...or how difficult not falling in love will be! In Truly, Madly, Deeply, Elizabeth August delivers a powerful transformation tale, in which a vulnerable woman finds her inner strength and outward beauty through the love of a tough-yet-tender single dad and his passel of kids.

And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick shows the romantic aftermath of a surprising kiss between best friends who’d been determined to stay that way. A runaway bride at a crossroads finds that Weddings Do Come True when the right man comes along in this uplifting novel by Cara Colter. And rounding out the month is Karen Rose Smith with a charming story whose title says it all: Wishes, Waltzes and a Storybook Wedding.

Enjoy this month’s titles—and keep coming back to Romance, a series guaranteed to touch every woman’s heart.

Mary-Theresa Hussey

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ELIZABETH AUGUST

lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her husband, Doug, a chemist. They have three grown sons. Their oldest is pursuing a career in medicine, their middle son is a chemical engineer and their youngest is now in college.

Having survived a bout with cancer, Elizabeth has now joined the ranks of cancer survivors. Writing will always be her primary pursuit and will remain at the top of her list of loves just below her husband, sons and daughter-in-law. Elizabeth has also written under the pseudonym of Betsy Page for Harlequin.

Chapter One

“It’s my turn to soar,” Minerva Brodwick announced to the world, as she pulled out of the driveway of her father’s house. “Well, maybe soar isn’t exactly the right word,” she amended, recalling her conversation the day before with Wanda Johnston, owner of Johnston’s Placement Agency.

“The job I had lined up for you at Maywood Private School fell through,” Wanda had said apologetically.

This announcement had come as a blow. Minerva had been counting on that job. The school provided living quarters for their teachers. Now, she would not only have no income but no place to live. And what she had in her savings wouldn’t last long in today’s economy.