Linda Castle - Temple's Prize

Cover Page

Excerpt “Connie, to me you are still a little girl in braids—and you always will be.” Her cheeks flamed with inner heat. The only sound was the warbling of a meadowlark. Constance found her fingers curling around the carving secreted deep within her pocket. The unfamiliar knot began to grow in her abdomen again. “Well, I am not a little girl any longer, Temple,” she said softly. Temple chuckled and looked away. He took a bite of cornbread and chewed in silence, but Constance could see he was well pleased with himself. The knot in her middle twisted and churned. She reached up and pulled the netting down over her face, grateful for the opportunity to avoid being seen, and made herself a promise. Before this expedition came to an end, she was going to make Temple Parish acknowledge the fact that she was not a child…!

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Linda’s Castle’s new book, Temple’s Prize, features a hotshot young paleontologist who discovers that his challenge to his former professor and current rival will be taken up by his daughter instead. A battle of hearts and wills ensues as the two fight their mutual attraction and struggle to keep their eyes on the prize rather than each other. Don’t miss this wonderful tale. His Secret Duchess is a heart-wrenching new Regency tale from Gayle Wilson about a nobleman presumed dead who returns home after seven years of war to discover his “secret wife” on trial for murder, and a son whom he must rescue from a vengeful merchant. And popular author Suzanne Barclay returns to her bestselling series, THE SOMMERVILLE BROTHERS, with her newest medieval novel, Knight’s Rebellion, the stirring tale of the leader of a band of outlaws who finds himself unable to resist the mysterious woman whom he has rescued. And when a homeless schoolteacher is taken in by the wealthy uncle of one of her students, falling in love is the last thing on their minds, in Pat Tracy’s new Western, Cade’s Justice, the first book in her terrific series set in Denver, Colorado, called THE GUARDSMEN. Another great read from an author who always delivers a fast-paced and sexy story. Whatever your tastes in reading, we hope you enjoy all four books this month. Sincerely. Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin 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 Temple’s Prize Linda Castle www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author LINDA CASTLE is the pseudonym of Linda L. Crockett, a third-generation native New Mexican. Linda started writing in March of 1992, and Temple’s Prize is her fourth book from Harlequin Historicals. When not penning novels, Linda divides her time between being a wife, mother and grandmother. She loves speaking to aspiring writers and teaching them what she has learned. Her best advice—write from the heart. Linda believes one of the greatest benefits she has received from writing historical novels is the mail from the readers. She encourages and welcomes comments to be sent to: Linda Castle, #18, Road 5795, Farmington, NM 87401. Please include a SASE for a reply/bookmark.

Dedication Dedication: I thank God for the miracle of each day and the love of my family. Especially Bill, for all the times you have cheerfully taken us out to dinner because I forgot to cook. For all the mornings you let me sleep in while you go to the salt mines. For all the hours you act like you are truly interested in hearing about people who live only in my mind and on the printed page, you still have my heart. Your tender love and care are the essence and soul of my writing. I am proud to be your wife. And Brandon, for all the times you have sat in my office, patiently waiting for me to write one more line—one more paragraph—for forgiving me when my eyes glaze over and I start plotting in the middle of a conversation, thank you. Each day you gracefully step closer to manhood. If you continue as you have begun, you will make a real hero. To Logan, for all the times you have come to give me a hug and a kiss when I was mentally lost in some other time and place. You instinctively provide what I need, you forgive me when I have been too busy to go to the park or to the movies, and I am so very grateful. You are a unique treasure, my darling. It is a privilege to live with you and watch you grow. I am thankful I am Mom to you both. What would life be like if I had boring, uninteresting children who never gave me plotlines or graying hair? Without you three I could not do this—and I doubt I would even want to. I adore you all more than words can say. A special nod to Partie Steele-Perkins. I hope you know what a large contribution you make to this whole crazy process. Thanks.

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

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Copyright

Her cheeks flamed with inner heat. The only sound was the warbling of a meadowlark. Constance found her fingers curling around the carving secreted deep within her pocket. The unfamiliar knot began to grow in her abdomen again.

“Well, I am not a little girl any longer, Temple,” she said softly.

Temple chuckled and looked away. He took a bite of cornbread and chewed in silence, but Constance could see he was well pleased with himself.

The knot in her middle twisted and churned. She reached up and pulled the netting down over her face, grateful for the opportunity to avoid being seen, and made herself a promise.

Before this expedition came to an end, she was going to make Temple Parish acknowledge the fact that she was not a child…!

Dear Reader,

Linda’s Castle’s new book, Temple’s Prize, features a hotshot young paleontologist who discovers that his challenge to his former professor and current rival will be taken up by his daughter instead. A battle of hearts and wills ensues as the two fight their mutual attraction and struggle to keep their eyes on the prize rather than each other. Don’t miss this wonderful tale.

His Secret Duchess is a heart-wrenching new Regency tale from Gayle Wilson about a nobleman presumed dead who returns home after seven years of war to discover his “secret wife” on trial for murder, and a son whom he must rescue from a vengeful merchant. And popular author Suzanne Barclay returns to her bestselling series, THE SOMMERVILLE BROTHERS, with her newest medieval novel, Knight’s Rebellion, the stirring tale of the leader of a band of outlaws who finds himself unable to resist the mysterious woman whom he has rescued.

And when a homeless schoolteacher is taken in by the wealthy uncle of one of her students, falling in love is the last thing on their minds, in Pat Tracy’s new Western, Cade’s Justice, the first book in her terrific series set in Denver, Colorado, called THE GUARDSMEN. Another great read from an author who always delivers a fast-paced and sexy story.

Whatever your tastes in reading, we hope you enjoy all four books this month.

Sincerely.

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service

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