Sharon Schulze - The Shielded Heart

Cover Page

Excerpt “Stop being kind to me,” Anna demanded “I don’t deserve it. I’m not angry with you. I’m annoyed at myself.” Anna kept her hands at her sides, fingers clenched. The powerful temptation to move closer to Swen shocked her. How she wanted to grab him by the front of the tunic and shake him until she wiped away the aggravating look of amusement that had returned to his oh-so-handsome face. But even more shocking was the equally strong yearning to grab him by the tunic and employ a completely different method to rid him of his smile. It wasn’t possible to smile while mouth to mouth, was it? She pressed her own lips into a firm line to combat the urge to grin at the image that thought brought to mind. Holy Mary save her from yielding to the desire to find out the answer for herself…!

Dearreader Dear Reader, This holiday season, we’ve selected books that are sure to warm your heart—and all with heroes who redefine the phrase “the gift of giving.” Critics have described Sharon Schulze’s books as “rich,” “sensual” and “intriguing.” Her latest, The Shielded Heart, is all of those things and more. Set in eighteenth-century England, this spin-off of To Tame a Warrior’s Heart is the stirring story of a warrior who learns to accept his special psychic gift as he teaches an enamel artisan—with her own unique vision—about life and love. Don’t miss it! Award-winning author Cheryl Reavis returns with another of her sensational and heart-wrenching Civil War stories. Harrigan’s Bride features a soldier who chivalrously marries the bedridden daughter of his late godmother, and finds unexpected love. Be sure to look for A Warrior’s Passion by the multi-published. Margaret Moore. Here, a young woman is forced into an unwanted betrothal before the man she truly loves can claim her as his wife. Rounding out the month is Territorial Bride by Linda Castle, the sequel to her first book, Fearless Hearts. A love is put to the test in this darling story of opposites when a cowgirl is seriously injured and tries to rebuff her city-bred fiancé. Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical® novel. 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 The Shielded Heart Sharon Schulze www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author SHARON SCHULZE is a confirmed bookaholic who loves reading as much as writing. Although she has a degree in civil engineering, she’s always been fascinated by history. Writing about the past gives her a chance to experience days gone by—without also encountering disease, vermin and archaic plumbing! A New Hampshire native, she now makes her home in Connecticut with her husband, Cliff, teenagers Patrick and Christina, and their miniature daschund, Samantha. She is current president of the Connecticut Chapter of RWA; in her spare time she enjoys movies, music and poking around in antique shops.

Dedication With much love and a raised glass of Asti to my fellow Red Flannel Ums— Chrissy, Mom, Auntie, Mary, Patti, Becky and Ari— for Ladies’ Weekend, and all the rest of the year, too!

Prologue Prologue He’d lingered here too long. Heart pounding hard in his chest, Swen rolled onto his back and stared at the night-shadowed ceiling. He could not halt the images his traitorous mind painted there. Past, present… Future? He closed his eyes, yet the illusions taunted him. He lay there, eyes open, as scenes played themselves out before his unwilling gaze. How he hated them, and himself—powerless to bring them to an end, powerless to change the cruel hand of fate. Had he made yet another life for himself—found a place where he’d gained respect, found friends dearer to him than his own family—only to lose everything he valued once again? The images faded. Despite the weariness and loss weighting him down, Swen climbed out of bed and began to dress. The only way to escape this curse was to run farther, faster, never allowing his emotions to catch up. Eyes burning, he stared into the darkness. Alone. Running all his life. Why had he believed he could ever stop?

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Copyright

“I don’t deserve it. I’m not angry with you. I’m annoyed at myself.”

Anna kept her hands at her sides, fingers clenched. The powerful temptation to move closer to Swen shocked her. How she wanted to grab him by the front of the tunic and shake him until she wiped away the aggravating look of amusement that had returned to his oh-so-handsome face.

But even more shocking was the equally strong yearning to grab him by the tunic and employ a completely different method to rid him of his smile.

It wasn’t possible to smile while mouth to mouth, was it? She pressed her own lips into a firm line to combat the urge to grin at the image that thought brought to mind. Holy Mary save her from yielding to the desire to find out the answer for herself…!

Dear Reader,

This holiday season, we’ve selected books that are sure to warm your heart—and all with heroes who redefine the phrase “the gift of giving.” Critics have described Sharon Schulze’s books as “rich,” “sensual” and “intriguing.” Her latest, The Shielded Heart, is all of those things and more. Set in eighteenth-century England, this spin-off of To Tame a Warrior’s Heart is the stirring story of a warrior who learns to accept his special psychic gift as he teaches an enamel artisan—with her own unique vision—about life and love. Don’t miss it!

Award-winning author Cheryl Reavis returns with another of her sensational and heart-wrenching Civil War stories. Harrigan’s Bride features a soldier who chivalrously marries the bedridden daughter of his late godmother, and finds unexpected love. Be sure to look for A Warrior’s Passion by the multi-published. Margaret Moore. Here, a young woman is forced into an unwanted betrothal before the man she truly loves can claim her as his wife.

Rounding out the month is Territorial Bride by Linda Castle, the sequel to her first book, Fearless Hearts. A love is put to the test in this darling story of opposites when a cowgirl is seriously injured and tries to rebuff her city-bred fiancé.

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical® novel.

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

www.millsandboon.co.uk