BOOK EXTRACTS

BEDDED BY THE DESERT KING - NEW

'Say your name... Say it!' she hissed at him, her eyes burning with hatred.

'My name is Shahin... Shahin of Kaddara.'

Relief swept over him as he spoke the words. However much she hated him, and she did, for him this was the beginning of his journey to redemption. The tragedy of her parents' death couldn't be shut away any longer, and he had wanted to face it for so long.

The air crackled with tension as they stared at each other. It created a powerful energy between them- energy that only he could defuse. He had to think on his feet, think how to keep her calm and get her to listen to him. At the same time he had to hide each one of the feelings rising up in him, feelings driven by the fact that she was the only woman he wanted, the only woman he knew now that he could never have.

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK Sept 2006/US Nov 2006

Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

IN THE VENETIAN'S BED - NEW

'We are all anonymous here, lady.'

He made a bow. 'In Venice we wear masks so that everyone is equal. Even a humble man like me may offer his services to a beautiful lady.'

With most of his face hidden behind the mask, Luca's lips appeared crueller and more sensuous than ever. The dark glint in his eyes warned Nell to be cautious. She couldn't forget his savage kiss, or their impassioned encounters.

Leaving now would cause an ugly scene, raising doubts, questions Nell couldn't and didn't want to provide answers for. But just one night, one anonymous night behind masks... It didn't mean she had to start trusting him. She could let go, be herself. Or rather, be the person she longed to be...

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK July 2006/US TBA

Available from Amazon.co.uk

THE GREEK'S BRIDAL PURCHASE

Prologue

 It's time you found a wife, Theo. You have responsibilities. If you agree I will transfer my controlling interest of the Savakis shipping line to you upon my death. If you refuse, I sign this.'

 'This' was a document that would consign the company to the greed of the old man's remaining cronies on the board, Theo Savakis realised, holding the stare of his grandfather, Dimitri.

 Dimitri had been a chairman in the old style, squandering his wealth and caring little for the welfare of his people. Was he to lose everything he had built up during his tenure as acting chairman at the whim of such a man? Should he stand back and see the company slump back into ruin, the people he cared about thrown out of work? Or should he do as Dimitri wanted: marry a virgin and breed from her?

‘You leave me no choice.’

‘Don’t sound so bitter, Theo. What am I asking of you… that you should find a young girl? Is that so terrible?

His grandfather’s gesture made Theo’s stomach clench with disgust. The wheedling he was accustomed to, but the cynical use of women as breeding stock, the dynastic marriages that so often failed between prominent Greek families? Those he would never embrace. ‘Theos, Dimitri! This is the twenty-first century!’

‘Exactly,’ the old schemer cut across him. ‘Where would you get such a bargain today? All I’m asking for is your signature, Theo. And for that you get your own shipping line with a woman thrown in.’

His grandfather’s domineering personality had broken his father’s spirit, driving Acteon Savakis into a life of self-indulgence. That would never happen to him Theo had vowed silently. After his parents had been killed in a tragic accident he had seized the help of the Savakis shipping line and devoted his working life to rebuilding the company into a world-class business. His grandfather had retained a controlling interest, and if Theo was to realize his vision for the future he had to inherit those golden shares. To achieve this is appeared he must commit to a marriage before he had even identified a bride.

‘I want my name to live on, Theo,’ Dimitri wheedled. ‘Is that so hard for you to understand?’

Hard to understand? No. Dimitri’s life had been entirely self-focused. But it was Theo’s family name too, and he was damned if he would allow the Savakis shipping line to fall into the hands of his grandfather’s sycophants. ‘I will sign,’ he agreed. On one condition. I choose the mother of my child, Dimitri. I choose my bride.’

‘No,’ The old man shook his head. ‘I have already found you a woman.’

‘A virgin?’

‘Cut the cynicism, Theo. Lexis Chandris is the daughter of my closest friend.’

As good a reason as any to refuse, Theo mused as his grandfather opened his arms wide.

‘At least give her a trial…’

‘A trial?’

‘Don’t play the innocent with me, Theo. Take her to bed, and – ‘

‘Yes – thank you.’ He silenced Dimitri with a glance.

‘Her father has already sent her to Kalmos…’

‘He’s, what?’

‘I told him you were intending to take the yacht there, and that it would be a good opportunity for you to take another look at her. Surely you can see the advantage of making such a marriage? I’m talking about the daughter of another shipping family. Together the two families will form an impregnable empire. You can’t avoid your fate, Theo. This is your destiny!’

‘No, Dimitri. I make my own path through life.’

Theo held his grandfather’s stare until it faltered and Dimitri shrugged. ‘Well… But if you want me to sign over my shares you must settle on a woman before I die…’

‘That may not be possible.’

‘Not good enough, Theo.’

The fate of the Savakis shipping line was hanging in the balance. ‘Very well. I give you my word.’

‘Excellent. Lexis won’t be wasted. I hear she’s beautiful, but if she’s not to your taste just use her and send her back.’

Theo stared at his grandfather in disbelief. Each time he thought Dimitri had plumbed the depths he managed to surprise him. ‘Is that how you treat the children of your friends?’

‘You’re too soft, Theo.’

‘Really?’ Theo wondered how well Dimitri knew him. He might have been brought up beneath his grandfather’s roof after the death of his parents, but they were still strangers to each other.

‘Remember,’ Dimitri cautioned, ‘if you shun this girl you must find another before I die. But stay away from trouble. No artistic types, no Cinderellas, and no worthy causes. I see you looking at me with distaste, Theo, but you and I are from the same mould – destined for greater things than hearth and home. Some women understand that – my friend’s daughter would understand that. Other women look for something more, something we can never give them.

‘And what’s that?’

‘Love, Theo. Now will you sign? Dimitri Savakis pushed the relevant document across the desk.

Uncapping his fountain pen, Theo signed beneath his grandfather’s signature, adding the date, and then, for the last time, he shook Dimitri’s hand.

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK Feb 2006/US TBA

Available from Amazon.co.uk

VIRGIN FOR SALE

Prologue

‘You must leave before they come for you-‘

Her mother’s hands were biting into her shoulders making Lisa cry; silent tears that trickled down her cheeks unchecked, while her gaze remained locked on her mother’s face.

‘You must go to your father in the city-‘

‘My father?’ Lisa’s face turned suddenly fearful.

This was all the more shocking for her mother to see, because the child she called Willow had long ago learned to govern her feelings.

Lisa regained control quickly. She hated letting the mask slip. She only felt safe when no one knew what she was thinking. The mask was the shield she used to protect herself in the dangerous society in which she lived- a society where a careless glance or reckless laughter could lead to humiliating punishment in front of the whole community.

But if she was frightened of her outlandish companions, Lisa was even more terrified of leaving her mother to their mercy. She was terrified of her father too, because he was a stranger her mother had fled from seven years before. Was her father wicked? Was that why her mother had run away? Was he even more wicked than the people who lived here?

Lisa stared fearfully at the open door. No one was allowed to close doors in the commune, let alone lock them.

‘Please, Willow, please, you must go now, or they will be here-‘

Her mother’s voice had the desperate, pleading sound Lisa associated with horrible things, and her once beautiful eyes were bloodshot and watery. Her lips, tinged blue from the latest blows, were twisted in a grimace of desperation-

‘Please, Willow-‘

‘Don’t call me Willow- My name is Lisa…Lisa Bond-‘

Hearing her mother’s sob, Lisa wished she hadn’t been the cause of it, and that she knew how to make her smile again. But she could only stand behind the barricades she had built in her mind, and watch her cry.

‘I kept back some money from the market stall-‘

Lisa looked on in horror as her mother dug inside the pocket of her flowing robe. ‘But that’s stealing from the community. You will be punished-‘

‘If you love me, you will take this and leave here-‘

The coins hurt as they bit into the soft flesh of Lisa’s palm. ‘You’ll come with me-‘

‘Come with you?’

For a moment, her mother’s eyes brightened, but then they both heard the voices coming closer… men’s voices.

‘Climb through that window,’ Eloisa Bond instructed. Her voice was fierce and determined for the first, for the only time in her life…‘and don’t stop running until you reach the bus depot. Here, take your father’s address-‘ She pressed a slip of paper into Lisa’s hand.

‘But what about you?’

‘I’ll… I’ll keep them here until you’re far away-‘

They exchanged a glance. There was no time for more. The leader of the commune had announced Lisa’s initiation into womanhood that night at supper. It was an entertainment for everyone to enjoy, he said.

‘My name is Lisa Bond… My name is Lisa Bond…My name is Lisa Bond-’ Lisa chanted to herself as she hurtled down the pitch-black country lane. It was the only way she could block out the inner voice begging her to return to the commune and save her mother. Another, more rational voice insisted that if she did go back she would only cause her mother more pain.

When the lights of the small, local bus depot came into sight she sprinted the final few yards and launched herself onto the running board of the last bus to the city. There was no transport at the commune. She knew they couldn’t get to her. At last, she was safe…

The man on board the bus took her money without comment. If he wondered at the grubby child clutching a slip of paper in a fist turned white with tension, something about the set of her mouth warned him not to intrude on her silence.

As Lisa gazed out into the darkness she was sure she could feel her mother’s will urging her to turn her face to the future. And in that moment she knew for certain that somewhere deep inside her a person called Lisa Bond still existed. She would find that person, and nurture her like the seedlings she cared for in her own secret plot back at the wasteland the community called a garden. She had guarded them fiercely and controlled the weeds. In secure surroundings her plants had thrived, and so would she.

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK Dec 2005/US Jan 2006

Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress - NEW

Rico Cortes was a man she might have loved. And he had deceived Zoe into believing that he was nothing more than the local flamenco enthusiast. She could accept his need for caution. Rico was a very rich man indeed, and an aristocrat. He was a self-made man for all that; he had started with nothing but a title.

As she pushed open the kitchen door and walked inside, Zoe made a sharp, wounded sound. She was just Zoe Chapman, marital survivor and cook- hardly an appropriate match for a billionaire aristocrat.

She had allowed herself to develop feelings for a man she could never have. Right now she wished she’d never come to Spain, had never met El Senor Alarico Cortes de Aragon, because then he couldn’t have broken her heart…

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK June 2005/US May 2006

Available to from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

The Sheikh's Captive Bride

Prologue

The royal council chamber in the Golden Palace of Abadan was drenched in light as Sheikh Kahlil ben Saeed Al-Sharif indicated his wish to move the meeting on.

‘Highness-’

Kahlil’s dark gaze switched to the face of his most trusted advisor, Abdul Hassan.

‘You have reached a decision regarding your new palace, Majesty?’

Kahlil saw anticipation flare behind the eyes of every man seated with him around the council table. Even amongst such an unimaginably wealthy group the rivalry was intense. Prestigious contracts always held an opportunity for someone. But his decision would disappoint them.

‘I shall not be building my new palace in Abadan.’ Kahlil allowed the murmurs of disappointment to settle. ‘I have identified a village in Europe- and an appropriate residence.’ His thoughts flew to the village of Westbury, and the Hall- which he intended to buy. Though there was a problem, small, but irritating none the less, he remembered, thinking of Lucy Benson.

When he’d settled upon Westbury, in amongst the pile of documents sent to help him make his choice he had seen a local magazine that contained the photograph of a young woman. She had a look in her eyes that drew his attention. The caption said Lucy Benson was an interior designer, and lately, a property developer. And she had bought Westbury Hall, the very property he intended to own. Interior decorator to property developer was quite a leap. Could she make it?

Kahlil’s mind drifted towards golden hair tumbling in exuberant waves around a heart-shaped face, and a simple summer dress clinging to voluptuous curves that made him despise the fashion to be thin. Her lips appeared red without artifice, and were parted sufficiently to reveal pearl-white teeth: teeth he could easily imagine nipping his flesh in the throws of passion. Picturing them naked together- Lucy Benson’s soft body yielding beneath his hard-muscled frame called for every bit of his control.

But the camera had captured more than her likeness, Kahlil remembered. Her character was betrayed by the stubborn tilt of her chin, and the look of sheer determination in her midnight-blue eyes. As son of the ruling sheikh, he had every material possession a man could desire, but he came from a warrior race, a passionate land; challenge was in his blood. And she was an independent woman who would fight him every inch of the way. He could hardly wait. Taming Lucy Benson would be an interesting bonus on top of wresting the Hall from her grasp.

‘The village of Westbury is well-situated,’ he said, turning his attention to the council again. ‘It is close to the sea so we can bring the yacht in, and only a short drive from the airport for the jet. It will be a novelty,’ he added, with a closing gesture of his hand.

Everyone understood this, and the tension around the table lifted. For men who had everything, novelty was the most valuable currency of all.

‘Westbury is a good choice, Majesty.’

Abdul Hassan spoke for the council, and Kahlil inclined his head in gracious acknowledgement of his approval.

‘The village is prosperous and full of character,’ Abdul Hassan continued, ‘though some areas are in need of improvement.’

‘Not all areas,’ Kahlil murmured, thinking of Lucy Benson.

‘Indeed, Majesty,’ Abdul Hassan agreed, dipping his head respectfully. ‘How may we assist you further in this matter?’

‘Make arrangements for a visit to Westbury,’ Kahlil instructed. ‘I’m going to make a thorough evaluation of the project for myself.’

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK March 2005/US August 2005

Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

ROMANTIC TIMES BOOKCLUB nominated book for 2005

THE GREEK'S SEVEN-DAY SEDUCTION

'Now, shall I have to seduce you all over again?'

'Oh, I think so,' Charlotte murmured happily, snuggling into him.

He began kissing her, and senses took over, and nothing mattered other than how much she wanted him, how much he had come to mean to her - however dangerous that was...and how soon she had to leave.

'Crying?' Iannis murmured, pulling away to stare into her face. 'What's this, Charlotte?'

Her name sounded so soft and tender on his lips - she should have been called something harsh-sounding to reflect her duplicity, Charlotte thought, stemming her tears by sheer force of will. At that moment she wished she had never embarked upon the article, never heard of Iskos, never visited the island - but then she would never have met Iannis.

'Make love to me, Iannis,' she whispered. 'Make love to me so that I forget everything.'

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents - UK August 2004/US March 1st 2005 new

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ONE CHRISTMAS NIGHT - new

From 'The Sultan's Seduction'

'Where am I to sleep?' Lizzie asked him.

'Didn't I tell you?' Kemal replied.

'No, you did not- Other than to assure me that it would be well away from you.'

'And so it shall be,' he assured her.

'So, where, where exactly?' Lizzie pressed.

'Don't concern yourself. I'm quite certain you will be delighted with your suite of rooms.'

'Which is where?' Lizzie glanced around at a number of archways leading to different areas of the palace.

Kemal took his time. Lizzie didn't like the look on his face one bit.

'In the Harem,' he said at last.

'You're asking me to sleep in your Harem?' Lizzie demanded, her heart pounding with indignation.

Leaning back against the door, Kemal folded his arms, and granted Lizzie a long, considering look. 'Don't flatter yourself, Ms Palmer-'

Mills & Boon Modern - UK 17th November 2004

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She was her father's daughter all right.

She looked so like him. She shared the same tainted blood. Women like her were good for one thing only...

His senses flared as he looked at her again. With that in mind he would have to build a few bridges. Didn't they say revenge was dish best served cold? Though when they got between the sheets he'd take his hot. Little Sophie Ford had ripened like a peach for the plucking - and he was developing quite an appetite.

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents 'International Doctors' Mini-series - March/April 2004

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Read more from The Spaniard's Revenge:~

Extract

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A SPANISH INHERITANCE

'Do you like playing games with me, Annalisa? Ramon murmured very close to her ear.

Every tiny hair on her body stood erect as his warm breath caressed her senses. She had no way of seeing the expression on his face. At that moment her eyes were level with the third button down on his shirt. Was he talking about the water rights... the sale of her property? Or something else... something on a far more personal level? That possibility made her shake her head emphatically as she struggled to remain immune to the very masculine heat coming from him. It was a heat with very different properties to the scorching midday sun. It was a heat that beat at her senses with unrelenting purpose...

'Would you like to?' he growled so close to her ear that she shivered involuntarily. And then as if he had received the answer he was looking for, he laughed as if it was indeed just a game to him and let her go.

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents 'Latin Lovers' Mini-series - March 2003

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Shown on the right is the Spanish cover of A Spanish Inheritance

THE FRENCH COUNT'S MISTRESS

'Did you really think I would allow you to take advantage of me?' Guy demanded, delivering the rebuke in a fierce, teasing voice.

He was so close she could see the tiny aquamarine flecks in his dazzling grey eyes... so close they seemed to share the same breath, the same air.

'Take advantage of you!' Kate gasped, knowing she was pinned so securely he could do anything with her he liked. 'Let me go... let me go!' she exclaimed, fighting to stop her gaze lingering on his mouth. But he had captured her wrists in one hand, while his other posed a delicious threat as it hovered over her, reducing her to writhing on the ground to his obvious entertainment.

'How can I let you go?' he said - as if there might have been the slightest chance he would. 'Wild-cats must be tamed.'

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents 'Foreign Affairs' Mini-series - August 2003

Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Available in Australia as a Sexy Romance from eHarlequin Australia.

THE ITALIAN PRINCE'S PROPOSAL

'What would I have to do?' Emily asked, her eyes clouded with apprehension.

A smile slowly curled around Alessandro's lips and then died again. She was so bright... so vulnerable. It was as if he had spied some rare flower moments too late to prevent his foot crushing the life out of it.

Standing up, he crossed the room. He needed time to think... but there was none. Opening a door, he reached inside the small cloakroom where he had been keeping the flowers. He had ordered the extravagant bouquet to seal their bargain.

As he grabbed hold of them he realised that his hand was shaking. He paused a beat to consider what he should do. He could ram them in the waste bin where they belonged, or he could keep on with the charade...

Turning to face Emily, he held out the huge arrangement. There was real hope in his eyes, and a sudden tenderness to his hard mouth.

'I'm sorry, Emily, I meant to give these to you earlier.'

'For what?' Emily said, glad to have the opportunity to bury her face deep out of sight amongst the vivid blooms as he handed them to her.

'For agreeing to become my wife.'

Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents 'By Royal Command' Mini-series - Oct/Dec 2003 TBC

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