The Brides of Bella Lucia

February

2007-01-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

THE VALENTINE BRIDE

LIZ FIELDING

Louise has just been offered a job.

Max wants to use her brilliant PR skills to help save the family business, but she is filled with mixed emotions. Since discovering she was adopted, that everyone she trusted has been lying to her all her life, she’s feeling less than charitable towards the Valentines. And working with Max is never going to be easy. There’s always been something between them – something they’ve tried to ignore – but things are very different now.

Family loyalty wins, but she extorts a high price from Max for her co-operation and sparks fly from the start. Will the past stand in the way of this special Valentine wedding?

FROM ROMANTIC TIMES... Liz Fielding brings the Brides of Bella Lucia to an extremely satisfying close with The Valentine Bride (4.5). Strong-minded Louise and attractively arrogant Max are well matched, and their sparring is especially memorable.

FROM LIZ...

My commission, to write a book that brought such a wonderful series not to an end, but to a new beginning, an exciting future for this family, was an awesome responsibility.

Max and Louise are such complex and wonderful characters, the love/hate relationship such a buzz, such fun to write!

Family is at the heart of this book – how it shapes us, makes us what we are. It requires Max and Louise to confront that, to accept that while the past is immutable, with courage, with each other, they can seize the future, shape it into something new.

EXCERPT...

‘Aren’t you missing something, Max?’

‘A PR consultant?’ he offered.

She shook her head. ‘I was referring to your usual accessory blonde. I imagine they have names, but it’s so hard to keep up.’

She gained a certain amount of pleasure in seeing him clamp down hard, forced for once to hold his tongue, keep his temper in check. Taking unfair advantage of his predicament, she looked up and down the nearly empty street as if his latest airhead might have wandered off to do some window shopping.

‘Maybe it’s a little cold for such delicate creatures to be out,’ she added, even as she mentally slapped her wrist for goading him when he couldn’t retaliate. But she owed him for that toy boy/sugar daddy remark. ‘No, I’ve just remembered. At the Christmas party you were flirting with Maddy, but she left with Jack, didn’t she? The brother who inherited your father’s good manners.’

‘According to Jack,’ he said, ‘the only blonde I need at the moment is you.’

‘Really?’ She tutted. ‘Then you’re really going to have to try harder, aren’t you?’

And, having done with Max, she raised her hand to summon a cruising taxi. He beat her to the door, opened it, climbed in after her.

‘Excuse me but this is my taxi. You have a car,’ she reminded him.

‘We have to talk.’

‘You have to talk. I don’t have to listen.’

He didn’t wait for an answer but gave the driver her address.

‘Hijacking my taxi isn’t going to get you what you want,’ she said.

‘What will?’ he asked, sitting back in the far corner of the cab, as far from her as he could get.

That didn’t please her either.

‘Nothing. I have a thriving business, more clients than I can handle. Why would I be interested in leaving that to work for Bella Lucia? More to the point, why would I spare one minute of my time to listen to you?’

‘You’re family, Lou. That should be enough.’

‘Family? Haven’t you been paying attention, Max? That was all just a pretty fiction invented by the Valentines. Your parents, the people who pretended to my parents. If you’re looking for a family connection you’ve come to the wrong person.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Of course you’re family --’

She arched a brow. ‘If you’ve come to demand my loyalty, you’re going to have to try a little harder.’

‘Not demand --’

She cut him off before he could perjure himself.

‘As I recall, being “family”…’ – she made those irritating little quote marks with her fingers; irritating Max when she had the upper hand was so satisfying – ‘… wasn’t enough the last time I was on the payroll. It certainly didn’t save me from the humiliation of being sacked in front of an entire restaurant full of diners. I’m sorry, Max, but I don’t see the attraction of working for you. I may be blonde, but I’m not dumb.’

‘That was a long time ago, Lou.’

‘Yes, it was, but what’s changed, hmm? You’re still treating me like some stupid girl who doesn’t know her left from her right. Insulting me in front of an important client. Ignoring my wishes. Well, I’ve got news for you, I’m not a girl, I’m a fully grown woman and I’ve built up a successful business from nothing, just the way William Valentine did. You should try it sometime, then you might have a little more respect.’

She swallowed. Wished she hadn’t said that. Bella Lucia was Max’s life. He worked harder than anyone to make it a success. If it had gone down in the recent financial crisis, no one would have been hit harder, or deserved it less.

It was always the same. The minute she was with him, she lost her head, stopped behaving like a rational woman.

She leaned forward, rapped sharply on the drivers window. ‘Pull over, please.’

The cabbie pulled into the kerb, but Max didn’t move. ‘This won’t go away, Lou.’

Probably not, but she was tired, she had another long day ahead of her tomorrow and while a row with Max was always exhilarating, she discovered that she wasn’t enjoying this one.

‘You want me to get down on my knees and beg, is that it?’ he pressed.

That was almost too tempting, but Max, on his knees, would not be a supplicant. He would simply be demonstrating – at least in his own eyes -- that he was bigger than she was. That he could forgive and forget. That in clinging to her grudge, she hadn’t been able to move on. Kneeling at her feet, his eyes would still be telling her that he was the winner.

‘All I want,’ she said, carefully, slowly, ‘is for you to listen to what I’m saying. I’m saying goodnight, Max.’

For a moment she thought he was going to protest, force the issue, but then, without another word he opened the door and stepped out of the cab, handing the driver a note to cover her fare home – still trying to keep control -- and shrugging his collar up against the rain, he began to walk back to his car.

Click here for a Smooch

Buy THE VALENTINE BRIDE in the Mills & Boon in the UK.

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January

2006-12-01T00:04:00.000-08:00

THE NANNY AND THE SHEIKH
by
BARBARA MCMAHON

Melissa Fox's trip to the kingdom of Qu'Arim is a perk of her job with the Valentine family. When she arrives, she works for Bella Lucia, but when she expertly calms Sheikh Surim's three little children, the handsome sheikh is determined she stay on as his children's nanny.

When Melissa realizes how much the children need her, she agrees—and she will teach the gorgeous but guarded sheikh how to love and care for them.

Only she finds herself falling in love with a man she could only ever dream of marrying

From Barbara

January will start the new year with The Nanny and the Sheikh, the next to the last book in the Brides of Bella Lucia series. What fun this book was to write. First of all, don't you love the fantasy of a girl-next-door going about her life and having a fabulously sexy, handsome--and rich-- man fall for her? How delicious when he's also a sheikh. The romance of the Arabian world is mixed with modern times--but the underlying mystique remains.

I've done several stories with sexy sheikhs as the heros, but never on the Persian Gulf setting. Researching the beautiful countries on the Persian Gulf was a delight. And more so to discover one of the exports of that area are pearls. I always think of Japan when I think of pearls, but the Persian Gulf has excellent pearls. So of course my heroine had to end up with an exquisite pearl necklace.

Step into the fantasy life of a man trying to forge a new family with the help of an English nanny.

--

Excerpt

Sunday morning Max Valentine and Melissa Fox caught an early flight to Rome where they changed for a plane to Qu'Arim. It was late afternoon when they landed. Immediately after exiting the plane, Melissa raised her face to the sun. Its warmth felt fabulous! The air was perfumed with the sweet scent of plumeria mixed with that of airplane fuel. The soft breeze that wafted across her skin felt as silky as down. Soon they'd be away from the airport and she could really enjoy scents that vied for identification.

"I already love it here," she said as they walked across the tarmac.

"Did you say something?" Max asked a bit distracted. He was in full business mode, having worked on the plane and now carrying his briefcase almost as if it were a part of him.

"It's nice here," she said trying to match his business-like attitude. Inside, however, she felt sheer excitement. She hoped she had some free time to explore while she was here. And maybe spend an afternoon at the beach. The Persian Gulf had been a heavenly blue when they circled preparing to land.

They were met inside the terminal by a tall, man with dark hair and almost black eyes. He smiled at Max when he spotted him and Melissa felt her heart skip a beat. She'd thought Max handsome and sexy, but this guy could give him lessons! His charcoal grey suit and red power tie were very western. She glanced around, most of the men wore suits, few wore the more traditional Arab robes.

In fact, she could have been in any airport in Europe. For a moment she was disappointed. She wanted to see more the exotic aspects of this country, not find it was just like any other capital she'd seen.

Melissa spotted two men standing nearby, scanning the crowd. The local equivalent of guards, she guessed from the way they behaved.

Max turned and made the introductions. Sheikh Surim inclined his head slightly, reaching for Melissa's hand and bringing it to his lips. The warmth of his lips startled her, but it was the compelling gaze in those dark eyes that mesmerized. She felt her heart race, heat flooded through her and she wondered if he came with a warning label--dangerous to a woman's equilibrium.

"Welcome to Qu'Arim," he said formally, his vice deep and smooth with the faintest hint of accent. "I hope your stay will be enjoyable. Please let me know if there is anything I can provide for you while you are here."

"Thank you," Melissa mumbled, feeling half-way infatuated by the sheer animal magnetism she sensed in the man. She could listen to him all day. His hand was warm and firm almost seeming to caress before he released hers. She felt a fluttering of awareness at his intensity when he looked at her. Giving herself a mental shake, she tried to think of the mundane reason for her visit. She was definitely not here to get a crush on Max's friend.

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December

2006-11-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Crazy About the Boss

Theresa Southwick

When Jack Valentine was rejected by his father, he headed to New York and made billions. Now the Valentine family needs his money to save Bella Lucia. So he returns to London, with his trusted assistant Madison Ford, to make or break the proud Valentine family.

Until London, Maddie enjoyed a professional relationship with her boss. Now, something’s different. The Jack she knew is nothing like this intoxicating man, with fire in his eyes and pain in his soul. This Jack is definitely someone she could fall for—but this Jack could easily break her heart. Because she doesn’t know if he’s come back for redemption---or revenge.

FROM Thesesa

The holiday season and a new year. Looking back and anticipation the future. Making changes to put your life on the right track. These are the themes in CRAZY ABOUT THE BOSS.

Dashing, dark, flawed, and wounded—this is Jack Valentine and he was such fun to write. And beautiful, bright, spirited Maddie Ford is his equal—his heroine and healer.

I fell in love with these characters as they fell for each other and hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed telling it. On top of that, it was an honor and pleasure to take part in this series with a wonderfully talented and extremely dedicated group of writers.

EXCERPT...

London—Christmas Day

“I suppose millionaires have problems, too.”

Maddie Ford waited for a reaction from the bachelor millionaire in the town car beside her and Jack Valentine didn’t disappoint.

He glared at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?” she asked, making her eyes as wide and innocent as she could manage.

“You know good and well you did. Was that a blonde moment? Don’t go blonde on me now, Maddie,” he said, irritation in his voice. Or was it tension?

Definitely tension and that wasn’t like Jack. Whatever business had made him insist she come along on this trip must be really important because the strain was showing.

And that was starting to concern her. Jack Valentine was rich, handsome, charismatic and often touted as New York’s most eligible bachelor. He did the charming British thing with overtones of brash American and it worked way too well. From his short, black, carefully mussed hair to his dark blue eyes with the bad-boy gleam that promised trouble in a most appealing way, he exuded the same exciting vibes that had brought down her heart not once, but twice.

In the beginning, she’d had a crush on him but quickly learned he wasn’t a one-woman man. So the fact that he’d never tried anything convinced her she wasn’t his type. He wasn’t likely to turn his charm in her direction, which was just fine with her. She liked her job.

For the last two plus years she and Jack had worked well together. Her sensible side balanced Jack’s tendency toward rashness. They were a team. Until he’d messed with her Christmas plans. Although he hadn’t smiled or teased her since leaving New York. The way he was acting made her feel guilty for giving him a hard time. Maybe a little teasing of her own could lighten him up because he didn’t do tension and the fact that he did it now concerned her.

“If by `going blonde’ you’re referring to my current state of irritation, let me assure you I have a very good reason. It’s Christmas. And I’m on the wrong continent. Is there a reason this trip couldn’t have waited?”

“It’s one day and I did promise to make it up to you.”

That was a non-answer. “How do you make up for missing Christmas? I had plans.”

“I know. You’ve made that quite clear.”

He didn’t need to know that her plans weren’t with family. Her married siblings alternated holidays with their spouses’ families and this year her parents had taken a cruise. They’d invited her because they felt sorry for their 28 year old unmarried-and-not-dating daughter. She’d declined because it seemed too pathetic for words, but she hadn’t shared any of that with Jack. He’d have teased her unmercifully and teasing from Mr. Bachelor-about-town regarding her non-existent love life would be too humiliating.

“It’s good of you—“

“No, it’s not. I’m not good.”

“Okay. You’re bad. I can live with that.” For a split second, he flashed his carefree, charming Jack Valentine grin.

Was his grin always that potent? Or did his uncharacteristic tension just make it seem more thrilling than usual? Not going there, she thought. “I can’t believe you played the because-you’re-the-boss card to get me here.”

“Our difference of opinion showed no signs of letting up. In the interest of time, it seemed the expedient thing to do.”

She’d disagreed because she didn’t like his attitude and now it was time for his reminder that he couldn’t walk all over her. “My being here makes no more sense now than it did before. Since when do you want me to come along? And what business couldn’t wait a day? More important, who does business on Christmas? It’s un-American.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re in Britain.”

Again he didn’t answer. That was out of character, too. But before she could demand to know what was going on with him, the car smoothly pulled to the curb in front of a restaurant. It was then she realized that by continuing their disagreement on a different continent, she’d missed seeing anything of London. It didn’t matter that it was too dark to see all that much, she really wanted to see London. At least he’d promised her a couple days there. That had finally broken down her resistance.

“Why are we stopping here?” she asked.

“It’s something I have to do.” There was an edge to his voice that said whatever he had to do was tantamount to a firing squad at dawn.

Maddie had never seen him look this way. There was an angry dark look on his face that frightened her, mostly because she’d never seen it before. “What’s going on, Jack?”

“I have to see my sister.”

“Your sister?” If Maddie hadn’t been so shocked, she’d have come back with a brilliantly clever retort. But she was shocked and said exactly what she was thinking. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“Well, now you do.”

“What else don’t I know?” she asked, as the driver opened the door for them to get out.

A lot, Jack thought, and he ignored the question as he didn’t plan to enlighten her. He would see Emma and meet her husband. Duty fulfilled and he’d leave.

November

2006-10-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

MARRIED UNDER THE MISTLETOE
by
LINDA GOODNIGHT

MARRIED UNDER THE MISTLETOE tells the story of wild and rugged Daniel Stephens, illegitimate son of John Valentine, and tormented American beauty Stephanie Ellison, manager of the financially troubled Knightsbridge restaurant. When fate (and family) tosses them together in the same apartment, both Daniel and Stephanie must decide which is more important: continuing to seek refuge behind their painful pasts or taking a chance on the love and healing they both need so badly.

From Linda

Christmas. That magical, mystical season when the world seems a little more beautiful. What better time to fall in love? Well, to my two characters, no time was the right time for love. But did I have a surprise for them . . .

I enjoy digging into the issues that make characters tick and then pushing all the buttons that send them into fight or flight mode. For Daniel and Stephanie, each was the other’s button. Daniel bitterly resents his upper crust birth father, John Valentine, and as such despises what he sees as the false outer trappings of society. Stephanie has dark and terrible secrets she hides behind a cool, perfectionist’s façade. Appearances are everything. Who better to rattle her obsessively ordered world than Daniel?

I think readers are going to fall in love with the Valentine family, not once, but over and over again in each of the books, and I am truly blessed to have taken part in this wonderful new series.

REVIEW

ROMANTIC TIMES TOP PICK! 4.5*s

Having a temporary roommate doesn't thrill restaurant manager Stephanie
Ellison. But engineer Daniel Stephens is a member of the Valentine family --
and since her apartment's above their restaurant, she doesn't have a choice.
It's much better than she expects, though. Daniel's rough exterior hides a
thoughtful, sensitive man who's able to coax Stephanie out of her carefully
constructed shell. Scarred emotionally and physically by childhood abuse,
Stephanie fears intimacy. Can she accept Daniel's love? More intense than
most books in Brides of Bella Lucia, Linda Goodnight continues the series
with Married Under the Mistletoe (4.5), a powerful character study with a
lovely romance that unfolds at a believable pace.

EXCERPT

Obsessing. Stephanie Ellison was obsessing. And she had to get a handle on it fast. She glanced at the stylish pewter clock above the sofa. Five minutes.

“Oh, Lord.”

The pressure against her temples intensified.

She paced from one side of her apartment to the other, stopping to straighten every piece of framed art, two fresh flower arrangements and a pewter bowl of vanilla potpourri. All useless, obsessive gestures.

The living room, like every other room in the luxury Knightsbridge flat was immaculate. And why not? She had cleaned, re-cleaned, and triple cleaned today. Even the cans in the kitchen cupboards were organized into groups according to the alphabet.

And yet the throb in her temple grew louder and her gut knotted as if something was out of order.

Something was out of order. Seriously out of order.

“But I can do this.” she paced across the white-tiled floor and down the hall to her bedroom to assess her appearance--again. “Oh, why did John put me in this situation?”

Especially now, with the problems in the restaurant. Until the missing money was recovered, Stephanie needed to concentrate her attention there. After all, as manager she was ultimately responsible. But thanks to her employer, she had to deal with an even more dreaded scenario. An unwanted male roommate.

A shudder rippled through her.

John Valentine had no way of knowing that thrusting his son upon her as a temporary roommate had the power to push her over the edge. John, like everyone else, knew nothing of the hidden shame which caused her to keep people at arm’s length.

Oh, she was friendly enough. She’d learned from a master to put on a smile, keep her mouth shut, and play the game so that the world at large believed the masquerade instead of the truth.

That’s why she’d never taken on a roommate. Brief visits by girlfriends such as Rebecca Valentine, yes. But a roommate? Never. Having someone invade her space for a few days was bad enough. A roommate was sheer terror.

Anyone who got too close might discover the truth. And she couldn’t even face that herself.

Since hiring her a year ago as manager of the exclusive Knightsbridge restaurant, the Valentine family had given her carte blanche in remodeling and running the Bella Lucia. They’d even indulged her penchant for contemporary art décor. Her boss seldom interfered. Which was exactly why she couldn’t say no when he’d ask her to house the son who’d spent years doing charity work in Africa.

She chewed on that, allowing a seed of hope that Daniel Stephens was as noble as his work implied. From her boss’s enthusiastic description, Daniel was one minor step below sainthood.

She laughed, though the sound was as humorless as the hammering in her head.

“A saint. Sure, he is. Like all men.”

One other thing worried her. Actually, a lot of other things worried her. But in her flummoxed state, she’d failed to ask how long Daniel would be staying. With all her heart, she hoped not long. There was too much at stake to have him here indefinitely.

She swiveled around backwards, twisting her head to look at the slim, smooth line of her pale green dress. Everything was covered. Nothing showed. But she’d have to be extra careful with a roommate lurking about. She hated that. Hated worrying that someone would discover the secret she kept hidden away beneath designer labels.

Someone tapped softly at the door.

Stephanie jumped then gritted her teeth in frustration. She would not, could not, let anxiety take over. The willowy red-head staring back from the mirrored tub enclosure looked in complete control, unruffled, and well-groomed. Good. As long as the outside appeared in control, let the inside rage.

She smoothed newly manicured hands down the soft, flowing skirt, re-aligned the toiletries on the counter for the third time, and went to greet her boss’s son.

One look at the big, dark, wild-looking man filling up her foyer and Stephanie’s heart slammed against her ribcage. The throbbing in her head intensified. Fight or flight kicked into high gear. Escape lay past him and down the elevator to the restaurant below. She had little choice but to stand and fight.

There had to be a mistake. This could not be Daniel. Mr. Valentine had called him a boy, and even though she fully expected a grown man, she hadn’t expected this—this--barbarian!

“My boy,” John had said with an indulgent chuckle. “He’s a tad rough around the edges. Too much time abroad living without the amenities of the civilized world.”

A tad rough around the edges? A tad? That understatement was a record even for the British.

This was no boy. This was a motorcycle gang in battered jeans, bomber jacket and rough-out boots. A pirate with piercing blue eyes, a fu-man-chu and unruly black hair in need of a cut. She had expected him at the worst to resemble his twin brother, Dominic, who worked for her as a part-time accountant. But this man was nothing like harmless, middle-aged Dominic. There wasn’t a bald spot or an ounce of fat anywhere on this guy. And he was anything but harmless.

Surely there was a mistake.

THE CINDERELLA VALENTINE

2006-07-28T00:47:00.000-07:00

POLLY had allowed herself plenty of time. She was leaving nothing to chance. She’d even used two alarm clocks, set at five minute intervals, both of which had performed on cue. Emma Valentine had come through for her with a life and sanity saving job at Bella Lucia, her famous family’s chic, elegant, A-list group of restaurants. Hard work, but big tips. This was not the day to turn over and go back sleep.

The bus – incredibly -- arrived on time and dropped her a mere two minutes walk from the classic, ornate Georgian building in the heart of Chelsea, where the first of the fabulous Bella Lucia restaurants had been opened fifty year earlier.

For once in her life, she hadn’t messed up.

Even the sun was shining.

‘Excuse me?’ Polly turned to see a harassed mother encumbered by a three-year-old, a baby and a buggy struggling to get off the bus. ‘Would you mind...?’

In an all’s-right-with-my-world glow, she took the buggy and did what she’d done a hundred times when babysitting her nieces and nephews, flicked it open.

The buggy didn’t flick. It sprang like a hungry tiger, taking a chunk out of her tights. As she bent to check the damage, the three-year-old generously thrust the rusk he’d been chewing at her. A thick beige smear appeared on the front of her waistcoat. Already off balance, a speeding motorbike, skimming the kerb to dodge the traffic, finished the job and dumped her in the road.

It could have been worse.

They were at a bus stop. She could have fallen under a bus.

All was not lost, she told herself, as she picked herself up. She was early. With luck she’d be able to slip into the staff washroom and clean up, change into the spare pair of tights that she’d fortuitously slipped into her bag, before Mr Valentine saw her. She scooped up a strand of hair that had sprung loose, tucked it behind her ear, rang the bell on the wrought iron gate that guarded the rear entrance and was buzzed through.

It was only then that she discovered what she should have known the minute the buggy attacked her: that she’d carelessly left her luck, like an umbrella, on the bus. Unmissed until the heavens opened and she actually needed it.

Right now the sun was shining, but even so, as the man blocking her dash to the staff washroom slowly turned, she could have sworn she heard a clap of thunder.

Maybe that was because he bore more than a passing resemblance to the devil himself.

Read on...

The Books

2006-05-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

A family torn apart by secrets, reunited by marriage

When William Valentine returned from the war, as a testament to his love for his beautiful Italian wife Lucia, he opened the first Bella Lucia restaurant in London.

The future looked bright, and William had, he thought, the perfect family. Now William is nearly ninety, and not long for this world, but he has three top London restaurants with prime spots throughout Knightsbridge and the West End. He has two sons, John and Robert, and grown-up grandchildren on both sides of the Atlantic who are poised to take this small gastronomic success story into the twenty-first century.

But when William dies, and the family fight to control the destiny of the Bella Lucia business, they discover a multitude of long-buried secrets, scandals, the threat of financial ruin – and ultimately two great loves they hadn’t even dreamt of: the love of a lifelong partner – and the love of a family reunited…

The Brides

2006-04-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

There’s double the excitement in August - meet twins Rebecca and Rachel Valentine

"Having the Frenchman’s Baby" – Rebecca Winters
"Coming Home to the Cowboy" – Patricia Thayer

Then join Emma Valentine as she gets a royal welcome in September

"The Rebel Prince" – Raye Morgan

Take a trip to the Outback and meet Jodie this October

"Wanted: Outback Wife" – Ally Blake

On cold November nights catch up with newcomer Daniel Valentine

"Married Under the Mistletoe" – Linda Goodnight

Snuggle up with sexy Jack Valentine over Christmas

"Crazy About the Boss" – Teresa Southwick

In the New Year join Melissa as she heads off to a desert kingdom

"The Nanny and the Sheikh" – Barbara McMahon

And don’t miss the thrilling end to the Valentine saga in February

"The Valentine Bride" – Liz Fielding

The Restaurants

2006-04-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

Bella Lucia – Flagship Restaurant
No. 10 King’s Road, Chelsea, London.

Founded 14th February 1946 by William and Lucia Valentine.

It is a classic, ornate Georgian building. This is the largest of the three Bella Lucia’s and caters for approx 150 diners.

The interior has been recently updated. The design has moved away from its original Italian style conception and now boasts a stylish and minimalist interior. The furnishings and wall covering are neutral and unfussy giving the restaurant a chic, elegant understated feel.

The restaurant made its name during the swinging 60s and was a hit with many famous, and bohemian musicians, celebrities and fashion icons of the era. Bella Lucia continues to serve traditional Italian food but the chefs strive to give the dishes a contemporary twist. It is for this reason that it remains a popular haunt for its modern day clientele.

This restaurant is managed by Robert and Max Valentine ("The Valentine Bride" 02/07). Head chef is Emma Valentine ( "The Rebel Prince" 09/06).

Bella Lucia Knightsbridge – 2nd Restaurant
No. 25 Beauchamp Road, Knightsbridge, London.

Founded in the 1970s, Bella Lucia Knightsbridge is nestled in an exclusive location. This restaurant has recently undergone a slick, contemporary refit. Situated near to Harrods, the famous UK department store, this restaurant caters for the more cosmopolitan diner and has a lavish interior – traditional chandeliers hang next to the very best in contemporary modern art.

The menu, whilst still founded in Italian roots offers the diner a more eclectic mix of international delicacies. This is the largest Bella Lucia and seats approx 100 people.

This restaurant is managed by Stephanie Ellison ( "Married Under the Mistletoe" 12/06)– an American with a sharp eye for detail. She lives in a luxurious self-contained apartment directly above the restaurant that is owned by the Valentine family.

This is also the restaurant which begins the Valentine crisis at the hands of Dominic Stevens.

Bella Lucia Mayfair – 3rd Restaurant
Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London.

Founded in the 1980s Yuppie Boom, this restaurant is the grazing ground of the top London and international business men and political figures. Millions of pounds have changed hands at these swanky power lunches. Bella Lucia Mayfair is one of the most exclusive restaurants in London, and prides itself on its confidential, and paparazzi free dining experience.

There is a strict door policy and dress code. With its gentlemen’s club atmosphere the exclusivity of this eatery is world renowned. This restaurant caters for approx 100 people.

The traditional décor – thick white tablecloths and dark wood furniture merge with the high ceilings and classical architecture.

This restaurant is managed by John and Head office is based in the building directly above. Therefore all the characters drop in on a regular basis.

August

2006-04-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

The first two books in the all new Romance miniseries, The Brides of Bella Lucia, are now available online!

Rebecca Winters and Patricia Thayer have written two wonderful stories about twin sisters Rachel and Rebecca Valentine, both of which received 4 star reviews from Romantic Times Magazine!

Below Rebecca and Patricia give you the first sneak peak into the tense, exciting, romantic world of the Valentine family...

This is also the one stop shop to find out all about the background of the miniseries, about the restaurants themselves and about upcoming books.

We trust you'll have a fun time learning all about The Brides of Bella Lucia, and please feel free to leave messages for the authors!

"HAVING THE FRENCHMAN'S BABY"

REBECCA WINTERS

To start the The Brides of Bella Lucia miniseries off with a bang, wonderful Rebecca Winters first brings us Rachel Valentine's story.

Great wines, great food and a love story to make your heart glow.

Come back soon for a taste of the story, the background, the characters, and the author.

FROM REBECCA...

"In water one sees one's own face; But in wine, one beholds the heart of another." ... old French proverb

Years ago I fell in love with Alsace, France, famous for its spectacular white wines and I immediately dubbed it 'God's Vineyard.'

So much of the romantic history of wine comes from that province, including a wine museum containing ancient wine jugs. I was very taken with the story of a nuptial jug handed down from father to son for the master vintner and his bride when they married. They drank from it and pledged their love.

Totally charmed by everything I discovered in Alsace, you can't imagine how delighted I was when I was recently asked to write the first book for THE BRIDES OF BELLA LUCIA.

Vulnerable Rachel Valentine, part American, part English, is the chief wine buyer for her grandfather's Bella Lucia restaurants in London. Before I even put pen to paper metaphorically speaking, I could see her arriving in Alsace for the first time, and falling in love with everything about it including the master vintner, Luc Chartier of the Domaine Chartier et Fils.

HAVING THE FRENCHMAN'S BABY, is the love story of two scarred people who need each other desperately in order to heal. But their route to each other is full of unexpected twists and painful turns, forcing them to search their souls for what they really want and reach for it despite all odds.

EXCERPT...

THE moment the waitress returned, Rachel thanked her, then opened the bottle herself. An aroma escaped from the golden liquid whose combination of flavors was pure revelation. She poured some into the wine glass and took an experimental sip, letting it swirl on her tongue before swallowing.

;">More flavors came through; maple syrup, quince and.pineapple if she wasn't mistaken. So soft to the palate, yet beautifully rich and elegant due to its fine ripe acid balance. It had a long finish in which she could find no fault. Ah. perfection itself.

"I take it the Pinot Gris pleases you," a deep male voice spoke to her in English with a heavy French accent.

Her eyelids fluttered open in surprise. But when she saw who it was, she nearly fell off her chair.

"You!"

Across the small round table from her stood the man who'd come close to crashing into her earlier.

He wasn't Italian after all. Her mistake.

For a Frenchman he was tall and powerfully built. Probably in his mid-thirties. He wore his dark brown hair considerably longer than most men she knew.
With his heavily lashed brown eyes and olive complexion, she had to admit he was incredibly handsome.

That, plus the fact that he had the audacity to be holding her wine bottle in his hand, ignited her anger all over again.

"If you've followed me for any other reason than to offer sincere apologies for your reckless driving, I'll call the police to have you arrested for harrassment."

The maddening smile she remembered flashed once more.

"There are two versions to every story. The police are more likely to believe that you were all over the road because you're used to driving on the left and became confused."

"Considering they're French, they probably will," she countered. "Now that you've had your fun, please leave that wine bottle on the table and go away."

"I noticed you enjoying it."

He wasn't about to quit.

No doubt this man who was too attractive by far and knew it, found it amusing to flirt with what he considered an available female. Particularly one drinking alone in public and enjoying it so much she'd been sitting there with her head tilted back, eyes closed, unaware of the people around her. "Not that it's any of your business, but it happens to be the best white wine I've ever tasted," And that was saying a lot.

He seemed to ponder her comment before he said, "I'm glad to hear it, Ms. Valentine. 1998 produced an excellent vintage."

She blinked. "How do you know my name? Who are you?"

He put the bottle back on the table. "Luc Chartier. I understand you wanted to make an appointment with me."

He was that Chartier?

Available in July from Harlequin Romance and Mills & Boon Tender Romance

"COMING HOME TO THE COWBOY"

PATRICIA THAYER

Rebecca Valentine, the twin daughter who chose to stay in the US with her mother when her parents split up, has reached a moment of crisis in her life. Instructed by her doctor to take a leave of absence from her high-powered advertising job, Rebecca compromises by going to Wyoming ranch country to work on an ad campaign for free range beef. When she meets Mitchell Tucker it’s her emotional health that’s threatened, especially when she can’t give the rancher his heart’s desire…

FROM PATRICIA

Although born and raised in a town in the Mid-West, I’m a country girl at heart. Since childhood, I’ve had a love affair with the West, ranch life, and especially, cowboys. When I began writing and doing research I was lucky to meet a Texas rancher, Hence Barrow. At ninety-six, he still runs a cattle ranch along with his son and grandchildren… and great-grandchildren. He’s been a treasure trove of knowledge, and has passed on some wonderful stories to me.

Cowboys are a special breed. They work long, hard days, and their families always come first. It’s the same for my hero, Mitchell Tucker. He gave up his worldwide empire to stay home on the family ranch to raise his motherless children.

I enjoyed working on this wonderful series, especially with all the other talented writers. And although my story starts in Wyoming, my characters goes to be with her family in England. After all, Rebecca is a Valentine…

EXCERPT…

Rebecca looked out the window of the Cessna at the vast miles of majestic Rocky mountain range. The brilliant June sun was reflecting off the dew covered emerald-green pastures below.

Suddenly the plane dipped lower and she got a better look. The Tucker Ranch came into view. Pristine white fences lined the road that led to a sprawling brick and white clapboard house trimmed with dark green shutters and surrounded by a perfectly manicured lawn. Her attention shifted to the outer buildings, several brightly painted red barns. In a large corral two beautiful white and black leopard-spotted horses, Appaloosas ambled back and forth.

So this is Mitchell Tucker’s Wyoming empire.

Rebecca felt the familiar stirring of excitement at the prospect of a new client. The chase and proving her talent were her favorite parts of the job. Her record was impeccable when it came to landing the premiere accounts. She wasn’t going to give this millionaire rancher the opportunity to consider any other agency to promote his new business, free range beef.

The pilot tapped her on the shoulder and motioned that they were going to land.

“I’m ready,” she called and drew a calming breath. This might be partly a vacation, but she planned to work her tail off too. It was the only thing she knew how to do. Besides, what else was there to do in Wyoming?

* * *

Waiting for the plane to land Mitch Tucker leaned against his black Range Rover. His kids stood beside him at the end of the private landing strip. He was still wondering if he’d needed his head examined agree to contact a New York Ad Agency. He’d relinquished that part of his life two years ago when he sold off all his international holdings. His focus was on business close to home in Wyoming. He’d resisted getting involved again with that old fast-paced lifestyle. He’d hoped to do everything locally, while being hands-on with the whole operation.

He glanced at his eleven-year-old daughter. Greta Caroline not only looked like her mother, blonde and fair skinned with rich sapphire blue eyes, she was also just as stubborn when she wanted something. His daughter was the one who’d practically taken over his idea to raise free range beef.

Greta had spent hours on the internet researching marketing agencies for this project. And after he’d done some of his own research he knew they needed the right promotion for to make their venture profitable. Not that he needed to worry about money. Working together with his kids was what mattered most. This was the first thing Greta had taken an interest in since her mother’s death. He couldn’t deny her this.

If it hadn’t been for his children losing Carrie would have finished him. At the time of their mother’s death, Greta was nine and Colby was only three. Someone had to take care of them. That alone made Mitch drag himself out of bed every day, put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
Two years later, he’d stopped his travel and gotten more involved in the ranching operation. But always in the center of everything, were his kids. They were the reason he was standing here waiting for a New York executive to help promote his new beef program. This was just the beginning of his new life. Someday, he wanted to give his kids a complete family again.

“Please, Daddy, promise you’ll be nice.”

He looked down at his daughter’s worried face. “This is business, you can’t always be nice. I’ll be polite.”

“But you can be… intimidating.”

“In business, that’s not a bad way to be, Greta.”

She sighed dramatically. “You said you’d give this a chance. I’ve researched this, and we need the right kind of advertising, the right market to promote our beef. Please, just listen to Ms. Valentine’s ideas.”

He forced a smile. “I said I would, and you know I don’t go back on my promises.” How in the hell was a New Yorker going to know anything about ranching in Wyoming? “I talked with Brent Pierce and he’s assured me that Ms. Valentine is the right person for this job.”

“Rebecca Valentine is one of their top agents and a junior partner. She’s worked for the Pierce Agency since college when she graduated Summa Cum Laude ten years ago--”

“Whoa, where did you get all this information?”

She looked up at him, showing off the pretty smile that was going to do him in. “I did my research like you taught me.”

Before he could say anything more, Colby began jumping up and down, pointing to the other end of the runway as the plane touched down. “They’re here, Dad.”
When the plane stopped taxing, Mitch took his son’s hand and the three of them hurried onto the runway. He would give this a chance, just as he’d promised, realizing he had to be crazy to invite a career-driven female into his home. Ms. Valentine wasn’t the type of woman he planned to expose his kids to, or the type who would be content living on a cattle ranch.

Mitch paused next to the Cessna as his pilot and his ranch manager, Wally Hagan, walked around and popped open the passenger door. The first thing he saw of the New York agent was a pair of black high-heeled shoes that were attached to long, shapely legs. A sudden dryness in Mitch’s throat made it difficult to swallow when bare knees and part of a thigh made an appearance.

Holding Wally’s hand the passenger finally made it out of the plane. Clearing the wing, she stepped into the sunlight and Mitch couldn’t catch his breath. Rebecca Valentine was a tall woman with golden brown hair that was drawn back into a bun, except for a few wayward curls that circled her pretty face.
A smile touched her full mouth, but it was her light blue, almost gray eyes that he was drawn to. He didn’t realizing he’d been staring until his daughter nudged him.

“Ms. Valentine…, I’m Mitch Tucker,” he said and held out his hand. “Welcome to Wyoming.”

She had a firm handshake. “Please, call me Rebecca.”

“And I’m Mitch.” He quickly moved on. “This is my daughter, Greta.

She took the girl’s hand. “Greta, it’s good to finally meet you.”

“I’m glad to meet you, too, Ms. Valentine.”

“Since we’ll all be working together, please call me Rebecca.”

Greta turned to her father and he nodded his permission.

Mitch gathered his small son in front of him. The five-year-old was already dirty and his dark curly hair unruly. “And this is Colby.”

She leaned down to look in his eyes. “Hello, Colby.”

Colby smiled showing off his missing bottom tooth. “Hi, Rebecca, I’m five.” He held up his spread fingers.

“My, that’s old,” she said. “I bet you go to school.”

He bobbed his head. “This year I start kindergarten.”

Mitch motioned to the SUV. “Well, let’s take you to the house and get you settled in.”

Wally helped Mitch load the suitcases and the kids climbed in back. He came around the passenger side to find Rebecca attempting to climb into the high seat. Her narrow skirt rose up dangerously, threatening Rebecca’s modesty, and Mitch’s sanity.

“SUVs and short skirts don’t mix,” she said. “I guess I didn’t think about this outfit being impractical. I should have worn pants.”

“Jeans might even be better,” he offered. “If you’ll allow me to help, we can get going.”

“Sure.”

She gasped as he scooped her up. He dropped her in the bucket seat but not before he caught a whiff of her scent, and felt the enticing curve of her small waist.

“Like I said, pants will make it easier… for all of us.” He grimaced, knowing his words were too revealing.

Hell, he’d been widowed for two years. Just about anything would set him off.

Available this July online from Silhouette Romance and Mills & Boon Tender Romance.

These two books are available in store in North America and the United Kingdom all through AUGUST!

So don't forget to buy the first month's books in The Brides of Bella Lucia to see how it all began!

September

2006-04-03T00:22:00.000-07:00

THE REBEL PRINCE

RAYE MORGAN

FROM RAYE

If you’re going to have to fall in love with someone anyway, why not a prince? The only problem is putting yourself in the position to meet one.

Emma Valentine is thinking “career move”, not romance, when she takes the job of head chef for the royal coronation of Prince Sebastian in the adorable little country of Meridia. But very soon the two become intertwined and she finds it impossible to untangle them again.

I always jump at the chance to do a royal romance. You get to deal with fun things like castle mazes and masked balls and moats and serving wenches and plots to poison. I find it a happy mix of a certain historical sensibility with a contemporary attitude.

Pure delight!

HOW THE STORIES LINK

Emma Valentine is extremely fond of the twins, her half-sisters Rachel and Rebecca (Books 1 and 2). In fact, she stops in France to see Rachel on her way to her exciting new job as head chef for the coronation of Prince Sebastian. While staying in the castle and valiantly resisting the prince’s dark charms, she gets a visit from her cousin Louise (who appears prominently in books 4 and 8) who has just had a shocking family revelation and needs Emma’s support.

EXCERPT

Emma was racing through a thick forest, dodging trees. That shimmering white vision she’d just barely glimpsed had to be a unicorn. She had to find it. There! Wasn’t that it? She ran faster. You had to be clever to catch a unicorn and now she was tiring, her breath searing her throat. Just a little further. It had to be there. Just beyond that huge ragged trunk…

And then she was running even harder, because now the unicorn was chasing her and she had to get away—but she couldn’t breathe and she was so tired—oh so tired. Her feet were like stones and the unicorn’s hot breath was on her neck and …

Only it wasn’t that at all, it was a strong male hand on her shoulder and it felt divine. She looked up. It was that tall, handsome man again, the one with the incredible tan and the golden chest hair and the muscles that curled and swelled like waves on a Mediterranean sea. Was she still dreaming? He was really too good to be true.

His face was strong, his features even, and he had the most beautiful golden eyes she’d ever seen. His hair was naturally dark but the ends had been bleached out by the sun, giving him a sort of golden halo effect. That, along with the dark tan, gave mute testimony to a life spent outdoors—either doing manual labor or lazing about at seaside resorts. She had a feeling she knew which it might be.

******

She was in a castle, sitting beside an indoor swimming pool and being carefully examined by two of the most attractive men she’d ever seen. It was enough to turn a girl’s head.

But she had to keep hers right where it was. She had a job to do. She had to keep reminding herself of that.

“So what’s he like, anyway?” she asked them.

They both stared at her.

“Who?” they said at the same time.

“The prince.”

“Ah.” Will laughed softly as he put away his stethoscope. “The crown prince, now.”

“The prince?” Sebastian chimed in, eyes shining with what she took as amusement. “He’s a fine fellow. One of the best you’ll ever meet. The toast of the nation.”

Will snorted, but he went on.

“I’m sure songs will be written about him soon,” he said in a tone she thought might be a bit sarcastic, though she wasn’t certain she was reading him right. “Stories told, legends taken down. After all, he comes from a long line of kings, and he fits the part if you ask me. Tall as an Alpine cedar, honest as a cloistered nun, strong as a… as a….”

“A blue ox?” Will put in helpfully.

Sebastian gave him a baleful look and ignored his Paul Bunyon reference.

“Strong as a northern wind, sharp as a… .”

“Serpent’s tooth,” Will interjected. “And just as yellow.”

He leaned toward her earnestly. “Don’t listen to Monty. Truth be told, the prince is an ugly bloke. His eyes are small and evil and much too close together for comfort. And he’s got bad breath and he’s a bit of a drooler, if you know what I mean.”

“Really?” Emma was pretty sure he wasn’t being serious. Despite the fact that her mind was still full of cotton, she was alert enough to know when her leg was being pulled. “I’d heard he was quite handsome.”

“Who told you that?” Sebastian asked with interest.

But Will waved it away. “They always say that about royalty. You know the media. Always trying to hype their main product. They give royals attributes they don’t deserve, just to make them more interesting to the reading public.”

Emma frowned. “I don’t know if that’s true.” Her face cleared. “Oh, you’re teasing. I know he’s very handsome. I don’t think I’ve ever seen pictures myself--I don’t really follow the society pages. But I’ve heard it from others, people who pay attention to these things. I’m sure he’s quite good looking.”

“Well, don’t you believe it,” the doctor said cheerfully as he packed away his instruments. “I know him personally. Lazy lay-about, that’s what he is. Never done a day’s worth of work in his life. Always off on some yacht in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.”

“Isn’t that pretty much the way they all are, those royals?” Emma asked him, looking to Sebastian for confirmation. “At least, from what I hear.”

Sebastian scowled but Will nodded wisely. “Over-endowed libido, under-endowed intellect,” he noted. “That’s our boy, the prince. Take my word for it.”

Sebastian’s head swung around at that and his mouth opened in protest. “Hey!”

“Yes, my dear,” Will droned on. “Centuries of inbreeding with their royal cousins.” He made a face. “Leaves them a little bewildered, you know. You’ll catch a glimpse of one now and then wandering mournfully about the castle like a lost sheep.”

“That does it,” Sebastian said, springing lightly to his feet and lunging for the doctor. “You’re going into the pool.”

October

2006-04-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

Wanted: Outback Wife

Ally Blake

Come October city meets country in the fourth book in THE BRIDES OF BELLA LUCIA series, Ally Blake's "Wanted: Outback Wife". Londoner Jodie Simpson needs to land an Australian husband - and quick. But can she and her friends pull this off with only six weeks until her working visa runs out?

Can they ever! Suddenly this shy British girl finds herself with a line up of assorted males willing to be the other half of her two year marriage deal. Who should she pick? Her neighbour Scott who has a penchant for mesh shirts, Barnaby the visual merchandiser whose favourite gay bar is just around the corner from her apartment, or the funeral director with the gravity defying Adams apple?

Of course, even though he lives in the Outback, miles from her beloved Melbourne, has more brothers and sisters than she has family in the whole world, and makes her feel that he would rather her two-year project took a lifetime, there is always Heath Jameson...

FROM ALLY

I am a city girl. Give me freeways, football stadiums, and fresh food delis on every corner and I am in heaven. As such, my books are often set in my fabulous hometown: the dynamic, glorious, and graceful city of Melbourne.

So when my heroine, Jodie Simpson, the looming "Day She Has To Go Back Home" to London at the end of her working holiday visa getting closer and closer on the calendar, I had no problem understanding she would go to all lengths to stay in sunny Melbourne! Including marrying a man in a month...

But being Australian, I also have a soft spot for the Outback. Think wide open spaces, golden kangaroo grass swaying in hot arid breezes, tall thin ghost gums creating eerie shadows on the red earth. Stunning stuff.

So there was nothing for it but to make the one man with whom born and bred city girl Jodie could take the biggest trip of her life a man of the Outback. So enteres Heath, a strapping, charming, entirely too likeable cattle farmer. And can I just take a moment here to say, "Sigh..."

I had such a ball writing for this mini-series, and feel utterly blessed for being able to add my little bit of Australian sunshine to the story of the Valentine family.

REVIEW - ROMANTIC TIMES

Desperate to remain in Australia and avoid the family drama awaiting her in England, jewelry maker Jodie Simpson is willing to do anything. Finding an Aussie husband for the period necessary to obtain citizenship seems a little extreme -- but with no other options in sight, Jodie ends up wed to rancher Heath Jameson. But what's in it for Heath? The possibility of having a real wife eventually, perhaps? Ally Blake continues the Brides of Bella Lucia with Wanted: Outback Wife (4 stars), as she affectionately mocks the "marriage of convenience" convention while utilizing it effectively. This is good fun, and Heath's a treat on many levels.

HOW THE STORIES LINK!

Jodie Simpson is Louise Valentine's half sister! For Louise story, see "The Valentine Bride" by Liz Fielding in February 2007.

EXCERPT...

ON A BALMY Saturday night, Jodie angled her beloved twenty-year-old car, aptly nicknamed Rusty, into an empty car park in a side street off Flinders. She threw a handful of coins into the parking meter as she spied a gap in Saturday night traffic cruising the length of the grand old train station. She hitched her black sparkly halter an inch higher and tugged her tight jeans an inch lower and ran as fast as her borrowed high heels would carry her.

She was late, as an hour before she could still have been found sitting back on the couch with Louise in her pyjama bottoms, Chelsea Football Club jersey and slippers, as she wasn’t entirely planning on turning up that night.

Over the past two weeks, Jodie had met twelve different guys that she and Mandy had chosen from the responses to her website. An actor, a vet, and a guy who sold mobile phone contracts door-to-door. And she would have put every cent she owned on the fact that most had come for a good time not a long time.

What was she doing interviewing husband prospects? Really? When Jodie reached the safety of the footpath, she closed her eyes and visualised waving goodbye to Mandy and Lisa, getting on the jumbo plane, landing in Heathrow, catching the tube, knocking on the front door of the tiny welfare funded flat she had shared with her mother for twenty-five years... No, if she was to have any sort of life, she had to stay the course.

Jodie pushed open the heavy carved door nestled into the underbelly of the train station and she rushed down the carpeted steps.

Lisa, the maitre d’ at the popular restaurant, grimaced as she came into view. “Another minute and I would have given away your table.”

“Likely I would have thanked you if you had,” Jodie muttered. “Is he here yet?”

Lisa shook her head. “But Mandy is prowling in your corner. Go settle her before she frightens away my customers.”

Jodie gave her a quick pat on the arm before skimming through the tables to the private table for two in the corner. When she saw Mandy sitting in a chair, her stiletto tapping nervously against the floor, she was halfway torn between staying or making a run for it to the ladies room and squeezing out the tiny window and dropping atop the dumpster a floor below.

“Nice of you to show,” Mandy said as Jodie slipped quickly into the cool seat across her.

Jodie took a steadying gulp of Mandy’s red wine before grabbing a bread roll and shoving nibble sized bites into her nervous mouth. “Yeah, well, it didn’t help that just as I was leaving Scott came over to propose to me.”

“Scott?” Mandy said, her face paling. “Across the hall, Scott? Predilection for leather pants and mesh shirts, Scott? Not quite sure where his right eye is looking, Scott?”

Jodie nodded along with Mandy’s every query. “Somehow he had found your darling website. His exact words were: So how about it? You and me - matrimonial bliss?”

“Please tell me you said no.”

Jodie nodded. But in that brief split second, she had actually considered his offer. He lived across the hall, so she wouldn’t have to move far. He had a thing for her which had been obvious since the day she had moved into the building, so he would do anything to help her out in her plight. But the very fact that he had a thing for her ruled him out even if his goofy oddness did not. It wouldn’t be fair.

If she was going to do this thing, she had to do it right. No romantic connections. No complications from the start. The last thing she wanted was for it all to end in tears and broken promises. She’d lived through enough of that from a distance when her father had walked out when she was thirteen, so living it up close and personal was not on her agenda.

She had thanked him for his kind offer, but declined. Though compared to her other dates that week he wasn’t the bottom of the totem pole.

“He had settled in to watch Beach Street when I left so I had to leave poor Lou behind. I don’t trust him not to sneak into my room and try to steal a pair of my underpants again.”

“Right. Good point.”

“So who’s the lucky contestant tonight?” Jodie asked on a sigh.

“First up we have Heath...” Mandy flipped through her colour-coded sheets clipped in a neat folder. “Heath Jameson. The Farmer.”

Jodie winced. A farmer for goodness’ sake! The fact that he didn’t send an email in the form of a dirty limerick or attach a photo of himself in Speedos put him in the maybe pile. But the thought of moving to a farm for two years was uninspiring to say the least. She was a city girl, born and bred. She loved the seasons in Melbourne, the food, the culture, the window shopping, the architecture and the friends she had made there. But most of all she liked herself in Melbourne.

But a farm? In the Outback? She pictured a barn with a leaking tin roof. A wood burning fireplace with old copper pots the likes of which she had seen in old western movies. A mangy work dog sleeping on the end of the double bed which had lumps and bumps worn into it by past generations. And wouldn’t she have to get one of those hats with corks hanging all around it to ward off flies?

“Ready?” Mandy asked.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Excellent. After this one, there’s two more tonight.”

Two more? She let out a long groan. Suddenly, despite the living distance from the city she loved, so long as the guy was a gentleman and said yes, she decided she would marry him then and there. So long as she could stop all this dreadful dating and see a way to a future down under.

Mandy slipped away into the crowd and Jodie was left flickering glances towards the bar. Which one would farm boy turn out to be? The guy in all black flicking lint off his double-breasted jacket? Unlikely. The balding blonde in the plaid shirt and jeans picking crumbs out of his teeth with his butter knife? Oh please no.

Jodie couldn’t help checking her teeth for sesame seeds in the reflection of her bread knife when the front door swished open letting in a flush of warm night air and with it, a man.

A man with a to die for tan, the likes of which Jodie had only ever seen on school friends just back from the Greek Islands, subconsciously pushing his wind-mussed, dark blonde hair somewhat into place. A man with the kind of highlights David Beckham would pay a fortune for. A man in an untucked white shirt over dark denim who gave a friendly half smile as he caught Lisa’s eye at the door.

Jodie knew the second he was hers.

Lisa tossed her long blonde hair as she turned and with a little finger wave beckoned the man to follow. And follow he did with a lean, long-legged, stride.

“Not bad,” Lisa mouthed as she neared.

As he came closer Jodie saw that this man was just the way she imagined Australian guys ought to be - permanent creases at the corners of his eyes from too much smiling or too much sun, a strong jaw covered in sexy stubble as though he had shaved many hours before, and eyes so blue they made her heart ache.

But she wasn’t in this game for heart ache. This was to be a purely heart free and ache free endeavour.

Jodie scrunched her toes in her high-heeled sandals to force the blood away from her burning cheeks to other parts of her body. The whole blushing English rose thing could be pretty on some girls, but with her auburn hair she felt like a big red blotchy tomato. And the more she panicked about it the more she blushed.

Suddenly the ladies room, the tiny window and the dumpster seemed unreservedly the right choice.

“Can I get you a drink?” Lisa asked as they reached the table.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice a rich resonant bass. “A beer would be great.”

Lisa gave him a beaming smile, turned it into a frown for Jodie, then spun on her heel and left. Jodie managed to drag herself to her feet on wobbly knees that almost gave way.

Her companion leaned over and offered her a large, long fingered hand to shake. “Good evening, Jodie. I’m Heath Jameson. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Available in September from Harlequin Romance and Mills & Boon Tender Romance