Starting from Scratch (23 page)

She didn't let it die. He might have known she wouldn't. The woman was as stubborn as a mule. He supposed that was part of what he liked about her.

“Ryan, I can't edit this for you. You have to tell me why you're proposing.”

He snorted. “Because if I kidnapped you and hid you in a cave, someone would come after me.”

He wasn't fooling her. “And why would you kidnap me?” she persisted.

Cornered, he gave her her due. And exposed a little more of himself than he ever had. “Because I like being part of all this.”

“If you liked it so much, why did you originally say no to Christmas dinner?”

“I said no to all of it because…” Oh, the hell with it, he might as well tell her everything. Wives were supposed to be privy to their husbands' feelings. “Because I thought wanting it made me weak.”

“Love makes you strong, Ryan,” she contradicted.

Restraint only went so far before it became counterproductive. And he wanted to leave himself open to experiencing things he'd been denied.

Ryan took her into his arms, toying with a strand of her hair. “And you'd know this firsthand?”

“I do now.” She slipped her arms around his neck. Her engagement ring flashed as it caught more light. “Because right now, I could wrestle an alligator.” She grinned, her eyes shining as she looked up at him. “But I'd settle for an ex-commando.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Settle?”

His intimidating days were over, she thought. And he knew it. “I mean that in the best possible sense of the word.”

Ryan shook his head and laughed. “You really are something else.”

She tucked her body just a tad closer to his, aware that her nieces were taking this all in and almost cheering on the sidelines. As far as new lives went, this one was shaping up beautifully. “And you have an entire lifetime to find out exactly what that is.”

 

Be sure to read Marie Ferrarella's next book
from Silhouette Special Edition,
HER SPECIAL CHARM, available December 2005.

Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.

Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.

Have a great time!

ON SALE DECEMBER 1ST

Showcase

Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women's fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

NIGHT FEVER by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)

Romantic Suspense

Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

FEELS LIKE HOME by Maggie Shayne, Silhouette Intimate Moments

Inspirational

Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café

EVEN IN THE DARKNESS by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

Women's Fiction

Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women's lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

GRIN AND BEAR IT by Leslie LaFoy, Harlequin Next

ON SALE DECEMBER 15
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Sexy Reads

Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly, Harlequin Blaze

Inspirational

Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café

PAST SECRETS, PRESENT LOVE by Lois Richer, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Women's Action Adventure

Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

MS. LONGSHOT by Sylvie Kurtz, Silhouette Bomshell
The It Girls
miniseries

Chic Lit

Women's fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life's little curves…From Red Dress Ink

THE JINX by Jennifer Sturman, Red Dress Ink

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

BRIGHID'S QUEST by P.C. Cast, LUNA

AVAILABLE NOW

Showcase

Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women's fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women's fiction)

GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

Sexy Reads

Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

THE ITALIAN'S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze

HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze

THE TYCOON'S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

Romantic Suspense

Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue

SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

Inspirational

Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café

LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

FOR THE TWINS' SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

HER BROTHER'S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Women's Fiction

Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women's lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

THERE'S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

Women's Action Adventure

Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

DEVIL'S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell
The It Girls
miniseries

FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
The It Girls
miniseries

LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell
The It Girls
miniseries

Chick Lit

Women's fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life's little curves…From Red Dress Ink

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink

THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

IN STONE'S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA