Hi Everyone! It’s so great to be here on BELIEVE,
my wonderful friend’s fun and entertaining blog. Mimi and I–both Canadians from
the beautiful west coast, Vancouver area–first met as co-authors for our TEN
BRIDES FOR TEN HEROES collection, and then again for TEN
CHRISTMAS BRIDES.

We loved working together, scratching our head
occasionally as we wondered why in the world we’d ever signed up to do this in
the first place, and then a second later agreeing to another big box set. Now,
I’m sure both of us our addicted, and who wouldn’t be? Imagine the excitement
and chills and thrills we get on release day!

   We work hard
to get there–Mimi with securing us all the very best promo sites available, me
as her backup man, and banker for the first two groups. After release day we
get to sit back for a crazy week of twitter parties and Facebook events, and a
million other things we never considered, all to make the hot best-selling
lists! Which we did, thanks to all our fabulous readers! That’s you. Your time
to take a bow!!

         So here we are
–teamed up again for our exciting 12 book VALENTINE BOOK, HEART & KISSES!

 Please let me
introduce you to LOVE STRUCK, my full length story for this collection. 

   LOVE STRUCK is
the third and final book in my the best selling SERENDIPITY FALLS Series. Each
book stands alone, but builds on each other. I was so delighted to be able to
offer this for our HEART & KISSES, 12 book Valentine collection.

 Serendipity is
a charming small town in the foothills of Mammoth, California. There’s a
wedding a month and divorces are non existent. When the series started, we had
out-of-towners flocking in on weekends to visit and perhaps find love,
speculating on whether it is the natural spring water or something in the air,
causing the mad rush to the alter.

   In Book Two, a
news reporter is in town to do a story on the “Love Bug” theory and
discovers gold behind the falls instead. Now, in LOVE STRUCK, we have busloads
of people coming in weekly–some come searching for gold, others to snare themselves
a husband by Valentine’s Day. No man is safe, and the perfect, pristine town is
destroyed.

   Cupid has
thrown up his hands in despair. Until people learn what love is, he will no
longer meddle and unite couples in matrimonial bliss. With a heavy heart he
watches the shenanigans, and trusts that common sense will prevail and true
love will conquer.

 PROLOGUE

 I’m Cupid, and for those who don’t know about me, I reside in what
used to be a beautiful little town in the foothills of Mammoth, California, called
Serendipity Falls. You have to forgive me for being less upbeat than usual, but
my heart is broken. This once idyllic town has been overrun by people who have
no concept of the true meaning of love. For the past several years I took great
joy uniting couples in matrimonial bliss, and was very proud of the fact that
while weddings abounded, divorces became extinct. Then my ego got the better of
me, and I drew attention to myself. People flocked to Serendipity Falls to find
love and the truth behind the so called ‘love bug’ in the spring water. Of
course, you and I know that no such bug existed–it was just me up to my old
tricks.

   The news carried wide and far, and reporters came to our neck of
the woods, eager to learn what the phenomenon was about–this wedding fever
that drove strangers toward the altar. Oh, I had been so proud. Even won the
National Cupid for Excellence three years running.

   So what am I complaining about, you ask? Well, last year one of
these reporters fell in love with one of our local girls. Yes, I had a little
hand in that. I’m not sorry and make no apologies either. They were right for
each other, and I never–not once–unite couples who are not a perfect match.

   Well, this young buck didn’t discover any ‘love bug’–instead he
discovered gold behind the falls. His story drew national attention and opened
up an unsavory can of worms. People flocked to our little paradise, men seeking
their fortune in gold–women seeking husbands.

   This is where my ambling story takes an unfortunate turn.  You see-the women are desperate and have
resorted to the most unladylike behavior–fighting one another, setting traps
for men. Hundreds arrive by busloads each month, and with Valentine’s Day
approaching, I fear a thousand more will get here soon.

   The sad truth is that they have no idea what love is. The meaning
of love has been forgotten, or perhaps in some cases, never learned.

   With a heavy heart, I watch and pray that common sense will
prevail and the crazy antics will stop. Until that day happens, I am going to
retire my trusty bow and arrow. I want no part of this.        

   Love cannot be forced. It cannot be controlled. It cannot be
tricked, or trapped. Love is setting someone free, and wanting that person’s
happiness more than their own. It is unselfish. It is considerate and caring.
And it is the essence of joy.

When those lessons have been
learned I will embrace my love making skills again, but until then silence will
be my answer.  

 EXCERPT

 Kyle shrugged his shoulders, easing some of the
tension. “I’m starting to hate it here. I never thought I would say that,
but it’s true. The place isn’t the same anymore. It’s become ugly, a town full
of vultures.”

  “How can
you say that? It’s absolutely the most beautiful place on earth. With the exception
of the men spray painting me, that is. Everyone else has been friendly.”

   “It’s
dangerous for a man like me. I know you don’t get it, but even Devon finally
saw it.” He shuddered at the memory of Blondie and the lollipop.

   “Saw
what?”

   “Women
flanked me this morning at Costco, while I was buying supplies for the bar.
They circled me like wolves.”

   She laughed,
and then seeing he was serious, her smile faded. “How bad was it?”

   “Pretty
bad. One of them grabbed my ass and chased after us as we left the store.”

   “I have a
Karate belt. Want me to be your protector? Since we’re almost friends, I
mean.”

   “I don’t
need a woman protecting me,” he growled.

   She glanced at
him and then away. “You wouldn’t need to worry. I don’t want to drag your
cute ass into bed, or tear your clothes off, or do you every which way but
Sunday. I’m done with men for now. I have a young son to raise, and he’s the
only guy I need. You’re perfectly safe with me.” She wiped her hands on
the front of her jeans, and said again, “Almost friends. And you’re a man
who needs a fake girlfriend. I could pretend to be if you wanted.”

    He frowned. Fake girlfriend? “Thanks for
the offer, but I don’t think it’s such a hot idea.”

   “I get
it.” She put her hand on the door handle, ready to slide out of the jeep.
“It’s too bad you’re unhappy here, Kyle. Most people are bubbling over
with happiness-even your own family. It must really be hard to see.”

   “It
didn’t use to be this way, but yeah, it’s no fun anymore. I can’t even
date.”  A real pity party was
starting to form. Her sweet compassion might be his undoing.

   “Maybe
you should stop fighting it and go with the flow. Fall madly in love. Get
married. Be Serendipity happy.”

   He turned
toward her, and held her gaze. Serendipity happy? What the hell did that mean?
“Kiss me now.”

   “What did
you say?” Sam gasped and brought her fingers to her lower lip. She had one
hand on the car door.    

   “I said,
‘Kill me now.’” Kyle clenched
and unclenched his grip on the steering wheel as tension rippled through him.

   “No, you
didn’t.” She didn’t move.

   “What do
you think I said?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. She was all
big-eyed, her cheeks flushed; probably the prettiest girl he’d ever seen.

   “You
said, kiss me now. Not kill me. Kiss me.” She dropped her hand to her lap.
“Do you want me to?”

   “No!
That’s the last thing I want. Especially since we’re almost friends.” He
swallowed, his mouth dry. “Besides, you’re so beautiful that it would really be
a crazy ass thing to do.”

   “Is that
the only reason?” she asked in a soft voice. “You wouldn’t be scared,
would you?”

   “Of
what?” He scoffed, although his skin felt prickly and hot. “You don’t
want me in your bed, and you don’t want to marry me, so I’m about as safe as I
am with my sister.”

   “That’s
true. But I’m not your sister.”

   Big cornflower
blue eyes gazed at him. Was that an invitation in her gaze? What happened to
“almost friends?” He glowered at her. “What does that
mean?”

   “It means
I wouldn’t mind kissing you. Haven’t kissed a man in a couple of years, and
it’s probably better than killing you. I think.”

   She smiled,
inching closer, and he groaned, feeling his jeans get tight. The urge grew too
strong to resist, even for a man like himself. Being mortal had its drawbacks.

   “Come
here,” he growled, reaching a hand out and pulling her head toward him.
“Just one. Only one. That’s all you get.”

   “Okay.”
She closed her eyes and leaned in. “Make it good.”