Love's Nine Lives. Cara/Cassidy Colter/Caron

      He was having the unfortunate and powerful effect of making Bridget completely addled.

      Which she’d been from the moment she’d opened her door, looked way up and seen him push his fingers through the chocolate silk of his hair. His eyes had been mesmerizing—a mix of gold and green, with a light burning in them that even she could see was frank male appreciation.

      The light had said Justin didn’t see her as little Miss Librarian, despite the severity of her hairdo and the straight lines of her skirt. Somehow he had seen through all that as if it was nothing more than a disguise—a role she played. He had seen her as a woman and something shockingly primal in her had answered back.

      Which was dreadful, of course. Because it went without saying that he was the kind of man she absolutely loathed.

      Dear Reader,

      Whether you’re enjoying one of the first snowfalls of the season or lounging in a beach chair at some plush island resort, I hope you’ve got some great books by your side. I’m especially excited about the Silhouette Romance titles this month as we’re kicking off 2006 with two great new miniseries by some of your all-time favorite authors.

      Cara Colter teams up with her daughter, Cassidy Caron, to launch our new PERPETUALLY YOURS trilogy. In Love’s Nine Lives (#1798) a beautiful librarian’s extremely possessive tabby tries to thwart a budding romance between his mistress and a man who seems all wrong for her but is anything but. Teresa Southwick returns with That Touch of Pink (#1799)—the first in her BUY-A-GUY trilogy. When a single mom literally buys a former military man at a bachelor auction to help her daughter earn a wilderness badge, she gets a lot more than she bargained for…and is soon earning points toward her own romantic survival badge. Old sparks turn into an all-out blaze when the hero returns to the family ranch in Sometimes When We Kiss (#1800) by Linda Goodnight. Finally, Elise Mayr debuts with The Rancher’s Redemption (#1801) in which a widow, desperate to help her sick daughter, throws herself on the mercy of her commanding brother-in-law whose eyes reflect anything but the hate she’d expected.

      And be sure to come back next month for more great reading, with Sandra Paul’s distinctive addition to the PERPETUALLY YOURS trilogy and Judy Christenberry’s new madcap mystery.

      Have a very happy and healthy 2006.

      Ann Leslie Tuttle

      Associate Senior Editor

      Love’s Nine Lives

      Perpetually Yours

      

      Cara Colter

      Cassidy Caron

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This one is for Hunter.

      Without you, this book, and so much more, would not be possible. Thank you for all the lessons and laughter. Who knew so much joy could come from one small being?

      Books by Cara Colter

      Silhouette Romance

      Dare To Dream #491

      Baby in Blue #1161

      Husband in Red #1243

      The Cowboy, the Baby and the Bride-To-Be #1319

      Truly Daddy #1363

      A Bride Worth Waiting For #1388

      Weddings Do Come True #1406

      A Babe in the Woods #1424

      A Royal Marriage #1440

      First Time, Forever #1464

      * Husband by Inheritance #1532

      * The Heiress Takes a Husband #1538

      * Wed by a Will #1544

      What Child Is This? #1585

      Her Royal Husband #1600

      9 Out of 10 Women Can’t Be Wrong #1615

      Guess Who’s Coming for Christmas? #1632

      What a Woman Should Know #1685

      Major Daddy #1710

      Her Second-Chance Man #1726

      Nighttime Sweethearts #1754

      Love’s Nine Lives #1798

      Silhouette Books

      The Coltons

      A Hasty Wedding

      CARA COLTER

      shares her life with the man of her dreams, her spirited teenage daughter, Cassidy Caron, several spotted horses and a fiery orange tabby cat. Her perfect day includes writing, riding and reading. Cara has weaknesses for Tim Horton’s iced cappuccino (a true Canadian pleasure), English toffee coffee and high-quality chocolate (the only known remedy for writer’s block). Working with her daughter to create this story was one of the most gratifying experiences of her career.

      CASSIDY CARON

      Eighteen-year-old high school student Cass Caron has been an extraordinary explorer of the Canadian wilderness. She has participated in grueling back-country treks, horse-pack trips and fly-in adventures. Cass has sold articles to outdoor publications, trained horses and worked in an orchard. She loves cats and is frequently inspired by them. Her dreams for her future include a high-action outdoor career and a man who cooks!

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Epilogue

      Chapter One

      “Conan, please.”

      He curled his tail more tightly around his body and squinched his eyes shut, feigning sleep. Unless she was offering sautéed shrimp, she could forget it.

      “Conan, just try one little bite.”

      Something disgusting was wafted in front of his nose.

      Diet cat treats. Ha, as if the words diet and treat could be used successfully together. He opened one eye, glared at his mistress