English Rose for the Sicilian Doc. Annie Claydon

      Uncovering a sizzling attraction...

      Burned in love, Dr. Matteo Di Salvo knows he should stay away from single mother Rose Palmer. But as he gets to know the beautiful English archaeologist, he longs to chase the shadows from her eyes...

      Rose is drawn to the handsome radiologist, though after her disastrous marriage, getting emotionally entangled is out of the question! But as the sun-drenched island of Sicily works its magic, she wonders if she’s finally found a man she can trust...with her heart and her son.

      ‘Is that all you have to say?’

      ‘No.’

      This time he kissed her. And Matteo did it properly—taking her in his arms and letting her feel the heat build, stopping just a whisper away from her lips until they opened in a tremulous gasp. Then he took everything that she offered and made it his.

      Another first. He didn’t remember ever having felt quite so lost before. So aware of his own strength and yet so conquered by hers. He made it last for as long as he could, and when finally they both had to breathe again he kept her locked in his gaze.

      ‘This doesn’t have to be like the last time, Rose. You don’t have to keep this away from everyone.’

      ‘You don’t understand…’

      ‘Then tell me.’

      Dear Reader,

      I’ve long wanted to have an archaeologist hero or heroine. My own love of digging started early. Beaches, fields, gardens… You name it, they were all subject to my scrutiny in the hope that the earth might give up buried treasure in the form of fossils, crystals or—best of all—an old coin. I never did find very much, but that didn’t stop me. And when I deconstructed the crazy paving in my aunt’s garden I was just as enthusiastic about my punishment—which was to put it all back together again, in the right order—as I was about the crime. Years later I did a subsidiary course in archaeology at university, but it turned out that I was more interested in reading than digging—although at the time it was a close call.

      So I was interested to read that archaeologists have, in the past, used hospital CT scanning equipment on an out-of-hours basis. As an archaeologist Rose does very different work from Matteo, who is an interventional radiologist, but some of the tools and skills that they use are very alike. Working together gives these two very different people a chance to get to know and love each other.

      Thank you for reading Rose and Matteo’s story. I’m always thrilled to hear from readers, and you can contact me via my website at annieclaydon.com.

      Annie x

      English Rose for the Sicilian Doc

      Annie Claydon

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Cursed with a poor sense of direction and a propensity to read, ANNIE CLAYDON spent much of her childhood lost in books. A degree in English Literature followed by a career in computing didn’t lead directly to her perfect job—writing romance for Mills & Boon—but she has no regrets in taking the scenic route. She lives in London: a city where getting lost can be a joy.

      Books by Annie Claydon

      Mills & Boon Medical Romance

      Stranded in His Arms

      Rescued by Dr Rafe

      Saved by the Single Dad

      Daring to Date Her Ex

      The Doctor She’d Never Forget Discovering Dr Riley The Doctor’s Diamond Proposal

      Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

      To teachers everywhere. Amongst them, my mother, who taught me how to read, and my old Latin teacher, who told me that one day I’d be glad I’d learned how to conjugate a Latin verb. Writing this book has finally proved him right.

       Praise for Annie Claydon

      ‘A compelling, emotional and highly poignant read that I couldn’t bear to put down. Rich in pathos, humour and dramatic intensity, it’s a spellbinding tale about healing old wounds, having the courage to listen to your heart and the power of love that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.’

      —Goodreads on

      Once Upon a Christmas Night…

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Praise

       CHAPTER ONE

       CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT

       CHAPTER NINE

       CHAPTER TEN

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

       CHAPTER TWELVE

       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

       CHAPTER FOURTEEN