Once Upon a King. Holly Jacobs

      “You’ll have to admit that the night we met neither of us was particularly cautious.”

      Some emotion the prince couldn’t quite identify passed over Cara’s face as she nodded.

      “I guess you could say that.”

      “About that night, I’d like to—”

      “Sorry, Michael. No time to reminisce. I’ve got to plan these weddings and there’re only a few weeks left.”

      “We’re going to have to talk.”

      “I don’t see why. It was a passing fling. A one-night stand. There’s nothing to talk about or analyze. It was over almost before it started. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to freshen up before my next meeting.”

      This time Michael took the hint.

      Cara looked pale and a bit shaky and he didn’t want to upset her further.

      “Fine, I’ll let it go for now. But you’re here at the palace for these next few weeks, cara mia. You won’t be able to run from me forever.”

      Dear Reader,

      To me, September is the cruelest month. One minute it feels like just another glorious summer day. And then almost overnight the days become shorter and life just hits. It’s no different for this month’s heroes and heroines. Because they all get their own very special “September moment” when they discover a secret that will change their lives forever!

      Judy Christenberry once again heads up this month with The Texan’s Tiny Dilemma (#1782)—the next installment in her LONE STAR BRIDES miniseries. A handsome accountant must suddenly figure out how to factor love into the equation when a one-night stand results in twins. Seth Bryant gets his wake-up call when a very pregnant princess shows up on his doorstep in Prince Baby (#1783), which continues Susan Meier’s BRYANT BABY BONANZA. Jill Limber assures us that The Sheriff Wins a Wife (#1784) in the continuing BLOSSOM COUNTY FAIR continuity, but how will this lawman react to the news that he’s still married to a woman who left town eight years ago! Holly Jacobs rounds out the month with her next PERRY SQUARE: THE ROYAL INVASION! title. In Once Upon a King (#1785), baby seems to come before love and marriage for a future king.

      And be sure to watch for more great romances next month when bestselling author Myrna Mackenzie launches our new SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE miniseries.

      Happy reading,

      Ann Leslie Tuttle

      Associate Senior Editor

      Once Upon a King

      Holly Jacobs

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This one’s for Haley. I hope you’ll always find the magic in books!

       You’re such an amazing young woman!

      For Dr. Baxter and Carolyn Flear…there’s no Philharmonic

       or bowling here, but still, thanks for the inspiration! And for Peter…hope you’ve enjoyed the series!

      Finally, for Dort. You had the biggest heart and

       such a gift for blarney. We all miss you every day.

      Books by Holly Jacobs

      Silhouette Romance

      *Do You Hear What I Hear? #1557

      *A Day Late and a Bride Short #1653

      *Dad Today, Groom Tomorrow #1683

      *Be My Baby #1733

      †Once Upon a Princess #1768

      †Once Upon a Prince #1777

      †Once Upon a King #1785

      HOLLY JACOBS

      can’t remember a time when she didn’t read…and read a lot. Writing her own stories just seemed a natural outgrowth of that love. Reading, writing, chauffeuring kids to and from activities makes for a busy life. But it’s one she wouldn’t trade for any other.

      Holly lives in Erie, Pennsylvania, with her husband, four children and a 180-pound Old English mastiff. In her “spare” time, Holly loves hearing from her fans. You can write to her at P.O. Box 11102, Erie, PA 16514-1102 or visit her Web site at www.HollyJacobs.com.

      Dear Reader,

      When I brought royalty to Perry Square and planned a trilogy, I knew I wanted Cara’s story to be last. Of the three friends who make up PERRY SQUARE: THE ROYAL INVASION!, Cara’s the true center of the trio. And as a tried-and-true bookworm, she’s a woman after my own heart. She believes in love and has cheered on Parker and Shey in Once Upon a Princess and Once Upon a Prince. Now it’s her turn to take a journey of the heart as she leaves Perry Square to travel to Eliason to plan Parker and Shey’s secret double wedding. There she meets her own Prince Charming. Well, not exactly meets. You see, one night, three months ago she found, then lost, the man of her dreams. But Cara never imagined her mysterious Prince Charming was in fact a prince!

      Perry Square’s going on the road…going international! I hope you enjoy the trip and this final book in my Perry Square royalty trilogy!

      Enjoy!

      Holly

      Contents

       Prologue

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Epilogue

      Prologue

      Cara Phillips looked out the window of the plane as it made its approach to Eliason, a small European country that most of the world overlooked.

      But to Cara, Eliason was magical.

      A real-life kingdom.

      For a minute she wondered what it would be like to know an entire land was yours…your responsibility, handed down generation after generation. To protect, to guide,