The Lone Texan. Lass Small

      Celebrate Lass Small’s 50th title for Silhouette Books with another unforgettable story in her series: Letter to Reader Title Page About the Author Letter to Reader Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Copyright

      Celebrate Lass Small’s 50th title for Silhouette Books with another unforgettable story in her series:

      Every book’s a keeper in this sexy saga of

      untamable Texas men and the stubborn beauties who lasso their hearts.

      

      You met sweet-talkin’ Rip and his lovely lady Lu in

      TAKEN BY A TEXAN

      (Desire #1137)

      

      And who could forget the wonderful romance

      between Andrew and JoAnn in

      THE HARD-TO-TAME TEXAN

      (Desire #1148)

      

      Now that infamous bachelor Tom Keeper finally

      gets his own chance at romance in

      THE LONE TEXAN

      But will bright-eyed beauty Ellen be the girl to change his mind about love and marriage? Read on to find out...and read a personal message from author Lass Small herself!

      Dear Reader,

      

      This month, Silhouette Desire is celebrating milestones, miniseries—and, of course, sensual, emotional and compelling love stories. Every book is a treasured keeper in Lass Small’s miniseries THE KEEPERS OF Texas, but this month, the continuation of this wonderful series about the Keeper family marks a milestone for Lass—the publication of her 50th book for Silhouette with The Lone Texan, also our MAN OF THE MONTH selection!

      

      Desire is also proud to present the launch of two brandnew miniseries. First, let us introduce you to THE RULEBREAKERS, Leanne Banks’s fabulous new series about three strong and sexy heroes. Book one is Millionaire Dad—and it’s a story you won’t want to miss. Next, meet the first of a few good men and women in uniform in the passion-filled new series BACHELOR BATTALION, by Maureen Child. The first installment, The Littlest Marine, will utterly delight you.

      

      Continuing this month is the next book in Peggy Moreland’s series Texas BRIDES about the captivating McCloud sisters, A Sparkle in the Cowboy’s Eyes. And rounding out the month are two wonderful novels—Miranda’s Outlaw by Katherine Garbera, and The Texas Ranger and the Tempting Twin by Pamela Ingrahm.

      

      I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Desire’s love stories this month—and every month.

      

      Regards,

      Melissa Senate

      Senior Editor Silhouette Books

      Please address questions and book requests to:

      Silhouette Reader Service

      U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

      Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

      The Lone Texan

      Lass Small

      

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      LASS SMALL finds living on this planet at this time a fascinating experience. People are amazing. She thinks that to be a teller of tales of people, places and things is absolutely marvelous.

      Dear Reader,

      

      This is a milestone for me in that Silhouette is celebrating my 50th book published by them. It is a marvel.

      

      I was always told that I should write. My mother and my teachers all commented on that. Instead, I got married and had kids. It wasn’t until our third was twelve that I went back to art school.

      

      In the early ’80s everybody was scrambling for publication, because suddenly all of the publishing houses were launching romances. Home with a little boy, idle, I was already writing short stories and novels. And being turned down.

      

      Finally, I published several books with another house. Then I was asked to write a book for Silhouette. I was surprised. I said, “You’ve turned down five of my books.” And that editor replied, “We’ve matured.”

      

      Now, how could anyone ignore that kind of response? I laughed, and she had me.

      

      All of the publishers have been very kind to me, and I salute them all. Of course, Silhouette Books is now my publishing home. I don’t know how they manage to find such kind editors. My current editor is Melissa Jeglinski. She is another jewel.

      

      Obviously, my mother and my teachers were right all along. I was fortunate to be where I was, at the time the opportunity was open, and I’ve been especially fortunate in editors. It has been a pleasure.

      

      With writer’s love,

      One

      On the Keeper ranch in northwest Texas, the problem with the senior Mrs. Keeper was that she could never really, actually abandon anybody. She simply could not quit, give up or let any of them go, for crying out loud.

      That was why she spent so much time...enduring people. She was so earnest that the most recalcitrant person finally just gave up and relaxed and allowed her to—well, actually, she reprogrammed their brains.

      It wasn’t easy.

      However, no person who landed at the Keeper place in northwest Texas