The Marine's Kiss. Shirley Jump

      

      “Are you telling me you aren’t interested in me anymore? Not at all?”

      “No.”

      “Liar,” Nate said.

      “Do you remember why we broke up?” Jenny’s voice was nearly a whisper in the busy hallway. “Because we were from totally different worlds. If you can tell me that’s changed, that you want to settle down in Mercy and make this your life, then maybe I’ll change my mind.”

      Nate leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Or maybe you’ve just made up that little condition because you’re afraid.”

      “Me? Afraid? Of what?”

      “Of getting involved. With me. Or anyone else. You’re not married. Or divorced. Or dating anyone that I know of. That tells me you’ve either become a recluse or you’re afraid of getting involved.”

      She frowned. “This is neither the time nor the place to discuss this.”

      “I agree. So let’s pick a time. When we can be alone.”

      Dear Reader,

      Working with talented writers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. And I’m especially pleased with this month’s lineup because these four authors capture the essence of Silhouette Romance. In their skillful hands, you’ll literally feel as if you’re riding a roller coaster as you experience all the trials and tribulations of true love.

      Start off your adventure with Judy Christenberry’s The Texan’s Reluctant Bride (#1778). Part of the author’s new LONE STAR BRIDES miniseries, a career woman discovers what she’s been missing when Mr. Wrong starts looking an awful lot like Mr. Right. Patricia Thayer continues her LOVE AT THE GOODTIME CAFÉ with Familiar Adversaries (#1779). In this reunion romance, the hero and heroine come from feuding families, but they’re about to find out there really is just a thin line separating hate from love! Stop by the BLOSSOM COUNTY FAIR this month for Teresa Carpenter’s Flirting with Fireworks (#1780). Just don’t get burned by the sparks that fly when a fortune-teller’s love transforms a single dad. Finally, Shirley Jump rounds out the month with The Marine’s Kiss (#1781). When a marine wounded in Afghanistan returns home, he winds up helping a schoolteacher restore order to her classroom…but finds her wreaking havoc to his heart!

      And be sure to watch for more great romances next month when Judy Christenberry and Susan Meier continue their miniseries.

      Happy reading,

      Ann Leslie Tuttle

      Associate Senior Editor

      The Marine’s Kiss

      Shirley Jump

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      To all the men and women who serve our country with honor, giving their lives to protect the freedom we all cherish. And especially to my father and husband, two military heroes who make me proud every day.

      Books by Shirley Jump

      Silhouette Romance

      *The Virgin’s Proposal #1641

      *The Bachelor’s Dare #1700

      *The Daddy’s Promise #1724

      Her Frog Prince #1746

      Kissed by Cat #1757

      *The Marine’s Kiss #1781

      SHIRLEY JUMP

      spends her days writing romantic comedies with sweet attitude to feed her shoe addiction and avoid housework. A wife and mother of two, her real life helps her maintain her sense of humor. She swears that if she didn’t laugh, she’d be fatally overcome by things like uncooperative llamas at birthday parties and chipmunks in the bathroom. When she isn’t writing, Shirley’s either eating or shopping. Or on a really good day, doing both at the same time.

      Her first novel for Silhouette, The Virgin’s Proposal, won the Bookseller’s Best Award in 2004. Though she framed the award, it didn’t impress the kids enough to make them do the dishes more often. In fact, life as a published author is pretty much like life as it was before, except now Shirley conveniently pulls a deadline out of thin air whenever the laundry piles up.

      Read excerpts, see reviews or learn more about Shirley at www.shirleyjump.com.

      Should I or shouldn’t I get involved with U.S. Marine—and homegrown hero—Nathaniel Dole?

      PROS

      Gorgeous!

      Sexy!

      He makes my heart beat superfast whenever he’s around

      Loves children

      Didn’t make fun of me for kissing a pig…will I ever live that incident down?

      Stood up for me at school in front of administration—he is a hero!

      Loves his family—a1nd they live here, too

      CONS

      Keeps his feelings hidden…then again, so do I, sort of…

      Can’t tell how he feels about me, but I think he really likes me

      I’m afraid he’ll break my heart when he leaves again…

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter