November New Releases

Happy November! Depending where you are it’s either the tail end of autumn or spring.

I’m in the autumn end, where it’s grey, bleak, windy. The cold is setting in and it’s darker for longer…although we just had daylight savings time so it’s not SO brutal early in the morning.

Either way, it’s a perfect time to curl up with a good book and here’s some brand new releases for you to enjoy! ❤

 A Christmas Kiss with Her Ex-Army Doc by Tina Beckett

Can a Christmas kiss…

…lead to their happy-ever-after?

Nurse Hollee Cantrell is stunned when ex-army doc Clancy deOliveira begins working at her hospital. Years ago, they shared a passionate kiss—but then Clancy left and Hollee married his best friend. Now widowed, it’s time for Hollee to admit that her marriage was a sham and she’s never stopped thinking about Clancy. And as their desire reignites, it seems Clancy hasn’t forgotten her either…

 

 

Festive Fling with the Single Dad by Annie Claydon

From festive fling…

…to forever family?

In this Pups that Make Miracles story, single dad vet Aksel Olson doesn’t have time for romance; his recently discovered daughter is his priority now. But his vivacious new neighbor, physiotherapist Flora McNeith, is helping Aksel connect with his little girl in the way he longs to…and spending time together, neither he nor Flora can resist their attraction. Could a Christmas fling open both their hearts to a new beginning…together?

Pups that Make Miracles quartet

Book 1 – Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue
Book 2 – Festive Fling with the Single Dad

 

 

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue by Susan Carlisle

A chance to mend her body…

A doc to heal her heart?

In this Pups that Make Miracles story, search-and-rescue worker Cassandra Bellow arrives at Heatherglen Clinic injured and reeling from the loss of her faithful rescue dog. But a Christmas romance with the gorgeous clinic manager, Dr. Lyle Sinclair, along with Heatherglen’s adorable therapy dogs, restores Cass’s lust for life. Except soon she must return to America—unless guarded Lyle asks her to stay…

Pups that Make Miracles quartet

Book 1 – Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue
Book 2 – Festive Fling with the Single Dad

 

Second Chance with the Surgeon by Robin Gianna

Can healing his ex-wife…

…also mend their marriage?

When occupational therapist Jillian Keyser breaks her wrist, the last thing she wants is treatment from her ex-husband, Conor McCarthy. But as he is a leading orthopedic surgeon, she knows she needs his help! As she is forced to live again with the man who broke her heart, they discover a new understanding. With their connection as strong as ever, will the Christmas lights over New York shine on their relationship for a second time?

 

 

 The Doctor’s Christmas Reunion by Meredith Webber

Can this husband and wife…

…be reunited for Christmas?

Losing the baby they desperately wanted tore doctors Ellie and Andy Fraser’s marriage apart. Though they still share a home, they no longer share their lives. But when they find themselves caring for an abandoned baby, they must temporarily join forces, and as Christmas approaches, Ellie and Andy start to fall in love all over again. Is it time they created their own Christmas miracle?

 

 

Unwrapping the Neurosurgeon’s Heart by Charlotte Hawkes

At the heart of a playboy…

…is the man of her dreams.

ER doc Anouk Hart wishes she could ignore her traitorous body’s reaction to high-flying neurosurgeon Solomon Gunn. Yet beneath his playboy reputation, Anouk sees flashes of compassion, which are even more dangerous than his charm! Especially when the warmth of Sol’s Christmas spirit starts to make her long to unleash the real Solomon Gunn and keep him by her side forever!

 

Pups that Make Miracles – Book 2

It’s my turn today, to introduce you to the second book in the Pups that make Miracles quartet.  I’m thrilled to be book-buddies with Susan Carlisle this month (our books are both out today!), and next month we’ll be having excerpts from Annie O’Neil and Karin Baine’s books.

This excerpt from Festive Fling with the Single Dad  introduces Flora and Aksel, along with another very important character.  Dougal is a puppy, rescued by Susan’s heroine and his story runs through all four of the books.  I don’t think I’m giving away too much to mention that Dougal will be finding his forever home in the final book of the series!

Chapter One

Up close, he looked even more…

More outdoorsy. Taller and blonder and… Just more. A two-day beard covered a square jaw, and his mane of shoulder-length hair was tied at the nape of his neck. His casual shirt and worn jeans gave the impression of an off-duty Norse god, and Flora McNeith resisted the temptation to curtsey. It was slightly over the top as a greeting for a new neighbour.

‘Hi. I’m Flora. From next door.’ She gestured towards her own cottage, tugging at Dougal’s lead in a fruitless attempt to get him to sit down for just one moment. ‘Welcome to the village.’

He looked a little taken aback when she thrust the food box, containing half a dozen home-made mince pies into his hands. It might be more than three weeks until Christmas, but the lights of the Christmas tree in the village had already been turned on, and in Flora’s book any time after September was a good time for mince pies.

‘That’s very kind.’ His voice was very deep, the kind of tone that befitted the very impressive chest that it came from. And it appeared that whatever kind of deity Aksel Olson was, language and communication weren’t part of his remit. He was regarding her silently.

‘I work at the Heatherglen Castle Clinic. I hear that your daughter, Mette, is a patient there.’ Maybe if she explained herself a little more, she might get a reaction.

Something flickered in his eyes at the mention of his daughter. Reflective and sparkling, like sunshine over a sheet of ice.

‘Are you going to be part of Mette’s therapy team?’

Right. That put Flora in her place. Apparently that was the only thing that interested Aksel about her.

‘No, I’m a physiotherapist. I gather that your daughter is partially sighted…’ Flora bit her tongue. That sounded as if everyone was gossiping about him, which was half-true. The whisper that Mette’s father was single had gone around like wildfire amongst the female staff at the clinic. Now that Flora had met Aksel, she understood what the excitement was all about.

‘You read the memo, then?’ Something like humour flashed in his eyes, and Flora breathed a small sigh of relief. Lyle Sinclair must have told him about the memo.

‘Yes. I did.’ Every time a new patient was admitted a memo went round, introducing the newest member of the clinic’s community and asking every member of staff to welcome them. It was just one of the little things that made the clinic very special.

‘Would you like to come in for coffee?’ Suddenly he stood back from the door.

‘Oh!’ Aksel’s taciturn manner somehow made the words he did say seem more sincere. ‘I shouldn’t… Dougal and I are just getting used to each other and I haven’t dared take him anywhere for coffee yet. I’m afraid he’ll get over-excited and do some damage.’

Aksel squatted down on his heels, in front of the ten-week-old brindle puppy, his face impassive.

‘Hi, there, Dougal.’

Dougal was nosing around the porch, his tail wagging ferociously. At the sound of his name he looked up at Aksel, his odd ears twitching to attention. He circled the porch, to show off his new red fleece dog coat, and Flora stepped over the trailing lead, trying not to get snagged in it. Then Dougal trotted up to Aksel, nosing at his outstretched hand, and decided almost immediately he’d found a new best buddy. Finally, Aksel smiled, stroking the puppy’s head.

‘I’m sure we’ll manage. Why don’t you come in?’

Two whole sentences. And the sudden warmth in his eyes was very hard to resist.

‘In that case… Thank you.’ Flora stepped into the hallway and Dougal tugged on his lead in delight.

Excerpt – Falling for her Italian Billionaire by Annie Claydon

First impressions matter, but often a heroine has to wait before she hears what a hero really thinks of her.  But I decided to ring the changes a little in this book, which is the first of my ‘London Heroes’ duet.

Gabriel DeMarco wakes up in hospital with a beautiful woman by his bedside.  The after-effects of the drugs that were slipped into his drink last night mean that he’s not able to stop himself from voicing exactly what’s on his mind…  

 

 

 

 

Chapter One

Gabriel DeMarco opened his eyes. That seemed to be quite enough work for today, so he closed them again.

‘How are you feeling?’ A woman’s voice flowed over him like warm honey. It was a nice voice, quiet yet firm. The kind of voice that any man should take notice of.

‘I could go back to sleep.’ The words slipped out before he had a chance to tell himself that sleeping probably wasn’t what the voice wanted him to do. And at the moment it seemed like a siren’s call, which couldn’t be resisted. ‘Or…I could wake up.’

It sounded as if the voice was smiling. ‘Why don’t you wake up? You’re in hospital.’

Really? The thought didn’t bother him as much as it should. He was comfortable and relaxed, as if lying on a cloud. He tried opening his eyes and light seared through his brain, making his head hurt. He’d just have to keep them closed for a while…

‘Which hospital?’ Not that it mattered particularly. But talking might convince the voice that he’d complied with her request.

‘The Royal Westminster. You’re in the private wing.’

That made sense. Someone must know who he was, and that the son of Leo DeMarco, head of one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Europe, could stand the cost of a night’s stay in hospital. Or maybe he’d been here longer than just one night. Gabriel couldn’t remember.

He flexed his fingers, running his hand across his chest and then moving his legs. Everything appeared to be working. No pain. Whatever he was in here for was probably very minor…

‘Open your eyes.’

No… He didn’t want to. Maybe he said as much, without knowing it, or maybe the voice just read his mind, because he felt the touch of a hand against the side of his face.

‘Come on. Open your eyes.’

He couldn’t resist. This time the pain wasn’t so bad, because the hand was shading his face. When he turned his head in the direction of the voice, a mass of red-blonde curls and a pair of blue eyes snapped suddenly into focus. What had happened to him suddenly came a very poor second in importance to who she was.

‘What’s your name? Are you a nurse?’ Stupid question. She wore a dark blue sleeveless summer dress, which seemed to be held together by a few buttons and a belt around her waist. Clearly not a nurse unless they’d changed the uniform from sensible to sexy.

‘My name’s Clara Holt. I’m not a nurse, although I’m medically trained. Your father sent me.’

His father? Since when had he started sending women to sit at Gabriel’s bedside? The thought occurred to him that maybe his father had, for once, made a marvellous choice. She was perfezione…molto bella… Porcelain skin and shining gold hair. Right now, making the gorgeous Clara happy was all he wanted to do…

‘Grazie.’ Her lips curved into a slight smile. He’d missed out her lips, and that was unforgivable…

‘You speak Italian?’

‘Only a few words.’

She knew the ones that mattered. Every woman should understand the words a man said when he called her beautiful.

Wait. How many of his thoughts had sprung to his lips by mistake, and what language had he voiced them in? The feeling that this wasn’t right was beginning to nag at the edge of his consciousness. If he thought a woman beautiful, he usually had the manners to wait, and make quite sure it was the kind of compliment she wanted to hear.

Gabriel shook his head, trying to clear it, and struggled to sit up. Pain shot across his temples and he suddenly felt very nauseous. The wonderful Clara reached out, gently pushing him back down onto the pillows.

‘You’ll feel better in a moment, just take it slowly.’

She was an angel. Clara could take him up to her cloud any day of the week and…

No! He still wasn’t thinking straight. He fought to locate a sensible question in his head, and came up with only one.

‘What’s the matter with me?’

New Releases

It’s June and we have brand spanking new releases for all of you! Including the debut book of our newest Medical Romance Author Deanne Anders!

 

Falling for her Italian Billionaire by Annie Claydon

Hired to protect him…

Now she’s falling for him!

In this London Heroes story, protecting Dr. Gabriel DeMarco from a threat against his family is no-nonsense bodyguard Clara Holt’s most challenging assignment yet. The Italian billionaire is distractingly gorgeous anddetermined to put his patients before his own safety! Clara vowed never again to risk mixing her career with romance — only while she’s busy protecting him, Gabriel’s busy breaking down the walls around her heart…

 

 

From Midwife to Mommy by Deanne Anders

The family she’s always wanted…

With the man she doesn’t expect!

Midwife Lana Sanders is about to adopt little Maggie, and gain the family she never thought she’d have, when pediatrician Trent Montgomery arrives claiming to be Maggie’s uncle! Lana won’t give up without a fight, but resisting the tempting Texan is her greatest battle. They work well together in the delivery room and sparks fly in the bedroom, but can Lana trust Trent with her heart?

 

 

Her Secret Miracle by Dianne Drake

Can their miracle baby…

…bind them — forever?

Dr. Michi Sato will never forget the night of incredible passion she shared with lone-wolf billionaire and surgeon Eric Hart. Especially as it resulted in the baby she never thought she’d have. Her son’s heart condition has meant Michi’s always put him first, but now she must fly him to New York for treatment…and tell guarded bachelor Eric that he’s a father!

 

 

Pregnant with Her Best Friend’s Baby by Alison Roberts

From friends with benefits…

To parents!

Paramedic dream team Maggie and Joe aren’t just crewmates in the Aratika Rescue Service, they’re also best friends. Until a particularly perilous, adrenaline-fueled rescue leads to one hot night in the shower! But Maggie discovers their unexpected and intensely passionate encounter had life-changing consequences. Now with a baby on the way, she can’t help but wonder, can she and Joe ever be more than just good friends…?

 

 

Second Chance with the Single Mom by Annie Claydon

Can their unexpected reunion…

…become a longed-for family?

In this London Heroes story, Dr. Alistair Duvall’s stunned when ex-wife Raina Elliot walks back into his life, needing help for her amputee daughter. After the heartbreak of losing their own baby, Alistair’s not prepared for the adorable little girl to capture his heart. And seeing Raina again rekindles a spark that never quite died… Can Raina convince him he can be the husband and father he wants to be?

 

 

The Surgeon’s Surprise Baby by Tina Beckett

He doesn’t believe in second chances…

Until one knocks on his door!

When neurologist Luca Venezio’s romance with surgeon Elyse Tenner ended as passionately as it began, he returned to Italy little knowing he’d left part of himself behind… Until Elyse arrives from America with their baby daughter and upends his world! Luca’s rocked by the bond with his little girl and how much he’s missed Elyse. Can they overcome the distance between them that’s more than merely miles?

 

Happy Reading! xo

A Summer of Mills & Boon Love

Spring has most definitely sprung here in the UK. We’ve had April showers, an Easter heatwave and now May is upon us there is sun. There’s no mistaking that we’re heading full speed into summer. A time when love (and hay fever!) are in the air! And while a British summer wouldn’t be complete without the threat of rain, here at True Love Towers we know that can only be a good thing… Because true love can’t shine until it’s weathered at least one storm!

The arrival of summer this year brings about a whole new collection of Medical Romance pairings. As usual our heroes and heroines are finding their very own HEAs, but we also have four brand-new duets. From the classic to the unique. Homages to British summertime and escapes to far flung exotic locations. All that’s left now is for you to decide which ones you want on your ‘Must Read’ list this year…

In June:

London Heroes by Annie Claydon
Doctors Gabriel DeMarco and Alistair Duvall founded The Watchlight Trust to help people get their lives back on track after they’ve been through life-changing trauma. And they work tirelessly to ensure their research can reach out to as many people as possible! But when their own lives are knocked off course, they find themselves in need of a little help of their own…

Summer sun level – 6/10
London can be rather unpredictable at this time of year, but Gabriel’s story does include a trip to sun-drenched Italy…

In July:

SOS Docs by Louisa George and Sue MacKay
Chase Barrington and Ethan Reid share a tragic past. Now working tirelessly to save as many lives as they can, these heroic docs are thrown together on their latest humanitarian mission. But this time, they won’t only be helping others… As Chase and Ethan meet and fall for two very different women, could this trip be their chance to find their own opportunity to heal?

Summer sun level – 8/10
These two stories are set on a ship offering medical treatment to refugees, located in the Mediterranean Sea. With stops in the UK, Marseilles and Naples you’re bound to see some European sun.

In August:

Cinderellas to Royal Brides by Ann McIntosh and Amy Ruttan
With the King taking a step back, the island Kingdom of Kalyana in the Indian Ocean needs Princes Farhan and Maazin to do their duty. But it won’t be an easy ride for these skilled royal medics. Especially when they meet the two women who will shape their country’s legacy, and their own futures!

Summer sun level – 9/10
Fictional kingdom Kalyana is right in the middle on the Indian Ocean and boasts a sunny climate all year around. With highs of 30 degrees and without a cloud in sight, you’re guaranteed to top up your tan.

In September:

The Good Luck Hospital by Scarlet Wilson
The May Mắn Hospital is the heart of Hanoi, offering humanitarian care to those who need it most – and healing even the most broken of hearts that walk through its doors. May Mắn means good luck, and while many of the hospital’s dedicated lifesavers might have been unlucky in love, their fortunes are about to change…

Summer sun level – 7/10
This duet’s setting is enchanting and exotic Vietnam, but beware, in September all that wonderful heat comes with a lot of rain!

 

We’d love to hear from you! What are you favourite summer story locations to read about?

Happy summer reading!
The Mills & Boon Medical Romance Editors

First and Last – A celebration of Harlequin’s 70 years in publishing!

This year marks the 70th year in publishing for Harlequin – if you haven’t seen the celebration posts on the Harlequin blog yet, here’s the link.  For cover lovers everywhere, check out their Cover Art Retrospective.

And what better way to help celebrate than with our own covers.  We’ve all seen them change over the years and we’ve gathered a few firsts together from our Medical Romance authors, along with some later releases to compare them with.

Emily Forbes:  A first cover from 2004 (time flies!), and Emily’s latest release.  Aren’t they beautiful!

 

Susan Carlisle:  Susan’s first and most recent covers are very different but both tug at the heartstrings.

 

Two firsts from Lynne Marshall and Annie O’Neil.  Who can resist Lynne’s gorgeous Dad and Baby, and Annie’s wonderful snow kiss?

 

Annie Claydon:  The couple featured in Annie’s first cover made a welcome reappearance in her 9th, but the covers are very different!

 

Amy Ruttan:  Two more similar images, but very different covers!  Which do you like best?

 

Traci Douglass:  Traci’s first and most recent covers show subtle changes in design, but it’s difficult to stop looking at either of them.

Things I’ve been learning

Since I last blogged, a couple of months ago, I’ve been on a bit of a learning curve. A month before Christmas, a slight on and off ache in my back, became an insistent scream. I rested up, did all the things that generally worked for me and… nothing did. So, with a book to finish and Christmas to organise, I did what any responsible person would do. I panicked.

And, of course, the book was finished (due mainly to a great deal of support and patience from the Eds), and Christmas happened (much as it does every year). And my back still hurt.

As they always do, friends stepped in. After meeting up for tea, Kate (Hardy) and Annie (O’Neil) practically broke the internet with a blizzard of supportive emails. I embarked on yet another mission to find out exactly what the problem was, and found myself prodded, scanned and asked to stand on one leg rather a lot. And then the verdict came back. I didn’t have a bad back at all. I wasn’t slowing down due to an accumulation of birthdays, or stiffening up because of hours spent typing. It’s all due to an old injury to my hip.

Because this had been going on for years, there were quite a few other things, which had developed so slowly that I simply hadn’t noticed them. I was genuinely surprised to find that I can’t walk in a straight line (despite being stone cold sober 🙂 ) Little things, which happen over time to many people, but hearing them all in the space of five minutes was a bit of a shock to the system.

The good news is that it can all be fixed. It’ll take a while, but that’s okay, because the hope is that I won’t just be back to normal, I’ll be a lot better than normal. So I’m looking forward to being able to do a Wonder Woman twirl by next Christmas!

And what have I learned? The first lesson is thankfulness – I’m so lucky that medical expertise and science has done its best for me, and that all this is reversible. I’ve learned, yet again, to be grateful for the support of family and friends. I’ve learned how much I love writing (and in the pursuit of that, that not all office chairs are the same…). And I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing it’s possible to do, is just to stop. Look again at what you’ve been told, and what you thought you knew. Learn.

Is there something you’ve learned lately? I have a feeling that we never really run out of things to learn, and that comes as something of a relief to me 🙂 Or perhaps, like me, you have something to be thankful for. I’d love to hear about it!