In her 100th book, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson blends heated sensuality and drama into a dazzling new novel featuring one her most unforgettable Madaris heroes yetâ¦
One by one, Madaris men have surrendered to their grandmotherâs matchmaking. But Lee Madaris isnât letting anyone else control his destiny. Heâll bring a bride of his own choosing to the familyâs holiday gatheringâif his hotelâs gorgeous new chef will agree to a marriage of convenience.
Itâs not just the chance to work at the Stripâs hottest hotel that brought Carly Briggs to Vegas. Witnessing a crime in Miami may have made her a mob target. Though sheâs reluctant to complicate their working relationship, Leeâs tempting offer is so hard to resist. And soon, desire is clouding their no-strings arrangement.
The danger that made Carly flee Miami is about to land at their door. So, Carly and Lee must decide who to trust, when to let goâand whether a love they never anticipated is strong enough to pass the ultimate test.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
âFans of her tender and forbidden love stories will fall head over heels for Jacksonâs newest addition to the sagaâ¦sure to tantalize readers with this unforgettable tale of secret love and the unrelenting power of friendship.â
âBookPage on Inseparable
âThis deliciously sensual romance ramps up the emotional stakes and the action with a bit of deception and corporate espionage. Short, sexy, and sizzling.â
âLibrary Journal on Intimate Seduction
âJackson does not disappointâ¦first-class page-turner.â
âRT Book Reviews, 4½ stars Top Pick, on A Silken Thread
âSuperb storytelling, an original plot and combustible chemistry between the leads will have readers flying through the chapters, desperate to see how Jacksonâs tale ends.â
âRT Book Reviews, 4½ stars Top Pick, on Bachelor Unclaimed
âJackson does a masterful job of drawing readers into the charactersâ lives and minds as she unfolds the story of their meeting, romance and happily ever after. A page-turner from start to finish.â
âRT Book Reviews, 4½ stars Top Pick, on Hidden Pleasures
âBrenda Jackson has reached a new pinnacle of literary and commercial excellence.â
âRT Book Reviews, 4½ stars Top Pick, on One Special Moment
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It gives me great pleasure to present my 100th book to you.
I would be amiss if I didnât take this time to thank a number of people who not only made this journey with me, but who inspired me, motivated me, supported me, and made writing each and every book such a memorable experience.
I thank God for giving me the gift to write and who makes all things possible.
To the man who is the love of my life, Gerald Jackson, Sr.
My one and only. Always.
To my sons, Gerald Jr. and Brandon Jackson, who constantly make their mother proud.
To my faithful and loyal readers who motivate me to write love stories that help them escape into a world of love and romance.
I thank you and I appreciate you.
To all my editorsâthe late Monica Harris, Karen Thomas, Glenda Howard, Monique Patterson, Mavis Allen, Evette Porter, Kelli Martin, Brenda Chin, Stacy Boyd, Valerie Gray, Krista Stroever, Melissa Jeglinski, Joan Marlow Golan and others. Your editorial expertise helped me to present the best stories to my readers.
To my agent, Pattie Steele-Perkins.
Your unwavering support has always been appreciated.
To all the publishers who ever released a Brenda Jackson book.
I thank you for the opportunity you gave me.
To my present publisher, Harlequin. Thank you for your undying support and for always making me feel special.
To my family and friends, whose support I will always appreciate.
To my classmates from Northwestern High School and William M. Raines, Class of 1971, who were my first readers.
Special thanks to Keisha Mennefee for your assistance in my research on chefs.
Special thanks to Angie Lee, Resident Chef and Instructor, for all your information on chefs and culinary schools.
Dear Reader,
I never imagined when I penned my first book, Tonight and Foreverâthe love story of Justin Madaris and Lorren Jacobsâthat eighteen years later I would still be writing about the Madaris family. I am proud that I began my writing career with a Madaris book and that my 100th book is based on that same family.
The Madaris Family is a special family, not just because it was my first family, but because over the years youâve made them your family. I once said that the Madaris men have become your heroes because they represent those things you desireâmen with looks to take your breath away, and who have the ability to make you appreciate the fact that you are a woman.
Over the past few Madaris books, we have seen the matriarch of the family, Mama Laverne, play matchmaker for those single men and women in her family. She feels that itâs now Lee Madarisâs time and she is determined for him to have a Madaris bride for Christmas.