Stop...in the name of love
What kind of motorcycle cop gives a speeding ticket around Christmas? One as by the book as Colin Kirby. But when he stops pediatric oncology nurse Miranda Steele, little does he know that sheâs about to zoom straight into his heart. Or that the Matchmaking Mamas have the unlucky-in-love pair straight in their sights...
After a childhood tragedy, bright-as-sunshine Mirandaâs used to making the best of any situation. So she knows the handsome policeman represents an opportunity: he needs to visit her sick kids at the hospital. But Miranda quickly realizes the closed-off Colin is in need of her help just as much as any of those she volunteers for. And sheâs determined to work her way into his heart this holiday season.
Colin turned sharply on his heel and glared at this woman who wouldnât take a hint.
âLadyââ
âMiranda,â she prompted.
âMiranda,â Colin echoed between gritted teeth. âYou are a royal pain, you know that?â
Miranda always tried to glean something positive out of every situation, no matter how bleak it might appear. âDoes that mean youâll look for her?â she asked him hopefully.
He blew out an angry breath. âThat means youâre a royal pain,â he repeated.
With nothing to lose, Miranda went out on a limb. âPlease? I can give you a description of Lilyâs mother.â And then she thought of something even better. âAnd if you come with me, I can get you a picture of her thatâll be useful.â
He had a feeling that the woman just wasnât going to give up unless he agreed to help her. Although it irritated him beyond description, there was a very small part of him that did admire her tenacity.
* * *
Matchmaking Mamas:
Playing Cupid. Arranging dates.
What are mothers for?
Dear Reader,
You know how sometimes you get a song stuck in your head that you just canât get rid of? Well, in my case that doesnât just happen with songs. Sometimes itâs a phrase, but more often, itâs a title. Case in point, years ago my first Romantic Suspense was entitled Holding Out for a Hero. That song was part of the score for a movie my kids loved enough that I took them to it several times. It was a cute movie, but I couldnât get that song out of my head for weeks. I carried that title around for a number of years until I came up with a story that warranted it.
I had the same thing happen a number of years after that with a title that popped into my head and refused to âunpop.â The title this time was Good Deeds and Miranda. This time, sadly, my choice for a title was vetoed, but that doesnât change the fact that this book was born to tell that titleâs story.
Miranda Steele is a perpetual do-gooder. The die was cast when Mirandaâs sister, Emily, died of leukemia at the age of five. Miranda loved her and saw herself as her sisterâs protector. She refocused all her energy to helping others, be they children, adults or animals. She has so many outlets for her good deeds that she doesnât have any time for herselfâuntil loner Colin Kirby crosses her path. The police officer has witnessed too much death for his young age, and the only way heâs found to survive is to withdraw into himself. When their paths cross (by arrangement, thanks to the Matchmaking Mamas), Miranda sees a broken soul who needs comfort and a way to get back among the living. Colin sees an attractive whirling dervish who just wonât leave him aloneâuntil he doesnât want to be left alone.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my book, and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you someone to love who loves you back.
All the best,
Marie
USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Awardâwinning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and seventy-five books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.
To
Melany, The Best Daughter-in-Law Anyone Could Ask For. Welcome To The Family.
Prologue
âIs it true?â
Theresa Manetti looked up from the menu she was putting the final touches on to see who had just walked into her inner office. Most clients who wanted to avail themselves of her catering services either called or were brought in by one of her staff and announced.
As it turned out, this time Theresa found herself looking up at Jeannine Steele, an old friend she hadnât seen in at least six months. Not since sheâd catered Jeannineâs husbandâs funeral reception.
âWell, thatâs a new kind of greeting,â Theresa commented, amused. âMost people usually say hello. Is what true?â she asked, nodding toward the chair on the other side of her desk, indicating that her friend should sit down.