Hooked (47 page)

“Or kissing you like this,” he said, deepening the meeting of their mouths. “And this . . .” he murmured as he grazed the tender skin about her lips, then delving his tongue softly into her mouth and kissing her with an intimacy that shook her clear to her toes.

In a single motion, Matthew swept her into his arms. Meg gave a little scream of deviltry as he walked toward the bedroom. Once inside, he kicked the door
closed with the heel of his boot. Then he tumbled them sideways on the bed, arms encircling one another.

“Ah, Meg . . .” he said, teasing a curl at her brow around his fingertip. “How I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She reached out with her hand and traced the fullness of his mouth.

Then they kissed. Softly. Passionately. Madly.

They'd been hooked.

Dear Readers:

I hope you found
Hooked
enjoyable reading. I began the book in Idaho and finished it in Washington. I now live in the beautiful Seattle area. My office window looks out at forty acres of woods. When I'm stuck on my plot, I can lean back in my chair and watch the bluejays and a variety of birds that swoop through the yard to get at the bird feeders.

It's difficult for a writer to pick which character she's penned that she likes the best. I'd like to think that every hero and heroine I've written has somehow touched a reader. However, I have to say Meg Brooks is the closest to my heart. From the moment she lost her petticoat, I was cheering for her. I think everyone wants to fit in and say, “Like me for who I am.” But it's a difficult statement to make. I was delighted when Meg declared she was who she was. And as her author, I've got a good mind to cut my hair, too.

As to a few historical events: Yes, there really was a Princess Bust Cream manufactured by the Seroco Chemical laboratory. You could buy a jar for a $1.36 from the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogue.

Thanks to my friend, Carmel Thomaston, for answering my questions about reporters. You can visit my homepage at her website, Painted Rock. The address is:

http://www.paintedrock.com/authors/holm.htm

Next up to bat—literally—is a dark and sexy hero, Alex Cordova, who will heat things up in
Honey
, book three of the Brides for All Seasons series, which returns to Harmony, Montana. Camille Kennison has become the new manager of Kennison's Keystones
and is bound and determined to turn the losing ball club into league champions. Along the way, she discovers loyalty and love. Alex finds a place in his heart that's never been touched.

And for those of you who've wondered if Hildegarde Plunkett will ever find her man, she finally does in
Honey:
a gentle soul named Captain, who has a past that only Alex understands.

You can e-mail me at [email protected] or snail mail me at my post office box. As always, a self-addressed, stamped envelope is appreciated for a prompt response.

Best,

Stef Ann Holm

P.O. Box 5727

Kent, WA 98064-5727

Books by Stef Ann Holm

Hooked

Harmony

Forget Me Not

Portraits

Crossings

Weeping Angel

Snowbird

King of the Pirates

Liberty Rose

Seasons of Gold

Published by POCKET BOOKS

A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 1999 by Stef Ann Holm

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Gallery Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

First Gallery Books ebook edition February 2015

GALLERY BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-4516-1400-8

ISBN: 978-1-5011-1066-5 (eBook)