Anne McAllister was born in California, spent formative summer vacations on the beach near her home and on her grandparents' small ranch in Colorado and visiting relatives in Montana. Studying the cowboys, the surfers and the beach volleyball players, she spent long hours developing her concept of "the perfect hero." One thing she did do, early on, was develop a weakness for lean, dark-haired, handsome lone-wolf type guys. When she finally found one, he was in the university library where she was working at the time. It didn't matter. She knew a good man when she saw one. And they've now been sharing "happily ever afters" since then. She says: "Once I had a book with a cover I really loved. And my husband found out who the artist was and bought me the illustration for my birthday. It was entirely unexpected and I was thrilled".
Before she started writing romances, Anne taught Spanish, capped deodorant bottles copyedited textbooks, got a master's degree in theology, and ghostwrote sermons. It all became grist for the fictional mill - as has the family history she likes to learn more about every chance she gets. She might have to try her hand at that historical, after all - especially now that she's learned more about that second great-grandfather who claims to have shot 40 men!
Anne and her husband have four children, four dogs, and one bionic cat who, contrary to all expectations, is working on his second millennium. Quite a few years ago they moved to the Midwest, but they spend more and more time in Montana. And as Anne says, she lives there in her head most of the time anyway. She wishes a small town like her very own Elmer, Montana, existed. She'd move there in a minute.
How could she resist a man who ate his peas? Any man who attempted to turn an interview into a seduction, then had the nerve to invite himself to dinner, deserved exactly what he got. Liv James couldn't help feeling that actor Joe Harrington, ...
The clock in Emergency read 3:00 a.m. Bleary-eyed, Cassie removed the bits of Pacific Coast Highway embedded in his skin while the patient complained loudly. Then she saw the scar. It couldn't be. But how many men had long scars on their po...
She'd expected a little temptation Anna Douglas had realized when she left her fiance in California for a temporary job in Wisconsin that she'd meet other men. And she hadn't worried about it, believing she knew the strength of her com...
It was different when it was your own life Lainie Tucker couldn't believe that Griffin had left Los Angeles. After a whirlwind courtship and seven short months of marriage, how could he leave? Lainie would have counseled one of her clients to ...
Summer lightning -- that described Jake Torey had fallen in love with him as a teenager, but he'd regarded her as a child. Singed by the experience she met and married another man. Now, seven years later, she'd returned to California as ...
Disasters come in threes... That's what her mother always said, and now Susan Rivers could attest to it. First her teenage brother--accompanied by his blaring radio and guinea pigs Lusty and Dusty--was thrust upon her for the summer. Then she ...
How could one explain the mysteries of the heart? Some people created haunting melodies, some saw hope in a far-off land. Owain O'Neill couldn't pinpoint the urge that led him to Belle River, Wisconsin, to see for himself the child he'...
What was so funny about a bungled divorce? Austin Cavanaugh came all the way to San Francisco to tell Clea a joke. Clea Bannister--good old Clea--had unknowingly been Mrs. Austin Cavanaugh for the past seven, years. She wasn't amused. She'...
She decided to treat Ben Standish with indifference His betrayal eight years before had left Jessica Mallory raw and hurting. That memory would act as a shield against his dynamic charm The chemistry between them had been basic and volatile, bu...
"I'm a guide, not a nanny, sweetheart:" Aidan Sawyer was the quintessential jungle guide, and being in his company was akin to cornering a panther. Courtney Perkins realized quickly that jaguars and river bandits were not the only dang...
First she jilted him... Then she jailed him. Arid now she said she wanted back in his life. Half-Navajo journalist Chase Whitelaw had a one-word answer for that, and it wasn't yes. Sure, he wanted a wife and family--he was tired of being the o...
CAM'S LIFE WAS FULL OF SURPRISES Cameron McClellan had looked forward to this month at the beach. To get away from the business and spend some time with his ten-year-old son Kip. Who knew? Maybe by going back to the luxurious home he'd ...
Lesley wasn't prepared for Matt's return Once she'd worn her heart on her sleeve for Matt Colter. Not now. Of course she was horrified at his kidnapping while on a Middle East assignment and glad of his release--but their marriage h...
ONE WEDDING--FOUR LOVE STORIES FROM YOUR FAVORITE HARLEQUIN AUTHORS! The church is booked, the reception arranged and the invitations mailed. All Diane Bauer and Nick Granatelli have to do is walk down the aisle. Little do they realize that the mo...
"HOW WILL I KNOW HIM?" The first time Diane Bauer asked herself how she'd recognize the man she would marry, she accompanied a college friend on a blind date--and met intense young grad student Nick Granatelli. For Diane, a smolderi...
She'd accepted the lifeline Jason Cole offered Actually, Samantha had little choice when her own summer plans fell through. Jason's sister needed a music teacher-cum-chaperone and Sam needed a job. But, in spite of its travel opportunit...
Was she free from the past? That's what Libby expected to discover when she returned to the Bahamian island where she'd had a brief summer affair with actor Alec Blanchard. Not that she regretted her son Sam's birth, but it was ti...
KISS ANNABEL ARCHER? He'd rather go ten rounds with her goat than kiss a woman who made him feel as if he'd crawled out from under a rock! As it happened, he got to do both. It was not the scenario Carter MacKenzie had counted on whe...
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Colorado cowboy Jess Cooper knew better than to believe in Santa Claus. And if he ever made a Christmas list, "wife and family" would never make the cut. Still, ever since Alison Richards had returned to the Roc...
Twenty-three second graders couldn't be wrong - Jane Kitto needed a real man in her life, not just a secret admirer who, every Valentine's Day, sent her a tiny charm. Jane wasn't sure she agreed with her pint-size Cupids, especially when their candid...
Cabin Fever No man has ever bested Lacey Ferris. Evidently, Mitch DaSilva is going to have to learn this the hard way. He'd agreed to "kidnap" Lacey at the request of her narrow-minded, meddling uncles. But Lacey makes sure his plan to...
"You're the Last Possible Groom." Rodeo cowboy Channing Richardson couldn't believe it. But since all his brothers had found their own wives, only Chan could fulfill his mother's dream--that one of her sons marry her best frien...
It was not the getaway she'd planned Emily Musgrave fled Spain with her young nephew, running from the boy's possessive uncle -- business tycoon Alex Gomez. Help came from a heroic stranger -- Sandy "call me Mac" MacPherson who cla...
MR. FEBRUARY The rock: Ranch foreman Robert Tanner-a man who never let any woman get close to him. The hard place: The Bar C--the Wyoming spread he was used to running like it was his own. And in between was Maggie MacLeod--the unwanted, unw...
Judson Black - A cowboy, plain and simple. Or maybe it's not so simple...because Judson was a cowboy back in 1878! One night he came into Dodge City, looking for a good time and a little trouble. Next morning, he woke up in the future - and in Sara J...
ROUND 'EM UP, COWBOY! Lu Tanner wasn't afraid of looking danger rip in the eye. He'd wrestled his way through his share of ornery situations, and he'd never run from anything--or anyone--in his life! Except once.... Jillian Cran...
Eligible tycoon seeks perfect bride! Damon Alexakis had looks, wealth, power. What he didn't have was a suitable wife.... Kate McKee was the perfect choice. Beautiful, intelligent, she was the adored nanny of his sister's twins; and she...
A COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS WISH Noah Tanner had taken more hard knocks on the rodeo circuit than he cared to count, but nothing had ever thrown him for a loop like this! A chance encounter brought him face-to-face with Tess Montgomery--and the child...
MR. JULY Immovable Object: Ex-rodeo cowboy Taggart Jones Irresistible Force: Felicity Albright, schoolteacher and perfect wife material Unstopable Kid: Matchmaking daughter who knows best Taggart Jones had no intention of getting married ...
"BRENNA NEEDS A HUSBAND," Jed McCal's nephew Tuck told him. Pregnant and alone, Brenna Jamison was back--trying single-handedly to run her father's touch. "WE NEED A WIFE," Tuck said. If footloose cowboy Jed McCall didn...
Once he accused her of trading sex for a wedding ring.... Carly O'Reilly knew Piran St. Just wasn't her Mr. Right. He'd rejected her innocent infatuation years ago, and he certainly didn't see himself as a doting husband and father...
Bachelor baby-sitter! When it comes to the female sex, Finn MacCauley is an expert. Except, that is, when the females in question are his six-year-old nieces--and identical twins. Finn just isn't equipped to be a father .... Isobel Rule, on...
LONESOME COWBOY Mace Nichols had everyone scratching their heads. After years of marital bliss, he'd up and walked out on Jenny. Why? He wouldn't say. Just that Jenny would be better off. Even little Becky Jones didn't know what to ma...
No marriage. No family. It was the one thing Holt and Lucy agreed on. Until this New Year's...when one snowstorm, two grandparents, three children and a dog with galoshes started proving what everybody else knew all along: that families know best!...
The bride said no! Business tycoon Sam Fletcher was used to getting his own way. He'd never been in a situation he couldn't handle. So when Josie Nolan broke the news to him that she was expecting his baby, Sam was a little shaken--but not...
Mr. January The Cowboy: Shane Nichols was always willing to help. So when his buddy's girl showed signs of marrying the wrong man, Shane took action. The Lady: Poppy Hamilton had never been kidnapped before. It seemed like a drastic solution,...
MR. JULY Commitment-Shy Cowboy: Cash Callahan wasn't opposed to marriage. It was fine for other people. For everybody else, in fact, except... The Woman Who Was Marrying Mike Dutton on Saturday: Milly Malone. Some women had no patience! So s...
Tempted by a tycoon... Mari Lewis was thrilled when a wealthy businessman offered her a job as live-in nanny to his son. But on arrival at his luxury home Mari realized her employer had two sons--and her charge, Nikos Costanides, wasn't the li...
"I'M NO STARDUST COWBOY!" -- Riley Stratton, rough-edged Wyoming cowboy Riley knew he wasn't any kid's imaginary hero -- capable of making dreams come true. His own dreams had bitten the dust so long ago, he couldn't even r...
Sexy cowboy seeks refuge at first love's secluded ranch. Woman's son bears striking resemblance! STRONG. SILENT. SECRET FATHER. The busload of brides-to-be was the last straw! Cowboy Rance Phillips had to flee from the ladies out to ...
An innocent seduction? Gibson Walker was appalled when Chloe Madsen came to work for him. He'd only agreed to employ her as a favor--he had no time to baby-sit an innocent small-town girl. So why was he finding himself tormented by Chloe'...
Rugged J.D. Holt had a life full of secrets -- none of which he intended to share with brainy, beautiful Lydia Cochrane. He wasn't sharing ANYTHING with Lydia -- until he found out she'd bought HIS ranch and was now HIS boss! Well, he could h...
Rhys's Rule: Don't Get Involved! Rhys Wolfe's demanding job left no time for romance - which was fine with him. He was close friends with his gorgeous neighbor, Mariah Kelly. But that was all they were - friends. Their one night of pas...
A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS? Bronc buster Gus Holt had shied away from weddings since he'd ducked out of his own a decade ago. But when ex-fiancee Mary McLean turned up in Montana -- pregnant, alone, and lovelier than ever -- Gus suddenly hankered ...
Dominic's downfall! Dominic Wolfe -- one of the sharpest young tycoons in New York City -- should have known that one night of great sex was no basis for a marriage. But it wasn't his head Dominic was thinking with when he asked Sierra Kel...
"I'M BACK! Let's get married." -- Charlie Seeks Elk, urban Native American turned Montana cowboy Three years ago, in a war zone on the other side of the world, Charlie had loved Cait Blasingame. Still, home and family weren't ...
With a neighbor's ranch at stake, Montana-cowboy-turned-Hollywood-heartthrob Sloan Gallagher agreed to take part in the Great Montana Cowboy Auction organized by Polly McMaster. But in order to avoid going home with an overly enthusiastic fan, he...
"Let Celie get away? No, sir! That;s why cowboys invented lassos!" -- Jace Tucker, wife wrangler Rodeo heartthrob Jace Tucker fell for Celie O'Meara the day they met. But she was his buddy's girl. Then his buddy jilted Celie -- an...
A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE Deke Malone got an early Christmas present -- an almost-two-year-old son! Parenthood had never been among Deke's priorities, but being a dad was the hardest -- and best -- thing he'd ever done. It took him home to Mont...
When Nathan Wolfe discovers that he's a father, he decides that marriage is the only way to mend the past. Carin Campbell had good reasons for keeping Nathan's child a secret. But now he's demanding that they marry. Carin knows he'...
Mistress -- in name only! Are the inhabitants of exotic Pelican Cay ready for the return of Lachlan McGillivray? Fiona Dunbar isn't. Not when Lachlan's roguish reputation still goes before him. However, pretty soon the whole island is ce...
Hugh McGillivray is stunned when he fishes a sexy woman out of the ocean. But even Pelican Cay's most determined playboy is tempted by beautiful Sydney St. John.... Sydney needs to escape her deeply unattractive business partner, who's dem...
Lessons in seduction... "You want me to what?" Wealthy jet-setter Joaquin Santiago can't believe his ears. He's flown to the tranquil island of Pelican Cay to escape from screaming hordes of adoring women. And now the most unlikely...
The Greek tycoon's takeover... Greek magnate Elias Antonides has single-handedly regained his family's fortune. So when his father gambles away a vital share he's furious! Elias now has a new business partner...stunning heiress Tallie Sa...
The Greek's pregnant mistress Billionaire Theo Savas didn't need marriage. He'd been there, done that and he wasn't doing it again. Not that it stopped nearly every single woman on the planet trying. Theo wanted space, maybe even a...
Tycoon seeks wife for one week's employment... In order to secure a contract, Spence Tyack needed a wife for a week. A wife he could show in public, and bed in private. But who could fill the position? Certainly not his buttoned-down, efficien...
It was one night as hot and passionate as only young love can be. But they left it at that. Flynn had the world to conquer--alone. Only three months later, Sara's life changed: she discovered she was expecting Flynn's baby. Now Flynn has take...
He wants his wife back -- in his bed! Ally is back in the life of PJ Antonides for one thing only--his signature on their divorce papers. But arrogant Greek businessman PJ refuses to sign anything. He won't accept that Ally's no longe...
She acts tough, but Sebastian Savas makes her quiver... The friction between Sebastian Savas and his new employee is instant. But unfortunately, the lusciously curvy Neely Robson is also the tenant in the property he just added to his portfolio. ...
Boardroom, bedroom...bridal suite! As a teenager, Natalie Ross was utterly humiliated when rich, debonair Christo Savas rejected her clumsy advances.... Now, suddenly, she finds herself at the brilliant businessman's beck and call! And she'...
Royal virgin...passionate proposition! Anny Chamion isn't used to acting out of the ordinary -- not when her regal position dictates that she behave sensibly and with decorum. But a chance encounter with the infamous Demetrios Savas has this p...
Back in her husband's bed! Once, Sophy and George Savas were happily married.... Then Sophy woke up and realized that her blissful marriage was a sham. She's never looked back -- until the day she learns her husband has been critically inj...
When simple pleasures get complicated... Nicholas Savas is tall, dark and too gorgeous for anyone's good. To shield her wild-child sister from Nick's intoxicating gaze, sensible Edie Daley steps into his eyeline instead! Nick's fasc...
Yiannis Savas, the irresistible playboy of the Savas dynasty, was every girl's dream. But he quickly turned into Cat's nightmare when his promises led no further than a fiery affair. Now Cat MacLean has grown up and out of her girlish fant...
"A Christmas bombshell for Daisy Connolly, the heady mixture of a wedding reception, vintage champagne and her blistering chemistry with Alex Antonides led to a spectacular weekend in bed -- with unforgettable consequences! But the wickedly sexy ...
It’s for the ranch. It’s your duty. A man does his duty, always. His father Sam’s words were carved into Cole McCullough’s brain. His responsibilities lay with Rafter M Arrow, which had been in their family for over a hundred years. Even ...
Crossing the line between love and hate… Widow Holly Halloran's fresh start is only a plane ride away, until Lukas Antonides -- the man she hates, but has never been able to forget -- strides arrogantly back into her life… Lukas was h...
Rock star Jack Masterson is every woman’s fantasy. His sex appeal, charm, and killer looks make women everywhere fall at his feet…except for Celina, who knew better.After Jack shattered her dreams, it took Celina Harris two years to put her life ...
Twenty-three second graders were on a mission! Her students were convinced Jane Kitto needed a man in her life. A ‘real man’ â€" not the Secret Admirer who had, every Valentine’s Day for years, sent her a tiny charm. Jane appreciated their en...
Mr. Stubborn.Mace Nichols is an 'I'll die with my boots on' cowboy. Old-school. Tough, silent and honorable. Which is why he's leaving his wife, Jenny. She has helped him build his dream—the Montana ranch they loved. Now he can't give her the ...
The final two stories in The Great Wedding Giveaway! When a few of Marietta's long standing bachelors start walking down the aisle they vowed to avoid, the town's residents are speculating there must be something magical in the water. Be our wedding ...