Andrea Kane (45 page)

“Come, love.” He took her hand, guiding her into the fairy-tale-come-true. “Aren’t you going to open your presents?”

“Wait!” Dustin called out, pointing to the ceiling. “You’re standing underneath the mistletoe.”

With a twinkle, Trenton drew Ariana into his arms and kissed her. “Merry Christmas, misty angel,” he murmured.

“But it’s September,” she whispered inanely, unable to absorb the enormity of what he’d done for her. “It’s too early …”

“No, it’s years too late.” Trenton framed her face between his hands. “You haven’t had a Christmas in nearly a lifetime. I think it’s permissible for it to come twice this year. Besides …” He kissed her again, softly. “Didn’t you say you wanted to spend Christmas at Spraystone? This way we can enjoy the holiday at both our homes: the one I built, and the one you built for me.”

“Trenton …”

“I love you, misty angel,” he finished for her. “I’d give you the world … and your childhood back … if I could.”

“You’ve given me everything,” she breathed fervently, love shining in her eyes. “There’s nothing more I could want.”

A shrill cry from the skies reminded Ariana that she was wrong.

Overhead, heralding their holiday and their miraculous love, came nature’s own miracle: the messenger nature and fate had together devised to bring together the Duke and Duchess of Broddington.

And, like their love, the owl soared.

Andrea Kane is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels—including fourteen historical and twelve contemporary novels—that have been published in sixteen countries and translated into more than twenty languages. Whether she’s writing about Regency England, America on the brink of civil war, or New York Police Department detectives caught up in mayhem and murder, Kane’s ability to create unforgettable stories has earned her a loyal worldwide following.

Kane published
My Heart’s Desire
, her first historical novel and the first book in the Barrett Family series, in 1991. Others quickly followed, including
Samantha
, the second book in that series;
Echoes in the Mist
and
Whispers in the Wind
(the Kingsley in Love series); and the acclaimed Black Diamond, Thornton-Bromleigh Family, and Colby Coin series. Stand-alone historic romances include
Dream Castle
(1992),
Masque of Betrayal
(1993),
Emerald Garden
(1996), and
The Music Box
(1998).

Kane’s groundbreaking romantic thriller
Run for Your Life
(2000) became an instant
New York Times
bestseller. This was followed by a series of suspense novels featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete “Monty” Montgomery. Kane’s current contemporary series introduced FBI special agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. Other thrillers include
No Way Out, Scent of Danger, Twisted, I’ll Be Watching You, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice,
and, most recently,
The Line Between Here and Gone.

Kane is a self-proclaimed “cerebral” type, and prides herself on her questioning, analytical mind, which has led to her passion for mysteries. She has spent many happy hours with the classic novels of Agatha Christie, trying to outsmart Hercule Poirot.

She is also a die-hard sentimentalist. She cries at old movies and believes in striving for happily-ever-after. In Kane’s words: “The idealist in me loves writing romance, and the pragmatist in me loves writing suspense. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to combine the two, and give you books that keep you at the edge of your seat, but at the same time, make you care.”

Kane lives in New Jersey with her family.

Andrea Kane as a little girl, with her first puppy, Inky, named for the black spots on his white back.

An eight-year-old Kane, a proud sleepaway camper for the first time.

A photo from Kane’s trip to the Thousand Islands (on the border of Canada and the United States) to research and write
My Heart’s Desire
. Kane toured the area by boat.

Kane and her husband, Brad, trying to simulate a novel’s cover pose while wearing period clothing.

Kane and her daughter, Wendi, outside Buckingham Palace during a weeklong research trip to England in 1998.

Kane and her daughter at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Kane believes that the castle is the most romantic place for creative inspiration.

The first Kane family cruise, to Bermuda: rough waters but happy faces.

Kane posing with friends in various period costumes.

Kane’s publication party and her first book signing for the release of
My Heart’s Desire
in 1991.