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Rafe and Antonia’s story is a
very special one for me. I’d written five books for
Harlequin Mills and Boon when my editor contacted me
about writing a story especially for an anthology to
celebrate the centenary of Mills and Boon in the UK
during 2008. Needless to say I was excited!
As planning proceeded it was decided that full
length novels rather than novellas were the way to
go and soon I was devising a story especially for
the anthology. A discussion one sunny Sydney
afternoon at a friend’s house led to a germ of an
idea and a vivid opening scene. From there it was
full steam ahead as the story gripped me and I
couldn’t wait to work out what happened next.
From a snowy alpine resort to the glittering
nightlife of London, Rafe and Antonia’s story is
full of glamour that I hope heightens the intensely
emotional struggle between this pair. They meet
under the worst of circumstances and it’s a credit
to their basic honesty and integrity that they
manage to work through the situation and find love
together.
‘The Billionaire’s Bought Mistress’ is a very sexy
story about a man who wants to buy a mistress to
help his plans for revenge. I put poor Antonia in a
terrible situation and wasn't sure how she'd cope
but she came through with flying colours. In fact,
the more difficult things became, the stronger she
grew. One of her outlets (which was also an act of
defiance) was to dazzle Rafe with provocative, ultra
feminine clothes that played havoc with his plans to
control their relationship. I’m glad to say that
eventually Rafe was able to see beyond the glamour
to the warm, caring, vulnerable woman beneath.
This story appeared in the UK along with novels by
Annie Burrows (historical author) and Margaret
McDonagh (medical author). In the book’s
introduction, bestselling author Penny Jordan said:
‘She [Annie] creates vivid characters and has a
wonderful storytelling ability which, combined with
her emotional writing style, makes for a fantastic
read.
Annie has a fundamental affinity with Modern romance
themes, and in this book you are about to read, ‘The
Billionaire’s Bought Mistress’, blackmail and
revenge are at its very heart, creating a dark and
dangerous edge to the story, setting the scene for a
hero who will do whatever it takes to get the
vengeance he seeks, and the woman he wants in his
bed…
Now, having written five books for the Modern
romance series, it’s clear that Annie creates heroes
who are always dark, brooding, demanding and
extremely sexy, whether a powerful sheikh, a
gorgeous Greek tycoon, or a ruthless billionaire –
and the hero of ‘The Billionaire’s Bought Mistress’,
Rafe Benton, is no exception!"
Needless to say I was thrilled to have a writer of
Penny’s calibre describing my story in such terms.
Now I’m absolutely delighted to have Antonia and
Rafe’s story available here in Australia. I hope you
enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I love hearing from readers so remember you can
contact me via my website
http://www.annie-west.com or at PO Box 1041,
Warners Bay, NSW 2282, Australia.
Happy reading and Happy Christmas!
Annie |
