Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6)
Page 19
Luke has two secrets not even his best friends know. The first is he aches for Sabrina with every fiber of his being. The second is he loves her enough to spare her the heartbreak that being his wife would undoubtedly entail. Much to Luke’s dismay, his resolve to resist his buddy’s fiancée is tested after Sabrina steps in as his nurse and starts prancing around in nothing but his threadbare T-shirt. If he surrenders to her seduction, it may destroy his relationship with BJ. And, worse still, if he gets a taste of loving Sabrina, how can he ever stand by and let her marry his friend?
Books released as L.L. Kellogg
Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist
(under an alternate title)
Hypnotic Seduction
The Seduction Series—Book One
She has a problem relaxing with men
Frumpy wallflower Hannah Oliver is nearly thirty and has a serious self-image problem. Growing up in her centerfold mother’s shadow and being raised by her pious grandparents has left her so self-conscious about her matronly, D-cup figure she gets tongue-tied around good-looking guys. So when Hannah discovers her fiancé/employer boinking her roommate, she’s not only devastated—she’s unemployed.
He’s got a problem fending off women
Pharmaceutical CEO Jordan Calder has a huge image problem, too—his professional image. Most guys would kill to be publicly proclaimed a world-class lover, but other men don’t share his dark, shameful past. The only thing women have ever wanted Jordan for is what he can give them in and out of bed. So when his grandfather drags dowdy Hannah into his office as an executive assistant candidate, Jordan hires the mousey woman on the spot.
Could hypnosis be a solution?
After miraculously landing her plum new position, sexually frustrated Hannah resorts to hypnosis to boost her self-confidence with men, hoping to attract another mate. Unfortunately, a post-hypnotic suggestion compels her to kiss her sexy playboy boss, who she then stupidly falls for in and out of bed. Despair induces her to use similar hypnotic principles on him—in the form of subliminal messages—to convince the man she loves that he wants a happy-ever-after with her. But as everyone knows, desperate measures usually spell disaster.
Captive Seduction
Previously titled The Naughty Never Die
The Seduction Series—Book Two
If only the good die young, then the governor’s virtuous
First Lady should be a cinch to kill
Unless.... deep down she’s really quite naughty
The Beauty—a chronic people pleaser who’s had enough of her goody-two-shoes life
Since her mother’s untimely death, crusader Josephine Callahan has served as New Jersey’s First Lady. Acting as her father’s official hostess in the governor’s mansion is tantamount to living in a fishbowl, which makes S-E-X extremely difficult. On the brink of a nervous breakdown, frustrated Josie loses her usual good sense along with her cool and lets her assemblyman boyfriend sweet-talk her into an impromptu romantic getaway—something she would never consider if she had a clue someone is trying to kill her.
The Beast—an incurable bad boy who refuses to admit beneath his scars lurks a hero
A deliberately twisted message—via the governor’s spiteful assistant—misleads ex Special Forces officer DJ Ryder as to the true objective of his freelance assignment. He’s told to, not only track down the governor’s classy daughter and hold her in protective custody, but to also teach her a lesson by letting her believe she’s been kidnapped. When Josie discovers the scarred, but still incredibly sexy badass has played her for a fool, she retaliates by feigning a raging case of Stockholm syndrome, teasing the brute until all he can think of is the ‘hold her’ part of his orders.
Sin City Seduction
The Seduction Series—Book Three
Chivalry Isn’t Dead
Jilted architect, Josh Powell, may have sworn off love, but he’s still a virile man. When he recognizes a sexy woman from a Vegas adult entertainment ad, he wonders if a night with an attentive call girl might be the perfect remedy for his deflated ego and raging libido.
Eager to be married to her ultra-righteous fiancé and finally consummate their love, Allison Miller is stranded without a dime in Sin City. When a hunky stranger mistakes her for a hooker, she eventually convinces him she’s still a full-fledged virgin and not the woman in the pornographic ad. Nevertheless, after Josh’s kiss ignites her passion, she questions her feelings for the fiancé who abandoned her. Desperate for cash, she reluctantly accepts a job as Josh's temporary assistant. All goes well until someone slips a new street drug into her drink. Suddenly, doing it is all she can think about.
The only way Josh can keep Allison safe from the Vegas perverts eager to take advantage of her uninhibited state, is to tend the damsel himself. Despite her frantic attempts at seduction, his chivalrous nature won’t let him claim her chastity—not while knowing his frozen heart will never be enough for the sweet girl who refuses to abide by the infamous Sin City code: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I praise God for giving me the imagination and ability to write. So many people have contributed to my career and helped mold me into the author I’ve become. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank:
My husband who’s given me more support than any writer could hope for and who is the kind of man who inspires all of the best characteristics of the heroes in my stories
My son—not just for his encouragement and advice, but for blessing me with the best daughter-in-law any woman ever had and for giving me an adorable grandson
My wise daughter who never doubts me and who did me the favor of marrying a wonderful man, who is also a talented author
My mom who passed on the love of reading to me and who never lets me forget there are other things in life besides writing
My father and my dear late friend. Both of you believed in me but left us too soon to share in my joy. I miss you both every day.
My sister and sisters-in-law, a/k/a my most faithful cheerleaders
My nieces and nephews who motivated me to keep going and compelled me to set an example of perseverance
My brother and brother-in-law who never considered my writing a hobby
My prior neighbor and good friend who convinced me to join RWA® and start writing
My critique partner and sister-of-the-heart who never lets me down pointing out why my babies aren’t ready for the runway
My beta-readers, proofreaders, and good friends
Romance Writers of America® and all its generous members who helped me learn to use the talent I was blessed with
The members of my old RWA chapter, Bucks County Romance Writers, the New Jersey Romance Writers, and the Golden Network
All my Golden Heart® friends from 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011—especially my 2009 Ruby-Slippered Sisters who I share a multi-author blog with at www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com
Character Guide
This is a list of previous Return to Redemption characters who are mentioned or appear in Don’t Break My Heart. They are listed according to the book in which they were originally introduced. Italics indicates the hero and heroine of that book.
The Memory of You (Return to Redemption Prequel)
Matt Foster—Returning POW
Abby Foster—Dressmaker
Tommy (Tom) Foster aka Matt Thomas—Matt and Abby’s son
Royce Harmon—Matt and Abby’s adopted son
Robert Webber—Abby’s fiancé
Ben Danvers—Matt’s POW friend
Leonard Washington—Matt’s POW friend
Pete Larson—Abby’s brother
John Gilbert—Policeman friend of Abby’s
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu (Return to Redemption Book 1)
Jake Manion—ex NFL quarterback, teacher getting his PhD
Maggie Bradford (Manion) —Teacher/reading specialist
Alex Manion—
Jake’s teenage son
Emma Manion—Maggie’s teenage daughter
Roxanne Warrington—Jake’s ex-wife
Katie Manion—Jake and Maggie’s baby daughter
Paul Brennan—Obstetrician
Baby, I’m Back! (Return to Redemption Book 2)
Nick Riverá—Business executive
Samantha Riverá—Preschool aid and entrepreneur
Dani Riverá—Nick and Samantha’s daughter
Ryan Flynn—Dani’s boyfriend
Haley Simmons—Dani’s best friend
Cindy Flynn—Ryan’s sister
Justin Riverá—Nick’s brother
Trisha Mason—Dani’s school counselor
Marc Simmons—Justin’s business partner and Haley’s dad
Lindsey Simmons—Marc’s wife and Haley’s mom
The Parent Pact (Return to Redemption Book 3)
Tyler Fitzpatrick—Lawyer
Annie Barnes (Fitzpatrick)—Housekeeper
Noah Barnes (Fitzpatrick)—Annie’s son
Mandy Fitzpatrick—Tyler’s daughter
Sabrina Fitzpatrick—Tyler’s sister
BJ (Ben) Elliott—Tyler’s friend and client
Luke Marino—Tyler’s friend
Thomas Bennett—BJ’s Man Friday
No Exchanges, No Returns (Return to Redemption Book 4)
David Lambert—Pediatrician
Casey McIntyre (Lambert)—Preschool teacher
Brianna Lambert (Huntley)—Casey’s sister and David’s ex
Jamie Lambert—David and Casey’s baby daughter
A Heart Decision (Return to Redemption Book 5)
Luke Marino—Police Detective
Sabrina Fitzpatrick (Marino)—Nurse
Frankie Marino—Luke’s sister
Crissy Marino—Luke’s sister
Cal Washington—Luke’s police partner
Darlene Washington—Cal’s wife
Jamal Franklin—One of Luke’s Explorer kids