LITMIR.BIZ

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      “So, just so I’m clear, you’re staying, right?”

      Erin sealed her fate with a nod. “I’ll stay and help you with what I can, but I’m not doing it for Charlie. He made his bed, and he can lie in it for all I care.”

      It sounded convincing. Too bad it wasn’t entirely true. Foreign feelings assaulted her when she thought of her father and his condition, confusing and frustrating her. But what bothered her more was that somehow Colin had seen through the layers she piled around herself to the bare truth underneath. His keen sense made him both dangerous and alluring.

      “Who else are you doing this for?”

      “Aunt Caroline, of course,” she answered. “If this was deliberate, I want that person to pay for what he or she did. Caroline was the best, and she didn’t deserve to die. When it was her time to go, it should’ve been peaceful and preferably in her bed.”

      Something akin to admiration lit up his face and Erin had to bite back a smile. “Stop that.”

      “Stop what?”

      “Stop looking at me like I’m something special.”

      Colin’s grin widened and he almost looked boyish. “Sorry, no can do.”

       ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      An avid reader since before she can remember, Kimberly Van Meter started her writing career at the age of sixteen when she finished her first novel, typing late nights and early mornings, on her mother’s old portable typewriter. Although that first novel was nothing short of literary mud, with each successive piece of work her writing improved to the point of reaching that coveted published status.

      A journalist (who during college swore she’d never write news), Kimberly has worked for both daily and weekly newspapers, covering multiple beats, including education, health and crime, but she always dreamed of writing novels and someday saying goodbye to her non–fiction roots.

      Born and raised in scenic Mariposa, California, Kimberly knows a thing or two about small towns – preferring the quiet, rural atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of a busy city any day – but she and her husband make their home in Oakdale, which represents a compromise between the two worlds. Kimberly and her husband, John, met and fell in love while filming a college production. He was the camera operator and she the lead actress. Her husband often jokes that he fell in love with his wife through the lens of a camera. A year later they were married, and have been together ever since.

      In addition to writing, reading and drinking hot chocolate by the window sill when it rains, Kimberly enjoys photography and is the resident photographer for every family event, including weddings and new babies. The photographs gracing the walls of their home are comprised almost entirely of shots Kimberly has captured, whether on the job or just playing around with the camera. The oldest of four siblings and the mother of three children, Kimberly divides her time between soccer games, swim meets, bottle feedings and deadlines.

      Dear Reader,

      As a native of a rural town in Northern California, I suppose you could say the inspiration for this book sprang from real-life experiences. I understand how reputations can be hard to live down and gossip in concentrated amounts can be toxic to the soul.

      With that said, I think some of the best people reside in small towns and I’m thankful my roots are firmly grounded within small-town soil. In my experience, life in a fishbowl encourages character growth and fosters accountability. There’s nothing like thinking you’ve got away with something, only to learn your mum heard hours ago thanks to a large and tangled network of friends and family.

      Both Erin McNulty and Colin Barrett are plagued by the past, but together they find the strength to confront old issues, freeing up space in their hearts to embrace a bright future. Their story is one of courage and discovery, but ultimately of hope.

      Over the years I’ve found I’m most drawn to characters who use a prickly personality as protection against anyone getting too close. I enjoy the transformation that occurs when two people who are meant to be together finally overcome their individual obstacles to discover their personal happily ever after. That’s the best part about writing romance. No matter what I do to these poor people, I know in the end…everything will work out.

      Like my firstborn, my first novel will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope you enjoy reading Erin and Colin’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I love hearing from readers. Please feel free to drop me a line either through snail mail at PO Box 2210, Oakdale, CA 95361, USA or through e-mail at author@ kimberlyvanmeter.com.

      Enjoy!

      Warmly,

       Kimberly Van Meter

      The Truth about Family

      KIMBERLY VAN METER

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To my husband, John, for ten-second kisses,

      our three beautiful children and

       everything in between.

      To Kamrin for being my dedicated reader – you

       never let me down, no matter how

       inconvenient the request.

      To my parents for always believing I had the talent

       to achieve my loftiest aspirations.

      To Trudy and Kevin for always being the

       wonderful people you are.

      To my mentor Debra Salonen for believing I

       had what it took to be a “Super” author, and my

       critique partner Theresa Ragan for being brutal.

      To all the other friends and family (you know

       who you are) that are too numerous to mention

       individually but without whose constant

       encouragement I might have failed.

      To my editor Johanna Raisanen for showing me in

       the kindest way possible how to make a good story

       even better than I imagined.

      And, finally, to my grandmothers. Pat – for passing

       on the dream; and Doris – for cookies

       and homemade pickles…

       I love you both immeasurably.

      Special thanks:

       Special thanks must go to Detective Sergeant

       Michael Eggener with the Oakdale Police

       Department for his invaluable advice on the inner workings of a real police station. Any deviations

       from correct procedure are completely my own

       and no reflection on the professionalism exhibited

       by most law enforcement agencies.

      CHAPTER ONE

      “ERIN MCNULTY, line three, please.” A disembodied voice sounded above the din of the newsroom just as Harvey Wallace, editor-in-chief of American Photographic magazine, poked his head out from his office and bellowed.

      “Erin! I need those proofs, like yesterday! Marshal,” Harvey shouted at the reed-thin reporter who was trying to scuttle past without drawing attention to himself, “that piece on corporate America was pure crap! College graduate, my ass! I want a rewrite by tomorrow or else I’m placing a listing for a features reporter in JournalismJobs.com first thing in the morning. You got me?”

      Erin looked up long enough to watch the color leach from Marshal’s face. She spared the young man a compassionate thought but quickly returned to the

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