by Sarah Gates
When she spoke, it was so unexpected, the grin on Luke’s face widened even further.
‘You know, sometimes I wonder how this handsome, successful, charming man ever became a suitor on a reality television show. But deep down, you’re completely cheesy. You live for the over-the-top romantic gestures, don’t you?’
‘And you fell in love with the guy from the reality television show, just like all the other contestants,’ he countered. ‘But any one of them would be squealing and smiling and crying right now.’
Anna looked up from the ring. Her eyes were damp, her lips turned up, creating dimples in her cheeks.
‘There you go,’ Luke said softly, not wanting to break the vulnerability and emotion on her face. ‘You got two out of three. Now, will you marry me?’
She was perfect. Everything he’d ever wanted but had never known he needed. His life with her was more than snowboarding had ever meant to him. All that was missing was the ring on her finger and adorable carbon copies of the woman he loved. He couldn’t wait to see her swollen with his child.
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘Yes, yes, yes.’
He swept her into his arms and her body moulded itself around him. He kissed every inch of her face, then moved his kisses to her neck as she whispered her answer over and over again.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to all the wonderful people who helped this book become a reality. I hear writing can be a lonely business, but I was constantly surrounded with encouraging words, beta readers and firm reprimands when I procrastinated. Firstly, a massive thank you to Victoria Purman whose mentorship taught me to always ask ‘what if?’ and kept the words ‘emotion, emotion, EMOTION’ running through my head. Her generous feedback made me a better writer in every way and her company made writing this book more fun than I could have imagined. If you haven’t, you should totally read her books—they’re amazing! Special thanks to Preesan, who brings the romance to my life and was by my side every step of the way. Thanks also to my family. To my mum who sat me down and told me I was being stupid to give up the things I loved—writing and theatre—after Year 12. She’s the reason I enrolled in an arts degree and found my way into writing and the romance community, where I’ve found so much happiness. To my dad who asked me how many chapters I’d written every time I saw him, and who helped me shape Luke Westwood’s snowboarding career.
Without the support of Carclew and SA Writers Centre, this book wouldn’t have come into being. Thank you Carclew for the resources to dedicate 2015 to writing Love Elimination. A big shout out to SA Writers Centre where I found my home. To Vanessa Jones, who first invited me to volunteer at the Centre; to Sarah Tooth, who always gives such great advice; and to all the presenters from whom I learned how to write. Thanks also to South Australian Romance Authors and Romance Writers of Australia, who make up the romance writing community that I love so much. Finally, thank you to the wonderful team at Harlequin—particularly those I had a chance to e-meet: Sue Brockhoff for taking a chance on a new writer, Rachael Donovan, Annabel Blay, Laurie Ormond, Julia Knapman and my fantastic editor, Kylie Mason. You have made publishing this first book an absolute dream come true.
ABOUT SARAH GATES
Sarah Gates is an Adelaide-based writer. She wrote her first book at sixteen—a tragic love story inspired by Nicolas Sparks. Now in her twenties, Sarah has turned to writing contemporary romance novels full of glamour, handsome men and happy endings. Love Elimination is her first published novel. Sarah is an undergraduate student of Law and Arts (with a major in Creative Writing) at Flinders University. When people ask if she wants to be a lawyer, she laughs. She’s perfectly happy writing and working in media and marketing. Sarah travels around Australia to teach workshops and attend writing festivals. Sarah spends her time watching theatre, dancing and binging on reality television.
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First Published 2016
ISBN 9781489210647
LOVE ELIMINATION
©2016 by Sarah Gates
Australian Copyright 2016
New Zealand Copyright 2016
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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