by Francis Ray
Trent was not used to the spotlight, but he was comfortable with, and had confidence in, his future bride. On being asked about Dominique’s statement, Trent always replied he was the blessed one. She was as courageous as she was beautiful and talented. He thought it incredible such a unique woman had fallen in love with him.
The wedding day was perfect. Sun poured from the cloudless sky like spun gold. Barely a breeze ruffled the yards of netting in Dominique’s beaded headpiece or her upswept hair as she rode in the open carriage with her father. A hush fell over the church when the doors were opened and she stood silhouetted in the light.
Always beautiful, in the ivory satin and organza gown she appeared even more so with the glow of happiness and love on her face. As her father led her down the aisle strewn with rose petals in the crowded church filled with flowers and the soft glow of candles, her twenty-five yard, cathedral train trailed softly behind her.
Finally they reached the altar and it was time for her father to hand her to Trent and leave. John Henry didn’t hesitate. “Be safe, and know that you are loved,” he whispered, kissed her on the cheek, and stepped back.
Tears misting in her eyes, she looked at her father, her teary-eyed and happy mother, Daniel, his arm around Madelyn, who was holding their sleeping, three week-old son, Daniel Jr., Higgins with a lady friend, and Janice and Paul. Love was possible, and infinitely preferable to being alone.
Love didn’t make you vulnerable. It made you strong.
Turning, she caught sight of the stony face of her cousin, Luke, at the end of the pew. Your time is coming, she thought.
Smiling, she blinked back tears and reached her gloved hand out to Trent, who stood tall and proud. His hand closed securely around hers.
I love you, he mouthed.
I love you, she returned.
Slouched in his seat, Luke barely kept a grimace off his face.
He had yet to learn about love, but he would.
In time.
ST. MARTIN’S PAPERBACKS TITLES
BY FRANCIS RAY
The Falcon Novels
Heart of the Falcon
Break Every Rule
The Taggart Brothers
Forever Yours
Only Hers
The Graysons of New Mexico Series
Until There Was You
You and No Other
Dreaming of You
Irresistible You
Only You
The Grayson Friends Series
The Way You Love Me
Nobody But You
One Night with You
It Had to Be You
~
Someone to Love Me
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Rockin’ Around That Christmas Tree (with Donna Hill)
Anthologies
Rosie’s Curl and Weave
Della’s House of Style
Welcome to Leo’s
Going to the Chapel
Gettin’ Merry
“Francis Ray creates characters and stories that we all love to read about.”
—Eric Jerome Dickey
Praise for Francis Ray’s novels
BREAK EVERY RULE
“Classic Francis Ray … a joy to read.”
—Romance Reader
“Francis Ray is a literary chanteuse, crooning the most sensual romantic fiction melodies in a compelling performance of skill and talent that culminates in another solid gold hit!”
—Romantic Times
HEART OF THE FALCON
“A sizzler that will singe your mind with the laughter, tenderness, and passion that smolders between the pages.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
ONLY HERS
“Ms. Ray continues to cut a swath across the lustrous fabric of romance history with Only Hers. Her inimitable style, irresistible humor, and extraordinary talent grace the pages of her books with the delicious tenacity of chocolate fudge swirls on French vanilla ice cream! She is one of the few authors who never disappoints her readers.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
ONE NIGHT WITH YOU
“Master craftswoman that she is, Francis Ray is gifted at creating heartwarming love scenes that never leave you hanging.”
—Romance in Color
“Ruth Grayson is a force to be reckoned with as she sets her matchmaking sights on Faith’s brother, since there is no such thing as happily single in Ruth’s world. The steam the lovers create is a pleasure to behold. Ray never disappoints!”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
NOBODY BUT YOU
“A story that tugs at the heartstrings.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Not only does Francis Ray rock in this book but you also see a whole different side of racing that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
—Night Owl Romance
“A wonderful read.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Fast and fun and full of emotional thrills and sexy chills. Everything a racing romance should be!”
—Roxanne St. Claire
UNTIL THERE WAS YOU
“Ms. Ray has given us a great novel again. Did we expect anything less than the best?”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 stars)
“Crisp style, realistic dialogue, likable characters, and [a] fast pace.”
—Library Journal
THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
“A romance that will have readers speed-reading to the next tension-filled scene, if not the climax.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Fans of Ray’s Grayson and Falcon families will be thrilled with the first installment in the new Grayson Friends series. And this is done very well … told with such grace and affection that this novel is a treat to read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 stars)
“Francis Ray is, without a doubt, one of the Queens of Romance.”
—Romance Review
ONLY YOU
“Francis Ray’s graceful writing style and realistically complex characters give her latest contemporary romance its extraordinary emotional richness and depth.”
—Chicago Tribune
“It’s a joy to read this always fresh and exciting saga.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 stars)
“The powerful descriptive powers of Francis Ray allow the reader to step into the story and become an active part of the surrender … If you love a great love story, Only You should be on your list.”
—Fallen Angel Reviews
“Riveting emotion and charismatic scenes that made this book captivating … a beautiful story of love and romance.”
—Night Owl Romance
“A beautiful love story as only Francis Ray can tell it.”
—Singletitles.com
“Readers will find a warm and wonderful contemporary romance with plenty of humor and drama. A fun warmth and reality to these characters and a plot that moves quickly add all the needed incentive to read this fun book.”
—Multicultural Romance Writers
IRRESISTIBLE YOU
“A pleasurable story … a well-developed story and continuous plot.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Like the previous titles in this series, Irresistible You is another winner … Witty and charming … Author Francis Ray has a true gift for drawing the readers in and never letting them go.”
—Multicultural Romance Writers
DREAMING OF YOU
“A great read from beginning to end, it’s even excellent for an immediate re-read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“An immensely likable heroine, a sexy man with a heart of gold, and touches of glitz and color, [this] is as unapologetically escapist as Cinderella. Lots of fun.”
—BookPage
YOU AND NO OTHER
“The warmth and sincerity of the Graysons bring another book to life.… delightfully realistic.”
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��Romantic Times
“Astonishing sequel … the best romance of the new year … the Graysons are sure to leave a smile on your face and a longing in your heart for their next story.”
—ARomanceReview.com
“There are three more [Grayson] children with great love stories in the future.”
—Booklist
SOMEONE TO LOVE ME
“Another great romance novel.”
—Booklist
“The plot moves quickly, and the characters are interesting.”
—Romantic Times
“The characters give as good as they get, and their romance is very believable.”
—All About Romance
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Previously published by ARABESQUE BOOKS
BREAK EVERY RULE
Copyright © 1998 by Francis Ray.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-0-312-36509-7
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / April 2011
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN 978-1-4299-6716-7
First St. Martin’s Paperbacks eBook Edition: March 2011
Coming soon …
Don’t miss New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray’s first-ever short story collection!
TWICE THE TEMPTATION
ISBN: 978-0-312-61430-0
Available in June 2011 in trade paperback from St. Martin’s Griffin