Tall, Dark & Royal

Tall, Dark & Royal
Leanne Banks

He stood before Erin Lawrence–bare-chested, sleeptousled and sexy as sin. Could this be Daniel Connelly, the new king of Altaria? Erin knew she'd have her hands full teaching the American businessman royal etiquette–and avoiding falling under his sensual spell.Son of a former princess, Daniel had been raised with a strong sense of family honor. But nothing had prepared him for the night-and-day sessions with Erin…or the flare of heat that burned him in her presence. Erin was prim, proper and pure, and he–well, he was no innocent, and soon he'd be her king. For both Daniel and Erin, duty warred with passion…but which would reign?

AROUND CHI-TOWN

January: we all know the Connelly family is the closest thing the Windy City has to royalty—in fact, Emma Rosemere Connelly is actually descended from the former king of Altaria. This reporter’s sources say that Emma’s firstborn, Daniel, is taking family duty seriously and will shortly assume the throne in that picturesque island kingdom.

We all agree that Daniel is the catch of Chicago—rich, handsome and sexy. And honorable, too. But just who is that sweet young thing with the exotic accent who’s been spotted on his arm lately by yours truly? Come on, ladies, this may be the last chance for one of us to become Mrs. King Daniel.

FYI, the Connellys deny these royal reports, but they’re rallying around their golden boy. Just what’s going on, Dapper Dan? Your secret’s safe with me….

Dear Reader,

Ring in the New Year with the hottest new love stories from Silhouette Desire! The Redemption of Jefferson Cade by BJ James is our MAN OF THE MONTH. In this latest installment of MEN OF BELLE TERRE, the youngest Cade overcomes both external and internal obstacles to regain his lost love. And be sure to read the launch book in Desire’s first yearlong continuity series, DYNASTIES: THE CONNELLYS. In Tall, Dark & Royal, bestselling author Leanne Banks introduces a prominent Chicago family linked to European royals.

Anne Marie Winston offers another winner with Billionaire Bachelors: Ryan, a BABY BANK story featuring twin babies. In The Tycoon’s Temptation by Katherine Garbera, a jaded billionaire discovers the greater rewards of love, while Kristi Gold’s Dr. Dangerous discovers he’s addicted to a certain physical therapist’s personal approach to healing in this launch book of Kristi’s MARRYING AN M.D. miniseries. And Metsy Hingle bring us Navy SEAL Dad, a BACHELORS & BABIES story.

Start the year off right by savoring all six of these passionate, powerful and provocative romances from Silhouette Desire!

Enjoy!

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

Tall, Dark & Royal

Leanne Banks

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

LEANNE BANKS

is a national number-one bestselling author of romance. She lives in her native Virginia with her husband, son and daughter. Recognized for both her sensual and humorous writing with two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine, Leanne likes creating a story with a few grins, a generous kick of sensuality and characters who hang around after the book is finished. Leanne believes romance readers are the best readers in the world because they understand that love is the greatest miracle of all. You can contact Leanne online at leannebbb@aol.com or write to her at P.O. Box 1442, Midlothian, VA 23113. A SASE for a reply would be greatly appreciated.

MEET THE CONNELLYS

Wealthy, Powerful and Rocked by Scandal, Betrayal…and Passion!

Who’s Who in Tall, Dark & Royal

In Chicago:

Daniel Connelly—He loves basketball, Chicago hot dogs and his privacy. How will he ever be king of Altaria?

Erin Lawrence—She teaches Daniel royal etiquette…but exactly what does this young, unawakened woman want to learn from Daniel…?

Emma Rosemere Connelly—The former princess of Altaria left the palace on the arm of her upstart American husband thirty-five years ago…and hasn’t looked back.

Grant Connelly—The family patriarch has amassed a fortune and enriched his offspring with life’s true riches: honor, duty and loyalty.

Brett Connelly—Can Daniel take advice from his glib playboy brother?

Maggie Connelly—The baby of the family and a free spirit, she loves modern art and fast cars.

In Altaria:

Mr. Lawrence—Erin’s father, the foreign minister, doesn’t want Daniel to be king. But how far will he go to stop it?

Gregor Paulus—The palace aide’s manners are impeccable and his bearing regal.

Anthony Muller—Chief of staff at the palace, he keeps on the staff’s back and on Daniel’s good side.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Prologue

Merry Christmas. You’re the new ruler of Altaria, his mother might as well have said.

The snow fell outside the window of Daniel Connelly’s Chicago high-rise condominium as he tried to make sense of his mother’s announcement. Not every man in America had a mother who was a former princess. Although she’d always been Mom to Daniel, and she’d given up her title thirty-five years ago when she’d married his father, Emma Rosemere Connelly had never lost the regal poise drilled into her by years spent as Princess of Altaria. Even now, faced with the news that her father and brother had been killed in a boating accident, she held herself together as she sat beside her husband on the brown leather couch.

“You’re going to have to repeat that, Mom,” Daniel said, sinking into his favorite chair.