The Bachelor's Dare

The Bachelor's Dare
Shirley Jump

TO THE SURVIVOR GOES… THE RV?That's what Claire Richards was banking on when she entered the "Survive and Drive" contest at the local mall. The forty-five-foot home on wheels was her ticket out of Mercy, Indiana. But first she had to beat out a bunch of other contestants, including Mark Dole, her gorgeous childhood nemesis. The question was, could she survive living in such tight quarters with the irresistible playboy?Let the games begin! Mark had his own reasons for making this unconventional road trip. But the sexy hairdresser wasn't playing fair. The longer he was cooped up with Claire, the more Mark believed they could both be winners in the game of love….

CLAIRE’s CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

4 one-ounce squares of semisweet chocolate, cut into chunks

3 eggs, separated

1 tsp vanilla

¾ tsp cream of tartar

½ cup sugar

1½ cups chilled whipping cream, separated

Avoid the hotter issues with the man in your life by heating the chocolate in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is melted, remove pan from heat. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks slightly, then stir yolks and vanilla into chocolate.

In a separate bowl (make him wash the dishes!), beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in sugar, a tablespoon at a time. Stir ¼ of the meringue into the chocolate mixture, then gently fold the rest in.

Take out frustrations by beating 1 cup of whipping cream in a chilled bowl until stiff. Fold into the chocolate mixture. Divide evenly among bowls, making sure you leave enough in mixing bowl to taste the mousse—to ensure it’s perfect, of course.

Beat remaining whipping cream, but don’t get too distracted by thoughts of a sexy dark-haired man and end up overbeating it. Carefully drop dollops on each bowl of mousse. Refrigerate at least two hours before sharing with someone delectable.

Dear Reader,

Discover a guilt-free way to enjoy this holiday season. Treat yourself to four calorie-free, but oh-so-satisfying brand-new Silhouette Romance titles this month.

Start with Santa Brought a Son (#1698) by Melissa McClone. This heartwarming reunion romance is the fourth book in Silhouette Romance’s new six-book continuity, MARRYING THE BOSS’s DAUGHTER.

Would a duty-bound prince forsake tradition to marry an enchanting commoner? Find out in The Prince & the Marriage Pact (#1699), the latest episode in THE CARRAMER TRUST miniseries by reader favorite Valerie Parv.

Then, it’s anyone’s guess if a wacky survival challenge can end happily ever after. Join the fun as the romantic winners of a crazy contest are revealed in The Bachelor’s Dare (#1700) by Shirley Jump.

And in Donna Clayton’s The Nanny’s Plan (#1701), a would-be sophisticate is put through the ringer by a drop-dead gorgeous, absentminded professor and his rascally twin nephews.

So pick a cozy spot, relax and enjoy all four of these tender holiday confections that Silhouette Romance has cooked up just for you.

Happy holidays!

Mavis C. Allen

Associate Senior Editor

The Bachelor’s Dare

Shirley Jump

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

To Jeff, and the memories of all those long car rides between Massachusetts and Indiana. I fell in love with you sometime between the first toll booth and the last exit.

Books by Shirley Jump

Silhouette Romance

The Virgin’s Proposal #1641

The Bachelor’s Dare #1700

SHIRLEY JUMP

has been a writer ever since she learned to read. She sold her first article at the age of eleven and from there, became a reporter and finally a freelance writer. However, she always maintained the dream of writing fiction, too. Since then, she has made a full-time career out of writing, dividing her time between articles, non-fiction books and romance. With a husband, two children and a houseful of pets, inspiration abounds in her life, giving her good fodder for writing and a daily workout for her sense of humor.

SURVIVE AND DRIVE CONTESTANTS

* Mark Dole: confirmed bachelor, used to work with his brother, Luke, in a software design company in California, but has never forgotten the girl next door, Claire

* Claire Richards: former hairdresser, knows Mark from childhood and doesn’t intend to play fair in the contest—or in love

* Millie and Lester: a retired couple given to power shakes and napping, determined to win the RV, even if they have to resort to threats with knitting needles

* Danny: football fan whose sole interest is the TV in the RV

* Roger and Jessica: newlyweds who haven’t consummated their vows yet, so watch out—they’re a bit on edge

* Art and Gracie: friends of Millie and Lester’s who double as canasta partners when life on the RV gets slow

* Renee Angelo: a former high school classmate of Mark and Claire’s who supposedly is winning the RV for her grandma…or is it grandpa?

* Tawny: a makeup counter salesgirl who spends her days polishing her nails

* John Madison: a dad of two who wants the RV to go to Disneyland

* Aaron Jefferson: a doctor with a constantly beeping pager

* Milo Otis: a tired security guard

* Adele Williams: a teller at Lawford City Bank with a deadline

Contents

Chapter One (#uf89402a1-9a02-56e5-827a-2dd8add245c6)

Chapter Two (#ua0aa531d-1dd3-5aa3-aba6-0909619a94e7)

Chapter Three (#ub1547640-f6a8-5289-994e-f95a93a947a7)