A WOMAN CALLED PATIENCE. A DESIRE THAT WOULD PUT HER NAME—AND HER LOVE—TO THE TEST.

Known for her exceptional beauty, Patience Emmalina Dare has been pursued by admirers ever since coming of age. But suitor after suitor fails to inspire her love – or her desire. Certain she will never find a man who touches her deeply, she decides to forgo marriage in favor of pursuing her music. But just when Patience thinks she has her life well in hand, a passionate kiss with her enigmatic brother-in-law awakens a powerful need in her. How will she reconcile her desire for him and her desire for a life that's her own – and what will she do when he shows her a deep and hidden part of herself that she never knew existed? 

When the secret of his illegitimate birth pushes Matthew Morgan Hawkmore from his place in society, the darkly handsome half-brother of the Earl of Langley plots his resurrection and his revenge. Betrayed and abandoned by the women he believed loved him, he swears to never again be controlled by love. But despite his vow, he is unable to resist the beautiful Patience, whose strength and self-reliance hide a need that he is perfectly suited to fulfill. Can he have her without loving her? What will he give up to keep her? And will her passionate surrender be the one thing that can stop him from making a tragic mistake that could destroy them both…

To read an excerpt from Chapter One, click HERE.

Though she was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Lisa Valdez was raised in Los Angeles, California. When she wasn’t swimming or biking to the beach with friends, she spent much of her youth with her nose in a book. After high school, she earned her BA in English Literature from U.C.L.A. With the poetry of Chaucer and Shakespeare reverberating in her heart, she went to work—for Nordstrom, where she became the Los Angeles region swimwear buyer. It was during those busy years buying swimwear—full bottoms, boy-cuts, tongas and thongs—that she married her high school sweetheart and began writing. Now, still married to the same man, Lisa is wife, mother and writer. She still loves swimming and the beach, but she also enjoys cooking and baking for her family. She dances flamenco and loves talking about sex, politics and literature with her friends. She adores her husband, and lives for her children’s smiles. And, of course, she finds a distinct joy in writing passionate stories full of yearning, lust and love.