Secret Love

Celebrity actress Diamond Swain needs a peaceful place to hide out from the news-hungry paparazzi—a place like Whispering Pines. And yet from the moment she arrives at the remote Texas ranch, Diamond finds herself at odds with its rugged owner, Jake Madaris—a man who challenges her to care about more than making it to the top.

Jake doesn't have time to babysit some Hollywood star. Then he comes face-to-face with beautiful, compassionate Diamond and is drawn into a whirlwind, secret romance. But is what he shares with her strong enough to overcome the media's prying eyes? Together Jake and Diamond must discover what's truly important…if they're to claim a love that lasts a lifetime.

Celebrity actress Diamond Swain needs a peaceful place to hide out from the news-hungry paparazzi—a place like Whispering Pines. And yet from the moment she arrives at the remote Texas ranch, Diamond finds herself at odds with its rugged owner, Jake Madaris—a man who challenges her to care about more than making it to the top.

Jake doesn't have time to babysit some Hollywood star. Then he comes face-to-face with beautiful, compassionate Diamond and is drawn into a whirlwind, secret romance. But is what he shares with her strong enough to overcome the media's prying eyes? Together Jake and Diamond must discover what's truly important…if they're to claim a love that lasts a lifetime.

Publishers Weekly

Handsome cattle baron Jacob Madaris reluctantly fulfills a poker pal's request to host beautiful actress Diamond Swain for a three-week respite at his sprawling Texas ranch, Whispering Pines. Worried that the star's arrival will disrupt the smooth operation of his successful business and distract his workers, Jake decides to keep Diamond's presence low-key. Although he has vowed to never let a sophisticate like his nasty ex-wife into his heart again, and Diamond's own bitter divorce from an abusive husband makes a romantic match with Jake unlikely, the requisite relationship develops. Confronted with unwanted media attention after eventually going public with their love, Jake and Diamond rely on the support of his large and loyal family. Jackson's (Fire and Desire) talent for character development imparts credibility to the otherwise improbable marriage that the couple manages to keep secret for more than a year. (Jan.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Brenda is a die-hard romantic who married her childhood sweetheart 30 years ago and still proudly wears the "going steady" ring he gave her when she was 15. Because she began believing very early in the power of love and romance, she can't help but write stories with happy endings. She is an award-winning bestselling author of more than 10 romance novels and looks forward to increasing that number. She and her husband live in the city where they were born, Jacksonville, Fla., and have two sons in college. She has a B.S. in business administration and presently works in management for a major insurance company.

Coming home from work and sitting down to her computer to weave love stories is the highlight of her day. She and her husband spend time together traveling to discover those romantic places she could use as settings in her books.

Brenda would love to hear from her readers.