My mother was a British beauty (actually won 2nd place in a Max Factor® beauty contest) and my dad was a Texan stationed at Bovingdon Air Force Base in England shortly after World War II. He was an airplane mechanic.

Growing up, I always enjoyed listening to my parents telling me how they met. My mom’s version went like this: She and her best friend, all decked out in their favorite party dresses, went to a dance at the base. A tall greasy looking fellow popped inside for a minute and my mom thought, “Oh, he’s not half bad.”

My dad’s version was that he’d been working on the planes, was dirty and tired and not sure he wanted to attend the dance. He stepped inside to have a look around and a lovely lady caught his eye. He went to get cleaned up and returned to charm her.

In SURRENDER TO THE DEVIL, Frannie Darling and Sterling Mabry, the Duke of Greystone, experience a very similar situation. Only they are at a wedding reception and they each look across the room--and feel an undeniable attraction.

While Sterling tries to charm her, Frannie resists. After all, he is part of the aristocracy and she grew up on the streets. His is a life of indulgence while hers continues to be one of struggles as she searches the rookeries for orphaned and needy children. But he is determined, and they’ll both discover that nothing is more dangerous than risking their hearts.

My question to you is: Do you believe in love at first sight?

Lorraine Heath