The second book in the Men Of Bachelor Creek series, 1998

Dear Reader,

It seemed like a good plan. Three bachelors setting off for the Alaskan bush to start a new life, far away from the female sex. But then Bachelor #1, Tanner O'Neill, got an early Christmas present in the person of beautiful Julia Logan in my December 1997 release, Caught Under the Mistletoe!

Now Valentine's Day is upon us and Bachelor #2, bush pilot Joe Brennan, is in serious danger of following his best buddy to the altar. Finding women for these three boys has been a real treat, and I think you'll enjoy watching Joe as he's Dodging Cupid's Arrow!-and ducking his desire for investigative reporter Perrie Kincaid.

And then get ready for my last bachelor to be Struck by Spring Fever! in April 1998. Wilderness guide Kyle "Hawk" Hawkins has a lady waiting to capture his heart and warm his bed after a long, cold Alaskan winter!

Happy Valentine's Day,

Kate Hoffmann

PS. I love to hear from my readers. Write to me:

c/o Harlequin Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road,

Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9

With special thanks to Wally Kohler, for answering my endless questions about pilots and their planes.

Five years ago

Joe Brennan held his breath as the rough plank door swung open, its hinges groaning in protest. If the interior of Bachelor Creek Lodge looked anything like the exterior, he vowed he would turn around and head right back to Seattle.

"I should have my head examined," he murmured to himself, his gaze scanning the dilapidated log building. He sidestepped a rotted board on the porch, then squinted into a dust-coated window. A shaft of light illuminated the interior and his gaze followed it up to a huge hole in the roof.