© 1988

Dear Reader:

In a previous life, before the time of Plum, I wrote twelve short romance novels. Red-hot screwball comedies, each and every one of them. Nine of these stories were originally published by the Loveswept line between the years 1988 and 1992. All went out of print immediately and could be found only at used bookstores and yard sales.

I’m excited to tell you that those nine stories (plus one from the Second Chance at Love line) have been re-released by HarperCollins. The Grand Finale was the very first Loveswept published and is now the last to be reprinted. It’s presented here in close to original form. I’ve done some editing to improve readability and wardrobe.

The Grand Finale is the story of a young woman who falls out of a tree, onto a pizza, and into love. Okay, so maybe the road to true love isn’t all that easy, Truth is, she ruins the pizza, loses three cars, adopts three little old ladies, is held at gunpoint, and is caught ogling a very hot, very gorgeous, almost naked guy. Happily, she eventually gets to see the hot guy entirely naked, and they make some really great pizza together.

Enjoy!

Janet Evanovich

Berry Knudsen eased her battered army surplus Jeep over to the curb, pulled the emergency brake on, and studied the only mailbox in the deserted cul-de-sac. No name. No street number. Terrific. She squinted into the blackness and reread the address taped to the large pizza box on the seat next to her. 5077 Ellenburg Drive. This had to be it. This was Ellenburg Drive, and this was the only house for a quarter of a mile. She thunked her forehead onto the steering wheel and groaned. Last delivery of the night, and it had all the earmarks of a prank.