www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Dear Reader,

      Lately I’ve had many letters from my fans, asking me when I’m going to write another romance novel. I’ve dipped my hand in other pots, writing some suspense, erotica and general women’s fiction, but romance is where I started, and romance is still in my heart.

      So for those of you who have been waiting for another one of my romances, for those who enjoy reading all of my stories, and for those who might be reading one of my books for the first time, I’m very pleased to have Island Fantasy to share with you.

      Many of us—if not all—have experienced heartbreak at some point in our lives. Many of us have experienced betrayal. What if you experienced a crushing betrayal on the night of your wedding? Would you get married anyway, hoping that your fiancé simply had prewedding jitters and that once he said “I do” all would be fine? Or would you have the courage—in front of all of your wedding guests—to say that you deserve better?

      My heroine, Shayna Kenyon, has the courage to call off the wedding, knowing that a man who would betray her the night of her wedding isn’t a man who deserves her heart. It’s not an easy thing to do, but doing the right thing isn’t always easy. I wrote Shayna’s story to show a woman’s courage in the eleventh hour. To show that even if you’re about to say “I do” and suddenly realize it’s not right, it’s not too late to say “I don’t.”

      I really enjoyed writing Shayna and Donovan’s love story. I hope you enjoy their quest for true love on the beautiful and sultry island of Jamaica. And be sure to look for Brianne’s story—Shayna’s sister—in my next Kimani Romance.

      And now, indulge your Island Fantasy.

      Kayla

       Chapter 1

      Shayna Kenyon didn’t consider herself a vengeful person. Revenge was not her style. In life, she had been able to turn the other cheek when people had wronged her. Been able to move forward and leave any ugliness in the past.

      But last night…A flash of what she’d witnessed with her own two eyes entered her brain, causing her stomach to twist harshly. She couldn’t very well move forward from Vince’s betrayal in the same easy fashion she had moved forward when necessary in the past.

      Especially not today.

      Today…Oh, Lord help her.

      The depth of Vince’s betrayal burned deep in her soul. And the timing of it couldn’t have been worse.

      Shayna inhaled a deep, shaky breath. Her eyes misted, but she held back her tears. She had to do what she was about to do. There was no other choice.

      “Baby, it’s okay,” her father said and held her arm a little closer to his side. “There’s no need to cry. You’re marrying a man who adores you, and if I do say so myself, you look incredible. You’re my daughter, yes, but I mean it when I say this—you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Other than your mother,” he added with a smile. “This is your day. Enjoy it.”

      Enjoy it, Shayna thought sourly. She hadn’t enjoyed anything since last night—and she had the puffy eyes to prove it. She’d told her parents that she’d been too excited to sleep, which wasn’t the truth. She’d been too devastated to truly rest. All night, she had lain awake, alternately crying and contemplating what to do.

      Her decision—approved by her sister—was the only thing giving her the power to walk down the aisle. The fact that there would be some satisfaction in what was coming next. It was the only reason she’d gotten all dressed up and spent two hours getting her hair and makeup done. To see the look on Vince’s face when she let him—and all the guests in attendance—know that she knew.

      The last of Shayna’s five bridesmaids took her place on the podium. After a few beats of silence, the local singer she and Vince had hired began her rendition of “Here I Am” by Beyoncé and Eric Benét. Shayna and Vince had opted for something more contemporary as opposed to the traditional organ music signaling the bride’s walk down the aisle.

      Shayna swallowed, tears falling from her eyes even though she didn’t want them to. Her father pulled the handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at her cheeks.

      “Come on, baby,” he urged. “Everyone’s waiting.”

      Shayna hesitated a beat, suddenly unsure. But even her sister had encouraged her to do what she was about to do next. “Do what you need to do,” her younger sister, Brianne, had told her. “As far as I’m concerned, Vince deserves much worse than public humiliation.”

      The singer continued the soulful love ballad, and Shayna knew she should start moving. Through the church’s back door windows, she could see everyone on their feet, waiting for her to take her final walk as a single woman.

      The doors opened. She began to move. She was nervous and devastated, and yet she tried to force a smile. Given her state of mind, she wasn’t sure she accomplished her goal.

      All around her, people were grinning. Some grinning and crying. This was a wonderful occasion. One she’d waited thirty-two years for. Her family was ecstatic that she’d found the kind of love that lasted a lifetime.

      Shayna knew better, and soon everyone else would, too.

      While walking down the aisle, Shayna hadn’t allowed herself to look directly at Vince, afraid she would fall apart. But as she neared him, she did. Her stomach lurched with disgust when she saw the tears streaming down his face.

      Tears of joy, or tears of shame?

      The tears of shame would come soon—that much she was sure of.

      Near the pulpit, her father stopped, faced her and dabbed at his own tears before kissing her cheek. “I love you, baby,” he said.

      “I love you, too,” Shayna said, her voice a whisper.

      She hoped her father wouldn’t be upset with her ruse,