Sleeping Beauty's Billionaire

{"contributor_id":"101592","name":"Caroline Cross","first":"Caroline","last":" Cross","seo":"caroline-cross","role":"A01","hide":false,"reference_id":null,"bio":"Caroline Cross will never forget the first time she read a Silhouette Desire. A then inveterate reader of everything except category romance, she found herself swept up in the magic that happens when two strong people fall irrevocably in love against all odds.It was both a moving and exhilarating experience, and one she does her best to recreate for her readers.

Caroline was born in eastern Washington State. Horse crazy from the age of two, she drove her parents nuts for the next eight years begging to be allowed to own her own horse. Eventually she wore them down, and spent the next years riding all over the county, daydreaming, and making up stories when not training and attending horse shows.

She later attended college, learning all sorts of interesting things while never really figuring out what she wanted to do. After majoring in political science (a really practical choice!), she held a variety of jobs from working on the prototype of the first floppy disk to being assistant manager at a fabric store.

She got married to a very special guy on a hot summer day, and in the next few years had two wonderful daughters. When her kids got the chicken pox - first one, then the other - she found herself housebound with nothing left to read but the instructions on the lid of the washing machine.

A kind neighbour brought her a bag of books and that was her introduction to the romance genre. Hooked from the very beginning, within a month she decided to try writing herself. Three years later, she made her first sale.

She feels blessed (not to mention relieved, as is her family) to have finally found her niche. It's a sentiment echoed by readers and reviewers. She was thrilled to be the Romance Writers of America 1999 RITA Award-winner for her short contemporary, The Notorious Groom. She's also been the recipient of the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Silhouette Desire, and has twice been the choice of Pacific Northwest readers for Emerald City Keeper Awards.

She now lives outside Seattle with her husband and daughters, one very large hairy dog, and one picky little Siamese cat. For Caroline, every new book is an adventure. She loves strong, larger-than-life heroes, heroines with the courage to take chances, the roller coaster ride of two special people coming together -and always, happy endings.","bio_short":"","image":"https://i.harperapps.com/hcanz/authors/0105355/x145.jpg","on_tour":false,"featured":false,"deceased":false,"sensitivity":"0","locale":"","custom":{"algoliaKey":"3e360a621aff2e1bc018e0c5f306e0da-0","export_hash":"012503022fb769b506747d81cd4fa8f57b821948397e81d5a13ab11e9dbb3605"},"events":null,"awards":null,"assets":[{"id":"214744-101592","asset_id":"101592","asset":{"id":"214744","unique":"x500-caroline-cross-Contributors","name":"caroline-cross-author-photo","description":null,"type":"image","sub_type":"author-photo","order":"1","size":"500","height":null,"width":"500","embed":null,"path":"https://i.harperapps.com/hcanz/authors/0105355/x145.jpg","source":"new-image-import","schedule":"2025-04-11 00:00:00"}}],"books":[{"description":"
THE BUSINESS TYCOON

\"Honour\" was Texas tycoon Sterling Churchill's middle name. So when a mix–up at the local sperm bank unexpectedly made him a father–to–be, he gallantly stepped forward to marry shy beauty Susan Wilkins. It was a marriage in name only until he gave his bride a soul–spinning kiss. Now his new wife was carrying his child and wearing a look of pure splendour. Could tough–as–nails Sterling open the rusty doors of his heart and turn pumpkins into coaches for his Cinderella bride?

Five wealthy Texas bachelors all members of the state's most exclusive club set out on a mission to rescue a princess and find true love.","rating":"3.74","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":12344,"isbn13":"9781460861165","title":"Cinderella's Tycoon","seo":"cinderellas-tycoon","summary":"THE BUSINESS TYCOON \"Honour\" was Texas tycoon Sterling Churchill's middle name. So when a mix–up at the local sperm bank unexpectedly made him a father–to–be, he gallantly stepped forward to...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460861165.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"

She had trusted him with her heart and been devastated. Now she had to trust him with her life.

Lilah Cantrell: She couldn't imagine anything worse than being held in a Third World prison. Until she set eyes on Dominic Steele - the very first man who'd stirred her desires and broken her heart.

Dominic Steele: The ex-U.S. Navy Seal turned bodyguard-for-hire tried to keep his rescue mission strictly professional, but Lilah - and the memories of their shared history - awakened his long-dormant protective instincts...and passion.

Could their newfound trust, born of desperation, sustain them once they reached safety? Or was that when the real danger would begin?

","rating":"3.39","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2014-08-10 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2014-08-10 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":27955,"isbn13":"9781488778810","title":"Trust Me","seo":"trust-me","summary":"She had trusted him with her heart and been devastated. Now she had to trust him with her life.Lilah Cantrell: She couldn't imagine anything worse than being held in a Third World prison. Until she...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781488778810.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary Women","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC044000"},{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"

Ex-Army Ranger John Taggert Steele couldn't believe the pretty little mess he was in. The case should have been easy - track down runaway murder witness Genevieve Bowen and return her to police custody.

But somehow he ended up shackled to the sassy brunette's bed - and rather than thinking how to get out of it, he was sorely tempted to get Genevieve in it so he could teach her a much-needed lesson in domination. Because one way or another he'd regain control, and show her what happens when you play with a desperate man's heart.

","rating":"3.77","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2014-08-10 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2014-08-10 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":26613,"isbn13":"9781488775888","title":"Tempt Me","seo":"tempt-me","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781488775888.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"},{"name":"Contemporary Women","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC044000"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
BACHELORS & BABIES

THE SECRET BABY

Gavin Cantrell had a son! An adorable baby boy who looked just like him. The new father would celebrate and pass out cigars, but there was one hitch Gavin's child was two years old. And his estranged wife had some explaining to do .

Annie had been a new bride with a surprise baby on the way when Gavin had walked out of her life. And now her husband had come home a sexy stranger who'd betrayed her. Gavin vowed to be a full–time father, and little Sam did need a daddy. But to make a full–time family, Annie needed back the man she'd married .

BACHELORS AND BABIES: Three men get more than they ever expected when they connect with the woman of their dreams .","rating":"3.92","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":13985,"isbn13":"9781460880081","title":"Gavin's Child","seo":"gavins-child","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460880081.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
THE GRUMP AND THE SPECIAL DELIVERY

His motto was Don't Get Involved. So why had rancher Jack Sheridan helped a stranger deliver her baby during the worst blizzard in history? Now the newborn had him wrapped around her little finger. And her beautiful, wilful mama was trying to sweet–talk him into sharing more than just his home.

Single and desperate Tess Danielson was thankful Jack had taken her in from the storm, even though he was just waiting for the chance to dump her on someone else's doorstep. But after weeks of heated glances and steamy kisses Tess was no longer fooled by his off–putting demeanour. She just had to make him realize that good lovin' could go a long way to thaw his cold, hard heart.","rating":"3.20","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":13409,"isbn13":"9781460873793","title":"The Baby Blizzard","seo":"the-baby-blizzard","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460873793.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Anthologies (multiple authors)","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC003000"},{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
Somehow Riley Fortune had managed to marry the only woman in Pueblo who didn't want to sleep with him. He and Angelica Dodd had once shared a night of burn–up–the–rafters passion. That was the night they made a baby. But the greatest challenge he faced wasn't instant fatherhood – or even the fact that he stood accused of a murder he hadn't committed. It was convincing Angelica that he wasn't public enemy number one – but the husband she most wanted!","rating":"3.67","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":10899,"isbn13":"9781460844069","title":"Husband--Or Enemy?","seo":"husband-or-enemy","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460844069.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
>A Barone wedding? He would be there! Gavin O'Sullivan couldn't wait to show Colleen Barone just what she'd been missing since she and her family had kicked him to the curb. He was no longer the rebel from the wrong side of town, but a hotel mogul with money to burn and influence to rival the powerful Barone clan's.

But one dance with the petite, oh–so–sweet Colleen, and the passion that had smouldered in him all these years blazed to life... . Did Gavin dare risk his wounded heart with the temptress who had broken it once before?","rating":"3.31","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":10206,"isbn13":"9781460832738","title":"Sleeping Beauty's Billionaire","seo":"sleeping-beautys-billionaire","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460832738.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
How could penniless socialite Mallory Morgan accept Gabriel Steele's charity? But Gabriel wasn't used to taking no for an answer. And the infuriatingly arrogant man wasn't above using his devastating sex appeal to get what he wanted.

Gabriel intended to take care of Mallory, leaving her no choice but to succumb to his wishes. But that didn't mean she couldn't try to tame her keeper.","rating":"3.30","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":14234,"isbn13":"9781460883457","title":"Tame Me","seo":"tame-me","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460883457.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
HER HARD–BODIED TEMPORARY HUSBAND

Almost thirty–four, still a virgin and with no marriage prospects in sight, town librarian Norah Brown was headed for the Old Maid Hall of Fame. Then Elijah Wilder, the baddest boy ever to roam the streets of Kisscount, shockingly agreed to marry her so she could keep her family estate. But he didn't know that Norah had secretly loved him for years .

Eli was the only man who sensed the temptress lurking beneath the bookworm. It was there in the way he looked at her as if he could taste her, feel her, see right through her, into her soul. Just as Norah knew that within her hard–bodied, hard–hearted temporary husband lurked a man who lived for her loving .","rating":"3.30","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":12863,"isbn13":"9781460867273","title":"The Notorious Groom","seo":"the-notorious-groom","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460867273.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
SHANE WYATT WAS MORE THAN A MAN

He was dad to a dimple–cheeked two–year–old but not by blood. A paediatrician's visit had proved that fact, rocking Shane's world and forever changing the way he viewed women. He didn't trust anyone not with the precious child who called him Da–da, and certainly not with his heart .

JERRY ROSS WAS ALL WOMAN

and undeniably, irrevocably in love with the stubborn single dad. So when she saw her larger–than–life hero distancing himself from both the world and his baby girl, she knew she needed to break down his walls to reach the fiercely passionate man trapped inside .","rating":"3.45","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":12882,"isbn13":"9781460867532","title":"The Paternity Factor","seo":"the-paternity-factor","summary":"SHANE WYATT WAS MORE THAN A MAN He was dad to a dimple–cheeked two–year–old but not by blood. A paediatrician's visit had proved that fact, rocking Shane's world and forever changing the way...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460867532.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
Livestock? John MacLaren had all the answers. But little girls? On that subject he was clueless. What did an orphan know about creating a home, especially for a delicate child like Lissy? He needed help. And help came...in the most unexpected, most unforgettable form. Eve Chandler. Years before, he'd wanted her with a vengeance, but 'Princess' hadn't seemed to think him worthy. Now the tables had turned, and she was working for him. Yet Eve was so much more than a nanny. With her encouragement, Lissy was blossoming...and John's icy reserve was melting. But once Eve recovered her lost riches, would John's warm, willing lover remain by his side?","rating":"3.44","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":11013,"isbn13":"9781460845332","title":"The Rancher And The Nanny","seo":"the-rancher-and-the-nanny","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460845332.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]},{"description":"
With his arrogance, Sheikh Kaj al bin Russard got men to follow his orders. With his dark good looks, he got women to fall at his feet. Now Kaj needed every one of those talents to lure Princess Catherine of Altaria to the altar.

One of the last remaining virgin royals, Catherine could fulfil the terms of Kaj's father's will. But it would take more than a fiery sheikh to melt the renowned \"Ice Princess\" who vowed never to fall in love. With his barely leashed power and potent masculinity, Kaj was a formidable foe, but Catherine was ready for battle.

Then she made her fatal mistake she let him kiss her....","rating":"3.24","stock":0,"date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"sale_date":{"__className":"DateTime","date":"2012-07-06 00:00:00.000000","timezone_type":3,"timezone":"Australia/Sydney"},"product_id":10601,"isbn13":"9781460840504","title":"The Sheikh Takes A Bride","seo":"the-sheikh-takes-a-bride","summary":"...","image":"https://harpercollins-millsandboon-au.imgix.net/covers/9781460840504.jpg?auto=format&w=298&blend=https://supadu-imgix.s3.amazonaws.com/harpercollins-millsandboon-au/EBOOK.png&blend-mode=normal&blend-size=inherit&blend-y=0","hide":false,"categories":[{"name":"Contemporary","type":"bisac","seo_name":"FIC027020"}],"scheduled":[]}],"scheduled":[],"products":[]}