How to Treat a Lady by Karen Hawkins

How to Treat a Lady by Karen Hawkins

Everyone knows that all the members of the St. John family are destined for greatness - all, that is, except the rebellious Chase St. John. Then, as the fates would have it, a lifetime of drinking, gambling and womanising catches up and leads him to a fateful incident which changes his life. Harriet Ward, on the other hand, has always felt the weight of responsibility caring for her mother and two brothers, but drawing the line at marrying a stuffy bore to save her home, she creates an imaginary fiance, Captain John. There is no one more surprised than she when Chase conveniently shows up, wounded by an unknown attacker, to fill the role of her suitor. As they pose as lovers and begin to unravel the mystery of Chase's assailant, they soon realise that their imaginary love has quickly turned into reality.

Karen Hawkins grew up in Tennessee, part of a large extended family that includes her brother and sister, an adoptive sister, a slew of foster siblings, and a variety of exchange students. She would snuggle under the comforter on her bed with a flashlight and a book to escape the chaos (and to hide when it was her turn to do the dishes), a behavior she still practices to this day.