Welcome to the world of St Piran’s Hospital—
Next to the rugged shores of Penhally Bay lies the picturesque Cornish town of St Piran, where you’ll find a bustling hospital famed for the dedication, talent and passion of its staff—on and off the wards!
Under the warmth of the Cornish sun, Italian doctors, heart surgeons and playboy princes discover that romance blossoms in the most unlikely of places…
You’ll also meet the devilishly handsome Dr Josh O’Hara and the beautiful, fragile Megan Phillips… and discover the secret that tore these star-crossed lovers apart.
Turn the page to step into St Piran’s—where every drama has a dreamy doctor… and a happy ending.
About the Author
MARGARET MCDONAGH says of herself: ‘I began losing myself in the magical world of books from a very young age, and I always knew that I had to write, pursuing the dream for over twenty years, often with cussed stubbornness in the face of rejection letters! Despite having numerous romance novellas, short stories and serials published, the news that my first “proper book” had been accepted by Harlequin Mills & Boon for their MedicalTM Romance line brought indescribable joy! Having a passion for learning makes researching an involving pleasure, and I love developing new characters, getting to know them, setting them challenges to overcome. The hardest part is saying goodbye to them, because they become so real to me. And I always fall in love with my heroes! Writing and reading books, keeping in touch with friends, watching sport and meeting the demands of my four-legged companions keeps me well occupied. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it.’
www.margaretmcdonagh.com
Dear Reader
Having taken part in the Penhally series, I was honoured to be part of this exciting new project, returning to Cornwall but broadening the focus and scope beyond the village of Penhally itself. This new series centres around St Piran’s Hospital and its staff, delving into their lives and their loves. I am delighted to bring you ST PIRAN’S: ITALIAN SURGEON, FORBIDDEN BRIDE.
Consultant neurosurgeon Giovanni Correzi has been through dark times, and now focuses on his patients and his charity work. Highly respected and sought-after, why has he left a high-flying post in London and moved to rural Cornwall? Gio has strong reasons for choosing St Piran’s. He just didn’t expect to meet a woman who awakens his heart from its long hibernation. Four years ago, counsellor Jessica Carmichael’s world came crashing down around her. She has reinvented herself and carved her own niche in Cornwall, but a dark shadow hangs over her, setting her apart and holding her back from life.
Gio and Jess share an immediate but unwanted attraction. Their professional respect rapidly grows into a close friendship, and when events cause them to spend time together it becomes increasingly difficult for them to deny their feelings. But Jess is adamant that friendship is all they can share, and Gio has to tread gently to learn her secrets, earn her trust and win her heart.
Can these two come together with a promise of new hope for the future and the second chance at love they both deserve? Gio and Jess touched my heart. I hope you will share their journey and fall in love with them too! Welcome to St Piran’s!
Love
Margaret
www.margaretmcdonagh.com
ST PIRAN’S HOSPITAL
Where every drama has a dreamy doctor… and a happy ending.
Last month we brought you the first two St Piran’s stories!
Nick Tremayne and Kate Althorp finally got their happy-ever-after in: ST PIRAN’S: THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR by Caroline Anderson
Dr Izzy Bailey was swept off her feet by sexy Spaniard Diego Ramirez ST PIRAN’S: RESCUING PREGNANT CINDERELLA by Carol Marinelli
And there’s plenty more romance brewing in St Piran’s!
The arrival of Italian neurosurgeon Giovanni Corezzi will make you forget the cold this month ST PIRAN’S: ITALIAN SURGEON, FORBIDDEN BRIDE by Margaret McDonagh
Daredevil doc William MacNeil unexpectedly discovers that he’s a father in February ST PIRAN’S: DAREDEVIL, DOCTOR… AND DAD! by Anne Fraser
The new heart surgeon has everyone’s pulses racing in March ST PIRAN’S: THE BROODING HEART SURGEON by Alison Roberts
Fireman Tom Nicholson steals Flora Loveday’s heart in April ST PIRAN’S: THE FIREMAN AND NURSE LOVEDAY by Kate Hardy
Newborn twins could just bring a May marriage miracle for Brianna and Connor Taylor ST PIRAN’S: TINY MIRACLE TWINS by Maggie Kingsley
And playboy Prince Alessandro Cavalieri comes to St Piran in June ST PIRAN’S: PRINCE ON THE CHILDREN’S WARD by Sarah Morgan
ST PIRAN’S:
ITALIAN SURGEON, FORBIDDEN BRIDE
MARGARET McDONAGH
With special thanks to:
The Medical™ Romance team for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful project and my fellow authors for their support, especially…
Jo, Lucy, Mimi, Sheila, Carol, Caroline, Kate and Maggie Charlie & Will—for ‘Charlie’… and for making the best bears in the world!
Namlife for the information on living with HIV: www.namlife.org
CHAPTER ONE
‘YOU need Jessica Carmichael.’
He didn’t need anyone… not any more.
Giovanni Corezzi bit back his instant denial of the suggestion made by paediatric registrar Dr Megan Phillips. It was his first day as consultant neurosurgeon at St Piran’s Hospital in Cornwall and although his primary focus was always on doing his best for his patients, he also hoped to make a good impression and to form a friendly working relationship with his new colleagues.
‘Jessica Carmichael?’
He frowned, disturbed at the way the unknown woman’s name flowed from his tongue. As if it were a caress. And somehow important. What nonsense was he thinking? With an impatient shake of his head, he refocused on Megan.
‘Jess is a hospital counsellor. She’s very knowledgeable and good with patients and their relatives,’ the paediatric registrar explained with obvious admiration. ‘Unfortunately we don’t have extra time for everyone. Jess fills that gap.’
‘I’ll bear it in mind,’ Gio replied, knowing the involvement of a counsellor was often helpful to his patients but reluctant to bring one in now.
‘It’s your decision.’ Megan’s disappointment and disagreement were apparent. ‘I think you’d find Jess useful in Cody Rowland’s case.’
Gio bit back irritation as the young registrar questioned his judgement. Instead of an instant retort, however, he considered whether he had missed anything regarding the young boy admitted to his care. Three-year-old Cody had fallen from a climbing frame two weeks previously, but had not shown any symptoms at the time. Recently he had become increasingly listless, complaining of a headache,