“We have to walk every step of the way, however difficult or painful it is; we can avoid nothing.” After the death of her baby, Urmila finds her own path difficult to endure. But through her grief, she is drawn into the lives of two very different women—one her long-dead mother-in-law, a thwarted writer, the other a young woman who lies unconscious in a hospital bed. And it is through these quiet, unexpected connections that Urmi begins her journey toward healing.The miracle of The Binding Vine, and of Shashi Deshpande's deeply compassionate vision, is that out of this web of loss and despair emerge strand of life and hope—a binding vine of love, concern, and connection that spreads across chasms of time, social class, and even death. In moving and exquisitely understated prose, Deshpande renders visible the extraordinary endurance and grace concealed in women's everyday lives.

    A fact that spooked Des Jones, for the curse promised death to the legendary Masque Factory's new heir--the person he was impersonating.Under a cloak of disguise, Des arrived in Midnight only to find that his life-threatening challenge was made deliciously sweeter when the beautiful Rowen Hunter became his fiancee in deception.Rowen was promised to another--the man paying Des for a job well done--but he wanted her...no matter what the cost.But to have her, Des had to unmask a killer determined to make theirs a deadly affair.

    But the ice-cold lady with the warm brown eyes later became his trouble when he found her huddled in his rig, desperate to make a quick getaway. And Shay had a feeling that he and his scared-to-death stowaway were headed down one long, bumpy road.

    What did this cattleman know about couture? Somehow she had to get her hands on the funds while keeping his hands off her! John Dancler didn't want to give in to this frivolous prima donna. He'd promised Marlee's father that he'd take care of her, and he wasn't about to let her throw her cash away on some harebrained business scheme. But the more he was determined to steer clear of her persistent persuasion, the more he found himself roped--and tied!Hero is heroine's much older stepbrother.

    "I'm-in-charge" Sarrizen might be able to pull the wool over his great-aunt's eyes, but not Charlie's! Faces didn't lie, and his was the sort that belonged to a buccaneer or a highwayman-not a loving nephew.Facts don't lie, either. Hadn't Charlie written the wretched man five letters-all of them begging him to come and visit his dangerously ill relative? Admittedly, he'd eventually shown up. But that only proved he was interested in his great-aunt's wealth, not her health.Which made it all the more galling when he found out about Charlie's pretend engagement to his cousin and accused her of trying to take advantage of his great-aunt!

    But that was four years ago, and Lucy now concentrated on her fascinating and rewarding job as senior sister in charge of a fertility clinic. But the expected new consultant turned out to be Rupert. It was bad enough that Lucy had to face Rupert again, but why was he so hostile to her? What was she supposed to have done to him?

    But now she was close to blowing it. She had gotten too involved in a story --- jeopardizing not only the national syndication of her news show but the life of a man. And no one could help her but hotshot Beverly Hills lawyer Raul Delgado, who considered her a TV twinkie.After several very "close" consultations with smooth-talking, sexy Raul, Shelby definitely needed help --- help in resisting her instant attraction to him. She should have known better. After all, Raul was renowned for his persuasive skills in the courtroom ... and the bedroom. It was his courtroom skills that she desperately needed ... and his respect and love that she desperately craved.

    EstablishmentJames Tasman appeared to put on the charm as easily as he did his expensive business suits. And he could afford to do both—he had the confidence and the means that came with making a success of a family-owned department store.So while Ally Barrett admired his ambition, it didn't mean she had to approve of him, let alone trust him. James needed work done in the store and Ally knew she had the talent to do it. And she definitely knew she wouldn't confuse their mutual attraction with love! She had her feelings well under control, as always…didn't she?

    And he had very personal reasons for wanting to infiltrate the dark business. But not even a man of his wealth and power could enter the slave bazaar without help—the help of a very special woman.Being auctioned off as a millionaire's plaything was the most dangerous assignment of private detective Rachel Tinsdale's career. But perhaps her shadowy client was the true danger. Night after night, she ached to share his secrets—and show him the joys to be found in the arms of a woman who was no man's slave.