He would much rather carve out his own destiny than live under the constraints of that position. But when his older brother dies unexpectedly, Philip's life is turned upside down as duty requires him to give up the life he planned. Philip takes on his new role as the most sought-after bachelor in London with alternating reluctance, boredom, and resentment. But all that changes the night fate leads him to an inn, where he meets the incomparable Marianne Daventry.

    Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

    It is a vast cosmic sea. Where each life exists as rippling circles on its surface, past and future being eternally present. And occasionally, one expanding ring intertwines with that of another, weaving the lives of two people together . . . Intertwine In 2012, Emme Wilde can’t find the right guy. Instead, she obsesses over the portrait of an unknown man in an old locket. Granted, a seriously dreamy guy with delicious, wind-swept hair she just itches to run her fingers through. Emme travels to England, determined to uncover his history and conquer the strong connection she feels. In 1812, James Knight has given up finding the right woman. But then he finds a beautiful mystery woman, dripping wet and half-dead, beneath a tree on his estate. Now if he can uncover her history, perhaps adventure—and romance—will find him at last Divine Georgiana Knight--born in the nineteenth century, but now living in 2013--discovers a centuries-old love letter written in her own handwriting. Should she risk giving up hot showers and return to the past to discover the mysterious stranger who inspired (will inspire?) her passionate letter?In 1813, Sebastian Carew is madly in love with his childhood friend, Georgiana. He is determined to find Georgiana and win her affections. However, she has utterly vanished. Can he divine the truth of her disappearance and convince her to marry him before time runs out? Clandestine In 2014, Marc Wilde--martial artist and actor--finds his life a mess. Someone knows about the time portal in the cellar of Duir Cottage and is threatening to tell the world unless Marc pays up. So yeah . . . life not going so well. In 1814, Kit Ashton has problems of her own. Her brother has disappeared (again), leaving Kit penniless and forcing her to take up employment as a lady's companion (sigh). Add in the sudden appearance of a wind-swept, silver-tongued rogue who makes Kit want to flirt, flirt, flirt . . . it all leaves her one misstep from disaster. Kit is determined to find her brother and return home, all while guarding her heart and (most importantly) keeping her secrets . . . well . . . secret. Refine In 1815, Timothy, Viscount Linwood—handsome, arrogant, privileged—never veers from the refined rules of his world. But then Fate intervenes and draws him to a vivid woman who makes him want things he can never have. Can a pompous lord change enough to find redemption? In 2015, Jasmine Fleury just wants her happily-ever-after. If only she could stop losing people instead. Worse, she finds herself babysitting a haughty nineteenth century lord who can't even shave himself. She has no interest in playing damsel-in-shining-armor to his knight-in-distress. But Fate has other plans . . . Explore four stories of love which transcend Time itself.

    A desperate spinster. A reckless wager. For five years, Brooke Culpepper has focused her energy on two things: keeping the struggling dairy farm that’s her home operating and preventing her younger sister and cousins from starving. Then one day, a stern-faced stranger arrives at their doorstep and announces he’s the dairy’s new owner and plans on selling the farm. Though she’s outraged, Brooke can’t deny the Earl of Ravensdale makes her pulse race in the most disturbing way. Heath is incensed to discover five women call the land he won at the gaming tables their home. He detests everything about the country and has no desire to own a smelly farm, even if one of the occupants is the most intelligent, entrancing woman he’s ever met.Desperate, pauper poor, and with nowhere to take her family, Brooke rashly proposes a wager. Heath's stakes? The farm. Hers? Her virtue. The land holds no interest for Heath, but he finds Brooke irresistible, and ignoring prudence as well as his sense of honor, he just as recklessly accepts her challenge. In a winner-takes-all bet, will they both come to regret their impulsiveness, especially when love is at stake? Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.

    In "The Best Christmas Ever" a boisterous house party is in progress and all the children when asked are eager to tell what they want for Christmas. But one man feels sad, for his young child has not spoken since her mother died and he does not know if the gifts he has bought her will be what she really wants. Unknown to him, her one fervent wish is for a new mother for Christmas, and when she sees one of the guests she knows who that will be. But the lady concerned has an unhappy history with the child's father. In "The Porcelain Madonna" a gentleman becomes involved with helping an impoverished lady, who thinks of everyone's happiness but her own. However, he has seen her gaze with longing at a porcelain Madonna well beyond her means displayed in a shop window. In "The Surprise Party" a man and woman who are antagonistic to each other find themselves landed with the care over Christmas of children who are related to each of them. They quarrel over which of them should undertake the task. It is not a happy situation until the children teach them the true meaning of Christmas, and of love, and they discover that they can do it together.

    She carries a secret that would ruin her family if exposed and she must deceive the ones closest to her to conceal the truth.She unexpectedly encounters Mr. Darcy on her journey and his gentlemanly behavior confuses, yet comforts her. Their daily encounters in the woods surrounding Rosings soothes Elizabeth’s weathered conscience and she soon falls in love. Her doubts, along with the well-placed words of another, threaten to destroy the peace she finds in Darcy’s company and she wonders if she has again failed to correctly sketch his character. When the truth behind her deception is uncovered, will Darcy shun her as Elizabeth fears, or will his actions prove that he is the very best of men?

    Finally confronted with a woman who ignites all his hopes , he agonizes over the cruel trick of fate which placed her in a situation beneath his notice. The morning after the Netherfield ball, he resolves to put as much distance between himself and her as possible.That very morning, however, Elizabeth's future is jeopardized by her father's untimely accident. With Mr Bennet unconscious and surrounded by concerned neighbors, Mr Collins presses his suit. Elizabeth's mother frantically demands her acceptance to secure the familiy's welfare. With so many witnesses to his proposal and everyone expecting her to make a practical choice, Elizabeth's reputation hangs in the balance.Without her father to defend her refusal of Mr Collins, there is no one to speak up for her... except the last man in the world she would ever marry.

    She often walks the cliffside path along the north Devon coast, popular with artists and poets. It's where she met the handsome Wesley Overtree, the first man to tell her she's beautiful.Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother's neglected duties. Home on leave, he's sent to find Wesley. Knowing his brother rented a cottage from a fellow painter, he travels to Devonshire and meets Miss Dupont, the painter's daughter. He's startled to recognize her from a miniature portrait he carries with him--one of Wesley's discarded works. But his happiness plummets when he realizes Wesley has left her with child and sailed away to Italy in search of a new muse.Wanting to do something worthwhile with his life, Stephen proposes to Sophie. He does not offer love, or even a future together, but he can save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he believes he will, she'll be a respectable widow with the protection of his family.Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie agrees to marry a stranger and travel to his family's estate. But at Overtree Hall, her problems are just beginning. Will she regret marrying Captain Overtree when a repentant Wesley returns? Or will she find herself torn between the father of her child and her growing affection for the husband she barely knows?

    His neighbor Rosamund tries desperately to bring him back from the brink of despair, but the beastly young duke fights her every step of the way. His feelings for her deepen, and when she departs for London, he vows to regain his health and woo her properly. Unfortunately, she disappears before he has the chance.Rosamund is admired and praised as a mannequin for an exclusive London modiste, but her life is empty without the man to whom she gave her heart. Now, just when happiness seems within her grasp, jealous rivals conspire to ruin her dreams.Can a beastly duke and a beautiful mannequin ever achieve a fairytale ending?

    Tormented by his past, Alaric knows better than to trust a woman yet finds himself ensnared by a spirited, virtuous virgin—who accuses him of a crime he didn’t commit. Is she his foe... or his salvation? A Novice to DesireEmma Kent is an independent country miss cast adrift in the ton. When a depraved encounter with an arrogant rake lands her in intrigue, Emma’s honor compels her to do the right thing. But desire challenges her quest for justice, and she must decide: can she trust her heart to discover the truth? Bound by Passion and PerilAlaric and Emma engage in a battle of wits and will. As their attraction flares, the true enemy stalks their every move. With danger looming, will they solve the mystery and find true love— before it’s too late?

    Quite by happenstance, she's introduced to the Hawthorne family and their close family friend, Anthony, the reformed marquis of Raeburn. They welcome her into their world, but just as she's beginning to gain some confidence and even suspect she may have caught Anthony's eye, she's blindsided by an unexpected twist in her situation accompanied by nasty rumors. Will she lose her reputation when the world that has only just accepted her turns its back on her, or will she rest in the support of the friends who've become like family and the man who's shared his faith and captured her heart?A Lady of Esteem is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Kristi Ann Hunter's new Regency romance series about the aristocratic Hawthorne family! Includes an extended excerpt of Kristi's debut full-length novel, A Noble Masquerade.

    Kilpack. When Lila overhears her uncle talking about a man coming to look for property in the county, she doesn’t think twice, until her uncle says he hopes Lila will find enough interest to marry the man. How can she marry someone named Mortimer Luthford, not to mention that his advanced age of thirty-three, and especially since she’s already in love with her absent cousin Neville? But when Mortimer arrives, Lila has to try every trick known to women to act not interested in the rather fascinating man, which proves a very difficult façade to maintain. UNMASKING THE DUKE by Donna Hatch. The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation and takes comfort behind a mask. She dances with a charming masked man, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she’d ever accept. WHAT’S IN A NAME by Nancy Campbell Allen. Penelope Timely has a terrible secret. She’s been writing letters to the Duke of Wilmington, pretending to be her ever-proper twin sister, Persephone. Now, the duke has written that he’ll be coming for the Autumn Masquerade Ball and Festival. Penelope will have to continue the charade while the duke is in town in order to protect her sister. The Duke of Wilmington isn’t fooled for a moment, but instead of confessing that he knows about the deception, he finds himself utterly charmed by Penelope and jumps into the game of deception to see how far the twin sisters will take it.

    Little does he know, it's his heart that needs the most loving care.

    But when his brother inherits the viscountcy and pleads for his return, the opportunity to show his contempt and loathing for the Society who turned its back on him proves to be far too enticing to resist.When the dishonourable Lucas Dempsey steps into the ballroom after a four-year absence, Helena Ecclestone is quick to label the gentleman a murderous rogue. That is until she stumbles upon a secret conversation and feels a moral obligation to see justice done. But while the ladies swoon over his handsome countenance, Helena is determined to look beyond such superficial features, intrigued to find the true character of the gentleman he hides beneath his arrogant façade.

    Escaping to London disguised as a young man, Elizabeth discovers a new world of gambling, duels, cruelty and love. Railing against the limitations of her gender and with her best friend, William, by her side, Elizabeth sets out to win her freedom.

    EDEN BRITISH ISLES COLLECTION contains two brand new historical romance novellas A FRIEND INDEED and A HAPPY BEGINNING, as well as four hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Sarah’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of six historical romance novellas set in the British Isles.

     Runaway Duchess When feisty, free spirited Lady Charlotte Vanderley is betrothed against her will to the lecherous old Duke of Tarrow, she will go to any lengths to escape him, especially when a chance encounter with the mysterious Gavin Graystone shows her the true meaning of passion. Gavin Graystone despises the nobility, and for good reason. Born in the London slums, he knows the true meaning of suffering. Now a wealthy entrepreneur, he has left his checkered past behind and secretly yearns for the one thing his money cannot buy: the respect of the ton. Marrying Gavin will free Charlotte from the duke. Marrying Charlotte will give Gavin the acceptance he desires. It seems like the perfect plan, but when two yearning hearts are involved, things rarely happen as they should… And as Charlotte and Gavin soon discover, falling in love is anything but convenient. Spinster and the Duke Young and blissfully in love, Reginald and Abigail were once engaged to be married. Their lives should have ended in happily-ever-after, but he was destined to be a duke and she was the third daughter of a baron. Reluctantly obeying his mother’s demands, Reginald broke the engagement… and Abigail’s heart. Thirty years have passed since then. Now a confirmed spinster, Abigail has forgiven the boy she loved, but she has never forgotten the man. When Reginald unexpectedly returns to England she wants nothing to do with him, fearful of stirring up old feelings that should have died long ago. Reginald made the worst mistake of his life when he left Abigail. She is the only woman he has ever loved, and he is willing to risk everything to get her back. But once lost trust does not come easily, and Abigail is reluctant to give her heart away a second time. Can Reginald and Abigail come to terms with their painful past? Or are some second chances best left untaken? Forgotten Fiancee Engaged to be married since they were children, Miss Dianna Foxcroft and Lord Miles Radnor, Earl of Winfield, were perfect for one another. Until the day he left her standing at the altar and disappeared for parts unknown, breaking their engagement... and Dianna’s heart. Four years have passed since that fateful day, and Miles has at long last come home to England. His sudden return has filled Dianna’s head with questions, and her heart with doubt. She wants to trust the man Miles has become… but how can she forgive the boy who betrayed her? He may have traveled the world, but Miles has never forgotten the blue-eyed beauty he left behind. Determined to win back the heart of the only woman he has ever truly loved, he seeks Dianna out only to discover she despises the very sight of him. Or so she says… Lady Harper High-spirited, independent, and rebellious, Lady Harper has no intention of finding a husband. And why should she, when every man she’s ever met has bored her to tears? That is, every man except for one… The Duke of Greenwood may be many things - arrogant, rakish, and a cad, to name a few - but boring he isn’t. After a chance encounter with Harper leaves him entranced, he vows to make her his wife…The only problem? She can’t stand the sight of him. But the duke is a man accustomed to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to have Harper…no matter the cost.

    Feeling to some extent responsible for the boy, Mr. Colquhoun prevails upon Elias Granger, a prosperous coal merchant, to take him on as an apprentice.For the next five years, John Pickett hauls coal in exchange for room and board. The work is dirty and hard, but the drudgery is lightened by the occasional delivery to Bow Street, where Mr. Colquhoun usually tosses Pickett a coin for his pains. An even more pleasant diversion exists in the form of Mr. Granger's pert daughter Sophy, with whom Pickett tumbles headlong into love.And then one day nineteen-year-old John Pickett stumbles by accident into a criminal investigation that will bring him once again to the attention of Bow Street for an entirely different reason, and will change the course of his life...

    In "The Wassail Bowl" an aristocrat has summoned his young son to a family house party but is disconcerted when his estranged wife and her illegitimate daughter arrive with him. When he expresses his displeasure, she picks up a large bowl of wassail from the hall table and dumps its sticky contents over his head. The only way for the story to proceed after that is up! In "The Bond Street Carolers" a gentleman who hates Christmas is appalled when his ears are assailed on fashionable Bond Street by a group of inferior carolers--until, that is, he is rooted to the spot by the pure soprano voice of a young boy soloist. As a connoisseur of music and the arts, he must have the boy to sing at one of his concerts--but the child's widowed mother will have nothing to do with what she sees as exploitation. In "Guarded by Angels" an estranged couple are separately marooned at the same cottage by a snow storm and must spend Christmas together without coming to blows. But they have a great deal of assistance from their very different guardian angels.

    But everything changes when he meets the beautiful and mysterious Moira Dennison, a bold young woman who offers to hire him, unaware of his title, to help her find her fiancé. Curious and unable to resist, Nathan accepts her offer, keeping his true identity a secret, never dreaming of what the future held for him.She was desperate...Moira is set on finding Charles now that she has come into her inheritance. With her new-found wealth and independence, she is determined to locate her betrothed so they may finallymarry. With Nathan as her guide, she feels confident in the path before her. But when their arrangement forces them closer together, she finds her chosen path may not be as clearas she thought.

    Be swept away by Regency rogues, rakes, scoundrels, and chivalrous lords along with the smart, spirited ladies who win their hearts! In Need of a Knight Lady Aldora Adamson has the weight of the world on her shoulders. In need of a respectable husband to save her family from ruin, she sets her sights on the Marquess of St. James... The only problem? Aldora didn’t anticipate the sparks that would fly when she meets the marquess’ younger, scandalous brother. For Love of the Duke After the tragic death of his wife, Jasper, the 8th Duke of Bainbridge buried himself away in the dark cold walls of his home, Castle Blackwood. When he’s coaxed out of his self-imposed exile to attend the amusements of the Frost Fair, his life is irrevocably changed by his fateful meeting with Lady Katherine Adamson. More Than a Duke Armed with the heart of a duke pendant, fabled to land the wearer a duke’s heart, Lady Anne Adamson decides to enlist the aid of the notorious Harry, 6th Earl of Stanhope. A scoundrel with a scandalous past, he is the last gentleman she'd ever wed...however, his reputation marks him the perfect man to school her in the art of seduction... The Love of a Rogue Jilted by her betrothed, Lady Imogen Moore is done with love. Never again wanting to experience the pain of a broken heart, she’s resolved to make a match with a polite, staid gentleman. All her best plans however, are upended when she meets her best friend’s roguish brother, Lord Alex Edgerton. Loved by a Duke For ten years, Lady Daisy Meadows has been in love with Auric, the Duke of Crawford. Ever since his gallant rescue years earlier, Daisy knew she was destined to be his Duchess. Unfortunately, Auric sees her as his best friend's sister and nothing more. But perhaps, if she can manage to find the fabled heart of a duke pendant, she will win over the heart of her duke. To Love a Lord: The last place finishing school instructor Mrs. Jane Munroe belongs, is in polite Society. Vowing to never wed, she’s been scuttled around from post to post. Now she finds herself in the Marquess of Waverly’s household. She’s never met a nobleman she liked, and when she meets the pompous, arrogant marquess, she remembers why. But soon, she discovers Gabriel is unlike any gentleman she’s ever known. The Heart of a Scoundrel Ruthless, wicked, and dark, the Marquess of Rutland rouses terror in the breast of ladies and nobleman alike. All Edmund wants in life is power. After he was publically humiliated by his one love Lady Margaret, he vowed vengeance, using Margaret’s niece, as his pawn. Except, he’s thwarted by another, more enticing target—Miss Phoebe Barrett. To Wed His Christmas Lady William Hargrove, the Marquess of Grafton and Lady Cara, these two people who start out at odds are offered renewed beginnings and fresh starts...together.

    But after an innocent encounter with notorious scoundrel Lord Weston is misconstrued, her beloved sister's introduction to society—and her own reputation—are put at risk. The only way to avoid a scandal is a betrothal. Brandon Roth—Lord Weston—doesn't quite know what to think of his independent fiancée…or their growing friendship. Yet their engagement ruse is quickly becoming more than a temporary fix. If he can convince Grace that his wicked ways are now far behind him, he'll be able to prove that he wants nothing more than to care for the lovely lady…

    Blinded by shrapnel, his life goes from being at the forefront of society to being almost cast off. He finds himself sitting with the wallflowers at a ball - something he doesn't take too kindly to. Miss Amelia Basingstoke has no dowry and enough dreadful relations to ensure that even on her third season, she is unmarried and a confirmed wallflower. Her only friend is a large boisterous dog of dubious character who considers himself too good to chase dead birds. A chance meeting between the pair frees the Captain in ways that he had never thought possible since his injury. A stubborn Captain - an opinionated young woman - an unruly dog and Christmas is approaching - what could possibly go wrong?

    Athena knew by the numbness in her own fingers and toes that Annabel’s, Marta’s, and Bronwen’s must be frozen stiff. Yet she hoped that their merriment—in singing Christmas carols on the doorsteps or in the parlors of those who opened their doors or invited them inside for a moment—would offset their discomfort. After all, a happy heart warmed many a frigid soul, as well as ice-cold appendages.As a child, Athena had adored caroling. It was with warm fondness that she thought back on all those Christmas seasons of the past when her entire family would carol to their neighbors. Always her mother had made puddings, cakes, and other sweet treats to bring with them, to give as gifts of affection to their kind townsfolk and friends. And once the caroling was at an end, the Monroe family—Athena’s father, mother, and sisters Annabel, Marta, and Bronwen—would return to their own home to sit before the fire and enjoy roasted chestnuts and wassail.But this Christmas season—the season that had always been bright and shining, the season that had always been to Athena a time to consider others, to give and serve—this Christmas season was stark in opposition!Never had Athena imagined that she would find herself in such dire, desperate circumstances as she did then. As she followed her younger sisters to the next door on the row of lovely houses—houses so similar to the one in which she and her sisters had spent only the very last Christmas season—she hoped that the next kind family to open the door might offer her sisters (and herself as well) a token of goodwill—a warm mug of wassail, a small butter biscuit, anything for their stomachs...

    Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past . . .

    And fate has decided it is time for a hardened duke to do the impossible—let love into his life.A lady on the wrong side of the ocean.Lost and wandering the woods, Miss Wynne Theaton was surviving quite nicely until Rowen Lockton appeared. He saves her from getting trampled by a thief’s horse, but then becomes insistent on showing her where she truly is.A duke refusing to deny fate.Fate tossed Miss Theaton into his path, and Rowen Lockton, the Duke of Letson, is not one to deny fate. But the woman comes with a host of problems, not the least of which is her belief that she is in another country. An undeniable attraction neither expected.He was not looking for a wife. She was only searching for home. But fate has very different plans for the two of them—if they can survive not only forgotten secrets, but demons of the past.The Lords of Fate: Steamy historical romance featuring strong women, undeniable men, and hold your breath adventure. (Note: While characters you know and love will pop in and out of the Lords of Fate and Hold Your Breath books, each one is a stand-alone story, and they can be read individually in any order.)

     Book 1 - Rosalind - Peter Gilbert, Duke of Sudworth is a good man, but at the moment he's angry and very very bitter. He has inherited the title and the debt that the selfish lives of his deceased brother and father created. Facing bankruptcy, he has determined to keep his heritage at whatever cost. Only those closest to him know the real reason he is desperate to save his family home - the member of his family his father was ashamed off. Rosalind Johnson, is the eldest daughter of a 'cit', a man who has earned his fortune through business. As an ambitious father he is determined that his four daughters will marry the highest titles in the country, whether they like it or not, and he is prepared to pay to achieve his goal. Rosalind has no choice to marry a stranger and take on a life and Society that looked down on someone who came from trade. She would need all her resourcefulness to cope. Two people forced together because of circumstances that they did not create would be set for a shaky start at best, but with local gossip, illegitimate children and an alleged affair, things were never going to be quiet in the home of the Duke and Duchess of Sudworth. Book 2 - Annabelle - Annabelle Johnson has a secret. It could ruin her. But yet, she remained in a darkened room with a gentleman. Perhaps it was because for the first time she felt safe in a gentleman’s company. Compromised and hiding a damning secret was never going to be a good mix. Annabelle had to think of something before her secret ruined her and hurt the man she had married. Lord Stannage, Earl of Garston was a handsome man. A pity then that everyone who met him only noticed his different coloured eyes. In a society that only perfection was accepted, he was never going to feel welcomed. He avoids society apart from when he becomes too lonely. Two people, both hurting and afraid, needing each other’s strength before their living nightmare can ease. Will they find the courage to trust and listen to each other, or will they continue on their path to heartbreak? Book 3 - Grace - Grace Johnson does not want to marry a titled gentleman. She is only happy and at peace when spending time in a garden - any garden. When she visits her sister, the Duchess of Sudworth, Grace is disappointed that even her beloved sister is not listening to her. Grace hates matchmaking schemes but seems powerless to stop them. Harry Long is Head Gardener at Sudworth Hall. He is a good and loyal member of staff. The day that Grace walks into his life turns everything upside down. For the first time he is taking risks for the beautiful pixie that has walked into his life but, his actions could cost him everything. An innocent picnic threatens Grace and Harry in ways that neither could have predicted, but their lives and the lives of those around them will never be the same because of it. Book 4 - Eleanor - Eleanor Johnson, the youngest of the Johnson sisters, is plain. No one will ever write sonnets about her but she does not wish for sonnets; just someone to love her for herself. She has lived in the shadow of her three older, more beautiful sisters all her life. Now, not only plain she has made a fool of herself in the worst possible way. Joseph Heaton is sick of the fickleness of society. He has become one of those in society famous for their notoriety in putting people down. He is to find that one arrogant sentence was to cost him the woman that, unwittingly had become the most important person in his life.

    * * *The Notorious Flynns Bundle:A new duke with an inherited bride, a lady with a secret desire and a gentleman determined to destroy himself. Along with their friends, the Flynns are not your average family. Pick up the bestselling series readers are raving about.The Other Duke: Rafe Flynn has just inherited an unexpected dukedom and an unwilling bride. Can he overcome Serafina McPhee's troubled past and prove to her that love is worth fighting for?The Scoundrel's Lover: Annabelle Flynn needs a proper husband to combat the bad reputations of her brothers. What she wants is Marcus Rivers, proprietor of an erotic club and the most improper man of all.The Widow Wager: Crispin Flynn has been riding a dangerous path to ruin since he lost the woman he loved. But when he wakes up with widow Gemma Quinn in his bed, he just might have to change his way of life to win her.No Gentleman for Georgina: Georgina Hickson has lived a life of utter propriety without any success in the marriage mart. But she has a secret, she has been in love with Paul Abbot, the manager of an erotic club, for years. Can one stolen night give her everything she ever wanted?A Marquis for Mary: Mary Quinn is almost out of time. If she cannot find a proper husband before the end of the Season, she will have to return to her father's home and his dangerous plans. But a stolen kiss in the garden with the handsome and troubled Edward, Marquis of Woodley, may solve all her problems and put her on the path to the love of her life.

    Nor did he want to be part of the investigation into her brother's dealings with the mysterious Comte de Dampierre.But desire can do strange things to a man.Threatened with an indecent proposal from a dissolute French comte, Sophie Beaufort is forced to travel to London to discover the reason behind her brother's mysterious disappearance. Capable of handling her own affairs, the last thing she wants is to be encumbered by the dishonourable Marquess of Danesfield—a man she so desperately wants to hate.But does love, once blossomed, ever truly fade?

    Unfortunately, when she goes back to retrieve it, she makes an even bigger mess of things—resulting in the death of an English Earl.Now his brother is not only out for revenge, but he also has Sarah's device. Which means an entirely different approach is needed. It doesn't occur to the new Earl of Earnston that his charming acquaintance is responsible for his brother's death. He is merely swept away by a passion that threatens his very reputation. Yet he gets the distinct impression that Miss Baxter is hiding something from him.Now Sarah must find a way to steal back her device, hide the truth about the earl's brother and—most importantly— not fall in love...

    Growing up, Rose and Alex were the best of friends until their families became embroiled in a feud. Now, the Season is throwing them into each other’s company. Despite the spark of attraction they might feel for one another, they each want very different things in life, besides needing to support their own family’s side in the dispute. Miss Rosamund Smythe is finding the Season to be a dead bore after spying with her father, a baron diplomat, in Vienna. She wants more out of life than just being some nobleman’s wife. When she overhears a plot to entrap Alex into a marriage of convenience, her intrigue and some last vestige of loyalty causes them to overcome the feud. His Grace, Alexander Milton, the Duke of Wrentham, wants a quiet life with a “proper” wife after his tumultuous childhood. His parents had fought viciously, lied often, and Alex had hated it all. Rose’s meddling puts her in danger. Alex will have to leave the simple peace he craves to claim a love he never could have imagined. Can they claim their happily ever after despite the turmoil?

    Out of desperation, she seeks the help of the only man with the knowledge to reverse the evil incantation, a man whose cold heart and sinful gaze pose such an enticing contradiction. As a scholar of Egyptology and a man consumed by the pain of the past, the enigmatic Gabriel Stone shuns polite society, choosing to bury himself in his books. When a flame-haired temptress pesters him with tales of a curse, his first instinct is to flee. However, his sense of obligation proves to be a dangerous thing and the potent lure of desire too difficult to resist.

    With no hope of leaving, the years have passed her by. Lord Ryde, exiled abroad after a scandal, has returned to strip his estate and make a new start in America. A chance encounter changes their plans, plunging Elinor and Lord Ryde into adventure and not a little peril until, finally, they are forced to confront the mystery of what happened on That Night, all those years ago. Are they both so entangled in the riddles of the past that they are about to miss this one last opportunity for future happiness?

    Whether her frank tongue or slightly eccentric ways bear the blame, she faces a houseful of younger sisters clamoring for her, the eldest, to marry and move aside before they all end up as spinsters. When her latest suitor defects and proposes to another girl, Trinny throws up her hands in despair of ever finding a fiancé. But sometimes destiny waits just around the corner…and love lives right across the square! Gable Winston-McCray, the charming, understated Viscount Roland saunters through life as a wealthy, sophisticated rakehell and man-about-town. Heir to an earldom, the handsome hedonist would rather dally with bored Society wives than acquire a bride of his own, much to his father’s dismay. Until, one moonlit night, fate strikes! Unsuspecting neighbors meet and become flirtatious allies. So when Gable receives his father’s ultimatum to wed or go penniless, he offers Trinny a marriage of convenience. Alas, the pretty redhead cannot possibly accept such an unfeeling proposal—even if her dear “Lord Sweet Cheeks” might be the man of her dreams…

    Their marriage of convenience will provide a secure future for her son, while William will be able to claim the inheritance he needs to expand his company westward.To begin their perfect and perfectly safe arrangement, William allots the last twelve days in December to become acquainted with his new family—a task more easily accomplished than he had imagined. For in Charlotte he finds a tender heart and companion, while stepping into the role of father to her son, brings William a great measure of joy as well. Before the twelve days have passed, he finds himself wishing their marriage of convenience could be something much more.For Charlotte, every day with William is one of overwhelming gratitude, as he anticipates and provides for her needs, as well as the fondest desires of her heart. More than material comforts, William offers friendship as well, and a loving concern that Charlotte has gone too long without. Guilt ridden, she struggles with her growing attraction and wonders how she can ever remain loyal to her first husband, while allowing herself to love William as he deserves.

    It seems every scoundrel in London is trying to seduce her right under the nose of her nearly blind and beloved great aunt. Fortunately, her eccentric uncle taught her an ancient warrior art for just these circumstances, and she is adequately equipped to defend her virtue. Protecting her heart is another matter. When a down-and-out thief accidentally knocks himself unconscious at Wedmore House, Regina takes pity on him and becomes his nursemaid. But her patient is no ordinary thief, and Regina is woefully unprepared to defend herself against the charms of the handsome stranger. New Orleans gadabout Xavier Vistoire made a powerful enemy during his stay in London two years ago, and he has been paying for it ever since. Imprisoned at a remote farmhouse with nothing but a burly guard with a childlike innocence and a love for pickled beets for companionship, Xavier jumps at the chance to earn his freedom. All he must do is break into an earl’s house and steal a map, which should be easy when the only male servant has resigned and the ladies of the house are attending a ball. But complications arise when he surprises a goddess during her bath and her little dog causes him to fall down the stairs. He wakes to find he has a beautiful new gaoler, and nothing about his situation is easy except falling head over heels for Miss Darlington.

    . .Six years ago, Tacitus Everard, the Marquess of Dare, made the worst mistake of his life: courting vibrant, sparklingly beautiful Lady Calista Chance—until she broke his heart.Is the only one she wants.Six years ago, Calista Holland made the biggest misstep of her life: begging handsome, wealthy Lord Dare to help her run away from home—then marrying someone else.Now, trapped by disaster in a country inn, Calista has one day to convince the marquess she’s worth a second chance, and Dare has one goal, to steer clear of déjà vu. But when the day takes an unimaginable twist, what will it take to end up in each other’s arms?

    When she accompanies her grandson and his new wife on trip to Italy, a chance encounter with a past love turns her world upside down. For over thirty years, Luca Faranese, Conte de Salerno, has tried to forget about the woman who stole his heart. Fate gives them a second chance, but will their love be enough to keep them together forever the second time?

    But when Sophie Winterton enters his life, believing he must marry into wealth to run his family's estate, how will he convince her that she is the woman he desires?An Unwilling ConquestSelf-proclaimed rake Harry Lester has no intention of being ensnared by the trap of marriage. But when he encounters Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe, a beautiful, independent widow, he finds himself prisoner in the most passionate of traps.

    Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, and Heather B. Moore.In THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY, an enchanting novella by Anna Elliott, the story opens two weeks before Elizabeth Bennet’s wedding to Mr. Darcy. He has given her the perfect wedding gift, and now she must come up with one for him. But what do you give a man who has everything? Elizabeth soon discovers that the gift of love is more important than any one thing. DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, a sweet novella by Sarah M. Eden, we meet Elizabeth Gillerford who envies her sister only one thing—that she’s been intended for Julian Broadwood since they were children. The trouble is that Elizabeth is hopelessly in love with Julian too. When Julian discovers that Elizabeth has been denied a Season because her older sister is yet unwed, he undertakes his own stealthy measures to introduce her to society, only to find himself falling in love with her himself. In THE MENDER, a captivating story by Carla Kelly, Thankful Winnings takes a sea voyage with her cousin on the Ann Alexander, in a last adventure before she settles down to marry one of her beaus. Unexpectedly they come upon the aftermath of a fierce ship battle, and Thankful is commissioned to help in the place of an injured surgeon on one of the Royal Navy ships. Adam Farnsworth, surgeon, has been at sea for years. Tired of war, but devoted to his post, it takes a resourceful lady such as Thankful to give him the hope of love and help heal his own wounds, the ones that show and the ones that don’t. In BEGIN AGAIN, a charming novella by Josi S. Kilpack, Regina Weathers gives up on marrying for love the day that Ross Martin walks out of her life. Now, fifteen years later, Ross shows up at a ball and thinks he can woo Regina. But she is set on her lonely path and stitched-up heart, no matter the excuse Ross gives for his years of silence and neglect. When Ross insists he wrote many letters during his military years, Regina discovers a secret long-since buried by her father, and the revelation might be enough to thaw the coldness of her heart. In Annette Lyon’s endearing story, THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE, Mrs. Ellen Stanhope escorts her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony, before tragedy struck with the death of their infant son. The marriage has faded and dulled. Not until she sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before does Ellen realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and yearns for him to yet feel the same way for her. In the delightful novella, THE DUKE’S BROTHER, by Heather B. Moore, Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s ran over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Gregory Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded ton. But getting to know Gregory becomes an unexpected delight.

    Trapped by his brother-in-law’s death into responsibility for his traumatized nephew, grieving sister, and an estate gone to ruin, loneliness overwhelms him. The first-rate husbandry of a neighboring farm and the woman who runs it draw him like a moth to flame. With Christmas coming, can he repair the damaged estate and far more damaged family? Dare he hope for love in the bargain? Catherine Wheatly is content to manage Songbird Cottage and care for her father and brothers. She has long since accepted that marriage and a home of her own are not in her future. She is content—until an interfering earl descends on Songbird determined to unearth their secrets and upend her world.

    Thomas knows what it's like to not fit in, and he's pragmatic enough to respect results, so he gives Loris a chance to maintain her position in a profession uniformly undertaken by men. Thomas learns about the complexities of estate management from his unlikely tutor, despite somebody's attempts to drive him off his own land. Mishaps turn into near tragedies, while between Thomas and Loris, respect and liking grow into attraction. Who is sabotaging Thomas's estate, and what choices will Loris face when the malefactor has been revealed?

    She’s ramshackle, always says what she thinks and prefers riding and fishing over sewing and social graces. Grayson Lyall, Marquis of Carraway, is Society’s ideal of a perfect gentleman. He’s handsome, wealthy and considered a war hero by everyone but himself. A gentleman, that is, until he sets eyes on the intriguingly different Lady Juliana, emotionally jilted and humiliated and under pressure to change everything about herself. For her, he is quite willing to play the hero to a reluctant damsel in distress. But nothing is ever easy with Lady Juliana. It will take persistence.

    The pursuit of a wealthy husband was not exactly how the bookish young woman had envisioned her first trip abroad—after all, what does a girl from Charleston, South Carolina, know about being a lady? Amidst the stunning gowns and extravagant balls of the ton, Meg feels like an imposter. Thankfully, she has one friend who knows her true self—Carlo, a handsome stable hand. Despite their difference in station, love blossoms between the unlikely pair, and Meg is sure of one thing: she wants nothing to do with the insufferable European aristocracy. Prince Rodrigo de Talavera has lost everything to Napoleon. Jaded by war, he has become bitter and miserable—until he meets Meg, an American woman whose eccentric schemes and passion for life remind him what it is to laugh and to love. If only she knew him for himself and not as Carlo the stable hand. With the shadow of deception looming over their happy acquaintance and the dangers of war drawing ever more near, can Meg and Rodrigo find the courage to put aside their pretenses and discover if they can be loved as they truly are?

    Enter Henry Ogden, mild-mannered village vicar. Hardly the stuff of heroes . . . until adversity brings out unexpected talents. A Christmas Equation – A chance meeting between a reluctant viscount and a self-effacing companion revives memories of their shared past—a time when they were very different people. With secrets to keep, Sarah Clendenin wishes Benjamin Radcliff gone . . . but he’s making calculations of his own. Crimson Snow – A trail of blood drops leads Jane Merrywether to a wounded stranger—the only person standing in the way of her wicked guardian becoming an earl. John Rexford, long-thought dead, has returned to claim his inheritance and his promised bride . . . if he can survive a murderous Christmas. A Perfectly Unregimented Christmas – After years at war, Viscount Pennyworth returns to his ancestral home to find some peace and quiet and to avoid the holiday he loathes. But four naughty boys, a bonnet-wearing goat, a one-eyed cat, a family secret, and one Annabelle Winters, governess, make this a Christmas he’ll never forget.

    She’s so desperate that she’ll take anything, and besides, she doesn’t believe in ghosts. Little does she know that her new employer is the seducer who lied and deceived her many years ago. Sir Richard Ballister inherited an estate with a ghost and a curse, and every governess he hires leaves within a week. Finally, a woman desperate enough to stay arrives on his doorstep—but she’s the seductress who dropped him many years earlier for a richer man. The last thing Richard and Edwina want is to work together, but they have no choice. Can they overcome the bitterness of the past in time to unravel a centuries-old knot and end the Christmas curse? This novella was originally published in the boxed set, Captivated By His Kiss.

    Then again, he has never met a lad like her. In 1802, Edinburgh’s poverty-ridden Old Town is rife with danger, but it is the only home Robbie MacKenzie has ever known. To safeguard herself against the worst villains of the street, Robbie conceals her femininity behind her shorn hair, dirt-smeared face, and tattered breeches. To all the world she is a lad, but beneath the ruse is a woman aching to break free. Leaving his beloved Highlands behind in pursuit of his prodigal brother, Conall MacKay journeys to Edinburgh. There, he solicits the aid of a young street lad named Robbie. But Conall soon realizes that there is more to both Robbie and Edinburgh’s Old Town than meets the eye. In a world where wickedness governs and darkness reigns, a savage struggle for dignity, survival, and love begins.

     It is not a full length novel or novella.It was originally published in the anthology, Fifty Ways to Kill Your LarryMiss Laura Stokes is a man with a mission. The wicked Marquess of Marstoke ruined her sister's life and she will exact justice--even if she has to dress as a gentleman to do it.The Duke of Rothmore finds Mr. Lawrence McConnell a pest--until he discovers that he is a she--and then he cannot get the daring chit out of his mind. He must convince her to give up her vendetta--but can he also win her heart?

    As a special BONUS, the Regency gothic mystery, Christmas Spirit, is also included in the set. The Vital Principle In 1815, an inquiry agent, Mr. Knighton Gaunt, is asked by Lord Crowley to attend a séance with the express purpose of revealing the spiritualist as a fraud. The séance ends abruptly, however, and during the turmoil, Lord Crowley dies. Gaunt is left to investigate not only fraud, but murder. Suspicion turns first to the spiritualist, Miss Prudence Barnard, but as Gaunt digs deeper into the twisted history of the guests at Rosecrest, he discovers more deadly secrets. Inevitably, long-time friends turn against one another as the tension mounts and Gaunt is challenged to separate fact from fiction. The Dead Man’s View When Eric Knibbs invites his second cousin, Prudence Barnard, to a house party, she’s pleased to discover that she has a family, after all. Since her father’s death, Pru thought she was alone and struggled to maintain her existence without help. Unfortunately, their reunion is cut short when Eric is found dead, hanging from a noose outside his bedroom window. The coroner and his jury believe Eric hung himself, but Eric was afraid of heights and could never have committed suicide in such a manner. He won’t even allow the drapes to be opened in his bedroom, so how could he have jumped out of the window with a noose around his neck? After a quick examination of his room, Pru finds too many anomalies and can’t help questioning the positioning of the body outside his window, facing the hedge maze in his garden. While Pru doesn’t have any answers, she knows her cousin was well-liked and generous, so she seeks help from her old friend, Knighton Gaunt of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency. Pru soon learns the maze had a dark past and neither Pru nor Knighton are prepared for the strange paths they must follow to discover what deadly truth lays hidden in the shadows at Kennington Manor. Was the maze in the dead man’s view at the heart of the mystery or simply the killer’s ruse to suggest suicide? Honeymoon with Death On their honeymoon trip through Europe, Prudence and Knighton join a small group of travelers to see the triple falls on the river Velino in Italy when tragedy strikes. Their carriage breaks down on a remote road, they are accosted by bandits, and escape only to find one of the travelers dead the next morning in a ravine near the bandits’ ambush location. The mystery deepens when they discover the victim is wearing another traveler’s cloak. To make matters worse, the inn they are forced to stay in is reputed to be haunted. As Knighton and Pru investigate, they discover the other passengers of the coach were not the strangers they seemed. Revenge, envy, and frustrated love vie as motives, and Knighton is pushed to desperation when Pru is kidnapped. He must use every ounce of logic and intelligence to find the killer and free his wife before there is another death on the road to Rome. SPECIAL BONUS: Christmas Spirit A blizzard envelopes the English countryside five days before Christmas, stranding Eve Tomlin and her mother when their carriage shatters a wheel. The women struggle through the snow, forced onward by a wraith-like figure gliding through the trees. Exhausted, they find an apparently abandoned house and stumble inside. They are confronted by Giles Danby, a guest at Folkestone Manor. Danby ruthlessly tells the women they must go. Their host has just been murdered. A killer is on the loose.

    The only one who can help him is the woman he hasn’t let himself go near: Honoria Dunbar. But when he enlists her help he discovers Honoria is facing a life-sentence of her own…The Road Home by Winnie GriggsAnisha’s life is just beginning, and Wyatt feels like his is over. How can a displaced, exotic beauty and former surgeon help two grieving orphans find a forever home?The Trail Boss’s Bride by NY Times bestselling author Erica VetschTrail boss Steve Ketchum hates river crossings, but before he can get his cattle started across he’s got to move an abandoned wagon out of the ford. He goes to haul it away–and discovers the last thing he ever expected. The wagon contains a newly-minted widow—and she’s expecting, too.

    1880 - American debutante Sara Swan Whiting is trained for one purpose: to marry well into society. Together with her friends, Carrie Astor and Edith Jones (Wharton) she is introduced to the elite bachelors of New York’s families hoping to find the perfect match and the perfect marriage. As a new debutante Sara is described as ‘ethereally beautiful’ and ‘the spirit of the ball’ garnering many suitors, but none steal her heart. None except one. Destiny steps in when she is introduced to Oliver Belmont, the handsome son of financier August Belmont. In an age when royal titles and large dowries are exchanged through marriage, Oliver and Sara are forced to deal with the decorum of Gilded Age society while embracing their newfound love. What develops is a story that will leave you spellbound, as ‘Swan Song - The Vocation of Marriage’ unfolds. With information gathered from personal letters, historical newspapers and personal interviews, J. D. Peterson skillfully weaves a tale based on the true account of the Belmont-Whiting Scandal of 1883. Visit www.swansongtrilogy.com for Book Club discussion questions, photos and more.

     THE BOLD HEART by Carmen Caine When Ewan MacLean’s right-hand man, Alec Montgomery, is caught dallying with a powerful Lord's daughter, a trap is set and both men find themselves in an English prison, their necks headed for the noose. Raven-haired Merry MacLeod spends her days caring for the clan elderly and hurtling across the moors on the back of her black stallion. A high-spirited, adventurous lass, she is no longer troubled by childhood memories of the day the braw lad, Ewan MacLean, rescued her from her husband, the cruel MacDonald. But when she hears the very same Ewan is now confined in an English prison, she disguises herself as a lad and sets out to repay her debt. After a bold, mysterious youth rescues Ewan and his men from the English, the group no sooner embarked on their journey home, a young Prince James sounds the call to arms, rises against his father, King James III of Scotland, and plunges Scotland into a dangerous civil war. A HIGHLAND KNIGHT TO REMEMBER Amy Jarecki In 15th century Scotland, Gyllis Campbell arrives at the Beltane festival with one thing on her mind—to win the heart of Sir Sean MacDougall once and for all. Astonishingly, Sir Sean would like nothing more than to oblige the lovely lass. MY HIGHLAND LOVE by Tarah Scott How does a woman tell her betrothed that she murdered her first husband? Elise Kingston is a wanted woman. Nothing, not even Highlander Marcus MacGregor, will stop her from returning home to ensure that the man responsible for her daughter’s death hangs. Until she must choose between his life and her revenge. TALL DARK AND KILTED Sue-Ellen Welfonder writing as Allie Mackay A good man is hard to find. Centuries ago, the roguish Scots knight known as Hardwick was renowned for his swordmanship, both on and off the battlefield. But a traveling bard cursed him to wander the world forever, pleasing a different woman each night with no hope of fulfillment or true love. Then Hardwick meets Cilla, who may be his only chance for salvation. HIGHLAND SOLUTION by Ceci Giltenan Laird Niall MacIan needs Lady Katherine Ruthven’s dowry to relieve his clan’s crushing debt but he has no intention of giving her his heart in the bargain. Lady Katherine must forfeit everything in exchange for a husband who does not want to be married and believes all women to be self-centered and deceitful. Can the lovely and gentle Katherine mend Niall Maclan’s heart and build a life with him or will he allow the treachery of others to destroy them? TO BEWITCH A HIGHLANDER by Lily Baldwin Isle of Mull, Scotland 1263 She will protect her identity with her very life if necessary. Who will protect her from herself? Shoney's lightning speed with a bow captures Ronan by surprise, and their chance meeting ends with him lying unconscious at the bottom of a ravine. When he awakens, he cannot rid his mind of her startling beauty, her valor, or the secret fear he glimpsed in her steel eyes. He vows to find her, but as the mysteries of her identity unfold, his courage and heart are tested as never before.

    Be CAPTIVATED BY HIS KISS in these seven emotional stories of second chances, scandalous wagers, and the quest for true love. Lose yourself again and again in beautifully written romance.His Lordship’s Vow by Cheryl Bolen - The exceedingly plain spinster, Miss Jane Featherstone, helps the earl she loves woo an heiress in order to honor the deathbed vow Lord Slade to his father.To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone by Bronwen Evans - Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone, is renowned for his cynical demeanor. It's rumored that long ago, a beautiful woman broke his heart. Now he lives life for pleasure. That is, until the beautiful, as she is deceitful, Contessa Orsini re-enters his life with a wager he cannot resist.The Christmas Knot by Barbara Monajem - Widowed and destitute, Edwina White takes a job as a governess in a haunted house, and if that’s not trouble enough, her new employer is the one man she’d hoped never to meet again.Bride of Falcon by Collette Cameron – Faced with spinsterhood, Ivonne Wimpleton takes fate into her own hands, determined to win the heart of her wholly unacceptable childhood love . . . scandal be damned.Christmas Wishes by Wendy Vella – Desperation makes strange bedfellows, and when the only person left to turn to is a dissolute Rake, Miss Hero Appleby realizes she is about to forsake more than her reputation.Miss Watson’s First Scandal by Heather Boyd – Overworked London banker David Hawke had two goals for his week in the seaside town of Brighton: one, recover a debt from a friend and two, relax for his remaining holiday. Marriage wasn’t part of the plan…until the girl next door barges in and turns his life upside down.The Duelist’s Seduction by Lauren Smith - Helen Banks, disguised as her twin brother, fights a duel against Gareth Fairfax but he has other ideas in mind of how to have Helen repay her debt starting with a sinful kiss and a wicked embrace...

    His sense of responsibility has led him to install two elderly aunts in the Dower House; educate his cousin Peter Ramsay and employ him as a steward; and provide a home for poor relation Jane Hawthorne, who once served as his mother’s companion.When a letter arrives from America informing him that the death of a relative has left eighteen-year-old Susannah Ramsay not only an orphan, but heiress to a Kentucky plantation as well, Lord Ramsay considers making an offer of marriage to his American cousin to be a practical solution: besides providing for the young woman, such a match would give the Ramsays extensive holdings on two continents.Then Susannah arrives from America, and Richard suddenly finds his well-ordered life set end over end. With her wild red hair, unfashionable clothes, and frontier ways, Susannah appears to be an unlikely Lady Ramsay. Appalled at the prospect of marriage to the girl, yet determined to honor his commitment, Richard turns her over to Jane and Peter to educate her in the ways of British society. But her transformation into a lady is the least of the surprises Susannah has in store for her strait-laced British relations . . .

    She's a healer and he should be quite grateful she is too. Without her abilities, he might not survive his holiday at haunted Marisdùn Castle when another bout of Malaria hits him. But should anything terrible ever befall Blake, Brighid would never forgive herself if she didn't do all she could to save him. Her heart would never survive otherwise. After years of denying that Brighid’s mere presence affects him in ways he can't understand, Blake's future is now in her hands. She is lovely, and enchanting, and only a witch could make him feel such things. Was his fevered state causing him to see her in a different light or could he no longer deny what he has tried to ignore? And would he now lose her to a friend? **This novella originally appeared in "One Haunted Evening", an anthology.**

    Four exciting, full length Medieval romance novels from highly acclaimed authors! CASTLES, KNIGHTS AND CHIVALRY contains these four novels - THE LADY AND THE FALCONER - He is a MYSTERIOUS FALCONER, intent on reclaiming what is rightfully his. She is the LADY of Castle Fulton, determined to keep her people safe from the siege that threatens them all. Can they overcome betrayal and vengeance to find healing love? LADY OF THE MIST - Garrett is a Baron of the Cinque Ports, loyal to the crown in keeping the channel safe. Echo is the daughter of an infamous pirate, taking a nobleman prisoner. Love and honor clash as two people from opposite ends of life face the most difficult challenge of all. DEMON LAIRD - Tortured by the English, Ronan MacGrigor escapes only to face the fear and terror of his own clan. His hope lost, he teeters on the precipice; darkness or redemption. Yet a woman from an enemy nation, a Sassenach healer, refuses to run. Before Lia stands not the Demon Laird, only a young man in desperate need of healing. They say he made a deal with the devil . . . now the devil demands his due. AT HIS COMMAND - What’s a lady to do when the king commands her to marry a lord, but she’s falling for the knight sent to protect her from undesirable suitors and is a scribe for the king’s rival for the throne? ABOUT THE AUTHORS LAUREL O’DONNELL is a best selling, award-winning author who finds time every day to bring her characters to life. ELIZABETH ROSE is a best selling author of over 40 books, writing medieval, paranormal, contemporary and western romance. KATHRYN LOCH, the author of multiple best selling novels such as Mist Warrior and Shadowed Hawk, is honored to join forces with esteemed authors Laurel O'Donnell, Elizabeth Rose, and Ruth Kaufman, with the medieval Scottish Highlander and best selling title to date, the highly acclaimed Demon Laird. Chicagoan RUTH KAUFMAN, award-winning author of the Wars of the Roses Brides series, is also an on-camera and voiceover talent, freelance editor and speaker.

    Each features sexy storylines, complex characters, and international intrigue, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Volume One contains the first three full-length novels in the series: A Heartless Design, A Reckless Soul, and A Shameless Angel. A Heartless Design "Heartless" Cordelia Bering refuses every marriage offer she receives. Yet men still try to win her, drawn by her sharp wit and intoxicating green eyes. But Cordelia knows a marriage could reveal her deepest secret and truly endanger her life. Besides, she hasn't met a man worth considering, until... Sebastien Thorne, a spy in the service of Crown. One of the elite agents in the group known as the Zodiac, he comes to London determined to solve a mystery with roots on the Continent. He won't let anything distract him. But is Cordelia a distraction, or the key to the mystery? As he learns more about the "heartless" woman, he becomes embroiled in secrets, plots, and a design that could change the future...and Cordelia is at the center of it all. A Reckless Soul Sophie Bertrand is skilled in acting, espionage, and the subtle art of seduction. An independent spirit, she fought her way from rough streets to the top secret circle of spies known as the Zodiac. Her newest assignment is one of her most delicate yet: hunt down a traitor within Britain's own government. But there's a catch...this time she can't work alone. Bruce Allander has a title, honor, wealth...but he'd trade it all to restore his family. The Zodiac gives him a chance for justice in a world that's already taken too much from him. Now he finds himself close to this captivating Frenchwoman--possibly too close. Sophie defies all his expectations, yet in her he senses a kindred soul. Passion draws the two together, but a web of betrayals threatens to tear them apart. To survive, they have to trust each other. They have to be a little reckless... A Shameless Angel Sarah Brecknell has always had an unusual obsession with numbers. After the unfortunate death of her fiancé, she's lost her place in society, and her gift has left her alone with a dangerous secret. Sarah must turn to a complete stranger for help--a secret agent in service to the Crown. She has already made one mistake in love. She can't afford another. Theodore Markham has plenty of secrets of his own, not least of which his occupation as a spy. Now he is hunting for a traitor. This time is different, though--the rogue was his best friend. The trail goes cold until he meets Sarah, a woman with extraordinary mathematical talents...and an irresistible charm that may be even more dangerous than his adversary.

     MORGAN AND ARCHERThis sparkling short story ties back to Grace Burrowes’ popular Windham series with characters introduced in The Virtuoso and Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal. Archer Portmaine is investigating a plot against the Crown when he meets Morgan James, a young lady who believes her hearing problems make her a poor candidate for marriage, although her disability provides the key to unraveling Archer’s mystery—and to capturing his heart. JONATHAN AND AMYIn Lady Eve’s Indiscretion, the Marquis of Deene wanted to wrest custody of his niece Georgina from her wealthy Irish father, widower Jonathan Dolan. Now Jonathan needs Deene’s assistance to help him woo Miss Amy Ingraham, Georgina’s proper, pretty governess. Jonathan must be clever, determined, and above all else honorable if he’s to win not only Amy’s hand, but the respect of a society only too willing to judge him harshly. MARY FRAN AND MATTHEW In The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, three of the MacGregor brothers found true love, while their widowed sister, Lady Mary Frances MacGregor, met her match in Matthew Daniels. Mary Frances has vowed she’ll never succumb to manipulation by another handsome Englishman, but falls hard for lonely, outcast Matthew Daniels. But Matthew has a scandal in his past, and his conscience forbids him to persuade Mary Frances to marry him.

    Her mother decides what Lilyanna does and whom she speaks with each day. And when Lilyanna comes to discover what she wishes for most in life, as well as in a future companion, her desires remain unheard. One evening, however, Lilyanna's life promises to change forever when Mr. Elijah Bainbridge, a man as caring as he is handsome, asks her for a dance. Through various assemblies and balls, entertaining dinner parties, and horse rides across the green countryside, their attraction to each other grows. Their relationship does not come without difficulty, however, as outside forces, including an unrelenting suitor and a secret from Elijah's past, will stop at nothing to keep the couple apart. Will Lilyanna and Elijah waver under the pressure of cruel rumors and persistent threats? Or will they be able to join together, eventually overcoming the opposition surrounding their union?Excerpt: Lilyanna glanced to the left of the dancing crowd and noticed a tall, dark-haired man with his back facing her. His broad shoulders stretched a greater width than Lilyanna had seen amongst the recent onslaught of men in Bath, so she stared until he turned, revealing his profile. "Goodness," she breathed, ripping her eyes away from the handsome gentleman only for a moment to ensure no one had heard her embarrassing exclamation. Looking back at him between passing bodies, Lilyanna saw the faintest shadow of dark facial hair framing his strong jaw line. The crowd suddenly thickened as the dance ended, and she craned her neck to catch another glimpse. However, she frowned as she lost sight of him, biting her lip after realizing how far she had moved away from her mother in order to see him. Shocked with her unladylike behavior, Lilyanna blushed, returning to her mother's side, relieved her short absence had gone unnoticed.eBook available at: http://www.amazon.com/When-Rivers-Mee...Paperback available at: www.deborahmhathaway.com

    But they soon learn exactly what it is that makes rakes so dangerous.Tasked with bringing down the most notorious rake of all, the always capable and efficient Lady Georgina “Gina” Beauclerk is determined to show the wicked Earl of Coventry just what she has to offer… by promptly turning his dissolute world on its ear. Instead she finds her own world spinning out of control. Because even after she has organized his household, rid his home of alcohol, and paid off his mistress, she can’t help but see that there is more to the handsome earl than first she realized.Forced into respectable society to escort his debuting sister, Coventry intends to find her a husband post-haste so he can return to the freedom and debauchery of his clubs. After the death of his unfaithful wife, the disillusioned Coventry has no intention of ever marrying again—especially not to an interfering busybody who won’t take “no” for an answer. No matter how much she tempts him.

    He was young, personable and rich and was considered the catch of the Season. So her rejection cut deep, so much so that he abandoned England, taking himself off to the Continent to lick his wounds and recover. What starts off as a month long break to forget the love of his life, extends into three years. But he can't stay away forever. He needs to come home. Life has not worked out as Rachel Sheridan thought it would. Her first Season in London saw her hailed as the Incomparable, a creature who had everything and must always shine. But then she runs away with a scoundrel and, instead of the glorious life she had once anticipated, she is a fallen woman, a creature shunned by the very people who had put her up on a pedestal. Then Rachel's sister Charlotte falls in love with Nash's best friend Adam and past and future collide. Nash gave his heart to Rachel once and swore he would never love in such a way again. But then he saw his fallen woman and everything changed...

    But when an unexpected letter sends her on a voyage across the Atlantic, her experiences affect more people than she ever could have realized. From the lives of her sister Margaret and cousin Jack, to the family dynamics of the prestigious Breckenridge clan, to a band of notorious pirates, no one could have guessed how her adventure would change them all…

    Now, he must marry again – but finding an eligible woman willing to overlook his past won't be easy. Defiantly single, Lady Alethea Sinclair has already turned down six offers of marriage. She prefers living on her own terms and refuses to answer to any man. Yet when Alethea meets the seductive and enigmatic Duke she finds herself strangely drawn to him. Intrigued by Alethea's defiance of society's expectations, James is instantly taken with the willful beauty and soon they are enjoying a playful flirtation. And when circumstances force them into a comprising situation, he does the honourable thing and marries her. But adjusting to the constraints of marriage doesn't come easily to the rebellious Alethea and, despite their growing feelings for each other, the Duke's troubled past keeps getting in the way. Can they learn to trust each other and give love a chance before it's too late? A steamy Georgian romance about desire, the importance of staying true to yourself and the power of the past to cast a shadow on the present.

    Dare she take the risk? Book one in the Regency Risks Series Emotionally scarred in the horrific accident that took her husband's life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her lingering terror of horses and carriages. She longed to be closer to the fascinating Earl of Ruel. She sensed intuitively that he could teach her how to overcome the terrors that held her in bondage. And now she's willing to risk almost anything-her reputation, even her virtue-to find out. But what he proposes startles her. When the shy, studious and socially awkward young widow approached him, Ruel instantly sensed she would be the sweetest, most submissive experience of a lifetime-if only he can gain her total and complete trust. He makes her a non-negotiable offer. His help in return for her submission and obedience. But Lady Cranfield grew up neglected by her ducal parents, raised by servants and then later ignored by her handsome, charming husband. She's learnt to protect her heart at all costs and she trusts no one but herself. How can the jaded Earl of Ruel break through her self-protective defences and show her how to love when he has spent his lifetime avoiding that tender trap? Erotic Romance ~ Light BDSM Elements ~ Rubenesque ~ Regency Historical ~ Character Driven ~ Drama ~ Angst ~ Shy Heroine ~ Novel Length Trust Me is the sequel to A Measured Risk Erotic Romance, Regency Historical, Light BDSM, Rubenesque / BBW, Character-driven Story, Shy Heroine, Angst, Drama, Novel Length/approx. 100,000 words Anne and Jon's love was born in isolation. Now necessity has thrust them back into Society. Will their fragile bond survive the strain of slander and scandal? All of Mayfair is staring at her and wondering if she is insane. Anne Lloyd, the new Countess of Ruel, thought she'd finally begun to heal from having witnessed the terrible death of her first husband. But, from her new husband's grandmother to his ex-mistresses, it is all that is on everyone's lips. What scares her more than the potential social ruin is that even she isn't sure they aren't right. There are times when it seems that the bloody battlefields of Europe were easier to navigate than the so-called civilized graces of Society. Jonathon Lloyd, the Earl of Ruel, has commanded men on the battlefield and women in the ballrooms and bedchambers with his dominant personality. It tears him apart that he can't command his wife's terrors to go away. To top it off, he has to battle his grandmother, for Anne's acceptance as the new Countess. There are those who will stop at nothing to tear apart the fragile bond between the newlyweds. As external foes close ranks, Anne is pushed to the wall and forced to face the enemy within and to learn to have faith in herself before she can give herself fully. And Jon must come to grips with what it means to be truly vulnerable in love. Can Lady and Lord Ruel learn to trust other each enough to keep their love, and her sanity, intact? Erotic Romance ~ Regency Historical ~ Older Woman, Younger Man ~ Former Courtesan Kept Woman ~ Novel Length ~ Part of a series but may be read as standalone. Rebecca is in grave danger. Accused of murder and blackmailed by a vicious, powerful aristocrat who demands she help ruin the noble protector she once loved, common-born, gentle-natured Rebecca is in desperate need of help. From the shadows steps forth a man offering her aid--a man she rejected years ago when he was but a youth.

    After years of preparations, 1806 is the year that she is determined to create her own hope. The successful execution of her plan would grant her independence, but failure would certainly be her ruination. Just when her plan begins to meet with difficulty, she finds a faithful ally in Miss Violet Wyndham. Violet's brother, Mr. Ashbridge Wyndham, has but one objective for London's Social Season: escape unscathed. With his mysterious benefactor, he is suddenly a sought-after prize for the matchmaking mamas. Unfortunately for him, marriage is the last thing he wants at present. His sister Violet, with her shy but calming spirit, is the only part of the Season which he finds tolerable. When Penelope and Ash meet through their mutual affection for Violet, will God use the acquaintance to begin healing for both of these wounded hearts?

    When she leaves his cell she finds herself a fugitive wanted by the Crown and caught up in the schemes of a stranger who seeks revenge from behind the faces of dead kings. This is the first of the Mabel Bunt novels, with Mabel, our harlot turned hero, corset-deep in a clockpunk adventure filled with masks, intrigue and swashbuckling fun.

    Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her! The Earl's Defiant Wallflower Oliver York returns from war to find his father dead, his finances in arrears, and himself the new Earl of Carlisle. If he doesn't marry an heiress—and fast!—he and his tenants are going to be pitching tents down by the Thames. He definitely shouldn't be trading kisses with a penniless debutante... no matter how captivating she is! The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love? The Major's Faux Fiancee Miss Daphne Vaughan hates that crying off her fake betrothal will destroy Major Blackpool's chances of finding a real bride. She plots to make him jilt her first. Who cares if it ruins her? She never wanted a husband anyway. But the major is equally determined that she break the engagement. With both of them on their worst behavior, neither expects their fake betrothal to lead to love... Pre-order The Brigadier's Runaway Bride today! EricaRidley.com Enjoy this Regency-set historical romance box set collection!

    Mirabelle de Burgh is desperate to give her husband an heir. She's heard a superstition that to buy jeweled daggers from a blind old hag will ensure she conceives - one child for each dagger bought. But when greed gets in the way, her fate is sealed. Amethyst - Book 4 (Daughters of the Dagger Series)Amethyst de Burgh has been sent by the archbishop as assistant to her uncle, the master mason, in building a castle for the border lord, Marcus Montclair. But Marcus is a hardened warrior with no respect for women. With Amethyst being headstrong, they are sure to clash.Legacy of the Blade Prequel:The prequel to the Legacy of the Blade Series, told from Corbett Blake's (Lord of the Blade) point of view as a child. What happens here sets up the four siblings being torn apart, and later being brought back together again.Lady Renegade - Book 2 (Legacy of the Blade Series)Wren, and English lady, is on her way to meet with King David, escorted by her men when they are attacked by Scottish Highlanders. She is blinded by one of her own English guards, and years later leads a small army of women in retaliation. Scottish Highlander Storm MacKeefe is tricked into accepting a challenge to bring back the leader of The Renegades, not knowing their leader is a blind woman.Aidan - Book 3. (MadMan MacKeefe Series)Aidan MacKeefe is the guardian of Scotland's ancient coronation stone - The Stone of Destiny. But when he puts his trust in another Scot, Effie MacDuff, she steals it from under him. Effie is on a mission to save her sister from the English who have her sister locked in a hanging cage, and want the stone in exchange for her life.

    Someone to talk with, share his adventures and best of all his ambition to be a soldier. All he has to do is accept Charlie Cobarne’s little sister, which at the time does not seem too much to ask. But Sophie, unlike other girls in the Linmore household, disdains female refinements in favour of masculine hunting pursuits at which she excels. She challenges her brother and Joshua to prove her mettle, until Charlie agrees that she can follow the drum when they join the army. In so doing, she binds their friendship together, but her continuing presence causes the once strong bond between the young men to become a recipe for misunderstandings. Changing family circumstances force Sophie to conceive a plan of which she is sure Charlie will approve – knowing that Joshua always agrees with her brother. Single minded in her determination to keep them together, Sophie little considers the far-reaching consequences for them, and Linmore, if her plans should go awry. Or who, if she pushes them to the limit, has most to lose?The first part of an interlinking series involving the landed gentry and the working classes at a time when the Napoleonic Wars rumble on in the background, and life, with its family feuds and intrigues, continues in a rural England coping with the changes of the Agricultural Revolution. A coming of age story.

    When his less scrupulous brothers rove the countryside, they bring back an unexpected prize: a beautiful woman wearing a priceless sapphire. The honorable Ian apologizes for the mistake and offers to return her home.Home is the last place Miranda Worth wants to be. It took all her courage to run away from her intolerable situation, and she believes a lie is her only defense...even though Ian's eyes make her want to tell him everything. But if she waits too long for the truth, she may lose everything she loves.Lady in Sapphire is a stand-alone novella set in the Secrets of the Zodiac world.

    Running into each other again in the woods that adjoin Lord Merrick's property the attraction between Lord Merrick and Celia blossoms into love in the warm days of summer. Enraged that Lord Robert's sister encourages her brother by planning trips and picnics with Celia, Caroline calls a meeting with her father and Celia, and extracts a promise from Celia to not see Lord Merrick again with the threat that she will force the Meades to leave her house.

    These have now been revised and edited and the volumes are being published by Sleepy Wombatt Press: see the website https://www.clorinda.org

    Reduced to earning her bread. Bereft of hope. Clarice arrives in Bath to find her services rejected. A stranger insists on coming to her rescue. A French émigré, he recognises her loneliness, poverty and despair. Gervais finds her a post. But an introduction has a startling effect, reviving the hideous past. All is set at risk. Will the growing friendship survive? By the author of the bestselling Lady Fan Mystery series

    Reinventing herself as the Ice Queen, Sarah plans on exacting retribution by out-raking the rake. Unfortunately, she didn’t plan on Benedick Merritt, who has an irritating penchant for rescuing damsels whether they are in distress or not. So, through a whirl of Shakespearean quote wars, lovesick Juliet wannabes, and one torturous matchmaking musicale, Sarah must decide which is really sweeter: Revenge or giving happily ever after a second chance.

    Orphaned and alone, she searches for a hidden family treasure while plagued by the ghost of Lady Katherine, the one who created the intricate clues, though the apparition refuses to relinquish any answers.Retired spy, James Stewart, Earl of Richmond, seeks escape from the clutches of his matchmaking family. Intent on finding purpose in his new role, he dives headfirst into the running of the earldom ending up at a forgotten inherited barony. Obsessed with discovering the secret of the young lady in residence, he is convinced the recent series of accidents are anything but.Frustration mounts as Elena, desperate to hide her family’s smuggling operation, deflects James’ curiosity with the legend of the hidden treasure. Can they put personal grievances aside and work together to unravel the clues to a more tangible treasure?

    But what’s a woman to do when the man fascinates her? She must taste him…or dismiss him. And how does a man kill his scandalous desire to kiss his charming employer? Especially when he must protect her from an unknown villain…as well as his dastardly need to possess her? * * * The lovely widow at No. 10 Dudley Crescent hopes to lead a merry life without any husband to replace the elderly one she recently buried. Yet Lady Ranford finds herself in a pickle. Her new butler, Finnley, is not only the most obstinate man she’s ever met, but he’s a virile enigma. She’s never been lured to naughtiness with a man. Heaven knows, she certainly shouldn’t fantasize about the tall, dark, scowling creature who runs her household like a finely tuned clock. But she can’t help herself. She needs to taste him—or dismiss him. Finnley, poor fellow, has a few risqué dreams of his own about how he’d like to handle the delectable widow. Alone in his rooms, he resolves to deny how her humor riddles his mind and how her beauty steals his breath away. None of his solutions are proper. All of his desires are quite…dear me…scandalous. But what’s a butler to do when the very life of his beloved employer is at stake? And he cannot control his need to protect her and…ahem…bed her? ***A spicy Regency romance!***

    Her help with capturing a jewel thief and an assassin has caught the attention of the Prince Regent and he wants her recruited to be an Agent for the Crown. Joanna readily accepts and leaves with Lord Thomas Mayberry, a known rakehell, who is to train her in the Agency. What she never counted on was Jonathon’s change of heart. Now he is pursuing her with the passion she has longed for, but will it be enough to capture her heart once more, or will it be stolen by her new mentor, Lord Mayberry? Join Joanna as she tracks down a circle of thieves, learns about fine art and the trials of love in Unraveled, Agents for the Crown book four.

    So when he meets Charlotte, an outspoken American heiress, he is suspicious of her indifference.However, Charlotte is unimpressed by his title. All she wants is to leave dreary England and travel to the sunny sands of Egypt to see the grand pyramids and participate in the exciting discoveries of the area's ancient past.But a debutante seeking to entrap Nathaniel is murdered, and his reputation as a confirmed misogynist makes him a suspect. On impulse, Charlotte comes to his aid, unaware that her actions place her in danger, too.Unfortunately, Nathaniel's efforts to prove his innocence and convince Charlotte that he is worthy of her love only serve to bring her to the attention of a merciless killer. A Lady in Hiding A tragic case of arson sends Sarah into hiding to escape the terrible fate of her family. She works as a common laborer, and is safe for thirteen years, until she receives an ominous note. The killer has caught up with her.William, an inquiry agent, is consumed with curiosity when Sarah hires him. One look into her gray eyes hooks him, though, and an attempt on her life soon forces William to follow a treacherous path through the dark past.Despite the gulf between them, their love grows, distracting them despite the danger threatening Sarah. They can only hope that together, they will find the strength to thwart a desperate arsonist and save Sarah's life.The Earl's MasqueradeGrieving after the drowning death of his younger brother, Hugh stumbles upon evidence suggesting that the accident was a failed attempt to murder him. A deep anger replaces his grief, and he swears to unmask the killer. He uses the rumor that he perished along with his brother to mask his investigation, and he returns home in the disguise of a servant to search for the truth.But a chance meeting with Helen Archer soon leaves him wondering if what he truly wants is revenge, or love.

    And quickly discovers she is as unprepared for marriage as she is for her new family—a mother-in-law who insists on living in Wales' Medieval past and a sister-in-law who seems to be trying to get rid of her. Jocelyn is also plagued by the problem of her husband's mistress and a series of disastrous incidents—some potentially lethal—that dog her footsteps. As she grows more alienated from her husband, who barks at her to "grow up," she finds herself the classic stranger in a strange land. Where it appears someone is trying to kill her.Author's Note: The Welshman's Bride is a Gothic novel in the tradition of Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, and my previous Regency Gothics, Brides of Falconfell, The Mists of Moorhead Manor, and The Demons of Fenley Marsh. As has happened before, I've created a heroine who has flaws, this one more than most. I hope you'll like her anyway.

    Can Nicholas Avery, a charming aristocrat with a faulty memory for names and a family in dire need of financial salvation, convince the wounded lady that the blessed oblivion she finds in his arms is sweeter than laudanum?

    All the best tutors and schools money could buy had prepared her for her position into which she would soon marry.Sebastian James had other plans for his only child. He refused to give his daughter or fortune to a man of privilege, who had never worked a day in his life.When Andrea discovers her father has betrothed her without her mother’s knowledge, she runs away—right into the arms of her fiancé’s cousin.

    Her family has never understood her blunt speech and unwillingness to bow to conventional strictures, and so they have always made her feel that there is something wrong with her. Now as a poor relation in her cousin’s house, she makes plans to escape a life of drudgery and disdain from her own family members.Naval Captain Gerard Foremont is having difficulty adjusting to life back on land, frustrated that his career has been cut short by his severely injured knee. Guilt haunts him as he sees the strain his long convalescence has had upon his parents. As they spend Christmastide with the Belmoores, he wants to help fulfill his mother’s wish to have her orphaned niece come to stay with them.However, an enemy has infiltrated the family party, bent on revenge and determined that Twelfth Night will end in someone’s death...

    Caring for Harry is madness. But, despite Harry's innocence, his young lover pleases Daniel more than any other lover he has ever had. Lies, secrets and old lovers come between them. In one explosive battle, all is unfair in love and war when betrayal strikes at the heart.Defeated by Love, Book 11Daniel has both dreaded and prayed for the return of the only man he ever loved. Harry knew that when he returned to England after ten years, Daniel would be angry. The passion between them explodes, but they must defeat the memory of Harry’s past mistakes to earn a future together.*Previously Published**Mature Readers 18+

    It felt as if the pieces of her life were falling into place until the sudden deaths of her parents stun her. When the man she loves leaves, inexplicably severing their romantic ties, Jocelyn is left utterly depressed. Four years later, she is picking up the pieces with the help of her new love, Charles Varnesfield. When Charles's sister, Jane, returns from abroad with a fiance, however, suddenly Jocelyn can be sure of nothing. With the constant addition of Jane's superficial friends and Charles's mysterious business partner, Jocelyn finds herself alternately wishing for the summer to end and fearing what she will find for herself when it does. Set in a fictitious England countryside in 1815, this story is about the confusion involved with love and loss and the struggle between following social norms and the instincts of the heart.

    Protégée. Amoureuse. Dominic Ridgeley has done a gentlemanly deed, belying his rakish reputation. He's delivered friendless orphan Georgiana Hartley into the protection of his vivacious sister. Under Bella's accomplished tutelage, thinks the viscount, Georgiana is sure to attract a suitable husband. How right he is. Georgiana's guileless charm and pretty figure quickly launch her to the acme of London society. She's fairly besieged by suitors. Dominic is shocked by his plan's success—and his growing feelings for the effervescent girl. But with multiple proposals, valuable property and damned propriety all standing between them, will this innocent ever be Dominic's? BONUS BOOK INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME! The Accidental Princess by Michelle Willingham Lady Chesterfield gladly succumbed to scandal in the arms of Lieutenant Michael Thorpe. Her social ruin means nothing…unless her common soldier is, in fact, a prince.

     Orphaned and destitute, gently born Felicia Scott must find a way to keep a roof over her head. No longer able to enter the Marriage Mart, but also not of the servant class, the only option is to find a position as governess. After his spoiled, seven year old daughter has sent off three governesses in the 18 months since her mother died, the Earl of Standish doubts the young, inexperienced Miss Scott could possible manage the position. Since he’s desperate and she comes so highly recommended, the earl agrees to give her a chance. Much to everyone’s amazement, the beautiful, young governess succeeds where the others had failed. The entire household benefits from the calm, including the jaded earl. How does he overcome his arrogance to see his governess’ true value? Previously published by Astraea Press.

    Instances have been known of young people passing many, many months successively, without being at any ball of any description, and no material injury accrue either to body or mind. —Emma"I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."  —Elizabeth Bennet to Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."  —Henry Tilney, Northanger AbbeyFull of sense and sensibility, this collection is sure to delight all lovers of this great writer's uniquely humorous and perceptive style.

    Rebecca has always known she’ll never be able to measure up to her older sisters, the “Golden Twins,” who were the reigning queens of the ton in their day, but surely there is a gentleman somewhere capable of appreciating her finer qualities.Miles Framingham, Duke of Aylesbury, finds himself in need a wife… although he doesn’t really want one. Burdened with the responsibilities of a dukedom from a young age, what he really yearns for is freedom. Marriage to the right woman, though, might not be such an onerous task.When the hapless Rebecca finds herself pushed into the lap of this eminently eligible duke in the nave of Bath Abbey, a match between them seems ordained by the heavens… except for the little matter of his past history with her sisters.This story originally appeared in the Sweet Summer Kisses collection from Summer 2015.

    His sister demands a solution: find a wealthy girl and marry her. Gwyndolyn Matilda Cadogan – Her brother must have a wife and they both must have money on which to live until he marries. The solution? Use a disguise and patronize the public houses so that she can use her ability at cards to keep food on the table until her brother marries. Robert Parker - Banished in disgrace to Canada, called home by the Crown when an untimely death makes him the heir to an earldom, he seeks to polish his muddied reputation with a good marriage, one that does not involve silly emotions such as love. When he sees the beautiful woman on Revenhope’s arm, he is captivated. Is she Revenhope’s mistress or Revenhope’s kin? Either way, Robert knows one thing. He wants her, he wants her and he will wait for an opportunity to have her. And when they play cards together, Robert is handed the chance he desires to know the lady much, much better. ADULT SEXUAL SITUATIONS AND CONTENT

    Nuptials of convenience blended family fortunes and kept bloodlines pure. After her presentation at court, which marked the beginning of the London season, Ann's life turns into a whirlwind of tea parties, balls, and husband hunting. When her parents suggest John Broadhurst, the Marquess of Dorchester, as a potential mate, Ann dislikes their choice. Even though he appears dashingly handsome, she finds him to be a boorish and aloof man. He, on the other hand, shows very little interest in her either, which wounds Ann's delicate ego. In spite of their lack of regard for one another, they marry to fulfill their parents' wishes. Ann, however, harbors a dark premonition that one day the marquess will break her heart. After beginning their married life together, her fears are realized as she is engulfed by a world of secrets, betrayal, and danger at Blythe Court.

    These very different Regency heroines dare everything for love! Read three full-length romances in the one volume: 'Daring Damsels: Regency Collection. LADY SARAH'S REDEMPTION A spoiled heiress who assumes the identity of a shipwrecked governess falls in love with her employer who has dark secrets of his own. LADY FARQUHAR'S BUTTERFLY A beautiful widow whose reputation has been wrongly tarnished embarks upon a dangerous charade to reclaim her child, burdened by a terrible secret that threatens the future of the man with whom she accidentally falls in love. A LITTLE DECEPTION A determined miss who pretends to be married in order to save the family plantation is framed by a jealous adversary for a series of diamond thefts. Now she must convince the handsome rake who believes she tricked him into marriage that she is innocent.

    Little does she suspect, when she joins the household of the Earl of Raftesbury, that her new employer has a secret as great as her own and has need of a special woman to help him conquer his past. Hugo Marchbanks, son of the Earl of Raftesbury, had never expected to succeed to his father’s title with two hale and hearty brothers before him. Yet following the wars with the French, he returns to the family estate not only in that position, but guardian to seven children. Somewhat nervous of feminine company, Hugo finds himself drawn to Amelia in a way unprecedented in his life before. She is quiet and restful, yet he detects a mischievous sense of humour. Then an excursion with the children reopens an old wound and he finds himself blurting out his secret…

    Author and fashion historian Cassidy Percoco has delved into little-known museum hoards to create a stunning collection of 26 garments, many with clear provenance tied to a specific location, which have never before been published and never - or very rarely - displayed. Most of the garments have an aspect in their construction that has not been previously documented, from a style of skirt trim to the method of gown closure. This practical guide begins with a general history of the early 19th-century women's dress. This is followed by 26 patterns of gowns, spencers, chemises, and corsets, each with an illustration of the finished piece and description of its construction. This must-have guide is an essential reference for anyone interested in the fashions or the history of the period, or for anyone wishing to recreate their own beautiful Regency clothing.

    Join three bestselling regency romance authors, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, and Michele Paige Holmes, for three new regency romance novellas in A MIDWINTER BALL. MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth. Two years have passed since Lord Northrup declared his intentions for Miss Analisa Lloyd-Jones and forbade any other man to court her. Angry at the neglect, Analisa stopped reading his letters, never even breaking the seals. Tired of waiting, Analisa joins the house party at Mrs. Smith’s famous country home, determined to find a beau. When Lord Northrup unexpectedly joins the party, Analisa discovers she is no longer repulsed by the man who first laid claim to her hand. SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon. Olivia Wallington is firmly established as a spinster, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the perfect man. Ever since her father’s death, Olivia has been forced into seclusion by her mother. When her brother and his wife come for a visit, they discover the extent to which she lives under their mother’s thumb. With their help, Olivia sneaks out to attend a local ball, where she meets Edward Blakemoore. For a few divine moments, all of her dreams seem possible. But even someone like Mr. Blakemoore would be hard pressed to get past Mrs. Wallington’s fortress of protection—or past Olivia’s pride.AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes. Lady Ella has been isolated on her father’s estate since her mother’s death as her father travels the world. When Alex Darling arrives with a letter from her long-dead fiancé, and a demand that she travel to London for a series of engagements, Ella thinks her father instigated the strange demands and agrees. In London, she discovers the truth behind her fiancé’s death, and that new love might be possible in the arms of the most unexpected man.

    Still, she must bide her time even if being the ward of churlish relatives means:1. Awkwardness is inevitable —particularly when the circumstances are hilarious.2. Kindness is exploitable—specifically when dealing with The Beau Monde.3. Patience is impossible—especially when one is days from gaining one’s inheritance.Fortunately, she is far too attached to her dreams to allow these truths to thwart her practical plans. Plans that do not involve a certain duke—no matter how delicious, sinful, and profound.The Duke of Stonebridge doesn’t have the luxury to dream…As a duke and an agent for the crown, Stonebridge carries the weight of responsibility and is prepared to pursue what he needs, even if such needs do not align with what he wants. And what he wants is Miss Grace Radclyffe—wholly inappropriate, impossibly perfect, and utterly remarkable…He tried to ignore her—impossible.He employed his best scowls—futile.And all too soon, he’s stifling smiles and the twitch of his lips. Then, he’s wrapping her in his arms—Kissing.Taking.Claiming.It seems he wasn’t prepared for everything after all…

    FIVE REISSUED CLASSICS Re-released classics originally found in: A Summons From the Duke (out of print), and A Summons From His Grace (out of print) Jerrica Knight-Catania's LOVING MISTER LOCKWELL Samantha Grace's TWICE UPON A TIME Lily George's A SECOND CHANCE FOR CHRISTMAS Marie Higgins's BECOMING A LADY Olivia Kelly's IT HAD TO BE YOU

    It chronicles the story of a spirited young lady's struggle for independence as she learns unlocking her heart may be the only way to set herself free.Headstrong and longing for adventure, Ada has no plans of chaining herself to "the stale province of dutiful wife and mother". But when a shocking tragedy upends the charmed life she once knew, she can no longer live on the generosity of her father.After freedom is stripped from her hands, Ada's determination for independence is tested as never before. Will she accept a marriage of convenience or face permanent exile from her home?Please Note: This is a work of serialized fiction, not a complete novel in one volume. Much like your favorite TV series, each installment builds upon the previous one and plot lines move forward to completion in subsequent volumes. Each volume is approximately 100 pages/30,000 words.

    Born into slavery in Staten Island, Richmond won his freedom as a young boy and carved a new life for himself in England as a cabinet maker and then a renowned prizefighter and trainer. His amazing life encompassed encounters and relationships with some of the most prominent men of the age, including Earl Percy, William Hazlitt, Lord Byron, the Prince Regent and Lord Camelford. His fame was such that he fulfilled an official role at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821. The story of Bill Richmond is an incredible tale of personal advancement, as well as the story of a life informed and influenced by a series of turbulent historical events, including the American War of Independence, the fight for black emancipation and Britain's long-running conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte.

    Spurning men altogether, she deals only with the fair sex. But Master Gallant has thrown her world topsy-turvy by requiring her submission. After several years in the Orient, Charles Gallant has returned to the Red Chrysanthemum, where members indulge in carnal pleasures both wicked and wanton. He knew Mistress Scarlet when she was Miss Greta, a most delightful submissive then joined to the rogue Damien. Now that she is free, Charles has devised a way to claim her for his own. With new instruments of pain and pleasure obtained from his travels, he intends to reawaken Greta to the raptures of submission. Greta, however, is not about to surrender herself without a fight. She would like nothing more than to make him rue the day he took her on in their first fateful challenge. But Master Gallant’s skills prove far more formidable than she expected, enflaming desires she had thought lay safely dormant. Will the Master or the Mistress prevail? Or will the unexpected return of Master Damien undo them both? READER ADVISORY: This book includes Episodes 2-9. Reading "Master vs. Mistress, Episode 1" is recommended but not required. This series is an erotic historical romance and contains spanking, flogging, bondage, voyeurism, and other BDSM elements.

     ONE NIGHT, ONE DANCE, ONE CHANCE At twenty-five, Anastasia Quintin has resigned herself to live in quiet seclusion as companion to Miss Albryght, but one lost wager by her headstrong bookworm of a mistress soon requires Anastasia’s return to the society from which she hides. Her first event in eight years is to be a house party in honor of the recently entitled Earl of Huntingdon, hosted by his haughty old grandmother. Having come to his title by tragedy, the handsome Huntingdon is new to the ton, but he is not new to Anastasia. Dante St. Clair is the very man who long ago stole her heart and thereafter dashed all her hopes and dreams. He is the man she must never let discover her identity, but whom she can no more avoid than a moth can a flame. One waltz will destroy her, and for it, Anastasia will risk everything…and win.