She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she's certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected--a young and handsome English lord.

    Surely her husband-to-be, the right Reverend Andrew Littletree, would not condone her leaving the safety of home for the perils that this place posed for so lovely and desirable a young lady. Surely tongues would wag about what she was doing with so eminently attractive and intriguingly unattached a gentleman as the major. But Onyx's worry was not what her fiancé would think or what the world would say. Rather it was what she would do if Jack Beresford took her in his arms…

    

    Far from it; she was a very successful author of romantic novels. Thus she was chagrined to be snubbed by the handsome writer Henry Ashton whose own book she admired. And when she learned he considered love stories so much drivel and completely beneath his notice, she vowed to teach him a thing or two about literature -- and about romance as well... SERIOUS LITERATURE Ashton had no time for foolish young misses who published romantic nonsense and then put on literary airs. True, the attractive Miss Davenport had a rather charming way with words, he'd give her that. But it was patently obvious she knew little about love and nothing at all about men. And if she intended to teach him a lesson, she just might find him all too avid a student...

    Then Captain Tarquin York, a handsome British cavalry officer, took her on a perilous journey back to France, matching her defiant spirit with a will of steel and claiming her heart with the all-consuming heat of his kisses. But Napoleon's armies, maddened with vengeance against the English, would turn their odyssey to the lush vineyards of Southern France into a flight from death. Soon Rowena would be caught up in the fight for freedom that would end at Waterloo. And amid the ravages of war, her innocence would end in flaming desire, and the passion of a woman hungry for everything love can bring.

    Therefore, Peter Clivedon's offer of marriage was gratefully accepted. Growing fond of him, she is shattered when she learns that he has concealed a terrible secret from her.

    It was here in Sydney Town that they and their offspring braved famine and treachery to build new lives.Among the most determined was Hope Blackstock, whose very name carried the promise of a warmth and tenderness that the hardworking John Myers so desired. And yet Hope longed for something more--the passion of Cotty Starke, a man whose affections seemed destined for Charity, Hope's younger--and bolder--sister. Together, with a spirited determination to claim this rugged outback as their own, they staked out a destiny as bold as their grandest dreams ... and found passion and love everlasting.

    The indomitable Lady Tittam hoped to match her lovely niece with a wealthy husband, thereby restoring the family's social standing and ensuring brilliant marriages for Isobel's sisters. But Isobel succeeded all too well, and before she knew it, she had collected three marriage proposals! One from Mr. Rattray, a scoundrel she could not abide; one from Mr. Courtney, a dashing rake who stole her heart; and one from Lord Hawksworth, a handsome nobleman who offered a marriage of convenience. Poor Isobel never dreamed that such scandalous confusion would lead to romantic adventure, social embarrassment, respectable employment... and true love!

     By night, Leonora followed in the footsteps of her reckless brother to play a perilous game in a world beyond the law. Then an emissary of the Crown -- handsome, dashing, charming Lord Gerard Sinclair -- arrives to enforce the law that Leonora has flouted. And suddenly Leonora's double life is threatened by a singular danger . . . the danger of love . . .