The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.A regency romance novel you won't want to put down.

    But he couldn't be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentlemen, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle.Trapped between an unwanted marriage and a hasty annulment, which would leave his reputation tainted and Catherine's utterly ruined, Crispin begins guiding his wife's transformation from a socially petrified country girl to a lady of society. Their unfolding relationship reveals encouraging surprises for both of them, and privately each of them wonders if theirs may become a true marriage of the heart. But their hopes are dashed when forces conspire to split asunder what fate has granted. As a battle of wits escalates into a life-threatening confrontation, will it be possible for Crispin and Catherine to live happily ever after?

    Wealthy landowners are enthusiastically improving their vast country estates. When Sir Eustace Lawrence, renowned King's Counsel, invites Cabot to visit his Berkshire home, Cabot plans to apply his talents to a modification of the grounds. But he soon discovers that other skills are called for. All is not well with the amiable Lawrence family. One daughter, Margaret, has for years drawn the unwelcome, jealous attentions of the powerful Earl of Sutcliffe. The earl has essentially placed Meg under siege. Meg has had ample proof of Sutcliffe's deadliness. She has not dared to bestow her hand or her heart on any suitor for fear of what may befall him. But she is unaware of the lengths to which their new family friend, Charles Cabot, will go in order to protect her. When her family visits London for the season and a confrontation looms, Meg and her awakened affections must face the ultimate test.

    . .To Gabriel Devine, Duke of Wolverest, the bonds of marriage are nothing more than shackles. But if he's to remain a lifelong bachelor, that leaves only his younger brother to carry on the family name. Inviting the ton's most eligible ladies to an elegant ball, Gabriel is certain any one of them would be all too eager to become the next duchess and provide an heir—leaving Gabriel to continue his ecstatic pursuit of pleasure.To Catch a Rogue . . .Her social-climbing stepmother would give anything to have Madelyn Haywood betrothed to a future duke. But Madelyn believes the brothers Devine to be nothing more than heartless rogues—especially Gabriel, whose rakish reputation precedes him. He is nothing more than a slave to passion, and she will not be conquered by his caresses—and yet his wicked ways tempt her so . . .

    Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, and her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love, but his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret.Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption, yet he cannot deny his attraction for the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd thought long dead. He fears the scars in his soul cut so deeply that he may never be able to offer Alicia a love that is true.When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger to her heart.

    Yet Penelope is anything but a typical ton miss - forceful, willful and blunt to a fault, she has for years devoted her considerable energy and intelligence to directing an institution caring for the forgotten orphans of London's streets.But now her charges are mysteriously disappearing. Desperate, Penelope turns to the one man she knows who might help her - Barnaby Adair.Handsome scion of a noble house, Adair has made a name for himself in political and judicial circles. His powers of deduction and observation combined with his pedigree has seen him solve several serious crimes within the ton. Although he makes her irritatingly uncomfortable, Penelope throws caution to the wind and appears on his bachelor doorstep late one night, determined to recruit him to her cause.Barnaby is intrigued-both by her story, and her. Her bold beauty and undeniable brains make a striking contrast to the usual insipid ton misses. And as he's in dire need of an excuse to avoid said insipid misses, he accepts her challenge, never dreaming she and it will consume his every waking hour.Enlisting the aid of Inspector Basil Stokes of the fledgling Scotland Yard, they infiltrate the streets of London's notorious East End. But as they unravel the mystery of the missing boys, they uncover the trail of a criminal embedded in the very organization recently created to protect all Londoners. And that criminal knows of them and their efforts, and is only too ready to threaten all they hold dear, including their new-found knowledge of the intrigues of the human heart.

    But once, long ago, he fell in love…and he’s never forgotten the scintillating emotion he, then too young, turned his back on.One stormy night, he finds himself stranded at an inn—with his childhood sweetheart, Lydia Makepeace, who has no business being there alone.Lydia, meanwhile, is horrified to discover the one man in England guaranteed to protect her—standing between her and the scandalous letter she must, simply must, retrieve.

    Celia Davenport discovers that perhaps sexual servitude isn't the prison she imagined. A plaything of an Infidel lord, she has a chance of escape if only she pleases him... * * * * * The Bloodstone Affair: [Regency Paranormal] An infamous ghost hunter travels to the most haunted house in England to rescue the woman of his dreams and encounters an evil secret that refuses to die... * * * * * Initiating Christian: [Regency May-December] The younger Christian Foster has fallen in love with an unattainable, scandal-shy woman. When Lauren DeSerre discovers the deliciously handsome brother of her former lover has a penchant for her, the temptation of initiating Christian might lure her astray... * * * * * 5 Hearts: "Fabulous!" The Romance Studio. 5 Angels: "Remarkably breathtaking." Fallen Angel Reviews. 5 Roses: "Superbly written." My Book Cravings. 5 Blue Ribbons: "Delightfully fun and wicked." Romance Junkies. 5 Stars: "Ms. Wildes did not miss a beat." Just Erotic Romance Reviews. 5 Kisses: "Enough heat to warm you on the coldest nights." Two Lips Reviews.

    Here, it is coupled with the short novel Lady Susan, in the epistolary form popularised by Samuel Richardson in the 1760s.

    But Kate finds excitement right on her doorstep. Lord Broughton has returned from abroad to restore the partly burnt-out Broughton Hall, reigniting an old mystery. When Kate overhears two plotters, she is determined to save Broughton Hall from murderous foes. She cannot count on Laurie’s help. He has become quite stuffy since he left Cambridge. But can she trust Lord Broughton? And why has the beautiful Frenchwoman, Angelique, come to stay at the Hall? As Kate falls headlong into love, she risks far more than she intended. Featured in the Passionate Promises anthology. Review This is an exceptional romance that is full of action, adventure and danger. Set at a fast pace, this tale carries you through the twists and turns and keeps you intrigued with the adventure that Kate is going through. The author did a fabulous job with character buildup and steady dialog. This reader was really impressed with the way this romance has another romance going on, but took nothing away from Kate’s story. A very energetic and fun read. Coffee Time Romance

    Both stories tell the storiy of cynical rakes who are surprised to find that their hearts become engaged - in the most difficult circumstances

    And then he betrayed her by marrying someone else. At seventeen, Frances had possessed an inner fire, a joy of life. Now, years later, Marcus, Duke of Loscoe, is confounded by the ice-cold society hostess she has become.Having learned how to suppress her youthful dreams and desires, Frances, Countess of Carringham, can't deny she's pained to hear that Marcus is looking for a new wife to care for his motherless child. Nor can she disguise that she is still susceptible to his charm...Tavern Wench by Mary NicholsAlone in the world, too proud to accept charity, vicar's daughter Emma Lynn earns her living by cooking - in a tavern! But her independence has a heavy price: a tavern wench isn't fit to mix with the gentry, and Emma has turned her back on the Polite World.Mr. Benedict Grantley, amateur sleuth and baronet's heir, isn't going to let Emma's principles stand in his way. As Ben uncovers the startling truth about a series of murders, Emma is thrust into Society...thrown into danger...and plunged into love!

    Since childhood Annalise has listened to the mystifying songs that float over the Devon Moors to her cottage window. Suddenly its lulling gentleness changes into an urgent plea - a glorious Queen has stepped from the mystical world of the Tarot - showing Annalise the figure of a cloaked man, his head bowed to a crippling despair of loss and regret, blinded to the imminent threat of a blood thirsty enemy. He is her chosen and instantly Annalise understands her destiny is entwined with this tortured Nobleman. Only she can touch him...and warn him. But how could this be? She is a poor peasant girl with humble dreams of being a lace maker like her Aunt Sadie. Yet when she explains the vision to her aunt, Annalise learns of a dark and powerful Venetian Soothsayer who was rumoured throughout Europe to be immortal, a godless soul, lost to roam the earth without love or hope. His name: Medardo de Vale. The name alone unlocks her inner passion, produces memories of a past life that are not her own, and a love so profound its echo has survived the centuries. Annalise has no other choice but to find him and warn of an impending evil that draws ever closer, an evil that will stop at nothing to procure the secret elixir of Immortality. Will he believe what she says even though it makes no sense to her? And what perilous path might he take her if he does believe? It is a chance she must make. Medardo de Vale is The Tarot Prince, and the love of a simple peasant girl is his only hope for survival. _x000D_