No harm done, except that it reminded some in the country neighborhood that Kate had also refused the suit of the Earl of Winterton's brother--but then surprisingly accepted a legacy from him when he died in the Peninsula. Regency Romance by Laura Matthews

    Revenge is ripe on his tongue, and he means to have it. His younger sister was raped by an English bastard, and he was going to make him pay even if it meant he had to execute his vengeance on the miscreant's younger, innocent sister. An eye for an eye was the way he saw it.Madeleine Wynton lived her life simply. She had her father and three older brothers, whom she loved dearly. Her life was calm, and while it may seem boring to others, it satisfied her and gave her purpose. She aspired to enter the abbey where she would further serve others. A life of service would surely save her and her mother’s souls from purgatory, wouldn’t it? That was the plan, that is, until she was kidnapped for ransom. Luck wasn't always on her side, but fortunately for her that day, it was. A rather large, intimidating, and surly Highlander came to her rescue. He took her back to the Highlands, promising to send word to her father that she was safe and ready to return home. The more time she spent with Connor and his family, though, the more she began to question everything she always held as truth. Connor was going to make the English reprobates pay, and not even those wide innocent eyes resting above that sharp tongue of Maddie's, was going to make him abandon his intentions. He was not only sending word to Maddie’s father in the form of a ransom, but he also intended to seduce the Englishwoman into his bed. The revenge would taste sweeter if she willingly gave herself to him. Regrettably, Connor didn’t anticipate falling for Maddie’s stubbornness, wit, or charm. It was a dilemma further complicated by his need to keep her safe from one man who wanted to kidnap Maddie for ransom, and another who bought her from her father. Connor needed to keep his secret if he wanted to spend his life with Maddie. Secrets have a way of coming to light no matter how hard you try to keep them in the dark, and his will have everyone questioning the life they thought they knew. Can the love Connor and Maddie nurtured on a net of lies survive the fall when the deceit unravels, or will their love be a casualty of vengeance?The Highlander Who Saved Me is a stand-alone historical romance novel that will have you holding on through twists and turns. The Heart of a Highlander…where the only thing fiercer than a warrior’s battle cry, is the way that he loves…

    Discovering she has no funds to start a new life, Astra justifies her proposition to secretly become James's mistress as the only hope of providing a stable environment for her daughter. Her arrangement with James Keane allows Astra to remain the mistress of her home while she explores her long denied passions with a man she finds irresistibly attractive. Though warned not to fall in love with her paramour, Astra soon discovers she'll never make a proper mistress to James. Her heart has become involved but she refuses to give up the affair.James Keane knows Astra is hiding secrets about her past, but he finds he can't resist her offer to become his mistress. He makes it clear that he'll be returning to America as soon as he turns around the bankrupt estate he's inherited. Though he has no reason to trust her, James doesn't believe Astra coud be involved with the string of accidents that have befallen him since his arrival. Rumors of the Keane Curse leads James to believe his misfortune has a human source, one that he intends to uncover. He only hopes his investigation doesn't reveal he has fallen in love with a woman who wants him dead.A novel-length erotic historical romance.

    But will a sizzling secret romance with a famous young NFL quarterback lead her to winning the life she deserves or set her up for her biggest loss yet? As she embarks on the journey of rebuilding her home, Amanda discovers that finding forgiveness and repairing her damaged self-worth are her biggest challenges of all. While searching her soul–and even searching inside her city's history–she finds answers. But will answers come too late and can a broken heart ever be truly fixed?

    It was done at last. They were married. The wedding took place in Naples, a city of burning rubble and poverty – for the time was 1944 and the Germans were in retreat. Thousands of Italians were starving and prepared to do anything to survive. Liana was more determined than most, not only to survive, but to get out of the hell-hole that Naples had become. She had lied, cheated, played provocative games, and now stood in a crumbling church before an emaciated priest. Beside her stood Nicholas Hamilton-Howard, Earl of Wessex, a young English officer who was totally bewitched by the exquisite Italian girl. Even during the service she was terrified – terrified that someone would reveal the truth about her, but when the final blessing was given she knew she was safe and she vowed to devote her life to making Nicholas happy, even though she did not love him – even though their life together was to be built on lies and deception… Angela Arney was born in Hampshire, where she still lives with her husband. She has been a teacher, a hospital administrator and a cabaret singer. The author of a number of romances, Cast the First Stone is her first full-length novel.

    first class writing....not-to-be-missed author", author of FLIRTING WITH DEATH Patricia Grasso "A memorable heroine and a sexily honorable hero make for a delightful romance." author of THE DUKE'S DAUGHTERS series, Megan Frampton Lady Ashby has a pressing problem Widowed at a young age, Isabel Ashby, yearns to marry again—this time to a young, handsome, titled husband—and live a nice, quiet life with two or three cherubic children. Having limited choices among the gentlemen of her acquaintance, Isabel decides to orchestrate a compromising position for herself to entrap the Earl of Caenby into marriage. But it all goes dreadfully wrong when she ends up unwittingly catching Major Sidney Chamberlayne instead. Major Chamberlyane has a stoic solution Sidney Chamberlyane is a second son, a military man of honor who is far more comfortable on the back of a horse than in a ballroom flirting with ladies of the ton. But when Sidney is caught in a passionate kiss with the delectable Lady Ashby, he can do nothing less than marry her. With their marriage off to a stormy start, both Isabel and Sidney wade through the murky waters of mistrust. But as they begin to recognize the changes in their feelings, will the winds of scandal and gossip drag them down into dangerous depths, or will truth and love guide them home?

    Or is it?Chloe MacLagain was ready to become a Lairdess. Her father, however, is planning to have her wed to the son of their greatest enemy to ensure an alliance.Determined to take up the reins of her life, she devises a plan to get rid of her betrothed. Luckily for Chloe, her handsome intended obviously despises the idea of marriage just as much as she does. But before she has the chance to talk to him her plans change dramatically.Alastair Bochanan carries a heavyweight upon his shoulders. Heir to a Lairdship he doesn't want, forced to marry the daughter of his mother's murderer. Alastair is scarred by the memory of his mother being killed before his eyes and already hates his future bride. When he meets her though, sparks of desire are ignited and doubts are rising.Maybe this woman is not as bad as he thinks. Until someone tries to poison him, and all suspicions turn to Chloe.Now Alastair must protect his life from a shadowy enemy, him while controlling his craving for the woman who might want him dead..A deadly hatred separates them, but it is passion that will unite them…

    When they meet eight years later, each has a good reason for entering an arranged marriage. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to the court of King Louis. On the way, danger from enemies on the journey brings them closer together; when they arrive at court, rivalry and intrigue nearly parts them. Ultimately, however, they survive these trials through their own native wit and charm―and gain new respect and love for one another.

    When Enoch drowns, Saran swears that she will not rest until she has secured her family's release, but--penniless and friendless--she barely knows where to start. However, when fate casts young Luke Hipton into her path, Saran finds a loyal companion. Together they make their way to Wednesbury, where Saran's courage and virtue bring their own rewards.

    . .New York, 1937: When estranged sisters Clara and Madeleine Sommers learn their grandmother is dying, they agree to fulfill her last wish: to travel across Europe—together. They are to deliver three letters, in which Violet will say goodbye to those she hasn’t seen since traveling to Europe forty years earlier; a journey inspired by famed reporter, Nellie Bly.Clara, ever-dutiful, sees the trip as an inconvenient detour before her wedding to millionaire Charles Hancock, but it’s also a chance to embrace her love of art. Budding journalist Madeleine relishes the opportunity to develop her ambitions to report on the growing threat of Hitler’s Nazi party and Mussolini’s control in Italy.Constantly at odds with each other as they explore the luxurious Queen Mary, the Orient Express, and the sights of Paris and  Venice,, Clara and Madeleine wonder if they can fulfil Violet’s wish, until a shocking truth about their family brings them closer together. But as they reach Vienna to deliver the final letter, old grudges threaten their reconciliation again. As political tensions rise, and Europe feels increasingly volatile, the pair are glad to head home on the Hindenburg, where fate will play its hand in the final stage of their journey.

    The only thing she doesn’t have is herhusband in her bed. But she’s about to change that.Enlisting the aid of her best friend, Linnette,who knows about these things even though she’s aduchess herself, Kathryn begins her seduction plan.But Linnette knows a secret and it involvesKathryn’s husband. And, when that comes out,Kathryn’s marriage isn’t the only thing at stake.Can you say Afternoon Tea Catfight?

    For surely her newly wed husband Justin Melbrooke must believe her an accomplice in the infamous scheme that had made her his wife. Was he not the prize catch of London, this handsome celebrated young poet-Lord? Schoolgirl she might be, but she had heard the stories of the titled ladies who had given more than the hearts to this aristocratic rake. Indeed, they were wed less than a week and already the stunning Lady Silvia, Justin's mistress, was installed at nearby Crant Castle.Well, she would show him she was no conniving society miss. Trapped into marriage he might have been, but she was resolved, though her heart might break, that he should be free ....

    As is the illegitimate son of the Prince of Wales, Ieuan. He is forced to travel from Wales to England to take part in a joust in a bid to get close to a woman—the famed Treasure of Tynewell. He soon discovers Rosamunde de Lacy certainly lives up to her name. And seems as pampered and as innocent as he thought she’d be. Nevertheless, Ieuan needs her dowry to help rebuild his castle and bring back prosperity to his people. But will such a delicate treasure be able to survive the harsh and dangerous lands of Wales? After being fairly charmed by the rough knight and his chivalrous ways, Rosamunde might have been receptive to a courtship from the Welshman. But she certainly never intended to be betrothed to him within days of meeting him. Unfortunately, Rosamunde is left with little choice but to marry the warrior who doesn’t seem nearly so charming now he’s secured her hand. While Ieuan plans to rebuild his siege-scarred castle, Rosamunde has plans of her own. Wales might be barbaric and her husband even more so, but she’s determined to prove herself as something more than a prize to be won. With danger abound and her husband hiding his parentage—one that might see him hung as a traitor—can either of them see each other as something more than a barbarian and a princess? Will they even survive the tense political climate long enough to see eye to eye?

    A decade earlier, he fled to Egypt, seeking fame and fortune as an African adventurer. But his brother, the Earl of Milton, has died, and Jackson has been named guardian to the man’s young son. He’s chafing at the designation. He doesn’t want to assist his bumbling nephew, doesn’t want to deal with his scheming sister-in-law or domineering mother. Yet he can’t resist their incessant pull. When beautiful, alluring Grace Bennett arrives unexpectedly at Milton Abbey, she has a young boy with her who she claims is her ward. She tells a fantastical tale about Jackson’s brother. It’s the story of a secret wedding. Of a secret love child finally brought home where he belongs. Of one boy who isn’t the earl and one boy who is. Against his will, Jackson is attracted to Grace, and because he wants her so desperately, he can’t decide what is real, what is true. As their worlds collide and their ardor ignites, Jackson must separate fact from fiction, must learn the truth about Grace, despite where it might lead him. Enmeshed in a risky and clandestine affair, his passion for her grows, but so does the danger from those who would keep them apart.

    The Eastwind sails for the American colonies in two weeks. If Silvia chooses to accept the offer of a mysterious benefactor, she must be ready to risk her life for a chance at freedom.Silvia's dark fate starts here, in a novella-length prequel to the sexy Gothic romance novel Dark Splendor.Dark Prelude is approximately 14,500 words long.