The one thing he swears never to do is claim possession over another human being. But when he journeys across the North Sea to raid the holy houses of Northumbria, he encounters a dark-haired beauty, Laurel, who stirs him like no other. When his cruel cousin tries to take Laurel for himself, Eirik breaks his oath in an attempt to protect her. He claims her as his thrall. But can he claim her heart, or will Laurel fall prey to the devious schemes of his enemies? She has the heart of a warrior… Life as an orphan at Whitby Abbey hasn’t been easy, but Laurel refuses to be bested by the backbreaking work and lecherous advances she must endure. When Viking raiders storm the abbey and take her captive, her strength may finally fail her—especially when she must face her fear of water at every turn. But under Eirik’s gentle protection, she discovers a deeper bravery within herself—and a yearning for her golden-haired captor that she shouldn’t harbor. Torn between securing her freedom or giving herself to her Viking master, will fate decide for her—and rip them apart forever?

    His vulnerability touched her. His past horrified her...Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man from the Blind Cupid brothel for a night of scandalous pleasure. Anne wants the sensual memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. However, she did not expect the young man to move her in ways she never imagined.Desmond Glover gives sexual gratification—for a price. An orphan whose childhood was mired in scandal and poverty, Desmond has learned to close off his emotions with regard to his occupation. He did not count on a lonely spinster to awaken his hidden passion.Not only do the years separate them, but so do their social standing. Can Anne and Desmond cross such a chasm and find mutual desire—or love?This short story was previously published with a different title. Revised, re-edited, and more than 7500 words added. Heat Level: Very sensualThis is book one of the Blind Cupid series. Book two is The Governess and the Beast. Book three is The Copper and the Madam.

    He's lost his heart. Can they find their happily ever after in the past? Lexi has wasted her entire college career researching a dead-end. Her thesis on the sixteenth-century Durham queen, Alexandra, is going nowhere. How can she defend her doctoral dissertation if she can't even figure out where the queen was born? When she meets Nancy, Lexi doesn't think much of it—until she wakes up in the past without her memory. King Richard's only goal is to keep Durham from war with Galia, even if it means marrying their princess whom he's never met. When his advisers bring news that the princess's ship was attacked, Richard is devastated—until he finds a beautiful girl washed up on shore and assumes she's the missing royal. Lexi has no memory of her past, but Richard's advisers urge him to press forward with wedding plans. As Lexi grows more and more enamored with the kind-hearted king, memories of her past have her questioning her present—until another Galian princess arrives in Durham to take her deceased sister's place as queen. Will Lexi fight to stay in the past with Richard, or will she be forced to return to the future without him? This bite-sized heartwarming romance is sweet and clean, with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed HEA. This book can be read as a stand-alone. It was previously published as The Pretend Princess as part of the Book Club Series. Read all the books in the Royal Secrets Series! Royal Secrets Series: - Taming the Prince by Lindzee Armstrong - Dating the Prince by Lindzee Armstrong - Winning Back the Princess by Lindzee Armstrong - Marrying the King by Lindzee Armstrong - Dancing with the Prince by Laura D. Bastian - Forgetting the Prince by Laura D. Bastian - Rejecting the Prince by Laura D. Bastian - Serving the Prince by Lucinda Whitney - Rescuing the Prince by Lucinda Whitney - Protecting the Princess by Lucinda Whitney (coming soon!) No Match for Love Series: 1. Miss Match 2. Not Your Match 3. Mix 'N Match 4. Meet Your Match 5. Strike a Match 6. Mistletoe Match 7. Match Me if You Can 8. Match Me by Christmas 9. Never Say Match 10. Match Me Again 11. Mistakenly Matched 12. My Fake Match 12. Matched by Design (coming 2020) Kiss Me Series 1. Kiss Me in the Moonlight 2. Kiss Me in the Rain 3. Kiss Me in a Blizzard (coming 2020) Chasing Tomorrow Series 1. Chasing Someday 2. Tomorrow's Lullaby

    Mallory wants a piece of pirate's treasure, and Vivianne yearns for a love letter from a poet. But Bridget has more on her mind than the game. She knows life with her evil, blackmailing fiancée will be hellish, so she’s determined to make him suffer too—by stealing a Highlander’s kilt and leaving him to wonder how she acquired it. The Scots charged with finding and protecting them along the way are entirely wrong--and perfect--for the job. Rory, for instance, is a kilt-clad Highlander, but he’d rather die alone in a cave rather than get within ten feet of another Englishwoman. Unfortunately for him, the duty to pay his grandfather’s debt will get him—and his two friends—much, much closer to the lasses than that.

    But his plans go wildly astray when Lady Ailish Maxwell’s brother is captured by her traitorous uncle. James has every intention of finding the lad, but when Her Ladyship announces she’s joining the quest, he’s not about to let her go, no matter how beautiful her crystal eyes, or convincing her silver tongue.And Ailish will not sit idle while her brother, the true heir to the Maxwell dynasty, is taken deeper into the enemy’s lair. After putting forth every ounce of reasoning she can muster, Sir James agrees to allow her to pose as his wife. But what she doesn’t count on is falling in love with the braw Highlander. And as they ride farther into enemy lands, they cannot ignore the intensity of the passion simmering between them—though it could very well ruin everything they have worked so hard to preserve.

    When Clan Chief Baile Buchanon finds her a job tending to his youngest daughter, Mazey thinks she is safe. Despite her past and the heartbreak she is healing from, Baile starts to fall for the woman caring for his daughter. As feelings for each other grow, a dark looming past threatens to catch up with Mazey and destroy everything. Will she be able to confront her past and move on, or is she destined to live forever in her fear? Part of the Highlander Bride series, read this and other books by Veronica Touse to learn more about the Murrays and Buchanons.

    Wolfe. Especially not from Hunter Thorne, a titled gentleman far above her station. Earls only court common misses for one reason, and Rose has no interest in being a wealthy man’s mistress--however handsome and charming he may be. Hunter is an honorable man; he refuses to turn his back on the spirited beauty regardless of how hard she pushes him away. As Mr. Wolfe’s threats evolve into actions Rose has little choice but to turn to Hunter. Can the pair put an end to Wolfe’s nefarious deeds before Rose loses everything she holds dear, including her freedom?

    Having rolled her out of harm's way, he can't deny that he is intrigued by the soft, delicate woman, especially when she races away without telling him her name. Angie serves as a spy to the Texians, aiding them in the Texas Revolution. Her desire for the enemy soldier's arms around her goes against everything she has been fighting for. However, their fate is intertwined and they are forced to work together. While Angie tries to protect her heart, Lorenzo must overcome his own demons. With the Texians on the verge of attacking San Antonio, Angie and Lorenzo have to fight not only for their right to love one another, but also for their lives and the future of Texas.

    When his half-brother is killed, he must seek vengeance or face the rage of his clansmen. Beyond spilling blood, fate offers him another solution. Taking the daughter of his enemy will appease his angry men, but it leaves him struggling to find peace over making a hostage of a woman. What sort of man settles his disputes with a helpless woman? Rhedyn Lindsey has been raised to shoulder her duty. For her kin and clan, she will make the best of a future that will be decided based on alliances. But she never expects it to come in the form of being taken as a hostage.In an instant, her life is turned inside out. Perhaps for the best, though, for the alternative would have been to see her father's blood spilled. Now she’s at the mercy of a man who has every reason to hate her. Regardless of what fate throws her way, she won’t crumble. She’ll stand up to Buchanan Mackenzie. Just because she’s a woman, doesn’t mean she lacks courage.Will Buchanan Mackenzie give in to the demands of his men who seek revenge for the death of his half-brother, or will he rely on the wisdom his beloved father taught him, and take his time in deciding what will happen to his beautiful captive—Rhedyn Lindsey—a woman who has captured his attention, respect, and quite possibly his heart?

    When his intended wife Clarice ran off with his cousin, he was left to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart. Now years later, after fighting a long war and finally earning a new start to life, all he wants is a little farm and his solitude. But when the one woman he never expected, or wanted, to ever see again suddenly shows up battered and carrying a small child in her arms, Jeoffrey has no choice but to take her into his home. But as soon as Clarice is healed, Jeoffrey is determined to be rid of them both. Forever. Faced with a forced marriage to an abusive man, Clarice flees to save her and her son’s lives. When she finally arrives at a new village, desperate for help, Jeoffrey is the last man she ever thought to find there. Injuries have left her helpless and reliant upon Jeoffrey’s goodwill. If only he did not despise her. Clarice never expected to see Jeoffrey again and, though her heart never forgot him, he wishes to forget her. All Jeoffrey wants is his freedom. All Clarice wants is a second chance. Will Clarice’s sudden arrival unravel all of Jeoffrey’s carefully laid plans for a life of solitude? Or will she turn out to be his only salvation? Celtic Romance rated 18+ due to some adult content

    The grand opening of the Manchester Ship Canal is set to be a day of unfettered festivity for Ruby and her younger sister and brother. Even Queen Victoria will be in attendance.But the glories of the ceremony fade into insignificance when their dying mother delivers them to the imposing oak doors of Ignatius House. Abandoned in the not-so-tender care of the nuns, the siblings are soon separated.So when the Board of Guardians force Ruby into a marriage that sends her to a new home upon the Salford waterways, she makes only one vow: to reunite her family whatever the cost. This is an enthralling story of romance and rebellion perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court. Praise for Ruby McBride ‘An inspiring novel about accepting change and bravely facing the future’ Bangor Chronicle‘Compelling and heart-wrenching’ Hull Daily Mail‘The kind of character-driven saga that delights the Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox audience’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph‘This book deals with gritty, real-life situations and shows how the heroine’s strength of character triumphs through adversity’ 5* Reader review

    When Eachann's two unruly children are expelled from school, he is even determined to wed. Following an old Scottish custom, Eachann decides to solve the problem for both himself and his brother ... Spying on a fancy society party, Eachann spots debutante Georgina Bayard basking in the spotlight. Meanwhile, pretty Amy Emerson is valiantly struggling to conceal her first broken heart. Swept away by this strange Scotsman, both young women become captives. Kidnapped and furious, Amy and Georgina have a choice: fight for the life they'd previously known --- or let their hearts get carried away.

    Now she is charged with discovering the plans of Edward Longshanks. The English are gaining a foothold on Scottish soil—and they must be stopped.All Nessa has to do is enter the wolf's lair and seduce Hugh De Burgh—the English king's right-hand—and she will be able to gain the secrets she seeks.But faced with the towering, surly knight, whose touch addles her wits and sets her aflame, Nessa soon realizes that this mission may cost her everything.Guardians of Alba takes you back to 14th Century Scotland amidst the Wars of Scottish Independence. Immerse yourself in political intrigue, Celtic mysticism, betrayal, high-adventure, and steamy romance.

    Deception endangers them. Only an impossible love can save them. When headstrong Elizabeth de Burgh’s evil father threatens to kill her beloved cousin unless she seduces his enemy Robert the Bruce, she begrudgingly agrees. But as she grows close to the arrogant leader of the Scottish rebellion whose savage good looks whisper of pleasure, she discovers that behind Robert’s facade of coldhearted traitor lies a noble fighter who will risk all for the freedom of his country. Now, she can no longer imagine aiding in Robert’s destruction. But does she have a choice? Fierce Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce would do anything to release his country from English rule and claim his rightful throne. Enemies on both sides surround him, however, and Robert must dance a dangerous line between truth and duplicity. One misstep could topple his nation and cost him his life. Yet one irresistible woman tempts him—and jeopardizes his mission—as no other ever has. Robert is in no position to entangle himself with the enemy, especially one who may be plotting his defeat, but the feisty, determined, blue-eyed beauty ignites a longing in Robert that he has never known. But is she his biggest threat or greatest source of strength? Bound by duty and honor but ensnared by uncontainable desire, Robert and Elizabeth must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice for the one thing they thought they’d never find—extraordinary love.

    But a wish at a magical rock formation is about to change all that, in a most a-MUSE-ing way. . . . The three Sullivan sisters, named for the Three Graces of Greek legend who embody beauty, charm and grace, don’t live up to their names. Belle is no beauty. Charisma lacks charm. And Grace is somewhat less than graceful. But this doesn't deter their ambitious mother from bribing three bachelors to escort them to Colorado Springs’ beautiful Garden of the Gods. When the girls overhear their escorts mocking how little they resemble their names, each girl makes a wish at the magical Three Graces rock formation. Belle wishes aloud for beauty, but only so she can use it as a weapon to punish the cads who hurt her sisters. Her true wish is for revenge. Handsome viscount Kit Stanhope regrets his rude remarks and apologizes to Belle. He’s surprised when she tells him that's not enough. If he truly regrets his behavior, he has to make her beautiful in time for the Founders’ Day Ball. Kit isn’t sure he’s up to the task. But, intrigued by the spirited Belle, he agrees to assist her transformation from an ugly duckling into a swan with the help of a mysterious Greek dressmaker with muse-like qualities. Unfortunately, Belle makes a rather awkward swan. Still, after a few embarrassing escapades, she masters the flirtatious language of the fan and takes the town known as Little London by storm. Belle soon finds herself falling for the viscount and his sinful mouth. It seems he returns her regard, but she can’t renege on her promise to humiliate him . . . can she? Will her secret muse grant the wish she voiced . . . or the one she holds in her heart? Note to readers: This title was originally published in 2003 by Zebra Ballad.