As if his new responsibilities weren't enough, Gabriel's aunt enlists him to sponsor a young heiress through London's Little Season. Yet Miss Thea Neville is hardly the tedious obligation he expected. She's exotic and enchanting—and utterly unaware of the secret poised to destroy her family's reputation. After ten years in America, Thea is ready to do her duty and marry well. Deportment lessons, modistes, balls—the ton is a minefield she could scarcely navigate without Gabriel's help. By rights, she should accept the first bachelor who offers for her. Instead, she's succumbing to a dangerous attraction to her wickedly handsome chaperone—one that could unhinge her plans in the most delicious way.

    While the Earl and Countess of Westhaven play the role of elves in “The Christmas Carriage,” in “The Ducal Gift” we see that even when Percival and Esther get their holiday signals crossed, the only gift that matters is love.

    She wants nothing more than to see her clan the way it was when her father was still laird. But her uncle has other ideas. Ceana soon discovers that the only refuge to be found is in the last place she expects—the arms of her enemy. Luthais MacKay wants to be left alone. His only interest is training his prized hawks. He certainly doesn’t have time to listen to the petty squabbling of his clan when his father travels to Edinburgh and leaves him in charge. But when Luthais discovers a mysterious woman on his lands, he’s determined to unravel her secrets…one layer at a time. **This novella was previously published in the Kissing the Highlander anthology.**

    But what they discover is forbidden passion and a dangerous desire.

    The one challenge she can’t top? Managing the most infuriating man she’s ever met.Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood, has purchased a one-of-a-kind locket from a pawnshop, unaware of the priceless sentiment it holds for Lydia. If he were a gentleman, he would simply return it to her. But Alexander is curious to see just how bold this brilliant beauty will be.What began as a playful wager quickly escalates. As their sizzling attraction grows, even Lydia can’t account for the feelings Alexander arouses in her with his smile or the fire he ignites with his touch. But when a dark family secret is suddenly thrown into the equation, it just might divide them forever.*An earlier edition of this book was published under the name Nina Rowan by Grand Central Publishing

    THE THRILL OF DESIRE.What is the invigorating appeal of the younger man? Is it his boyish charm, his enthusiasm for life? His appreciation of a woman's experience, and his eagerness to learn more? Or perhaps it's his vigor, his unending appetite, and his willingness to please. In this scintillating quartet of stories by four of today's most popular romance writers, the answers are discovered in a younger man's embrace ... in tender promises of pleasure whispered behind closed doors ... in the hunger of his deep, soft, candlelight kisses ... and in his ability to reawaken in his lover the joyous simplicity of a past innocence....Let yourself go..."The Demon's Mistress" / Jo BeverleyA wealthy widow's proposition to a young officer could prove to be his redemption or his downfall...."A Man Who Can Dance" / Cathy MaxwellA governess offers lessons in the art of wooing to a studious bachelor--only to fall in love herself with his newfound charm...."Written in the Stars" / Jaclyn RedingIn order to fulfill an ancient family prophecy, a young woman is destined to marry a younger man--or else court disaster...."Forevermore" / Lauren RoyalA sensible woman throws caution to the wind when her fantasy man becomes a flesh-and-blood reality with an offer she can't refuse....

    Until she meets her match in Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a sworn bachelor and scientist.He just didn't know it yetBroodingly handsome, Gareth is scandalized to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of "Madame Esmerelda," and vows to prove Jenny a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth's calculated plan--until he can't decide whether to seduce her or ruin her. Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know...and the boundless possibilities of love.

    Her herbal healing skills made her an angel of mercy, her determination held together the family's farm, and her strong will always got her what she wanted--even the buying of a man.  But no suitor had ever courted her...Ian Connelly, Marquis of Derne, had been betrayed, branded a criminal, and beaten.  Still defiant, he had been indentured and transported to the Colonies, where a bossy, primly proper woman had bought him!  But he alone saw the strength of her character, the gold in her tawny hair, and, in her eyes, the fire of her long-hidden desire...Now Susannah "owned" this magnificently handsome rogue, but it was his passion that could free her imprisoned, lonely heart.  From the frontier South to society London or even to hell itself, with her body she would worship him and with her soul she would love him, for she was...Nobody's Angel.

    But he is not a man who runs from danger, and when he chances upon an enchanting gypsy maiden in the woods hounded by bandits, he leaps to her defense. Now, surely, there is but one place for the injured and unconscious lovely to properly recuperate: in his bed. Sabrina is shocked when she awakens in an opulent bedchamber, nursed in every way by a dashing gentleman. She knows she must leave the haven of Anthony's home at once, even though her life is still in grave danger—though a different kind of peril awaits her in the viscount's arms. If Sabrina surrenders to this handsome rogue, she will be an outcast. Yet does she dare ignore the future that's written on his palm—the promise of a shared lifetime of love and ecstasy?

    But to finance his expedition, he must agree to the terms of his wealthy London benefactor and allow his goddaughter to accompany him. Although wary, Rand agrees to take the woman with him, unaware that she is the one who holds the key to a haunting riddle that will lead him to a glorious treasure—and to a passion he has never known... MORE THAN SHE DREAMED London heiress Claire Bancroft is desperate to seek hidden meaning to the terrible fate that has shattered her life. Determined to find her missing brother and unlock the haunting secrets of her past, she must place her trust in Rand, only to discover that she is becoming completely enraptured by him...and the promise of a shining future together.

    Frances Atherton, a country parson's daughter, had a lot to learn about London's wicked city ways. But nothing, not even David's sinful charms, could sway her from her mission—to trap the Blue Specter, the infamous smuggler for whose crimes her own father was imprisoned.The Blue Specter was none other than Edward Kennan, England's most famous actor, so Frances became an actress, the better to stalk her dangerous prey. It was a shocking profession for a lady...but more shocking still was the discovery that David—Lord Landry—was the most renowned and scandalous playwright of the day...the one man who could truly help the parson's daughter—if she would only let him have his way!