As his sister's impending marriage signals the inevitable drifting-apart of the Blackshear family, it's his last chance to give his siblings the sort of memorable, well-planned holiday their parents could never seem to provide.He has no time to dawdle, no time for nonsense, and certainly no time to drive the falconer's vexing, impulsive, lush-lipped, midnight-haired daughter to a house party before heading home. So why the devil did he agree to do just that?It couldn't be more deliciously mixed-up...Lucy Sharp has been waiting all her too-quiet life for an adventure, and she means to make the most of this one. She's going to enjoy the house party as no one has ever enjoyed a house party before, and in the meanwhile she's going to enjoy every minute in the company of amusingly stern, formidably proper, outrageously handsome Mr. Blackshear. Let him disapprove of her all he likes—it's not as though they'll see each other again after today....or will they? When a carriage mishap and a snowstorm strand the pair miles short of their destination, threatening them with scandal and jeopardizing all their Christmas plans, they'll have to work together to save the holiday from disaster. And along the way they just might learn that the best adventures are the ones you never would have thought to plan.

    And that problem is his future niece-in-law. When the clever and capable Lady Eleanor Vane—understandably—runs off into the night rather than marry his horrible nephew, the Duke has a choice. Should he catch Eleanor and return her to her fate—or make Eleanor his own instead?My Dirty Duke - Joanna ShupeViolet knows that her father's best friend, the Duke of Ravensthorpe, is the most powerful man in all of London with a reputation for sin. But nothing can stop Violet from wanting to shed her wallflower ways and fulfill her darkest, most forbidden desires...even if it means seducing a man twice her age.An Education In Pleasure - Eva LeighAs a governess to the Duke of Tarrington, Cecilia Holme resigns herself to a passionless life. Except now the old duke is dead and Owen, the new duke, is very tempting—and much younger. Is the chance to give Owen an education in pleasure too enticing to refuse?Duke For Hire - Nicola DavidsonAs her fiery clergyman father chases away all suitors, Miss Ada Blair is resigned to spinsterhood. Yet while she can’t wed, bedding might be another matter. One man meets all her requirements for a discreet and expert pleasure tutor—Jasper Muir, Duke of Gilroy—but he insists on a very wicked contract…The Duke Makes Me Feel... - Adriana HerreraDukes and their demands are nothing new for Marena Baine-Torres. Her newfound success has her little apothecary teeming with ill-mannered aristocrats. But as tiresome as they are, she needs the business. When the unflappable Duke of Linley storms into her shop and makes her an offer she’d be a fool to refuse, Marena soon finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime with a man who is as infuriating as he is intriguing.

    Cheyne Lyon, Duke of Mar isn’t surprised when his wastrel brother dumps a wife and baby on his doorstep, but Jennifer is intelligent, nurturing, and sweet, just the sort Cheyne could love, if only she wasn’t already taken. When unsavory strangers come around looking for a runaway young lady, Cheyne realizes Jennifer isn’t who she claims to be, and he isn’t about to give her up.THE SCOT'S BAIRN by Tabetha Waite... Damaris Honeywell suffers from an unwanted betrothal. Her solution? Ruin her reputation. But one night with a handsome Scotsman leads to certain…complications that can’t be ignored. When Callum Murray, Laird O’Donogue encounters her again, he intends to show her that they are meant to be.THE DUKE AND THE GOVERNESS by Tammy Andresen... The Duke of Chance is tired of leaving his life to fate. When he becomes ward to his niece, he knows he needs a governess to raise the girl right. But is Miss Lucy Frank the answer to all his troubles?THE PERFECT LITTLE MARQUESS by Annabelle Anders... His grandfather dies before turning forty. His father turns up his toes at the age of two and thirty. And this year, his older brother gets shot in a duel at the tender age of nine and twenty. Things aren’t lookin good for this spare turned heir. The new duke of Warwick needs a son... And Quickly!THE SUBSTITUTE LOVER by Merry Farmer... Lord Benedict Killian needs an heir of his own blood as fast as possible, but he has no intention of marrying. Disgraced Miss Meg Wallace needs money, and a lot of it, to start a new life. Agreeing to a deal to conceive a child for Benedict to pass off as his own seems like an easy solution for both of their problems. Until the red-hot passion between them proves irresistible.WOOED IN WINTER by Scarlett Scott... The Marquess of Haven has finally decided to do his duty and settle upon a bride, preferably before the new year begins. What better place to find her than a country house party? There’s just one problem, and she’s the beautiful widow who once owned his heart. Surely there’s no harm in indulging in one night of passion with her to get her out of his mind. But Haven is about to discover old habits are hard to break, especially when the consequences last forever…

    Now, he’s overcome his challenges and is eager for the future, especially when his oldest and dearest friend, Bianca, needs help to save the annual holiday party. Ash has a plan to rescue the event, but when the bullies from his youth are up to their old tricks, he must risk everything to put the past behind him and find true love.Furious when her brother refuses to host the St. Stephen’s Day party, Lady Bianca Stafford is committed to giving the villagers their celebration. In Ash, she sees salvation for their local tradition, and perhaps a future she never expected. But her brother has other plans for her—a Season and marriage, and not to Ash. When disaster strikes, everything she cares about is threatened and it will take a miracle—or a hero—to save the day.The Red Hot Earl is inspired by the song and story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

    But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He’s grim and silent. A man of little emotion—or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she’s ready to put an end to things. A Last Chance for Love But severing ties with her taciturn suitor isn’t as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there’s Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What’s a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there’ll be no false formality. This time they’ll get to know each other for who they really are.

    Honor-bound and sworn to protect, they're about to meet their match in twelve feisty heroines. Amidst the wild Scottish mountains, the snow is falling deep, but twelve heart-warming stories of love await--one for each day of Christmas. Discover an embroidered partridge fuelling revenge, two turtle doves sealing an ill-fated match, a feathery Yuletide tale, the betrothal of a reluctant songbird, five golden rings forged in forbidden love, a pet goose who represents a second chance, a swan taking flight, a dairymaid with murder on her mind, nine ladies dancing in the moonlight, a duty-bound laird and a wayward lady, a beautiful piper, and a ghostly drummer playing matchmaker.Twelve historical romance tales set against the backdrop of snowy medieval Scotland at Christmas.Loving Her Highland Enemy - by Samantha HoltA revenge-obsessed lass keeps a depiction of her clan's partridge close to her heart in this passion-steeped enemies-to-lovers Yuletide tale.Highland Dove - by Elizabeth RoseWill Duncan MacLean be able to escape the English prison in time to fulfill his promise of marrying Mari Stewart on Hogmanay, before she weds another?The Kitchen Maid’s Tale - by Hildie McQueenRiding in the back of a cart down the center of the village could be quite embarrassing. Riding in the back of a cart, in a cage with three chickens, was mortifying.Brenna's Yuletide Song - by Cathy MacRaeHumor abounds in this rollicking tale of a pampered merchant’s daughter and the Highlander she must marry.Ringing in Yule - by Sky Purington Will years of forbidden love remind Tavish and Nessa what's at stake before she marries another?Highlander's Christmas - by Mariah StoneA secret child. A pet goose. And an unlikely couple who could get a second chance at love this Christmas—if he doesn’t kill her father.Highland Swan - by Anna MarklandDr. Pendray must save his patient’s life, though it means losing the woman he loves.The Lady's Guide to a Highlander's Heart - by Emmanuelle de MaupassantDisguised as a simple dairymaid, Lady Flora Dalreagh sneaks into the home of the warrior she believes murdered her father, intent on revenge.The Laird's Midnight Dancer - by Ashe BarkerA sacred stone circle, moonlight, and a bewitching midnight dancer to bring a laird to his knees…An Angel at the Highland Court - by Celeste Barclay A laird who fears making a mistake, and a lady whose made one mistake after another...innocence and experience, fire and ice make for one steamy Christmas.The Piper - by Lily BaldwinA battle-wounded laird whose sight has been stolen is soothed by the music of a beautiful piper who also bears scars of a tragic past.Scot Under the Mistletoe - by Caroline LeeA ghostly drummer turns out to be very much flesh and blood in this hilarious Yuletide romp featuring a second-chance romance, a mysterious little plant, and more than a few Henrys.

    She meets a brooding, sexy stranger who saves her from a creep, and they share an irresistible attraction. Winter allows herself to give in to temptation, but too soon all hell breaks loose when the fire alarm interrupts their rendezvous and she loses her handsome stranger in the chaos. Bo has been searching for the woman of his dreams for four long months. When his brother Cory’s fiancée shows up at the family estate pregnant, his world is turned upside down. Warning: Wrap yourself up in this winter wonderland and stay cozy with us! This secret baby book is everything you want with a side of extra, just the way we love it!

    Helena concocts the perfect solution to her problem. She asks—begs—James to ruin her. Surely her betrothed will repudiate her if she is no longer pure. And if all her efforts fail and she still ends up married to a horrid man until the end of her days, she will at least once have known true passion. But James is not all he seems. He is, in fact, a wicked lord with a dark fancy. When Helena awakens his desire, he becomes determined to take everything she has to offer and more. No matter the cost.

    Trey swore never again to be beguiled by a beautiful face, but as governess Seraphina gets close to his unruly, motherless children, he wants the festive joy she brings to stay well beyond Christmas Day...."Governess to Christmas Bride" by Annie BurrowsLord Chepstow hasn't seen Honeysuckle Miller since she was a plain, awkward schoolgirl. Now she's not so plain and is looking after the host's children at a lavish Christmas house party. And the last thing Lord Chepstow expected to want on his Christmas list is the prim governess!"Duchess by Christmas" by Marguerite KayeMasquerading as a governess to help the brooding Duke of Blairmore find a wife is "not" how Regan Stuart expected to spend Christmas! Then he steals an unexpected kiss, endangering Regan's heart...unless Gabriel can see beyond her dowdy costume and realize "she's" his perfect Christmas bride!

    A Lady of independence. Since her cheating husband created a scandal by dying beneath his whore, Darcy de Merle is determined to enjoy widowhood, and refuses to mourn a man she grew to loathe. Setting the ton ablaze, Darcy holds a ball to re-launch herself into Society on the anniversary of his death. Cameron, the Duke of Athelby plays by the rules. Always. He’s lived through the terrible consequences of what revelry, carelessness, and lack of respect for one’s social position can have on a family. So, when he sees Darcy de Merle skirting the boundaries of respectability, it is only right that he should remind her of the proper etiquette that she should adhere to. Darcy refuses to allow another man to tell her what to do. When the Duke of Athelby chastises her at every turn, reminding her of her social failures, well, there is only one thing to be done about it…seduce the duke and show him there is more to life than the proper conventions set by the ton. A battle of wills ensues where all bets are off, numerous rules are broken and love becomes the ultimate reward.

    And getting there is definitely half the fun in Megan Hart's wickedly wild Get There.Eternal damnation has its perks—especially for a voluptuous succubus who is about to receive a very special, very hot Valentine's Day "gift" from her demon lover...in Jackie Kessler's ode to paranormal passion, Hell Is Where the Heart Is.London's most irresistible rake has one week to prevent the woman he loves from marrying another. And he plans to do so by adeptly employing his most well-practiced arts—seduction...sensation...and erotic love—in Jess Michaels's sumptuous feast of juicy Regency romance, By Valentine's Day.

    Yet the wickedly handsome proprietor, Lord Stockton, refuses to let a lady enter his establishment. Now Pru needs a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true—and to resist succumbing to Stockton’s charms. Three French Hens Brinna’s life as a scullery maid changes with the arrival of the castle’s newest guest, Lady Joan. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Joan suggests that look-alike Brinna take her place at the Christmas festivities. Suddenly, Brinna finds herself being wooed by a true gentleman, and getting the best Christmas present of all: a new life. The Fairy Godmother Odel is told by her godmother that she must marry by Christmas, and even gives her fairy dust to separate the mice from the men. But Odel has sworn off love…until kind and generous Michel catches her eye. He shows Odel how good it can feel to fall in love, but will it be enough to convince Odel to trust her heart?

    In his mind, a five and seven year old needn’t get chilled in the snow; better to plop them in front of the fire with a book. Few people have ever been brave enough to challenge him over anything, much less the rearing of his wards. The cheeky Miss Prim has no such compunction. No matter how fetching he finds her, he can’t give in to his attraction…for she is the sister of his best friend.Growing up the middle child of five rambunctious girls, Lillian Prim doesn’t understand why two young boys visiting Hurst don’t know how to play until she meets their dashing guardian. The Marquis of Wythebury is commanding and intensely serious-minded. To her surprise, she’s captivated by him. It’s all she can do not to give into her feminine fantasies about her kissing him. Lillian has no intention of falling in love with the Marquis, but she will create Christmastide mischief and teach the boys and the handsome Marquis how to play, in Mistletoe, Mischief, and the Marquis, by New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey.

    A Bright Red Ribbon Fern MichaelsBeing dumped by your boyfriend on Christmas Eve has got to be the worst. Still, Morgan Ames promised she'd wait two Christmases for his return -- tonight -- and she always keeps her promises. But a sudden snowstorm has other ideas, including a romantic turn Morgan never imagined... The 24 Days of Christmas Linda Lael MillerA matchbox advent calendar first brought Frank Rayner and Addie Hutton together. But that was years ago. There's no way the miracles of Christmas -- and the magic of true love -- could possibly be hidden under one of its tiny flaps. Or could they? Santa Unwrapped Theresa AlanWhen Aimee Lachaussee offers to drive three volunteer Santas to a children's hospital, she finds herself stranded in a bar with two really obnoxious playboys -- and the quiet, hunky, wheelchair-bound Ryan, who's about to show Aimee that the very best presents come in unexpected packages... Maybe This Christmas Jane BlackwoodLaura Randall thinks life has passed her by, until a Christmas angel grants her wish to live one, important, destiny-shaping Christmas over. Now that she's got her second chance, can she manage this time to hold on to the love that got away...? While the weather outside is frightful, unwrap a gift of your own, and delight in these sparkling stories of holiday romance!

    Just in time for the Christmas season--four of romances best-loved writers contribute timeless, passionate stories created especially for this collection! Jill Barnett, Mary Jo Putney, Justine Dare, and Susan King set the pages on fire with love, as these exquisite stories capture the true spirit of this special time of year!