But now, years later and by her own choosing, Penelope is still unmarried. She has little interest in love and prefers to spend her time at St. Thomas’s hospital in pursuit of medical knowledge and helping others. However, staying unwed when one’s mother is a notorious matchmaker is no easy feat. AND A MAN WHO DOESN’T WANT A WIFE Through unfortunate circumstances, James MacKenzie is the new Earl of Oakhurst, a title he never expected or wanted. When he is summoned by his only living relative, his grandmother the Dowager Countess of Oakhurst, to attend to her in London so that she might instruct him on his duties as earl, including finding a bride, he reluctantly complies. Upon arrival, he finds the older woman ill and in need of medical attention. When his grandmother proves difficult and resistant to help, he allows Lady Penelope’s aid in treating her. MAKE THE PERFECT MATCH? When both learn of the other’s lack of desire for love, they know the best chance to escape those seeking to wed them is to come to an agreement—one that will free them both from the pressures of matchmaking. But a marriage of convenience doesn’t imply a marriage without passion. As their feelings eventually warm toward one another, old enemies emerge and threaten everything they have worked for. Will they be able to draw strength from their blossoming love to defeat those who seek to destroy them, or will they deny their feelings and lose one another forever?

    Except perhaps for an earl with a twisted hand and a charming smile. Why, for all the fortune hunters she has fended off since returning from India, is the one man who seems to like her so against marrying for money?Philip has inherited an earldom that his only two choices are to marry for money or to abandon Society altogether and return to his work as an engineer. Which is no choice at all, until a tiny woman with beautiful eyes and a fine mind dances with him on his last night in London.When they meet again in a small country village, they join forces to uncover larceny and deceit, to rescue Lalamani’s aunt from poverty, and to discover that pride is a poor reason to refuse a love for a lifetime.

    Secret!From the seductive boudoirs and elite salons of London to the ancient castles of the snowy Scottish Highlands, our fearless heroines enter the Christmas season in pursuit of their heart's desire.But, the course of true love never did run smooth... especially when SECRETS abound.Settle in to enjoy these tales of intrigue, romantic adventure, sizzling passion, and heartwarming holiday romance.This collection of never-before-published Yuletide historical romances from your favorite authors is available for just three months, so don’t miss out.Unwrap the pleasure...Wedding Her Christmas Duke - by Collette CameronHe’s not who he says he is…but then again, neither is she. Their secrets are revealed at a Christmastide house party, resulting in scandal and scorching romance.The Knot of a Knight - by Linda Rae SandeSir Randolph’s daytime occupation collides with his nocturnal avocation of service to the Crown when he discovers Lady X's hidden stash of bank notes. They might be counterfeit—but are his feelings for her?The Marquess is Mine - by Tamara GillIs a Christmas ball at St. Albans Abbey the perfect setting for Sarah to regain her trust in love—and in Giles? Or is their second chance at happily ever after doomed to end as badly as their first?A Yuletide Miracle - by Laurel O'DonnellThe one knight who didn’t believe her was the only man who could keep her secret and save the Yule.The Lady Who Stole Christmas - by Sydney Jane BailyAmid mistletoe and missing jewels, a wealthy widow and a sexy sleuth play a game of cat and mouse.Christmas with a Czar - by Emily E.K. MurdochThis Christmas at St. James’ Court, a gentleman claiming to be a Czar is not all that he seems...A Scot Most Wanted - by Angelique ArmaeWhen highwaywoman Catrina Lennox’s secret is unmasked during a Christmas Eve snowstorm, she learns just how deliciously scandalous the laird she once walked out on, truly is.Secretly Marvellous - by Virginia TaylorLady Mary doesn’t expect Lord Westerham to ask for her hand in marriage, but she has a secret reason to say ‘yes’ and mean ‘no.’Yuletide Secrets - by S. CindersHe promised to never love again—until she, quite literally, fell at his feet. Now, he's ruined for anyone else but her.One Scandalous Christmas - by J. BurrelliRobert Vaughn never expected to lay eyes on Kitty Thorpe again. Her misplaced anger confounds him, but the fire in her eyes tempts him to pure folly, of falling in love with her all over again.The Rogue's Secret - by Stacy Reid and Giselle MarksBachelor Lord Rupert Rogers is searching for the treasure his great uncle suggests he has left him but finds an enemy and a bride he must convince with one kiss at a time that they are perfect for each other...The Secrets He Keeps - by Amy SandasShe’s the madam of an elite London brothel. He’s a master in the art of seduction. Enticing her to his bed will be a pleasure. Convincing her love is real might prove to be impossible.

    Now, from Dorchester Publishing, comes a selection of three classic tales to warm the hearts of historical romance readers everywhere.RITA Award-winning "I Will"LISA KLEYPASWhen a Georgian bluestocking is propositioned by a rakish noble, she finds the unlikely deal he proposes is the gift of a lifetime."Three French Hens"LYNSAY SANDSA twelfth-century scullion gets the chance to play a lady's maid--and win the true love of an impoverished lord."Father Christmas"LEIGH GREENWOODDelivering a young widow's baby during the holiday season transforms the heart of a lonely drifter in the nineteenth-century Arizona Territory

    Which is why she has, politely, turned down every suitor her mother has brought before her. When her family accepts an invitation to the annual Christmas house party at the Earl of Walsingham’s, Ivy sees no cause for celebration, as it is the same people, the same games, the same gossip.Except, this time, she is surprised. For Everett Pine, the disowned son of the earl, has been tricked by his mother into attending the house party. Everett arrives bearing grudges against the father who chose to believe the word of others over his own, and is prepared to step on the first stagecoach back to London -- until Ivy proposes a scheme to teach their matchmaking mothers a lesson.When their fake courtship becomes much too real, will they overcome all that is holding them back from fully surrendering their hearts, or will a little bit of Christmas Spirit work its magic?This Regency Romance contains steamy scenes.

    He risks an ancient curse to retrieve treasure hidden within icebound Castle Cavanaugh, only to become trapped inside. Not with the gold he so desperately needs, but with medieval Princess Marigold who's been cooling her heels since...well, medieval times. The lonely princess refuses to acknowledge the blossoming attraction between them. Not just because she deserves a better future than a penniless rogue. But because at midnight, he'll vanish like all her other would-be heroes. And the evergreen in the parlor will have one more figurine hanging from its boughs... A previous edition was published as Let It Snow.

    unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves. Faced with the devastating and impending loss of her stepfather and the all too real threat of unscrupulous relatives who would have her inheritance at any cost, Miss Margaret Upshaw flees to London. Her stepfather has tasked her to make her way to the Lyon’s Den to seek the assistance of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, the most scandalous matchmaker in all of London. Her matches aren’t made in the ballrooms of Mayfair, but over the faro tables and a notorious betting book in the gaming hell she rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove.Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley, or Leo as he prefers, is a man with a very particular problem that can only be solved with money. And as a nobleman, there’s only one way to get a lot of cash and get it quickly—you have to marry it. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon informs him that she’s made the perfect match for him, he’s not exactly thrilled, but certainly willing to do his duty to preserve his family’s standing. But then he meets Meg Upshaw. Beautiful, vulnerable, terribly alone… and she makes him question for the first time whether a marriage born out of duty and necessity has to be an unhappy one.But there’s one terrible catch… Meg’s family, the relatives who would have her fortune by any means, are the very ones responsible for the brutal events that nearly ended his life and left him permanently scarred. But that isn’t the only secret they’re keeping, and those secrets are worth dying for and worth killing for. Leo and his new bride find themselves in danger of far more than simply falling inconveniently in love. Even in the Lyon’s Den, the stakes have never been higher.

    What’s a desperate and slightly mad laird to do? Why, take a page from his great-great-whatever-grandfather’s folio, and declare an ultimatum: Whichever daughter marries and has a son first, then her husband gets to be the next Laird Oliphant. There! Only a little bit sexist, and it should get the job done!Unfortunately, none of his daughters are interested. Take the youngest, for example... Leanna Oliphant’s goal is to lead as adventurous a life as possible, and it seems as if she’s going to get her wish, even without having to help things along (that fire was an accident, honest!). First, her father made that ridiculous proclamation, which she figures she can ignore, because the dear man is several eggs short of a dozen. Next, a handsome and mysterious man arrives at Oliphant Castle, claiming to be on a secret mission from the king (although he won’t say which king). Then Leanna, through some careful “negotiations,” convinces the delicious stranger to let her help in his mission, which leaves the two of them all alone in a dark and secret passageway.Then, a skeleton drops on them, completely ruining the mood.As one of His Majesty’s elite Hunters, Laird Kenneth McClure is on the trail of a missing royal messenger. The man’s secret mission had sent him toward Oliphant Castle, so that’s where Kenneth followed, looking for clues to the man’s disappearance. The brawny warrior doesn’t know who he can trust, particularly when one of the laird’s daughters offers to help in his mission. But bubbly Leanna is a ray of sunshine in his dark life, and too enticing to resist.When the pair of them discover the dead body mid-canoodle, Kenneth is fairly certain it’s not his missing quarry. Almost. Probably not. But…he’s beginning to realize things are not as they seem on Oliphant land, what with the mad laird, hypochondriac lady, more ghosts than he can count, six sisters, one wailing bagpiper, and who let this random donkey wander through the great hall?Does the delightful Leanna know more than she’s saying? Kenneth’s mission for the king may be the downfall of this crazy family, and he’s not certain it’s worth it.Warning: Contains silliness. And, like, a lot of anachronistic jokes. And plenty of really naughty bits. If you don’t have a sense of humor, you might want to skip this one.

    Thank you!The day Andrew Whitton, Earl of Hardwick chooses his fortune over the woman he loves, Drew discovers that money makes for a cold bed partner. Now, no matter how far he runs, the memory of his betrayal haunts him, and there’s not enough liquor to dull the past or diminish his disgust. * Charlotte Milne trusted in happily ever after until her knight turned out to be wearing rusty armor. Drew, the scoundrel, seduced her, though she very much enjoyed the seduction by the man she’s loved since childhood. Left scandalously ruined, Char flees her home intent upon forgetting Drew and proving her worth. * Separated by disloyalty and pain, each struggle to bury the memories of the other until a mandatory summons from the Duke of Danby sets them on a path of collision to Danby Castle. With the tides of irrevocable change rising, Drew must find a way to show Char that even the most selfish of rakes can be redeemed by love before the woman of his heart becomes the wife of another.Show more Show less

    Holly finds the handsome Marquess so serious she makes a promise, too: to bring joy and laughter into his life. A sparkling prequel to Christmas Bride. Christmas Bride (a full-length novel) All of her life, Holly has dreamed of adventure and heroics. Indeed, she would far rather be a spy for the British against Napoleon, like her twin brother, Noel, than make her London debut. That is, until she meets Hunt, the handsome Marquess of Vandover. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married on Christmas Eve—Holly’s (and Noel’s) birthday. Holly is deeply in love, and her new husband’s career in the Foreign Office allows her to rub shoulders with diplomats and ambassadors, feeding her love of adventure. The future seems full of promise until her inept attempts to assist her husband in his career—and become a heroine in her own right—leads her to trust the wrong person. Suddenly Holly is plunged into a terrible conflict of loyalties, where she must choose between saving her nearly-broken marriage–and her beloved brother’s life!

    He wants to regain his reputation. Will working together bring redemption—or ruin?Welcome to Book 1 in the fabulous new series from Abigail Bridges. Spinster Lady Rose Timmons has one purpose in life: protecting the vulnerable young women in London's Society from the scores of scoundrels who would prey on their innocence. She has an extensive network of informants who keep her up to date on all their misdeeds and schemes, and she will take any action needed—even public humiliation.Thomas Ashton, Lord Newbury and heir to the Duke of Kennet, is one of those Lady Rose has in her sights. Despite being a childhood friend—and a man she has long been fascinated with—Lady Rose is determined not to let his rakish behavior spoil the debut season of her beloved sister or any other woman.Lord Newbury, however, has his own ulterior motives about rejoining Society after years as a rogue. He desperately needs an heir—and an heiress. Society, however, is not so eager to welcome home a prodigal son. When he crosses paths—and wits—with Lady Rose, he proposes an unexpected bargain: if she will help him regain his reputation, he will help her destroy the one scoundrel she has never been able to touch, a man who has hurt dozens of people, including Rose herself. Lady Rose, intrigued and as fascinated by Newbury as ever, accepts the challenge. But even as they are drawn ever closer to each other, they remain unaware that their efforts to bring down a ruthless man could endanger more than their reputations—it could cost them their lives.

    15 best-selling romance authors. A holiday-themed collection like no other. What happens under the kissing bough doesn't necessarily stay beneath the kissing bough.... According to lore, the origins of which date to the late 12th century, no lady should refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe 'else she will not marry in the next year. In exchange for the kiss, a berry is removed from the spring until all of the berries are gone and no more kisses can be stolen. Some also believe that a sprig of mistletoe collected from a local church and placed beneath a maiden's pillow will inspire dreams of her future husband. What happens when fifteen daring heroines pin their hopes on mistletoe, a little luck, and a kiss in this multi-genre, limited edition holiday collection from 15 bestselling authors? Pure holiday magic! This set includes USA TODAY bestselling and Internationally bestselling authors Sandy Blair, Suzanne Ferrell, Kathryn Le Veque, Jeanne Adams, Anna Campbell, Tina De Salvo, Barbara Devlin, Joan Kayse, Catherine Kean, Anna Markland, Hildie McQueen, Meara Platt, Elizabeth Rose, Jordan K. Rose, and Lana Williams.Tartan Bows & Mistletoe by Sandy BlairClose to Santa's Heart by Suzanne FerrellUpon A Midnight Dream by Kathryn Le VequeMistletoe and the Major by Anna CampbellHunt for Christmas by Tina deSalvoHold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me by Barbara DevlinAn Irish Gift by Joan KayseOne Knight's Kiss by Catherine KeanUnkissable Knight by Anna MarklandChristina, A Bride for Christmas by Hildie McQueenIf You Loved Me by Meara PlattDestiny’s Kiss by Elizabeth RoseHer Vampire Protector by Jordon K. RoseDancing Under the Mistletoe by Lana WilliamsA Yule to Remember by Jeanne Adams

    And the worst heartbreakers.Philomena Sweet, Victorian London's finest safecracker, knows it better than most. The worst rogue of them all, dashing jewel thief Spencer Crane, smashed hers long ago. And now he's back, fleeing danger from their past. Danger he won't survive without her help.She'd love to refuse. She'd kill to stab him with her parasol. But she can't leave him for dead.Spencer Crane would sooner steal costume jewelry than ask talented, wickedly bright Meena Sweet for help. He's well aware she'd rather dice him into small pieces. He might even deserve it. But revenge stalks them both. He needs her artistry. She needs his skills.Neither needs the desire that sparks to life between them.While they dodge criminals, carriages, and the occasional flying cabbage, who will protect these two notorious thieves from each other?—Meet The Restitution League—Thieves, rogues, and well-armed adventuresses, the crew of the Restitution League fights injustice while wrestling with love and desire—and the occasional throwing knife—one romance at a time.And there's tea.

    unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves. A match made in heaven. If he was sure of anything, it was this! Love can be found in the strangest of places… Lord Jason Glazebrook has no plans to settle down. He will not inherit for several years, and worse, he is at odds with his brother, Charles, Duke of Shewsbury, who believes him capable of a dangerous, dishonorable act. To escape the tension at home, Jason spends many hours at his club, the Lyon’s Den in Whitehall. When the unscrupulous matchmaker, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon introduces him to a debutante, Miss Beverly Crabtree, Jason considers the beautiful young lady perfect for a dalliance, and invites her to ride with him in Hyde Park. When he discovers Beverly is a gently reared girl, he is determined not to see her again. But he cannot forget her and allows Dove-Lyon to draw him back into her net. Despite his brother’s warning, Jason refuses to relinquish the lovely Miss Crabtree’s company. He senses she is in trouble and wants to help. And much more. He has never met a woman he wanted for his own…until he met Beverly. But so much stands in their way. It is only a matter of time before shame and disgrace befall the Crabtree family. While her worried mother seeks a wealthy suitor for her, Beverly tries to deny her feelings for Jason. The noble Shewsburys will never accept her as his wife. Jason’s plan may be a possible way out of her troubles. With few options left to her, and the lure of spending days in his company, Beverly is determined to take the chance. Their journey into the countryside to mend a family rift might bring closure, or it could go horribly wrong. (Note: This is an introductory novella to the Never Series - Never Doubt a Duke, Book One, coming soon!) The Lyon's Den Connected World Into The Lyon's Den The Scandalous Lyon

    Getting tangled in a web of espionage and mystery was also less than ideal.Nathaniel Atlas was gorgeous and charming, an impossibly good catch for an unfashionable bluestocking like Nell, but what dangerous secrets were hidden under that polished politician's mask of his? What was he really after, and how did he become entangled with the enigmatic Silver Leaf Society in the first place?What Nell doesn't know is that her new husband is just as curious about her. How did this shy schoolgirl derail his life so thoroughly, and what in God's name is she doing involved with spies and smugglers?To find the answer, he'll have to take her to the last place in the world he wishes to be... his childhood home.Secrets and sacrifice are hidden deep in the ruins of Meridian House, if they are brave enough to unearth them.Unmasking the Silver Heiress is the first in Ava Devlin's new series, The Silver Leaf Seductions. If you love sweet and steamy Regency romances, perplexing mysteries, and a touch of danger, this is the book for you. Grab your copy today!