Can St. Valentine’s Day magic bring them together? Rory Kennaugh is perfectly happy to remain his brother’s second indefinitely. Or so he tells himself. Their father served as both clan chief and earl, after all, and despite Terric’s long residence in England, there’s no reason to believe his brother will relinquish the title. But his perception of himself and his future in the clan is transformed by a surprising revelation on Saint Valentine’s Feast Day. Cristane has ascended to one of the highest position possible for a servant: lady’s maid. Only her lady Cait, now the countess of Licheford, has not yet sent for her, and her foolish heart has attached itself to Cait’s brother. She knows perfectly well Rory can never return her love, which is why she keeps her feelings to herself—until the Valentine’s feast, when the traditional games reveal her mortifying secret to the object of her affection.The revelation about Cristane’s feelings changes Rory, unlocking his heart, and a new challenge to the clan gives him the chance to prove his mettle. But can a chief, or even a second, dare to love a lady’s maid? WARNING: Rory and Cristane's love story will melt your heart. If you have a weakness for friends to lovers romance, proceed with caution.

    Ten New York Times, USA Today or Internationally bestselling authors bring you their twist on the holidays using some of your favorite characters in STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING . This collection includes: "Heart of Thanks" by Paula Quinn -  ‘Tis the season of miracles, and when Elysande MacPherson begins falling in love with the son of her father's worst enemy, she's going to need one. A very big one. "The Hope of Love" by Meara Platt - Felicity Billings, raised as an orphan, has always hoped for a family of her own. Will her wish come true when she takes a tumble and Wellesford's handsome doctor comes to the rescue? "A Christmas Kiss for the Highlander" by Collette Cameron - A prisoner of his past, Quinn Catherwood scorns heritage and kin. Skye Hendron cherishes family and traditions, and she offers him freedom and a future…but can he pay the price? "Christmas Heart" by Mary Lancaster - A quarrel with her husband sees the Duchess of Alvan travelling to her parents’ home for Christmas. But the road is blocked by snow and there is no room at the Hart Inn… "Starlight Night" by Alexa Aston - A child from the streets. A couple with love in their heart. A warm, wonderful Christmas. "One Beastly Christmas" by Sydney Jane Baily - A frigid Christmas Eve, an infuriated husband, and beloved family members gone missing. Forlorn Lady Lindsey needs a holiday miracle, or maybe three! "Warming Winter's Heart" by Elizabeth Ellen Carter - Julian Winter has had his heart broken a time of two. And he's tired of his well-meaning family trying to set him up with yet another vapid debutante. His attitude to attending a winter house party is frosty indeed until he meets fellow guest Caroline, a widow with a young son. As Christmas draws near Julian finds there is warmth in Winter's heart, after all. "A Bunch of Mistletoe" by Lynne Connolly - When Matilda, chaperone and aunt to the most scandalous family in London, takes a tumble from a tree, she's rescued by the most unlikely saviour. Toplofty stickler Harold, the Duke of Trensom, is more than annoyed to find Matilda on his property. Worse when he finds himself falling for her. "A Solitary Candle" by Avril Borthiry - Lost in a winter storm, a cold-hearted man is drawn to a flicker of light in the darkness. Will he find the warmth he seeks? "A Merry MacNaughton Mishap" by Aubrey Wynne - When Calum MacNaughton rescues a rival clan member from an icy drowning, he is unexpectedly rewarded with the clansman’s most precious possession. Now Calum has until Twelfth Night to convince her to stay. From Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season! (Note: This collection will be approx. 500 pages)

    "You are simply mine. And I am yours... always." Ian Blake, Lord Dumbarton, is either being haunted or going mad. But when his aged, spinster cousin arrives at his ancestral home, Dubhmara, with a young and achingly beautiful companion in tow, he knows what she's about—matchmaking. No matter how tempting he finds the lovely and seemingly delicate Hyacinth Collier, the strange circumstances surrounding the disappearance and presumed death of his first wife have left him in a state of limbo. He is not free to marry, and she is not the sort to be a mistress. But then the darkness that surrounds him, that torments him nightly, sets its sights on Hyacinth, and Ian realizes he will face any foe, no matter how terrifying, to save the woman he loves.(Note: This story was first published as part of the USA Today Bestselling Boxed set, The Midnight Hour: All Hallows' Brides, October 2019)

    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 woman seeking escape…Lady Emiline Hawthorne will do anything to avoid an unwanted union—even marry a stranger. To that end, she goes to The Lyon’s Den to enlist Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon’s help. There is only one problem; Emiline cannot pay the matchmaking fee. A man with a broken heart… Leonard Quinton, 6th Earl of Morton, returned from the war to discover everyone he loved had betrayed him. Now he must beget an heir without risking his heart. He proposes a simple arrangement to the first lady he sees at The Lyon’s Den—The use of her womb in return for his financial support. Two souls, one heart… When Emiline finds the old Countess of Morton’s diary, she learns the secrets of Leonard’s past. Secrets even he does not know. Will their revelation lead to happily ever after, or will they destroy the bonds Leonard and Emiline have formed?

    The children have gone to bed, and a tall, gloriously decorated Christmas tree looms in the shadows of the hearth’s dying embers. A tattered copy of Charles Dickens’ masterwork, “A Christmas Carol” sits, cold and lonely, upon a table nearby.A small gust of wind, hurling from the seam of an ill-fitting window, blows the cover open. The first chapter appears… “Marley’s Ghost”…The clock on the wall chimes midnight.Now, the magic happens.From the gaily bedecked halls of Regency England to the cold and crisp air of the Scottish Highlands, and everything in between, enjoy the magic of a holiday collection that has drawn inspiration from Charles Dickens’ most beloved literary works. Where the ghosts of Christmas, the incandescent spirit of a tiny disabled boy, and the joy that is the very heart of the Christmas season come alive.USA Today and Internationally bestselling authors bring you their version of a Dickens’-inspired holiday in O NIGHT DIVINE. This collection includes: 'Twas the Executioner Knight Before Christmas by Kathryn Le VequeThe Laird's Yulebringer by Caroline LeeMaking Spirits Bright by Chasity BowlinThe Haunted Scot by Hildie McQueenNever Keep a Secret at Christmas by Maggi AndersenHer Star from the East by Mary LancasterThe Remembrance of Love by Meara PlattHow to Get an Earl for Christmas by Violetta RandYuletide at Gillingham by Alexa AstonA Thrill of Hope by Anna MarklandA Gift for Agatha by Anna St. ClaireThe Heart is Never Silent by Aubrey WynneOf Christmas Past by Charlotte WrenTidings of Comfort by Elizabeth Ellen CarterA Christmas Miracle by Elizabeth JohnsHer Christmas White Knight by Elizabeth KeysianAlways the Mistletoe by Emily E.K. MurdochA Libertine's Christmas Miracle by Emily RoyalPast, Present, Future by Lynne ConnollyA Yuletide Yearning by Maeve GreysonA Strange Christmas Game by Whitney BlakeFrom Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

    Sparks ignite! Harriet Glover’s heart is not open for romance. Creating a millinery business has been her sole focus ever since a youthful heartbreak ruined her reputation and changed the course of her life. But fate has more in store for Hattie than adorning the heads of London’s elite with one-of-a-kind chapeaus. When a man who sets her head spinning and a young woman in dire need of help both enter her shop on the same day, Hattie’s life will transform once more.For years, Guy Hardy has romanced one mistress after another but has never truly given his heart. One casual visit to a hat shop interrupts the flow of his easy, shallow life. The bold, hard-headed, witty proprietress sells him a hat and steals his desire for any other woman. He begins to haunt the millinery more often than any gentleman should.Meanwhile, Hattie aids a society miss facing a loveless marriage while pining for her secret sweetheart. In helping the girl achieve the almost insurmountable goal of finding happiness, Hattie reassesses the barriers she’s erected around her heart. Perhaps it’s time to open shop and trust a man again, even if she fears the object of her desire may be more charm than substance.

    Something that tells her he is the one. Talented artist Louisa Notley finds herself in the awkward position of having to paint the portrait of the new Duke of Munboro. When she sees his face for the first time, her life changes completely. Having no other choice but to accept his duties as the new Duke of Munboro, Jeremy Harper must say goodbye to his only mistress—the sea. The scars marring his body and face, though, are always there to remind him of his time of freedom. That is until he meets the artist meant to create his portrait, who, like a true siren of the land, keeps him ashore. The attraction between them is strong but the minute Jeremy realizes he is in love, he finds a thief in his manor. When all fingers point at Louisa, he is determined to solve the mystery. What he discovers, though, is that the only clue that can prove Louisa's innocence can also destroy her... *If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Tempting the Ruined Duke is the novel for you. This is Olivia's 10th novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.

    Luckily, she has a dashing hero to assist her. But his puzzling past may tear them apart.Eleanor Blackwood is thrilled to spend time at her best friend’s country estate. Angsley Hall overflows with the breathtaking natural beauty of fields, forests, and a mighty river, as well as with a mystery or two. She’s even more delighted by the unexpected arrival of the man who has secretly captured her heart.Grayson O’Connor is not immune to Eleanor’s charms. True, she still climbs trees and acts rashly, but she also has a quick wit and joyful humor. Yet with his own past cloaked in shadows, he’s not convinced he has the right to pursue this innocent spirit.Amidst a week of drenching squalls, they begin an intriguing treasure hunt based on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Gold Bug. Danger becomes all too real with midnight intruders, shots in the dark, and a perilously swollen river cresting its banks. Unlike Poe’s story of pirate booty, Eleanor and Gray discover the greatest treasure is the precious human heart—theirs to cherish or to tear apart.Engaging characters, attention to period detail, and passionate romance with a touch of intrigue—you’ll find it all in the stories by USA Today bestselling writer Sydney Jane Baily.(Note: This story was first published as part of the USA Today Bestselling Boxed set, The Midnight Hour: All Hallows' Brides, October 2019)

    But fate had different plans... When Hilda Leighton visits the Highlands for the first time, she discovers she has been set up in a marriage scheme. But even though her opportunity to marry a Scottish Laird is considered great, she tries to avoid it at all costs. Camden Aragain, Laird of Troudel, is the right hand of Robert the Bruce. Though he is every woman’s dream, a curse cast upon him many years ago has made it impossible for him to fall in love. Until he sets eyes on the breathtaking Hilda. Fate brings them together and a new adventure begins, for both of them… But when they fall victims of abduction and Camden is left to die, Hilda learns of an old foe...a ghost from Camden's past that will endanger not only their lives but the future of Scotland as well. *The Highlander's Iron Lady is a steamy Scottish historical romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, lots of steam and a happy ending. Get this book for free with Kindle Unlimited!

    

    but passion blurs the line between love and hate.... The bluest blood and the hardest heart... at least when it comes to marriage... The daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king, Adele of Vannes was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband is slain by Norse marauders, she is coerced to wed again in order to protect her home and her people. Adele knows that her beloved Brittany needs a strong hand to survive, but how can she ever reconcile her bitterness and hatred with the desire she feels for her mortal enemy? She’s the jewel he seeks for his Breton crown...A Barbarian bent on building a dynasty, Valdrik Vargr, ‘the Norse Wolf,’ is renowned for both his bravery in battle and shrewdness in statecraft. Setting his sights on claiming the kingdom of Brittany, he knows that siring sons from royal blood would solidify his hold, but the woman he would claim as his queen refuses to have him. Will he fuel her hatred by taking her to his bed, or will the man who strikes terror in the hearts of men be reduced to wooing his bride? The Wolves of Brittany is a 3 book series, but all books can be read as stand-alones. Breton Wolfe Ivar the Red The Bastard of Brittany

    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.ABACAS WOMANLi-Na lives in a black and white world, painting her feelings onto canvas by day and counting money in the Lyon’s Den at night. She’s found safety in the dark ink and the heavy clack of her abacas, but it is really a life? MAN OF ART Lord Daniel can’t draw worth a damn, but he can sell what he finds. And what he finds is Li-Na, a woman of such sublime talent that he will go to extraordinary measures to capture her art. When she refuses to leave her safe cocoon, he conspires with Mrs. Dove-Lyons to bring her to Cornwall where she will have everything she needs to paint. And if her art requires a more personal connection, then he willingly offers up himself as inspiration. A SLOW SEDUCTION Li-Na will not give up her soul to this powerful man, no matter how many castles he owns. She paints him as a tiger hunting in the jungle. She feels him watching her, protecting her, and tempting her until her canvas is filled with his eyes, his mouth, and his caress. But she cannot surrender the only part of her still alive. Unless being consumed by him is the only way to bring color back to her heart.

    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.It’s amazing how quickly a marriage of convenience can become so very complicated...Kingston Barclay cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. With siblings to support and a nearly bankrupt estate, an opportune marriage is his last hope. But his best-laid plans are upended when he discovers his best friend’s lovely sister sneaking around the Lyon’s Den. His immediate attraction to her would make her a most inconvenient bride, given his circumstances. Convincing his heart of that, however, is another matter entirely...The last thing Vanessa Becket needs is another man in her life. Between her conniving stepbrother, a parade of fortune hunters, and the investigator who failed to reclaim her stolen jewels, she’s had enough. But when she finds herself in a notorious gaming hell, she discovers something far more valuable than missing gems. A temporary arranged marriage to Kingston could solve all her problems. If she manages to not fall for him in the process, that is... It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. But given their histories—and the secrets Kingston is keeping—the road to happily ever after will surely be anything but simple.

     Eilidh has tears in her eyes while riding away from the only home she ever knew. Young Eilidh had to make the hardest choice of her life, trying to avoid marring a Laird twice her age, known for his cruelty.Now, travelling disguised, she meets lain, a leatherworker who is moving to a larger village in search of a better life for him and his sisters. Eilidh keeps Iain at a distance in the begging, but even a more experienced woman would have a hard time resisting an imposing man like Iain. And Eilidh is anything but experienced.While trying to escape a ferocious hunt ordered by her father, young Eilidh is slowly falling in love and is about to get one of the harshest lessons there are;Utter betrayal can only come from the one you let closest to your heart.

    They are dying from ergot poisoning, from eating infected crops. But this is the year 1244, and almost no one has heard of this condition, a disease later called, St. Anthony’s Fire. Desperate to save his clan, Laird Gus turns to a soothsayer for answers. The mystic tells him to hunt down and capture a special Sassenach woman with God-given healing gifts. Laird Gus tracks down Lady Sybilla and kidnaps her. Only trouble is, she keeps insisting that she has no magical abilities, nor healing skills of any sort. She’s not even clever with herbs. He has captured the wrong lass. English Lady Sybilla might not have the ability to break curses and cure a castle of folk, but she is clever. And cleverness turns out to be exactly what he needs.