She’s so desperate that she’ll take anything, and besides, she doesn’t believe in ghosts. Little does she know that her new employer is the seducer who lied and deceived her many years ago. Sir Richard Ballister inherited an estate with a ghost and a curse, and every governess he hires leaves within a week. Finally, a woman desperate enough to stay arrives on his doorstep—but she’s the seductress who dropped him many years earlier for a richer man. The last thing Richard and Edwina want is to work together, but they have no choice. Can they overcome the bitterness of the past in time to unravel a centuries-old knot and end the Christmas curse? This novella was originally published in the boxed set, Captivated By His Kiss.

    For the scoundrels, rogues, and rakes, it is a tool utilized for seduction. Bringing everything together is a potent combination... This Christmas, explore the allure of Scandal Lane, and along with the magic of love, some ladies might use it to snare a rogue of their own.Waltzing in the Snow by Lauren Smith: The last thing roguish Derrick Seabright wants is to get involved with Arianna Asgil, his former best friend’s little sister. But when she begs him over Christmas to teach her how to seduce a man, he can’t resist becoming her tutor.Once You Love a Scoundrel by Dawn Brower: In the past, Lady Iris Keene had designs to marry Daniel, the Earl of Hampstead. After a devastating rejection from the earl she decided he wouldn’t do, but once a heart is given it’s difficult to retrieve. Something Iris discovers when she crosses paths with the scoundrel a year later...A Jolly Little Scandal by Tabetha Waite: Lady Araminta Bevelstroke only wanted one thing from society, and that was to be recognized as an independent woman. Greyson Hartfield, the Earl of Somers wants her as his future wife. As the Christmas season steadily draws closer, can he win her as his holiday bride without risking everything?Scandal in the Snow by Nadine Millard: Olivia Darington’s family has taken a tumble from grace. Word is out about her father’s gambling debt, and her sister Jane has fallen in with the wrong sort. Namely her childhood nemesis Alexander Stratford, Earl of Fincham. It’s been three years since Alex and Oliva saw each other last. And when they meet again, sparks fly as usual. But these sparks feel different; hotter, and infinitely dangerous. Olivia is determined to help her sister to resist scandal. But will she be able to resist it herself?Scandal Beneath the Stars by Anna St. Claire: Slade Mason returns home to find his father dead, and his brother critically injured following a carriage accident. While investigating the accident, Slade renews his friendship with Lady Bella, the beautiful woman he never forgot. Sparks fly. The investigation puts them in the crosshairs of a killer. Will trust and love save them?

    From the ballrooms of London, to abandoned Scottish castles, to the snowy streets of Gilded Age New York, four bestselling authors whip up some unforgettable romance...with a little help from some enchanted shortbread."Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa DareLouisa Ward needs a Christmas miracle. Unless she catches a wealthy husband at the ball tonight, the horrid, heartless Duke of Thorndale will evict her family from their beloved Mayfair home. But when her friend begs to switch dance cards, Louisa finds herself waltzing with the enemy: the horrid, heartless--and unexpectedly handsome--Thorndale himself. Now the duke's holding her future in his hands...and he's not letting go."The Duke of Christmas Present" by Sarah MacLeanRich and ruthless, Eben, Duke of Allryd, has no time for holidays. Holidays are for whimsy and charm--the only two things his money cannot buy. Lady Jacqueline Mosby is full of both, even now, twelve years after she left to see the world. When Jacqueline returns for a single Christmas, Eben can't resist the woman he never stopped loving...or the future that had once been in reach. It will take a miracle to convince her to stay...but if ever there were a time for miracles, it's Christmas..."Heiress Alone" by Sophie JordanWhen Annis Bannister's family leaves her behind in the rush to escape an impending snowstorm, she finds herself stranded in the Highlands, left to fend off brigands terrorizing the countryside, robbing homes locked up for winter. Her only hope falls on her neighbor, a surly hermit duke who unravels her with a look, then a kiss ... until she fears the danger to her heart outweighs the danger of brigands and snowstorms."Christmas in Central Park" by Joanna ShupeWomen all over America devour Mrs. Walker's weekly column for recipes and advice. No one knows Rose, the column's author, can't even boil water. When the paper's owner, Duke Havemeyer, insists she host a Christmas party, Rose must scramble to find a husband, an empty mansion, and a cook. But Duke is not a man easily fooled and she fears her perfect plan is failing--especially when Duke's attentions make her feel anything but professional. To save her career will she give up her chance at love?

    Isabella Stowe accepts his gratitude, but it will take more than a kiss under the mistletoe to convince this world-weary widow to accept his proposal…."Snowbound and Seduced" by Amanda McCabeMary Bassington, Lady Derrington, longs to be the carefree woman she once was. But she gets more than she bargained for this Christmas when she's snowbound with old flame Dominick, Viscount Amesby, who reignites her passion for life—and love!"Christmas at Mulberry Hall" by Carole MortimerSpending Christmas alone with his unconventional ward pushes the boundaries of propriety—and self-control—too far for Lord Gideon Grayson. So he takes delectably pure Amelia Ashford to Mulberry Hall—but that pesky mistletoe is still all around….

    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!

    At sixteen, Phoebe Layton had imagined that Gabriel Banner was a brave and valiant knight, a noble-hearted hero born to rescue ladies in distress. Which is why, eight years later, when she desperately needed help to carry out a vital quest, she could think of no one more suited than Gabriel. But when she lures her shining knight to a lonely midnight rendezvous, Phoebe finds herself sparring with a dangerously desirable man who is nothing like the hero of her dreams. And when he sweeps her into a torrid and blatantly unchivalrous embrace, she can't help but fear that she's made a dreadful mistake. It's a kiss that will seal Phoebe's fate. For now the exacting Earl of Wylde has a quest of his own--to possess the most intriguing, impulsive, outrageous female he has ever met...even if he has to slay a dragon to do it.

    His ward deserves a reputable governess, so he threatens to give Adriana the sack mere days before Christmas.Desperate to convince the sexy duke not to tear her from the little girl she's grown to adore, Adriana challenges him to prove she’s not the reputable governess he believed he hired. If he can seduce her before the Twelve Days of Christmas have come to an end, she will leave without protest.But when they find the challenge more difficult than either imagined, can they face the consequences of their decisions?

    Readers will love this collection of six historical novellas, all centered around the Christmas season with one thing in common: Romance.In NY Times & USA Today’s bestselling author Lucinda Brant’s delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others’ charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty’s world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all.Sarah M. Eden’s charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He’s about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn’t sure if she’s intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes.In Heather B. Moore’s enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart. In Lu Ann Staheli’s sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he’s not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla’s heart, as well as her mother’s favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated.A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.Becca Wilhite’s entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy’s department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she’s determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a “modern girl” might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined.

    This romantic Regency won the RWA's 1991 Golden Heart Award.

     Family secrets can’t always be kept hidden. James Massey, Marquess of Avery, is hated by his mother and can’t understand why. Leonard Massey, Duke of Yarnton, has a secret that will protect his son but destroy his wife. Catherine Massey, Duchess of Yarnton, hates her husband and son and is determined they will be rejected by society. One family on an inevitable path of self-destruction. No one will come away unscathed.

    The only thing she has to do is convince her parents that the man she has chosen is a good match for her. That seems like a trifle until her mother enlists her help to get the new Duke of Somerset ready for the Season as well. Ever the dutiful daughter, she agrees to give him etiquette lessons but only if he agrees to help her with her own plans as well. Will their unusual deal pave the way for them to grow true feelings for each other? In order to keep him safe from his brother, Thomas's mother took him and fled to America. Now that his brother is dead Thomas must return to England to claim his birthright and become the Duke of Somerset. Raised an American and suddenly thrown into English society, Thomas has no one to turn to except perhaps the same woman who had once helped his American mother assimilate. Will he be willing to let her beautiful daughter teach him the British ways?When matters of the heart are concerned, the future can never be predictable. In undertaking a bizarre, yet fascinating task, will Anne and Thomas be able to see that what they need is right in front of them? Will love blossom in a most unusual place?"Her Duke in the Making" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    So she leases the Dower House from a kindly baron on a neighboring estate, believing that she has successfully met the greatest challenge of her life.How wrong she is! The kindly baron dies. An orphan arrives, whom Katherine accepts as her nephew. She is determined to provide for him, which means she must forget about love and marry a gentleman with money.There are three possibilities.Her cousin, Sir Clive Brampton, is eager to let bygones be bygones and marry Katherine. She would be able to return to her family home and live a life of financial ease. Her nephew would be provided for and launched into a career deemed suitable by Sir Clive. Can Katherine just accept Sir Clive’s generous offer?The Reverend Mr. Augustus Wharton, the newly arrived vicar, listens attentively to Katherine’s anguished musings over the loss of her brother on a distant battlefield in Spain. There are rumors that Mr. Wharton’s present vocation is a stunning contrast to his past as a hard drinking, gambling rake. Katherine dismisses the rumors and wonders if she could live happily with a man for whom she feels only sisterly affection.Finally, there is the new baron, Lord Henry Dracott. Lord Harry, as he is called, is clearly attracted to Katherine. But in spite of their best efforts to be civil to each other, their disagreements end up in arguments. Although there is mutual attraction, Katherine knows that Lord Harry’s heart is buried with his dead wife.Katherine tries to be a sensible lady and accept a practical marriage. But will her heart let her?

    Yule logs, mulled wine, and a Christmas kiss that will make your heart skip await! Lady Evangeline Pennyworth is done with being a wallflower. After being stuck on the edges of the ballroom floor, she turns to London's most notorious rake, demanding he teach her how to be desirable. This is one Christmas Season she refuses to he alone. After witnessing the love of his parents devolve into pain and anger, Anthony Basingstoke has vowed never to be swept away by passion, even if he finds himself taken by this wallflower in a way he's never been before.  Only a Christmas miracle will make true love a gift that will last forever.

    Nine USA Today or Internationally bestselling authors bring you their twist on the holidays using some of your favorite characters in A NIGHT OF ANGELS. This collection includes: Eleanor FitzHerbert’s Christmas Miracle by Maggi Andersen - Childless widow, Eleanor Fitzherbert has resigned herself to a life alone, because most unmarried gentlemen wish for an heir. But after a young sweep gets stuck in the Duke of Broadstairs’ chimney, and a handsome viscount comes to his rescue, surprising things begin to happen. Wicked Christmas by Mary Lancaster - Mystery, murder and the miracle of new love – it’s Christmas in Blackhaven! During a magical Christmas, Blackhaven welcomes a new birth and catches a murderer – and Dr. Lampton encounters the wonder and pain of an impossible new love A Midnight Clear by Chasity Bowlin - Stranded together by a freak winter storm, Sarah, the Dowager Viscountess Vale, must finally face her long buried feelings for Branson, the brother of her late husband. Can their secret feelings overcome years of animosity? If You Wished For Me by Meara Platt - Two hearts meant to be together, one secret keeping them apart. Is William Farthingale just the man to bring Meggie Cameron the Christmas miracle she needs? Season of Honor by Alexa Aston - In the midst of celebrating their first Christmas together, Geoffrey and Merryn de Montfort are summoned to their stables, where a young woman is about to give birth on the most holy of all nights. Will her baby be the Christmas miracle a couple at Kinwick longs for? The Viking’s Gift by Anna Markland - A heartwarming Yuletide story set in medieval England before the Norman Conquest. A Viking saves the woman he loves from the wrath of a vengeful king. Father’s Day by Elizabeth Ellen Carter - Privateer Captain Kit Hardacre is persuaded to learn more about his family. At the same time, Naval veteran and retired spy Adam Hardacre learns he has a son he never knew existed. Both reluctant, father and son must find mutual ground on which to come to terms with the past. A Joyful Song by Lynn Winchester - Seamus MacAdams needs a miracle--a woman who will love him as much as he'll love her. Joy Song is new in town and not looking for love, but it isn't long before love finds her in the form of a man in need of help, just in time for Christmas. A Sprig of White Heather by Avril Borthiry - A crusader knight, thousands of miles from his home in the Highlands, and the young wife he left behind, soon to give birth to his child. In this adaptation of an ancient legend, a token of eternal love gives hope and comfort to a family at Christmastide. From Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

    "Change of Heart," set in modern-day Colorado, is the touching story of a clever twelve-year-old who plays matchmaker for his bighearted, impractical mother.Judith McNaught This celebrated author magically portrays Regency London in "Miracles," the enchanting tale of a world-weary lord -- and an outrageous proposal. In "Double Exposure," a determined young woman arrives to photograph a magnificent wedding at a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, and manages to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.