She had no idea… Despite her wealth and title, Lady Beatrice Smythe feels empty. The Duchess of Marlow has lost a husband, whom she loved dearly and the chance to have a child. Her misfortune continues, when she is attacked by criminals on her way to Scotland to visit her best friend. Injured and weak, she meets a handsome Scottish man, who takes care of her and makes her body feel alive again in every possible way. Brodie Paterson was on a journey towards self-discovery. Mourning the death of a loved one, Brodie was content with his loneliness. One night, a beautiful stranger enters his life and awakens his senses and desires. But when dawn breaks and the mysterious woman has disappeared, Brodie is convinced that he will never see her again. Unbeknownst to him, she is much closer than he thought, and she is bringing a lot of trouble with her… How will these two handle their undeniable attraction? And what is the danger that follows Beatrice? He thought he would never see her again but fate had other plans…

    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)

    Isobel's story is set in a time of social change, after Mary Wollstonecraft published her famous "A Vindication on the Rights of Woman," positing (correctly, of course!) that women were not inferior to men. Even so, Society hadn't yet changed to the degree that a free-thinking woman of means could be open about her "unseemly" interests. Isobel happily pursues her intellectual passions without a care for marriage. She's perfectly capable of tending to her own life as a trendsetter in fashion during the Season and an archaeologist in Scotland during the summer. Marriage, she believes, is only the surrender of her legal identity, independence and fortune to the whims of a man. Then an accident outside her country estate brings Major Lord Francis Wheaton into her life and her home. Lord Francis, recently back from the Peninsular Wars, must convalesce at Isobel's manor, being too injured to travel. What follows is the tale of two strong-willed individuals, both harboring secrets of their own, and their undeniable attraction to one another. Will Isobel succeed in keeping her secret? Will Lord Francis find what he needs? And just who is the mysterious Marcus Paley? Written as an homage to Georgette Heyer, this is the first novel written by Alicia Quigley. After years of being filed away, we're happy to present it for your enjoyment. Please note, this is a Traditional Regency Romance; the "spice" (sex) level is very low, a G-rated movie, if you will.

    Emily, just 17, has decided that she is fully capable of taking care of herself and sets out to prove that to her new guardian.Emily’s one chance to remain in London is to marry, but when the opportunity arises, she knows she would rather follow Jonathon across an ocean to a land in upheaval than to stay safely in London.But Jonathon’s involvement in patriot activity against England disturbs—and threatens—Emily, a loyal subject of the king. The colonial rebellion is the backdrop for misunderstanding, fear, mistrust, and danger. Will love’s destiny ensure that Emily and Jonathon stay together, even in the face of death?Sensuality Level: Sensual

    Having endured a decade long marriage to a brute of a viscount, she is more than happy to live in genteel poverty, as long as she is free. When the news comes that the boy whom she had loved since childhood, would return to England as a duke, she tries not to let herself feel too hopeful. After all, Katherine had promised Michael, now Duke of Elsmore, that she would wait for him, only to marry another three months later. No man, or duke, in their right mind could still love a woman who broke their heart — a woman who was now older, poorer, and barren to boot. Michael Carville, Seventh Duke of Elsmore, had unexpectedly inherited his title, following the death of his elder brother. For a decade, Michael had fought on the peninsula for his country and tried to forget the girl who broke his heart. Now, he finds himself back in London and still as enamoured with Lady Atwood as he had been a decade before. Common sense told him that he could not hope to make Katherine his bride, not when she could not provide him with heirs, but when the pair accidentally become embroiled in scandal, Michael seizes the chance to make Katherine his bride. As the pair try to mend the hurts of their past, Michael comes to realise that he is not the only one who has spent a decade at war. Can he help Katherine heal, or is she too broken to love again?

    The Earl of Mapleton is failing miserably at wooing Eliza's mistress. Perhaps they can fail together... aided by the magic of the season and some harmless mistletoe.A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss by Dawn BrowerFin and Lulia have a history. One that neither one has forgotten. When they meet again they are drawn together. After that chance meeting they share a magical kiss. Along the way they discover that sometimes the one thing a person needs isn’t what they would expect.Mistletoe, Whisky, and a Rogue by Jane CharlesOne gossiping parrot, a few sips of whisky, and mistletoe could seal one’s fate.If Ethan Copeland had it his way, he’d be back in New Orleans and not stuck in England. However, one encounter with Miss Fanella Grant, a lass with a taste for whiskey and adventure, could change everything—especially when a parrot not only repeats what he hears, but also what he sees. Silver Bells and Mistletoe by Anna St. ClairLady Susan Winslow wants love and a Christmastide wedding. But when her father betroths her to a stranger—she rebels.Lord Grayson Harding signs a secret betrothal to his childhood love, before realizing first, he must woo her.Lady Susan’s brother is being murdered. Will they save her brother but lose a chance at happiness?Stealing a Rogue’s Kiss by Amanda MarielDetermined not to grow old alone, Daphne takes fate into her own hands. Marcus made her a promise years ago, and she's ready for him to make good on it. One passionate kiss. How could either of them have guessed where one stolen moment would lead?Bedded under the Christmastide Moon by Christina McKnightWhen two best friends agree to a marriage of convenience, neither admits they've always harbored a secret desire for the other--until one night under the Christmastide moon, when passion consumes them.A Winter Wish by Nadine MillardMariah and Brandon are forced to endure each other’s company when a snowstorm traps them in the same house. They argue, they bang heads and they drive each other insane. But something precious is blooming beneath the surface of all that ice. Something neither looks for but both need. On a Midnight Clear by Sandra SooKooChristmastide 1814 takes a fateful turn when Major Cecil Stapleton returns from hospital and finds his cottage in the country already occupied by the lover he left behind six years before. As shared memories collide with budding romance, he and Olivia will need to work through painful truths and personal expectations in order to grasp the love they both desperately need.Miss Pageant’s Christmas Proposal by Tabetha WaiteMiss Emary Pageant can have any man in London, but the one she wants thinks she’s nothing but a simpering debutante. She has to gain his attention, so she approaches him with a wager...Donovan Wainwright, Duke of Windwood, is a physically and emotionally battle-scared war hero. He knows his duty to his title like he knew his duty to his country, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to marry some vain, empty-headed woman.It isn’t until Emary approaches him with a rather shocking proposal that he takes a closer look.

     Fanny is used to trading on her wits and beauty to ensure her family retains its tenuous hold on respectability. While her reprobate brother gambles away their fortune, and her feather-brained sister threatens to destroy the girls’ collective reputation by succumbing to any lure cast her way, Fanny is regarded as the Brightwell family’s saviour. Pressured by her mother into accepting a marriage offer from lecherous Lord Slyther, a desperately unhappy Fanny is given one final opportunity to withdraw from her nuptials, provided she secures an equally rich and titled suitor within two weeks. Otherwise she can look forward to a lifetime attending to Great Aunt Seraphina's chilblains. This is the story of Fanny's perilous gamble amidst a London season's offerings of debutantes with far greater address - but far less cunning - for the ultimate prize: dashing, delicious, daring Lord Fenton. Book 1: Rake's Honour Book 2: Rogue's Kiss Book 3: Devil's Run

    What starts as a one-night seduction soon leads to more . The Viking's Forbidden Love-Slave by Michelle WillinghamThough Aisling O Brannon is intended for the king's bed, fierce warrior Tharand must decide: please his king or keep his captive love-slave for himself! Disrobed and Dishonored by Louise AllenMiss Sarah Tatton needs a way out of her engagement, and highwayman Jonathan Kirkland may be just the man to teach her the art of love . A Night for Her Pleasure by Terri BrisbinTough nobleman Simon and innocent Elise's marriage is one of convenience but on their wedding night, both discover ecstasy beyond their wildest imaginings! The Unlacing of Miss Leigh by Diane GastonDisfigured Captain Graham Veall never expected virginal Miss Margaret Leigh to respond to his advertisement for female company. Can she soothe his inner wounds?

    That is, if they’ll consider hiring a hated Maddox… CEO Luca Calcagni is determined to teach the rebel youngest daughter of their biggest rival firm the lesson of her life by hiring her as his personal assistant. He never counted on their explosive attraction any more than she counted on discovering herself pregnant with his dead brother’s son. When she threatens to raise her child as far as possible from the reaches of their age-old family feud, it’ll take his most skillful negotiating to maneuver her into a marriage of convenience to keep her and the last tie to his brother – her unborn child – in town. Except marriage to the stunning, artistic, and complex Jacey turns out to be anything but convenient… Her Billionaire Boss is a turbulent flight through the lives of two shattered families. It’s a story of second chances, unexpected love, and the discovery that it only takes a little faith to make something beautiful out of nothing.

    For the sake of the duchy and for the sake of his sisters, he must bring much needed income into the estate. This is made very clear when an unfortunate incident leaves him indisposed in front of some local merchants. Can he keep secret the state of the duchy? Harry Beckleham was a solider, much more at home fighting Napoleons troops than making polite conversation with the ton. However, he understood that as the Duke of Arleton he had duties. An overheard conversation between his sisters brought home just how real it all was. “I shall just pretend to be passionate about the older fashions. After all, I still have some very beautiful gowns.” Edith was as bright and light as always. “That’s not what others will see, darling,” Georgian had told her. Harry knew she was right, soon everyone would know they were broke. This should have been his sister's finest season. They could not attend in old gowns no matter how beautiful. He would have to marry. As the nightmares of his past life come back to haunt him he escapes to his town house for one last week little knowing that it will change his life forever. A meeting with a local seamstress, a plot to destroy the duchy, and a lady placed in danger are all part of this light, clean, and fun historical romance.

    She needs a husband and a good father for her son, who can preserve the wealth she has inherited. Plenty of ambitious men seek to marry her only for her fortune, but Elizabeth has to make the right choice and find a tender person who will take care of her small family. Everything changes the night she is intrigued by a charming man, who despite the absence of title or fortune, helps her make the biggest decision of her life. Will her decision to marry Arthur be the right one, or will she fall prey to another fortune hunter? Arthur Whitaker is trying to care for his parents, who have just been left penniless. Feeling the shame of his father dragging him down, he will follow his will and look for a wife to marry. The idea of marrying Elizabeth Morrow, just for the sake of her wealth, feels terrible, but it might be his only choice. Before he knows it, he finds himself thrust into a marriage with a woman he hardly knows. The moment Arthur's feelings for his wife grow warmer, and he decides to confess his love, a mysterious illness hits him, and puts his life in grave danger. Will Arthur be able to escape death and win Elizabeth's heart?When Elizabeth and Arthur start falling in love with each other, they will think for a moment that happy endings might exist. To their ignorance, though, someone does not want this love to flourish and is determined to take Arthur out of the picture. The two of them must find a way to ensure that Arthur stays alive and Elizabeth will not be left alone and fragile for a second time. In the end, will they break all the barriers that wish to keep them apart, or will internal battles and outside forces overpower them?

    She's a bossy, fiery red-head. Her handsome brother wants to join the army and fight against Napoleon. But he's all she has and she wants him to become a diplomat instead. She gets a job with an aristocrat hoping he will provide the contacts. Needless to say, it doesn't work out exactly as any of them expects.

     Setting out on the riskiest journey for the sole purpose of seeking revenge for her brother’s death, she gets imprisoned by the fearsome but exquisitely handsome Laird of clan Maccallion. Edan Maccallion, unaware of his captive’s mysterious identity, falls under the spell of her breathtaking beauty, never predicting that the price of his infatuation will be too high. As Isabel’s adventure in captivity reveals the true culprit, everyone’s fates end up hanging by a thread, risking not only immediate peril but a bloody war. *The Highlander's Enigmatic Bride is a Scottish historical romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after. Get this book for free with Kindle Unlimited!

    Persuading London’s most cynical rake to show an interest in her, will prove to the ton she is worth their attention. What she doesn’t expect is how his bold whispers and sinful touch make her forget everyone else in the room.Roman Thorne, Marquess of Granville, is as wicked as they come. He warns the persistent Miss Dellacourt an involvement with him will lead to only scandal and ruin. Though he desires to claim her for his own, he is determined to keep her at a distance for her sake as well as his own.While Haylie gains the social acceptance she thought she wanted, she loses her heart to the dark-eyed rogue who saw her value when no one else could. Can a stubbornly optimistic wallflower convince a disillusioned rake to reserve his wicked ways for her alone and accept the forever kind of love is theirs for the taking?DANGEROUSA hedonistic rake is in danger of losing his heart when he sets out to seduce a reclusive historian.Studious and socially awkward, Desdemona Littlefield is devoted to researching her family’s extensive history in the seclusion of her moorland estate. When the arrival of her negligent brother and his London guests disrupts her quiet and orderly routine, the dangerous smile of a scandalous rogue threatens to turn her world upside down.Bored with the pleasures of London, Count Leander Vittori joins the country party in search of diversions to satisfy his pleasure-seeking nature. He is intrigued by Miss Littlefield’s forthright manner while her oddly assessing gaze sparks an intense desire and her innocence triggers a protective instinct he wasn’t aware he possessed.When Leander uncovers a plot to compromise the young woman and force her into marriage, he realizes he wants her for himself. Can a man who has lived his life for pleasure alone win the heart and mind of a scholarly recluse?BRAZENA rake known for his seductive charm marries the one woman determined to resist his brazen smile.Braden Fulke, the Duke of Melbourne, is a devil-may-care rogue and a shameless charmer. Rebelling against the day he must marry a bride chosen or him when he was a boy, he refuses to take life’s pleasures for granted. But when his Scottish betrothed tracks him down in London, he is surprised to find her so formidable…and so lovely.Moira Dunn has no desire to marry the bold and rakish duke, but she has a responsibility to fulfill her duty as the lady of Dunnwood. She proposes a compromise—handfast to each other for a year and day, which will fulfill their commitment under the betrothal, then go their separate ways.Though passion flares easily between them, Moira is determined not to fall in love with her temporary husband. Can a brazen rake convince his resistant bride that there is more to their marriage than desire?

    When Lord Richard Craven, heir to a dukedom, singles her out, she is flattered by the attention but harbours no false illusions about the outcome. Her neighbour, the formidable rakehell Harry Benson-Smythe, is not only suspicious of her high-born admirer but inexplicably jealous too. As Eloise and Harry work together to solve the mysterious abductions of local girls, the dark side of Richard’s character emerges and his true purpose becomes apparent. So too do Harry’s feelings for Eloise, which transcend the mere neighbourly. But Harry is engaged to another lady and, even if he were not, his father would never sanction a union with Eloise…