a carriage accident, a fire, and she was forever changed. Now, Emma bears the scars of that terrible night - literally.Lord Asher Russe lives in a mausoleum of an old family home, a beastly place with the hollow memories of a bereft House. The last of his line, he, too, suffered that one ill-fated night that changed his stars forever. Now, he lives in darkness, praying for the courage to end it all.When Emma and Ash meet unexpectedly during one dark and stormy night, an uncomfortable event becomes the most momentous of their lives.Can hope spring from the well of darkness? And will love flame eternal? Be prepared to be enchanted by this short Gothic tale.Previously published in the The Midnight Hour anthology

    

    

    In the constantly shifting world of clan conflicts she knows it will bring an important alliance for her clan but she strives to be mistress of her own destiny. A brutal clan war brings upheaval and uncertainty into her world and Ailsa finds herself humiliated and at the mercy of wild and handsome rival clansman Duncan Campbell, who would bend her to his will and claim her for his own. Ailsa must pretend to submit to him as she fights to win her freedom. But can her growing attraction to him be conquered and does danger still lurk where she least expects it? Duncan Campbell is a fierce, forbidding man with a dark and troubled past. A consummate survivor he moves in a world of intrigue and violence and when the Highlands explode into armed conflict he suddenly finds himself in possession of the spoils of war, defiant beauty Ailsa MacLeod, who utterly hates him. Duncan must do battle once more against the hunger that starts to grow in him. Does he want to protect her or possess her? Either way she is his to do with as he pleases though a bitter upbringing and the brutality of the life he is forced to lead have long since closed his heart to the fairer sex. But as he forces her into submission he begins to realise that love is something earned not taken and if he is to hold this prize he must fight one last battle against enemies who would tear down everything he holds dear. Extract:For a minute Ailsa let the disloyal thoughts in. His mouth on hers, hungry and insistent, strong hands holding her against a hard body, the smell and taste of him and the longing to feel that way again. The shame of it turned her face to fire. He surely thought her nothing more than a foolish girl, easy to take advantage of with too much whisky in her belly, a salve for his lust and instantly forgotten. She was sure Duncan Campbell had never given her a second thought. And now he was a sworn enemy of her clan so all thoughts of him must be pushed aside for her own sake. She must be true to her birthright and never ever tell anyone what had happened that night on the battlements. Suddenly the door to her chamber crashed open and she was confronted with a maidservant, white faced and breathless. ‘Lady we are lost,’ she shouted in panic. ‘The battle is done and we were defeated. The Campbells slaughtered them all.’ Ailsa grabbed her arm to steady her. ‘What of my brother?’ ‘There’s no news of him lady, only that there was a massacre.’ Ailsa’s legs weakened and she slumped onto the bed. Bile rose in her throat at the shock of it. No one had expected this, they were sure of their victory and now Robert’s talk of glory had turned to ashes. Was he lying bloody and cleaved in a ditch somewhere? Had she brought this doom down upon them with her sinful thoughts? ‘Lady all the servants are fleeing and we must go too’. ‘Why?’ ‘Duncan Campbell and his men are on their way here to claim Cailleach and everything in it’.

    An executive who falls through time. One last chance to right the wrongs of the past.Bahamas, 1718. Captain James “Prince” Barrow is tired of being a pirate and wants to settle down. As a noble, he never envisioned the life of an outlaw as his own and wants to appease his treasure-hungry crew before they mutiny him due to their lack of patience. Luckily, James has two clues that will lead him to treasure his fellow pirate captain buried on his behalf. In order to attain the third one, James must attend a fancy ball he is sure to be recognized at.He needs a companion - one who will help him blend in with high society.Bahamas, 2020. As a New York executive, vacation is not in Samantha Gilbert’s vocabulary. Not that her best friend cares. Samantha is dragged to Nassau, Bahamas to help her friend get over a nasty breakup and visits a pirate museum. The tour guide shares a tragic tale of a pirate who died before finding his long-lost treasure. He insists on Samantha trying on a jade necklace from that very treasure. Once the cool metal touches her skin, Samantha falls back through time - straight into the arms of the pirate himself.The two strike a bargain: if she helps him find the third clue, he’ll allow her to put on the jade necklace from the treasure and get her back to the twenty-first century.With the English hot on their trail and death a near certainty, both are forced to work together not only to uphold their bargain, but to survive. And with time running out, both could very well lose the thing they desire most: each other.Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and Outlander are devouring this new historical time travel romance by Mariah Stone.Previously published in the Once Upon a Pirate Anthology

    That's what Adamina, the wife of Laird Domnhall Buchan, was. All he wanted was to worship her, but she never allowed him to get close.After returning from a trip looking soft and vulnerable, Domnhall crosses every limit between them to be with her. And after a taste, he can't get enough.Allie is heading towards a life that is not hers to a man she doesn't belong to. One day, she is just a maid. The next one, she is traveling to take her place as the wife of a Laird.This is her punishment for sharing the same face as Lady Adamina of the Buchan Clan. She gave Allie a choice: "either take my place or die."There's fine a line between right and wrong, and Allie crosses it when she accepts the deal and surrenders to the husband that she shouldn't love.With happiness within their grasp, they don't know that the dream will become a nightmare and that, when Adamina returns, the truth will crush them both…Love and hate share the same face, and he's thirsty for them both…"Highlander's Twin Flame" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.*If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and steamy romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Highlander's Twin Flame is the perfect novel for you.

    A desperate young beauty… Pressured to marry for the sake of her sisters, Lady Bridgette Farbridge has no choice but to accept the scoundrel her uncle chose for her. Until his untoward advances earn him a much deserved slap that deem her ruined.Deformed and dejected after his return from the war, Isaac Lennox, the Duke of Calder, wants nothing to do with people. And rage is an understatement for his feelings when his aunt invites her own guests to his estate.Fleeing to the country until the scandal dies down, Bridgette never imagined that her mother had more in store for her. And maybe charming the beastly Duke is her only chance to save herself. The problem? He can’t stand the sight of her.

    Alone and destitute, Kate fears for the future until she is convinced to head west on her own as a mail-order bride. However, nothing is as it seems and she soon realizes that her life has taken the wrong turn. Her husband makes her feel like something is seriously wrong. What are the challenges lying deep down that she will have to deal with? Coming face to face with a terrifying, well-hidden truth out of nowhere, will affect her life and marriage forever...Troy Kelley has been trying to cope with his father's sudden loss and his false accusations that linger in town. He has been struggling with isolation and loneliness that keeps haunting him since a treacherous woman broke his heart. When he realizes that he has to open his heart to Kate or else he'll end up in a loveless life, will it be too late? Is he actually ready to share his journey and his secrets or has revenge completely absorbed him?Moving to the Wyoming Territory was supposed to be the beginning of a new and happy chapter, but to Kate, everything seems to be falling apart. At the same time, succumbing to love had never been part of Troy's plan, as there are too many loose ends to tie up. Will this marriage of seeming convenience evolve into real love? Will Troy be able to protect Kate from his dangerous past? When her life gets in danger will he manage to intervene in time or will it be too late?"Finding Shelter in her Arms" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    Even though this is her safe, familiar environment, a part of her is missing. While she is desperately trying to find herself in a place far away from home, she ends up in distress, when her carriage is violently wrecked. Thankfully a vigorous man appears to rescue her and she instantly knows that accepting the seductive stranger's offer for temporary hospitality is her only option. However, little did she know that the most passionate and fulfilling chapter of her life was about to begin...Laurence Gillingham has always been a fierce young man, known for his love for the countryside and his roots. Being a farmer and having spent all his life close to nature, he appreciates rural living more than anything else. Will his peaceful and isolated life change after hosting the high-society lady that fate threw in his arms? Laurence will soon realize how much the world of London high-society collides with his rural retreat... Could Alison be the woman that will finally stimulate the mind and hidden desires of the distant Laurence?When Laurence and Alicia come closer than they could ever imagine, they realise they may have found their missing halves in each other. However, they are struggling to leave their prejudice behind and they soon find themselves torn between love and social status. Alicia should now decide whether she is willing to sacrifice all she has held dear for a lifetime of incomparable bliss and lust. Is love enough to keep these two passionate lovers together against all odds? Do they have the courage to overcome themselves and surrender to their deepest desires?

    Casanova?!? Could the producers be any more vanilla?At least give me some character. Doctor with the hot Irish arse is more like it.Now, my days are filled with suggestive grinsAnd flirtatious winks from patients during exams.I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!Whatever. I've got my sights set on one beauty.Amelia's mesmerizing eyes and luscious curves are all I want.But I've got my work cut out for me.She's jaded and would never go for her "playboy" boss.Valentine's Day or not...I'll make Amelia mine.And the world can watch for all I gave a d*mn.This is an Irish doctor, boss, docuseries, Valentine's Day romance. This is Dr. Collin O'Neill's story. Each book can be read on its own. Transport yourself into the charming and quaint town of Sandy Cover, Ireland as we follow a sexy brotherhood of Irish doctors in their quests to find lasting love.

    The duchy, independent since the time of Rollo, is now part of France. Becket de Montbryce is fated to be the first of his line to inherit the family’s lands and titles as a Frenchman. Ironically, he was in command of the Norman troops who fought alongside the French. A dangerous secret.Having escaped the besieged castle in the guise of a nun, Marguerite d’Aigremont must find a way to get back to her native England—without anyone discovering she is King John’s cousin. She despises the Normans who sided with their age-old enemy to bring about king John’s ouster as Duke of Normandy. But she is dependent on Becket if she’s to have any hope of returning to England. Despite their differences, Becket and Marguerite are drawn to each other.Will the Montbryce Dynasty survive intact when King Philip of France discovers the family has aided King John’s cousin?

    When Amelia's long lost brother tries to reconnect with her, Emma is utterly unprepared for the challenges and lies that are about to follow and land on her path. The only thing she knows is that he is the most beautiful man she has ever seen. When the lines of loyalty begin to blur, will their growing feelings turn into a true love?When Lord Eric Price becomes the Earl of Elsben, he accidentally discovers some of his late father's treasures. The unexpected revelation of some old love letters leads him to the shocking realisation that he has a sibling he knew nothing about. All he wants is a chance to meet his sister, but little did he know how much this would cost him. While he is trying to win her trust, he will start growing other, deeper feelings for her best friend. Could Emma be the salvation he has been looking for?When a long buried secret comes to surface, a chance at love may finally be within reach. But Eric's scandal and Emma's tension with her friend will stand in the way of love. Faced with the dilemma of choosing between true love and friendship, what will they end up sacrificing? A tale of revenge, hope, and determination, where love is constantly challenged. Can a true, captivating romance be growing in such an unfortunate situation? Or will the many testing sacrifices end up putting out the flame of their love?"Dare to Love a Lord" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    He has arranged a marriage for his granddaughter with the Earl of Devonport. Emma secretly hopes a marriage to this stranger will lead to love. To honor his father, Devon reluctantly agrees to marry Emma, but determines to keep her at arm's length. A marriage of convenience is satisfactory to the earl who wants no emotional ties. He needs an heir, but he refuses to bow to the whims and demands of a wife. He would prefer simply to provide a home and a generous allowance for her, but continue to enjoy his freedom. Emma’s straightforward and unpretentious manner draws Devon’s admiration. He can’t stop thinking about her. Unfortunately, long-held fears are not easily overcome. Devon’s tender care of Emma and his charm cause her to fall in love with him, but she’s afraid of being in love alone. Can a mutual love develop and grow in this arranged marriage? When doubts begin to assail in Emma, she must learn to trust God even if it means letting go of her dreams.

    

    Keeping her husband's death a secret is a top priority, right up there with ensuring that troops from a rival castle don’t break down her curtain wall gate with their battering ram.Yet when a devilishly handsome knight by the name of Sir Balen rides to her rescue, she is reluctant to turn over the control she has become accustomed to wielding. The attraction between them is palpable, but his arrogant assumption of the position and duties of her late husband irritates her, especially because those duties seem to include spanking her bare bottom!Can she swallow her pride and propose the marriage which she knows would be best for all involved, or will her stubbornness cost her and the people of Falconworth dearly?QUITE DECIDED BY KOREY MAE JOHNSONWhen eighteen-year-old Wenda discovers that she is to be married off to a nobleman easily old enough to be her grandfather, she concocts a desperate plan to avoid that fate. Lord Talus, who was like an older brother to her growing up, will marry her instead—she is quite decided on it.The only problem with this plan is the fact that Talus refuses it outright. Wenda has grown into a beautiful woman, but he has known her since she was a child and he cannot bring himself to expose her to the dark, hungry, sexual side of him which she would see as his wife.Talus underestimates the lengths to which Wenda will go to carry out her plan, however, and he finds a marriage with her forced upon him by false allegations that he has stolen her maidenhood in the night. For her part Wenda soon learns, to her dismay, that her new husband is well within his rights to bare his young wife’s bottom and chastise her firmly for her scheming. Moreover, he intends to thoroughly enjoy every curve of her beautiful body once he feels the time is right to have his way with his new bride.Publisher’s Note: Lords and Ladies contains two erotic novellas which include both consensual and non-consensual spankings, graphic sexual scenes, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.