From this Essence bestselling author comes a sexy, fast-paced novel about astreet-smart girl determined to make it big in the glitzy nightclub business.288 pp.

    As her impetuous mother orchestrates a reunion with a first love, Larken becomes entangled in a dilemma where she must choose between an intriguing, passionate plastic surgeon—who is anything but superficial—and the annoyingly irresistible man who has silently loved her forever.

    Koyal and Atharv are childhood friends. They are also soulmates. Confidantes. Kindred spirits. They are made for each other only, neither of them seems to have figured it out just yet. As they grow into adulthood, they turn to each other in sorrow and joy, only becoming closer. But then one day, something happens, and their rare friendship is cruelly transformed into something a lot like hatred. Atharv, scarred and hurt, fumes with anger, while impetuous Koyal presses the self-destruct button. Years later, just when they ve both found peace within themselves, their paths cross again. And destiny, that strange creature, has a few tricks up her sleeve. Will these two ever forgive each other? Or have they already lost their one chance to find someone to love?

    Finally together in one set—the Beautiful Bastard’s friends’ own unforgettable love stories. The perfect gift for any romance fan—three different men, from both sides of the Atlantic.BEAUTIFUL STRANGER: All of New York City knows Max Stella loves women. Despite pulling in plenty of lovers with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until finance whiz Sara Dillon—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that the ex-pat Brit really thinks of keeping any of them around. Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.BEAUTIFUL PLAYER: Lectured by her brother for neglecting her social life in favor of grad school, bookish Hanna Bergstrom challenges her brother’s best friend, unapologetic playboy Will Sumner, to turn her into a sultry siren. It’s not long before the innocently seductive pupil is teaching the venture capitalist a thing or two he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.BEAUTIFUL SECRET: Not one for letting loose and breaking rules, urban planner Niall Stella is hopeless when it comes to women. But even he knows the bright new engineer at his London firm, outgoing California-girl Ruby Miller, is a breath of fresh air. Once Ruby makes it her mission to help the sexy Brit loosen his tie on a business trip to New York, there’s no turning back. But it’s easy for lovers to play pretend when they’re thousands of miles from home…

    Maybe God must have been busy when she made her request, because Jillian showed up as her daddy’s new girlfriend.Jillian was not the mommy type. Hayley even overheard her saying so on the phone. Ms. Kember, who lived next door was the mommy type.Maybe, if Hayley could get rid of Jillian, Ms. Kember could marry her daddy and be her new mommy.

    He’s known for his allure, charming personality, and ability to draw and seduce women. He’s gifted by nature with an unbelievably erotic scent that emanates from his body—natural pheromones that attract women in droves. Having used this advantage in the past with great success, he expects the same results as he sets his sights on Sarona Maxwell. He finds himself fascinated to the point of obsession with Sarona and has made it his priority to woo her, to seduce her, and to get her into his bed. However, in his quest to captivate and capture, he finds Sarona is more woman than he’s bargained for, and he’ll need more than cunning, charm, and nature’s gift to achieve his goal.Sarona is undeniably attracted to the charisma and roguish good looks of David Broussard, and like any red-blooded female alive she’s fallen victim to his intoxicating scent. Unfortunately, his reputation for being on the prowl and always in search of his next conquest precedes him. She has no illusions he has any interest in her. Considering her size and the fact that she’s black, she’s sure she doesn’t fit his usual preference for eye candy. She sees herself as merely a spectator, observing from a distance his penchant to hunt, and she watches him play his game of pursuit, seduction, and surrender.Sarona has no idea that the rules of the game have changed. She doesn’t realize that there’s no such thing as being safe standing on the sidelines and that now, suddenly she’s become the prey set in the sights of the hunter.Sensuality Level: Hot

    She grows up, living a sheltered life, thanks to her mother, being naïve to the ways of the world. Due to that, her eyes are closed to the fact that going to church doesn't make a person holy. She learns that from her own parents, then from members at the church she goes to. Raquel's life is nothing short of a roller coaster ride, filled with sadness, depression, but most of all, her desire to be loved. Things happen that could be detrimental to Raquel's future, but she refuses to give up. There is one particular person that needs her to keep her sanity. So, Raquel is determined to succeed, despite the circumstances. Will she be able to overcome adversity or will the people that's supposed to mean her the most good, contribute to her downfall?

    Although her father has been dead for many years, Susan's memories of her parents' marriage are happy ones and she looks forward to the day when she and Alan can share in that happiness.But the discovery of some old letters soon forces her to face some bitter truths about her parents - and even the nature of love itself...

    Aarohi. Life is not as simple for her. She is a dreamer and it is some of her dreams which she herself finds weird. While facing heartbreak and finding love with a broken man, Aarohi works hard to achieve the goals she has made in life; sometimes even wondering if they are too high for her. The pursuit of her goals is her destiny; one she has to fulfill. Giving up on Rudra and diligently taking her tough profession, she meets Dr. Aditya Vardhan. . But was Aditya the man of her dreams? Did she understand what destiny was trying to tell her through her dreams? Was she ever able to get over Rudra? Were her efforts enough to bring success? Was she The Girl Who Saw It All….?

    Original.

    The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proved wrong. Her adventure begins when the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway, Travis can't believe it's the same Lily he's always known—and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis's name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she's nothing like his past lovers. Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

    Movie mogul and club owner Parker Maguire is bored with the party scene. That is, until he meets Cyn. Shes everything hes been looking for in a woman and more. However, not everyone is happy for them. And theyll do anything to turn Parker and Cyns once upon a time into a happily never after. Unless Cyns Fairy Drag Queen can pull something out of her sleeve Mistress to the Beast - Lilas fathers shop is more than just a family business to her. When a powerful property developer stoops to barely legal tactics to force them to sell, Lilas outrage sends her straight to the source. A split from Hunters latest lover has left the former playboy without faith in the female sex. If shell be his mistress for three months, hell allow her father to keep the shop. A simple agreement? Hardly. Its a battle of wills that flares into much more than either of them bargained for

    As the successful owner of a luxury travel concierge service, she is building an empire that only a goddess like her can handle. Until one day, life throws the ultimate curve ball when she loses her only sister in a tragic car accident, and becomes the sole guardian of her niece and nephew. After years of focusing solely on the twins and her career, Lynn is left with the empty nest syndrome when the twins go off to college. She decides it’s time to refocus on herself and her love life. And she’s got her sights set on one man…Connor. Wealthy and intelligent, Connor Wyatt has never found his true love. Trapped in an arranged and loveless marriage, he craves the one thing his wife refuses to give him, a family. When he meets the beautiful aunt of the young man he is mentoring, she immediately awakens his dormant heart and loins. When his marriage falls apart, he renews his friendship with the beautiful and curvy Lynn in the hopes that he can rekindle a fire that has been smoldering within for years. And an unexpected flight layover brings Connor the chance of his lifetime. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, but outside forces threaten to douse their inferno forever. Will this love connection finally be made? Or is it already too late?

    In Crystal B. Bright's Bitter Ball, best friends discover love is the best part of friendship. In Seressia Glass's Sex on South Beach, a food critic find the food isn't the only thing that satisfies her hunger. Lena Matthew's Heart Wrangler is a story about how childhood friends can grow up and still be playmates. Raquel Taylor's Bayou Temptress is a tale of a woman who goes through hell to find a big piece of heaven. In Simone Harlow's Cowboy Cool and New York, a woman gives a country western star a reason to sing again.

    Could the answer to his problems lie in the chestnut orchard at the bottom of the garden?Only Ellie can help Daniel unlock the delicious secret that will bring them the fresh starts they need. And as autumn approaches, romance will blossom amid the glowing embers of the chestnut fire...*Contains an exclusive extract from Jo's brand-new novel, THE OLIVE BRANCH, out February 2015*