Her malicious brother-in-law had kept his vow to make her a widow, but she knew he wouldn't stop at that, and her solitary life was filled with fear of him always one step behind her. She thought she'd found a shred of peace in Texas, and at least a glimmer of the life she deserved. But when a mysterious bounty hunter came to town, she knew the wrath in his amber eyes was meant only for her. He found a way to be everywhere she was, speaking words with double meaning in his smooth Freanch accent and making her nerves hum in a way she thought she'd conquered.Wade Renault came out of retirement for one reason: to see a deceptive murderess brought to justice. But when he met the woman pictured in the tintype he'd carried for months, he sensed more panic than treachery. She lived too simply, she seemed too honest and scared. Someone had deceived him, but he would wait it out and get her right where he wanted her, beneath...THE MOON AND THE STARS.

    So he proposed a chaste businesslike "merger" to Miss Emily Smythe, a uniquely enterprising schoolmarm. But how could he keep them wed in name only when all he wanted to do was bed down with his bride in her brand-new inn?And as for his brother ...The fur would fly sure enough when his bear of a brother, Jackson, woke up to find himself hitched to Miss Molly Malone. He'd thought surely she was mistaken. But delirious with fever, he'd unknowingly consummated their marriage. And the Irish firebrand was determined that their union stick "'til death did them part"! Well, now he was guaranteed his inheritance, but what was the miner to do with a wife?

    Caught in a—far less than usually—compromising situation with Lady Alixe Burke, this so-called gentleman is tasked by her father with making his daughter marriageable!Lady Alixe, more happy in the library than the ballroom, is most definitely left-on-the-shelf material. He'll never walk away from a wager, but Merrick's expertise extends way beyond society etiquette. Never before entrusted with a woman's modesty, Merrick sets about teaching her everything he know

    So he seized the chance to work Abbie Westland's land...and from the moment he first saw Abbie, he was determined to use his arms to work the farm by day and to soothe her through the nights in his strong embrace.Abbie, with her fiery determination, was different from the fragile beauties he'd known at home. In her, Grayson found an honest passion he'd never experienced before. But could their growing love survive the surprising reminder of her past that came to haunt them?

    Nor does he wear the most fashionable coats. But when Marissa York's brother approaches him, desperate to preserve Marissa's tenuous reputation, Jude does prove heroic enough to offer to marry the girl. In fact, the union should more than make up for his lack of social graces --- and his own scandalous past ...BUT MINDS CHANGE ...Marissa knows that betrothal to the son of a duke --- even one as raw and masculine as Jude --- will save her from ruin, but that doesn't mean she's happy about it. Soon, though, she finds that Jude has a surprisingly gentle touch --- and plans to use it to persuade Marissa that their wedding day cannot come soon enough ...

    And for ambitious Benjamin Lovell, she's the perfect candidate for a convenient marriage. First, though, he must contend with her fiercely protective sister, Lady Amelia Summoner.Amy is determined that only the right man will win her sister, and rakish Benjamin is certainly not that. Every move he makes, she'll be one step ahead! Until the games get out of handand Amy realizes she's broken her own rules and fallen for Ben herself!

    Newly divorced, she vows that this time it's going to be all about her! So when she receives a letter containing an assignment she did for a sex ed course in college, she takes it as a sign.In the letter, Gemma had confessed her most secret sexual fantasies...as well as her most forbidden sexual vice.She liked to be watched. By strangers.And she still does.Lucky for Gemma, her sexy new neighbor, Chev Martinez, is totally enjoying the show. But how well will her voyeuristic little game hold up when Chev decides to venture behind the scenes?

    So what ifMick's the most famous soccer star on the globe--with cash, connections and charisma? Fuel line? Finish line? Shelby doubtsthe Brit knows the difference.Superstar Mick knew buying a NASCAR team was going tobe tricky. The truth is the struggling team needs Mick's mediasavvy and team-building skills--even if Shelby can't admit it.Now, with Daytona just days away, Mick won't quit until hechanges Shelby's mind. Any way he can.

    With his shadowed past, he'dbe mad to let this spirited--and surprisingly innocent--woman get close.Bound by a hasty marriage to her reluctant hero, Rachell Carlson senses his struggle to keep a distancebetween them. But the message in Jed's eyes makes herpulse quicken--and even dares her to believe in love.

    to become Karl Lindstrom's mail-order bride in the beautiful, treacherous Minnesota wilderness.Karl forgave Anna for her deceptions--but there was still one shameful, burning secret that she had to hide from him, knowing its revelation would destroy the love that had become her very life!

    But the sinfully charming Lord Mulholland was renowned for getting whatever, or whomever, he desired ...Paris Mulholland had long guarded his heart with a string of elegant, casual conquests, yet Clara's defiant pride enticed him in a way no coy flirtation ever had, and the prim and proper miss was proving a most engaging opponent in the war between the sexes ...

    As such, she is the perfect chaperone for Rebecca, the young sister of a successful Boston businessman and former Colonial soldier.CRAVES AN UNTAMED MANSamuel Hartley may be wealthy, but his manners are as uncivilized as the American wilderness he was raised in. Who wears moccasins to a grand ball? His arrogant disregard for propriety infuriates Emeline, even as his boldness excites her.TO RELEASE HER PASSION . . . But beneath Samuel's rakish manner, he is haunted by tragedy. He has come to London to settle a score, not to fall in love. And as desperately as Emeline longs to feel this shameless man's hands upon her, to taste those same lips he uses to tease her, she must restrain herself. She is not free. But some things are beyond a lady's control . . .

    Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

    In the village of Calvine, north of Tay Forest, along a road that leads straight into Inverness, the only tavern in town is packed to the rafters with travelers. Eight months after the disastrous defeat at Culloden, the people haven't recovered, nor has the land, and it's a bad winter. When James de Lohr, Earl of Worcester, shows up looking for clues to his brother's fate on the Culloden Moor, he gets more than he bargained for.On a night when angels walk the earth, James comes face to face with a unique young woman... and the truth about his relationship with his brother. Love isn't always shown in the most obvious way.Nor is falling in love always conventional.A blustery innkeeper, his sensitive daughter, and a cast of unique characters passing through the careworn tavern will become the setting for a tale that is as sweet and poignant as the very spirit of the holidays.If you'd like to read the story of James' brother, Johnathan de Lohr, please read The Earl of Christmas Past by Kerrigan Byrne.Other novellas related to this tale: Fiona and the Three Wise Highlanders by Jennifer Ashley One Knight's Stand by Tanya Anne Crosby The Legend of a Rogue by Darcy Burke The Highlander Who Stole Christmas by Eliza Knight

    But Lauren Baker is no good girl--not anymore.Playing it safe never got her anywhere, except alone andbroke. So when sexy Brett Wallace asks for a ride to anearby hotel, she knows it's time to get naughty.Betrayed by both his bride and best man, Brett's bad dayturns much better when a gorgeous stranger offers towarm his bed for the night. The mind-blowing sex makesThe morning after, instead of a thank-you, ma'am fromBrett, Lauren gets an invitation to his ranch...for as long asit's mutually satisfying. And that's a proposition no self-respecting bad girl could refuse....