The stories in this collection, because they all happen in Upper Nettlefold, have things which happen, that influence the other stories. So the order in which they are presented here aligns with the timeline in which events in the stories happen. Read through this collection in order, and you will find that each story builds on the ones before, weaving the magic of community and interconnection between characters. There is also a map of Upper Nettlefold to help you visualise everything as you read. Although each story can stand alone, we’re sure that you’ll love finding the linkages as you go. This is our first visit to Upper Nettlefold, but it won’t be our last. You may see other collections based here, or you may see individual books from the various authors, but we will keep expanding the stories about the people you’ll first meet in this collection. The Viscount’s Summer Love A new Viscount with old secrets, a baker’s daughter, love thwarted, the threat of murder, a dramatic revelation, a long-held love finally returned. The Duke and the Spinster A Duke who needs to marry, a Lady who expects to never marry, a summer house party, a nefarious plot, gossip designed to harm, a desperate adventure, a love that redeems. Stitched in Love A seamstress who struggles to sew, a blacksmith beset by admirers, an accident with a dress, a runaway horse, a situation saved – barely, an unexpected love. Love Finds the Earl An unmarried Earl, a reserved widow, a clever sister, a social occasion, an accidental meeting, shady business dealings thwarted, a second chance for love. Doubting the Marquess An unrepentant rake, a woman more interested in business than men, a meeting, jealousy, an accident, a revelation that leads to love. The Degenerate Baron A fearless schoolteacher, a Baron lost in grief and despair, a collection of degenerate friends, a near accident that leads to a meeting, a reminder of past pain, a love beyond fear. Escaping the Scurrilous Earl A merchant’s daughter, a lonely physician, a thoroughly unscrupulous Earl, a debt called in, an impossible choice, an escape, a threat, a rescue, and a new love found. Esther, the Earl’s Hellion An orphaned young woman, a gentleman working undercover, a boarding school with a new owner, a despicable scheme, a rescue, a trap set to save, a dramatic conclusion, a fated love found. A Gentle Heart A spinster employed as a companion, a gentleman of means, a social opportunity, an act of kindness, a misunderstanding, a long hoped for love.

    From hauntings to bad boys to matchmaking dogs, SPICY CHRISTMAS KISSES delivers the joy and warmth of the season. But be careful–some of these ELEVEN romances are HOT HOT HOT! This collection of spicy holiday stories is on sale for a limited time only. So grab your copy today! Christmas Flirt - Rachelle Ayala Naughty girl Lacy Reed gets more than she bargained for when her naked selfies turn up on her boss’s phone. What will it take for her Christmas wish to come true? Cole For Christmas - Kelly Collins When Interior Designer Chloe Craig thought of Christmas, her mind overflowed with trees trimmed in twinkling lights and doorways adorned with mistletoe. Using her infectious joy, she attempted to soften the heart of her new employer, but was it possible to turn a Scrooge into Kris Kringle? Not-So-Blue Christmas - Bonnie Edwards Kirk Fontaine has lived in the dark for months, unable to bear living or even talking to people, until one small mutt forces him to see the sun. Miranda Bailey’s hoping for one more Christmas miracle, but can’t believe a grouch like Kirk could be it. Naughty and Nice (A Rough and Tumble Novella) - Crystal Green Reclusive, gruff army veteran Jesse Navarro could deal with a Secret Santa who only wrote to him online. But when she shows up at the Rough & Tumble Saloon in the flesh, she has something even naughtier than a regular gift exchange in mind—and it's perfectly suited for some wicked nights in Sin City... Tangled in Tinsel - Stacy Eaton Casey Lowe is new in town and her next-door neighbor Thad Wagner is the kind of guy you want to have around, especially when something breaks. Thad is easy on the eyes and great with his hands, but will he be able to mend her broken heart? Haunted - Jade Kerrion Holly Langford has given up on love but the Christmas season unexpectedly ignites her bleak and solitary life with three men who represent her past, her present, and her future. Which man offers the gift of true love and happily ever after? The King and the Pawn - Lyssa Layne Frankie has concocted the perfect plan to get her father to release her trust fund early—a fake boyfriend he'll hate. The only problem is, the more time Frankie spends with her fake boyfriend, the harder it will be to let him go. Christmas Choices- Sharon Coady Kellen Slade is a bad boy builder who rides a Harley almost as hot as he is. Rhian St. Clair is a rich girl who wants out of Savanah and out from under her father’s rules to follow her passion as a painter. 8 Hounds a-Howling - Marcia James Celebrity photographer "Jax" Jackson volunteers to shoot the Klein's K-9s' dog-themed "12 Days of Christmas" fundraising calendar. His hidden agenda: Convince past love and calendar coordinator Amy Walters to give him a second chance. Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations - Kimmie Easley After a nasty divorce and a life of isolation, Naomi Compton rents a luxury cabin in the woods for her first Christmas alone. The property just so happens to come with its own hunky groundskeeper, Henner Willliams, who’s more than happy to show Naomi what she's been missing out on all these years. Loving Lucy - Chantel Rhondeau Issued a challenge at the company Christmas party, reserved accountant Blake Carmichael determines to catch Lucy Brier’s interest, a woman he’s lusted after for years.

    Together they make up the Wicked Earls’ Club. A secret group, marked with a single golden W; it is a place where these deliciously devious earls can indulge in their darkest desires. Though fate may have something else planned for them entirely. The Wicked Earls' Club (prologue) The Earl of Sussex by Tammy Andresen Wickedly sinful, the Earl of Sussex, is an unrepentant rake. The Wicked Earls' Club is the perfect place for a man of his station to indulge. That is until his parents force a match that threatens to rob him of his freedom. Unwilling to be tamed, he travels to meet his bride and demand she put a stop to this farce. Except Lady Tabitha is nothing he expected, and everything he never knew he wanted. Too bad this fiery wallflower is equally bent on ending their engagement. Earl of Westcliff by Meara Platt When Tynan Brayden, the Earl of Westcliff, rescues Abigail Croft from ruffians one dark night outside the Wicked Earls’ Club, he never expects his carefree life to be upended by this girl with big, brandy-colored eyes and a stubborn determination to save her reckless brother. He doesn’t know why he feels the possessive need to help her. Perhaps it is because she doesn’t ask for his help or seem to want anything from him. But this Wicked Earl wants more from her... nothing less than her heart. Earl of Wainthrope by Collette Cameron Pierce, the Earl of Wainthorpe didn’t gamble on losing his heart when he won Bianca Salisbury at the gaming tables, but the shameful secret Bianca guards makes it impossible to love a rogue. Earl of Sunderland by Aubrey Wynne He inherits the title of rake… She hides behind her independence… Fate accepts the challenge… Escaping his late brother’s memory, Lady Grace is a welcome distraction for Christopher Roker. But as the attraction grows, Kit wavers between his old military life and the lure of an exceptional but unwilling woman. Earl of Basingstoke by Aileen Fish Lady Phoebe has created a fantasy version of her dream man, the Earl of Basingstoke, in her diary, and she ignores the gossip surrounding his wicked ways when he begins to pursue her. But when Basingstoke discovers Lady Phoebe’s diary, he blames her for creating the rumors and wants nothing more to do with her. Heartbroken, she goes in search of the real rumormonger. Can she prove her innocence and regain Basingstoke’s love?

    It seems like she’s always been attracted to the kind of man who’s bad for her. In fact, it’s been one textbook bad-boy after the next, and it’d left her feeling so defeated that she decided quit dating altogether…for a whole year!Until she met Eric. Good, stable, boring and dependable Eric. He loves her way more than she loves him and it feels good to be on the other side of the equation for once, even though the sex is not the best…but that’s not all relationships are about are they?She’s finally getting her life together and things are going great…but then the universe decides to throw her a curve ball when her teaching assistant quits and is replaced by James Sumner. He’s tall, dark and handsome…covered in tattoos, listens to punk rock and wears a leather jacket. He’s everything Hayley’s been avoiding…so why can’t she stop thinking about him? She wants to put him out of her mind because she knows that Eric is the right man for her…...or is he?The feeling is definitely mutual because James can’t seem to stop thinking about Hayley either. Their attraction is undeniable. When a friendship starts to blossom between them, Hayley begins to doubt everything she knows. Is James really the kind of bad-boy who’ll break Hayley’s heart? Is she meant to be with Eric? Is she meant to be alone?

    He has no manners and doesn’t think twice about the weight of his words. Why him? He must have slipped something in my chai tea. Nigel When I woke up this morning, I didn’t plan to meet the woman I wasn’t strong enough to walk away from. But she’s here. In this coffee shop. And she answers my questions with more questions. It should be irritating as hell, not sexy. Or maybe somebody slipped something in my coffee.

    But now, Bianca needs a favour, and the only man she can turn to is her ex-husband. He's already broken her heart once. Can she trust him again? ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS The widowed Lady Elizabeth Sanderson is no longer interested in men. Her life is ordered, calm and boring: just the way she likes it. So why can't she stop thinking about billionaire bad boy Antonio Casacelli, and the way his body seems to call to hers? THE TYCOON'S CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE The last thing Marcos Casacelli needs is a ward to babysit, especially not one as spoiled and indulged as the Hollywood starlet Kat Van Buren.Kat's not just running from any scandal or heartbreak, though. Her life is at stake, and the one man who can protect her seems to hate her with a passion. THE SHEIKH'S CHRISTMAS MISTRESS Charlotte Faber falls head over heels with The Sheikh Malik Desara the moment she sees him. She thinks he loves her, too, until he propositions her... to be his mistress! How can she accept? How can she refuse?

    The DSF mission of protecting and recovering art and artifacts means combating Centaur, a shadowy international crime syndicate. ON DEADLY GROUND Desperate to save her brother, museum director Kate Fontaine must work with Max Rivera, the ex-military guide she doesn’t trust to return a precious Mayan artifact to its temple, but when desire flares between them, outrunning international black-market smugglers and an earthquake seems simple compared to risking their hearts. RING OF TRUTH Recovering crown jewels could get the FBI off Cortez Jones’s back, but he needs the help of Mara Marton who blames his jewel-thief father for destroying her family. Mara wants this chance to prove her father's innocence, but how can she trust Cort? Sparks fly as they race black-market smugglers to the jewels. There's no turning back, once their lives—and their heart are on the line. CLEOPATRA'S NECKLACE Thomas Devlin must recover Cleopatra’s necklace, but when the smugglers pursue his old flame, he jets to her aid. Cleo's involvement with the necklace’s forger sends her on the run. She knows Thomas will protect her but will he crush her love again? As they race against time, they learn more is at stake than recovering the antiquity. The peril escalates, and so does the risk to their hearts. AT LAST (A DEVLIN WEDDING NOVELLA) Owing her brother and his bride, maid of honor Andie Devlin is determined to make their wedding perfect. She’s falling for Mike Pagano but fears he’ll judge her wild-child past. He wants to keep her safe from an attack threatening the wedding, but more than that, he wants her in his arms. When she learns her brother assigned him as her bodyguard, she pushes him away … leaving her vulnerable.

    Only she has no idea he's a billionaire and he has no idea what to do with the sassy girl he needs to shelter until the storm ends.Snowed In with the Billionaire is book 1 of 4 in the Ashley's Billionaire Series. Cliffhanger ending.New college graduate Ashley Spencer has big plans. Now that she has her degree she's ready to conquer the world, but while driving to a new city she gets caught in a snowstorm. Not used to that kind of weather and on an unfamiliar road, she slides into a snowbank and gets stuck. Good thing Colton Drake comes along and rescues her.All billionaire Colton Drake wants is a quiet weekend at his cabin to work and relax, but when he comes across a woman who's about to freeze to death on the side of the road, his plans are thrown into disarray. Ashley is completely different from the women he's used to and he's not quite sure what to do with her.Snowed in together until the weather clears, will Drake and Ashley be able to resist their growing attraction, or will unexpected love blossom amidst a spring snowstorm?Snowed In with the Billionaire was originally titled Snowbound and was published under the pen name Noelle Stevens. A number of changes have been made.

    Even amid evil... Rhodes knew Sienna years ago. When she'd been young and gawky, more elbow and carrot hair than style, but she'd had something special even then. Now she's all grown. But she's a trouble magnet, and even at the compound it finds her... Sienna had a super-sized crush on her brother's best friend years ago. Now he's hunky and even hotter than she could have imagined. Only she's new and doesn't want to jeopardize her position. When asked to help out on a job, she agrees...and triggers a sequence of disastrous events no one could foresee. But someone will stop at nothing to silence everyone involved, especially the two of them... Flynn's Firecracker Some jobs are more pleasant than others... Flynn agrees to do a security job for Levi as a trial run for more work. Looking after Anna and her animal shelter is a breeze. Trouble free. Until he leaves... Having Flynn around was both good and bad. To have the help at the shelter was huge, but they drew sparks just being around each other. She tells herself she's relieved when he's gone but when a dead man shows up, she'd do anything to have him back. Someone is after Flynn... and he doesn't care who he kills in the process... Logan's Light Logan heads to Boston on an intel mission. His investigation plunges him and his partner into the deep dark world of human trafficking.The last thing Alina remembers is having coffee at the cafe in the hospital where she works. She awakes tied up in a strange apartment. Her world as she knew it gone...possibly forever. Now they're on the run together. Time is against them. There's a quota to be made, and the traffickers aren't going to let Alina go if they can help it. Unfortunately, she's not the only victim. The hunt is on...for the traffickers and their other victims...before it's too late.

    Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.From the Paperback edition.

     Anyone’s happily-ever-after is never a given…it must be earned--something these military heroes have learned the hard way. Sink into this sexy collection of binge-worthy reads from eleven of your favorite New York Times, USA Today, and a few new-to-you authors. All proceeds will benefit the Semper Fi Fund (https://semperfifund.org), a non-profit organization that assists post-9/11 wounded and critically ill vets from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. ACCIDENTAL SEAL by Sharon Hamilton -  Wrong open house, naked Navy SEAL on the bed, missing Team 3 buddy, gangs, dirty cops, and terrorists. Oh yes, and a love story. S.O Kyle Lansdowne gets lucky, but the path is a very dangerous one. EMBATTLED MINDS by J.M. Madden -  Brutally scarred in Afghanistan, Zeke Foster has no expectation that he'll ever find a woman capable of accepting him the way he is. When the damaged soldier with the kind eyes brings some security to Ember Norton's crazy life, she's afraid to trust her luck, but his wounded soul calls to her. SEAL’S DEFIANCE by Elle James -  A Navy SEAL and a beautiful aide doctor navigate hostile territory in their attempt to rescue a kidnapped doctor in the Horn of Africa. PROTECTING CAROLINE by Susan Stoker -  Caroline foils a terrorist hijacking of an airliner, with the help of three members of a SEAL team, but after she gets home she finds herself still in the sights of the terrorists. She means everything to Wolf, but in order to save her, he first needs to find her. SEA OF DREAMS by Kathryn Le Veque -  When Blakesley Thorne wanted to start a new life in San Diego,CA, she had no idea that Fate would bring her face to face with Cmdr. Beck Seavington, USN. When Beck must save Blakesley in a final showdown, the Wild West reigns and ghosts from the history of old San Diego come full circle. BACK FROM HELL by Marissa Dobson – Wounded Lance Corporal Kyle Phillips had gotten to the point that he wished he’d died on that battlefield instead of living the life of half a man…until a woman with whiskey brown eyes and a feisty side strolled into his room looking to save him. MOVING TO LOVE by PJ Fiala -    Iraq veteran Jeremiah “Dog” Sheppard is looking forward to the annual Veterans Ride, but this year he might be rewarded with more than the usual satisfaction of doing a good deed when he asks the stunning single mother of one of his employees to help with the charity event. GABE by Maryann Jordan -  Gabe Malloy, former Green Beret, now special investigator stumbled across a beautiful woman in an alley. The chance meeting quickly grew into a mission as Jennifer Lambert was threatened. Letting him into her complicated life, she took a chance on him. ROCCO AND MANDY: A RED TEAM WEDDING NOVELLA by Elaine Levine - The past is more real than the present in covert operative Rocco Silas’ broken mind. His girlfriend’s pregnancy should be a joyful event, but it’s more like a nightmare...one he believes can only end one way. ENFORCER by Ryleigh Rhodes -  Small town Texan Claire enlisted in the Marine Corps, survived an IED in Iraq, went through rigorous physical therapy, and made it through med school. Now, after the loss of her beloved husband, she’s struggling to rebuild her life and raise their twins. Her friends rally around, but it's up to Claire to pick up the pieces, open herself up to love, and truly live once again. OUT OF THE SHADOWS by Geri Foster - Falcon Securities Agent Brody Hawke sees the world from a tilted angle. His best friend, A.J., is captured. CIA agent Kate Stone is fighting for her job and sanity after a failed attack in Iraq. Can Brody and Kate find true love in the mist of all the chaos? And can Brody accept what Kate revels about his past so he can finally reach out for a love of his own? WHEN YOU RETURN TO ME by Dana Marton - A sweet, romantic Christmas short story from the author of the NY Times bestselling Broslin Creek series. Maggie O'Connor thought she lost everything when she lost her true love, Cameron Gardner, four years ago. Grab this story and find out about her Christmas miracle.

    So when I get to intern at a leading shoe brand, I think it’s my big break. But I couldn’t have messed it up more if I tried. 
Someone has stolen my designs, and the dashing Mr. Preston is making it hard to concentrate. He’s the CEO, he’s twice my age, and he’s totally out of bounds.

Can I keep my job, my dignity, and my heart, or have I just ruined my whole career before it’s even started?

Kyle
My shoe company is losing money. I should be worried, but all I can think about is the intern, Penny, and her soft curves and the delicate arches of her feet.
But she’s the intern and I won’t exploit my position, no matter how much she begs me to.
Penny is book six in the Curvy Girls Can series. Short, sweet and steamy insta-love stories about women with big curves, big attitudes, and big dreams and the alpha men who are man enough to love them.High heat, oh so sweet, and always with a happily ever after. Each book in the series is a standalone. No cliffhangers.Read less

    The day after the troupe arrives in tiny Morgan’s Crossing, the manager takes all the money and leaves town. By opening a dressmaker shop, Cinnia hopes to make the home she’s always wanted, but Nola, the older sister who has made the decisions for the orphaned sisters, disagrees. Leather worker Nicolai Andrusha is living in hiding as Nic Andrews until the patent on his family’s tanning process is approved. Although he’s under a mandate to keep a low profile, he’s intrigued by the red-haired performer. Controversy arises when miners claim they paid the manager for private appointments with the female performers. Will Nicolai defy his family obligation to help the stranded beauty who has caught his eye?

    She vowed she’d never speak to him again. And she hasn’t.Until he shows up with Staff Sergeant Thor, a German shepherd who had been injured in the same battle in which his handler—Marcus’s best friend-- was killed. Thor has a bad case of PTSD, and Marcus knows only Jessie can save the dog. But can Jessie bear the close contact with the man who broke her heart? And can even she heal a dog so desperately wounded? A tale of trust, second chances and respecting people for who they are. ORIGINALY PUBLISHED IN SEAL of My Dreams anthology

    Meet the siblings in the mischievous and loving family at Kinfairlie and follow their adventures in pursuit of true love.In The Beauty Bride, Madeline is appalled by her older brother’s determination to see her wed against her will. When he auctions her hand to an outlawed mercenary, she flees them both, certain that her fate cannot be worse. But Rhys FitzHenry is not a man to abandon what he holds dear, and Madeline’s proud beauty has captured his heart. Can a rough knight enchant her with stories and convince her to be his wife in truth, or will his enemies have their vengeance first?In The Rose Red Bride, Vivienne is convinced that only destiny could bring such a wondrous secret lover to her chamber, but with morning’s light, her lover abducts her. Erik knows that justice can only be gained from the Lammergeier with force, especially as the fate of his young daughters hangs in the balance. Can Vivienne help this wounded highlander to regain his legacy, and win his heart for her own?In The Snow White Bride, Eleanor seeks sanctuary at Kinfairlie on Christmas Eve. The Laird of Kinfairlie’s sisters decide that the beautiful widow will be the perfect match for their brother. Alexander’s heart is quickly lost, but as Eleanor’s secrets are revealed, he fears he has trusted too much too soon. Will Eleanor’s past jeopardize the future of this knight who has claimed her heart, or can she save him from the peril that follows her?This digital boxed set includes all three medieval romances in the Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogy – The Beauty Bride, The Rose Red Bride, The Snow White Bride – as well as the linked short story, The Ballad of Rosamunde.