But scandal and unrest has dogged this prince for years, and a marriage to recently discovered princess Luisa Hardwicke will help bring stability to the monarchy....reluctant princessOnly, Luisa is an outspoken, mud-splattered farm girl, who isn't going to come quietly! Even as she's reluctantly transformed into polished perfection, Luisa challenges Raul at every turn--and he finds himself anticipating their wedding night with an excitement he never imagined he'd feel...

    The Playboy & Plain Jane by Leanne Banks released on Dec 25, 2002 is available now for purchase.

    First, Stephanie Laurens enthralls us with a New Year′s scandal, when a rake awakens in the bed of the temptress who seduced him years before. Then, Victoria Alexander enchants with her tale of a love promised, then foiled and then rekindled on another midnight. And Rachel Gibson delights with the reunion of two estranged friends and the passionate sparks that fly when the clock strikes twelve."Scandalous Lord Dere" by Stephanie Laurens"The Last Love Letter" by Victoria Alexander"Now and Forever" by Rachel Gibson

    That's what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she's taken the smart route. She's eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits. And you know, it's working. Until the day Quinn announces he's now single. That's right. He's single. And he wants to hang out. With her. Get reconnected the way they used to be. Oh, this is so not good for Amy's equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he's free...and she's free...well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions.

    By leaving, Nicky had hoped to provoke some kind of reaction. Blake Chandler was the strong and silent type. He didn't show much emotion behind those impassive gray eyes. Of course, Nicky's plan had misfired—Blake had been only too happy to sign the divorce papers.Now, four years later, Nicky is abducted by her ex, and this time Blake is far from silent about his feelings.

    Rose is torn; pride dictates that she should refuse Xerxes his pleasure. But, secretly, she can't deny a startling truth--she's fallen for her dark, handsome captor!

    "So stop the charade about amnesia, Lyn. I don't want to hear any more of your lies."The girl's eyes darkened with hurt and weariness. What did he mean? He called her "Lyn," but she didn't really know who she was or where she had come from. He said they were engaged, yet he treated her with savage antagonism. He even suspected her amnesia to be a lie!Bewilderment and unhappiness fought in he paleface. If only she could remember . . . .

    Brought up by her wealthy but distant grandfather, she is used to fading into the background and being ignored.But Luciano's sensual lovemaking makes her feel vibrantly alive. Hope falls in love with her husband and is blissfully happy--until she discovers that Luciano ruthlessly married her...for convenience!

    But Vanessa had no intention of falling prey to his dark charm - had Benedict met his match at last...?

    Sebastian Corder's shocked to hear the doorbell ring—he never expected to see Georgia again. Nine years ago, both chasing different dreams, they went their separate ways. Now Sebastian's hand hesitates. Is he ready to open the door to the past? But the snow's getting heavier…and there's only one way to find out!

    But fallen rodeo star Ty Boudeau refuses to give up his shot at the World Championship. Even if it means taking lessons at a glorified dude ranch from a woman who can rope a steer better than a man.As owner of Cowboy College, Adele Donnelly makes it a rule never to get involved with her guests. Especially not a famous and footloose cowboy whose life is all about traveling the rodeo circuit. But Ty is more than just another handsome face...and getting pregnant with his baby wasn't in Adele's long-term game plan. Because men like him can't be tied down. And she's not used to family sticking around.Why should Ty be any different? Should she give the cowboy a chance to be a championship daddy?

    But that was before she got lost in the dark, was propositioned by a cop and ended up in the wrong bed with the brother of the groom.When she and Jake Burton were teenagers, Jake had been the perfect boy next door--and the object of Caley's most daring fantasies. But that was back when she was a kid. Caley's definitely over him now. Or so she thinks...Because the perfect boy is all man now. Not to mention an endlessly inventive lover...

    But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland — a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.An Unlikely Hero...Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her — and her heart — in more danger than ever?

    Conflicted and unable to maintain the charade, he separates from his wife and takes a job as caretaker at a former mental hospital. Jelley’s Valley State Insane Asylum was the largest mental hospital in California for well over a century, but it now stands empty. William thinks the decrepit institution is the perfect place to finish his dissertation and wait for his divorce to become final. In town, William meets Colby Anderson, who minds the local store and post office. Unlike William, Colby is cute, upbeat, and flamboyantly out. Although initially put off by Colby’s mannerisms, William comes to value their new friendship, and even accepts Colby's offer to ease him into the world of gay sex.William’s self-image begins to change when he discovers a tin box, hidden in an asylum wall since the 1940s. It contains letters secretly written by Bill, a patient who was sent to the asylum for being homosexual. The letters hit close to home, and William comes to care about Bill and his fate. With Colby’s help, he hopes the words written seventy years ago will give him courage to be his true self.

    Finally here's her chance to prove to her friends -- and herself -- that she's woman enough to entice a man and leave him drooling. After all, she's old enough to know what she wants -- and she wants Sam Ashton...badly.And Sam is more than willing to be wanted. The chemistry between them is powerful, explosive. Still, there's something vaguely familiar about Kasey, something Sam can't put his finger on -- although he's dying to get his hands all over her.... But he's not worried. He fully intends to enjoy uncovering all Kasey's secrets, one by one. But will the truth be too hot for him to handle?