As an Extraordinary, she is respected and feared, but to her father, she represents power and prestige for himself. Mr. Pembroke, having spent his life studying magic, is determined to control Elinor and her talent by forcing her to marry where he chooses, a marriage that will produce even more powerful offspring. Trapped between the choices of a loveless marriage or living penniless and dependent on her parents, Elinor takes a third path: she defies tradition and society to join the Royal Navy. Assigned to serve under Captain Miles Ramsay aboard the frigate Athena, she turns her fiery talent on England's enemies, French privateers, and vicious pirates preying on English ships in the Caribbean. At first feared by her shipmates, a growing number of victories make her truly part of Athena's crew and bring her joy in her fire. But as her power grows and changes in unexpected ways, Elinor's ability to control it is challenged. She may have the power to destroy her enemies utterly--but could it be at the cost of her own life?

    Penniless and stranded, she found only one way to get home: charge four hapless American Colonials to find them titled husbands in London. At the ship, she realized their mothers expected each to wed the Marquess of Andover, but how hard could it be to seek an introduction? Meanwhile, Captain Grant St. Benedict was anything but friendly. Why? Because her girls set fire to the rigging? Grant had never met a woman more irritating, or more desirable, than the Lady Patience Kendall. But however dangerous his interest, he couldn't resist teaching the delicious distraction that independence was nothing to passion.

    So when she is forced to apply for a job as a telephone switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won’t be easy. Hello Girls must conduct themselves according to strict--and often bewildering--rules, which include absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training.Hannah doubts it will be difficult to keep that rule--until a handsome young lawyer starts getting under her skin.With historic details that bring to life the exciting first decade of the twentieth century, Lorna Seilstad weaves a charming tale of companionship that blossoms into sweet romance.

    Thinking Alexandra is his half-sister, pirate captain Nathaniel Kent takes her hostage on his ship to exact revenge on his cold-hearted father. But the pirate and the beautiful seamstress can barely contain their strong desire for each other.

    But to the Captain of a pirate ship? It’s the best thing that has ever happened to a sheltered young lady who quickly discovers she has a taste for adventure.Captain Samuels:We were pirates. Er, traders. Yet even we were repulsed by women being sold like chattel.But I couldn’t stand by while her father sold her, treating her as if she were worthless.She was a sweet, hard working girl.Her delicate blue eyes called to me even more than the sea itself.The only thing I wanted now was to keep her safe. In my arms. In my bed.My biggest fear was that I might hurt the tiny lass. I could never let that happen.Flora:A complete stranger asked me what I wanted. I’d never been asked that question before.The Captain was the first man to ask me to speak my mind.I made my choice – to sail away for a life of adventure rather than stay under my father’s thumb.The world was bigger out on the open sea.The colors were brighter.The feelings were… Strangely deep and powerful.I just couldn’t tell if the Captain felt the same.He was so kind to me, treating me as if I were precious.Every time he touched me, I wanted to feel like I was his to enjoy.As my life finally became my own, I began to make my own rules.I'd learn to speak up for what I need.***Author’s Note: I write contemporary romance. How the blazes did a pirate tale appear? Look, sometimes these things just happen. If this doesn’t float your boat, sail on past. Or raise the flag and come aboard for a sweet and steamy adventure!Even More Important Note: If you’re looking for perfect historical accuracy… Er, keep looking. This is fiction. Please consult history books for precision. This is heart fluttering, pearl clutching, knicker dampening romance.***This shy girl / alpha male romance is a standalone novel.No cliffhangers, no cheating, and a sweet HEA.Please look up and to the left for the “Follow This Author” button for updates!

    Though capable, Valeria is frustrated to find each day brings a new struggle as she tries to establish her authority with servants, stewards, and solicitors-all men. As a young woman with no blood relation to the earl, they are all too ready to dismiss her. Much to her chagrin, she must rely on the assistance of her stepfather's distant kinsman, Alastair, Lord Hylton. He is handsome and noble, and Valeria senses under the veneer of his gentlemanly behavior that she never measures up to his expectations of a refined lady. In light of that, accepting his help and feeling under a burden of gratitude to him is almost unbearable. Even when Valeria leaves the country estate for the glittering London Season, where she gets into a series of escapades, Lord Hylton is always there to witness, criticize, and correct her behavior. But if Alastair insists on engaging in a battle of wits and wills with the lively Valeria, she'll stop at nothing to prove that he's met his match.

    Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from "Aunt" Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Harding's head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth's husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a Southern man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman. Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn "the gift" that Belle Meade's head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives. As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for "betraying" the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

    Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption.This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.

    Guarding her heart, she determines to make the most of her loveless relationship and find a friend in her husband. Adam Arnett does the only thing he knows for certain will remove a title-hungry flirt—he marries her sister. It doesn’t take long before he finds himself attracted to his new bride, but when her sister tries to throw a wrench in their budding relationship he must fight to protect their blossoming affection.***PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS: To Be Loved By the Earl

    Neighbors and best friends, the pair passed many happy days racing through the rolling hills of Derbyshire. Everything was perfect—until Charles ruined it all and abandoned Leah for university. Six years later, the former friends are thrust into each other's paths once more. Leah had been looking forward to the ball, an opportunity to further her acquaintance with the handsome Mr. Wilkins—but when she sees Charles's familiar face through the crowd, her traitorous heart leaps. Charles faces his own struggle: he has loved Leah since he was fifteen years old, yet it seems he is too late—it appears that her affections are otherwise engaged. As the pair tentatively renews their friendship, the spark between them in undeniable. After so many years apart, leah endeavors to reconcile her feelings toward her once cherished companion. But when a conniving revival for Charles's attention approaches Leah, the threat is clear: give up her association with Charles or a devastating secret about her family will be revealed. Faced with an impossible decision, Leah must make a choice—the ruin of her family or the ruin of her heart?

    Worse, she is told by his bankers that he gambled away their fortune. Now, the family's hope rests on The Larkspur, an old abandoned coaching inn in the quaint village of Gresham.Driven by dread and her desire to provide for her children, Julia decides to turn the dilapidated inn into a lodging house. But can she--who was accustomed to servants attending to every need--do what needs to be done and cope when boarders begin arriving? And then an eligible new vicar moves into town...

    Fifteen and alone she huddles in the night -- she must be on the last ship to France before the snow flies. Frannie does the unthinkable and sneaks aboard The Antonia, becoming a stowaway. She must get to Aunt Matilda, her only living relative.Almost immediately she is discovered by Captain Caldwell who hides her in his cabin. He leaves Frannie with his lady friend in the harbor town of Brest, with a promise to return and take her to Aunt Matilda.Times passes and she still hopes, but the Captain’s woman hates her and trouble arises. If Captain Caldwell does not come, she will be forced to make her way alone.Can God provide a way? She believes but too many circumstances nearly undo her plans leaving Frannie to wonder if she will ever feel safe or loved again.

    After she regains consciousness she finds herself on a pirate ship, Neptune's Revenge, and in the bed of a famous pirate, Handsome Jack. Roselyn has no idea how much her heart yearns for adventure until it is thrust upon her. By the time they arrive in the pirate capital of Nassau, will her minister fiancé still want her? Will she still want him? Will Jack even let her go? Hopefully, a wild jail break is the only break in store for her…

    No longer safe at Twin Oaks, she embarks on a perilous journey, taking on the momentous responsibility for the lives and welfare of all who go with her. They ride at night and hide during the day, dodging both Confederate and Union troops along the way. Encountering hunger, sickness, and the devastation of war, they finally arrive in Missouri only to discover that the situation there puts them in even greater danger. Discouraged, disillusioned, and facing a severe testing of her faith, Jesselynn will stop at nothing to save her family, the horses, and whatever remains of Twin Oaks.

    Her destiny is to one day assume command of the ship, continuing her father’s legacy of aiding the poor while eluding the Navy Captain who continues to hunt them. She despises the man for his relentless pursuit and is determined to be free of his chase forever. The naval captain... Thomas Harrington, second son of the Duke of Ware, joined the Royal Navy to escape from his life in society and find the freedom his soul had been searching for. Instead, he has spent three years attempting to bring the elusive pirate Captain Adams to justice. He disdains everything he believes about the pirate life and will stop at nothing to capture the prey that has eluded him for so long. Two worlds collide... The beautiful blonde woman he meets in a tavern haunts Thomas’ daydreams, until he finds her in the unlikeliest of circumstances. The freedom his soul has been searching for and the honor he so upholds clash within him as Thomas and Eleanor fight their desire for one another. As they question everything they’ve ever believed, can they find a way forward together? Quest of Honor is a 41,000-word romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after! The Kindle version contains one extra story.