But he can't find his way alone.A partner is required.Fantine (Fanny) Delarive is perfect. She knows the slums better than any, has survived its labyrinth alone for years, and knows every criminal lurking in every dark corner.Then, the investigation detours the pair into the bright ballrooms of the ton.And Fantine fits in here, too.Which changes everything.Lord Chadwick knows a woman of Fantine's ilk is entirely unsuitable for him. But she's infinitely more exciting than any well-born lady he's ever met.Now much more than an acquaintance with the independent, self-reliant Fantine is required... and it must end with nothing less than marriage.

    Against her better judgment, however, she is powerfully drawn to the elusive and dangerous Lucien, whose hard-hearted façade hides a tragedy that is slowly devouring him from within.As Lucien and Madeline circle each other in a magnetic play of desire and denial, their passion will rise to a crescendo of longing and sacrifice that will change their fates forever.

    However, once we do, life opens up. In ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL, I wrote a heroine who, in spite of her fears, her doubts, was willing to risk all—and met a man who fell in love with her spirit. Isn’t that what we all want?”—Cathy Maxwell Lady Julia Markham was the toast of London Society—until an ill-advised attempted elopement ended in betrayal and left her good name in tatters. Now ruined, penniless, and desperate, she has agreed to wed the magnetic and possibly dangerous Brader Wolf. A dashing, phenomenally successful self-made businessman, Brader wants this union to help gain him entry into the drawing rooms of the aristocracy, nothing more. Julia, however, is a woman of rare passion and daring, irresistibly drawn to this enigmatic, infuriating man, and no mere marriage of mutual convenience will do. But how far will the spirited beauty have to go to satisfy a heart that will settle for no less than the love of a lifetime?

    Yet though the swift steel of her sword has spread her reputation to the farthest corners of the map, there is only one treasure she seeks --- the blood of her lifelong nemesis ... Blair Colm.Shipwrecked on a desert isle with the handsome Logan Hagarty, she soon rediscovers her femininity in the irresistible captain's arms. But their paradise skies darken with the appearance of their common enemy. Now the two must summon all their strength and cunning to best the evil Colm, and protect the fierce love that has grown between them.

    Paxton of Wychchester was a leader of men, a conqueror who knew more of war than love. He commanded Dominique’s surrender, taking first her lush holdings and then her vulnerable virgin’s body. But in the sweet ecstasy of their union lay an unexpected twist. Which of them had been seduced, and which truly conquered? ~ ~ ~ She felt his lips kiss the hollow created by her collar bone, as if he were tasting her skin. Her lids sprang open. "I must warn you,” she murmured, her breathing shallow, light. "There is a legend about this place.” He eased her to her knees and sank to the soft grassy bed opposite her. "That it is enchanted?” She reached over and began to loose his doublet, saying, "That if you meet a fairy by the waterfall—” "Are you truly a fairy, what the French call fee?" His voice was deep, stressed with the passion he constrained. "—and drink its water, you will fall in love with her.” His dark eyes never left her face as she divested him of his clothing. "I do not believe in superstitions, mistress.”

    Reeves must seek out the first of the earl's arrogant sons, Captain Tristan Llevanth, a one-time pirate, and teach him to be a gentleman.A will of steel...Tristan Llevanth gave up his free-wheeling life as a pirate to fight at Admiral Nelson's side. Wounded, Tristan will never again sail the seas he loves. Life has no more challenges. Or so he thinks, until Reeves brings a certain outspoken lady into the captain's uncultured household...An iron-clad spirit...Reeves believes Tristan needs a spark to relight the fires of his soul. And who better than lovely Prudence Thistlewaite, the bane of the captain's existence? Prudence wants nothing to do with her wickedly handsome, ill-tempered neighbor. Still, she cannot refuse the outlandish sum Reeves offers to smooth Tristan's rough edges.

    But when it came to subduing one helpless female, he found himself at a distinct disadvantage. Never had he realized the power of beguiling green eyes, soft curves and berry-red lips to weaken a man’s resolve. He had claimed he would make the stolen woman his captive, but he soon learned he would never enjoy her alluring body unless he could first win her elusive heart.

    Since her one disastrous London Season, Harry has been content to live in the country breeding and training horses. She has no intention of marrying anyone, least of all her rakish friend. Julian persists, so Harry tells him she will marry him if he can avoid so much as kissing another woman for three months. The wager is on, but neither gambles on losing their hearts!THE WEDDING WAGER was originally published in the Zebra Regency anthology HIS BLUSHING BRIDE, a Romantic Times Top Pick. It won the National Readers’ Choice Award for Best Novella in 2001.

    But then the tables are turned as night brings a surprise she never imagined—and a proposition she can't refuse... Miss Eva Black spent her life concealing her mother's past as a courtesan. Now a spinster, her beauty hidden away under a dour disguise, Eva spends her days schooling courtesans to be suitable wives. But one vengeful duke does not appreciate Eva stealing his mistress and transforming her into a lady. His vengeance won't be satisfied until he seduces Eva into becoming what she detests most: a courtesan. Nicholas, the Duke of Stanfield, is furious with this woman who frees courtesans from bondage. His revenge? Upend Eva's world by buying her debts and striking a scandalous bargain: She must serve as his mistress' replacement. But he doesn't expect her to be a woman of such beauty and secrets—or to have a past that not only endangers Eva herself, but everyone whose life she has so intimately touched.

    Time and money dwindle to naught, and marriage is Piper’s lone option. Although potential suitors circle her skirts, none but Barrett Maddox, Duke of Manchester, captures her heart, after he saves her from a band of thieves. It is just her luck that the man Piper wants is the only one she cannot have.For wealthy, titled bachelor Barrett Maddox, the first rule in life is to avoid marriageable virgins, at all costs, and he has been successful thus far. That is, until he rescues the delectable, auburn-haired Piper Baker. For some unfathomable reason, or in a temporary fit of insanity, he agrees to broker a match for the unfortunate lady, in the target rich New York society. While he easily thwarts inept suitors, can Barrett keep his hands to himself?Entangled in a web they conspired to create, Piper and Barrett are left to wonder if there is anything more reckless than love.

    Yet even her awesome skill as a horsewoman won't help her outrace the knight who pursues her.An Anglo-Norman who has won favor with the King, Sir Gabel de Amalville must prove his loyalty by crushing the rebellious MacNairn clan. Seizing the youngest daughter of the chief gives him a necessary advantage. But having sequestered Ainslee in his isolated castle keep, he soon finds himself the prisoner of a passion he never could have foreseen. Now, as the shadow of war descends upon the Highlands, Gabel will follow his heart into battle—for the love of the sensual woman who has captured him, mind, body and soul.

    But, despite the intrigues of war, the mystery of the lovely young woman washed ashore near his Cornwall estate is one he cannot resist. With the ragged remains of a treasure map concealed in her chemise and no memory of who she is and how she got there, the dark beauty is an alluring puzzle he must solve.Fighting her powerful desire for the man who has sheltered her, Jewel Bona struggles both to remember her past and imagine what her future might hold. But when a British officer claiming that he is her uncle threatens to expose her to terrifying danger, she turns to Adam for protection ... and passion.Fleeing to America aboard Adam’s ship, the two cannot deny all that they feel in each other’s embrace. But the shadow of war and a scandalous connection to an infamous pirate loom like a powder keg over their dreams of love--a love each will risk everything to keep alive...

    Everything about his rugged good looks spelled danger. . .and fascination. But her hand had been promised to his brother!When China moved into the great Cross mansion at Portsmouth to become the bride of Sir Ranulf Cross, her presence enflamed the already raging conflicts among the Cross brothers. And amid bitter charges of betrayal and blackmail, Justin was banished from the house.With Justin suddenly gone, China is tormented by the words left unspoken, and on the eve of her wedding, she is seized by the reckless desire to see Justin once more. For the message he left on her pillow could only mean the promise of love...

    Now, five years later, the gangly girl had become a breathtaking beauty, ready to find the one who had sparked her passion and show him how much of a woman she had become. When she recognized the brazen pirate at New Orleans' fanciest masquerade ball, Liberty's skin tingled with excitement. But before the nubile blonde could reveal her identity to him, Judah had insolently branded her lips with his, roughly tied her up, then kidnapped her on horseback!STARLIT SURRENDERWhen long ago Liberty's sister had framed Judah for murder, the furious male had vowed that one day he d have revenge... and punish the faithless witch as only a man can! With rage firing his blood he never stopped to think that the wench bound and gagged before him wasn't his enemy. As they galloped further into the velvety dark, Judah freely fondled the traitor's lush curves, graphically growling how he'd get even with her. Then, without giving her a chance to explain, the determined privateer took her in his arms, little knowing who really writhed beneath him, first in protest, then in ecstasy, entranced by Judah 's sensual MOONTIDE EMBRACE..

    . .Shop girl Poppy Fairchurch knows it’s pointless fantasizing about the Duke of Autenberry. Still, dreams can’t hurt anyone . . . unlike the carriage Poppy spies bearing down upon the unsuspecting duke. After she pulls him to safety, the duke lapses into a coma and Poppy is mistaken for his fiancée. But one person isn’t fooled: his arrogant and much too handsome half-brother, Struan Mackenzie. Soon Poppy isn’t sure what she wants more . . . the fantasy of her duke or the reality of one smoldering Scot who challenges her at every turn.. . . is not who you think.An illegitimate second son, Struan may have built an empire and established himself as one of the wealthiest men in Britain, but he knows he will always be an outsider among the ton. Just like he knows the infuriating Poppy is a liar. There’s no way the haughty Duke of Autenberry would deign to wed a working class girl. It doesn’t matter how charming she is. Or tempting. Or how much Struan wants her for himself.