And none was so ruthless, bold, or dangerously seductive as the condemned outlaw known only as Blacksword. In return for safe escort to her ancestral castle, Rosalynde was forced to marry the black-hearted rogue, never dreaming that holy wedlock would fan the flames of unholy desire.The fate of his noble name rested on his massive shoulders. Savage fires of vengeance seared his soul. Wielder of the coveted Blacksword, Sir Aric of Wycliffe vowed death to the treacherous enemy who sought to destroy him. Until his heart was bested by the enchanting maiden who'd saved him from the hangman's noose. Bound together by ancient custom, the brazen knight demanded no less than his sweet Rose's total surrender. But even as revenge and honor warred within him, he would be undone by the most seductive conqueror of all ... wild, irresistible love.

    Strict rules in her husband's will ensure that if she remarries or even forms friendships her mother-in-law does not approve of, then she will never see her young son again. But one night, in a dark garden at a masquerade ball, Isobel gives in to temptation, and lets an innocent flirtation turn into seduction.Phineas Archer, the notorious Marquess of Blackwood, may hold the reputation as the worst rake in London, but as a spy for the crown, he merely plays the role of a fool to learn the most closely guarded secrets of the ton.As a new threat to England's success in the war against Napoleon emerges, Phineas must foil a plot to kidnap the exiled Bourbon heir to the French crown. Every clue seems to lead to his mysterious lover, but while Phineas can spot trouble a mile off, and see through the cleverest of disguises, he cannot find any trace of his elusive femme fatale. No man alive would imagine the prim widow Maitland could be his dream lover. But behind the mask and the secrets, Isobel is everything Phineas has ever desired....

    After she returns to England, following the bloody War of the Roses, Lady Alys Wolveston is dismayed to learn that she is to be given in marriage to Welshman Sir Nicholas Merion. But after the two rebellious hearts are united, their fascination with each other blossoms into true love.

    Yet the night he rescues beautiful Lady Katherine Berkeley from a treasonous kidnapper and an arranged marriage, he is captivated by the power of her enchanting loveliness. As she trembles within his protective embrace, he knows she is unaware of the fire she has ignited within him--a passion that burns with greater fury each day.Though he is powerless against her innocent sensuality, Reynold is duty bound to bring the lady to the king, whose life may depend on the secret she holds. Yet when the dark knight discovers that Katherine is to be married, he is torn between doing his duty... or claiming Katherine as his own.

    In the age of chivalry and the season of hope three marriages are forged...In The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverly, a lord from a rival clan steals the wrong holiday bride for his brother, and discovers his own true love in the witty and wise captive maiden!In The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore two wounded souls, a roguish mercenary and a stern beauty, teach each other how to live and love again during a yuletide blizzard...In The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons the head of the mighty de Burgh family finds his quiet reserve shattered by the seductive young widow who stays at his keep for the twelve days of Christmas!

    One of England's fiercest warriors, Strathmore is torn between his loyalty to the king and his pledge to the elusive woman he has never met. Strathmore was once betrothed to the fiery Lady Kyla--until her family's fall from grace halted plans for their union.When Kyla is seized by Strathmore, she vows to seek vengeance against the man she considers a traitor. But she's surprised when her hatred for her newfound enemy is matched by a powerful attraction--a temptation at odds with her desire to reclaim her freedom. Fueled by his own unspoken passion, Strathmore is willing to risk everything to help his beautiful captive discover the truth about her shocking past--even if only the most desperate act will save her from further ruin...or perhaps even death.

    Sir David of Radcliffe discovers mischief-makers afoot, but is most surprised at how quickly his damsel brings him to his knees.

    . .Now a royal command to wed would restore all he had lost—but at what price? For though marriage to landed, beauteous Emalie Montgomerie seemed to present no hardship, his countess harbored a secret dangerous enough to destroy them both! They were bound by decree, but would they ever find happiness?Though she held her honor unblemished in her heart, Emalie Montgomerie knew coming unchaste to the bridal bed was a sin unforgivable in a noblewoman. Still, the desire flaring in Christian's eyes offered her hope...but would the prideful Dumont ever accept another man's babe as his own?

    Armed with a sharp dagger and a quick sword, she hired out as a mercenary, sworn to deny her womanhood and her noble heritage. Soon though, the fateful ring brought a bold knight in hot pursuit—a relentless lord who would condemn her to death or redeem her in flames of passion.A Knight of HonorNoble knight Slane Donovan was duty-bound to find the woman with the Sullivan ring after her powerful father decreed she would be his brother's bride. With Castle Donovan under siege, it was her dowry that would save his family's ancestral home. But even as the fierce young beauty eluded Slane's grasp, her sensuous charms enflamed his heart—daring him to break the code that bound him to family and claim her forever as his own.

    For what foolish Saxon lord had any hope of triumphing against an army of seasoned Norman knights?But the great warrior was in for a shock...surprised first by the ferocious battle the wily old lord waged--and then by what he discovers when he meets his adversary face-to-face: no crusty, aging nobleman this, but an exquisite princess with a face as fragile as a flower--and a will as steely as the sword she wields.Suddenly Luc finds he's waging a dangerous new war...aimed at the defenses of a fierce Saxon beauty who threatens to conquer his warrior's heart.

    From the flames of the bitter struggle came the men and women who dared to forge their own unique destinies...Lissa de FlaelWillful, bold and beautiful, she as a burgher's daughter, married and widowed in a nobleman's cynical conspiracy of power. Yet her independent heart remained untouched--until one man fired her senses in a single glorious night of desire...Sir Justin FitzAilwinWellborn and feared, the warden of London's peace in a ruthless age of war, he waged a desperate private struggle for Lissa's love--his life, his hope, his destiny.Their joining was a shining, embattled alliance, menaced by an unseen enemy, yet fated by the passion that stirred deep within their souls.

    . . Lady Isabel Louvet is a woman of noble birth, wit, courage, and beauty. But though these qualities make her an excellent bride, they cannot save her when, on the night she was meant to choose a groom, wild Scottish brigands storm the walls of her father's castle. As what should be a celebration turns to terror and bloodshed, Isabel is carried away from her family to be offered to a Scottish chieftain as a slave . . . or worse.But unbeknownst to Isabel, she has a champion, a feared warrior and knight of legend named Anvrai d'Arques. His visage bears the scars of battle, but his heart remains pure in its devotion to country and king - that is, until he sets out to rescue Isabel. Her fierce spirit of survival stirs his passion more than combat ever could, and with her touch his world forever shifts. Now, with the Scottish on their heels and a country on the brink of war, they must go forth in battle together to save themselves, to protect their countrymen, and to find a love that can set them both forever free.

    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.

    A scandalous rake who's charmed a long string of ladies, he finally meets his match in Miss Lilith Benton, known as the Ice Queen. Intent on restoring her family's good name, Lilith wants only to make a respectable marriage. So when the tempting but notorious Jack begins to woo her, she is determined to ignore him. Then their accidental involvement in a duke's mysterious death forces Jack and Lilith to become conspirators to clear their names --- and suddenly cold disdain gives way to hot desire. Now Lilith may find his passionate stolen kisses too tempting to resist ...

    . .Gaze longingly into her eyes while declaring her beauty . . .Colonel Colin Mandland has wealth, power . . . everything but a bride. But although there is no mistress of his newly purchased manor, Maiden Hill, there is certainly a resident maiden: Lady Rosalyn Wellborne, a stubborn beauty who steadfastly refuses to leave the place she has always called home.Hold her hand just a fraction longer than necessary...Tantalizing Rosalyn proves to be far more difficult than any enemy he's ever met on the battlefield. She attacks by declaring Colin an upstart who is unfit for local society. He shockingly counters by offering for her hand in marriage—and she surprisingly accepts.Or, when all else fails, conquer her.Although this genteel lady has vowed never to succumb to unbridled passion, she quickly learns that theirs will be no marriage in-name-only, but rather a slow, sensuous and alarmingly effective seduction . . . that turns her world upside down.