The author of the enormously popular series featuring Baltimore P.I. Tess Monaghan as well as three critically lauded stand-alone novels, Lippman now turns her attention to short stories—and reveals another level of mastery.Lippman sets many of the stories in this sterling anthology, Hardly Knew Her, in familiar territory: her beloved Baltimore, from downtown to its affluent suburbs, where successful businessmen go to shocking lengths to protect what they have or ruthlessly expand their holdings, while dissatisfied wives find murderous ways to escape their lives. But Lippman is also unafraid to travel—to New Orleans, to an unnamed southwestern city, and even to Dublin, the backdrop for the lethal clash of two not-so-innocents abroad. Tess Monaghan is here, in two stories and a profile, aligning herself with various underdogs. And in her extraordinary, never-before-published novella, Scratch a Woman, Lippman takes us deep into the private world of a high-priced call girl/madam and devoted soccer mom, exploring the mystery of what may, in fact, be written in the blood.Each of these ingenious tales is a gem—sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, always filled with delightfully unanticipated twists and reversals. For people who have yet to read Lippman, get ready to experience the spellbinding power of "one of today's most pleasing storytellers, hailed for her keen psychological insights and her compelling characterizations," (San Diego Union-Tribune), who has "invigorated the crime fiction arena with smart, innovative, and exciting work" (George Pelecanos). As for longtime devotees of her multiple award-winning novels, you'll discover that you hardly know her.

    Now they are happily married, and Emily has never been with another man. A little shy, very traditional, and with a strict upbringing, she’s never even thought about another man. To grow their marriage they create a bucket list of experiences to share. Justin seeds the list with a few risqué ideas he hopes will add some spice to their staid physical relationship. Will the bucket list backfire, or introduce Emily to hidden desires? Follow Emily and Justin on their amazing journey, from a fantasy that is at first inconceivable, along a remarkably believable step by step path as Emily slowly realizes who she is, to a destination of utter transformation with a whole new world of realities. Realities with men other than her husband. Book One of a three part series.

    She thinks she’s ready for this homecoming. She’s spent years escaping her perpetual shyness and being Katie Michaels’ tag-along friend, but being back in her hometown brings back a lot of old memories, especially when she is faced with the cowboy she never forgot—Katie’s older brother, Maddox. Twelve years ago, Maddox Michaels was supposed to be somebody. He had everything. A football scholarship. A Division I team scouting him. Maybe even a chance at the pros. Now, he’s a burned-out cowboy working day and night to stay ahead of his brother’s medical bills and keep their family farm from going bankrupt. And trying to be a father-figure for his niece, Olivia. When Haley and Olivia start spending time together, Maddox can’t help remembering those dreams that died alongside his sister. Will being with Haley open his heart to new dreams? USA Today bestselling author Cheryl Wyatt introduces a new series, Haven Bay Heroes, with this contemporary romance novella: Coast Guard fire chief Scotty Cohen learned his lesson when one careless moment on the job cost his best friend his life. So he heads for Haven Bay, Florida, ready to start again. And this time? No distractions allowed. Enter conservationist Lilah McLaughlin—that woman is one major distraction. How is he supposed to ignore her when the marine wildlife rescue center is right next door to the Coast Guard facility—and when she proceeds to break down every wall he’s put up? Then the unthinkable happens, and Scotty must decide: give up Lilah or give up his calling. Whatever choice he makes means he’ll get burned all over again…

    Her prospects are promising by the standards of London society, yet, not one of them causes her heart to flutter, or her head to fill with scintillating, forbidden fantasies. Those feelings are reserved for Camden Rycroft, Duke of Avonleah—a man who isn’t even aware of her existence.While attending a scandalous Vauxhall Gardens masquerade, Margaret finds herself in the duke’s arms. His promise of a night of pleasure is tempting, but is it worth it when Avonleah is a known rake notorious for his short attention span and avoidance of marriage?Camden Rycroft is intrigued by the masked vixen he encounters in the Gardens. After one night with her leaves him hungry for more, his desire for her turns into a fiery obsession. Despite the scandal that could ensue from their affair, he finds himself unable to extract himself from a situation destined to end in pain. When faced with losing Margaret to a potential husband, will he rise to the occasion, or risk living without her?

    Both are sweet, "clean" romances, and are prequels to the first full-length novel in the series - LOVE AT FIRST CLICK. HEARTS OVER BELLHAM - Hillary Johnson secretly admired handsome fellow firefighter, Tim Jacobs, for years. When the fire chief asks for volunteers to hang Valentine’s decorations over Main Street, Hillary’s hand shoots up immediately after Tim’s. Why pass up a golden opportunity to spend time with the guy she’s crushing on, just because she’s afraid of heights? Hillary battles her fear to prove to Tim, and to herself, that she can conquer it. After observing Hillary’s courage, Tim notices her – really notices her – for the first time. VALENTINE'S MAGIC After a dozen years of marriage, financial woes, and the possibility of losing their alpaca ranch, the honeymoon is over for Carol and Christopher Ridge. But the couple reconnects on Valentine’s Day, rediscovering their love for one another under the magical glow of the lighted hearts strung over Bellham’s Main Street. Could this be the launch of a new honeymoon phase for Carol and Christopher?

    And as always, a happily ever after you won’t forget.

    She should be in her dorm room studying, but instead she's with big, hunky Max, doing whatever he wants. Max cannot get enough of this SKINNY, NERVOUS coed. But when their clock runs out, will he be able to let her go?

    Unrequited love becomes the bane of police detective Tess Champion’s existence in the town of Aurora, Colorado. Unrequited love will soon become the bane of several other women’s existence as well. While struggling to rebuild her life after an attempted rape, Tess Champion is thrown into case after case of women who have suffered what she had…and worse. In the midst of the terror, a new man arises, someone she might be able to build a life with. Will this man be the savior she desperately needs in her life, or will he, in the end, be the one to finish it? For readers 18 and older, contains adult content.Books Two and Three in this series are now available!

    Fun, Beautifully Illustrated Bedtime Story/Picture Book about Thoughtfulness and Good Manners for Beginner Readers, Ages 2-8

     I never expected to get fired on my birthday of all days. But that was the start of many unexpected things. With him. It was one night masked in desire and pleasure that changed everything. He's all I think about- all I want. And he's everything I can't possibly have. My sisters ex. My swim coach. Now, all I'm left with are stolen glances, brief touches, and a burning desire for more as I drown in my need for him- the man who's off limits, totally forbidden. Unless ... We keep it completely hushed. This is the first book in the Hush Series.

    His fiancée is everything Logan wants in a wife, but the problem is, she's not the one who makes his blood burn.Now that she's a werewolf and a freak, Freya has enough problems as it is. Attraction to an engaged man is the last thing she needs on top of that, no matter how handsome he is. Logan drives her crazy. He's bossy and possessive, even though he has no right to be. She hates him and hates what he does to her. He makes her weak for him and needy, and she makes him want something he shouldn't want.It's wrong and reckless. They know they shouldn't. They know they can't.This book contains explicit sexual content and is intended for adult audiences only. #1 in the Randall Family series, but it is a complete, stand-alone story.

    Using their unique bondage skills, they resolve to infiltrate the mysterious government Pleasure Center, free their friends, and fight the power!