Fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust. Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except open his heart. He has held the world at arm’s length…but the beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. As desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. If Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul . . .Married By Morning (Book 4)For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters—a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat cannot believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her response—and even more so when Leo proposes a liaison. Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and tempting. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever—unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires . . .Love in the Afternoon (Book 5)Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. The free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to never finding love. Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. The correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep—and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can’t be denied . . .

    So imagine their surprise when they were reunited to cover the great light-out of ‘93. All thoughts of keeping things cool were doused along with the lights!Steam Bath - Suzanne CareyThe elevator didn’t work and neither did the air-conditioning, so prim-and-proper Melisande Taylor was stuck in a sweaty office with the man not of her dreams ~ sexy, irritating Joe Carbone. And Joe had a lot more on his mind than passing the time with boring conversation . . .

    Until I ran right to him... I was alone for the entire summer. The only plans I made involved my pool. Then I saw my neighbor watching... He was tall, dark, and gorgeously inked. Did I mention hot? He was hot-as-sin. It turned into a game. He watched me. I watched him. I teased him with the smallest swimsuits I could find. He was on house arrest, so all he could do was stare... Until he put his freedom on the line for what he wanted. But there were things about Gage I didn't know. His past was darker than he let on. When it finally caught up with him, I got caught in the crossfire. He was the only one who could save me, But that would cost him everything...

    She was thrown from the stage and knocked out, but when she woke up, Dusty Flynn had rescued her and taken her to a rundown shack to care for her. Desperate to find her son, Timmy, she wanted to find him herself, but her head injury wouldn't let her. Dusty told her to stay where she was and he'd go find the boy.Dusty found Timmy in a hollowed out tree and got him back to his ma. He was concerned with their welfare since Weeping Willow Creek was a wild, unruly town and women were scarce. When Timmy asked him to take them home with him, he couldn't oblige since it wouldn't be proper without wedding Hope. When a man accosted Hope in the hotel dinning room, he made up his mind he couldn't leave them there all alone and unprotected. He done the only decent thing he could do. He married her and became a pa to Timmy. At least his grandma would be happy he got married, but could they learn to love each other and become a family or would the man who accosted her destroy their lives?

    She might be moving to her family's ancestral ranch with her son, but being a McKettrick by blood wasn't enough to make her fit in. To make matters worse, from the moment she'd met the Triple M's ranch hand, he'd gotten under Sierra's skin. With his rugged body and tender compassion, Travis Reid was a temptation she didn't need or want. But as Sierra began to form a connection to one of her ancestors, Hannah McKettrick—also a woman with a young son and an inconvenient attraction to the wrong man—Sierra started to realize that there were some bonds that even time couldn't break. And there were some charmed places where even the loneliest of people could find home…and love.  BONUS BOOK INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!  Montana Royalty by New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels. Devlin Barrow would slay any dragon for local Whitehorse, Montana, girl Rory Buchanan. But their relationship was no fairy tale…because Devlin had a secret past that could threaten both their lives.

    She’s a hard-hitting journalist. Will their romance be game, set, mismatch?800+ pages of fast-swinging racquets, hot-off-the-press gossip, and smoldering chemistry across three full-length novels!Tennis heartthrob Cash Gallagher is undefeated both on and off the court. But beneath his superstar playboy image, he’s hiding a painful secret. When a headline-busting exposé hits a little too close to home, he’s determined to match the feisty journalist swing for swing… even if it means sleeping with the competition.Tally McKenzie is one story away from launching her career into the big leagues. And she can’t think of a better subject than the tennis bad boy she’s drooled over for a decade. But when her unauthorized tell-all triggers his infamous competitive streak, she’ll go toe to toe with the man of her dreams for a shot at fame and a fantasy of her own.As their flirtatious rivalry heats up, can Cash and Tally drop their defenses and let love in or will old doubts and dark secrets ruin their perfect match?A Winning Ace Boxset: The Complete Series is a sizzling contemporary romance collection containing three full-length novels.

     But when Jemina resists, he brings in some muscle to finish the job. But Luke Horn isn't just a gun for hire. He doesn't like what he hears about Fetterman. So he sides with Jemima and her foreman, Fed Sauermann, to get the rustlers off her land and bring Fetterman’s plans tumbling down. When the three are driven off the ranch, they find a hideout in the hills to hatch a plan to reclaim the ranch. It’s not long before Luke Horn find himself fighting for his life - and the land of the woman he loves. Hired Gun is a thrilling saga of gunplay and romance, perfect for fans of classic Western adventure. Praise for Christopher Kenworthy 'A thrilling read.' - Robert Foster, acclaimed author of The Lunar Code. ‘Kenworthy is a craftsman and entertainer.’ - Richard Foreman, bestselling author of The Sword of Rome series Christopher Kenworthy was a journalist and novelist. His other Westerns include Apache Country and Badlands, and he has also written two naval fiction series - the John Paul Jones adventures and the In the Dark of the Moon saga. Pioneering Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We publish new and classic westerns by authors from the US and the UK.

    18+ only!

    Marrying a man almost double her age doesn’t sit well with her. Being told two weeks before the event makes things even worse. Instead of waiting around for the inevitable, she steals out in the middle of the night to answer an advertisement for domestic help in another state. Little did she know what she was letting herself in for. After his wife’s death, Preacher Matthew Barnabas is left to care for their two small children. When Rose turns up unannounced, after answering an advertisement he knows nothing about, his life is turned upside down. The preacher will accept Rose into his life because he has no choice, but will he ever let her into his heart? Author's Promise: This is a heartwarming historical Christmas novella with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is a clean and wholesome story with nothing more than hugs, kisses, and holding hands.

    Each of these stories, whether novella length or full length, will transport you back to a time when outlaws ran free, the land was wild, and guns blazed at the drop of a hat. Rocky Mountain Oasis, by Lynnette Bonner When Sky Jordan hears that his nefarious cousin has sent for a mail-order bride, he knows he has to prevent the marriage. No woman deserves to be left to that fate. Still, he's as surprised as anyone to find himself standing next to her before the minister. Brooke's new husband turns out to be kinder than any man has ever been. But then the unthinkable happens and she holds the key that might save innocent lives but destroy Sky all in one fell swoop. It's a choice too unbearable to contemplate...but a choice that must be made. The Debutante Queen, by Angela Breidenbach 1889 (Helena, MT): Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montana statehood to expose the plight of street urchins. But hiding an indentured orphan could unravel Calista’s reputation, and her budding romance with pageant organizer, Albert Shanahan, if her secret is revealed. Will love or law prevail? Almost Home, by Susan Page Davis Patricia Logan leaves her friend’s party in Denver and heads for home at her uncle’s ranch. Her ride is sidelined by the storm. A chance meeting with Jared Booker, an old friend, prompts Patricia to beg for a lift. They set out on horseback and become snowbound for two days in a shack with a crotchety midwife and their past. Can they rekindle their old camaraderie and see it transform into lasting love? A Breed Apart, by Vickie McDonough The only thing Sarah Ames is good at is training horses. Her family wants to see her married. When her pa hires a stranger to take her job at their ranch, Sarah is hurt and angry. She suspects the handsome half-breed is a rustler and keeps her eye on him, but the man seems surprisingly above reproach. When cattle go missing, Sarah no longer wants to believe Carson is the thief. Could Carson have stolen her heart as well as the cattle? When all my Dreams Come True, by Janelle Mowery Bobbie McIntyre dreams of running a ranch of her own. Raised without a mother and having spent most of her time around men, she knows more about wrangling than acting like a lady. Still, the friendship of her new employer awakens a desire to learn more about presenting her feminine side…but ranch life keeps getting in the way. Ranch owner Jace Kincaid figures the Lord is testing his faith when a female wrangler shows up looking for work. Bobbie has an uncanny way of getting under his skin, though, and he’s surprised when she finds a home next to his heart. But when his cattle begin to go missing and his wranglers are in danger from some low-down cattle thief, will Jace trust God, even if it means giving up his dreams? Mismatched in Texas, by Janice Thompson In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. At her invitation, potential brides begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. George Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find George’s "perfect match," though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for George— and for Belinda, herself?

    The three stories are all interconnected. SWEET SUNRISE: Sometimes life has a way of teaching lessons whether you’re ready to learn them or not… The last place on earth Will Layton wants to be is Indigo Bay, but his younger sister, Whitney, needs him. He’s never been able to say no to her. But she left out a few details… like their father staying with her and the girl who dumped him years ago is living right next door. The last person Dr. Ashley Harden thought she’d see in Indigo Bay is Will Layton, but he’s back in town and just as irresistible as when they were young. Seeing Will again is a complication that isn’t on her carefully mapped out life plan. In spite of Ashley’s best intentions, she starts falling for Will again, but nothing has changed. She’s still focused on getting the townspeople to accept her and see her as more than the girl from the wrong side of town, while Will is determined to guard his heart at any cost. Not the easiest road to true love… especially when secrets from the past are revealed and history threatens to repeat itself. SWEET HOLIDAY MEMORIES: (a short holiday story) Sometimes a surprise from the past changes the future forever… Meredith Snowden — who by some strange twist of fate has the nickname Merry — avoids everything to do with the holidays. Everything. Her best friend, Whitney, has given up trying to change Merry's ways. Except… This year Merry’s in charge of the holiday bake sale. Not the best way to avoid Christmas. Then Austin Sullivan returns to town and literally runs into Merry sprawled on the sidewalk among boxes of smashed cookies. Austin is all about Christmas and offers help with the baking and the sale. Merry’s carefully hidden memories of Christmas past begin to resurface. Will Austin’s love of the holidays and a single lost ornament bring the magic of Christmas back into Merry’s life? SWEET STARLIGHT: Sometimes worlds collide and sparks fly and things don’t turn out as planned... Whitney Layton doesn’t recognize the actor who comes into her shop and commissions a custom jewelry piece for his grandmother’s birthday gala. Rick Nichols doesn’t know if he’s upset or thankful that Whitney doesn’t recognize him. While he longs to become more well known so his family will finally think he’s made a success of himself, he enjoys hiding out anonymously and being just an everyday normal guy. As Rick’s best-laid plans for his grandmother’s party fall apart, Whitney steps in to help him. But as things heat up between them and the press catches wind of their relationship, their photo is splashed all over social media. Whitney wants nothing of the limelight nor does she believe Rick will ever be happy with a small-town businesswoman who wants nothing more than to live out her life in Indigo Bay. She doesn’t need to add one more name to the list of people she’s cared about who have left her.

    James taught him how to be a bounty hunter, and Beau has been content with his life. When Beau gets word his father has died, he travels back home to Arkansas to see his mother and brother. Upon arrival, he learns of his father’s will, demanding that Beau marry within ninety days of the elder Dawson’s death. He even ordered his attorney to place an advert for a Mail Order Bride for his youngest son. Rose Lancaster was born and bred in Boston. After her husband dies, she thinks her life is over. Her father is determined to help and makes a contract for her with a Mail Order Bride Agency. When Beau and Rose finally meet, sparks fly. Can this mismatched couple ever find a way to live together, let alone live happily ever after?

    Hephaestus Books represents a new publishing paradigm, allowing disparate content sources to be curated into cohesive, relevant, and informative books. To date, this content has been curated from Wikipedia articles and images under Creative Commons licensing, although as Hephaestus Books continues to increase in scope and dimension, more licensed and public domain content is being added. We believe books such as this represent a new and exciting lexicon in the sharing of human knowledge. This particular book is a collaboration focused on Novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

    Despite her disappointment, she decides to make the best of the situation. That’s what she’s been taught to do.Sully always wanted to be a sheriff. When the old sheriff in Deep Well retired, he ran for sheriff and was elected by a landslide. Despite his bravery, he feels gloomy and insecure.He was in love once but, he wasn’t brave enough to tell her. After she married someone else, he had to find a mail order bride to alleviate the wound.But then he discovers that once he starts having real feelings for Geneva, the exact same issues are coming up. Will he be brave enough to tell her and risk having her break his heart? If he doesn't, they’ll never be able to have the deep and truly loving relationship that they both long for.

    When the letters she eagerly awaits never arrive, Rosie is disillusioned and open to the influence of Doug. Finding herself pregnant, she is forced to marry Doug - but then a letter arrives from Adam, saying he is coming home.