James, U.S. Army Sergeant First ClassCurrent Status: On leave after a year in Afghanistan.Mission: Take some R & R. Check up on a buddy's little sister.Obstacle: Sophia Castillo. Independent, stubborn...and hot enough to make him forget she's anybody's "little sister"Max may be off duty, but he still has one last job to do. He's promised to look in on--but not fool around with --his best friend's kid sister. Only once he meets Sophia, all thought of keeping his hands to himself go out the window.Sophia, however, has different ideas. A recent widow, the last thing she needs is another man telling her what to do. Even if that gorgeous man leaves her drooling in a puddle of lust....It's a battle of wills. Who will end up on top? Max breaks every rule in the book to keep Sophia in his bed. After all, all's fair in love and war.And Max is counting on life with Sophia being a little bit of both.

    So when his faithful secretary finally had enough of his difficult, demanding ways and quit, he followedher to the tropical resort where she wasvacationing. There'd be no relaxing forJefferson...he was playing at seductionin order to get Caitlyn back to work.But his ex-assistant was turning out to bemore determined, and more desirable, thanthe arrogant millionaire had ever realized.

    Oddly discontent with the way his life is going...Mission: Getting his act together before the next assignment.Obstacle: Sunny Ledbetter. The girl he's never managed to forget...Finn has never questioned his life's purpose--to serve and protect, no matter how unorthodox the means. But since the unexpected deaths of his parents, he feels lost....Until he runs into Sunny, the first girl he'd ever loved. Sunny's now all woman...and very interested in fanning the banked flames between them into blistering adult heat! And his libido is definitely game.But once again, their timing is off. He'd like nothing more than to spend every waking moment in her bed...but he's leaving in a week! Unfortunately, the overwhelming chemistry between them isn't giving him a choice.And every soldier knows there are some battles you just can't win....

    Not that the sensible bookkeeper was accustomed to lying—or anything else that would have disrupted her safe, dull existence. But her world took a terrifying turn when her twin brother, Alex, an agent for T-FLAC, the elite antiterrorist task force, went missing.Now she'll do anything to find him…lie, cheat, even subject herself to the predatory advances of Alex's T-FLAC partner, Marc Savin, if it will help get her brother home safe.But trusting the sexy, brooding operative might just be the risk of a lifetime.The Mercenary is back, and better than ever!

    The Fate Delivery Cards were a silly impulse purchase. But thanks to one of the Cards, bed-and-breakfast owner Hailey Sutherland finds herself locked in a scorching kiss with super-hot, wet-suit-clad navy SEAL Nate Peterson. It seems that fate is opposed to Hailey's self-imposed celibacy….Especially since Nate has picked up his own Fate Delivery Card—and he intends to follow it through…until Hailey is in his bed!

    There she discovers country superstar Zane Williams still hunkering down after the devastating loss of his wife. These two wounded souls find their easy friendship healing. So Jess's sudden attraction to Zane comes as a complete shock. Even more shocking, Zane's acting like a jealous boyfriend, running interference with men who show interest. Is he just being overprotective? The answer becomes clear when Jess ends up in his bed…

    And for two Marines, Lives--and love-- are on the line.Racing against time to save victims in a ravaged, burning city, golden boy Lieutenant Wes James discovered an angel in disguise: plain-Jane rescue worker Lieutenant Callie Evans, who defied death to dig survivors from the rubble. Amid the hellish wreckage, her blue eyes shone with inspiring hope. Her innocence and valor moved the unshakable Marine, and she blossomed into a beauty beneath his protective gaze. Still, past pain kept Wes from surrendering his closely guarded heart. But he ached to make Callie more than his comrade-in-arms. He ached to make her his...

    And when he insisted upon marriage, she reluctantly agreed. But it was for the baby's sake...she could care less about his wealth, his power, his position.Ryan was used to being pursued for his money...yet his new bride claimed to have no ulterior motives. With the passion so intense between them, dare Ryan take a chance on the woman about to give him his billion-dollar heir?

    The place is run-down, and she's at her wit's end dealing with her friend's hostile relations. On the upside, she has a droolingly hot neighbor—whose late-night workouts offer seriously panty-vaporizing entertainment….Explosives expert Navy Lieutenant Brad Riddock is on enforced R & R…but it's rapidly becoming more racy than restful! When Nikki receives threatening letters, Brad immediately offers his protection—his very personal protection. But his leave is soon over, and the threats to Nikki's safety are escalating. Will this volatile situation bring them together…before it tears them apart?

    His trial? Finding homes for his grandmother's rescue dogs. His judge? Johanna Fletcher, the woman whose heart he broke. Sure, Johanna can handle a week traveling the country with her ex-fiancé to fulfilll his dying grandmother's request. She and Stone want different things—plain and simple. But there's nothing plain about Stone, or simple about the heat that still flares between them. One week may not be long enough….

    C. Campbell, Military Police.Current Status: A little bored…but not for long!Mission: Getting his hands on a priceless stolen diamond.Obstacle: Trying to keep his hands off his sexy new partner, Fiona Gallagher.Fiona has never been into Christmas. Having grown up in a series of foster homes, she has no use for Santa…at least until she meets the hottie St. Nick delivers just in time for the holidays—Captain D. C. Campbell.Technically, they're supposed to be working together to find a stolen diamond, one reported to have the power to bring lovers together. Well, they might not have the stone, but Fiona and D.C. aren't having any trouble getting together—in every sexual position possible!But it's only a holiday fling, right? It is—unless Fiona's Christmas Male can convince her he's the gift that keeps

    Because Carly's parents think Hunt is her new boyfriend, and Carly does need a wedding date ASAP, Hunt's ready to play--only on one condition. Carly's got to teach him to hang ten. Problem is it's been a while since Carly's career-ending accident and she's terrified of anything aqua. But with Hunt, letting go just may make her fantasy a reality!

    Wounded and on the run, he has no choice but to take beautiful Abby Wells hostage. After all, she's in danger, too. And if the only way to keep the fiercely independent communications expert safe is to cuff her and bring her along for the ride, he'll do it. With pleasure, even.Only, given their close contact, it's not long before Hawk's thinking about a totally different kind of pleasure….

    Until one night, she finds it--in the form of a little black book. A book containing X-rated details about an exclusive club where powerful political men play. It could be the story of the century--or it could be the last story Sara writes....Sergeant Rafe Delgado has no use for journalists...even one as hot as Sara. But once he realizes she's in danger, Rafe knows he's the only thing standing between Sara and a pair of cement shoes. Only now, there's nothing standing between them...and Sara's about to learn that powerful politicos aren't the only ones with unbridled desires!

    He needs a housekeeper, but he's been burned before by gold-digging employees. Still, when fiery redhead Melinda Winslow shows up, his attraction is undeniable. Mellie has big plans for her small cleaning service. A powerful client like Case Baxter is a boon to her business. But falling for him could mess everything up. Mellie knows how to handle a mess…if Case isn't too hot to handle! Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Club: Lies and Lullabies bonus prequel short story from Janice Maynard