But it is another woman who sets his heart aflame.Haunted by the mysterious deaths of his two brothers, Grant Roberson, 10th Earl of Straithern, fears for his life. Determined to produce an heir before it's too late, Grant has promised to wed a woman he has never met. But instead of being enticed by his bride-to-be, Grant can't fight his attraction to the understated beauty and wit of her paid companion.Gillian Cameron long ago learned the danger of falling in love. Now, as the companion to a spoiled bluestocking, she has learned to keep a firm hold on her emotions. But, from the moment she meets him, she is powerless to resist the alluring and handsome earl.Fighting their attraction, Gillian and Grant must band together to stop an unknown enemy from striking. Will the threat of danger be enough to make them realize their true feelings?

    Though she believes she’s pulled him to safety, in fact she has put them both in grave danger: Because when his brilliant blue eyes meet hers, the passionate Scottish sergeant kisses her in a way that leaves her breathless and trembling. As the obedient daughter of an earl, Grace shouldn’t be tempted by someone so far below her station. But as a red-blooded woman, she longs for so much more.   As far as Duncan Mackenzie is concerned, getting stabbed in the arm was the best thing that ever happened to him. When he wakes on the battlefield, the sight of Grace’s lovely face sets his soul aflame. As an enlisted man and a farmer’s son, however, pursuing his guardian angel means facing the wrath of London society, not to mention his own superiors in the British Army. Aye, but he’d risk all that and more just to keep her in his arms.

    He is also a widower content with single state. When asked by Queen Matilda to make a political alliance through marriage to Gwyneth of Northumbria, he is both dumbfounded and aggrieved. But then he lays eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Gwyneth of Northumbria is a new captive in the court. She is truly appalled when she meets the brute she is to wed, a man with no manners and no tact. But she quickly discovers that what her husband lacks in charm, he makes up for in brute masculinity. The political forces that brought Gwyneth to the court are still blowing through the kingdom. King Stephen clings to his throne, but a young, upstart Henry is gathering forces and followers. Simon will forever be Stephen’s man but he cannot be sure of where Gwyneth’s loyalties lie. When he suspects her of being a spy in Stephen’s court, the fragile bond they have been able to form is threatened. But Gwyneth knows who the real spy is, and this villain is set on destroying both her and Simon. Can she expose this spy’s treachery in time?

    Her father is determined to wed her off to his enemy, the Earl of Redmond, to broker peace. Redmond, however, wants her for a much darker purpose.Forced to pretend an aversion to the man she loves, Solange is finally reunited with Damon in the most unexpected of ways. She is now a widow, a haunting version of the girl he once knew, and seems to be hiding something that Damon cannot discover. All he knows is that she is determined to flee the estate of her dead husband, and he is helplessly drawn with her on the journey.Along the way each rediscovers the flame that once united them, slowly, reluctantly, until once again they admit their love for each other. All cannot be well, however, until the secret of Solange's past is uncovered and banished.

    In service to his king ... a hero in an age of heroes ... a princely suitor for Lady Audris -- even though she cannot have him.Against all odds, they dare to search for love ... the lady who has sworn not to marry ... and the knight who has vowed to win her heart...

    An heiress who refuses to be tamed. The Devil’s own bargain . . . Cara di Montessori has a price upon her head. Her traitorous uncle has murdered her father and seized her home. Her only hope of survival, and of regaining her birthright, is an alliance with her childhood nemesis, the infamous mercenary Il Diavolo. The most irritating—and seductive—man Cara’s ever met.Battle hardened and world-weary, Alessandro del Sarto has earned the sobriquet Il Diavolo. He needs a politically expedient marriage to secure the lasting peace he craves,but the simpering ladies of court hold little interest. More than anything, he longs for a challenge.Headstrong beauty Cara has always been Il Diavolo’s only weakness, the one woman he’s never been able to forget. When she appears at his door begging for help, the two strike a devil’s bargain. In return for his assistance, for two weeks Cara must entertain his guests, relieve his boredom—and warm his bed. Cara has no intention of succumbing to del Sarto’s studied seduction, but the passion that simmers between them is more potent than her paper twists of gunpowder. Surrounded by danger and intrigue, she must choose between what she’s always thought of as her destiny, and what could be the greatest prize of all—her heart’s desire.

    His focus is being both mom and dad to his girls, until the beautiful Amelia Blake moves next door and reminds him he’s a man as well as a dad. Just as he begins to hope that his life can once again hold more than homework, chores, and movie-and-manicure nights with his girls, he discovers the reason for the fragility beneath Lia's warm smile. Lia is trying to move on with her life after a miscarriage ends all hope for a baby, and a subsequent betrayal destroys her marriage. She’s charmed by her new neighbor with his sparkling manicure, multi-colored hair clips, and his brood of girls, but disturbed by the sexual tension that sizzles between them. Gabe and his daughters remind her of everything she’s always wanted and it would be so easy to take what he's offering her. But is she ready to risk her heart again, especially when her heart isn't the only one in play?Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard. Good thing Gabe is a fighter who's determined to prove to Lia he’s in this for the long haul…the rest of their lives.

    . . Fiercely independent, and wholly devoted to her subjects, Crown Princess Thera of Mercia must marry before she can become Queen. But the beauty's reluctance to choose a husband has plunged her into peril far from home--and into the arms of a handsome rescuer.Powerful, hot-blooded mercenary Saxxe Rouen has better things to do than fight a crowd of drunken brutes. After all, there is little profit in saving a demoiselle in distress--or is there? His valor should be repaid, if not in silver, then in another kind of reward: Lovely, fiery Thera will spend one night in his bed.Once safe, Thera didn't expect to face yet another danger--her attraction to the beguilingly charming warrior. But as a battle of wits ensues, one night may lead to three. And a proud princess may discover the pleasure of surrendering her heart--while Saxxe may find the kingdom, and the love, he was truly meant to win . . .Previously titled The Princess and the BarbarianPraise for Betina Krahn's previous novels"Daisy's free spirit is contagious. . . . Krahn returns to historical romance with a barn burner of a love story." --Kirkus Reviews"Krahn has a delightful, smart touch." --Publishers Weekly"Smart, romantic . . . sure to delight readers." --Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Betina Krahn is a treasure." --BookPage

    Rebecca Garvey had the promise of a California future dreams are made of, until the wagon train her family was traveling with left her behind. Now she’s slowly dying in the wilderness, abandoned and stripped of her self-worth. Once the shock of her desertion turns to embittered despair, she doesn’t want to be found. Then a handsome stranger challenges her convictions and changes her mind. Headed for Texas, chased by the demons of his past... Seth Emerson knows exactly what he wants. Working to save for a cattle ranch of his own keeps him busy and keeps his pain buried. Rescuing a stubborn woman from the hills of New Mexico Territory isn’t part of his plan—but she’s exactly what he needs. Making greater sacrifices than either of them could foresee... Seth and Rebecca set off on a risky journey and a quest for truth, each healing the other’s love-starved soul along the way. Will they give in to their growing attraction? Or will they honor their commitments when Seth returns Rebecca to civilization... and her betrothed?*Note about content: Although the moral context of the story is old fashioned, Come Back, contains violence, adult themes, and descriptions of physical intimacy. It is intended for mature readers.

    This is the story of a sultry and adventurous romance between an independent lady fiercely determined to live life on her own terms and a handsome soldier willing to break every rule he believes in for a love he never dreamed possible. A Secret in Her Kiss is exciting, exotic, and original; colorful and glorious—a treat for fans of Loretta Chase, Sherry Thomas, and Stephanie Laurens—with nary a ballroom or hedgerow to be found. This is not your typical historical romance.

    Against a world of treachery, sweeping from an English castle to the battlefields of Waterloo, a beautiful young woman dares to risk everything for the man she loves--and can no longer live without--in a tale of passion and honor.

    He was her enemy, the infamous Laird of Ravensby, a bold privateer who'd abducted her to win his brother's freedom from an English dungeon. Yet even though tomorrow they'd be adversaries once more, tonight she could not deny herself the pleasure of his touch.She was a temptress who made him ache with desire--and forget they were enemies.The lady was his prisoner, completely at his mercy, yet when the feisty angel whose hair glittered with moonlight stood proudly before him and insisted he spend the night, Johnnie Carre was shocked to feel a restless, aching need to possess her, to taste her secrets and make her his forever. But keeping her with him would force a battle with leacherous foes--men who'd vowed to tear his beloved from his arms and send him to the gallows.

    Masquerading as a titled, English lady, Ava must convince the cynical and darkly handsome chief of the Macleans of Aros to wed her before the devil tracks her down.Tor Maclean, the new chief of Aros Castle, has sworn off marriage after his first wife tricked him into it. Despite his efforts to scare away the Englishwoman, his father arranged for him to wed, Tor is drawn to her fire, courage, and beauty. But when truths are revealed, and hearts as well as lives are on the dagger's edge, Tor doesn't know if he can forgive or if he will truly become the solitary Beast of Aros Castle...

    Lily Hamlin has finally realized that her life isn't as perfect as she once thought. Making a pilgrimage to Scotland, a land she's only heard about in lullabies, Lily hopes that she can find her place again. But while exploring the Highlands, she discovers an overgrown maze and a strange stone map--and lands in the Lochaber of 1654.Ewen, Chief of the Clan Cameron, is a busy man who must figure out how to save his people from the brutal redcoats and has time for little else. Having sired an heir, the widowed Ewen has no need--or room--for another romance. Then into his life drops a saucy lass with a peculiar accent and no regard for his title. Drawn to each other despite their differences, they both realize that they don't want Lily to go back to her own time. But with battles brewing between the Camerons, the redcoats, and a rival clan, staying could mean putting both their lives in danger...

    Anne's threatens her choice. It's not the escort of holy friars who tempt her, but the man they are taking to do penance for his many sins. Elizabeth has heard whispers about Prince William's treatment of women --- the king's only son is a man well schooled in deception, cruelty and murder --- yet she cannot entirely resist his charms.But when the journey takes a treacherous turn, masks of deception fall and there is no safe place but in the wicked prince's arms. With treachery drawing near, they are soon racing against time, murderous revenge ... and their own sinful desires.