Deception endangers them. Only an impossible love can save them. When headstrong Elizabeth de Burgh’s evil father threatens to kill her beloved cousin unless she seduces his enemy Robert the Bruce, she begrudgingly agrees. But as she grows close to the arrogant leader of the Scottish rebellion whose savage good looks whisper of pleasure, she discovers that behind Robert’s facade of coldhearted traitor lies a noble fighter who will risk all for the freedom of his country. Now, she can no longer imagine aiding in Robert’s destruction. But does she have a choice? Fierce Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce would do anything to release his country from English rule and claim his rightful throne. Enemies on both sides surround him, however, and Robert must dance a dangerous line between truth and duplicity. One misstep could topple his nation and cost him his life. Yet one irresistible woman tempts him—and jeopardizes his mission—as no other ever has. Robert is in no position to entangle himself with the enemy, especially one who may be plotting his defeat, but the feisty, determined, blue-eyed beauty ignites a longing in Robert that he has never known. But is she his biggest threat or greatest source of strength? Bound by duty and honor but ensnared by uncontainable desire, Robert and Elizabeth must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice for the one thing they thought they’d never find—extraordinary love.

    She must ensure her marriage to a “suitable gentleman of the ton” before her twenty-first birthday or she’ll be destitute, per the terms of her ducal grandmother’s will. Close to having her own poems published, Sophia has her hopes dashed each time by someone revealing her secrets. That same someone so desperately wants her to fail the terms of the will, they’re willing to commit violent acts to ruin her reputation. Captain Arnaud Bellingham has ascended the ranks of the Royal Navy in spite of his half-French heritage by proving himself at the Battle of Algiers and with the West African Squadron. He seeks a simple marriage of convenience to a mature woman, a widow who has been his sometime mistress the last several years. The very thing he does not want, an exotic Italian innocent, literally falls into his life when he rescues her from kidnappers, although she disputes she needed saving. And now, honor and duty dictate he has to waste the rest of his leave guarding her through the mad whirl of the Season.

    Alex's wife is missing and the accusing looks tear him apart as he attempts to raise his daughter on his own. Can two lost souls save each other?Shining Pearls: Single father Alex moved on from heartbreak in the only way he knew how. Josie trusted him. When secrets from the past resurface, will they find a way to heal, or has their path to happiness been crushed beyond repair?Shimmering Emeralds: Levi's a little bit country. Meg's a whole lot of rock and roll. Can these two opposites meet in the middle or will their past mistakes rob them of their second chance at romance?When tragedies bring the residents of coastal Brunswick Bay Harbor together in ways they never could have imagined, will these intriguing characters find their happily-ever-afters, or will their secrets destroy them? Meet them now and find out.

    Enjoy the happiness, love and sorrows of the brides to be and of course there is mystery and mayhem sprinkled in! Cinder's BrideWinner of the 2015 Diamond Lear Award for Best Historical Romance and Rone Award Finalist Shannon McMurphy travels to Asherville, Texas as a mail order bride expecting to marry a rancher. Instead, her intended is a saloonkeeper. Her refusal to marry enrages John Hardy and he slices her cheek with a knife so no other man would want her. She runs into the street and no one helps her until blond, blue-eyed Cinders rescues her. Sexy, rancher Cinders saves Shannon and offers her a job. To protect her reputation he must marry her. They both agree it’s a marriage of convenience. He admires her spunk and willingness to learn everything about surviving the Texas frontier. He waits for her to ask to go home but she never does. They learn a lot about each other through, stolen horses, Indian troubles, a cattle drive and the busybodies of the town. Their attraction for each other grows, but can they learn to trust enough to love? Keegan’s Bride Keegan Quinn watches the passengers disembark wondering where his mail order bride is. All he sees is a woman with a husband and child. Upon approaching the young woman, he discovers she is his bride, and she has a daughter she never mentioned. As they cross the street, the little girl screams for her daddy and points to the man who accompanied them on the stage. Rancher Keegan Quinn is furious. The married woman swindled him into paying passage for her and her child. It was fool hardy to think a mail order bride would want him. He rides out of town as fast as he can, vowing never to look back. It’s a loco dream to think he can have a family while constantly looking over his shoulder. Addy has no idea why Peg calls the new sheriff daddy. It cost her, Keegan, the man she hoped to make a life with. She has many secrets, but the sheriff is not one of them. She needs Keegan to keep her safe from her past in Boston. Once he learns the truth, he’ll send her back, but it’s a chance she’s willing to take.Shane’s Bride Rescued from Indians, Cecily McGuinness suffers from horrendous nightmare; ones that have her running from her lodging into the woods. She’ll never be normal again and most of the townspeople look at her with disdain. All she ever wanted was a family and a place to call home. Sheriff Shane O'Connor is tired of tracking Cecily down each time she takes flight. Finally he makes her an offer to keep his house and help turn it into a farm. Her past doesn’t taint her in his eyes. In fact he finds himself very attracted to her but keeps his distance. She’d suffered enough at the hands of Long Nose. Amid cheating gamblers, old friends who unexpectedly show up and a fire, a closeness develops between them. Cecily believes she isn’t fit to be a wife anymore. Can Shane convince her heart and soul that she is indeed worthy of a great love? Tramps Bride Handsome Cowboy Tramp Hart left his home and friends over a year ago. He's finally back to make amends and take his place on the ranch. That is until he walks into the house he designed and finds a woman living there. He needs a plan to get her out so he can move in. Mail Order Bride Ilene Duffy traveled from New York City to Asherville, Texas only to find out her marriage contract was no longer valid. Rancher Cinders and his wife Shannon offer her an empty house on their land. Ilene has no intentions of getting married.Poor Boy’s Christmas Poor Boy finally comes home. He’s no longer the waif we grew to love; he is very much a man now.

    See author's note, below Pulling Home (That Second Chance #1) It's taken nine years and a cross-country move, but Audra Valentine Wheyton has kept her secrets safe. She's created the perfect life: a husband who loves her, a daughter she adores, and a position as head writer for an award-winning daytime soap. When her husband dies suddenly, Audra returns to her hometown for the funeral and faces a community that has not forgotten her meager beginnings and the man who has never forgiven her for marrying his brother. Jack Wheyton is a successful pediatric neurosurgeon who is about to become engaged when Audra walks back into his life with her daughter. He forgave his brother long ago for taking something that had been his, something he hadn't even realized he wanted until it was gone. But forgiving Audra is another story...and forgetting her? Near impossible. When a shattering illness strikes Audra's daughter, she turns to Jack to save her child and risks exposing a secret that will change their lives forever. A Family Affair: The Promise (Truth in Lies #7) Grant Richot sprinted through life, a boy wonder with talent, intelligence, confidence, and charm. He never doubted the world awaited him, just as he never doubted the right woman would come into his life—but only when he was ready for her. Anyone before that was simply preparation for the one. How wrong he was. Years and a tragedy later, Grant arrives in Maggie Finnegan’s hometown of Magdalena, New York—broken, uncertain, and searching for that second chance with the woman he cast aside. But Maggie’s no longer naïve and impressionable; she’s a confident, competent widow with a child, who has more at risk than another broken heart… Note from Mary: I love secondary characters: writing them, reading about them, even watching them on the big screen. Secondary characters support the “stars”; make them more vibrant and compelling. But when the story ends, I’m often left wondering what they’d do if they were in the “spotlight”. That’s why I’ve created special boxed sets that were part of That Second Chance series and the Truth in Lies series. These boxed sets let the reader follow the before and after of select characters as they first appear in That Second Chance series and later in the fictional town of my bestselling Truth in Lies series. Boxed Set One contains Pulling Home and A Family Affair: The Promise. I invite you to follow their journey!

     The Bad Co-Worker - #JERK I was bored and needed a new challenge. Something to keep me occupied. And one day, it all just fell into place (by accident of course). Our office was one giant playground. I dubbed myself the school bully and the ice queen was my target. It’s her own fault though; I’d never met a woman so ridiculously uptight you would need a whole army to pull the giant stick out of her butt. I had to have her. The Bad Rebound – Mr. Rebound I told myself I would no longer prey on emotionally unstable women. I don’t do relationships—I’m a selfish bastard who enjoys not answering to anyone—and relationships mean being with only one woman. My cousin, Charlie, dared me to settle down with one woman. So, I chose Scarlett Winters, the most sought-after actress in Hollywood and also the sexiest woman on Earth. I simply needed to get past the roadblock—her assistant, Morgan Bentley—the wicked bitch of the west. Between her multiple personalities and the giant stick up her ass, I should’ve seen it coming. Morgan Bentley’s after one thing, and one thing only—a rebound. That’s me. But this time—what if I want more? The Bad Brother’s Best Friend – Kicking Reality Nothing breaks my focus. I train hard, work hard, and play hard. Except for Emerson—my best friend’s sister. The girl next door turned Hollywood TV star. It started off innocent, a stupid kiss to shut her up. But then it turned into an obsession every Monday night. And I don’t know what’s harder—hiding how I feel about his sister from my best friend or watching the woman I want live a life with someone else. The Bad Hollywood Alpha - Bad Boy Rich I’m a self-proclaimed bad boy. The ultimate heartbreaker, and your daddy’s worst nightmare. The lethal mix every woman should stay away from. It started off as payback. Messing with my ex-fiancée by screwing her assistant. Plus, I was bored with the same old gold diggers. I just didn’t expect her to be my savior. The holy water ready to wash away my sins. The out-of-towner miss-goody-two shoes became my saving grace. And there’s no chance in hell I would let go of her now. No. She is mine. And I will do anything I can to keep it that way. Four full-length books about bad boys, their dirty mouths and minds, and the women who capture them.

    Can they reconcile their differences?When Lord Pendleton loses his brother, his entire world changes. Inheriting the title of Marquess of Leicestershire, he soon finds himself surrounded by nobles and sought-after by their daughters. He becomes determined to make a name for himself – and not be seen as a rogue like his late brother.Lady Augusta is destined to be married to him in a rigid, business-like agreement. Hating her father at first for not letting her choose her own husband, over time she grows to accept it – but she finds herself thrust aside by Lord Leicestershire’s newfound status. With Lord Leicestershire hounded by ladies and faced with distractions at every turn, will he and Lady Augusta be able to make their coming marriage work? Or will the strife between them be too much to overcome?

    Fierce like a tiger, she storms into the Baron’s estate to regain her pride and property, but instead of the scandalous scoundrel she expected to meet, she finds a broken man trying to hide his scars. Will she eventually be the one to heal his broken soul?The legends about his bad behavior make the Baron, a person to be feared. When seeing Isabel and intrigued by her reckless personality, he offers a condition in return; she must be a companion to his ailing sister, and live in his estate until he says otherwise. But with every moment he shares with the passionate Isabel, Baron’s bad manners soften into admiration…and more. Will he be able to handle the sizzling passion?Isabel, surprisingly finds out that not everything is as it seems in the Baron’s estate. As time goes by, she finds herself falling for the Baron’s charm, but not before she berates him for his ignoble behavior. Will she be able to make him open his heart to love again? While everything seems to be going out of control, can Isabel take the reins and steer her life towards the future she dreams of?

    The rakes, rogues, and dukes won't know what's hit them...Lady Pippa Post is one of London's most woeful wallflowers. With a father who has lost it all and an intellect as sharp as a cutlass, she's firmly on the shelf.But Pippa has no desire to retire to a wilting life in the country, even if she adores learning dead languages and pouring over ancient tomes. So, when a position opens, curating the Earl of Roxly's ever growing Egyptian collection, she knows exactly what must be done. But she doesn't expect that Roxly's rugged demeanor and wicked wit will entice her into a game of passion.Lord David Drake, Earl of Roxly, has no time for shrinking violets. He has no time for Londoners at all! He's a man of power, passion, and purpose. In but a short time, he is determined to leave English shores behind and return to the Nile he loves so well... But when a waspish wallflower shows up, determined to take care of his artifacts, he's intrigued and shocked to find that she is a mystery to be discovered... And adventurer that he is, there's nothing Roxly loves more than a mystery.Will Pippa shrink from a chance at love with this wild brute of a lord... or will the wallflower wed?

    This boxset of eight stories will give you hours and hours of steamy hot reading… Surrendering to the Rake The Earl of Blythe turns the tables on a meddling miss determined to save her cousin from his roguish ways… That Wicked Harlot Can a gaming hell cardsharp resist falling for the arrogant Baron Broadmoor, a man she’s supposed to hate? Tempting A Marquess Miss Abbott, a proper Regency miss, refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer when the overbearing Marquess of Alastair insists on protecting her from the debauchery at an infamous chateau. Tempting A Marquess for Christmas When it comes to acting the gentleman, this marquess is damned if he does…and damned if he doesn’t. The Countess and the Rake Lord Barclay has never met a woman he can’t seduce…until now. Pleasuring Lady Pennington Will her ladyship’s plans to blackmail the handsome Cedman Ashely into her bed backfire? Surrendering to the Baron Lord Ramsay discovers that the seduction of his own wife might be the hardest part of his marriage. An Improper Proposition Desperate to keep the debt collectors at bay, Miss Deana Herwood makes a most improper proposition to wealthy Lord Rockwell. If you enjoy clever dialogue, the rich settings of Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer’s world, and passion that’s HOT, HOT, HOT, you’ll love these scintillating romances from Em Brown writing as Georgette Brown. Get this boxset today to give yourself the ultimate steamy “me” time!

    Thomas Findlay, a wealthy industrialist, knows she has not.

    This steamy contemporary romance collection will put your heart through the test with its explosion of incredibly sexy stories, heart racing thrills, and tear-jerking endings. A trope lover’s collection: Small-town Second Chance for High School Sweethearts, New Adult Billionaire Romance, Mafia Romantic Suspense with a forbidden love, and more all by Melissa Ellen! Included in this collection of first in series:Redeeming Lottie (Billingsley Series)A Reason To Stay (Blackwood Series)Honor (Made Series)"Redeeming Lottie was a true delight and was one of the sweetest stories that I've come across in quite a while. It was such a feel good read! I'm talking about the type that leaves you all mushy at the end thinking 'Oh my gosh, that was so sweet' and wanting to share with everyone. With fun and feisty characters and its story laced with small-town charm, I enjoyed everything about this incredibly sweet and passionate second-chance romance!" –DG Book Blog“A Reason To Stay by Melissa Ellen is the first book in the Blackwood Series featuring Ava, a college student who is disillusioned with love and has experienced loss, and Rhett, a billionaire player with a vindictive and manipulative ex. Ava and Rhett develop a relationship with many ups and downs. I recommend this novel which is a well written read with wonderful characters, heartfelt emotions, and a plot with secrets, unexpected twists, and a romance filled with the complexity of life.” –Amazon Reviewer"I absolutely devoured this mafia romance! With twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end and chemistry that had me fanning myself, Melissa Ellen kept me up way past my bedtime to finish this story. If you like suspenseful reads, couples that feel fated in the stars, and action that will keep your heart pounding, you don't want to miss Honor!" –Catherine Cowles, Author of the Sutter Lake Series

    Reaper only cares about his men; until he ends up falling for the one woman who can rescue his team.Reaper has lived his entire life without love. Living on the edge with no fear, Reaper and his team volunteered for Project Mayhem — a top-secret experiment that uses a serum to enhance physical abilities in order to fight terrorism. Reaper believed the experiment would help save lives, but the serum only ends up taking them. Forced to go on the run, Reaper escapes the lab with his men, only to realize that they need the serum to survive. He has only one choice; return to the lab, and steal the source of the serum.Caroline Cotter used to be a spoiled Senator’s daughter; now, she’s a victim. Kidnapped and held against her will to make the serum used for Project Mayhem, Caroline gives up hope of ever being free again… until Reaper enters, and frees her from her dark prison. Yet the jungle outside is full of terrors, and government officials are hot on their tail. Reaper plans to keep the relationship between him and Caroline platonic, but undeniable attraction and explosive desire, coupled with Caroline’s adoration that he saved her from certain death, make it hard to resist the love story blossoming between them. What will Reaper choose? His romance with Caroline, or the sacred vow he’s made to the brothers willing to die by his side? Mayhem's Desire His traumatic past has left him dark… and longing for love.Hicks thinks good and evil comes in black and white. No blurred lines, no grey areas. After being subjected to a horrific experiment that’s left him damaged as a super soldier, Hicks seeks comfort from his torment in reliability. He’s got clear rules on morality and isn’t willing to break them.Until her.Whitney is a seductress. Secretly working for a Senator as a mistress, she puts on leather outfits and a mask of sensuality to bend men to her will — though the money she makes doing so isn’t to save her, but others. Whitney believes she’s past saving, and that love is a silly dream. Then he enters her life.Hicks is sickened by what he thinks Whitney is — and undeniably attracted to her. After Whitney’s life is threatened in a violent murder attempt, Hicks calls in his team. Whitney is the target of a government operation, and unless Hicks can discover who’s behind it, Whitney’s life is forfeit. But the mission isn’t the only thing on Hicks’ mind.Whitney and Hicks can’t keep their hands off each other… but they can’t stand each other, either. Whitney isn’t the innocent woman Hicks thought, and Hicks isn’t the strong hero Whitney’s looking for. But together, the heat of their romance and the passion of their love cannot be stopped. Mayhem's Hero He needs someone to tell him he’s worth saving.Diggs never mattered — not in his family. Project Mayhem left him with nothing but questions about who he is and confirmation that he can’t contribute to the team. He’s tired of being overshadowed by his brothers; Diggs needs something more… someone more. She’s about to fall for the man who could hurt her more than anyone.When Audra receives a cryptic message from her military brother that was filmed the day before he was killed in action, she knows he was involved in a secret operation gone wrong.

    She doesn’t need a great fortune or a title, she would actually prefer not to have to go into London ever again. She has little to offer other than her beauty and a pleasant temperament, but she is hoping that will be enough to secure her a man who will be kind to her. Oliver Lyre is the newly inherited Duke of Lincoln. Born as the spare son, he never expected to inherit his father’s mantle, and has neither the skills nor the desire to enjoy the benefits of his rank. He knows that he must marry a lady befitting of the position, but when he rescues the beautiful Sarah Collins one night, he can’t imagine living without her lovely smile in his life. Should he marry the delectably sweet virgin who would undoubtedly make a horrible Duchess, or do what duty demands of him? Ellie's Gentleman: sweet short story Ellie Sommers is twenty years old, beautiful, lively and intelligent. She has finally returned to her family home after another long London season. She wants nothing more than to stay in her beloved country town and ride her horses. Enter Robert Blakely, a widower and a true gentleman. He has come to spend Christmas with his long-time friend William, Ellie’s father. Robert has no wish to marry again and is shocked to discover his own interest in the beautiful daughter of his friend. The only problem is that he is twice her age and a widower who has convinced himself he will never marry again.

     Contains all 4 full length new adult romance novels from the Custom Culture Series. #1 FREEFALL #2 CLUTCH #3 DRAY #4 RETT FREEFALL: After leaving high school, with a hard won diploma and the title of most likely to break hearts, Alexander "Nix" Pierce has left his wild, out of control years mostly behind him. A small inheritance from his grandfather has given him the funds to open up his tattoo shop, Freefall, and he has started to pull his life together. Aside from trying to keep his best friend, Dray, from killing himself in the fight ring, and his slight obsession with a pin-up model he's never met, Nix's life is going smoothly . . . until Scotlyn James, the object of his obsession, walks into his shop. Ever since a tragic accident killed her family and left her alone in the world, Scotlyn James hasn't spoken one word. Up until now she didn't care that she had no way of talking to people. Her awful aunt would never have listened, and Lincoln Hammond the arrogant, selfish man who pulled her from the streets of Los Angeles wouldn't hear her words if she could speak. But when Lincoln insists she get a tattoo to cover up a scar on her side, Scotlyn meets the artist, Nix Pierce. And now she longs for her voice. Now she has found someone who will hear her.