He is handsome, ambitious - and an unwitting pawn in a game of thrones, played out by the rival queens of England and Scotland. As he escapes northwards, Darnley falls in love with the enigmatic Mary, Queen of Scots. But is the beautiful and regal woman all that she seems? As Darnley is drawn into Mary's web - and bed - he discovers that being a king does not mean wearing the crown. As one of the most passionate marriages in British history falters, Darnley must pit his wits against his wife. There will be blood. The end of their affair will shape their hearts - and history. Recommended reading for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Sarah Gristwood. Praise for Steven Veerapen: "A superb, page-turning debut. The author balances gimlet-eyed research with narrative drive and clever reveals... Danforth is a strong yet torn central character... I look forward to reading the second book in the series." Richard Foreman. Steven Veerapen was born in Glasgow and raised in Paisley. Pursuing an interest in the sixteenth century, he was awarded a first-class Honours degree in English, focussing his dissertation on representations of Henry VIII’s six wives. He then received a Masters in Renaissance studies, and a Ph.D. investigating Elizabethan slander. Steven is fascinated by the glamour and ghastliness of life in the 1500s, and has a penchant for myths, mysteries and murders in an age in which the law was as slippery as those who defied it.

     An ancient Cornwall legend tells of king with a pregnant wife, warned by an oracle that the child born would be a woman so beautiful that countries would go to war over her. A princess was born to the king and queen, and when she became of age she was pledged to the son of an enemy. But the princess had fallen in love with a mere knight and together, they ran away to the caves of Cornwall to hide from the princess' betrothed. However, when it came clear that they would be captured - rather than live their lives apart - the princess and her knight took their own lives. Now, it's said their blood stain the caves of St. Agnes' caves along the coast of Cornwall. Legend says that if two lovers touch the stain together, they will fall madly in love for eternity. But there's a catch - they must touch of their own free will. Because of this legend, the caves of St. Agnes have drawn men - and women - seeking to make their mate fall in love with them, including many tales of reluctant brides and grooms. In these six romantic novellas, read some of the romantic tales associated with this poignant legend. Lady of the Moon by Kathryn Le Veque - A lady knight is hired by the father of a reluctant groom to take his son to the caves where he will meet his intended and they will touch the stains together. When the lady knight and the reluctant groom fall in love, will the groom honor his father's wishes or will he follow his own heart? Laird of Darkness by Eliza Knight - When Lady Rosamond de Warenne is abandoned by her father in a remote cave, she doesn’t believe her fate could get any worse—until she’s kidnapped by a fearsome Highlander. Laird Tierney MacDougall, recently released from an English prison, is bent on revenge, starting with marrying the daughter of his tormentor. A union forged from vengeance is doomed to fail—or is it? The Highlander's Untamed Lady by Madeline Martin - With long winters killing crops and food becoming scarce, Laird Evander Mackenzie will do anything to save his people from starving – even kidnap the feisty Diana Stuart at her father’s request. In a world filled with death and heartbreak, is it fate or legend that will hold them together? That Knight by the Sea by Catherine Kean - Lady Adaline Mortimer never expected to see Garrett, the rebellious young lord she loved and lost, ever again. Yet, when she's kidnapped and held captive, the dark secrets of the past return. In the cave of St. Agnes, will she and Garrett win a second chance at true love, or will they perish just like the legendary lovers before them? The Bravest Of Them All by Laurel O'Donnell - Sir Luke of Brackley rushes to save the sister of his betrothed when she is kidnapped. Always trailing in her older sister’s shadow, Nessa has kept her love of Luke hidden since their childhood. When Nessa discovers Luke is to marry her sister, will she condemn herself to a life of misery or risk her love on a legend? Pirate In The Mist by Elizabeth Rose - When Brody’s crew turns mutinous, he is thrown overboard but is rescued by a fisherman and his beautiful daughter, Gwendolen. However, once it’s discovered he’s a pirate, everything changes. Can an act of nature and the legend of a cave turn enemies into lovers?

    At the end of 1811, after four years of hard warfare against the forces of Napoleon, Wellington was not prepared to waste the Winter months and therefore he used them to capture, at great cost, the two ‘keys of Spain’: Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajoz. With these two now in Allied possession the story continues with Wellington advancing forward into Spain at the head of an Allied army to begin the campaigns of 1812. During this momentous year huge questions dominate the European stage, not least the aftermath of Napoleon’s disastrous invasion of Russia and the loss of an army of 600,000 men and all their horses and equipment. The following twelve months extending into 1813 is a year of titanic set-piece battles which will settle, one way or another, the fate of Spain and Portugal within the French Empire and also events far away over the Atlantic will have their own part to play, with the armies of the new Republic chancing their arm with their own invasions of Canada. Both triumph and tragedy befall the Allied army during 1812, first the complete victory of Salamanca, then the near farce and tragedy of the Burgos siege, followed by a retreat back to Cuidad Rodrigo, worse than that of Coruna due to acute starvation. British Intelligence makes full use of Napoleon’s tragedy, weaving deceit on both sides of the Atlantic, such that El Rey Joseph is ordered to send men back to France and then in 1813 the Allies spring forward from the Portuguese border, with an advance so rapid that within three weeks there comes the triumph of Vitoria and then fighting to open the passes over the Pyrenees into France itself. As part of what is now a formidable army, the 105th Foot Wessex The Prince of Wales Own, must first contend with the retirement of their Colonel, Bertram Lacey, finally worn down by years of intense campaigning and finally the horrors of Badajoz. His replacement is Carr’s old enemy from his last visit back to England after Talavera, this replacement being Sir Ambrose Brockenhurst MP, the Colonel of the 105th’s Militia, him arrived from England to take over from Lacey and the result is incompetence and even humiliation. Carr is promoted to temporary Brevet-Colonel, but their reputation is now sullied, yet the 105th play their part in Salamanca and endure the retreat from Burgos. With the Spring of 1813, all Allied armies advance to Vitoria to play their part in this momentous battle and take part in the conflicts in the Pyrenees, where, on the far right of Wellington’s line at the battle of Sorauren outside Pamplona, the 105th’s reputation is finally restored. Throughout all, the band led by Colour-Sergeant Jedediah Deakin hold together, giving mutual support and comfort, and taking advantage of any opportunity that comes their way which may soften the hard and dangerous life they necessarily lead.

     Leo put up a good fight, but Gina's natural submissiveness taunts his sadistic nature. Can Gina endure Leo's demanding ways or will her past destroy her and those closest to her, including newlyweds, Katherine and Isaac? ***Warning*** This story contains wickedly erotic romance.

     Includes: Lady Lissa's Liaison: Too many suitors hungering her newly-acquired inheritance, Lady Lissa Lovington plants a devious rumor: she's had a liaison with the notorious Earl of Wylde. The rumor works like a charm, until the mercurial Lord Wylde returns to turn the tables. Miss Marcie's Mischief: After escaping Mistress Cheltenham's School for Young Ladies on the eve of Saint Valentine's Day, heiress Marcie Darlington is nearly run down by the London Mail Coach, commandeered by the Marquis of Sherringham. Both are trying to escape a scheming Cupid. Neither will succeed. A Dangerous Courtship: Traveling to the Yorkshire moors by horseback to investigate another of her naïve friends' suitors, Veronica is set upon by a pack of wild dogs—and rescued by a handsome stranger who also seems on the brink of madness. Reviews: "Ms. Randall displays a wonderful talent for writing humor." ~Rendezvous To Woo an Heiress, in series order Lady Lissa's Liaison Miss Marcie's Mischief A Dangerous Courtship Miss Meredith's Marriage Also by Lindsay Randall Rescued by a Cowboy Slow Dance with a Cowboy For Love of a Princess Meet Lindsay Randall By day, Lindsay is a development writer for a private university. By night, she pursues her passion—writing romance. She's written twelve novels and has received a Reviewers Choice Award from RT BookReviews.

    Britain's underbelly was exposed.The Dark Ages had begun... Rome had abandoned Britannia, leaving its people undefended. Anglo Saxon warriors, previously employed as mercenaries, now saw themselves as conquerors. The scene was set, as more war bands crossed the North Sea to take British gold, slaves, and land. One Briton, alone in the forest, wanting only to live as a hunter and trapper, was about to have his life changed forever. Dominic would become the hope of abandoned Britons. Dominic the wolf slayer would become the nemesis of any evil that entered his forest realm.

    Enjoy these five full-length romances set against the backgrounds of ancient Rome and Britannia, Regency England, the exotic beauty of Tunisia in the Victorian era, and the danger of Jack the Ripper’s Victorian London. From NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley — The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, Book one of the Dukes of War series. When disaster strikes and Lord Benedict Sheffield’s family’s annual Christmas ball is canceled, Lady Amelia Pembroke steps in to save the day. Suddenly Lord Sheffield is up to his cravat with tinsel... and tumbling head over heels in love. From USA Today bestselling and RITA-nominated author Anthea Lawson — Fortune’s Flower, Book one of the Passport to Romance series Miss Lily Strathmore is on her last grand adventure abroad before marrying a proper (and boring) viscount. James Huntington is searching for his grandfather's lost journals to regain the family fortune. When James and Lily are thrown together on a botanical expedition in the wilds of Tunisia they find themselves losing their hearts as they race to keep their enemies from bringing all their dreams crashing down. From Bestselling author and Gold & Bronze Medals winner in the International Book Awards and IPPY contests Monica Burns — Obsession Book one of the Reckless Rockwoods series Sebastian Rockwood, Earl of Melton, offers Helen Rivenall safe harbor from a terrifying past if she’ll participate in a harmless charade. As head of the Rockwood family, a dark secret has taught Sebastian to value control above all else. But as their charade progresses, control gives way to sinful pleasures. Set against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper’s London, two damaged souls struggle to find each other. From Bestselling author and Holt Medallion nominee Katy Madison — The Wedding Duel, Book one of the Dueling Pistols series It was meant to be a duel like any other. Instead, Keene Davies finds himself married to Sophie Farthing, a hoyden. High-spirited and with a penchant for disaster, Sophie’s determined to teach her husband that honor begins with the heart, not the handle of a pistol, and that passion should go hand in glove with love. From Award-winning author Sandra Schwab – Eagle’s Honor: Banished, Book one of the Eagle’s Honor series A forbidden love tested by the intrigues of the Roman Empire. When Centurion Marcus Florius Corvus is entrapped in a scheme designed to destroy him, he cannot help risking everything for Lia, the woman he’s given his heart to, even if it means banishment to one of the most dangerous places in the empire: the northern frontier of Britannia.

     Behind the Plaid--Book One He dominated her mind. She possessed his soul. Emma Gordon escapes from a troubling marriage in which she’s completely lost sight of who she is. Desperate for independence, she leaves her husband while on a trip in the Scottish Highlands. Only thing is, she ends up hurled back in time to the 16th Century Castle Gealach and headlong into the arms of the handsome, intimidating Laird Logan Grant. Thrust into a world filled with treachery, danger and intensity she must summon the courage to find her way. Bared to the Laird--Book Two Secret obsession makes for the sweetest of sins. Overwhelmed by her new life in another era with the Laird of Gealach, and the feelings that threaten to consume her, Emma determines she must return to her own time and a semblance of sanity. Having heard of a magical circle of stones atop the ridge overlooking Loch Ness, she manages to escape from the castle and the desire and intensity of Logan that’s held her captive. When Logan realizes Emma is missing, he is enraged and terrified. He seeks to find her and when he does, he will punish her exquisitely for leaving him, and for inexplicably exposing his scorching fascination and adoration. Dark Side of the Laird--Book three Bound by passion. Freed by love. When the damaged and tormented Emma first meets the equally broken Logan, they embark on a torrid, emotionally provocative affair that irrevocably changed their lives. Emma has sacrificed her entire being and just when she thinks Logan is willing to do the same, he holds back. Reluctant for their love to be a thing of shadows, Emma issues an ultimatum: commit or say goodbye. But Logan's appeal to the king to grant his wish to marry is denied and instead, Logan is seized and sent to the dungeon with no hope for escape. While in Hell, Logan’s dark past haunts him, threatening to consume him. He must fight to remain the man he’s become with Emma by his side and relinquish the control he’s held onto for a lifetime. Top Pick – Night Owl Reviews: “Wickedly sinful, arousingly erotic, and delightfully delicious Logan is the stuff that naughty Highlander dreams are made of.” Lit 4 Ladies: "An illicit love affair is always fun and dangerous, especially set in 16th century Scotland."

    Sir Ernest Shackleton had carefully picked crew and a stout, well-outfitted ship, the Endurance. But he had no radio, the world was at war, and at the edge of the Antarctic continent, the ship froze in the sea ice. After months of immobility, it was crushed. Then began an impossible journey. With three tiny boats, the crew worked their way across frozen the Antarctic Sea. This vivid book recounts the story of Shackleton's heroic voyage from South Georgia Island to Antarctica then back to South Georgia. It is a tribute to Shackleton and his crew's ability to fight for survival and one of the most harrowing adventures in history.

    But he has a secret... Bridget Delaney has had a year of failures. With a defunct business and a five-year relationship gone stale, the last thing she expected was for another man to catch her eye. Especially someone like Jason. He’s arrogant, insanely handsome, and he’s her new boss. Despite her greatest efforts, she can’t stop thinking about him. What’s worse, she doesn’t want to. When she’s with him, she feels alive in ways she never thought possible. But after she finds out about his troubled past, she realizes that looks can be deceiving and the heart can tell the greatest lie of all. When the chips are down, will she be able to look beyond the sins of his past or will it be her undoing? The Dilemma - Book 2 Lies, betrayal and an obsession gone too far. When it comes to love, anything goes. Jason’s back, and this time he's not taking no for an answer. With Blake in the picture, Bridget is more confused than ever. Both are prepared to give her everything her heart desires. But with her head and heart at odds, will she wind up making a decision she'll regret for the rest of her life? Please be advised: This series is intended for mature audiences. It contains violence, graphic scenes and explicit language. If you enjoy dark romances, you'll love The Philistine Heart saga.

    

    She knows he didn't marry her for love, but he was her white knight and, once they're married, she finds herself falling in love with him. It would be a fairy tale ending if it wasn't for her stepdaughter Gabrielle. Having observed his cousins Hugh and Eleanor find happiness in their respective marriages, Philip doesn't see why his marriage should be any different. Especially since he managed to find a giving, submissive, delightful woman that drew him like no woman had ever done before. Everything would be perfect, except that she allows her stepdaughter to denigrate her and manipulate her. His method of correction for both Cordelia and Gabrielle isn't what either lady expected, but Cordelia finds confidence in his support and care of her... if only she would put him first instead of Gabrielle, Philip's life would be everything he'd hoped. A sexy spanking tale of desire, passion and love, Philip's Rules is the first of a new series spin-off of the Domestic Discipline Quartet (you do not need to read the quartet to enjoy this book). Philip's Rules is an 80,000 word standalone novel set in Victorian times with a HEA and contains domestic discipline, spanking, birching, paddling, anal play and sex, the exciting danger of illicit situations, and some seriously delicious alpha men.

     AD6: The greatest army assembled in a generation. Battle, plunder, and glory await. But not for Legionary Corvus. He and half of his legion have been left behind to garrison the province of Pannonia; a wild place where the mountains are as deadly as any foe. Corvus despairs as he watches his closest friend Marcus march to war, not knowing that his own eager thirst for battle is about to be quenched; a huge rebel army has revolted against The Empire, and Corvus and his few comrades are all that stand against them. ‘Blood and guts, but also a clever exploration of the moral ambiguity of war and loyalty to a flag.’ Mail on Sunday. ‘Historical fiction written by a real war veteran who knows all there is to know about blood and bonding in battle.’ Weekend Sport. Legion is the eagerly anticipated prequel to Blood Forest (Ambush) and Siege.

    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?

    Victory over Japan has been announced and everyone in Megan Oliphant’s home town in Scotland is celebrating the end of the war. The boys are 'Coming Home'. Megan has been waiting desperately for the day when Steven Caraford, the best friend of her older brother, finally returns. After long correspondence during Steven's time away - and after supporting each other through her brother's death - Megan can only hope her feelings for him are mutual. Steven has longed for the day when he can return home to Scotland, and – although it will mean long days, little money and no security – his heart’s desire is to have a farm of his own. While Megan heads off for college, Steven struggles to build up his new home - and both must try to work out what the other is feeling about their future together. Coming Home is a moving romantic drama about building a new life after the Second World War - and about searching for love, stability and happiness. Praise for Gwen Kirkwood: 'A gripping read' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of The Lunar Code Gwen Kirkwood is the author of sixteen Scottish novels and six shorter romantic novellas, including A Question of Love. She won the Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, judged by Richard Lee, when it was re-introduced to mark the millennium in 2000. She lives in Scotland.