Now that she's suddenly husbandless and penniless, where else would she, her addled father, and spinster aunt reside? Yet who should appear but Nicholas Caulfield, the new Brookshire heir, claiming the estate is rightfully his by law. The brute is as arrogant as he is handsome—besides, he's supposed to be dead. And the only plan resourceful Meredith can devise to save her family from homelessness is a desperate scheme that may lead her to salvation or ruin...and the bed of the man she has vowed to hate.A reluctant aristocrat, Nick does not trust this fiery, infuriating chit whom he suspects of subterfuge—yet who bewitches him with her innocent green eyes. The sooner he can get this tempting beauty married off to some stodgy old blueblood—and off his hands for good—the better. There is one slight problem, however: Nick can't bear the thought of her wedding any man but him.

    It’s never her fault—honor bright—but newspapers love to write about the simple girl from Scotland and the much older duke, who died suddenly on their honeymoon. And now there is even more talk as the legitimacy of the marriage is being contested by the duke’s son and heir.Steven McBride is a decorated soldier—and a notorious gambler and womanizer. The last thing he wants is marriage, but due to a series of unfortunate events, he and Rose’s names are linked in the papers, threatening the lovely lady with ruin. To save the day, Steven suggests they claim to be engaged. But as desire boils between them, Rose and Steven soon learn the difficulties of maintaining their deception, which might not be a lie after all …

    . .Men envy him, women desire him . . .And one woman wants her revenge.Claire Ashcroft has good reason to despise Viscount Grayson Sutherland. A wildly unpredictable man with a frightening reputation, Sutherland is responsible for a death that deeply pains her. She'd kill him if she could. Instead, she'll employ her feminine wiles to make him pay. And once he's deeply, irreversibly in love with her, she'll shatter his vulnerable heart.Her scheme works perfectly . . . too perfectly.

    English lords are notoriously egotistical, self-absorbed, and independent creatures. So when one of them admits that a woman has made him a better man, that admission goes against everything he’s convinced himself is possible. In this collection you will meet four such fellows! Four scoundrels of differing shades of arrogance and pride who are about to lose their hearts in the most enticing, unexpected, blindingly stubborn ways.HIS WICKED EMBRACEby USAToday Bestselling Author Lauren SmithA kidnapped Persian princess was the last thing he expected to find when Lawrence Russell went under cover for the Bow Street Runners. But with one look at her terrified eyes, he knew he had to save her. And in doing so, he knew she’d made of him a better man. Still in danger of being discovered by her obsessed captor, the half-English princess Lady Zehra is left with only one request of her handsome savior. “Take me to bed. I wish to see the stars again.”THE SECRET SCOUNDRELby Kristin Gabriel, two-time Rita winner and author of the Harlequin book made into the television movie Recipe for RevengeOne stolen vase, two captured hearts. Miss Diana Harwood was too tall to gain a fellow’s interest, and Colin Sinclair, Marquess of Thorne and Viscount Thorne, was too much of a rogue to tempt any clear-thinking maiden. But when neither can manage to win the upper hand, their only recourse is to collaborate in finding the priceless Chinese vase Thorne was hired to recover…and leave their hearts perilously unguarded.ONE DUKE OR ANOTHERBook Three of The Trevorsby USAToday Bestselling author Ella QuinnShe was perfect for him. Now all Guy Paulet, heir to the Bolton dukedom, had to do was convince Lady Aglaia to jilt his uncle, defy her father, and marry him in less than a month. After all, she absolutely could not be allowed to marry a man who had murdered his four previous wives.A SCOUNDREL AT HEARTBook Five of Ransomed Jewelsby Amazon bestselling author Laura LandonHe was blind to love. The fire that had left Lord Thomas Renfrew terribly disfigured had seen to that. Even when faced with the heart-shattering love offered by the beautiful Lady Cleora, he couldn’t see a way to unleash the passion that filled him in her presence. Until she was freed from her own prison, and took him into her heart—scars and all.

    So devotedly, she’s vowed never to marry anyone else. But her beloved libertine is hardly aware of her existence, and not the least deserving of her affection. Deciding her cause is lost, she makes plans to open a girls’ school in Bath. There’s just one thing she needs to do before she confirms her spinsterhood forever: spend one blissful night in Roman’s arms. But her handsome rogue isn’t ready to have the tables turned. It will take more than a coquettish smile to turn his head. She must play a game…of persuasion.

    . .The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It's not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe's lands. And Venus Collingswood didn't want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister's betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice. . .Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he's his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he's discovered swimming in his pond--if he can manage to get a word in edgewise. . .Praise for the Novels of Sally MacKenzie"Naked, noble and irresistible!" --Eloisa James"The romance equivalent of chocolate cake. . .every page is an irresistible delight!" --Lisa Kleypas"A perfect night's read."--Romantic Times "Great fun."--Publishers Weekly31,000 Words

    Padraig yearns to be more than a friend... can he win her heart forever?A novella linked to my Rogues of Ravensmuir and Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogies, originally published in the Mammoth Book of Irish Romance. The story was edited for space constraints there - this is the WHOLE story.

    . .Gaze longingly into her eyes while declaring her beauty . . .Colonel Colin Mandland has wealth, power . . . everything but a bride. But although there is no mistress of his newly purchased manor, Maiden Hill, there is certainly a resident maiden: Lady Rosalyn Wellborne, a stubborn beauty who steadfastly refuses to leave the place she has always called home.Hold her hand just a fraction longer than necessary...Tantalizing Rosalyn proves to be far more difficult than any enemy he's ever met on the battlefield. She attacks by declaring Colin an upstart who is unfit for local society. He shockingly counters by offering for her hand in marriage—and she surprisingly accepts.Or, when all else fails, conquer her.Although this genteel lady has vowed never to succumb to unbridled passion, she quickly learns that theirs will be no marriage in-name-only, but rather a slow, sensuous and alarmingly effective seduction . . . that turns her world upside down.

    Elizabeth, Lady Thornhill, is restless and hungers for something she cannot name. Society would never accept a countess and a mere bookseller, so they agree to a one week affair to indulge their desire. As their passion ignites and their connection grows, Elizabeth threatens the one thing Cale has protected above all else—his heart. Letting her go is the only solution...and the one thing he is not prepared to do.

    Resigned to a quiet life, Cecilia is surprised when she finds out that her young cousin has run off with a man of no means. Cecilia had once been a teenaged girl who also fell for a young man’s charms—only to be devastated by his betrayal. Determined to not let her cousin meet the same fate, she heads off to London to but is shocked when her investigation leads her right to the front door of the very man who broke her heart: Theo Hudson. Together, they reluctantly embark on finding her cousin and returning her to her family. During their searching in London, it soon becomes clear that they both remember their short-lived romance differently and perhaps now, years later, they have a fresh chance at love.

    Caroline Lyncott, great grandaughter of the Duke of Bucklynde, has a secret. Years ago she was attacked and still bears the terrible scars. To escape the scandal and the reminders, she left everything behind to become housekeeper to a Scottish brother and sister. Gregory Murray, the Earl Of Hartfell, has a secret as well – he harbors a deep attraction to his housekeeper, Mrs. Lyncott. He knows she has a past, but doesn’t know how to fix the pain that still haunts her. His investigation leads him to the darkest London gaming hell and a villain too powerful to destroy. Can his love overcome her desperate past? Can she risk her heart despite the evil that still haunts her nightmares?

    but its former occupant as well!Contains:One True Love by Suzanne EnochTwo Hearts by Karen KawkinsA Dozen Kisses by Mia RyanThirty-six Valentines by Julia Quinn*All Lady Whistledown columns written by Julia Quinn

    This short story can be read at Elizabeth Hoyt's website.

    An exclusive short story about Win Hathaway and Kev Merripen's wedding. Timeline: Takes place right after Seduce Me at Sunrise.

    When Moraig's economy falters, he has the perfect solution to lure wealthy Londoners to this tiny hamlet: resurrect the ancient Highland Games! But for this to work, William knows he needs a reporter to showcase the town in just the right light.A female journalist might be a tolerated oddity in Brighton, but newly minted reporter Penelope Tolbertson is discovering that finding respect in London is a far more difficult prospect. After receiving an invitation to cover Moraig's Highland Games, Penelope is determined to prove to her London editors just how valuable she can be.Penelope instantly captures William's heart, but she is none too impressed with the gruff, broody Highlander; however, as she begins to understand his plans, Penelope discovers she may want more from him than just a story. She's only got a few days … but maybe a few days are all they need.