A revenge-fueled clan-chief, his rebellious bride—and the marriage that will be the making of them both. After nearly a decade in prison, Niel Mackay is now a free man. However, despite that he’s now a clan-chief, demons still dog his steps. He won’t be able to lie them to rest until he gains vengeance against his enemies. He also needs to beget an heir—but to do that he must take a wife. Beth Munro, the eldest of four sisters, dreams of a love-match like her parents. Unfortunately, she’s earned the name ‘The Cursed Bride’ after three men she was betrothed to all died shortly before their wedding day. All offers of marriage have now ceased. As such, the Mackay clan-chief’s proposal comes as a welcome surprise. But Beth isn’t prepared for a husband who will share his body, but not his soul. A battle of wills ensures. Beth refuses to live a compromise, yet her efforts to truly know her husband only make Niel fight even harder to strengthen the walls around his heart. He intends to put his wife in her place—but instead will she bring him to his knees? HIGHLANDER DEFIED is Book One of the Courageous Highland Hearts series. This steamy and emotional follow-up to Jayne Castel’s bestselling Stolen Highland Hearts series follows the lives of four battle-hardened Highland warriors and the courageous sisters who capture their hearts.

    Third sons are promised to the church. Second sons do their duty and serve in the military—unless fate intervenes and turns their lives upside down.Welcome to Second Sons of London, a new Regency Historical Romance series by USA Today Bestselling author Alexa Aston, where seven men who are second sons lay claim to fabulous wealth and lofty titles and fulfill their destinies when they find their soulmates.A dutiful army officer who shuns intimacy. A selfless beauty ready to start living for herself. A chance meeting in the street that leads to love...When Major Spencer Haddock’s father dies, he returns to England as the Earl of Middlefield. He seeks a typical ton marriage, where his wife will provide him with an heir and possibly other children and then they go their separate ways. He intends to find his countess quickly and not waste time at boring social affairs.Lady Tessa Foster delays her come-out for several years in order to care for her ill parents. Now out of mourning, Tessa is eager to be introduced in Polite Society so she can find a husband and start a family of her own.When Spence attempts to save Tessa from a thief brandishing a knife, she turns and attacks Spence. He quickly learns that instead of the pliant woman he thought he wanted as his countess, he desires Tessa—a woman of beauty and valor who stands up for herself and those she cherishes. Can Spence change Tessa’s poor opinion of him and win the heart of the woman he has come to love? Find the answer in bestselling author Alexa Aston’s Educated by the Earl, the first book in Second Sons of London.Each book in Second Sons of London is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order. Second Sons of London Educated by the EarlDebating with the DukeEmpowered by the EarlMade for the MarquessDubious about the DukeValued by the ViscountMeant for the Marquess

    At least, that’s what Lady Carlotta Merritt, sister to the cool and aloof Duke of Cashingham, has been told repeatedly by her mother. The Dowager is beyond thrilled about her daughter’s engagement to Society’s most eligible bachelor, Lord What’s-His-Face. Carlotta, on the other hand, would much rather be gallivanting around her brother’s Yorkshire estate, falling out of trees or fishing in the streams or reading one of her naughty books in the shade on a summer day.But her mother has made it very clear that she’s to behave herself, as befitting the sister of a duke, and Carlotta has been trying, honest. But when Mother is called up to Scotland, she invites Carlotta and her fiancé to follow…sans chaperone. That’s when her brother volunteers his own brother-in-law—the illegitimate Scotsman with a charming grin, a wicked reputation, and battered hands which make Carlotta think all sorts of wicked thoughts—to tag along. And he knows all the best ways to be wild. Keith Oliphant knows exactly who he is; the natural-born son of an earl, a close friend to the laird of his clan, and the best damned bare-knuckled boxer in all of England and Scotland combined. These hands of his have done things most men can only imagine, and now they face their biggest challenge yet; holding the safety of a duke’s sister, one whose smile and love of adventure make him yearn for things he can’t have. Especially since she’s engaged to the complete clot-heid who is sitting between them in the coach.Aye, this journey to Scotland will be a difficult one, despite the opulence of traveling with a duke’s sister. Between his impossible desires, Lord What’s-His-Face the fiancé, and Carlotta’s own wild streak, Keith suspects he’s facing his biggest challenge yet: when he delivers Carlotta to the duke, will she still be a virgin?Warning: There’s naughty bits. A lot of them. And probably some ridiculously contrived accidents to get the pair of them together sans clothes. And of course, plenty of inappropriate jokes and eye-rollingly bad puns. Get ready for another hilarious Victorian RomCom, with all the best laughs you’ve come to expect from Caroline Lee!

    But upon his father’s sudden death, he heads for Scotland where he finds his inheritance in a shambles, his sisters without prospects, and his brothers relying on his patronship—and he’s not about to conquer his problems alone.Penniless, Lady Julia St. Vincent has no choice but to dress as a man and accept a position as steward to the Duke of Dunscaby. But when she meets His Grace, she’s not expecting him to be dashing, charming, or utterly enchanting. And the more time she spends with the duke, the more difficult it is to ignore the flickers of passion smoldering in her heart.Martin instantly develops a fondness for the wee man. While they work together to rebuild the Dunscaby dynasty, they travel to London where Martin takes it upon himself to introduce his sheltered steward to the world of manly pursuits. Julia falls from one mortifyingly compromising situation to another as she pines for a duke she can never have…until an old friend invites her to a masque. And there, it takes but one kiss for Martin to stop at nothing in his pursuit of the mysterious woman who has captured his very soul.

    She’s no stranger to fake identities, having posed as a chaperone since the scandal that destroyed her titled family. So she dons a mask, changes into a low-cut red gown, and attends the city’s most elite brothel, the Silver Chalice.Oliver Bedford, the imposing Earl of Drake, is only at the Silver Chalice to appease his debauched friends—until he spots Lady Scarlet. She’s refreshing...and a complete mystery. Certain she’s a lady in disguise, Oliver is determined to learn her identity, but she eludes him at every turn.The night with Oliver was unforgettable. But when he arrives at her employer’s home, she’s horrified to discover her lover is the Earl of Drake, the son of the man responsible for her father’s death and subsequent family ruin. And that he’s there to court her young charge.Oliver never had any interest in the debutante, but he is drawn to her chaperone—a woman he soon realizes is his Lady Scarlet. Now that he’s found her, she claims she wants nothing to do with him, even though her kisses say otherwise. Fortunately, Oliver is not one to give up when he finds something he wants...and he wants Ana. In his bed, and in his life. Forever. But first, he must persuade her to trust him—and to believe that one wild, passionate night can turn into forever.

    Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments draining their dowries, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.The Duke of Collingford needs a wife, but not just any one will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead. Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him embrace chaos. Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts?

    He wants to regain his reputation. Will working together bring redemption—or ruin?Welcome to Book 1 in the fabulous new series from Abigail Bridges. Spinster Lady Rose Timmons has one purpose in life: protecting the vulnerable young women in London's Society from the scores of scoundrels who would prey on their innocence. She has an extensive network of informants who keep her up to date on all their misdeeds and schemes, and she will take any action needed—even public humiliation.Thomas Ashton, Lord Newbury and heir to the Duke of Kennet, is one of those Lady Rose has in her sights. Despite being a childhood friend—and a man she has long been fascinated with—Lady Rose is determined not to let his rakish behavior spoil the debut season of her beloved sister or any other woman.Lord Newbury, however, has his own ulterior motives about rejoining Society after years as a rogue. He desperately needs an heir—and an heiress. Society, however, is not so eager to welcome home a prodigal son. When he crosses paths—and wits—with Lady Rose, he proposes an unexpected bargain: if she will help him regain his reputation, he will help her destroy the one scoundrel she has never been able to touch, a man who has hurt dozens of people, including Rose herself. Lady Rose, intrigued and as fascinated by Newbury as ever, accepts the challenge. But even as they are drawn ever closer to each other, they remain unaware that their efforts to bring down a ruthless man could endanger more than their reputations—it could cost them their lives.

    Malcolm knows he can never trust his new shrewish wife, despite the fact that everything he observes seems to prove that she’s not only trustworthy, but utterly perfect for him. Sorcha knows she can never let her guard down around the man she believes betrayed her father, yet the longer she’s with him, the more she discovers he is nothing like she was led to believe. They’ll have to fight their way through past prejudices and their own determination to destroy their union in order to gain their perfect HEA in this Taming of the Shrew meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days tale.

    It's only through her brother's good connections that their family is even accepted in polite society. While Triana cares nothing for the ton, the arrival of the Duke of Chiltern changes everything. He is everything she might have ever dreamed of in a husband, but she knows that something isn't quite right about his sudden resurgence in London. Thankfully, she's willing to do her part in uncovering his secrets.To learn what the gentleman is hiding?Gabriel Wilde, the Duke of Chiltern, is on an undercover mission to find out who is behind the illegal smuggling in the city. Upon his father's death, he returns to society under the perfect guise of assuming the title, believing the culprit to be within the ton. With the help of a trusted colleague, Gabriel believes that when he's done, he can move on with his life—away from England and the unpleasant memories that go along with it. But when he meets Triana, he finds he's not quite as eager to leave as he once was. Unfortunately, the only problem is trying to keep her out of trouble. So he does the only thing he can think of to keep her occupied: seduction.

    He’s interested in being proper, honorable, and fulfilling his duties to his title.So what is Bedwell to do when honor demands he show more than a little interest in one particular respectable teacher? Why, marry the chit, that’s what.Trapped with the Duke was initially published in this year's anthology, The Young and the Ruined: Compromised.This edition includes exclusive bonus content and is book 1 of Annabelle Anders' newest series, Miss Primm's Secret School for Budding Bluestockings.

     Royden MacKinnon oldest of the three MacKinnon siblings has loved Oria, the daughter of a neighboring chieftain as long as he can remember. He wants no other woman, needs no other woman, has been with no other woman. Both will be virgins when they wed and he looks forward to them discovering all the loving things marriage can bring. Arran is the middle child gifted with a charmed tongue and fine features that steal many a woman’s heart. He’s not ready for a wife or family, no need for him to be since it is Royden who will one day rule the clan. He entertains himself with willing women and defends any woman when need be… even Purity of the Clan Macara, a little mouse of a thing who can’t stand up for herself. But then her brother Bayne is a man most men won’t challenge. Raven is the youngest of the three MacKinnon siblings, raised by all men—her mother dying in childbirth—and is accustomed to doing as she pleases and speaking as she pleases. Traits her father realizes will be difficult when the time comes to find her a husband. Life is good at the Clan MacKinnon, food plentiful, clan members faithful, the future bright until… the attack. They had heard rumors, thought to be prepared, but it came without warning. In the end Royden and Arran are taken away to serve the King, Parlan, their da, is believed dead, and Raven… no one knows what’s happened to her. It isn’t until five years later that Royden and Arran return home far different men than they once were. Both intend to find their sister and find the person responsible for what happened to their family… and take their revenge.

    So when he asks her to marry a rival laird to aid the clans in finding peace, she has little choice but to agree to his request. The only problem: she’s desperately in love with another man. To free herself from the burden of unrequited love before entering into a marriage of convenience, Isobel devises a plan to journey to the healing well that has helped so many others, certain that if she can drink from its spring, she will be healed from her lovesickness for Kieran and prepared to marry the rival laird. But her chief will never willingly let her go, so she must sneak out in the dead of night and cross through dangerous lands alone. After watching a rival clan kill his father in an ambush, Kieran Buchanan’s only ambition in life is to see them pay for what they did. Biding his time until he can accomplish his goal, Kieran dedicates his life to helping his uncle’s clan train and defend themselves. He’s sworn fealty to his uncle, so when the man asks him to track down Isobel and bring her home, he complies. With the man she loves close on her tail, Isobel must hurry to the spring if she has any hope of callusing her heart against him. But what can she do when he catches up to her on enemy territory?

    . .The viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long-estranged couple had realized they were both invited—and assigned to the same bedchamber. . .Lady Kilgorn did not travel miles from her comfortable home to share a too-small room with the handsome Scottish scoundrel she'd married far too young—and far too eagerly! And the last thing Lord Kilgorn needs is to be teased by the sight of his ever more beautiful wife! But as the weekend progresses, the pair will discover there are some fires even time cannot put out. . .Previously appeared in the anthology Lords of Desire.

    She has only one safe place to go—the MacKinlay clan in Scotland, where her sister is the laird’s wife. War Chief Cameron MacKinlay has vowed never to marry after witnessing his widowed mother’s grief. He has his lands and his clan, and that’s enough for a good life. When one day a sprite of a lass comes running out of the forest with hounds nipping at her heels and an English bounty hunter not far behind, he feels compelled to save her by claiming the disheveled duchess is his wife. But he certainly didn’t intend to marry her for real!And now he’ll do anything to protect her...

    Claire!Colonel Matthew Romney, a favored son with the British military, is gravely wounded during the Battle of New Orleans. With most available British forces dead and his weak pleas for help muffled beneath the dead soldier he lies below, the British report him missing in the aftermath.Bethany Phillips and her dog visit the Villeré Plantation’s gardens searching for herbs and food and unexpectedly become caught in the crossfire of grapeshot and cannon fire and forced to take cover until the battle ends. When the smoke clears, Bethany follows the sound of a man’s moans and pulls him from beneath a pile of dead soldiers being readied for a mass grave. Bethany saves Matthew’s life but, in doing so, threatens her heart and her own life.Against all odds, sparks fly between Matthew and Bethany. A hired investigator for his father finds Matthew and encourages him to journey home. Matthew and Bethany leave the safety of her home and travel a dangerous path through the wilderness of America and across a ravaged, war-torn ocean to reach his family. Can their romance survive the dangers and uncertainty that follow them?