From Lynn Kurland, the New York Times bestselling author of the Nine Kingdom series. Alexander Smith had found success in the world of corporate takeovers—but not happiness. That had always escaped him...along with true love. Then, at the MacLeod Keep in Scotland, he found a pirate map that miraculously answered his yearnings—with a journey to another time. And when he was captured in Medieval England by Margaret of Falconberg, a fierce beauty hidden in knight's armor, he rediscovered his own chivalrous—and passionate—heart... **From Library Journal Wealthy beyond measure but disillusioned and unfulfilled by his years as a corporate raider, Alex Smith definitely needs a change of scene. What he gets, however, is a change of time when an old pirate map and a gate to the past suddenly land him in the forests of medieval England at the feet of a strangely lovely armor-clad knightAa knight who eventually not only abducts him but turns out to be a woman. Lively, often funny, but brutally realistic, this well-written story pairs a defiant woman determined to defend her lands at all costs with a reluctant out-of-time hero who rises to the occasion, then gives them a cause to fight for and a love to live for and lets their actions drive the plot. Memorable, complex characters and a clean, fast-paced, yet descriptive writing style recommend this story, which has links to Kurland's A Dance Through Time (Jove, 1996). Kurland won a Rita for Stardust of Yesterday (Jove, 1996) and lives in the Pacific Northwest. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review Alexander Smith is a no-nonsense, modern day kind of guy visiting relatives in Scotland. All he wants is a warm place to catch some rays while basking in wealth earned from his work as a corporate attorney. Instead, he finds a map in his brother-in-law's study indicating time travel spots. Although instantly skeptical, the thought of sunny Barbados is enough of an incentive for Alexander to at least consider the possibilities. Without further ado, he hops on his horse and heads out, only to land in Medieval England. After repeated attempts to return home, Alexander realizes that he must have a mission to complete before he can leave. Little did he know that his task would lead him to Lady Margaret of Falconberg, a spirited woman determined to protect her home from the dreaded Ralf de Brackwald. Dressed in chain mail and brandishing an assortment of weapons, Margaret's first encounter with Alexander is less than promising. In a strange turn of events, Alexander is found by Brackwald's brother, who takes him back to the castle. A case of mistaken identity causes Alexander to be kidnapped by Margaret and taken to Falconberg. What ensues is a delightful tale of courtship, as Margaret begins to face feelings that are quite foreign to her. When Alexander realizes that he would rather stay with Margaret than return home, he applies all his energies to wooing his fair lady. Add a rather unpoetic bard, a small boy and the sudden appearance of Alexander's time-traveling relatives and the excitement keeps going! It takes a special tournament attended by the king for Alexander to win Margaret's hand and ensure the safety of Falconberg. However, just as the two settle down, an opportunity arises for Alexander to show Margaret his world. But can chocolate, Snoopy slippers and television make Margaret want to stay or will they be separated forever by time? From the beginning, it was obvious that this was a special story. After all, not many authors feel comfortable developing the male character in such detail as to have him take on the lead role. Kudos to Ms. Kurland for her boldness in creating such strong characters. No meek couples here! A very pleasing combination of humor, drama and love make The Very Thought of You among those books that simply must be read again and again! Now I am ready to read about how Alexander's sister and brother-in-law met, which is detailed in one of Ms. Kurland's earlier books. She has certainly whet my appetite for more! Amy Wilson -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product DescriptionMedieval studies scholar Tess Alexander is thrilled for the chance to live in a medieval castle. But then a trip to the village brings her face-to-face with the owner of the local garage, who looks a great deal like the man who married her sister...800 years in the past. She's determined to remain objective about magic and destiny, but she can't help wondering about that mysterious, sword-wielding mechanic.

The New York Times bestselling Nine Kingdoms Saga continues in a land where light and dark magic vie, and where a reluctant hero and seemingly defenseless stable maid must join forces against an encroaching evil. Acair of Ceangail, youngest bastard son of the worst black mage in history, has followed in his father's footsteps, wreaking havoc throughout the world and leaving powerful enemies in his wake. After a year of reparation, he owes a final bit of penance: twelve months spent working in a barn without using his magic. Léirsinn of Sàraichte understands horses, stable work, and how to judge men's hearts. When she starts seeing shadows where there should only be light, she knows there is evil afoot. Unfortunately, it's something she can't fight on her own. Acair's attempts to aid Léirsinn only draw the notice of dangerous mages against whom he is currently defenseless. With only each other to rely on, Acair...

At last, USA Today bestselling author Lynn Kurland delivers her newest time travel romance. In the 1200s, Amanda of Artane has one summer to choose from her suitors--and find love forever.Kurland is clearly one of romance's finest writers-she consistently delivers the kind of stories readers dream about. -- The Oakland PressKurland out-writes romance fiction's top authors by a mile. -- Publishers WeeklyAbout the AuthorLynn Kurland is the USA Today bestselling author of Stardust of Yesterday, A Dance Through Time, This Is All I Ask, The Very Thought of You, Another Chance to Dream, The More I See You, and If I Had You. She is also a contributor to The Christmas Cat, Christmas Spirits, Veils of Time, Opposites Attract, and A Knight’s Vow anthologies. A full-time writer, she lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Review“Clearly one of romance’s finest writers.”“Kurland is a skilled enchantress...”Product DescriptionFALLING THROUGH TIME IS DANGEROUS... Peaches Alexander is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to a weekend party given by the handsome, eligible Duke of Kenneworth. The only problem: Stephen de Piaget, a stuffy medieval studies scholar who seems determined to get in the way. Peaches has absolutely no desire to get involved with Stephen, until a quirk of Fate sends her hurtling through time... UNLESS THERE’S SOMEONE TO CATCH YOU. Stephen de Piaget has been leading a double life: respectable professor by day, knight-in-training during holidays and summer terms. When Peaches goes missing, Stephen knows he’s the only one who can rescue her from medieval peril. Little do they know that the greatest danger they’ll face won’t be the business end of a sword, but their own unruly hearts....

Isabelle de Piaget is determined to elude her overprotective family by means of a hasty escape to France. But instead of making a surprise visit to her brother there, she winds up shipwrecked on the French coast with no memory of who she is or how she came to awaken in the dark and forbidding castle of an equally brooding lord. Gervase de Seger rescues - very reluctantly - the bedraggled urchin he finds on the road and puts her to work where he can ignore her. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that her brother is an intimidating lord who is going to be absolutely furious when he learns that his beloved sister has been laboring as a scullery maid. Yet Isabelle may be the one who holds the key to solving Gervase's most pressing problem: that someone has been trying to finish the task of separating him from his title and his lands. Finding the truth propels Gervase and Isabelle from the buried secrets of half-ruined keeps to the glittering French court, and to the realization that love can blossom in the most perilous circumstances - and in the most unexpected places of the heart . . .

In this sweeping, emotional love story, USA Today bestselling author Lynn Kurland takes us back to the thirteenth century—and all the passion and magnificence of medieval England.

Aisling of Bruadair's quest to restore her country's rightful rulers to their throne has been long and difficult. Now, after a lifetime of lies, she's confronted with an unexpected truth: Bruadair's salvation may lie within her. But the path to harnessing her newly discovered magical gifts threatens to lead her back through a past that may well spell her death. With his own magic restored, Rùnach of Ceangail has come to terms with the fact that the simple life he once coveted is no longer an option. Instead, he is determined to help Aisling fulfill her quest, even if his part of the bargain includes facing evil mages with power far greater than his own. But once they reach Bruadair, Rùnach and Aisling discover that nothing is as it seems, and not only must they accept their past, they must also embrace their destiny—before the enemies drawing near succeed in extinguishing all the light in the world...

More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA

Neroche's kingdom is threatened by the darkness of an evil Black Mage—and all hope lies in the legend of two magical swords. Miach, the archmage of Neroche, carries one. And he's found a Wielder for the other in Morgan, a young woman and feared mercenary herself. Now, Miach must choose between endangering the woman who has captured his heart, and defending the kingdom he's sworn to protect.

A wish upon a star transports the luckless-in-love Jessica Blakely back in time to the thirteenth century. But her desire for a fair and gallant knight yields the fearsome Richard De Galtres. And it will take her tender touch—and stubborn will—to pierce his armor-clad heart...

A young woman inherits a castle—along with a ghost who tries to scare her away. Her biggest fear, however, is falling in love with him.

Set during the misty Middle Ages, when brave knights in shining armor rescued fair maidens and chivalry and honor were prized above all things, this quartet of novellas from some of the genre's best-known writers takes the concept of the vow and spins it into four very different yet thematically linked medieval tales. Lynn Kurland - The Traveller (MacLeod #4)A humorous time travel piece that tosses a modern-day woman back into the life of a 13th century knight who needs to reclaim his inheritance. Patricia Potter - The MinstrelA story of a lord who promises his dying mother he will only marry for love and becomes a traveling musician in order to find a woman who can make his own heart sing. Deborah Simmons - The Bachelor KnightStory of a valiant but lowly born knight who is forced to honor an old vow and marry a lady so that she can retain her holdings, andGlynnis Campbell - The SiegeA romantic tale of a knight and his reluctant intended, unaware of the other's identity and trapped together during an assault on her family's castle.

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland returns to her enchanting Nine Kingdoms saga as the epic adventure of a weaver and an elven prince continues... Aisling of Bruadair is frantic to find both the truth about her future and a mercenary to save her country. When an offer of aid comes from an unexpected direction, she is relieved her quest is almost complete. But she soon realizes her task is far from over . . . and will include perils she never dreamed she would ever face. Rùnach of Ceangail has offered to help Aisling with her quest, then he fully intends to take up his life as a simple swordsman far from magic and evil mages. Unfortunately, a chance finding of a book of indecipherable spells tells him that an ordinary life is never going to be his—especially when he realizes that the book he has in his hands belongs to a black mage who will stop at nothing to have it back. With time running out, Rùnach and Aisling must...

THE SPELLBINDING NINE KINGDOMS SAGA CONTINUES AS A MAGE WITHOUT MAGIC AND A STABLE MAID WITHOUT A HOME FACE THE APPROACHING SHADOWS OF DARKNESS—AND CHOICES THAT WILL CHANGE THEM BOTH FOREVER...Acair of Ceangail, still dodging his reputation as notorious black mage, has undertaken the ultimate quest: ridding the world of a mysterious, terrible dark magic while using no magic of his own. But he never bargained for three maddening complications: attempting to safeguard his beautiful but horse-obsessed companion, Léirsinn; trying not to slay a profoundly irritating prince of Neroche; and slipping in and out of places he knows will spell his doom if he's caught. Léirsinn of Sàraichte simply wants to do what needs to be done—find the makers of various spells and rescue her grandfather. But walking side-by-side with Acair brings a terrible revelation about the magic she needs, and what its price will exact from her soul.Together, Acair...

In the kingdom of Neroche, nightmarish creatures have been unleashed as weapons in a war of evil. Morgan the mercenary, daughter of a treacherous black mage, must fight against them-as well as for her very life. Miach of Neroche would risk his own life to save Morgan's, but he must do so at the peril of the realm, forcing dangerous choices in the deadliest of quests. **

From Lynn Kurland, the New York Times bestselling author of the Nine Kingdom series. Set near the Scottish border at a rugged castle on the edge of the sea, this is the story of a courageous lord who lost everything he held dear. Of a strong young woman willing to sacrifice everything for happiness. Two lost souls who find in each other a reason to live again, to laugh again, and to love for the first time...

From the author of Dreamspinner and A Dance Through Time... ESCAPING INTO THE PAST… Derrick Cameron, antiquities dealer and adventurer, is furious when the priceless piece of Elizabethan lace he's been pursuing slips right by him, in the improbable custody of a mousy textile historian! But he will retrieve it, even if it means dragging a very skeptical, albeit adorable, Samantha back in time with him. After all, he is used to living dangerously?"in whatever century he finds himself. Conscientious Samantha Drummond never dreamed the package her British employer gave her would lead her into places an ordinary gal should never go?"like Elizabethan England!?"or throw her into the company of one extremely attractive, but highly suspect Highlander who not only thinks she's a thief, but insists on involving her in his mad schemes to retrieve his stolen treasure. CAN LEAD YOU STRAIGHT INTO YOUR FUTURE… Trapped first in Elizabethan England,...

Two people are caught up in love—and in time—in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Stars in Your Eyes. In search of a fresh start, Emma Barton has traveled to Scotland to try to forget her rocky love life. Luckily, the gorgeous Highlander who owns the house up the path from her rental cottage might be exactly the kind of distraction she needs. But there's more to his intriguing qualities than she can explain—and she certainly isn't buying into the local legends of Highland magic. Nathaniel MacLeod is a man adrift, all thanks to the unwanted gift that forces him to continually jump between centuries. He never knows if he'll wind up in the present day or the fourteenth century, but when Emma follows him back through time, he suddenly has more to worry about than keeping his separate lives straight... Someone has started to notice Nathaniel's travels and now, no time period is safe, for him...

Set during the misty Middle Ages, when brave knights in shining armor rescued fair maidens and chivalry and honor were prized above all things, this quartet of novellas from some of the genre's best-known writers takes the concept of the vow and spins it into four very different yet thematically linked medieval tales. Lynn Kurland - The Traveller (MacLeod #4)A humorous time travel piece that tosses a modern-day woman back into the life of a 13th century knight who needs to reclaim his inheritance. Patricia Potter - The MinstrelA story of a lord who promises his dying mother he will only marry for love and becomes a traveling musician in order to find a woman who can make his own heart sing. Deborah Simmons - The Bachelor KnightStory of a valiant but lowly born knight who is forced to honor an old vow and marry a lady so that she can retain her holdings, andGlynnis Campbell - The SiegeA romantic tale of a knight and his reluctant intended, unaware of the other's identity and trapped together during an assault on her family's castle.

With each of her stunning novels and novellas, readers have followed national bestselling author Lynn Kurland's engaging characters as they swept across time, across continents, across the map of the human heart in a transcendent search for love. Now, journey with her in this enchanting anthology showcasing the "literary magician" (Romantic Times) at her magical best... In The Gift of Christmas Past, a feline angel pulls his mistress back in time to a night long ago, where she finds her own true love...A quaint country inn becomes the haunting ground for The Three Wise Ghosts, a spirited trio of matchmakers who scare a free-wheeling American and a single-minded British executive into love...A Scottish nobleman drifts off to sleep in a 13th century dungeon, only to awaken in a 20th century Manhattan bridal salon, and the arms of a beautiful designer, in And the Groom Wore Tulle...And in The Ring on the Cake, opposites indeed attract when a...

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland's enthralling Nine Kingdoms saga brings together a weaver's apprentice and the son of a mage, both fighting to save the Nine Kingdoms from peril.Aisling of Bruadair has lived a provincial life, heedless of the evil creeping over her land. That ordinary existence changes forever, though, when she is sent to the opposite end of the world to find a master swordsman. If she fails, her life—and her country's safety—will be forfeit. She just never expected that swordsman to be a wounded elven prince masquerading as a simple soldier.Powerless and scarred from a long-ago conflict, Rùnach of Ceangail has spent years in obscurity, ignoing battles he can no longer fight. And although he has been drawn back into the world, he fully intends to live an unremarkable life far away from events he knows he cannot change...Until Rùnach meets Aisling and realizes that she is far...