Never again would Jacob Tucker celebrate Christmas, not after the tragedy, it wasn’t a subject to even be discussed.Tally May Jones needed a life that was more than just helping out at her father's haberdashery store in their dusty small town on the East Coast. She believed she had found it when she saw the advertisement from Jacob Tucker a rancher from Cedar Fields. But life as Mrs Jacob Tucker was not at all as she had dreamed. Yes, he was a handsome man - handsome beyond expectations, but he was cold-hearted and seemed only to want a bride to fill the role of housekeeper in his home. Tally was homesick and lonely. She was thankful for the company of Ellie the daughter of the ranch’s right hand man and Jacob’s friend, Pete.Tally is almost at her wit’s end living the lie that her life out West has become, when she is called upon to help Ellie and Pete. She knows it is wrong to keep secrets from her husband, but she also understands the fear those around her have for her husband. He could be unreasonable and unfathomable. And Tally was kept in the dark as to his secrets, causing her to not understand his hardheartedness.With Christmas fast approaching Jacob turns even more cold, what could be done to thaw his heart?Was it possible for an innocent to break down the walls of grief thrown up by a brave man to shield himself from love and hurt? Could the promise of a newborn heal the wounds etched deep in the soul of a man who had lost all he once loved?

Christmas comes to the Wedding Dreams Boutique... Liza Howard is struggling to hang on to the boutique she'd inherited. She's pinning all of her hopes on a robust holiday shopping season. However, when one of the expensive designer gowns she has on display is damaged by her upstairs tenant's dog, the holiday season gets off to a bumpy start. As per store policy, you damage it, you buy it. And now Dylan Carver owns a wedding dress, and he has absolutely no use for it as he's a confirmed bachelor. Will this special wedding dress bring these two closer so they can mend their scarred hearts this Christmas?

Widow Rose struggles to support herself in Philadelphia after her husband dies. Desperate to escape poverty, she agrees to marriage with Tyler, a Montana rancher. But when Rose arrives in Montana and Tyler is not there to meet her, she uncovers secrets and lies regarding Tyler and his family that break her heart.She finds Tyler handsome, and he finds her beautiful, but a bitter Tyler refuses to give in to his feelings, until Rose reveals a shocking secret. Can Tyler open his heart and make Rose his Christmas bride?

When Gideon Webber first meets Molly Barton he wants her badly! But his hopes are dashed when he becomes convinced that she is another man's mistress. Three years later, it's Christmastime and Molly and Gideon meet again. But this time Gideon's determined to take what he still desires. With the tension between them simmering, Gideon's left with only one option...he'll claim Molly once and for all — as his Yuletide bride!

Varsity Coach Mitch Holden thinks he's seen everything until Scotswoman Emma McGregor steps out of her car, in a bridal dress and veil, and asks him where she can find a job. Mitch is stunned but directs her somewhere to stay... and finds himself unable to keep from checking up on her.Emma McGregor has had the worst day of her life. Finding out her groom didn't really want to marry her was a devastating blow, but Mitch and the town of Marietta reach out to her in a way she couldn't have imagined. Nowhere seems to do Christmas like Marietta does.But Mitch has secrets of his own. Everyone knows about the injury that tragically ended his promising football career, but there's more to the story... Will the magic of Marietta sprinkle some Christmas dust on their broken hearts and help them find their happy ever after?

The Last Thing She Wanted For Christmas Was A Cowboy…Single mom Christie Buchanan has big plans to make this Christmas the best Christmas ever for her six-year-old daughter Carrie Anne. To do that, she needs money and the only way she can figure out how to get it is to win the “Best Gingerbread House in Texas Contest.” When her boss offers to watch Carrie Anne at his ranch in the afternoons so Christie has baking time, she accepts–even though Cord Evans is a hot rodeo bum like Carrie Anne’s deadbeat dad who left them high ‘n’ dry. But Christie is not falling for another immature wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am cowboy…at least that’s what she thinks until one wintry night when Cord teaches her the difference between a boy and a man.Cord Evans is a six-time world rodeo champion who has made plenty of mistakes. After getting thrown off a bull named Redemption and almost dying, he takes a serious look at his life and decides to make some changes–starting with moving to Bliss, Texas, so he can repair the relationship with his adult son. What he doesn’t figure into his plan is a beautiful single mom and her cute sassy daughter. Determined to keep his focus on fixing his past mistakes and not making any new ones, Cord tries to keep his distance from Christie and Carrie Anne. But how can he stay away from a woman who smells like gingerbread and tastes like heaven and a little angel who melts his heart?It will take a miracle to get these two wounded souls together…luckily, it’s the season of miracles. With a touch of Christmas magic, the little country town of Bliss might hear holiday wedding bells after all.

A deal before the altarA desire unlocked by the Greek!As new guardian to his orphaned nephew, CEO Drakon must marry. And caring Lucy is the ideal choice. His terms include a lavish Christmas wedding and nights of tantalizing pleasure. But that's all emotionally guarded Drakon can offer!Lucy cannot believe Drakon is proposing a marriage of convenience—their all-consuming island fling left her heartbroken! But Lucy's adamant his nephew won't grow up without a mother. And soon she realises she can't be just a wife in name only. Dare she hope Drakon could give anything more...?

All the billionaire wants for Christmas is...a wife!Greek tycoon Leo is a businessman, not a family man. Yet becoming guardian to his orphaned nieces and nephews leads him to make the ultimate sacrifice—finding a wife! And kindhearted Letty is the perfect bride for the job.Letty can't let her family fall into financial ruin. A convenient Christmas wedding with Leo is the ideal solution! Until their paper-only arrangement is scorched...by the heat of their unanticipated passion! Which awakens innocent Letty to the inescapable truth: she wants more from Leo than she signed up for...

She's ruled by her emotions. He's determined to prove his feelings are real. Is snow-covered Vermont a perfect place for a second chance at forever? Emma Kimball is struggling to keep tradition alive. Drowning in debt from her late mother's medical bills, she escapes to spend the holiday in her childhood's beloved small-town inn. The last complication she needs is for her handsome ex to crash her wintery wonderland. Dr. Jake Cutter almost has it all. Nine years after their painful breakup, he's bent on chasing a Yuletide miracle to win back the woman he loves. Even knowing she's skittish to reconnect, he's willing to do the work to thaw her heart. Scared she'll wreck her future and end up with someone just like her overly controlling father, a trait she learned years ago is a part of Jake, a wary Emma resists the allure of her old flame's attempts to reconcile. But as he worries about once again messing up the best thing ever, he...

His Christmas Bride: A Marietta St. Claire Romance

She’s a southern belle that didn’t plan on being a mother to four children. He’s a U.S. Deputy Marshal that never planned on getting married. But fate has other things in mind…U.S. Marshal Carson Harlow loves the wild frontier of Texas. He’s used to living rough and doesn’t need a woman or children to interfere with what he’s best at–minding the law and putting the bad guys in their place. It’s too bad, then, when he crosses paths with Sarah Baker, a beautiful young mail-order bride who’s struck out twice when it comes to finding love. A woman who needs everything Carson has, and has everything he needs.Sadly, though, Carson’s past won’t let him get too close to the raven-haired Southern belle whose face he can’t seem to forget. And while Sarah’s becoming more and more friendly with the brave young deputy every day, old relationships have a tendency to come creeping back.But when a smallpox outbreak threatens everything they know, they’ll rethink everything that they once believed . . . and be tested in ways that put their very lives at stake. 

His love will marry another at Christmas! Time for desperate measures... After six years nursing her late father, Margaret Johns looks forward to her long-awaited London Season. Instead, her elder brother claims he is too poor and she is too old to warrant the expense. To escape her unbearable home situation and her new sister-in-law's spitefulness, Prudence accepts Squire Jenkins' proposal of a marriage of convenience. When the charming and feckless Lord Alistair Dunridge visits her brother's estate for Christmas, she's reminded of her youthful dreams—of marriage to this dashing nobleman and a family of her own. Alistair, the unloved and unneeded third son of a marquess, is now the heir to his grandmother's estate and finally in a position to propose to Margaret, the woman he loves. When Margaret refuses to withdraw from her engagement to the Squire, desperate measures are needed to save her from an unsuitable future, even if...

Her life is entirely about propriety and conduct, but this Christmas, she will give herself the gift of being wild...London 1813Miss Smith is dreading the festive season. With her students gone, long cold days and endless dreary nights are a glum and lonely prospect. So when she comes across a beautiful gown left behind by one of her students, she can't help but try it on. And perhaps a walk down the street as a little Christmas gift to lift her spirits. And a small, warm drink at a local pub. No one will recognise her, and what harm could it do?Lonely and worried about raising a daughter by himself, handsome widower Robert Carring knows he must find another wife. But having already endured one passionless marriage, he refuses to enter another. He will only marry when he finds the intelligent, spirited woman of his dreams. And then he sees her, making merry on a cold winter night.Finding herself admired in the eyes of handsome man for... 'Tis the season for Christmas reading! Pre–order now! A hot, historical Christmas romance about a respectable school teacher about to dedicate her life to her students, and the advent season of adventure she decides to gift herself first.

He didn't plan on getting a wife for Christmas . . .The last thing Liam Hannan expected was a bride for Christmas, particularly one whose brother is the town marshal. Liam never meant to place that advertisement, so when Tilly Wright arrives and expects to marry him, all he can do is let her down gently. But when the only way out of a potentially scandalous situation is marriage, they find themselves starting a life together.Tilly finally has everything she's wanted—a husband and a life in a new, exciting town. Crest Stone is welcoming place, and she finds herself quickly making new friends and preparing for Christmas. If only she could prove to Liam that their marriage is something he should be happy about, everything would be perfect.Just as Liam begins to find a love he never knew he needed in Tilly, a man from his past arrives in Crest Stone and Liam's carefully rebuilt business comes under threat. If he can't find a way out of a situation he never intended to put himself into, he'll lose everything—his dream of owning a hotel, his reputation in Crest Stone, his friends . . . and Tilly.

When Ruth gets set up on a blind date with Carter Wilson, she agrees to go out with him as a favor to a friend. But she's not interested in Carter. He might be the most attractive man she's ever known, but he's too rich. Too indulged. Too nice all the time. Right now, her career comes first in her life, and even if it didn't, she's looking for a man with rougher edges. Plus, she suspects he might still have a thing for a woman he can never have. Carter wants to get his friends and family to stop trying to fix him up, so they agree to a scheme that might help them both. They can pretend they fell in love and fake an engagement until Christmas. His friends will back off, and she can use the social events in the very wealthy town of Green Valley to line up a lot of new contacts for her interior design business. All she has to do is pretend she's going to marry Carter. It should be easy. It's not like she'll ever be his bride for real.

Many said Matt Yoder was the most handsome Amish bachelor in the county, maybe even the country. When he contacted Jane and asked her to return to the community where she grew up, she was convinced all her prayers had been answered. She'd always dreamed of marrying Matt and having a large family. Her dream turned into a nightmare when she discovered he asked her to come home to help him select a bride. He was tired of being single and declared he would be married by Christmas. He had narrowed his search to five women and was having trouble deciding between them. Since Matt had always overlooked Jane, was it already too late? Or can she find a way to make him see that she is and always has been his perfect Amish match?

Homeless and destitute after the sudden death of her father, and against her better judgement, Melody Harken agrees to become a mail order bride.Desperately lonely, widower Peter Williams applies for a mail order bride after losing his dear wife two years earlier. Guilt-ridden, he is having second thoughts. Before he can retract his request, his distressed new bride turns up in Dayton Falls without notice.Can the beautiful stranger change his mind? And will Melody even marry him after his initial rejection?

He's Looking For A Trophy Wife. She's Looking For The Love 0f Her Life.Badly burned from a bitter divorce, Grayson Brandell vows to never let a woman hold his heart ever again. But he’s a realist and accepts the fact that he wants children of his own to inherit his hard-earned fortune. But his next marriage would be strictly for convenience only. He’s not looking for love or romance, just a wife who knows the rules–his rules–and abide by them to the letter.Hopeful romantic Camilia Johansen is still a virgin at twenty-three and has never had a serious relationship. No, she’s not a prude or a stuck-up. She’s just holding out for that special man she’s been asking Santa to give her as a present every Christmas for the past five years–The One.One fine day, a man looks at her from across the hall and she feels like going up in flames. The One has arrived. She spends one wild night with the stranger who feels all-too familiar from the get-go. But the morning-after brings about reality, and it bites, big time. They part ways in a not-so-charming manner.Come winter, fate brings them together again. They meet through a matchmaking agency. But Santa has some serious work cut out for him in getting these two a merry ending.**Prepare for sugar overload and a whole lotta cream and some sprinkling of cherry bits with this sizzling rom-com featuring a cynical hero and an idealistic heroine. Guaranteed HEA with babies!

Rose Bailey has to get away from the Whitney household. As a servant she has no rights and her memories of the days before she was a servant were too bittersweet to handle. She knew her father and brother wouldn't want her to be in this situation so she felt she owed it to them to find a solution on her own. The only solution that makes sense is to answer an ad to go west as a mail order bride.Sam Nelson was alone on his farm just outside town. Oregon was a lovely place and he was happy there, but he was lonely. His parents had left the farm to him and he was becoming even more successful than his father had been. Something was missing, though. He wanted companionship and a family. For that he'd need a wife.When Rose heard from Sam Nelson that he'd like her to come to Oregon to marry him she was beside herself. Her goal of getting out of the Whitney house by Christmas just might happen. When he meets her at the stagecoach stop, she can't believe her luck. He's handsome, kind, and genuinely concerned for her. Can she really trust him, though? If she does, will her past really be behind her?

Della has been ridiculed all her life due to the birthmark on her cheek. Tired of burdening her parents and longing for love, she corresponds with widower, Zack, a Montana rancher with a young son who begs for a mother for Christmas.When Della arrives in Montana, her heart skips a beat when she sees Zack. But Zack struggles with betraying his late wife and plans to send Della back to New York. A heartbroken Della knows her disfigurement has turned off Zack, but a little boy who just wants a mother for Christmas has other plans.

(Previously released as The Christmas Wedding Scheme) Seeing Lady Julianna holding their newborn nephew in her arms, Nash decides it's time he took a wife. Julianna insists only a man who slays dragons would suit, and since dragons don't exist, neither does her ideal beau. Not one to turn away from a challenge, Nash enlists the aid of his nieces and nephews in a scheme sure to win the lady's hearNote: This book was previously released as The Christmas Wedding Scheme.When Nash Sinclair sees Lady Julianna holding their newborn nephew in her arms, he decides it is time he took a wife. Julianna, however, insists only a man who slays dragons would suit, and since dragons don't exist, neither does her ideal beau. Not one to turn away from a challenge, Nash enlists the aid of his nieces and nephews in a scheme sure to win Lady Julianna's heart.

Ho Ho Humbug. So much for holiday joy... The important talk Marley Paige's long-distance boyfriend wanted to have wasn't to propose. Nope. He did want to share that he'd found his perfect match; it just wasn't her. Granted, she didn't want to marry the guy, but she had kind of oversold the fact she had a serious boyfriend to her grandmother. The word "love" may even have escaped her lips. Now, she has to own up to her oversell and ruin her family's Christmas...or does she?When Wyatt Porter took his grandmother's engagement ring to propose, he thought his girlfriend would say yes, which she did—before she moved on to someone else and lost the ring. So when his old classmate and nemesis steps onto his tour trolley wearing that heirloom ring, and his family assumes he and Marley are engaged, he does what any guy in his situation would do, he doesn't correct them. And for some unknown reason Marley plays along. Sure, he can't stand her, and she despises him, and no one...

In bestselling author Vanessa Kelly's irresistible Clan Kendrick series, Christmas in the Highlands means family, celebration—and for one brother, the beginning of a passionate adventure . . . Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was humiliating enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick, has also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her family's estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash, handsome, and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of would-be kidnappers. But the scandal in her past can't be so easily outrun . . . Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a plain, pious spinster—not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own in any ambush. Though she's known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring happiness back to his lonely little son's life, just...

When Ruth gets set up on a blind date with Carter Wilson, she agrees to go out with him as a favor to a friend. But she's not interested in Carter. He might be the most attractive man she's ever known, but he's too rich. Too indulged. Too nice all the time. Right now, her career comes first in her life, and even if it didn't, she's looking for a man with rougher edges. Plus, she suspects he might still have a thing for a woman he can never have. Carter wants to get his friends and family to stop trying to fix him up, so they agree to a scheme that might help them both. They can pretend they fell in love and fake an engagement until Christmas. His friends will back off, and she can use the social events in the very wealthy town of Green Valley to line up a lot of new contacts for her interior design business. All she has to do is pretend she's going to marry Carter. It should be easy. It's not like she'll ever be his bride for real.

After Allethaire Gibson was kidnapped several years earlier in the wilds of Montana Territory, she tries hard to put her life back together in civilized Minnesota. She almost succeeds—until she’s framed for a crime she didn’t commit. With her reputation in shreds, she flees back to Montana to seek her father’s help in proving her innocence.Mick Vasco never expects to see Allethaire again, but when he finds her in the middle of a train-robbery-in-progress, he has no choice but to kidnap her—again.Together they race against time to find crucial answers. But during the blessed season of Christmas, they find wondrous gifts of forgiveness and love instead.

A Deal Before The Altar...  A Desire Unlocked By The Greek!As new guardian to his orphaned nephew, CEO Drakon must marry. And caring Lucy is the ideal choice. His terms include a lavish Christmas wedding and nights of tantalizing pleasure. But that's all emotionally guarded Drakon can offer!Lucy cannot believe Drakon is proposing a marriage of convenience—their all-consuming island fling left her heartbroken! But Lucy's adamant his nephew won't grow up without a mother. And soon she realises she can't be just a wife in name only. Dare she hope Drakon could give anything more...?

Love is in the air this holiday season in Red Maple Falls.Sam Bennett never thought he would settle down until Hadley confessed her secret crush on him. Now he's ready to marry the love of his life in the wedding of her dreams.Hadley Hayes still pinches herself to make sure she isn't dreaming. She's marrying the man she has secretly loved for years and everything is going smoothly until one bump in the road leads to another and another, sending the visions of her perfect wedding down the drain.The only thing that can save the wedding is a Christmas miracle, but if there is any place where miracles are possible it's their small town of Red Maple Falls.

There's only one reason this bride won't walk down the aisle...and he's back! A captivating Christmas romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Caitlin Crews. She gave him her innocence.Can he win her back by Christmas? Certain that she will never love again, Timoney George has agreed to a convenient marriage. If she can't recapture the hot, all-consuming chemistry she discovered with Crete Asgar, she might as well have cold security. Crete tried to forget Timoney, but the idea of another man possessing her is intolerable. With just twelve hours until she walks down the aisle, Crete steals her back. And now he has the night before Christmas to prove to her—and himself—that he won't break her heart all over again...From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

When Nora's parents arrange a marriage to Gus, a man she despises, Nora refuses. If she can't marry for love, she won't marry. She replies to Adam's ad and travels to Montana to meet him one month before Christmas.Adam's parents are pushing him to marry but he refuses to marry someone he doesn't love. As Nora and Adam spend time together, feelings grow. But Adam's and Nora's parents refuse to allow their children to be together, taking drastic steps to keep them apart. As Adam pulls away from Nora, she knows there's nothing left to do but marry Gus.Can Nora and Adam find their way back to each other before each is doomed to loveless marriages? Will Nora become Adam's Christmas bride?

The only gift Dylan Warren used to want was Jenna Scott's love. But his former childhood best friend broke his heart. Now, their matchmaking mothers insist the Warren and Scott clans celebrate the holiday together. Suddenly he and Jenna are paired on a mission to bring Christmas to a family who lost everything but each other. Jenna's kindness to the displaced little boys reminds Dylan why he loved her. Could joyful jingle bells soon be joined by the chime of wedding bells?

The second generation is all grown up…even if their parents don't agree. Oliver GoodsonThe day I met Lucy Davis, I knew she was mine.I would have married her right then and there.But my girl wanted to wait until we graduated.We're out of school now, and this curvy little angel is mine.So is the little life growing in her belly.No one is going to stop me from claiming what belongs to me.Not even her dad. Lucy DavisMy whole life, I've watched my parents living a fairytale.Now, it's my turn.Come Christmas Day, I'll be Mrs. Oliver Goodson.It's all I've dreamed about since the day I met him.I just hope we can keep my dad from finding out our big secret until then.Otherwise, this baby may be the only one Oliver is able to give me.Because my dad is going to lose his mind. Will a secret baby and a grumpy daddy spoil this Blushing Bride's Christmas wedding? Not if her growly man has anything to say about it! A Blushing Bride for Christmas is a second-generation His Blushing Bride romance. It is part of the Holiday Belles series. Tis’ the Season to Get Married! Nine of your favorite romance authors have joined forces to bring you a world full of wedding bells and Christmas cheer! Each short and steamy story promises a happily ever-after, with plenty of mistletoe and snuggles by the fire. The question is, will you end up on the naughty or nice list? TheHolidayBelles are ringing beginning December 1st!

A good Greek wife... Coldly ruthless and deeply cynical, Apollo Metraxis has made a career of bachelorhood. But when the inheritance of his father's estate is conditional on a marriage and a child, he is forced to do the unthinkable! Unpolished Pixie Robinson is the world's worst choice of a wife for Apollo. Yet her family's mounting debts leave her defenseless and therefore uniquely suitable. But when the wedding night exposes Pixie's untouched vulnerability, striking a chord in the dark reaches of his heart, Apollo is forced to think again. And that's before he discovers that she's carrying not one but two Metraxis heirs!

Dr James Bartlett is captivated by new Willowmere midwife Lizzie Carmichael – and intrigued by the loneliness he sees in her eyes. So, with the help of his adorable twins, this Christmas James wants to convince Lizzie to join his little family – it would be the perfect present for them all.

Wanted: Convenient Wife When preacher Hugh Arness advertises for a marriage of convenience, the single father's not expecting Annie Marshall to apply. She's too vivacious—and far too pretty. Yet Annie connects with his withdrawn young son, Evan, and he agrees to a trial period—which her grandfather will chaperone—until Christmas. By then he'll have found a candidate who doesn't make him long for more than he feels worthy of... Security and her own home...Annie wants both, without the heartache love brings. Soon she's earning little Evan's trust, eager to show his papa that their partnership can work. She knows that Hugh needs tenderness, too. And maybe this Christmas could mark the end of their practical arrangement...and the start of a true union and real family.

A season of hope . . .'Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself... After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

The Christmas Eve Bride by Lynne GrahamRocco thought he was done with Amber after her betrayal two years earlier. But when he unexpectedly runs into her, the attraction is still strong—so he asks her to become his mistress! Amber only accepts so her baby boy can have a better Christmas. But Rocco's plan for revenge changes as he begins picturing a future with Amber…and their son.A Marriage Proposal for Christmas by Carole MortimerCally Turner thinks Noel Carlton is an egotistical playboy! The only reason she's agreed to work for him is so she can give her daughter a Christmas to remember. But as she spends more time with Noel, she begins to wonder what's more irritating—his infuriating arrogance or unexpected tenderness?A Bride for Christmas by Marion LennoxWealthy businessman—and contented bachelor—Guy Carver is in Australia to take ownership of Jenny Westmere's wedding salon. It's strictly business. So no one is more surprised than Guy himself when he realizes that the deal he really wants to ink is making Jenny and her little boy his family by Christmas!About the AuthorLynne Graham lives in Northern Ireland and has been a keen romance reader since her teens. Happily married, Lynne has five children. Her eldest is her only natural child. Her other children, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. The family has a variety of pets, and Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collecting allsorts and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.Carole Mortimer was born in England, the youngest of three children. She began writing in 1978, and has now written over one hundred and seventy books for Harlequin Mills and Boon®. Carole has six sons, Matthew, Joshua, Timothy, Michael, David and Peter. She says, ‘I’m happily married to Peter senior; we’re best friends as well as lovers, which is probably the best recipe for a successful relationship. We live in a lovely part of England.’Marion Lennox is a country girl, born on an Australian dairy farm. She moved on, because the cows just weren't interested in her stories! Married to a very special doctor', she has also written under the name Trisha David. She’s now stepped back from herother’ career teaching statistics. Finally, she’s figured what's important and discovered the joys of baths, romance and chocolate. Preferably all at the same time! Marion is an international award winning author. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Rocco Volpe was bored and, as it was not a sensation he was accustomed to feeling, he was much inclined to blame his hosts for that reality.When the banker, Harris Winton, had invited him to his country home for the weekend, Rocco had expected stimulating company. People invariably went to a great deal of trouble to entertain Rocco. But then he could hardly have foreseen that Winton would miss his flight home from Brussels, leaving his unfortunate guests at the mercy of his wife, Kaye.Kaye, the youthful trophy wife, who looked at Rocco with a hunger she couldn't hide. His startlingly handsome features were expressionless as his hostess irritated him with simpering flattery and far too much attention. He had never liked small women with big eyes, he reflected. Memory stirred, reminding him why that was so. Swiftly, he crushed that unwelcome recollection out.'So tell me…what's it like being one of the most eligible single men in the world?' Kaye asked fatuously.'Pretty boring.' Watching her redden without remorse, Rocco strolled over to the window like a tiger sheathing his claws with extreme reluctance.'I suppose it must be,' the beautiful brunette then agreed in a cloying tone. 'How many men have your power, looks and fabulous wealth?'Striving not to wince while telling himself that if he ever married his wife would have a brain, Rocco surveyed the well-kept gardens. Fading winter sunlight gleamed over the downbent head of a gardener raking up leaves on the extensive front lawn. There was something familiar about that unusual honey shade of blonde that was the colour of toffee in certain lights. He stiffened as the figure turned and he realised it was a woman and…?'Your gardener is a woman?' Not a shade of the outraged incredulity and anger consuming Rocco was audible in his deep, dark drawl. But someone ought to warn Winton that he had a potential tabloid spy working for him, he thought grimly. Harris would never recover from the humiliation of the media exposing one of his wife's affairs.His keen hostess drew level with him and wrinkled her nose. 'We have trouble getting outside staff. Harris says people don't want that kind of work these days.''I imagine he's right. Has she been with you long?''only a few weeks.' The brunette studied him with a perplexed frown.'Will you excuse me? I have an urgent call to make.'Amber's back was sore.It was icy cold but the amount of energy she had expended had heated her up to the extent that she was working in a light T-shirt. She could hardly believe that within ten days it would be Christmas. Her honey-blonde hair caught back in a clip from which strands continually drifted loose, she straightened and stretched to ease her complaining spine. About five feet three in height, she was slim, but at breast and hip she was lush and feminine in shape.It would be another hour before she finished work and she couldn't wait. Only a few months back, she would have said she loved the great outdoors, but working for the Win-tons had disenchanted her fast. Nothing but endless back-breaking labour and abysmally low pay. Her rich employers did not believe in spending money on labour-saving devices like leaf blowers. On the other hand, Harris Winton was a perfectionist, who demanded the highest standards against impossible odds.'Brush up the leaves as they fall,' he had told her with a straight face, seeming not to grasp that, with several acres of wooded and lawned grounds, that was like asking her to daily stem an unstoppable tide.You're turning into a right self-pitying moan, her conscience warned her as she emptied the wheelbarrow. So once she had had nice clothes, pretty, polished fingernails and a career with a future. She might no longer have any of those things but she did have Freddy, she reminded herself in consolation.Freddy, the pure joy in her life, who could squeeze her heart with one smile. Freddy, who had filled her with so much instant love that she could still barely accept the intensity of her own feelings. Freddy, who might not be the best conversationalist yet and who loved to wake her up to play in the middle of the night, but who still made any sacrifice worthwhile.'Buon giorno, Amber…what an unexpected pleasure!'At the sound of that dark, well-modulated voice coming out of nowhere at her, Amber jerked rigid with fright. Blinking rapidly, disbelief engulfing her, she spun round, refusing to accept her instinctive recognition of that rich-accented drawl.'Strange but somehow extraordinarily apt that you should be grubbing round a compost heap,' Rocco remarked with sardonic amusement.A wave of stark dizziness assailed Amber. As she focused in paralysed incredulity on the formidably tall, well-built male standing beneath the towering beech trees a few yards away, her heart was beating at such an accelerated rate that she could hardly get breath into her lungs. She turned white as milk, every ounce of natural colour evaporating from her fine features, her clear green eyes huge.Rocco Volpe, the powerful Italian financier, once christened the Silver Wolf by the gossip columns for his breathtaking good looks and fast reputation with her sex. And there was no denying that he was spectacular, with his bronzed skin and dark, dark deepset eyes contrasted with hair so naturally, unexpectedly fair it shone like polished silver. Rocco Volpe, the very worst mistake she had made in her twenty-three years of life. Her tummy felt hollow, her every tiny muscle bracing in self-defence. But her brain just refused to snap back into action. She could only wonder in amazement what on earth Rocco Volpe could possibly be doing wandering round the grounds of the Wintons' country house.'Where did you come from?' she whispered jaggedly.'The house. I'm staying there this weekend.''Oh…' Amber was silenced and appalled by that admission. Yet it was not a remarkable coincidence that Rocco should be acquainted with her employer, for both men wielded power in the same cut-throat world of international finance.Tilting his arrogant head back, Rocco treated her to a leisurely, all-male appraisal that was as bold as he was. 'Not good news for you, I'm afraid.'Amber was as stung by that insolent visual assessment as if he had slapped her in the face. Grubbing round the compost heap? The instant he bent the full effect of those brilliant dark eyes on her, she recalled that sarcastic comment. But a split second later thought was overpowered by the slowburn effect of Rocco skimming his intense gaze over the swell of her full breasts. Within her bra, the tender peaks of her sensitive flesh pinched tight with stark awareness. As his stirring scrutiny slid lazily down to the all-female curve of her hips, an almost forgotten ache clenched her belly.'And what's that supposed to mean?' Amber folded her arms with a jerk, holding her treacherous body rigid as if by so doing she might drive out those mortifying responses. Only now she was horribly conscious of her wind-tossed hair, her lack of make-up and her workworn T-shirt and jeans. Once, she recalled, she had taken time to groom herself for Roc-co's benefit. Suddenly she wanted to dive into the wretched compost heap and hide! Rocco, so smooth, sophisticated and exclusive in his superb charcoal-grey business suit and black cashmere coat. He had to be wondering now what he had ever seen in her and her already battered pride writhed under that humiliating suspicion.'Why are you working for Harris Winton as a gardener?' Rocco asked drily.'That's none of your business.' Pale and fighting a craven desire to cringe, Amber flung her head high, determined not to be intimidated.'But I am making it my business,' Rocco countered levelly.Amber could not credit his nerve. Her temper was rising. 'Being one of the Wintons' guests doesn't give you the right to give me the third degree. Now, why don't you go away and leave me alone?''You really have changed your tune, cara,' Rocco murmured in a tone as smooth as black velvet. 'As I recall, I found persuading you to leave me alone quite a challenge eighteen months ago.'That cruel reminder stabbed Amber like a knife in the heart. Indeed, she felt quite sick inside. She had not expected that level of retaliation and dully questioned why. Rocco was a ruthless wheeler-dealer in the money markets and as feared as he was famed for his brilliance. In automatic self-protection from that cutting tongue, she began walking away. Eighteen months ago, Rocco had dumped her. Indeed, Rocco had dumped her without hesitation. Rocco had then refused her phone calls and when she had persisted in daring to try and speak to him, he had finally called her back and asked her with icy contempt if she was now 'stalking' him!'Where are you going?' Rocco demanded.Amber ignored him. She had been working near the house. Obviously he had seen and recognised her and curiosity had got to him. But it struck her as strange that he should have acted on that curiosity and come outside to speak to her. A guy who had suggested that she might have stalking tendencies ought to have looked the other way. But then that had only been Rocco's brutally effective method of finally shaking her off.'Amber…'Bitterness surged up inside her, the destructive bitterness she had believed she had put behind her. But, faced with Rocco again, those feelings erupted back out of her subconscious mind like a volcano. She spun back with knotted fists, her small, shapely figure taut, angry colour warming her complexion. 'I hate you…I can't bear to be anywhere near you!'Rocco elevated a cool, slanting dark brow. He looked hugely unimpressed by that outburst.'And that...

IN HER 100TH BOOK, NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR blends heated sensuality and drama into a dazzling new novel featuring one of her most unforgettable Madaris heroes yetOne by one, Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes of Felicia Laverne Madaris, matriarch of the family. But Lee Madaris isnt letting anyone else control his destiny. Hell bring a bride of his own choosing to the familys holiday gatheringif his hotels gorgeous new chef will agree to a marriage of convenience.Its not just the chance to work at the Strips hottest hotel that brought Carly Briggs to Vegas. Witnessing a crime in Miami may have made her a mob target. Though shes reluctant to complicate their working relationship, Lees tempting offer is so hard to resist. And soon, desire is clouding their no-strings arrangement.The danger that made Carly flee Miami is about to land at their door. So Carly and Lee must decide who to trust, when to let goand whether a love they never anticipated is strong enough to pass the ultimate test.

In a pair of classic Regency-era Christmas romance novels from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh, the holidays herald the greatest gift of all: unexpected, all-consuming love. A CHRISTMAS BRIDE The very wealthy Edgar Downes has promised his aging father to finally take a bride--specifically, to wed a titled lady by Christmas. London is full of pretty, proper, and eligible misses, but it's the widow Helena, Lady Stapleton, in a shocking red dress, who captures Edgar's attention. Helena is intrigued by the seductive stranger--but he's simply not in her class. Marriage, of course, would never do. But in a season of miracles, something wondrous is about to happen. CHRISTMAS BEAU Not even the warm, forgiving Christmas spirit can stop the Marquess of Denbigh from settling his score with Judith Easton: The beautiful young widow injured Denbigh's pride years ago by jilting him for another man. Now that Judith is free...

Naomi was lost. She was practically alone. She'd suffered for months since the fire took her family from her on Christmas Eve. Guilt and remorse were terrible companions.Then came the day when she knew she had to move forward. God had spared her for a reason. It was up to her to find her purpose and live God's plan for her life. She took a drastic step and went west to Wyoming to marry a rancher who was looking for a wife.When she arrives in Cheyenne just a few days before Christmas, she finds a man who was polite, but remote. She understood him perfectly when he told her was looking for a wife as basically a business partner. He didn't want love or romance. Nor did he want the muss and fuss of holiday celebrations.She realized that she wasn't willing to settle for a loveless marriage or a Christmas season with no celebration. She was afraid she'd decided these things too late. She was already in Cheyenne.What can she do now? Accept her fate? Take what she can get?Naomi decides she won't be just as alone in a marriage in Cheyenne as she was in Boston with no friends and a few family members. Find out how the Christmas gift she gives to Jackson softens him and changes him. God works in mysterious ways - especially at Christmas! 

A Cowboy for Christmas After being jilted at the altar, all Marissa Walker wants for Christmas is to escape her life. Fleeing to Bluebonnet Springs and the ailing grandfather she's never known seems like the perfect solution. But when her limo breaks down, neighboring rancher Alex Palermo comes to her rescue. With his ranch in jeopardy, Alex can't afford any distractions right now—until he sees a bedraggled runaway bride on the side of the road. Alex can't turn his back on the spunky city girl, and soon his priority becomes convincing her to stay. Because Christmas—and his future—would be much merrier with Marissa as his bride.

THE CHRISTMAS BASKETMore than ten years ago, high-school sweethearts Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton planned to elope--but then he jilted her. This Christmas, Noelle is home to celebrate the holidays, and she and Thom discover they are still in love. Now only the decades-old rivalry between their mothers stands in the way of a second chance together.THE SNOW BRIDEIt's a month before Christmas and Jenna Campbell is flying to Alaska to marry a man she met on the Internet--until her seatmate takes it upon himself to change her plans. Which is how Jenna ends up stranded in tiny Snowbound, Alaska, alone with Reid Jamison (plus a bunch of eccentric old men and a few grizzly bears). And then there's a blizzard.... Maybe she'll be a Christmas bride after all!

Lillian was so excited to be going to Wyoming to meet her husband to be face to face. She had waited for too long to search for a husband and found that becoming a mail order bride was her best option.She had to leave Chattanooga to become a bride, but it was a trade off she was willing to make. Andrew Booker, her intended, had told her so much about Cheyenne and she was certain she would love her new home. Becoming a rancher's wife would be the perfect life for her.Lillian must think on her feet when she arrives in Cheyenne. She gets news that broke her heart and made her mad all at the same time. She knows that God works in mysterious ways, but she struggles to find his purpose in this situation.The crafty Lillian finds a solution to her money woes and a suitor at right about the same time. True love blooms but Dean's family turns out to not be her kind of people.Will she find a way to handle her soon to be in-laws or will she choose a less stressful family to marry into?

In my western historical series, The Burnett Brides, my matchmaking mother Eugenia Burnett, has gotten what she wants. Her three sons are married, she has three grandchildren with a fourth on the way. But she’s still up to her shenanigans matchmaking widows and widowers until Wyatt Jones tells her she’s the only woman he’s interested in marrying. Sworn never to remarry, she doesn’t need a husband or want one. She’s a free spirit doing what she pleases and no one is going to boss her around. But Wyatt wants Eugenia and she says no. In this western historical romance novella, come back to the old west and spend Christmas with the Burnett family. See Eugenia meet her match in cowboy Wyatt Jones.

TWINS UNDER HIS TREE!Join Becca Flannigan and Nick Ciotti as they promise to love, honor and cherish each other in front of their family and friends... and her baby bump! The blushing bride-to-be is carrying double duty - twins - from one passionate night with a mysterious bad boy. When Becca lands in the hospital, who should treat her but Nick? He's the new doc in town, but his bedside manner is all too familiar... Becca and Nick begin to bond, but can Dr. Delicious leave his painful past behind him to create a family of his own? Add in Becca's worries about her own future, and you've got one apprehensive engagement! With a little Christmas magic for the bride and groom, this may be the happiest-ever-after in Celebration!

A fan-favorite from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery, originally published as The Sheik and the Christmas Bride in 2007.Dedicated teacher Kayleen James is determined to safeguard the future of her orphaned students—even if it means defying Prince As'ad of El Deharia himself. But the seductive ruler stuns her by offering to adopt the three little girls. On one condition...Suddenly, As'ad is a single father in desperate need of a nanny, and Kayleen is the only woman for the job. Soon the palace is in an uproar, and all because of the spirited redhead. Losing his heart isn't part of the arrangement, until Kayleen shows the honor-bound man what he'd been missing. Can he convince her that she belongs in his palace as his princess—and his wife?

Beloved bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray concludes her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series with a story of forgiveness and trusting your heart...just in time for Christmas.When Beverly Overholt's beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she's shaken to her core. After all, the inn has been her whole life since her fiancé left her for her best friend. In the face of repairing what's been lost, Beverly calls Eric Wagler, the inn's handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the next flight out to Sarasota. Beverly's been closed off to love for years, but with Eric, she can't help seeing a glimmer of hope—even if they're from different worlds.From the moment Eric met Beverly, he's tried to fight his attraction to her. Though now Mennonite, Beverly was raised Amish, but Eric grew up in Philadelphia and got into his fair share of trouble as a young man. Though he's worked to overcome his earlier mistakes, with Beverly's security scare, Eric's...

Compatible? Check. Chemistry? Check. Love? Check...mate! When Carter Bravo decides it's time to settle down this Christmas, the once-burned, no-strings-attached hunk chooses the one woman who isn't looking to be swept off her feet. Not only does his business partner and best buddy, Paige Kettleman, say yes--the chemistry sizzling between them is further proof that she's his ideal mate. Carter's no-nonsense proposition isn't exactly the romantic proposal Paige dreamed about under the mistletoe. After five years of building a business and sharing confidences, her dearest friend still has no idea how she really feels about him. If he did, he'd go running for the Colorado hills. Unless Paige can show Carter how to turn a test-run engagement into the real thing: a holiday wedding with all the trimmings--including love!

Product DescriptionAlex King wants to follow the family tradition and marry his perfect bride on Christmas Eve. There's one little hitch-Bianca dumps him at the altar. He wakes up in Vegas with a hangover, a ring on his finger, and in bed with his best friend,Zoe Hillman. She's overweight and plain, nothing at all like his image of the perfect wife. So begins the shortest Vegas marriage in history. Zoe loved Alex from the moment he walked through the law firm's doors. He can charm the panties off any woman, but he's never tried it with her. The chance to grab for the golden ring is within her reach until everything blows up in her face. Now, five years later she returns to Kansas City with triplets in tow and a brand new look. Catering Alex' next wedding should prove interesting

Want-Ad Wife Mail-order bride Josephine Dooley's trip West was supposed to end in marriage to her intended groom—not with the discovery that he hadn't actually placed the bridal ad! Now her only choice is to convince Pony Express rider Thomas Young to wed her anyway to save her from her scheming uncle. A bride shouldn't be a surprise package, and when Thomas finds out about his meddling brother's ruse, he plans to send his would-be wife packing. However, when he realizes Josephine desperately needs his help and a marriage of convenience is the only way he can protect her, he vows to become the husband she needs. But he quickly learns that it will be hard to keep his new bride at arm's length...because Josephine is his perfect match.

Wedding planner—to wife and mother? Jamie Wallis needs a replacement nanny for his daughter—fast! So when a stunning young woman comes to him with a business proposal, he has a different proposition for her... Securing Jamie's investment is essential, but Sophie Firth wasn't expecting to be asked to care for his daughter! However, once they meet, Sophie can't help adoring little Sienna. And, as Christmas approaches, Sophie quickly becomes part of the family—and Jamie can't resist letting her into his heart!

Navy SEAL Logan Ambrose has come home for the holidays, ready and willing to propose to his longtime girlfriend and leave the military. Only, the homecoming he expected is suddenly derailed when he discovers her in bed with his best friend. So what’s a guy to do, but head home, get drunk… and wake up in Vegas, married to a woman he doesn’t recognize. Willow Vaughn has been in love with Logan forever, but when he left town, she gave up hope of ever making him hers. So when fate strikes and the two run into each other in Vegas, Willow jumps at the chance to be with him. But never in her wildest dreams did she expect to wind up married to the hot military man. This should be easy to explain to their families … only, the two of them are not sure what to say or do—stay married or pretend the whole thing never happened?

Rising country music star Cassidy James McCall is living her own version of a bad country song. After undergoing vocal chord surgery, her future is uncertain. To escape the constant presence of tabloid reporters, she accepts an invitation to celebrate Christmas with her McCall cousins. But her idea of a quiet and peaceful holiday comes to a screeching halt the moment she crashes into her former boyfriend, the tough yet noble cowboy that she's never gotten over. Widowed, single father and ex-rodeo bull rider, Ryder Hadley, longs to raise his precious little girl in his safe, secure small hometown of Honor, Texas while bringing his ranch back to life. It's a simple wish that goes haywire when the mega country sensation and the woman who stole his heart years ago gallops back in to town, igniting a firestorm of emotions in her wake. As Ryder tries to protect his heart from falling once again under Cassidy's spell, he soon learns he's not the only one who can't resist her—his...

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride: A Taming of the Sheenans Novella

Christmas in Venice: A Christmas Around the World Novella

After being abandoned at an orphanage as a child, Carol has spent her entire life pushing people away. If her own mother couldn't love her, then how could anyone else? But one snowy night in Central Park changes everything. When she learns a terrifying secret about herself, she wants to hide—but she can't. In search of the truth about her heritage, she travels to the Curvy Bear Ranch in West Yellowstone. She's on a mission to reclaim her soul, and can't let anything get in her way—especially not the hot, panty-melting cowboy who keeps offering to help.When cowboy bear shifter, Hank Grant, meets a sexy, curvy woman at his family's bed and breakfast, he's instantly attracted. Although she doesn't want his assistance, he can't stop his bear's insatiable desire. Against his better judgement, he helps Carol on her quest. But after one dangerous encounter, he realizes that she's his fated mate and he'll do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means keeping her in his bed. He intends to use every sensual skill in his arsenal to convince her that they belong together. He might end up on her naughty list, but it's a chance he's willing to take.This is the fourth book in the paranormal bear romance series - Curvy Bear Ranch.