Surrendering
her heart could be the scariest thing of all...
Miss
Jane Dalton, one of London’s most successful matchmakers, believes
it's much safer bringing couples together than falling in love
herself. In fact, she could not think of anything more frightening
than to have loved and lost.
Fate, however, disrupts her plans
to remain a single matchmaker when Mr. Nicholas Waverley, her
brother’s best friend, is forced to kidnap her after she becomes
entangled in an assassin’s web.
Forced together under
dangerous circumstances, Jane realizes her true feelings for
Nicholas. In the end, however, is her love for him worth the
fall?
The Matchmaker's Surrender is a Regency romance novella
and the second book in The Matchmaker's Series.
A
LEO wife, mother, and military veteran, Tammy began writing when the
shows and movies she watched didn't end the way she wanted them to
end. Whether it's historical or contemporary, for her, there must
always be a happy ending.
When
she's not writing, she's spending time with her husband and two boys
near Cleveland, Ohio. Without their sacrifice and understanding, she
believes she would have never been able to pursue her passion of
writing or her accomplishment of becoming a published author.
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Amelia Grey
Series: First Comes Love # 1 Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: St. Martin's Press Publication Date: May 28, 2019
One fiercely independent widow. One honest proposal. One unconventional game of love.
When Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, learns of her husband's sudden death, she realizes she's free. At last, she can do, go, and be as she pleases. Finally, she can have the life she has always dreamed of. She doesn't need, or want, to remarry. Especially not the supremely dashing Earl of Lyonwood, who makes Adeline yearn for his desire . . .
Lord Lyonwood, son of a philandering marquis, will not be like his father. He wants to run his estates and watch them flourish - and find a wife who brings love to his life. When he meets spirited and self-reliant Adeline in a case of near-scandalous mistaken identity, Lyon feels he's met his match. But Adeline isn't interested in a marriage proposal. She will only accept becoming his lover - and Lyon finds it hard to refuse. Unless the fire of his passion can melt Adeline's resolve . . .
“You’re much younger than I assumed the owner of this establishment would be,” Lyon confessed. “And as beautiful as you are in your crimson and gold, and in any other circumstances, or another location, I would be happy to pay whatever fee you charge to fulfill my needs. However, this is a respectable neighborhood and I cannot and will not sit by and allow a madam to move in and set up her business here.”
A trio of thumps resounded in Adeline’s chest and then a few more. The pendulum on the clock must have ticked a half dozen times. Her brain seemed to freeze before the air swooshed out of her lungs. Shock roared through her. Her whole body stiffened before she felt her eyes narrow in outrage.
“Just where do you think you are, sir?”
“A house of pleasure, Madam.”
Outrage quickly morphed to fury which flowed hot and fast, consuming her. Oh yes, she knew about such disgraceful, secret places. She’d overheard her late husband and his small group of gentlemen friends talk about visiting them. And this man thought her house was one of them
Adeline was skilled at holding in her emotions but this stranger had gone too far. With only one step she stood toe-to-toe with him. Lifting her face, she rose up on the ball of her feet and edged her nose closer to his. “You think this is one of the many private underground brothels hidden from all but Society’s most elite gentlemen?”
“Isn’t it?” he asked huskily.
There was no time to consider what her next move should be. Stiffening her spine and taking a step back, she proclaimed, “I am the Dowager Countess of Wake and you have trespassed too far. How dare you burst into my house and speak to me the way you have. You, sir, are an abomination to the term gentleman.”
She fought to regain every ounce of her normal calm, her abiding restraint, her guiding sense of decorum in any unpleasant circumstance. But then she accidentally looked at his mouth, felt that long suppressed surge of yearning. Adeline didn’t want this unusual mix of longing and angry dizziness to control her. She hated the truth of how womanly and desirable it made her feel to see hunger for her in his eyes. Hated the truth of how she was presented.
And then, in a moment of insanity, she thought of the very real possibility of those full lips on hers stirring with passion, and reason was gone.
Unable to do anything else before she lost herself completely, she drew back her hand and struck him soundly across the face. It was that, or kiss him.
Perhaps she chose the wrong one.
About Amelia Grey
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She’s been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.
Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.
She is a two-time winner of the prestigious Booksellers Best Award, and she has also won the Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill awards. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the Maggie Award. Amelia’s books have been published in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and Japan. Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
Stepping
through a time portal into 1716, historian Penny Saunders didn't
expect to get stranded in the past. Five years later, now a pariah to
the townsfolk of Three Star Island, she endures solitude and ridicule
until a hurricane tosses a dangerous castaway onto her
shores.
William
Payne's history precedes him. Pirate, outlaw, and ruthless captain,
he's a monster among men . . . or so it seems. Desperately seeking
redemption for his blood-soaked past, he upends Penny's world by
showing her a passion she's never experienced.
But
time is closing in on them; the governor of the Carolinas has
rescinded his pirates' pardon, the locals are growing suspicious of
Penny's new houseguest, and she can't keep her secrets from William
forever. When everything falls apart, she must use both wits and
weapons against lawmen and pirates alike to save the one man who
would tear down the world for her.
For
as long as she can remember, Kat Caulberg has been obsessed with
history and the paranormal. Somewhat to the dismay of her parents,
her interests led her into both museums and graveyards as a child, a
trend which has continued into her adulthood. This has influenced her
reading tastes and her writing, whether it be a good ghost story,
thrilling tales of time-travel, or devouring endless volumes of
ancient warfare.
She signed a contract with Soul Mate
Publishing in 2018 for her first novel, Three Star Island, a
time-travel story set in 1721. She enjoys writing strong, quirky
heroines, and has a weakness for cheeky heroes who have as much
compassion as they have flaws.
Kat currently lives in North
Carolina with her Englishman and a few cats.
Heather McCollum is an award winning, historical romance writer. She currently has seventeen published novels and is a member of the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood of 2009 Golden Heart finalists. She is a 2015 Readers’ Choice winner and a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.
The ancient magic and lush beauty of Great Britain entranced Ms. McCollum’s heart and imagination when she visited there years ago. The country’s history and landscape have been a backdrop for her writing ever since.
When she is not creating vivid characters and settings, she spends her time educating women on the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. She has recently slayed the cancer beast and resides with her very own Highland hero and three spirited children in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast.
“An
ache has plagued me from the moment I sat in that damnably cramped carriage
across from a temptress for two bloody long days.”
Cat’s
breath stuttered to a halt. She swallowed, rubbing her lips together. Lord, how
she wanted him, and here he was before her, locked away from the rest of the
judgmental world. A vision of Esther Stanton stopped her from reaching for him.
“I am sure there are others who would like to help ye with your ache,” she
whispered.
Nathaniel
lifted one of her curls, inhaling it as if he was starving and the curl was a
delectable treat. He touched a finger to her forehead and traced a light line
down her nose, touching her lips and chin before continuing down the naked skin
of her low-cut neckline. Chill bumps speckled her entire body, her nipples
peaking against the linen of her smock under her gown. “Damn,” he closed his
eyes as if struggling. “All day I have met with old acquaintances and dry,
pompous men. Listening to philosophy and political theories and business
ventures.” He opened his eyes. “The whole time, I could not stop thinking of
you, Cat Campbell.”
Her
breath caught in her chest as she watched him. She drew in a shallow inhale.
“Me?” He looked tortured. “I was searching for no other tonight, Cat.”
Nathaniel dropped his hand, shaking his head. “Tell me to leave,” he said.
“There are things that we have not discussed yet.” He glanced upward at the ceiling,
a tightening of pain over his face. “And we must keep your reputation above
reproof so that you can move in the duchess’s and the queen’s circles.”
“The
king has already seen us together,” she whispered. Her voice sounded different,
as if she didn’t have enough breath. She couldn’t stop her hand from reaching
to rest on his strong arm. “And right now…we are just a man and a lass. Not
English and Scot. Not Viscount and peasant.” His gaze slid from her eyes to her
slightly parted lips and then up again to her eyes. The strength of the wall at
Cat’s back was the only thing holding her up as her knees weakened. She
breathed evenly despite the racing of her heart and the heating of her blood.
He had an ache, but could it be as torturous as the one she’d been trying to
ignore all night?
“If
ye think of me and no others, and we are alone now in my room with the door
locked, why must ye stay away from me?” Cat’s hand slid up to his shoulder, her
fingers curling into the weave of his tailored jacket. She pulled herself up
onto her toes to press her lips against his, stopping any paltry answer he
might give. Parting to look at him, she let the desire coursing through her
reflect in her gaze and pressed her softness against his hardness, marveling in
the contrast. “Believe me when I say that I ache, too.” She let her gaze drop
to his strong jaw. “From the blasted moment ye kissed me, incoherent with
fever.” She looked back up to his eyes. “Ye damn Englishman.”
Her
breath caught as Nathaniel’s powerful arms lifted her against him. One of his
hands spanned her back, the other holding under her backside. “God, Cat,” he
murmured against her lips. “I cannot get you out of my blood.”
“I
am quite bloodthirsty,” she murmured back as he fitted her snuggly against him.
She tried to lift her legs and remembered that she wore a full gown, the stays
encircling her as if in iron. “And I have way too many clothes on.”
About the Book:
1685, Scottish Highlands
Cat Campbell knows all about Nathaniel Worthington, fifth Viscount of Lincolnshire. The determined Englishman is never far from Finlarig Castle, where his sisters train women to do more than read and write. And thanks to the fiery kiss they shared nearly a year ago he is never far from her thoughts. No one ever trained her how to forget an irresistible man.
Nathaniel knows he should keep his distance from the fierce Scottish lass, but when an urgent letter from Queen Catherine calls Cat to London, he can’t resist volunteering to escort her. The tension between the two has simmered for months, but the long journey in close quarters creates a raging wildfire that could burn them both.
Secrets of their past and the treachery lurking at court put both their future together and their very lives at risk.
A
gun battle on the streets of a fiery ghost town is only the beginning as the
Wildes of the West plunge headlong into danger in another exciting western
adventure. It’s do or die against some of the baddest men in the west and the
price for failure will mean certain death and the end to their fight for
justice along with their scorching escapades with the willing men of the west.
Saddle
up for the ride and be immersed in all the action, adventure, romance and
family drama that comes with being the formidable foursome known to friends and
foes alike as THE DAUGHTERS OF HALF BREED HAVEN. A stunning multiracial quartet
whose bravery, thirst for justice and love for each other is matched only by
their unbridled appetite for the most casual and sizzling encounters with the
opposite (or in Catalina's case, the same) sex.
With
sharp wits and guns blazing, these four strong women heroines -the fair-skinned
Cassandra, Asian Lijuan, mulatto Honor Elizabeth, and Mexican Catalina, all
half-sisters, will risk it all as they face off against the most fearsome array
of bank robbers, kidnappers, rustlers and murderers the old west has to offer.
Bad
Guys will fall to their hail of bullets and Good Guys will fall as well…under
their spell and into the nearest bed whenever any of these four capable, daring
sexy female heroes come calling.
Wilde-Fire
is the first installment of a female lead novel series, Half Breed Haven, where
action, sibling suspense and bawdy romance combine in this female adventure
novel forming a tale worthy of the wicked Wild West.
PLEASE
BE ADVISED - The Sister’s escapades, be it braving the sometimes-violent west
or their romantic escapades are recommended for readers, who like the Wildes,
are 18+ years of age and above.
Other
Books in the Half Breed Haven Series
Half
Breed Haven #2-In Danger's Shadow
IT’S
DARING ESCAPES, HEARTACHES AND PRISON BREAKS FOR ONE OF THE FOUR WONDER WOMEN
OF THE OLD WEST IN A CASSANDRA WILDE ADVENTURE
It
was supposed to be a simple cattle buying trip until marauding cougars and a
deranged cowgirl combine into lethal threats in a Lijuan Wilde adventure.
ALL
BETS ARE OFF WHEN A MURDEROUS OVERSEER, A CONVICT’S VENGEFUL BROTHER AND THE
PARTNER OF A MEXICAN CRIME LORD FIND ONE THING STANDING IN THE WAY OF THEIR
EVIL ASPIRATIONS AND HER NAME IS HONOR ELIZABETH WILDE.
WITH
A MOVING WALL OF DEATH SWEEPING IN ON AN UNSUSPECTING WESTERN TOWN, A WILDE AND
HIS WOMAN STAND READY TO SAVE THE DAY EVEN IF IT MEANS COURTING DEATH!
RESCUING
A SEDUCTIVE AND SULTRY SCARLET HAIRED BEAUTY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING FOR BLUE
RIVER WILDE AS HE MUST RISK ALL AS RAMPAGING RENEGADES VS. THE RAILROAD
THREATENS TO TURN ARIZONA RED.
Half
Breed Haven #8 Renegades and Revenge: A Daughters of Half Breed Haven
IT'S
A VACATION TO DIE FOR AS THE WILDES ARE IMPRISONED WHEN ENEMIES OLD AND NEW
ALIGN TO UNLEASH A DEADLY SNARE TO CAPTURE THE VACATIONING SISTERS. NOW THE
DAUGHTERS OF HALF BREED HAVEN HAVE TWO CHOICES...ESCAPE OR DIE!
A.M.
Van Dorn enjoys flipping the script on Westerns believing "Cowboys
shouldn't have all the fun" by replacing the usual lantern-jawed cowboy
hero with four bold, beautiful and brave half-sisters in the Wildes of the
West/Half Breed Haven Series. Combining a love of old character-driven tv
westerns such as Bonanza, The Big Valley, and The High Chapparal A.M. Van Dorn
pays homage to these 1960's classics with a decisively 21st-century bent.
"Darcy Burke pulls no punches with this sexy, romantic page-turner. To Seduce a Scoundrel is simply delicious!" --Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author
To Seduce a Scoundrel, a standalone historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke is ON SALE now for only 99¢!
Lady Philippa Latham is determined to avoid scandal at all costs. When her mother’s outrageous behavior threatens their family’s reputation, Philippa attempts to curtail her activities. Unwittingly, she follows her to a party no unmarried Society girl would risk attending, where she locks lips with England’s most notorious scoundrel. She should stay far away from him, but a night of danger and kisses ensures they will be linked, at least for a short time.
Tavish
was the best boyfriend Kelsey ever had, but seven years ago he
disappeared from her life. She coped with her heartbreak by finishing
her doctorate in Celtic Artifacts, and now her career is taking off.
But Tavish is back, acting like a stranger who knows more about
Celtic artifacts than she does. He's been on staff at every one of
her job sites in Scotland, wearing that stupid sexy kilt.
Sasha
just got her dream job in the highlands of Scotland. Where her
friends ply her with celebratory champagne, throw a plaid cloak over
her business suit, and take her to the 14th century to do original
research on the dig site. She meets gorgeous highlander Seumas
("Shaymus") there, and — wait, is this a good idea?
Tomas
was on top of the world. He had a hot girlfriend. She knew about time
travel, so he didn't have to keep secrets around her. So why did the
sight of his old friends Amber and Kelsey make him uncomfortable? His
girlfriend kept telling him to forget about them. But he couldn't. He
wished he knew why.
Jaelle
dons a Roman helmet left among her ex's things and is transferred to
the Pictish Celt side of Hadrian's wall -- flat on the ground and
tripped over by Breth. The naked woad-painted warrior is being chased
by Romans who caught him scouting their fort. She earns his trust by
grabbing an injured Roman's sword, fighting beside Breth, and saving
his life. He takes her to his clan, where she sees druids in their
sacred grove imparting magical protection by painting the warriors'
nudity with muscle-activated woad pictures.
Ignoring
phone calls from Kelsey, Jaelle thinks her first time travel
adventure was a dream, but a new museum display shows a stick figure
she remembers drawing with her fingernail file on the top stone of
Hadrian's Wall. Whoa, that means her time travel and meeting of the
dazzling warrior Breth and their fight with the barbarians at the
Roman fort really took place! She needs to get back to Breth!
Deirdre's
first time travel assignment was challenging. Sure, she had her magic
dagger, but he wasn't cooperating.
Talorac
felt anxious about this meeting. A summons to the sacred grove had
always meant the druids would perform their woad magic to prepare him
for battle. So he was in no way prepared to make the acquaintance of
the woman he found there with them. Deirdre was beautiful, and a
warrior, and from the way she was flitting around the grove, she was
the most powerful druid he had ever heard of in his life.
Jessica's
friend tricks her into time traveling to 15th century Scotland. A
gorgeous highlander Jessica is sure is out of her league invites them
to stay at his manor house.
Leif
knows he should keep his mind on training the militia for the battle
that is sure to come soon. And after all, Jessica is just passing
through his town. But she is so compassionate he feels his heart
melting.
Lauren
has a magic dagger that gives her orders and sometimes stifles her
speech. It wants her to find some artifact here in 1400s Scotland and
give it to some druid friends.
She
wants to get to know Taran. But the dagger whispers that Taran is in
the way.
Taran's
life in a small town in Scotland was disrupted six months ago with
the arrival of Lauren and the other two lasses. Lauren knew the way
mechanical things worked in a way most astonishing. He never tired of
hearing her explain. But to find out she has a magick dagger that she
is in danger of losing her self control to? That shocks him.
Luag
and Katherine are two bullheaded people trying to "out stubborn"
each other. They've been verbally sparring in Medieval Scotland for
the past year. He's never met a headstrong woman before, and he is
such a stubborn male! When chance throws them forward to Katherine’s
time, he is the fish out of water. Understanding blooms, as does
love.
Sarah’s
boss at Celtic University plonks an iron bracer on her desk. It
brings up one of Kelsey's magic druid dreams. In it, Sarah's ex,
Michael (Meehall in Gaelic), used this bracer as a time travel
object. And was a kilted highlander in 1700s Scotland.
At
lunch, Sarah's friends say they’re calling in sick tomorrow to
attend a local fair. They want her to call in sick too.
Sarah
isn’t keen on giving the bracer back. She wants revenge on Meehall
for breaking up with her and decides to use the bracer to have a bit
of fun.
She
tells her friends they don’t have to call in sick. She’s taking
them back in time.
Ciaran
arrives in the 21st Century with Eoin (John) in the darkness of the
Celtic University night. Ciaran is delighted to run into Nadia and
wants to stay and visit, but Eoin drags him away from her. Eoin is
extra grumpy, saying the Murrays need an edge because the Cameron
Clan is planning something big. Eoin sneaks the two of them into a
storage basement and seems inordinately glad to find a particular
halberd there.
Nadia
remembers the kilted warrior Ciaran from her experience in 1706
Scotland and secretly has a crush on him. Wherever he and Eoin are
going, she bets it will inspire her story for Celtic University's
historical society paper, especially if they are time traveling. She
sneaks into the back of the cart Ciaran and Eoin are driving and
hides under a blanket.
Ellie
was captured during her last time travel adventure. But her friend's
husband's life hangs in the balance. And this ring she found is
giving her courage. Probably too much courage for a modern woman in
1706 to have.
Baltair
is glad to see Ellie again. Her friend married his cousin and stayed,
when Ellie went back to their time. But he keeps his distance. Many
will die in the upcoming battle, maybe including him.
Marybeth
frowned. "Dinna ye think it wrong, tae grab the faerie axe by
force?”
Ashley
batted the air as if what Marybeth had said was dismissible. "The
faeries gave it tae Ciaran, who gave it tae John. Kelsey stole it
from John. 'Tis na wrong for John tae steal it back from
her."
Connell
stuck his chest out and his chin up in a show of bravado. "Kelsey's
gotten full o’ herself, syne she went off tae Celtic University.
That, or she has been brainwashed by all those Druids. We used tae be
friends, but now she's gone tae far. We wull be taking that axe back
from her sae we can save Donnan. End o’ discussion."
Ashley
worries the faeries are about to kill her. She has to escape and warn
Connell. His Highland clan could be separated by time forever. Can
they make the druid curse help them?
Jane
worked at the Renaissance Pleasure Faires at Paramount Ranch Agoura,
Devore, and Black Point Forest from 1987 to 1993. She started as a
peasant, then auditioned and made it into the Washerwomen, and then
was a sea dog. She also hawked for Belle Star's perfume wagon and The
Dye Spot clothing booth. Jane Stain is a pen name.
She
is in her fifties and has been influenced by the writing of Diana
Gabaldon, Isaac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey, Harry Harrison, Jane Auel,
Ray Bradbury, Ursula K LeGuin, Robert Jordan, Stephenie Meyer, Terry
Goodkind, and many more great authors.
