In a less than sober moment, London’s two most notorious rakes—the Earl of Manderville and the Duke of Rothay—placed a very public wager on which of them is the superior lover. Now it’s too late to retract the foolish bet, but what woman of beauty, intelligence, and discernment, would consent to bed both men and declare which is more skilled in satisfying her deepest desires? Lady Carolyn Wynn is the last woman anyone would expect to step forward. She’s a respectable young widow with an icy reputation, which has kept her firmly off the marriage market. She may not desire another husband, but her brief marriage has left her with some scandalous questions about the act of love. If the men will keep her identity a secret, she’ll decide who has the most finesse between the sheets. But to everyone’s surprise, what begins as an indelicate proposition turns into a most astonishing lesson in everlasting love.

"Zander Kargas developed his drive to succeed first from his father's cruel fists, then from living on the streets. He's fought for everything, and few challenges remain ... or so he thinks! Charlotte is the best secretary Zander has ever had the pleasure of dealing with, and the only woman to fire his blood in a while. But she works for his bitter rival ... Zander, assuming he can acquire her the way he does with most things, reaches for his wallet - except Charlotte can't be bought. So Zander must entice her ... beginning with a very indecent proposition!--P. [4] of cover.

In one of the most powerful and darkly satirical works of the 18th century, a chilling solution is proposed to address the dire poverty and overpopulation plaguing Ireland. Jonathan Swift presents a shockingly calculated and seemingly rational argument for using the children of the poor as a food source, thereby addressing both the economic burden on society and the issue of hunger. This provocative piece is a masterful example of irony and social criticism, as it exposes the cruel attitudes and policies of the British ruling class towards the Irish populace. Jonathan Swift's incisive critique not only underscores the absurdity of the proposed solution but also serves as a profound commentary on the exploitation and mistreatment of the oppressed. A Modest Proposal remains a quintessential example of satirical literature, its biting wit and moral indignation as relevant today as it was at the time of its publication. JONATHAN SWIFT [1667-1745] was an Anglo-Irish author, poet, and satirist. His deadpan satire led to the coining of the term »Swiftian«, describing satire of similarly ironic writing style. He is most famous for the novel Gulliver’s Travels [1726] and the essay A Modest Proposal [1729].

In New York Times bestselling author Cindy Gerard's fiery new romantic suspense series, when danger threatens, the seductive heroes of Black Ops, Inc. turn up the heat. AN INDECENT PROPOSAL... When a high roller at the Vegas casino where Crystal Debrowski manages security makes a scandalous proposition, she flat-out refuses, especially given rumors of his shady overseas connections. But then counterfeit bills mysteriously flood the gaming tables, and her reputation -- and her life -- are on the line. REVEALS A SIMMERING DESIRE... Despite his big, flirty grin, Texas heartbreaker Johnny Duane Reed can't get sassy Crystal off his mind. When she is abducted by an international crime lord with a threatening obsession, Reed enlists his Black Ops, Inc. team to pursue a dangerous mission to rescue her. ...WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. Between Crystal and Johnny burns a scorching flame, but as they battle her relentless abductor, they uncover a malicious arms trafficking and white slavery ring. Together, they must destroy the tyrant's wicked enterprises or face his reign of terror themselves....

Reviewers have called it "powerful" and "brilliant." Newly released for its 25th anniversary edition, Jack Engelhard's novel "Indecent Proposal" has found its place alongside such classics as Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina." "Indecent Proposal" remains one of the most widely-read and discussed novels around the world, due to the strong writing and riches that include a moral dilemma for the ages. The novel was translated into more than 22 languages, and Hollywood produced a mega-hit movie based on this book starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. The novel stands as a remarkable achievement from a great and legendary novelist. Though Hollywood only skimmed the surface of Engelhard's masterpiece, the theme is eternal, even biblical - temptation The plot has riveted the world's readers and moviegoers. A destitute couple tries their luck in an Atlantic City casino. The wife, Joan, is utterly gorgeous. She attracts the attention of an oil rich sultan who can buy anything he sets his eyes on. Can he buy people? Can he "buy" Joan? What would you do for a million dollars? Reviews "Precise, almost clinical language...is this book fun to read? You betcha " "- The New York Times" "The prose is vivid, cool and muscular, the story is great. In all, the fine tension between desire and high moral principal make "Indecent Proposal" a well-crafted book...well-wrought characters, exhilarating pace...it's beautifully written." "- The Philadelphia Inquirer" "A gut-wrenching study on love, money and trust." "- National Public Radio (NPR)" "Written with the sparseness of Hemingway but the moral intensity of I.B. Singer." - Michael Foster, author of "Three in Love" (HarperCollins) About the Author Contemporaries have hailed novelist Jack Engelhard as "the last Hemingway" and of being "a writer without peer and the conscience of us all." "The New York Times" commended the economy of his prose... "precise, almost clinical language." His bestselling novel "Indecent Proposal" made him internationally famous as the foremost chronicler of moral dilemmas and of topics dealing with temptation. Works that followed won him an even greater following, such as "Escape From Mount Moriah," his book of memoirs that won awards for writing and for film. His latest novel "Compulsive" draws us into the mind of a compulsive gambler in a work stunningly brilliant and original, and seductively readable. Engelhard writes a weekly column for "The Washington Times." His website: www.jackengelhard.com

“A sharp, wise, and hilarious novel. . . . We loved it!” — Lucy Sykes & Jo Piazza, authors of The Knockoff An addictively readable romantic comedy, drama, and mystery rolled into one, about two very different strangers whose lives become intertwined when they receive an unusual proposition. The Decent Proposal is a funny, tender, and enchanting story about love, attraction, and friendship: Jane Austen in Los Angeles. A struggling Hollywood producer, Richard Baumbach is twenty-nine, hung-over, and broke. Ridiculously handsome with an innate charm and an air of invincibility, he still believes good things will come his way. For now he contents himself with days at the Coffee Bean and nights with his best friend Mike (that’s a woman, by the way). At thirty-three, Elizabeth Santiago is on track to make partner at her law firm. Known as “La Máquina” The Machine—to her colleagues, she’s grown used to avoiding anything that might derail her quiet, orderly life. And yet recently she befriended a homeless man in her Venice neighborhood, surprised to find how much she enjoys their early-morning chats. Richard and Elizabeth’s paths collide when they receive a proposal from a mysterious, anonymous benefactor. They’ll split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together—just talking—every week for a year. Astonished and more than a little suspicious, they each nevertheless say yes. Richard needs the money and likes the adventure of it. Elizabeth embraces the challenge of shaking up her life a little more. Both agree the idea is ridiculous, but why not? What ensues is a delightful journey full of twists, revelations, hamburgers, classic literature, poppy music, and above all love, in its multitude of forms. The Decent Proposal is a heartfelt and often hilarious look at the ties that bind not just a guy and a girl but an entire, diverse cast of characters situated within a modern-day Los Angeles brought to full and irrepressible life.

From USA Today bestselling author of Rule's Obsession and Rule's Property, Lynda Chance brings you a novella of heat and passion. Blurb: When Jenna Hardin is approached with a business proposition that involves a short-term marriage arrangement, she hesitatingly agrees. It doesn't take long before she realizes that the business involved is only a smokescreen and that she is the ultimate commodity. Excerpt: Jenna sat in first class and fiddled with the platinum band on her left ring finger. She watched David sitting next to her from the corner of her eye. His hand still held hers loosely, even in sleep, his fingers laced between hers in a hold of ownership, a hold of possession that he’d rarely allowed her away from the entire day. They were approaching the Greater Cincinnati airport and her mind raced over the day that had just passed. It was almost midnight, and everything had been accomplished in one day. When they’d left his house that morning, they'd met with his lawyer, the handsome blond man who'd been with David in the break room that day, and she’d signed a pre-nuptial agreement. He’d promised her a hundred grand when the knot was tied, and she took him at his word. The meeting had been accomplished in less than an hour. A quiver ran through her stomach when she realized the pre-nuptial agreement had already been drawn up; he must have planned everything in advance. Then they’d left the lawyer to board a flight to Vegas, and the minute they’d arrived, he’d hustled her into a twenty-four hour wedding chapel. They’d gotten married quickly without benefit of rings, but he’d located a jewelry store when they left the chapel. He’d had a ring on her finger with what seemed to have been an obscene lack of consideration and time. Leaving the jewelers, they went into a hotel restaurant and had a quick meal, and her mind shied away from what had happened next. They hadn't packed for an overnight stay, and she hadn't understood why he checked into the hotel after they ate. Her stomach had been tied in knots through the meal anyway, and apprehension and nerves screamed in her bloodstream as he pulled her by the hand up the elevators to a room. The minute the door had clicked shut, he turned to her and began unbuttoning her blouse. Panic attacked her and she put her fingers over his to stop him. "What are y-you doing?" He brushed her hands aside and continued to strip her. "Consummating the marriage," he answered sharply. "Why? Can't w-we wait?" "No. I want it consummated now." Disturbed by what they were doing and his reasons for it, she tried to slow him down and lighten the atmosphere. "Why?" Her voice was soft, trying to soothe him. "I'm not going anywhere." His gaze lifted from her buttons and stared into her eyes. "No, you can bet your ass you're not going anywhere." His voice dripped ruthless possession. Her pulse went spinning as he unhooked her bra and pushed it out of his way. He pulled her over to the king sized bed, and unhooked her skirt. "Step out of it." Her mind in a daze at the speed of his actions, she stepped from her clothes and moved onto the bed. He quickly stripped and pushed her legs apart and climbed on top of her. Her heartbeat going wild, she spoke in a whisper of defiance, referring to their agreement. "Just for two years." It was a mistake. His nostrils flared at her words and he grabbed her wrists and lifted them over her head. Huge and pulsing, he began to push into her. He stretched her completely, transferred her wrists to one strong hand, and lifted her face to his with the other. "When I'm good and ready, and not a day before, understand me?" His Indecent Proposal: Keywords: romance, contemporary romance, novella, steamy romance, office romance, boss-secretary romance