Is an abduction gone wrong… their chance for love? International jeweler and sought-after bachelor Zion Blackstone felt an instant connection to Celine Michaels when he designed a unique gemstone for her. When she shows up at his house in Rome claiming kidnappers are after her, he offers the Hollywood producer’s daughter his protection…and passion. But a shocking revelation could upend his once-in-a-lifetime chance with Celine…

This tycoon knows if she’s been naughty or nice! After a public breakup, CFO Donovan Ravens plans to spend the holidays alone in a small-town hotel. But beautiful science teacher British Carres has other ideas for the space that the sexy bachelor booked—a contest starring her students. In British, Donovan sees a future he never expected. As they give in to their chemistry, a threat from the past could keep them from finding true love…

Bachelors, Bastards, and Nomadic Masculinity is, firstly, a thematic exploration of bachelor figures and male bastards in literary works by Guy de Maupassant and André Gide. The coupling of Maupassant and Gide is appropriate for such an analysis, not only because of their mutual treatment of illegitimacy, but also because each writer represents varieties of bachelors and bastards from disparate social classes and subcultures, each writing during contiguous moments of socio-legal changes particularly related to divorce law and women’s rights, which consequently have great influence on the legal destiny of illegitimate or “natural” children. Napoleon’s Civil Code of 1804 provides the legal (patriarchal) framework for the period of this study of illegitimacy, from about 1870 to 1925. The Civil Code saw numerous changes during this period. The Naquet Law of 1884, which reestablished limited legal divorce, represents the central socio-legal event of the turn of the century in matters of legitimacy, whereas the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the First World War furnish chronological bookends for this book. Besides through history, law, and sociology, this book treats illegitimacy through the lens of various branches of gender and sexual theory, particularly the study of masculinities, and a handful of other important critical theories, most importantly those of Michel Foucault, Eve Sedgwick, Todd Reeser, Charles Stivale, and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. Bachelors and bastards are two principal players in the representation of illegitimacy in Maupassant and Gide, but this study considers the theme of illegitimacy as extended beyond simple questions of legitimate versus illegitimate children. The male bastard is only one of the "Counterfeit" characters examined in these authors' fictional texts. This book is divided into three parts which consider specific thematic elements of their "bastard narratives". Part One frames the representation in fiction of bachelor figures and how they contribute to, or the roles they play in, instances of illegitimacy. Part Two springs from and develops the metaphor of the "counterfeit coin," whether represented by a bastard son, an affected schoolboy, a false priest, or a pretentious littérateur. Part Three explains the concept of "nomadic masculine" practices; such practices include nomadic styles of masculinity development as well as the bastard's nomadism.

BESTSELLING AUTHOR COLLECTION Reader-favorite romances in collectible volumes from our bestselling authors. DOSE OF DESIRE… Gorgeous statuesque fitness expert Wynn Lane can’t help but fall for her sexy neighbor, paramedic Zack Grange, and his adorable daughter. But brash, outspoken Wynn is not Zack’s idea of mommy material, even though she’s making his libido do flip-flops. As much as Zack might be tempted, he will have to resist—he’s got a daughter to think of, and he can’t carelessly invite a woman into his life. Wynn is no shrinking violet, and she isn’t about to change for Zack. Not that he’s asked her. It would be nice if he could see beyond his prejudice, but Wynn isn’t going to get her hopes up. Still, the laws of attraction rule—and Wynn is a force of nature all on her own! FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME! In the Doctor’s Bed by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson Doctor Lucien De Winter is impossible to resist—but falling for her boss could get Hopewell General intern Jasmine Campbell fired. They’re playing a dangerous game…but this sexy surgeon is ready to risk it all! Previously published.

WELCOME TO TYLER - BETTER ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES There's been a flood at the old library, and the staff needs all the help they can get! Pitch in and catch up on the latest goings-on in America's favorite hometown. A LATE-BLOOMING PASSION Elise Ferguson, Tyler's head librarian, has slipped uneventfully into middle-aged spinsterhood. But lately she's been seen in the company of Robert Fairmont—that distinguished-looking visiting professor of architecture… OLD RIVALRIES RENEWED Elise's sister, Bea, is certain Robert must have ulterior motives. After all, why would any man be interested in Elise? Bea's snooping uncovers more than even she bargained for—and threatens everyone's happiness. Previously Published.

Suddenly Reunited Jane O'Malley's young heart broke in pieces when the man of her dreams left town after being rejected by her sister. Years later, Tom Leighton returns home, and Jane's old feelings for him rush back as forcefully as the Tennessee mountain springs. Tom left Gatlinburg behind without a word to allow his hurt heart to heal. Now he's a man with a young niece to raise and amends to make in town to the people he abandoned--especially to Jane. The girl from his past has become a gorgeous, kind woman. Can he prove to her that she's the only woman he wants?

The Love So Sweet series of books are sweet, classic romances set in small towns, featuring sexy heroes and the women who bring them to their knees (in the very best way!). All books are full-length, stand-alone novels that can be read in any order. A young boy's wish . . . Lauren Richmond is determined to help an orphaned boy whose only wish, besides longing for a family, is to meet his hero, bull-riding champion Rafe Dalton. The gorgeous, sexy cowboy isn't easy to get a hold of, and when Lauren finally tracks him down she finds a "No Trespassing" sign on his front gate, and mile-high walls around his heart. A woman's determination . . . Rafe has no desire to be anyone's hero, and after living a solitary life the past year, he resents this beautiful woman's attempts to make him believe otherwise, all for the sake of granting a young boy's wish. His dark, brooding attitude does nothing to deter her, either, and he's unprepared for the desire she awakens in him, along with the slow, gradual surrender of his hardened heart.