The Passion Bargain by Michelle Reid released on Jun 24, 2004 is available now for purchase.

Carlo Carlucci won't take no for an answer.The passionate Italian pursues tour guideFrancesca Bernard, who stirs him with her beautyand innocence more than any other woman.But Francesca is also an heiress, and alreadyengaged to a man whom Carlo believes is agold digger. There's only one way he canprotect Francesca—and satisfy his desire—andthat's to claim her for himself, as his wife!

From the beloved World Fantasy Award-winning author of Witchmark comes a sweeping, romantic new fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, where women’s magic is taken from them when they marry. A sorceress must balance her desire to become the first great female magician against her duty to her family. Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling. In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss . . . with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan. The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken?

And no one knows that better than Sammy Divine. Once an angel, now cast down, Sammy’s out to prove he’s not the only angel who can be led into temptation . . . Hope Henderson’s sister has disappeared without a trace, and Hope will do anything to find her—even make a deal with the Devil. An ancient text holds the key to unspeakable power, and it’s the Archangel Gabriel’s job to make sure it stays hidden, even if he has to become mortal to do it. Lives, love, and the fate of the world hang in the balance, as Hope and Gabriel learn that when passion’s involved, desire can be a devil that’s impossible to control.