This is a historical steamy romance short story (word count 5,705). Lady Sofia Chester and Lord Kane Maxwell are both very reluctant to be wed in an arranged marriage to each other, set up by their eager parents. Sofia having no desire to be shackled to whom she believes will be an old bore, and Kane, who much prefers to stay firmly committed to a simple life of warfare serving both his King and country. But have they both made their judgement and opinion far too quickly on the institute of marriage, for when they meet for the first time they may just find themselves eating their words and having a complete change of heart!

From the seaside villas of France to the sumptuous drawing rooms of London's Victorian aristocracy comes a tale of star-crossed lovers desperate to escape their irresistible—and terribly inconvenient—passion When Grace Godwyn is introduced to her soon-to-be fiancé's closest friend, she can hardly keep from fainting. The man whose angry gaze confronts her is none other than the handsome stranger who came to her aid in a dark French alleyway. The stranger with whom she'd shared a moment of reckless passion. And now, with a single word, he could destroy her one chance for security. Julian St. John, Lord Knighton, owes his friend too much to allow him to fall into the clutches of a craven fortune hunter. He knows all he needs to know of Grace Godwyn: that she's the orphaned and penniless daughter of a disgraced viscount; that her lips taste incomparably sweet. There is no way he is going to allow this marriage to take place. Yet the more time Julian and Grace are forced to spend in each other's company, the more irresistible their desire grows—and the more devastating the potential consequences. Book three of the Grantham Girls series This book is approximately 85,000 words One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Perfect for fans of Mary Balogh and Eloisa James, Sharon Cullen’s seductive new historical romance ignites as a shy country girl and a hotheaded duke surrender to dangerous temptations. Lady Sara Emerson was jolted out of her dull provincial life by her cousin’s murder. Now that the killer seems to be targeting her, Sara seeks help from the man who was once her cousin’s fiancé, Gabriel Ferguson, Duke of Rossmoyne. With his towering frame and fiery personality, Ross cuts an intimidating figure. Living under his protection, however, has its own hazards—like the sudden urge Sara feels to take their relationship in new, exquisitely inappropriate directions. Dazzled by the social graces of his betrothed, Ross never noticed her shy, blushing cousin. Looking at Sara now, though, he’s drawn to her lovely eyes and calm disposition. Funny how a year away from the hustle and bustle of the ton changes a man. But Ross has no intention of allowing a woman to interfere with his plan to return overseas. He will simply capture the murderer and set sail once again. The problem is, with her beguiling lips and heavenly touch, Sara makes him never want to leave home—or his bed—again. Look for all of Sharon Cullen’s delightful historical romances: The All the Queen’s Spies series: WED TO A SPY | BOUND TO A SPY The Secrets & Seduction series: THE NOTORIOUS LADY ANNE | LOVING THE EARL | PLEASING THE PIRATE | HIS SAVING GRACE | SEBASTIAN’S LADY SPY | THE RELUCTANT DUCHESS The Highland Pride series: SUTHERLAND’S SECRET | MACLEAN’S PASSION | CAMPBELL’S REDEMPTION Praise for The Reluctant Duchess “Riveting . . . The true depth of the characters is revealed through dialogue that eschews Austen-style witticisms for thoughtful discussion and quiet but determined clashes of will. Intense romance and intriguing mystery make this a tale to be savored.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Cullen allows the suspense to ebb and flow naturally between finding clues and hitting dead ends. She wisely uses the downtime to develop two strong main characters. Ross’s ability to see past Sara’s shy reserve and his admiration for her courage and strength will have readers rooting for the couple’s success. Highly recommended for historical romance buffs who prefer a little mayhem in the mix.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Many readers will enjoy this lively Victorian tale starring a protective hero and a quietly stubborn heroine.”—Anne Gracie, award-winning author of The Spring Bride “The Reluctant Duchess is a tale replete with sizzling tension and high stakes, as could only come from the pen of Sharon Cullen.”—Ashlyn Macnamara, author of What a Lady Requires Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Content with her independent life as a teacher, free from the bonds of matrimony, Beth Armitage suddenly finds herself trapped in a betrothal to the rakish Lucien de Vaux, Marquess of Arden, who must marry to secure his inheritance.

After graduating from British finishing school, an American heiress fulfills her duty and weds a destitute earl. A lie brought them together, but will it also tear them apart? Find out in this can't-miss Victorian marriage-of-convenience story from a compelling new voice in historical romance. Victoria Carson never expected love. An American heiress and graduate of Lady Grantham's finishing school, she's been groomed since birth to marry an English title—the grander the better. So when the man chosen for her, the forbidding Earl of Dunnley, seems to hate her on sight, she understands that it can't matter. Love can have no place in this arrangement. Andrew Hargrave has little use for his title and even less for his cold, disinterested parents. Determined to make his own way, he's devoted to his life in Italy working as an archaeologist. Until the collapse of his family's fortune drags him back to England to a marriage he never wanted and a woman he doesn't care to know. Wild attraction is an unwanted complication for them both, though it forms the most fragile of bonds. Their marriage of convenience isn't so intolerable after all—but it may not be enough when the deception that bound them is finally revealed. Book one of The Grantham Girls Amelia Wheeler is the next Grantham Girl to rebel against family obligation in A COMMON SCANDAL.

In a castle adorned with gems, coated in gold, and dusted with luxury, the youngest of the Constantine Family will be introduced to the elite of New York. But the party isn’t all glamor. Villains lurk in dark corners, evil deals are struck, and starcrossed loves are born. Welcome to the world of Midnight Dynasty. Attend the ball, wear a red cloak, lose your shoe, spin straw to gold, or fall prey to a witch. In these fairytale retellings from bestselling authors, you will find a prince, but you might choose your happily ever after with the beast. FAIRY TALES INCLUDED: The Ugly Duckling by CJ Roberts Beauty and the Beast by Willow Winters Cinderella by Aleatha Romig Little Red Riding Hood by Karina Halle Jack & the Beanstalk by Marley Valentine Snow White by T.M. Frazier Rumpelstiltskin by Celia Aaron King Midas by Skye Warren King Thrushbeard by Cora Reilly Princess and the Pea by Sierra Simone Swan Princess by Natasha Knight DARK FAIRY TALES is a limited-time anthology of modern fairy tales containing all NEW novellas. Download your copy and tell a book-loving friend, because it won't last long. Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty... The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors. WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk...

Conveniently Wed Marriage for any reason but love was once unthinkable to Maryland councilman Henry Nash. But when an innocent encounter with a criminal puts Henry's reputation in jeopardy, he'll make any sacrifice to maintain custody of his orphaned nieces. And an alliance with a powerful politician's daughter could secure the little girls' futures. As long as gentle Rebekah Van der Geld never hears the rumors surrounding her new groom... Refusing her father's choice of husband wasn't an option for dutiful Rebekah. But Henry's kindness is a happy revelation, and she's quickly falling for his adorable nieces--so she allows herself to hope this unconventional arrangement could become much more. But can it survive a shattering revelation that puts their new family in danger?