Seduction is something Fionna Hawkes knows nothing about. So when she encounters a sexy stranger on a moonlit street, her first instinct is to defend herself against her darkly handsome suitor. But letting go of suspicion and allowing herself to fall for Lord Aidan McBride brings even greater danger. In his eyes, she glimpses a powerful passion she longs to fulfill. In his arms, she aches with the secret she longs to unburden. A secret that could cost her her livelihood—and her life. Aidan could never resist a mystery, especially one as mesmerizing as the lovely Miss Hawkes! Drawing her into the shelter of his embrace, he won't rest until he convinces her to reveal everything. Braving the danger that stalks Fionna at every turn, Aidan is determined to defend her—and just as determined to claim her as his own.

Lady Maura O'Donnell swore to her father on his deathbed that she'd recover the Circle of Light, an enchanted Celtic relic that had brought the family prosperity—until it was stolen a century earlier by a notorious pirate. Now the pirate's descendant, the Duke of Gleneden, holds this rare treasure, and Maura would give anything to get it back . . . Alec McBride knows when he's been had. Lady Maura tricked him into marriage with the expertise of a born seductress, and now she'll pay for her treachery. He'll ravish her, tempt her, tame her—until she sorely wishes she'd never heard of the Duke of Gleneden. Caught up in their game of revenge, Alec and Maura never notice what is happening in their hearts—until it's too late. Their marriage may have been a farce, but there is nothing truer than their desire . . .

A comprehensive guide that defines the literature and the outlines the best-selling genre of all time: romance fiction. More than 2,000 romances are published annually, making it difficult for fans and the librarians who advise them to keep pace with new titles, emerging authors, and constant evolution of this dynamic genre. Fortunately, romance expert and librarian Kristin Ramsdell provides a definitive guide to this fiction genre that serves as an indispensible resource for those interested in it—including fans searching for reading material—as well as for library staff, scholars, and romance writers themselves. This title updates the last edition of Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre, published in 1999.While the emphasis is on newer titles, many of the important older classics are retained, keeping the focus of the book on the entire genre, instead of only those titles published during the last decade. Specific changes include new chapters on linked and continuing romances, a new section on "Chick Lit" in the Contemporary Romance chapter, an expansion of coverage on the alternative reality subset. This is THE romance genre guide to have.

A new bride unravels her husband’s tortured soul in USA Today bestselling author Samantha James’s Victorian romance The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell. A cruel twist of fate changed Simon Blackwell’s life irreparably. A man of intense passions, he resolved to deny his emotions and desires forever, taking refuge in the wilds of the moorlands and shutting himself off from the world. But on one extraordinary night, on a rare trip to London, the unthinkable occurs. An intoxicatingly beautiful stranger stirs the sensuous hunger he has sworn to resist. Simon Blackwell believed that no woman could tempt him. No woman . . . save Annabel McBride. Annabel knows nothing of Simon’s secret pain. But one irresistible kiss plunges her into marriage with a man she scarcely knows, a man who hides a shattered past. She can feel the blistering heat of the fire that smolders within this exquisitely handsome man, making her yearn for much more than the union in name only he has promised her. But Simon dares not love again—for fragile love can be lost in an instant. And now Annabel must find a way to open his heart to the most glorious risk of all . . . “Rich, meaty, sexy and honest.” —Publishers Weekly “Filled with delicious angst and quiet beauty.” —Booklist

“A remarkable writer.” —Lisa Kleypas “No one can write a book quite like Samantha James.” —Catherine Anderson Samantha James is one of the most acclaimed authors in the field—on a par with such luminaries as Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, and Linda Lael Miller when it comes to creating intensely emotional, traditional historical romance. Now she exposes The Sins of Viscount Sutherland in the first book in an exciting new series featuring the breathtaking Lords of Sheffield Square. In this powerful, richly romantic masterwork from the New York Times bestselling author, the reckless and dangerous Viscount Sutherland is the target of a vengeful young beauty who seeks his destruction but who finds herself seduced instead by the magnificent rogue’s charm and sensuality.

Trapped by duty -- and the demands of his cruel,unyielding father -- Lord Gabriel Sinclair, the dark and moody Earl of Wakefield, is being forced to find a bride. But Gabriel plans an exquisite revenge on his cold-hearted parent: wedding the sultry, low-born Yankee wench who tried to steal his watch. Ragged and beautiful Cassie McClellan is desperate to escape her life of poverty -- and, therefore, willingly accepts the handsome, arrogant aristocrat's offer of marriage in name only. But neither is prepared for the awakening passions that will bind their fragile, damaged hearts -- or the blistering, sensual need that comples them both to surrender body and soul.

With thousands of romance novels published each year, librarians—especially those unfamiliar with or indifferent to the genre—can benefit from this well-organized, reference that offers scores of appeals-based read-alike lists for some of the most popular, contemporary romance fiction. As romance publishing continues to flourish, readers and readers' advisors are faced with increasingly complex reading choices. This book helps adult and teen readers quickly find the books they love to read, identifies other titles with shared qualities for more reading suggestions, and provides librarians with carefully reviewed read-alike lists that they can use with confidence. Featuring romance novels published from 2000 to the present day, this useful guide offers you hundreds of reading suggestions covering a wide variety of themes from the most popular to the more obscure. Library professionals and romance fans C. L. Quillen and Ilene Lefkowitz use informal and sometimes whimsical terminology to create unique thematic lists that are targeted to the way romance readers think, offering such lively categories as "Rx for Love" and "Romancing the Stove." The authors organize the titles into five sections according to language, setting, character, story, and mood. Subgenres covered include historical, regency, paranormal, and romantic suspense, making it simple for you to find recommended titles appropriate for your readers' needs.