He's a respectable barrister... She's the most scandalous woman in England... Wilhelmina Hewitt knows she's in for a rough ride when she agrees to help her husband get a divorce. Nothing, however, prepares her for the regret of meeting Mr. Dale on the eve of her downfall. No other man has ever sent her heart racing as he does. Unfortunately, while she'll soon be free to engage in a new relationship, no upstanding gentleman will have her. James Dale would never pursue another man's wife. Or a woman reputed to be a deceitful adulteress. Furious with himself for letting the lovely Mrs. Hewitt charm him, he strives to keep his distance. But when her daughter elopes with his son, they're forced into a partnership where passion ignites. And James soon wonders if there might be more to the divorcée than meets the eye.

She was the last person he ever expected to marry… Callum Davis, Duke of Stratton, never expected to get along with Emily Brooke, but thanks to his ward, he starts to realize she’s pretty good company. The more time he spends with her, the better he likes her. But rather than let their relationship grow at a gradual pace, a pretend courtship leads to a whirlwind romance that quickly collapses when Emily finds out what Callum has written about her. Now he must make every effort to prove his love for her is real, or risk losing her forever. There is only one person Lady Emily Brooke must avoid at all cost, and that’s the Duke of Stratton. Since her debut, the man has threatened her safety by stepping upon her toes, spilling drinks on her gown, and sending her head first into a fountain. But when he invites her for a walk so the boy in his care can spend time with her dog, she cannot resist. What surprises her most is how charming the duke can be. Until a mistake on his part makes her question his feelings and his intentions.

He's a powerful landowner... She's an irresistible wallflower... For nearly a year, Victoria Leighton has shut out the world. Her sole focus has been on paying off the debt she inherited from her husband and securing a comfortable income. Unaccustomed to independence, to stepping out into Society and getting noticed, she ignores the cravings of her heart. Until a stranger arrives on her doorstep and presents her with a daring invitation. Colin West hates complications. But when he seeks shelter from a storm and meets a reclusive widow, duty compels him to save her from her self-imposed prison. Soon, he's hosting a house party and doing his best not to fall for the kindhearted beauty. To do so would be disastrous. For if the scars he received in war have taught him anything, it is that he is incapable of instilling desire in any woman, never mind love...

Calista Faulkner had a plan: go to England, get married, and save her father from ruin. Instead, she’s now stuck in London, penniless and without the husband she’d pinned her hopes on. Desperate to return home, she seeks employment at a hotel – as a scullery maid – a far cry from the social status she has otherwise been accustomed to. But when a chance encounter with the hotel’s owner, Mr. Donahue, leads to a change in fortune and her acquaintance with him deepens, a new problem arises. For Calista knows she must return home and marry a man she hates in order to save her family’s reputation. But how can she leave behind the man she's falling in love with? How can she marry anyone else?

How can he build a future with a woman whose father took everything from him? Having recently suffered the death of her father, Rosamund Parker faces an uncertain future. Intent on retaining her independence, she plans to invest her modest inheritance. But the man whose help she seeks is as infuriating as he is handsome. For reasons she can’t comprehend, he’s set on thwarting her at every turn, even as he tempts her with kisses she ought not want. Matthew Clarke needs funding for his locomotive business, but he’ll not accept it from the Earl of Stoneburrow’s daughter. As far as Matthew’s concerned, that entire family can go hang. Unfortunately, Lady Rosamund seems to pop up wherever he goes. Ignoring the fire she stirs in him becomes an increasing challenge. But surrendering to it could prove disastrous. It could in fact ruin both their lives…

He’s the dutiful guardian… She’s the breath of fresh air he needs… Olivia Poole knows her time for marriage has passed, so she accepts the position of governess to Mr. Grier’s ward. However, she cannot reject the vow she once made her sister – that she would live her life to the fullest. Armed with a list they created together, she determines to honor her promise. But being a governess and an adventuress isn’t so easy. Least of all when the only man she would ever consider for her last challenge happens to be her employer. Despite his rakish past, Grayson Grier is determined to do right by his ward. But when he meets Miss Poole, the prim and proper governess seeking employment, something about her begs to be challenged. Ignoring his better judgment for once, Grayson hires her on the spot – a decision destined to tempt him at every turn. For what he did not anticipate was her list, or the fact that his name would be on it. Right next to kissing…

Allow yourself to be swept away as you count down to Christmas with this collection of twenty-four romantic short stories. From friends to lovers and instant romance to secret identities and so much more, these treats are sure to fill you with warmth this holiday season. So grab a hot drink, settle into your favorite spot, and indulge in the magic of happily ever afters. Story titles: December 1: A Drunken Christmas Escapade December 2: A Royal Affair on Christmas Eve December 3: A Duke Surrenders His Heart on Christmas Eve December 4: A Highwayman Proposes on Christmas Eve December 5: Caught in a Snow Storm on Christmas Eve December 6: Rescued by a Duke before Christmas December 7: A Kiss for Christmas December 8: A Christmas House Party December 9: Underneath the Mistletoe December 10: Snowed In on Christmas Eve December 11: An Unexpected Guest Arrives for Christmas December 12: At the Christmas Ball December 13: Trapped in a Carriage on Christmas Eve December 14: By the Stroke of Midnight December 15: The Duke Proposes on Christmas December 16: A Scandalous Dare on Christmas Eve December 17: A Secret Christmas Rendezvous December 18: Stealing a Yuletide Kiss December 19: A Shocking Revelation for Christmas December 20: Stranded at an Inn during Christmas December 21: An Unexpected Encounter with a Highlander December 22: Reunited on Christmas Eve December 23: Only a Duke Will Do for Christmas December 24: A Christmas Wedding Gone Awry