Win, lose—or fall in love . . . After losing her mama and all she has, vagabond Patience “Patty” Sweet dreams of reuniting with her father in the New Mexico territory. So she teams up with a no-good gambler whose winnings enable her to get her closer to her destination. Patty hates hanging around saloons and poker parlors, pulling dishonest deeds. But when a game of five-card draw goes wrong in Lubbock, Texas, Patty gets offered up as collateral—to a handsome stranger who’s about to turn the tables . . . Lawyer Grant Kincaid has no intention of claiming his prize—a nearly nineteen-year-old petite beauty with sweet eyes—who has a hold on him he can’t deny. But as he tries to help Patty untangle herself from her shady partner, he discovers she’s not as innocent as she seems. For starters, she’s already stolen his hardened heart . . . “Real chemistry.” —RT Book Reviews on His Make-Believe Bride
Gareth and Brodie Hay have a not-so-shiny reputation in the highlands: brothers born just a twelvemonth apart, they are famous for their carousing in the local tavern: sampling the ale, teasing the wenches, and remaining unbeaten in games of chance. But when their mother Anna Hay becomes seriously ill, their father insists that one of them must take a wife to help run the keep and tend to his precious Anna. Neither wants to give up their free and easy lifestyle—so they decide to let a throw of the dice determine who will be the unfortunate groom. But then, who will he marry? The loser of the bet must choose from three young lasses presented by their eager families: Blair Menzies, Flora Forbes and Ailis Mackenzie. Blair looks singularly unimpressed by both lads, but seems capable of looking after their mother. Flora is a charming flirt that promises any man a lively time—but can she run a keep? And Ailis, with her regal bearing and cool exterior, could handle any crisis…but will she be a willing partner in the marriage bed? The ever-inventive Hay brothers come up with a solution that lands them in more hot water than they ever expected. The lass who is chosen soon lets them know she is not one to meekly accept the role of a passive highlands wife, and leads her new husband a merry dance before summer returns to the Hay Keep!
Special Forces agent Carter Rawlings was back — and Dani Marlow's world was spinning in his wake. The local arson attacks for which she was being blamed were only part of the problem. The feelings Carter's reappearance had ignited threatened far more dangerous territory — a past she tried to keep hidden, especially from him. With the trouble on her land and Carter's tantalizing presence, Dani had to think about her future. Did she want to keep avoiding the truth — that she loved Carter and wanted to make a life with him — or could she finally face the stakes head-on, deal with her enemies and seal her heart to that of the only man she's ever loved?
"A great read! The story moves right along..." Enjoy five fast-paced, engrossing stories about Highlanders and their brides. Book 1 The Highlander's Last-Minute Bride Jane MacKay has little choice: if she does not agree to wed lecherous old Laird Sutherland, her terrified younger sister Heather will be handed over to him in her stead. Jane cannot allow that to happen. With a heavy heart, she journeys to the Sutherland Keep to marry a man whose infamy has spread far and wide—a man who has already buried two wives. Book 2 The Highlander's High-Stakes Bride Gareth and Brodie Hay, brothers born just a twelvemonth apart, are famous for their carousing in the local tavern and love of gambling. When their mother becomes seriously ill, their father insists that one of them must take a wife to help out. Neither wants to give up his free and easy lifestyle—so they decide to let a throw of the dice determine the loser. But the bride is not at all impressed! Book 3 The Highlander's Substitute Bride Crissa and Owena Macleod, auburn-haired identical twins, have always been close. But after a tragedy, Crissa thinks she may never recover from losing both her husband and her darling child. She spends her days quietly in the Maclean Keep—until one day her twin, Owena, comes to her begging for help. Will Crissa take Owena’s place in an arranged marriage, so Owena can marry the one she truly loves? Book 4 The Highlander's Reckless Bride Owena Macleod, daughter of Laird Iain Macleod and twin sister to Crissa, has always yearned for an adventurous life. She falls in love with a brave and dashing King’s Spy, and is distraught when her father arranges her betrothal to Laird Kenrik Maclean. She pleads with her twin Crissa to take her place in the nuptials, and Owena takes her name and slips away… but life will not be kind to her…. Book 5 The Highlander's Rescued Bride Anice Gordon has been a sore trial to her parents from the day she was born. Headstrong, impulsive and forever in trouble, she is a lass who seems to attract disaster. Robert Ogilvy, her brother Donal's best friend, grew up having to rescue Anice from one mishap after another. He is fond of Anice, but when her father announces that the two shall be betrothed, Robert is dismayed.…
Payback was the perfect present. Last year Trent Hightower walked away after a foiled one-night stand and had completely forgotten Paige McCauley. Now, she intended to seduce the untouchable CEO—and this time leave him wanting more. But Trent wasn't the man she thought he was. If he'd been with the sensual brunette, there would be no mistaking it. Yet his explosive secret was one he had to keep, even if it meant playing Paige's intoxicating game of seduction. A game he was determined to win.
Chloe Taggart has one goal – to leave Rocky Ridge (and the diner she runs with her father) as soon as possible and see the world. She has no desire to be under any man’s thumb when she could be sailing the Pacific or touring ancient Greek ruins. Rancher Austin Hayward is content with his life in Rocky Ridge, but it would be perfect if he could share it with Chloe Taggart as his wife. Unfortunately, even though Austin has loved Chloe for years, she has never looked at him as anything more than a friend. When Chloe’s father loses the diner to Austin in a poker game, Austin makes her a proposition she can’t refuse. But Chloe has a plan of her own – a plan that will give her what she wants in the end. If it works … and if Austin loves her enough to let her go.
Unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is a nice guy-and a hot, casino-owning vampire. And with elections coming up, he'd like to find his First Lady-if his opponent's hit men don't find him first.
PASSION TEMPTED HER Charity McLoughlin had gotten herself into another mess. Her wealthy family had disowned her, her purse was empty—and worst of all, she'd been tricked into smuggling Texas silver into Mexico. Now the law was after her. She wasn't sure whether being abducted by a ruggedly handsome stranger who called himself Hawk meant her fortunes were looking up or down. The one thing she didn't doubt was the fiery attraction she felt for this hard-muscled man. Perhaps she wouldn't try to get away just yet. Instead, maybe for just one night, she would surrender to the raging desires that his slightest touch stirred in her . . . DESIRE ENSLAVED HIM David Fierce Hawk had decided long ago that he'd take one of the McLoughlin daughters as his wife because of the kindness and beauty he'd seen in their mother. But he wasn't sure he wanted this daughter—Charity, the blue-eyed hellcat he'd agreed to bring back to the family fold. She was certainly in a good deal of trouble. And Hawk had been betrayed by those he'd tried to help before, including his Osage Indian tribesmen. But for now, he was willing to forget the future. He was alone with Charity under the starry Texas skies, and his lustful thoughts could not be denied. He'd not pass up this chance to twine his hands through her glorious sable locks, and sample the lush pleasures that this wild and lovely woman offered. . . . Praise for Martha Hix "A romantic mixture of sensitivity, humor and spice, Martha Hix's delicious love story offers a refreshingly atypical heroine.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on Terrific Tom "Hix pens a fast-paced gem filled with playful repartee, a vivacious heroine and a dreamy hero that will make readers sigh with delight.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on What to Do about Baby “Filled with humor . . . and a wealth of love. Enjoy!”—RT Book Reviews on Magic and the Texan “An entertaining book that combines mysticism with danger.”—RT Book Reviews on Destiny’s Magic “Martha Hix has given an Arabian Nights tale a new twist, with an unusual genie and plenty of Civil War action.”—RT Book Reviews on River Magic
Sex and Punishment tells the story of the struggle throughout millennia to regulate the most powerful engine of human behaviour: sex. From the savage impalement of an Ancient Mesopotamian adulteress to the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde for 'gross indecency' in 1895, Eric Berkowitz evokes the entire sweep of Western sex law. The cast of Sex and Punishment is as varied as the forms taken by human desire itself: royal mistresses, gay charioteers, medieval transvestites, lonely goat-lovers, prostitutes of all stripes and London rent boys. Each of them had forbidden sex, and each was judged – and justice, as Berkowitz shows – rarely had anything to do with it.
Astutely observed and deftly witty, One Perfect Day masterfully mixes investigative journalism and social commentary to explore the workings of the wedding industry-an industry that claims to be worth $160 billion to the U.S. economy and which has every interest in ensuring that the American wedding becomes ever more lavish and complex. Taking us inside the workings of the wedding industry-including the swelling ranks of professional event planners, department stores with their online registries, the retailers and manufacturers of bridal gowns, and the Walt Disney Company and its Fairy Tale Weddings program-New Yorker writer Rebecca Mead skillfully holds the mirror up to the bride's deepest hopes and fears about her wedding day, revealing that for better or worse, the way we marry is who we are.
