Beautiful Belle Flambeau relishes her independence even as she dreams of a family of her own. When a vicious attack leaves her with an ugly scar, Belle retreats from society, her hopes of love and courtship dashed. Yet the darkly handsome, wounded stranger who seeks shelter on her property seems intent on proving otherwise, beginning a seduction that is slow, delicious, and utterly scandalous ... Prince Mikhail Kazanov wants--nay, needs--a loving, nurturing wife, not one of the shallow, empty-headed fortune hunters vying for his attentions. Drawn to Belle, Mikhail uses subterfuge to woo her. But though their heated attraction explodes into sensual bliss, the truth drives Belle away--and into danger's path. Now, as an enemy makes his violent intentions known, Mikhail must find a way to win Belle's trust again. For with their love--and her life--at stake, he cannot afford to fail ...
Vance Hale has everything. A ridiculous amount of money, an Ivy-league education, and a 1,000-watt smile that can charm the designer dress right off a girl. He’s also going to have a future that includes me—whether he wants it or not. I don’t care that he’s trying to reform his playboy ways, or that he made a bet to go 90 days without the touch of a woman. I’ve spent the last decade planning my revenge and I need a partner in crime. This gorgeous, cunning man should do fine. So, we strike a deal. I’ll help get him across the finish line and he’ll bring me into his world among the Cape Hill elite. Our relationship may be fake, but our chemistry is shockingly real. One innocent kiss and I’m struggling to hold up my end of the bargain. Wanting him wasn’t part of the plan when everything else I desire is within my grasp. The only problem? Neither of us is any good at resisting temptation.
Unpacking of the dynamics of conflict under conditions of nuclear monopoly, Paul C. Avey argues in Tempting Fate that the costs and benefits of using nuclear weapons create openings that weak nonnuclear actors can exploit. Avey uses four case studies to show the key strategies available to nonnuclear states: Iraqi decision-making under Saddam Hussein in confrontations with the United States; Egyptian leaders' thinking about the Israeli nuclear arsenal during wars in 1969–70 and 1973; Chinese confrontations with the United States in 1950, 1954, and 1958; and a dispute that never escalated to war, the Soviet-United States tensions between 1946 and 1948 that culminated in the Berlin Blockade. Strategies employed include limiting the scope of the conflict, holding chemical and biological weapons in reserve, seeking outside support, and leveraging international non-use norms. Avey demonstrates clearly that nuclear weapons cast a definite but limited shadow, and while the world continues to face various nuclear challenges, understanding conflict in nuclear monopoly will remain a pressing concern for analysts and policymakers. Thanks to generous funding from Virginia Tech and its participation in TOME, the ebook editions of this book are available as Open Access volumes, available from Cornell Open (cornellpress.cornell.edu/cornell-open) and other repositories.
Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in passion? What happens when fate and passion collide? Do you believe in love? What happens when fate, passion, and love combine? This. This… #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion. Thomas Carrick is a gentleman driven to control all aspects of his life. As the wealthy owner of Carrick Enterprises, located in bustling Glasgow, he is one of that city’s most eligible bachelors and fully intends to select an appropriate wife from the many young ladies paraded before him. He wants to take that necessary next step along his self-determined path, yet no young lady captures his eye, much less his attention...not in the way Lucilla Cynster had, and still did, even though she lives miles away. For over two years, Thomas has avoided his clan’s estate because it borders Lucilla’s home, but disturbing reports from his clansmen force him to return to the countryside—only to discover that his uncle, the laird, is ailing, a clan family is desperately ill, and the clan-healer is unconscious and dying. Duty to the clan leaves Thomas no choice but to seek help from the last woman he wants to face. Strong-willed and passionate, Lucilla has been waiting—increasingly impatiently—for Thomas to return and claim his rightful place by her side. She knows he is hers—her fated lover, husband, protector, and mate. He is the only man for her, just as she is his one true love. And, at last, he’s back. Even though his returning wasn’t on her account, Lucilla is willing to seize whatever chance Fate hands her. Thomas can never forget Lucilla, much less the connection that seethes between them, but to marry her would mean embracing a life he's adamant he does not want. Lucilla sees that Thomas has yet to accept the inevitability of their union and, despite all, he can refuse her and walk away. But how can he ignore a bond such as theirs—one so much stronger than reason? Despite several unnerving attacks mounted against them, despite the uncertainty racking his clan, Lucilla remains as determined as only a Cynster can be to fight for the future she knows can be theirs—and while she cannot command him, she has powerful enticements she’s willing to wield in the cause of tempting Thomas Carrick. A neo-Gothic tale of passionate romance laced with mystery, set in the uplands of southwestern Scotland. A Cynster Second Generation Novel – a classic historical romance of 122,000 words. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine
The USA Today bestselling author tempts success in this stunning debut novel. National bestselling author Eileen Wilks draws readers into a bold new world where the magical and mundane co-exist in an uneasy alliance--and a cop balanced on her own knife-edged struggle is their only hope against a cold-blooded killer.
Enjoy this mysterious soulmate historical romance starter by International Bestselling regency author Laura A. Barnes ... Time leads one along a soulful journey to find one’s true love. A spitfire debutante. A dashing imposter. One stolen kiss sets them on their path. Margaret Worthington was a lady who failed to escape the clutches of time. She was now forced to endure a dreadful season visiting the stifling ballrooms, wearing fancy dresses and false smiles. When she would rather ride her horse across the open fields in her comfortable breeches, enjoying the fresh air. Her penchant for trouble lands her in the arms of a lord who she had fantasized about all season. After they share a scandalous kiss, Maggie’s opinion makes a swift change. Soon a mystery filled with scandal and secrets sweeps up Maggie within its grasp. Is Maggie’s love powerful enough to overlook the secrets of her soul mate? Crispin Dracott played everyone false, even himself. As hard as he tried to lead an honest life, the actions from his past kept pulling him under with their deceit. When he secured a position to bring the villain who destroyed him to justice, he never imagined a tempting minx would claim his heart and soul. With orders to keep Lady Margaret Worthington out of trouble, he fell victim to her innocent charm and couldn’t resist stealing one kiss after another from her sweet lips. His desire for Maggie led danger to surround them in every direction. Will Maggie forgive him once he admits of his deception? A wild and carefree lady and a gentleman filled with darkness discover a passion they cannot deny. Would the solace he finds in her innocence keep his demons at bay? Or would they destroy the precious hold of their love for one another? The Tempting Minx is the first novel in the Fate of the Worthingtons Series. For fans of Amy Jarecki, Emily Royal, or Emma V Leech, this is a story filled with mysterious secrets and scandalous kisses shared between soulmates. Indulge in The Tempting Minx to start your journey into the Fate of the Worthingtons.
Although temptation is a common and well-acknowledged part of the human experience, few realize the truth behind temptation and fewer still know how to defeat it. Tempted and Tried will not reassure Christians by claiming that temptation is less powerful or less prevalent than it is; instead, it will prepare believers for battle by telling the truth about the cosmic war that is raging. Moore shows that the temptation of every Christian is part of a broader conspiracy against God, a conspiracy that confronts everyone who shares the flesh of Jesus through human birth and especially confronts those who share the Spirit of Christ through the new birth of redemption. Moore walks readers through the Devil's ancient strategies for temptation revealed in Jesus' wilderness testing. Moore considers how those strategies might appear in a contemporary context and points readers to a way of escape. Tempted and Tried will remind Christians that temptation must be understood in terms of warfare, encouraging them with the truth that victory has already been secured through the triumph of Christ.
Married to a man who enjoys humilating her, Princess Christina, longing to be free of her loveless marriage, encounters American marquis Max Falconer, a devastatingly sensual man who introduces her to world of passion and pleasure like she has never known. Reprint.
The sand pelted against his face, slowly clawing at the exposed flesh left barren by the cowl he wore. He seemed to be wondering for days, his sense of time failing him long ago. Continuing in the dessert, wondering lost; waiting...hoping the end would finally come and take him. In all his years on this plane, the thought never crossed his mind that some time in his life, he would seek the black-cloaked traveler and beg for a journey. Most people would call it fate, him? He deemed it hell, not to wander, but to wander alone. Why Am I Red? When your mind wanders where does it go? This question is what the author focuses on throughout this book. From poems to inspire you in every aspect, stories making you question if the whistle in the woods is truly the wind, and perspectives on wither or not an anti-hero really is what he is based on by choice, or terrible circumstance. A must read for all who routinely ask this question and desire a little more out of things that are or, seem average.
