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In this sparkling Christmastime collection, eight acclaimed authors unwrap the most daring of Regency delights. From a spirited lady who sets out to save her rakish best friend from an unsuitable engagement, to a bold spy and a saucy wench, these holiday tales will make readers curl up in front of the fire for a memorable season of mischief and mistletoe.

The Littleton brothers are as much a part of Crestler's Key as the sun and surf, living the single life without a care. But love has a way of changing even the most determined bachelor's mind . . .Brady Littleton has left his reckless youth behind to become a man his brothers can count on. When the family dive shop needs to expand, he's got the answer: buy the Christmas shop next door. Except the retiring owner's goddaughter, Kylie Waters, has come back to town. She was Brady's first kiss-his first everything-and she doesn't want to sell. He's got a solution to that too. Whoever makes the most sales by Christmas Day can take over the shop, fair and square.Kylie resolved to put the youngest, wildest Littleton brother out of her head when he abruptly ended their relationship years ago. But the steady, gorgeous man he's become is impossible to ignore. Especially once reminiscing leads to a kiss as hot and heady as mulled wine. Their deal means that one of them is going to lose out on a dream…unless Christmas Day brings the gift of a sweet, surprising second chance…Praise for Melissa West's Racing Hearts"An emotional story filled with heart, humor, and second chances, Racing Hearts is a love letter to small towns, southern pride, and the heartbeat of all tight communities-its strong families. I laughed, I cried, and I never wanted to leave. An incredible story!"--Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author

While searching for fifteen-year-old Ramona Titus, who has run away from her foster home, Black homicide cop-turned-PI Cass Raines soon discovers that Ramona is holding secrets dark enough to kill for and if Cass can't find her first, she will have nowhere left to run.

"Wealth. Power. Celebrity. Vonda Allen's glossy vanity magazine has taken the Windy City by storm, and she's well on her way to building a one-woman media empire. Everybody adores her. Except the people who work for her. And the person who's sending her flowers with death threats . .. As Vonda's bodyguard, off-duty cop Ben Mickerson knows he could use some back-up--and no one fits the bill better than his ex-partner on the police force, Cass Raines. Now a full-time private eye, Cass is reluctant to take the job. She isn't keen on playing babysitter to a celebrity who's rumored to be a heartless diva. But as a favor to Ben, she signs on. But when Vonda refuses to say why someone might be after her, and two of her staff turn up dead, Ben and Cass must battle an unknown assailant bent on getting to the great lady herself, before someone else dies. Cass finds out the hard way just how persistent a threat they face during the first stop on Vonda's book tour. As fans clamour for her autograph, things take an ugly turn when a mysterious fan shows up with flowers and slashes Ben with a knife. While her ex-partner's life hangs in the balance, Cass is left to find out what secrets Vonda is keeping, who might want her dead, and how she can bring Ben's attacker to justice before enemies in the Chicago Police Department try to stop her in her tracks"--Publisher's description.

Includes an excerpt from the next Cass Raines Mystery Borrowed Time (pages 421-436).

In Tracy Clark’s electrifying new mystery featuring Cassandra Raines, the former Chicago cop turned private investigator looks into a suspicious death as a favor to a friend—and makes some powerful enemies . . .Sitting in cold cars for hours, serving lowlifes with summonses. . . . Being a P.I. means riding out a lot of slow patches. But sometimes the most familiar paths can lead straight to danger—like at Cass’s go-to diner, where new delivery guy Jung Byson wants to enlist her expertise. Jung’s friend, Tim Ayers, scion of a wealthy Chicago family, has been found dead, floating in Lake Michigan near his luxury boat. And Jung is convinced there’s a murderer on the loose . . .Cass reluctantly begins digging, only to discover that Jung neglected to mention one crucial fact: Tim Ayers was terminally ill. Given the large quantities of alcohol and drugs found in his body, Ayers’ death appears to be either an accident or suicide. Yet as much as Cass would like to dismiss Jung’s suspicions, there are too many unanswered questions and unexplained coincidences. Working her connections on both sides of the law, Cass tries to point the police in the right direction. But violence is escalating around her, and Cass’s persistence has already attracted unwanted attention, uncovering sinister secrets that Cass may end up taking to her grave.

NYPD detective Gemma Capello is called to Rikers Island, where a prison riot threatens to become a bloodbath . . .On Rikers Island, tensions always run high, especially in the Enhanced Supervision Housing unit. The ESH is home to Rikers’ most dangerous offenders, many of them members of rival street gangs. When Gemma Capello and her team get word of an uprising at the ESH, they know how much is at stake. It’s also the first case she and Detective Sean Logan have worked together since a siege at City Hall.Built to prevent escape, prisons are also especially difficult to invade—a last resort for Gemma. She begins negotiating with Kill Switch, a young, aggressive member of the Filero Kings gang and the inmates’ spokesman. She can tell the stress level is escalating inside. That may give her team some advantages, but it soon leads to a brutal act of retribution—and threats of more to come. With the body count rising and her team arguing about how to proceed, the only certainty is that the next misstep may be a fatal one . . .

The first in a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller series from celebrated author Sara Driscoll, Exit Strategy stars Gemma Capello, an elite member of the NYPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team, who will stop at nothing to rescue the deputy mayor and others held captive at City Hall—even if that means risking her own life.After her mother’s death during a bank robbery when she was a child, Gemma Capello grew up to become one of the NYPD’s elite hostage negotiators. In a family of cops, there’s rarely a day when a Capello isn’t facing down some form of threat. Still, despite their unpredictable schedules, they always find time for their annual family summer picnic. But this year, a sudden phone call changes everything.A heavily armed gunman has taken hostages at City Hall. Gemma races downtown to join the rest of the Hostage Negotiation Team as they scramble to identify the captives—fearing the mayor may be among them. But as they hunt for answers and struggle to gain control of the circumstances, it becomes clear that the mayor is at the center of it all, just not in the way they initially believed.With several lives on the line and a criminal who always seems to be one step ahead, Gemma is the only one able to connect with the suspect. Soon, she finds herself engaging in a battle of wits while enduring a battle of egos in the command center. With time running out and a mastermind who has proven he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Gemma risks it all—her career and her life—in a last-ditch effort to save the hostages. Now, she needs to figure out how to save herself . . .

"As the only female vampire ever born, and the heir to two powerful immortal families, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood has always felt the weight of fate and destiny. Now her heart is torn between two men and two different futures. It's a choice between duty and love, peace and war, with the fate of everyone she loves hanging in the balance. As the leader of the Kurjan nation, Drake has always known that mating Hope is the best path to avoiding war. He's counting on her to know the same. . . . Paxton has been Hopes best friend and protector since they were children. He would kill and die for her without a second thought. In fact, he's always known that would be his path . . .With deadly factions at her heels, Hope must decide whom to trust and where her loyalty lies - before the choice is taken away from her..."--Page 4 of cover.

Rarity Cole is taking full advantage of her second chance at life after recovering from breast cancer -- running a bookstore in Sedona and a support group for fellow survivors. She's also discovered a knack for defeating other kinds of deadly threats... Rarity is excited about expanding the romance section of her store -- but not nearly as excited as her best friend Sam is about reuniting with her brother after many years. Marcus makes the trek from California to Arizona, is welcomed with a party, and hints that he may stick around now that remote work is an option. But is it just a coincidence that not long after his arrival, a body is found near a local swimming hole? Especially considering that the dead woman had recently gone on a date with him -- and even worse, that Marcus has a startling secret in his past? The police suspect him, but Rarity hopes to find another explanation before Sam is once again separated from her sibling -- by prison walls...

New York Times bestselling author Janet Dailey returns with the second book in her Bannon Brothers trilogy with a tightly plotted tale which pairs a military dog trainer and an intelligence operative as they race to track down an unhinged killer who has a serious grudge against them. Beautifully repackaged in trade paperback for the first time!With relentless suspense and a deft feel for creating men of power and character, Janet Dailey introduces three unforgettable brothers: RJ, Linc, and Deke Bannon.Rugged. Tall. Built to last. Linc Bannon has it all—and he’s there every time Kenzie needs him. They share a mission: to serve their country stateside, Linc in high-level intelligence and Kenzie as an expert trainer of combat dogs. Independent and sexy, Kenzie is definitely one of a kind—and the only one he wants. But if you ask her, she doesn’t need a hero in her life.Until two of her friends, thousands of miles apart, are suddenly struck down. One, a soldier, is dead; the other, a civilian, is barely alive. Linc goes into action and uncovers a lethal web connecting the tragic events. A killer is at large, unhinged and with unfinished business. Kenzie has no choice but to join forces with the one man who can get past her defenses…

Federal criminal investigator Deke Bannon is rugged and powerful and just as dangerous as his older brothers RJ and Linc. But ambitious Atlanta TV anchor Kelly Johns, who is tracking an explosive story behind a deadly international gang, may be more than his match.

When an investigator takes up a cold missing person’s case, he inadvertently stirs up a hornet’s nest of intrigue, lies, and secrets the closer he gets to solving the mystery. Now repackaged in trade paperback, readers will be eager to discover the rugged Bannon brothers as they right wrongs and protect the women they love.With relentless suspense and a deft feel for creating men of power and character, Janet Dailey introduces three unforgettable brothers: RJ, Linc, and Deke Bannon.Cold cases aren't RJ Bannon’s usual line of work. But Ann Montgomery’s long-ago abduction is too intriguing to pass up. Ann was just three when she was taken in the night from her family’s historic Virginia mansion more than twenty-five years ago. The socially prominent Montgomerys launched a heartbreaking search but no trace of the missing girl was ever found.Bannon knows the chances of finding her now—alive or dead—are slim, yet he can’t stop searching for answers. Especially once he meets Erin Randall. A beautiful, talented local artist, she seems to share some tantalizing connections with the vanished Ann.  As the legacy of lies and deception comes to a shocking climax, a hidden menace explodes, and Bannon vows to protect Erin at all costs...even if it puts his own life on the line...

In this electrifying thriller, two women from opposite sides of the country find their lives inextricably bound-by blood, by fear, and by a merciless, murderous revenge . . .Walking home on a foggy night, Marly Shaw stops in the glare of approaching headlights. Two men step out of a pickup truck. One of them is her stepfather. A sudden, desperate chase erupts in gunshots. Both men are left dead. And a terrified girl is on the run-for the rest of her life . . .Thirteen years later, human bones discovered in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California are linked to a mother and son from Central New York. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Detective Vanessa Alba and her partner, Jack Wong, dive into an investigation that lures them deep into the Finger Lakes. They find a community silenced by the brutal grip of a powerful family bound by a twisted sense of blood and honor, whose dark secrets still haunt the one family member who thought she got away . . ."Held me captive from the first page to the last. Vivid settings and strength of character kept me reading late, late into the night, to an ending I never expected." -Taylor Stevens, New York Times bestselling author of The Informationist"Bickford's tale of revenge, the dark reach and power of generational crime and violence, and of two brave and bright girls who become capable, fearless women is gripping, chilling, and original. Add in a keen, exacting eye for character and place that transcends 'genre' and A Short Time to Die is sure to stay with you for a long, long time." - Eric Rickstad, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Girls and Lie in Wait

In this thoughtful, intimate novel centered around a San Francisco family restaurant, two estranged sisters get a chance to rediscover their bond in the face of personal upheaval—if they can let go of the past and embrace new beginnings . . . To an outsider, television morning anchor Tess Stone’s life looks like glossy perfection. Ambitious, beautiful, and married to a major league baseball player, Tess seems invincible—until an on-air catastrophe puts both her marriage and career in jeopardy. Retreating home to San Francisco from New York to take stock seems like the best move. But that involves a challenge of its own: confronting her sister, Avery.Unlike Tess, Avery has pushed her own dreams aside in favor of running the family restaurant, Stones, dutifully adhering to her father’s unchanging menu of stick-to-your-ribs traditional fare. She has mixed feelings about her sister’s return. After all, Avery’s fiancé, Bennett, loved Tess first, and it’s impossible to shake her jealousy and dread—especially as Tess begins stealing attention left and right once more.But while both sisters have been immersed in their own lives, their parents have been keeping secrets of their own. And the curveballs keep coming—throwing into question all their relationships, the restaurant’s future, and their long-held assumptions about love, family, and especially, each other . . .

"With the Moonstone Beach Festival coming up, Jill is touching base with her fellow small business owners to make it as successful as possible. It's frustrating when Darla, the owner of South Cove Winery, is late to a big meeting, but they manage to get the discussion rolling about the kite flying event and the big Battle of the Bands--which Darla's musician boyfriend is hoping will be his big break. And Jill, of course, will be there with her food truck, hoping for a financial boost after a slow spring. But amid the fun in the California sun, someone will soon be planning a funeral instead of a festival--and Jill and her detective fiancâe will have to find out who ruined the Moonstone Beach mood with murder..."--

When old-world demons, modern-day mages, and irresistible attraction collide, desire becomes the most powerful and dangerous weapon of all, in this spellbinding new series from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy . . . There was a time when demons reigned. That was before they were forced to retreat to the shadows. Today, in hidden corners across the globe their evil blood still pools, and the authority of their new rulers—the Vampire Cabal—must never be challenged. Leave it to a Jersey girl to change ancienthistory . . .At sixteen, when Peri Sanguis’s wild magic first appeared, she was forced to flee her Wyoming ranch—and her suddenly murderous family—to save her own life. On the East Coast, tutored by mages who run the Witch’s Brew bookstore-cafe, Peri’s world seems magically tranquil—until her estranged mother and a coven of witches are slaughtered. Now, to solve the violent mysteries of her past, she must put her trust, body and soul, in a sensual immortal who is every woman’s darkest fantasy . . .The golden-eyed vampire, Valen, has never wanted more than to claim an untamed female like Peri. Lured into each other’s orbit, and working together against a resurrected evil brings them intimately closer—to danger, blood betrayals, all-consuming passion, and to sacrifices that must be made to save themselves and the world . . .

Just as South Bay High's Jayd Jackson is feeling good that her two main social circles have finally come together, drama takes over once more, and the usual suspects are involved. . . These days, family and relationship drama is the name of the game in Jayd's life--from her fighting uncles on the home front to her friend Mickey's possible pregnancy--aka her "maybe baby"--to a vengeful plan being plotted by Misty, Jayd's nemesis, over a highly personal problem. In fact, Jayd may have to do some plotting of her own to keep her crew safe from Misty's drama. Meanwhile, Rah is trying to get closer to Jayd, but she won't be his rebound girl. Everything comes to a head when Jayd's ex, Jeremy, asks to play basketball with Rah and the others and is told that a white boy can't ball. Jeremy proves them wrong, but will that be enough for them to let him on the team for an important game? Or will ego and stereotyping win? It's almost more than Jayd can take--until her Mama reminds her of her powerful lineage. Now it's time for Jayd to catch up on her spirit work, and confront some powerful emotions of her own. . .

In New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy’s mesmerizing new romance, two outcasts are drawn into a dangerous rescue mission—and into the heart of desire . . .Ryshi—half-jinn, half-imp—is the only male who has ever managed to slip through the minotaur labyrinth and lived to tell the tale. He wasn’t so lucky when it came to stealing prized vampire artifacts. Caught and imprisoned, he now has a chance at freedom if he can rescue the gargoyle Levet from that same labyrinth. But he’ll have a minder on his mission in the petite, enticing form of Sofie, the vampire he’s been fantasizing about for a very long time . . .Sofie is shunned and feared for her ability to control others’ minds. She didn’t ask for that gift, and she certainly doesn’t want to use those powers to control this gorgeous, sensual demon. Too bad a request from the Anasso isn’t up for debate. To rescue the gargoyle, she and Ryshi have to work closely together, and Sofie is compelled to lower her defenses around him in every way—though she expects him to disappear the moment their task is complete. But now that Ryshi has glimpsed what his future could be with Sofie, he’s ready to fight for her trust, even against the darkness within . . .

The New York Times bestselling author delivers an emotional, intimate work of women’s fiction centered on a young widow, and filled with reflections on love, loss, and finding hope, and even joy, after heartache—for fans of Josie Silver, Sophie Cousins, and Rebecca Serle.No marriage is perfect, but in Rachel Ackermann’s eyes, hers came close. From the very start, her love story with Josh was wonderful. There’s just one problem with stories: no matter how great the beginning, there’s also an ending. For Rachel and Josh, it comes suddenly and far too soon.Trying to move on without Josh feels impossible, and it’s tempting for Rachel to cocoon in the dark with thereminders of the life they should have shared. But her quirky, sometimes exasperating family won’t let that happen. And as Rachel is nudged back into the sunlight, she uncovers a trove of surprising secrets—and an opportunity to save a family legacy—and maybe save herself in the process . . .But it will mean forging an unexpected alliance with her late father’s unpopular young “trophy wife.” And then there’s Rache’s renewed bond with Campbell Scott, the boy who another lifetime ago broke her heart. Just when Rachel thinks she’s got everything figured out, she learns that in between beginnings and endings lie new chapters . . .“A journey well worth taking.” –Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author “Through a heartbreaking exploration of love, loss, and grief, Finz weaves together a beautiful story of healing, hope, and unexpected second chances.” –Amy Pine, USA Today bestselling author

Behind the buttoned-up façade of The Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls reside some of London’s most brilliant ladies. For the extraordinary young women of the secret Swooning Virgins Society are capable of taking down an utter scoundrel —or redeeming an aristocrat worthy of a woman’s love . . .   On a dark street in London, Mairi Cameron finally tracks down Daniel Brixton, the childhood friend who mysteriously disappeared from her Scottish hometown years ago. Now, however, he’s an arresting stranger whose life she promptly saves. But rather than being grateful, Daniel doesn’t believe Mairi is who she claims to be—or that her dear grandmother stands accused of his murder. Mairi is desperate to convince Daniel to return to Scotland with her, not only to prove he’s alive, but because of the strong feelings she still harbors for him. . .   The Swooning Virgins Society quickly goes into action, and standing before them, Daniel is convinced to help--if only to stay near the alluring Mairi. Posing as her husband for their travels only escalates the passions between them. And once Daniel faces the dark truth of his past, he must decide if he’s ready to claim a new future—with Mairi his side . . .   Praise for Anna Bradley and The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere   “Flirtatious banter and intelligent characters fill the pages of this sensuous novel. Historical romance fans will be delighted by Bradley’s clever combination of mystery and romance.”  —Publishers Weekly

Caroline, Marchioness of Chesleigh, has been married for six years--at least in name. In fact, Caro has hardly seen her husband since the early days of their union. Scarred and reclusive, Maxim wasn't ready to trust his wife with his secrets--or his heart. Instead, he quickly resumed his life of espionage in France, believing Caro was better off alone. When the spy who left her returns upon inheriting the Dukedom, he finds his wife is not the girl she once was. Her heart is a little harder. She's learned to stand on her own. Yet the desire that once ignited between them burns as hotly as ever...Now, the more Caro learns about the past Maxim tried to hide from her, the deeper their bond grows. But danger haunts her husband's every move, jeopardizing their passionate reunion...

In New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy’s thrilling new romance, a vicious evil stalks two Guardians of Eternity, waiting to attack where they never expected . . . Becoming a vampire nearly killed Satin. After decades in hiding to reach fighting strength, she swore never to be weak again. Instead, she flings herself into the joys of life. Like “combat practice” with Marco, the owner of the wildest club outside of Chicago. Getting a workout with the sizzling Were is the ultimate no-strings-attached pleasure. Until a chaos-strewing demon leaves Satin with an impossible, infuriating diagnosis: Vampires don’t get pregnant. Marco prides himself on being the perfect Were—strong, savage, and barely housetrained. But with Satin gone on her mysterious quest, he’s compelled to follow. This raven-haired warrior might be his mate for all eternity. But a dark presence hovers around her. If Marco and Satin can’t solve its riddle in time, there won’t be any future to worry about . . .

"As part-time Tinker's Cove, Maine reporter Lucy Stone says 'oui' to her daughter's surprise wedding invitation in France, she must also make a different kind of vow--to catch a killer!"--