An aunt is not just another mother—and aunts defy any sort of archetypal image. Like humanity, they span the spectrum, from down-home Auntie Em to the uninhibited Auntie Mame. Some aunts are smart, others are crazy. Some act bravely, others downright foolish. Now in Ingrid Sturgis’s marvelous Aunties, she gives these extraordinary women their due, sharing a wonderful, eclectic collection of thirty personal essays that explore the complex, seldom-profiled bond between aunts and their nieces and nephews. Profiling a variety of aunts from different cultures, temperaments, and walks of life—the surrogate mother, the wild aunt, the eccentric aunt, the mentor—the essays are written by well-known journalists and authors such as Pearl Cleage and M.J. Rose, as well as everyday people . . . all of whom bring their subjects to stirring life in their own unique ways. “Tia Sonia” made her living as an old-world witch in Honduras, providing her niece, Beverly James, with a tenuous connection to the country of her birth—and imparting a valuable lesson after she fails to predict her own tragic demise; the dramatic and glamorous “Tropical Aunts”—also known as Aunt Debs and Aunt Ava—ventured north from Florida only twice, but left an indelible mark on Enid Shomer’s ideas about being an independent woman; in the heartwarming “Bloodsense,” Mark Holt-Shannon’s magical Aunt Lolly, a woman with a heart as big as the ocean, provided unconditional love—and a bridge between three boys and the father who left them all behind. A wonderful celebration of family, Aunties is a labor of the heart and a show of reverence to the women whose intangible gifts of love and respect often pass without recognition. Through the vivid memories of real relationships, these narratives pay tribute to aunts everywhere.

She’s his first love and the one woman he could never forget. He’s the Cowboy she fell in love with… and the same man who left her at the altar years ago. Sierra Baxter’s life was thrown into turmoil when the man she loved bolted out of her life years ago. Since the day he left, she has worked hard to give her son the security he needs. She’s found love and acceptance from family and friends in their small town. When the town council volunteers Sierra to be the host of Refuge Mountain’s yearly Christmas Fair, she agrees. But, the day her ex-fiancé suddenly returns to their small town, the town council eagerly chooses him as her co-host. Sierra worries knowing the secret she’s hidden from him for the past six years is about to be uncovered. Denver Callahan returns home filled with regret at how he messed things up between them. He’d been far too young and made the worst mistake of his life when he left Sierra on the day he was supposed to marry her years ago. Everything had spiralled out of control back then and he wasn’t mature or wise enough to do the right thing. In truth, he didn’t start out with plans to become a famous Country Music Singer. He’d just written songs on the side, pouring himself into his music, when one day — shortly before his wedding day — his talent was discovered. Years ago, he chose the love of music over his first love. But, he’d never forgotten her — the scent of her or her beautiful smile. Now that he’d returned, it looked like they would be forced together, co-hosting their small town’s Christmas Fair. Seeing the woman he loves once more, Denver’s attraction to her is stronger than ever. But, years of neglect and betrayal sit in between them like unbreakable walls. Maybe it’s too much to hope that Sierra would forgive him for the pain and heartache he’s caused her. But, Denver’s determined to ask for forgiveness anyway. Will Denver pick up his cowboy hat and cowboy boots and return home to stay? Can he convince Sierra that he will choose her this time... his first and forever love?

Enchantments of the Haglady explores a young girls dream world and a young boys struggle to survive. Each overcomes heartbreak, misfortune, and calamity through their strength of character and belief in themselves. Enchantments of the Haglady walks the line between historical time travel and fantasy, balancing the two with ease as it explores the travels of two orphansa girl from the twenty-first century and the other a boy from the eleventh century. They grow strong in spite of their tragedies and meet on the docks of Venice just before the First Crusade. The enchantments will transport the reader to ancient lands of pirates, shipwrecks, kidnapping, an emperor and an empress, a princess, first infatuation that crosses over centuries, and the always-present and mysterious Haglady.

Humorous Romance From a Bestselling Author When Britisher Lady Sydney Hathwell's father dies, the American who planned to wed her suddenly reneges. Stranded in America and penniless, Sydney contacts a relative in Texas who, mistaking her male-sounding name, invites his "nephew" to join him on his ranch. "Big Tim" Creighton, however, is appalled when this mincing fop arrives at Forsaken. He determines he'll turn Fancy Pants Hathwell into a man before the boss returns home. From the get-go, he has "the kid" mucking stalls, clearing and plowing a field, and assisting with a difficult calving. But when Sydney's true identity is uncovered, Tim resents being deceived. Yet in time, he also finds that he doesn't like all the attention Sydney garners now that she's wearing pretty gowns... Together Sydney and Tim will discover the importance of family and what it means to be a man--and a woman--of God.

TWICE TEMPTED Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie. Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?

For fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries: the seductively charming second historical romance in Isabella Bradford’s Breconridge Brothers trilogy. Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy leads a charmed existence. As the second son of the Duke of Breconridge, he has none of the responsibilities of his older brother and all of the advantages, leaving handsome Geoffrey free to enjoy his rakish pursuits. And pursue them he does, leaving hearts fluttering all over London. But one night, at a ball brimming with high society’s most sought-after beauties, only one truly intrigues him: the regal, aloof, and mysterious Miss Serena Carew. Magnificently dressed and wearing jewels befitting a queen, the lady is considered the prize of the season: a noble-born heiress raised in India. But even as Geoffrey’s fascination grows, Serena deflects his curiosity—and with good reason. Serena’s exotic past contains a perilous secret that could destroy her. Yet her plan to live in safe solitude is thwarted by her hungry heart, and soon Geoffrey’s passionate seduction finds her blissfully bedded—and wed. Will her deception destroy her chance at happiness as Geoffrey’s wife? Or will the devotion of her new husband bring out the hidden truth of her undying love?