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?

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.

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!

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

"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.…

In USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Lewis's latest, love is a gamble between polar opposites... Meet Constance Allen: no-nonsense, by the books...innocent. The aboveboard accountant is on a mission to make sure the New Dawn casino's finances are legit, and maybe even get a promotion...until the millionaire owner seduces the socks off her. Now the conflict of interest threatens her very livelihood, yet she just can't help it! Blindsided, John Fairweather never expects a little flirting with the auditor to get so serious so fast. But when her investigation turns up a smoking gun, will all bets be off for their fledgling affair?

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.

Lawyer Brett Morgan has big goals, including becoming mayor of Rocky Ridge and eventually, territorial governor. The only problem – the town council wants the mayor to be a married man, and Brett has no intention of marrying a woman he doesn’t love even if she is a ‘suitable’ politician’s wife. Lucy Hart – with her dusty trousers, flannel shirts and callused hands – plans to work the Two Harts Mine until the day she dies. She has no real education and no other way to earn a living, and she can’t imagine any man being attracted to her. When Lucy’s future is threatened by two men who claim her father sold the mine to them before he died, she hires Brett to help her prove the deed they have is a forgery. Even though Brett and Lucy are opposites in almost every way, their attraction to each other is undeniable. Can they prove the mine legally belongs to Lucy? And will Lucy and Brett deny their mutual attraction, or can they find a common ground and follow their dreams together?

Will Morgan has one plan – repair his cousin’s saloon, then head out of town and never look back. His need for adventure makes it impossible to settle down in one place, with one woman. Widow Virginia Cole has one plan - get her boarding house back into shape so she can support herself and her son. When Will’s foot falls through the rotting boards on Virginia’s porch and he offers to fix the damage, he finds himself also falling for the widow and her grieving son in spite of his best efforts to stay detached. Virginia, determined to never love again, is attracted to Will, even though he’s made it clear he’s leaving as soon as possible. Can a woman who’s afraid to love and man who’s afraid of commitment overcome their fears to build a new family together?

When Kathryn Higgins learns that her actions may be harming her father’s health, she knows she needs to leave not just his house, but that she has to go far enough away that he can’t persuade her to come home. Although she comes from a wealthy family, she has no money of her own and no way to support herself. Her only option is to become a mail-order bride. Pete Fallon has always been happily unmarried—until now. All his friends are married and constantly point out that one day, he’s going to be old and alone. He has thought about that lately, and he wouldn’t mind marrying and having a family of his own. But he won’t marry because he won’t allow himself to love a woman who’ll use that love against him. When his friend suggests he get a mail-order bride, he realizes this might be the solution to his problems, as long as his bride understands he will never love her. Kathryn’s arrival in Sapphire Springs, Texas brings problems of its own. She expects a carpenter and businessman, not a man who has no ambition, is content to spend his days fishing, in his garden or with his friends. Pete, on the other hand, had no idea he’d sent for a woman who grew up in luxury and who has never worked a day in her life. However, as they get to know each other, feelings grow and Pete starts to think that perhaps he was wrong about Kathryn, that maybe she is a woman he could love. Then tragedy strikes, forcing Pete and Kathryn to face their pasts, but the lessons they must learn could destroy the life they’ve built with each other forever.