Spyke the hamster never liked living cooped up in a cage. He managed to escape one day, much to the sorrow of his owner, Billy. He could never guess what destiny awaited him in the woods just outside of town. Billy, already preoccupied with growing up and entering a new middle school, worried in the meantime if he would ever see his beloved runaway pet again.

Samantha Willan is a workaholic lawyer. She's grateful for some rest and relaxation in cottage country, and after a recent break-up she wants to stay as far away from romance as possible. Then she meets her irresistible new neighbour. There's something strange and mysterious about his eyes. Is it just her imagination, or are they locked on her neck? Garrett Mortimer is a rogue hunter. His last assignment united Lucian Argeneau with his life mate, and Mortimer is hoping this one will be less ... adventurous. He's here to track down a reported rogue, but fun in the sun is every bloodsucker's nightmare. Worse, he can't seem to get his mind off Samantha, especially when he spies her skinny-dipping in the lake. After eight hundred years as a bachelor, is he ready to turn a volatile attraction into a lasting love affair?

Concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, North Korea’s nuclear brinkmanship and, in the past, Iraq’s apparent pursuit of WMD have captured the world’s attention, and dominated the agenda of the American foreign policy establishment. But, what led policymakers and the US military to emphasise the threat of rogue states at the end of the Cold War? Going behind the vivid language of the ‘axis of evil’ and portrayals of undeterrable and reckless rogue states, this work demonstrates how the rogue state doctrine satisfied both domestic and international goals in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, underpinning efforts to maintain US leadership and hegemony. It offers a clear picture of the policymaking process, taking a broad, historical approach that places the actions of US officials towards Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya and Cuba in a wider context. Through an understanding of the long-standing influences on the US approach we are better able to appreciate why, for instance, regime change dominated the post-9/11 agenda and led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Explaining in detail how the tackling of rogue states became a central aim of US foreign policy, Miles examines whether there was continuity between the Clinton and Bush approach. He moves on to highlight the influence of Congress on the implementation of US policies and the difficulties the US faced in ‘selling’ its approach to allies and adapting its hard-line strategies to reflect developments within the targeted states. By considering the impulses and drivers behind the development of the rogue states approach, this work will extend the scope of existing work in the field and will be of interest to scholars and policymakers alike.

The spy who sought refuge… When injured spy Sir Roger Danby comes asking for shelter at her inn, Lucy Carew is wary. He may be strikingly handsome, but the disgraced single mother has learned the hard way with men like him. Against her better judgment, she gives him refuge. Sir Roger has never been at the mercy of a woman before, and he’s never met one as mysterious and bewitching as Lucy. He hasn’t come looking for redemption, but Lucy is a woman who could reach in and touch his closely guarded heart…

Meddling In A Game Of Hearts comes naturally to Louisa Rockwood, Countess of Argaty who, with help from her sisters and brother Percy, ensures Ophelia and Mathias find the sensual, steamy HEA they deserve. A Reckless Proposal — Ophelia Templeton’s dead husband, Viscount Havenstock, convinced her she was incapable of passion. When her father wagers and loses their home to the Earl of Thornbury, she presents him with a rash proposal. The return of her home in exchange for the challenge of teaching her to feel passion. Unfortunately, she’s propositioned the wrong man. A Counter Offer — Mathias Gilchrist has always protected the interests of his brother, the Earl of Thornbury. When Ophelia mistakes him for his brother, he thinks she’s one more in a long line of women eager to be a countess. Despite his initial impression, Mathias is intrigued by Ophelia, and he makes her a counter offer in a game of seduction and passion. Ophelia and Mathias never dreamed the stakes for happiness would be this high, but with the help of the Reckless Rockwoods, they'll find their HEA. OTHER BOOKS IN THE RECKLESS ROCKWOODS SERIES and NOVELS Book 1 — Obsession (Sebastian and Helen) Book 2— Dangerous (Constance and Lucien) Book 3 — The Highlander's Woman (Patience and Julian) — Scottish setting Book 4 — Redemption (Rhea and Percy) Book 5— The Beastly Earl (Louisa and Ewan) — Scottish setting The Reckless Rockwoods Novels prominently feature different members of the Rockwood family as they meddle in their friends’ lives to ensure they find a happy ending. The Reckless Rockwoods Novels: Book 1 — The Rogue's Offer: Reluctant Rogues (Ophelia and Mathias; featuring Louisa Rockwood Colquhoun, Countess of Argaty ) Book 2 — The Rogue's Countess: Reluctant Rogues (Gideon and Phoebe; featuring Constance Rockwood Blakemore, Countess of Lyndham and her husband, Lucien) The Reckless Rockwoods series and the Reckless Rockwoods Novels are steamy Victorian historical romance books filled with suspense, intrigue, ghosts, psychics, the paranormal, villains, highlanders, and alpha males who succumb to the love of a woman. Five siblings descended from Highlanders, whose motto is to never refuse a challenge no matter what the reason. Whether it’s scandalous passions, wicked seductions, wanton pleasures, meddling in the love affairs of friends, or tragedy, each of these stories focuses on the hero/heroine finding their sensually spicy HEA. “...sexual tension as scorching as the desert...” — SYLVIA DAY, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR “Monica Burns writes with sensitivity and panache.”— Sabrina Jeffries, NYT bestselling author

Cullen Duffie, a Highland warrior and charming rogue, is the new chief of Clan MacDonald. Determined to prove he’s not his father, Cullen works to secure his clan against the English. When a woman washes onto Islay’s shores, Cullen protects her from his uncles’ schemes. Waking up not knowing who she is or where she comes from, Rose is at the mercy of the man who found her. Unable to speak from the swelling around her throat from a rope tether, she learns as much as she can about the new world around her and the powerful, sword-wielding Highlander who has sworn to protect her. Through dreams and flashes of her past, Rose begins to rebuild her memories. But the more she recalls about the horror she escaped, the more she realizes the jeopardy she is bringing to Islay, Clan MacDonald and the Highlander who has captured her heart. Each book in the Highland Isles series is STANDALONE: * The Beast of Aros Castle * The Rogue of Islay Isle * The Wolf of Kisimul Castle * The Devil of Dunakin Castle

The second book is a continuation of book one. In essence, it chronicles the adventures of Li (the princess) and Aramis (a young Greek rogue) as they continue their travels together. Li now has the magical tears of Hathor that she wishes to take back to China to reverse the curse that has been placed on the kingdom and her father. In this book, the two meet a magi and his tribe, who have also been looking for the tears. They make friends with them and help them use some of the tears to rescue a pharaoh who has been trapped in a cursed pyramid. They then plan to go back to China, but their trip back takes them to a Greek island where Aramis meets an old friend who wants him to join him in fighting the Ottomans who have been sweeping through the lands. Li feels he should stay to fight with his countrymen and leaves on her own for China. Aramis tries to follow her but is captured by the Ottomans and imprisoned in Aku. Meanwhile, Li returns to China and saves her father, but she becomes heartbroken as she misses Aramis. Zheng, the young prince who takes over for the emperor when he dies, falls in love with Li, but Li does not want to marry him. What then occurs is a series of adventures in which Li becomes entrapped and Aramis escapes from his prison and finds a way to China, where he rescues Li.

Captured For Revenge Kept For Passion Ten years ago Lillith, Lady de Lisle, was forced to stand up the man she loved at the altar in favour of a richer husband. Now a widow, she suddenly finds herself the target of her thwarted lover's revenge. In return for Lilith's cruel rejection of him, Jason Beaumair, Earl of Perth, planned to abduct and seduce the beautiful woman who'd haunted his dreams for so long. He'd certainly never fall for her again. But nothing can prepare him when their night of passion turns into an all–consuming desire.