Once Upon a Christmas

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Joan Smith

Emma, having gone at seventeen directly from her papa's home to her husband's arms, is now widowed at age twenty-two--and quite naive in the ways of the world: in particular, how to find herself another match! Thus, she proposes to Lord Hansard, eyeing him as a husband who would let her enjoy her freedom and discourage the presence of interfering relatives. His blunt refusal is both surprising . . . and oddly disappointing. Nick, however, has taken it upon himself to procure a suitable man for this outrageous miss, though none of the candidates are nearly as qualified as . . . well, himself. Thus Emma begins to suspect that when it comes to a decent proposal, even a gentleman has the right to change his mind.

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Elisabeth Fairchild

Valentine Wharton has been drowning is sorrow ever since he lost his beloved Penny Foster to the town gossips. But Wharton no longer cares what the members of the ton have to say—not since high society scorned his beloved Penny. Now his sole care is for his nine-year-old daughter, Felicity, who his one and only love left behind and who he cherishes more than life itself.

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Alana Clayton

AN UNASSUMING LADY For newly married Cassandra Crawford, there was no courtship, simply a written proposal from Jared Moreland, Viscount Carlisle, which her debt-laden stepfather quickly accepted on her behalf. And so she finds herself wed to a handsome, wealthy, and very distant stranger. Jared seems determined to avoid her, leading a life of angry, drunken abandon, Cassy has plenty of love to give, but how can she convince her husband to accept it? AN UNREPENTANT RAKE Jared Moreland is bent on revenge against his own father, for wooing away the woman he once loved. Since then, Jared has done his best to humiliate him by revelling in public debauchery - but his most golden opportunity presents itself when he is told he must marry to continue the family line. Cassandra Crawford - a social and financial nonentity- is perfect. He intends to ignore Cassy completely, thereby ensuring that no heir is produced. But Jared never counted on his new wife's unexpected charm, compassion, and strength. Suddenly, his heart is launching a rebellion of it own, gradually drawing him into an unexpected love ...

Sample

Mary Jo Putney

They called him the Demon Earl. They said he could do anything. Son of a rogue and a gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside. Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas sets an impossible price on his aid --- only if Clare agrees to live with him for three months, letting the world think the worst, will he intervene. Furiously, Clare accepts his outrageous challenge, and finds herself drawn into a glittering Regency world of danger and desire. As allies, she and Nicholas fight to save her community. As adversaries, they explore the hazardous terrain of power and sensuality. And as lovers, they surrender to passion that threatens the very foundations of their lives....