Alyssa Lockhart, of the Boston Lockharts, has been banished to England in disgrace because of an unfortunate prank gone bad. And she is ordered to find a husband who can tame her wild ways.
Riding alone across the foggy moors, she arrives at the gates of Penridge House. There the unsettling gaze of the new darkly handsome master, Colonel Harris Trevell, falls upon her.
Recently returned from India, he possesses a deeply erotic sensuality as stirring as the silks he intends to import. Though mesmerized by him, Alyssa cannot ignore the whispered rumors. Even the servants believe that Harris murdered his cousin to gain the Penridge title and to marry the beautiful widow.
Critics - Library Journal
This trio of novellas takes three boldly adventurous Regency-era misses, pairs them with dashing noblemen of questionable repute, and lets the seduction begin. The question, however, is just who is seducing whom as these uncommon heroines throw caution to the wind to get what they want. In "Lady Jane's Lover," McCarthy's lively tale of mistaken identity, a holdup and a daring rescue land a lady's companion and an impetuous scapegrace in a remote cabin, with romantic results. A madcap vicar's daughter resigned to caring for her father arranges for one night of passion before her self-imposed spinsterhood and ends up capturing the heart of a rake in Linda Madl's racy "Beyond Temptation." And a foggy night sets the stage for a dangerous deception that turns old friends into lovers in Debbie Raleigh's sexy "Night of Seduction." Although the stories vary somewhat in both style and quality and the heroines definitely have modern-day mores and attitudes, this sexually explicit anthology is nicely done and should please fans who like their romances hot and sizzling, their heroes roguish but honorable, and their leading ladies willing to risk everything for love.
Linda Madl's work includes nine novels, six novellas, several short stories, and nonfiction articles. Her first historical romance came out in 1989, SWEET RANSOM from Pocket Books.
As a writer Madl has been active in the St. Louis Writers Guild (past president), Women in Communications, Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc., and Author's Guild. She has presented programs and workshops at numerous meetings including the 2000 RWA Region 2 conference in Omaha and the 1999 RWA national conference in Chicago.
Born and raised in Kansas, Madl is a graduate of Paola High School and Baker University. Currently, she is at work on novel number ten and resides with her husband, daughter, dog, and parakeet in the Kansas Flint Hills. She fills her non-writing hours with family, friends, travel, and gardening.
Soldier, Warrior, Rebel . . . He makes you cry for his pain and cheer for his victories. He fills your daydreams and remains etched in your memory for all time. He’s the wounded hero—the most compelling figure in romantic fiction. And he’s about to wrap himself around your heart and never let go. The award-winning, best-selling authors of The Journey Home have conjured an inspired collection of stories about this beloved icon whose soul bears the scars of time and fate. In each passionate and magical tale, you’ll meet an irresistible warrior who’s facing the aftermath of a conflict. You’ll meet, too, the courageous woman who wants to tend his wounds, help him rebuild his shattered dreams, and give him the love he needs and so richly deserves—if only he will let her. Ten romantic encounters of the extraordinary kind, each proving what the heart knows is true—that the most powerful healer . . . in any time or place . . . was, is, and always shall be love.
"Captivating . . . these tales will win your heart.” Sherrilyn Kenyon, New York Times best-selling author
“ . . . tender, triumphant . . . a celebration of hope.” Teresa Medeiros, New York Times best-selling author.
The Heiress...Out of necessity Leandra of Lyonesse knows more about archery than the fine art of pleasing a man. She paces the castle's battlements with an archer's bow clutched in her delicate hands. Constantly threatened by brigands, she has accepted the proposal of a powerful, older earl who can protect her homeland. But, she is woefully ignorant of the ways of men and women. Fearing this marriage might fail without help, she does the only thing she knows to do... she secretly seeks the help of a potent potion of love. The Knight... Handsome Sir Garrett Bernay values honor above all. He is enraged that, instead of fighting beside the king, he must escort Lady Leandra to wed his liege lord. His disposition does not improve when the lady and her archers mistakeningly fire on his ship. Nor is he pleased that the lady's eyes flash with emerald fire and her skin is as smooth as ivory. She belongs to another. But he is strong. He's certain no power on earth can make him steal even one tender kiss. The Love Potion... It was meant to inspire selfless love and seal a marriage. But the mists of fate swirl around Lady Leandra and Sir Garrett. Now the elixir, brewed to bind two hearts forever, sweeps a knight and lady toward a rendezvous with desire...and to a destiny decreed by an irresistible love
TRESPASSING TIME - Ghost Stories from the Prairie:
On the lonely trails of the windswept plains, desperate spirits wander across time burdened with the raw emotion of their unsettled lives.
Does the fog creeping up from the river bring vengeful ghosts seeking to settle an old score? Are the fleeting shadows you see from the corner of your eye leading you to the horrors of the restless dead?
These sixteen compelling and spooky stories of love, legends and evil will challenge your sense of reality. Is the deserted church really the Gates of Hell? Can a murdered cat save a young woman's life? Will the friendship of two small children surmount even death? How far will a long-dead mother go to get back a precious charm bracelet? What is the prairie spirit that demands a terrible price from those who break the sod?
From a wind-tossed lake to a lonely abandoned cemetery; from a stone mansion to a barnstormer's plane, eerie specters await you as you dare to trespass time.
Linda Madl
SPEAK OF LOVE:
Honora, a duke's daughter, knows better than to expect her marriage to be a love match, but her uncles' choice of a vain, greedy widower won't do either. She has her welfare and the future of her sisters to think of. "I'd rather marry the devil himself," she tells them, and then she meets ... Brec McCloud, the mysterious new Laird of the Isle of Myst. He seeks a lady for his castle for his own dark reasons, and he is willing to give up much to win Lady Honora's hand in marriage. One suitor rejected and war on the horizon, Honora is forced to accept his magical courtship and passionate attentions. Ultimately she accepts his proposal of marriage which sets her on a journey to the western isles and world of healers, pirates, and sinister superstitions. At the Laird's ancestral home where she reigns as the lady of the castle, she discovers a kelpie, a fairy flag, a tale of murder and cruel betrayal. With a woman's special strength, she fights for her Laird as an enemy's lies threaten to tear them apart...before they can speak of love.
