Best Selling Books by Stephanie Laurens

Marrying the seemingly delicate Lady Edwina Delbraith, Declan Frobisher discovers that his new bride is unconventional and strong-willed after she accompanies him on a secret mission that leads them to unexpected enemies--and love.

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens has created some of romance''s most unforgettable novels. Now she has created her most provocative love story—and amazing hero—to date. This is the book that dares to ask the question: Who is this man''s ideal bride? Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is a rising member of Parliament—a man destined for power. Aristocratic, elegant, and effortlessly charming, he is just arrogant enough to capture the interest of the ladies of the ton. And with his connections to the wealthy and influential Cynster family—his sister is married to Devil Cynster, the Duke of St. Ives—his future appears assured. Except that Michael lacks the single most important element of success: a wife. Political pressure sends him searching for his ideal bride, a gently bred, malleable young lady, preferably one with a political background. Michael discovers such a paragon but finds a formidable obstacle in his path—the young lady''s beautiful, strong-minded aunt—Caroline Sutcliffe. One of London''s foremost diplomatic hostesses, Caro has style and status but, having lived through an unhappy political marriage, wants nothing of the sort for her niece, who has already lost her heart to another. So Caro and the younger woman hatch a plot—Caro will demonstrate why an inexperienced young lady is not the bride for Michael. She succeeds in convincing him that what he really needs is a lady of experience by his side. And the perfect candidate is right under his nose—Caro herself. Then it is Michael''s turn to be persuasive, a task that requires every ounce of his seductive charm as he tempts and tantalizes Caro, seeking to convince her that becoming his bride will bring her all her heart desires . . . and more. But then a series of mysterious, and dangerous, accidents befall Caro—an assailant has stepped in with their own idea for Caro''s future—one that could involve murder. Before Caro can become Michael''s ideal bride, they must race to uncover the unknown''s identity before all hope of what they long for, and wish for, is destroyed.

In this latest tale featuring the bold and daring Cynster family, a gentleman who is restless and bored with the careless pleasures of London society seeks out a new diversion. And if that diversion is a beautiful woman, so much the better.

If you love Stephanie Laurens, the Cynsters, the Bastion Club, or the Black Cobra Quartet, then you won''t want to miss The World of Stephanie Laurens, available only from Avon Romance. Here you''ll find the Cynster Family Tree, a sneak peek excerpt from every Stephanie Laurens Avon Romance, a Q&A with the author, and much more! This is the one-stop source of information for everything about the books of the #1 New York Times bestselling author. Best of all: it''s free and available for download now!

New York Times bestselling historical romance superstars Stephanie Laurens and Mary Balogh, along with beloved fan favorites Jacquie D’Alessandro and Candice Hern—the four authors who brought you It Happened One Night—are back with It Happened One Season. Even more inventive than their bestselling first anthology, It Happened One Season presents four love stories set during an unforgettable Regency social season—each passion-rich novella based on the same themes chosen by readers during a month-long online contest…yet each one surprisingly, delightfully unique!

Delve into the romantic conclusion to the Lester Family Trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens, where even the most fleeting of hearts can be stolen. Self-proclaimed rake Harry Lester has no intention of being ensnared by the trap of marriage. With a large inheritance to his name, Harry knows that he''d best start running from London''s matchmaking mothers and widows. But when he encounters Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe, a beautiful, independent widow, he is bewitched by her. Before he knows it, Harry finds himself vowing to look after her, and falls prisoner to the most passionate of traps. Previously published. The Lester Family Trilogy by Stephanie Laurens Book One: The Reasons for Marriage Book Two: A Lady of Expectations Book Three: An Unwilling Conquest

Previously appeared in the anthology Royal Bridesmaids. A delightful novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens. Everyone''s eyes are on a royal couple, but there is more behind the scenes than they''ll ever know. Lady Nell Daughtry is certain her sister will be a perfect princess, if only she gets the reluctant bride safely to the church to marry Prince Frederick of Lautenberg. But what she doesn''t know is that, in the wedding party, she''s been paired with her former fiancé, Robert Knightly … and now she''ll be face-to-face with the man who walked away.

Stephanie Laurens, the phenomenal New York Times bestselling superstar is back with The Elusive Bride—the second book in her magnificent Black Cobra Quartet. Never before in print, this masterful blend of passion and intrigue follows The Untamed Bride, the first in the four-part historical romance series that Booklist calls, “fabulously entertaining.” A spellbinding tale of destiny, duty, desire, and peril—with ties to her popular Bastion Club novels and her well-loved romantic adventures featuring the endearing family of rogues, the Cynsters—The Elusive Bride confirms Laurens’s well-deserved standing as one of the genre’s premier storytellers.

Includes excerpt from: The daredevil snared.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the world of Barnaby Adair, his wife Penelope, and their growing band of sleuths in this mystery that reveals the dangerous underbelly of Regency London. Outside that glittering circle lay another world...and Laurens pulls back the curtain that has hidden it from us-until now. When Lady Halstead is found dead in her bed, her companion Violet Matcham is alarmed to learn that her Ladyship''s death was no accident...but a cold-blooded murder meant to silence an old woman who had discovered a secret she was never meant to learn. Violet enlists the help of Heathcote Montague, the most brilliant financial mind in London, to dig into Lady Halstead''s affairs and determine what her killer was trying to hide...all while attempting to stay one step ahead of a murder who is willing to end the life of any person who gets too close to the truth. Lordly sleuth, Barbaby Adair and his wife, Penelope, take a break from wedded and familial bliss to assist Scotland Yard''s, Inspector Basil Stokes, his wife Griselda, Violet and Heathcote as they investigate Lady Halstead''s unscrupulous family, discover a long list of connected crimes and track down the killer before he returns to silence the one person still alive who could unveil him-Violet.

They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain’s rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling “Kit” Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the “lad” leader of a rival gang with frightening ease and his “punishment” with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters. Suddenly Kit finds she’s only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies . . . little knowing what dangerous forces she’s unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom . . . and bind her to him with a ring, a promise . . . and ties of devotion and desire.

Meet the gentlemen of the Bastion Club. The Earl of Crowhurst recklessly swears he''ll marry the next woman to cross his path, never expecting he''d have to fulfill this pledge.

He vowed he''d never marry. To Vane Cynster, Bellamy Hall seems like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London''s husband hunters. But when he encounters irresistible Patience Debbington, Vane realises he''s met his match ... She vowed no man would catch her. Patience isn''t about to succumb to Vane''s sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses leave her dizzy and his caresses made her melt; but Patience has promised herself she''ll never become vulnerable to a broken heart. Is this one vow that was meant to be broken?

A nobleman trying to protect a woman’s virtue discovers he longs to seduce her himself in this Regency romance from a New York Times–bestselling author. After the death of her dear father, Georgiana Hartley returns home to England—only to be confronted by the boorish advances of her wretched cousin. Knowing no one, she flees to Dominic Ridgely’s estate, hoping the nobleman will bestow a neighborly kindness upon her. The haughty viscount hears Georgiana’s plea to find her a position as a lady’s companion with thinly veiled disgust. A lovely innocent such as Miss Hartley subjected to that base existence? The very idea was preposterous. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands and introduces her to his sister’s influence. Suddenly, Georgiana is transformed into a lady who charms the ton with ease and draws a bevy of suitors at every turn. Everything is unfolding according to Dominic’s plan . . . until he realizes that he desires Georgiana for his own. Praise for Stephanie Laurens “Laurens’ writing shines.” —Publishers Weekly “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” —Cathy Kelly, #1 Sunday Times–bestselling author of The Wedding Party “All I need is her name on the cover to make me pick up the book.” —Linda Howard, New York Times–bestselling author of An Independent Wife

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with the next in her Cynster Sisters series... The Honorable Miss Mary Cynster always gets what she wants. As the last unwed Cynster of her generation, she is determined to remain in charge of her life and of the man she will marry. At the very bottom of her list of potential husbands is Ryder Cavanaugh, the daring and devastating Marquess of Raventhorne, an overwhelming and utterly unmanageable lion of the ton. But destiny has a different plan. Ryder needs Mary as his wife, not just because she is delightful, fiery, and tempting, but because he values all she could be. When fate and circumstance hand him the chance, he claims Mary as his marchioness...only to discover what he truly desires is not just to take her hand in marriage, but to capture her heart.

Bold and clever, THE CAVANAUGHS are unlike any other family in early Victorian England. #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues to explore the enthralling world of these dynamic siblings in the eagerly anticipated second volume in her captivating series. A Gentleman of Means One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts. A Woman of Character Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive. An Unstoppable Duo But it quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.

#1New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues the bold tales of the Cavanaugh siblings as the sole Cavanaugh sister discovers that love truly does conquer all. A lady with a passion for music and the maestro she challenges in pursuit of a worthy cause find themselves battling villains both past and present as they fight to secure life’s greatest rewards—love, marriage, and family. Stacie—Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh—is adamant marriage is not for her. Haunted by her parents’ unhappy union, Stacie believes that, for her, marriage is an unacceptable risk. Wealthy and well-born, she needs for nothing, and with marriage off the table, to give her life purpose, she embarks on a plan to further the careers of emerging local musicians by introducing them to the ton via a series of musical evenings. Yet despite her noble status, Stacie requires a musical lure to tempt the haut ton to her events, and in the elevated circles she inhabits, only one musician commands sufficient cachet—the reclusive and notoriously reluctant Marquess of Albury. Frederick, Marquess of Albury, has fashioned a life for himself as a musical scholar, one he pursues largely out of sight of the ton. He might be renowned as a virtuoso on the pianoforte, yet he sees no reason to endure the smothering over-attentiveness of society. Then his mother inveigles him into meeting Stacie, and the challenge she lays before him is…tempting. On a number of fronts. Enough for him not to immediately refuse her. A dance of subtle persuasion ensues, and step by step, Frederick finds himself convinced that Stacie’s plan has real merit and that it behooves him to support her. At least for one event. Stacie’s first musical evening, featuring Frederick as the principal performer, is a massive success—until Fate takes a hand and lands them in a situation that forces them both to reassess. Does Frederick want more than the sterile, academic life he’d thought was for him? Can Stacie overcome her deepest fears and own to and reach for her girlhood dreams? Impulsive, arrogant, and used to getting his own way, Frederick finds his answer easily enough, but his new direction puts him on a collision course with Stacie’s fears. Luckily, he thrives on challenges—which is just as well, because in addition to convincing Stacie that love can, indeed, conquer all, he and she must unravel the mystery of who is behind a spate of murderous attacks before the villain succeeds in eliminating all hope of a happy ending. A classical historical romance set in London and Surrey, in the heart of the ton. Third novel in The Cavanaughs—a full-length historical romance of 122,000 words. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.”Historical Romance Reviews. “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine

The pleasure of your company is requested at thewedding of Miss Eliza Cynster . . . but not until she’srescued from a daring abduction by the mostunexpected of heroes! Brazenly kidnapped from her sister Heather’s engagement ball, Eliza Cynster is spirited north to Edinburgh.Desperate and determined to escape, she seizes uponthe first possible champion who happens along—gentleman scholar Jeremy Carling. Villains and rescues are a far cry from Jeremy’s expertise,yet he cannot abandon a damsel in distress. But dangerlurks and hurdles abound in their race to escapethe mysterious laird, until a final confrontation on awindswept cliff reveals what their future life could hold—if both are bold enough to capture and own theunexpected love they now share.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the world of the Cynsters’ next generation with the tale of an unconventional nobleman and an equally unconventional noblewoman learning to love and trust again. A jilted noblewoman forced into a dual existence half in and half out of the ton is unexpectedly confronted by the nobleman who left her behind ten years ago, but before either can catch their breaths, they trip over a murder and into a race to capture a killer. Lord Grayson Child is horrified to discover that The London Crier, a popular gossip rag, is proposing to expose his extraordinary wealth to the ton’s matchmakers, not to mention London’s shysters and Captain Sharps. He hies to London and corners The Crier’s proprietor—only to discover the paper’s owner is the last person he’d expected to see. Izzy—Lady Isadora Descartes—is flabbergasted when Gray appears in her printing works’ office. He’s the very last person she wants to meet while in her role as owner of The Crier, but there he is, as large as life, and she has to deal with him without giving herself away! She manages—just—and seizes on the late hour to put him off so she can work out what to do. But before leaving the printing works, she and he stumble across a murder, and all hell breaks loose. Izzy can only be grateful for Gray’s support as, to free them both of suspicion, they embark on a joint campaign to find the killer. Yet working side by side opens their eyes to who they each are now—both quite different to the youthful would-be lovers of ten years before. Mutual respect, affection, and appreciation grow, and amid the chaos of hunting a ruthless killer, they find themselves facing the question of whether what they’d deemed wrecked ten years before can be resurrected. Then the killer’s motive proves to be a treasonous plot, and with others, Gray and Izzy race to prevent a catastrophe, a task that ultimately falls to them alone in a situation in which the only way out is through selfless togetherness—only by relying on each other will they survive. A classic historical romance laced with crime and intrigue. A Cynster Next Generation-connected novel—a full-length historical romance of 115,000 words Praise for The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child "This full-bodied novel should please all long-time fans of novels about romance and intrigue set in nineteenth-century England." Virge B., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing “Two old lovers embark on an investigation that is brimming with danger and intrigue. Their simmering, suspenseful tale is one that fans of Regency romance dare not miss.” Angela M., Copy Editor, Red Adept Editing “After ten years apart, former lovers Lord Grayson Child and Lady Isadora Descartes work together to solve a high-stakes mystery (and) secrets from their past. Is it wise to rekindle their romance, or will the search for love be their undoing? The attention to detail in both setting and characters brings the story to life. Fans of Regency romance are sure to enjoy uncovering The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child." Brittany M., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing

For a limited time and at a special price, discover #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens''s The Black Cobra Quartet with The Untamed Bride, plus special excerpts from the next three novels in the series. In The Untamed Bride, They''re battle-hardened, sinfully wealthy, completely unstoppable—and all male: Four officers of the Crown, fighting against a deadly foe known only as the Black Cobra. He is a man who has faced peril without flinching, determined to fight for king and country. She is a bold, beautiful woman with a scandalous past, destined to become an untamed bride. Together they must vanquish the ruthless enemy, while confronting the dangers of the heart . . .

Artist Gerrard Debbington accepts a commission to paint a young woman''s portrait in exchange for access to her father''s celebrated yet strictly private gardens, but when he learns the woman may be in danger, he appoints himself her protector.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Miss Heather Cynster …but not before she encounters kidnappers, danger, and a daring rescue at the hands of Viscount Breckenridge Determined to hunt down her very own hero, one who will sweep her off her feet and into wedded bliss, Heather Cynster steps out of her safe world and boldly attends a racy soiree. But her promising hunt is ruined by the supremely interfering Viscount Breckenridge, who whisks her out of scandal—straight into danger, when a mysterious enemy seizes her, bundles her into a coach, and spirits her out of London. Now it’s up to the notorious Breckenridge to prove himself the hero she’s been searching for all along…

When the orphans she cares for begin mysteriously disappearing, Penelope Ashford enlists the help of the handsome and intriguing Barnaby Adair to help solve the crime.

#1 New York Times bestselling author returns with another thrilling story from the Casebook of Barnaby Adair . . . Miraculously spared from death, Malcolm Sinclair erases the notorious man he once was. Reinventing himself as Thomas Glendower, he strives to make amends for his past, yet he never imagines penance might come via a secretive lady he discovers living in his secluded manor. Rose has a plausible explanation for why she and her children are residing in Thomas''s house, but she quickly realizes he''s far too intelligent to fool. Revealing the truth is impossibly dangerous, yet day by day he wins her trust, and then her heart. But then her enemy closes in, and Rose turns to Thomas as the only man who can protect her and the children. And when she asks for his help, Thomas finally understands his true purpose, and with unwavering commitment, he seeks his redemption the only way he can—through living the reality of loving Rose.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a tale of murder, mystery, passion, and intrigue – and diamonds! Penelope Adair, wife and partner of amateur sleuth Barnaby Adair, is so hugely pregnant she cannot even waddle. When Barnaby is summoned to assist Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard in investigating the violent murder of a gentleman at a house party, Penelope, frustrated that she cannot participate, insists that she and Griselda, Stokes’s wife, be duly informed of their husbands’ discoveries. Yet what Barnaby and Stokes uncover only leads to more questions. The murdered gentleman had been thrown out of the house party days before, so why had he come back? And how and why did he come to have the fabulous Finsbury diamond necklace in his pocket, much to Lord Finsbury’s consternation. Most peculiar of all, why had the murderer left the necklace, worth a stupendous fortune, on the body? The conundrums compound as our intrepid investigators attempt to make sense of this baffling case. Meanwhile, the threat of scandal grows ever more tangible for all those attending the house party – and the stakes are highest for Lord Finsbury’s daughter and the gentleman who has spent the last decade resurrecting his family fortune so he can aspire to her hand. Working parallel to Barnaby and Stokes, the would-be lovers hunt for a path through the maze of contradictory facts to expose the murderer, disperse the pall of scandal, and claim the love and the shared life they crave. A pre-Victorian mystery with strong elements of romance. A short novel of 39,000 words. An entry in The Casebook of Barnaby Adair series, the events in this short novel occur between the events described in the full-length Casebook novels, WHERE THE HEART LEADS and the upcoming THE MASTERFUL MR. MONTAGUE. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Laurens’s writing shines.” Publishers Weekly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews. “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine Praise for Where the Heart Leads: Volume 1 in the Casebook of Barnaby Adair "A satisfying blend of mystery and romance." Publishers Weekly "In an Amanda Quick-style suspense/romance, Laurens never loses touch with her characters'' deep emotions or the haunting mystery." Romantic Times

The Season has yet to begin, and the second member of the Bastion Club, tall, handsome Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, is already a target for every matchmaking mama in London. None of their flighty daughters can fix his interest, but a certain lady does... Alicia is living a deception. Desperation has caused the determined but penniless lady to boldly launch her ravishing younger sister into the ton and have her make a spectacular match. By masquerading as the widowed "Mrs. Carrington" Alicia can act as the perfect chaperone…but fashionable ladies are not accused of murder... When Tony Blake discovers Alicia standing over a dead body in his godmother’s garden, every instinct tells him she is innocent. His connections allow him to take control of the investigation, his social prominence provides her public support, but it is more than honor that compels him to protect her and to do everything in his seductive power to make her his.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the Cynsters’ next generation with an evocative tale of two people striving to overcome unusual hurdles in order to claim true love. A nobleman wedded to the lady he loves strives to overwrite five years of masterful pretence and open his wife’s eyes to the fact that he loves her as much as she loves him. Lord Devlin Cader, Earl of Alverton, married Therese Cynster five years ago. What he didn’t tell her then and has assiduously hidden ever since—for what seemed excellent reasons at the time—is that he loves her every bit as much as she loves him. For her own misguided reasons, Therese had decided that the adage that Cynsters always marry for love did not necessarily mean said Cynsters were loved in return. She accepted that was usually so, but being universally viewed by gentlemen as too managing, bossy, and opinionated, she believed she would never be loved for herself. Consequently, after falling irrevocably in love with Devlin, when he made it plain he didn’t love her yet wanted her to wife, she accepted the half love-match he offered, and once they were wed, set about organizing to make their marriage the very best it could be. Now, five years later, they are an established couple within the haut ton, have three young children, and Devlin is making a name for himself in business and political circles. There’s only one problem. Having attended numerous Cynster weddings and family gatherings and spent time with Therese’s increasingly married cousins, who with their spouses all embrace the Cynster ideal of marriage based on mutually acknowledged love, Devlin is no longer content with the half love-match he himself engineered. No fool, he sees and comprehends what the craven act of denying his love is costing both him and Therese and feels compelled to rectify his fault. He wants for them what all Therese’s married cousins enjoy—the rich and myriad benefits of marriages based on acknowledged mutual love. Love, he’s discovered, is too powerful a force to deny, leaving him wrestling with the conundrum of finding a way to convincingly reveal to Therese that he loves her without wrecking everything—especially the mutual trust—they’ve built over the past five years. A classic historical romance set amid the glittering world of the London haut ton. A Cynster Next Generation novel—a full-length historical romance of 110,000 words. Praise for The Games Lovers Play “A high-society Regency-era couple explores the genuine affection they share for one another against a sophisticated vintage backdrop. Unwaveringly eloquent, Games Lovers Play is as much a snapshot of a maturing marriage as it is an impassioned, provocative romance.” Libybet R. G., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing “It isn''t fashionable for members of high society in mid-nineteenth-century London to be in love with their spouses, but Lord Devlin Cader, seventh Earl of Alverton, is. After several years of marriage, has he waited so long that she won''t accept a declaration even if he makes it?” Kim H., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing “In the power couple of Devlin and Therese, Laurens has conjured a love story that is every bit as enthralling as those of her unmarried lords and ladies.” Angela M., Copy Editor, Red Adept Editing

“Fabulously entertaining….Laurens adds a dash of exotic spice to her always reliable mix of sexy romance and risky intrigue.” —Booklist The third book in New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens’s sensational Black Cobra Quartet, The Brazen Bride ingeniously blends intrigue and danger with sizzling, passionate love. With ties to Laurens’s wildly popular Cynster novels, The Brazen Bride—and the other breathtaking installments in her magnificent four-book adventure—will enthrall her devoted fans and every reader who craves historical romance rich in excitement and peril.

A marquess in need of the right bride. An earl''s daughter in search of a purpose. A betrayal that ends in murder and balloons into a threat to the realm. Sebastian Cynster knows time is running out. If he doesn''t choose a wife soon, his female relatives will line up to assist him. Yet the current debutantes do not appeal. Where is he to find the right lady to be his marchioness? Then Drake Varisey, eldest son of the Duke of Wolverstone, asks for Sebastian''s aid. Having assumed his father''s mantle in protecting queen and country, Drake must go to Ireland in pursuit of a dangerous plot. But he''s received an urgent missive from Lord Ennis, an Irish peer-Ennis has heard something Drake needs to know. Ennis insists Drake attends an upcoming house party at Ennis''s Kent estate so Ennis can reveal his information face-to-face. Sebastian has assisted Drake before and, long ago, had a liaison with Lady Ennis. Drake insists Sebastian is just the man to be Drake''s surrogate at the house party-the guests will imagine all manner of possibilities and be blind to Sebastian''s true purpose. Unsurprisingly, Sebastian is reluctant, but Drake''s need is real. With only more debutantes on his horizon, Sebastian allows himself to be persuaded. His first task is to inveigle Antonia Rawlings, a lady he has known all her life, to include him as her escort to the house party. Although he''s seen little of Antonia in recent years, Sebastian is confident of gaining her support. Eldest daughter of the Earl of Chillingworth, Antonia has abandoned the search for a husband and plans to use the week of the house party to decide what to do with her life. There has to be some purpose, some role, she can claim for her own. Consequently, on hearing Sebastian''s request and an explanation of what lies behind it, she seizes on the call to action. Suppressing her senses'' idiotic reaction to Sebastian''s nearness, she agrees to be his partner-in-intrigue. But while joining the house party proves easy, the gathering is thrown into chaos when Lord Ennis is murdered-just before he was to speak with Sebastian. Worse, Ennis''s last words, gasped to Sebastian, are: Gunpowder. Here. Gunpowder? And here, where? With a killer continuing to stalk the halls, side by side, Sebastian and Antonia search for answers and, all the while, the childhood connection that had always existed between them strengthens and blooms...into something so much more. First volume in a trilogy. A historical romance with gothic overtones layered over a continuing intrigue. A full length novel of 99,000 words. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens "Stephanie Laurens'' heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong." Cathy Kelly "Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters." Historical Romance Reviews. "Stephanie Laurens plays into readers'' fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again." Romantic Times Magazine

For a limited time and at a special price, discover #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens''s Bastion Club series with A Fine Passion, plus special excerpts from other novels in the series. In A Fine Passion, the men of the Bastion Club are powerful, loyal, and not averse to overcoming danger if they must. Now, after years of loyal service to the Crown, they each—one by one—must face that greatest danger of all . . . love. The last of his line, Jack, Baron Warnefleet, has fled London after nearly being compromised into marrying a dreadful female. Turning his back on the entire notion of marriage, he rides home to the estate he has not seen for years, determined to set in motion an alternative course of action. But then in the lane before his gate, Jack rescues a startlingly beautiful lady from a menacing, unmanageable horse. However, while he begins by taking command, the lady continues by taking it back. Lady Clarice Altwood is no meek and mild miss. She is the very antithesis of the woolly-headed young ladies Jack has rejected as not for him. Clarice is delectably attractive, beyond eligible, undeniably capable, and completely unforgettable. Why on earth is she rusticating in the country? That enigma is compounded by mystery, and it''s quickly clear that Clarice is in danger. Jack must use every ounce of his cunning and wit to protect this highly independent and richly passionate woman . . . who has so quickly stolen his heart.

The passion is endless and it''s only just begun in these four scintillating tales of brides-to-be by four of today''s hottest romance authors... My Scandalous Bride Christina Dodd, "The Lady and the Tiger" Laura Haver will stop at nothing to find out who killed her brother-even if it means posing as the wife of notorious rogue Keefe Leighton, the Earl of Hamilton. But things go too far when Keefe engages Laura in an artful game of seduction-a game that can have only one winner... Stephanie Laurens, "Melting Ice" Once, Dyan St. Laurent Dare, Duke of Darke, dreamed of making Lady Fiona his bride. Now they''re together again-at a scandalous dinner party where debauchery is the menu''s main course. But will wedding bells ring after the guests get their just desserts? Celeste Bradley, "Wedding Knight" Alfred Knight will do anything to avoid a scandal-even marry a woman he barely knows. But his bride has a most titillating secret...one she''ll share as soon as she conquers her temptation for the man she was never supposed to marry! Leslie LaFoy, "The Proposition" Rennick St. James, the Earl of Parnell, has four days to seduce London''s most popular widow into becoming his wife-or else she''ll marry another man. It won''t be easy...but Rennick has been lusting after the beguiling Julia Hamilton far too long to let her go now... Look Inside for an Excerpt to Christina Dodd''s brand new contemporary romance

Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in passion? What happens when fate and passion collide? Do you believe in love? What happens when fate, passion, and love combine? This. This… #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion. Thomas Carrick is a gentleman driven to control all aspects of his life. As the wealthy owner of Carrick Enterprises, located in bustling Glasgow, he is one of that city’s most eligible bachelors and fully intends to select an appropriate wife from the many young ladies paraded before him. He wants to take that necessary next step along his self-determined path, yet no young lady captures his eye, much less his attention...not in the way Lucilla Cynster had, and still did, even though she lives miles away. For over two years, Thomas has avoided his clan’s estate because it borders Lucilla’s home, but disturbing reports from his clansmen force him to return to the countryside—only to discover that his uncle, the laird, is ailing, a clan family is desperately ill, and the clan-healer is unconscious and dying. Duty to the clan leaves Thomas no choice but to seek help from the last woman he wants to face. Strong-willed and passionate, Lucilla has been waiting—increasingly impatiently—for Thomas to return and claim his rightful place by her side. She knows he is hers—her fated lover, husband, protector, and mate. He is the only man for her, just as she is his one true love. And, at last, he’s back. Even though his returning wasn’t on her account, Lucilla is willing to seize whatever chance Fate hands her. Thomas can never forget Lucilla, much less the connection that seethes between them, but to marry her would mean embracing a life he''s adamant he does not want. Lucilla sees that Thomas has yet to accept the inevitability of their union and, despite all, he can refuse her and walk away. But how can he ignore a bond such as theirs—one so much stronger than reason? Despite several unnerving attacks mounted against them, despite the uncertainty racking his clan, Lucilla remains as determined as only a Cynster can be to fight for the future she knows can be theirs—and while she cannot command him, she has powerful enticements she’s willing to wield in the cause of tempting Thomas Carrick. A neo-Gothic tale of passionate romance laced with mystery, set in the uplands of southwestern Scotland. A Cynster Second Generation Novel – a classic historical romance of 122,000 words. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens concludes the tales of the Cavanaugh siblings with the riveting story of the youngest brother and his search for a family of his own. The scion of a noble house brought low by a storm and the lady who nurses him back to health strive to unravel a web of deception that threatens her family and forces them to fight for what they hold most dear—family, each other, and love. Lord Godfrey Cavanaugh has no thoughts of marrying as he drives into North Yorkshire on a plum commission for the National Gallery to authenticate a Renaissance painting the gallery wishes to purchase. Then a snow storm sweeps in, and Godfrey barely manages to haul himself, his groom, and his horses to their destination. Elinor Hinckley, eldest daughter of Hinckley Hall, stalwart defender of the family, right arm to her invalid father, and established spinster knows full well how much her family has riding on the sale of the painting and throws herself into nursing the initially delirious gentleman who holds her family’s future in his hands. But Godfrey proves to be a far from easy patient. Through Ellie’s and her siblings’ efforts to keep him entertained and abed, Godfrey grows to know the family, appreciating and, ultimately, being drawn into family life of a sort he’s never known. Eventually, to everyone’s relief, he recovers sufficiently to assess the painting—only to discover that nothing, but nothing, is as it seems. Someone has plans, someone other than the Hinckleys, but who is pulling the strings is a mystery that Godfrey and Ellie find near-impossible to solve. Every suspect proves to have perfectly understandable, albeit hidden reasons for their behavior, and Godfrey and Ellie remain baffled. Until the villain, panicked by their inquiries, strikes—directly at them—and forces them both to acknowledge what has grown to be the most important thing in their lives. Both are natural defenders of the weak and neither will give up. Together they battle to save not just themselves, not just her family, but their futures. Hers, his, and theirs. A classical historical romance set in North Yorkshire. Fourth and final novel in The Cavanaughs—a full-length historical romance of 90,000 words.

From New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens comes her RITA®-Award winning tale that shows how one night can change everything . . . forever. Robert "Rogue" Gerrard''s reputation paints him as one of the ton''s most notorious rakes. But once, long ago, he fell in love . . . and he''s never forgotten the scintillating emotion he, then too young, turned his back on. But one stormy night, he discovers himself stranded at an inn—with his childhood sweetheart, Lydia Makepeace, who has no business being there alone. Lydia, meanwhile, is horrified to find the one man in England guaranteed to protect her—standing between her and the scandalous letter she must, simply must, retrieve.

#1 NYT-bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a tale of unexpected romance that blossoms against the backdrop of dastardly murder. On discovering the lifeless body of an innocent ingénue, a peer attending a country house party joins forces with the lady-amazon sent to fetch the victim safely home in a race to expose the murderer before Stokes, assisted by Barnaby and Penelope, is forced to allow the guests, murderer included, to decamp. Well-born rakehell and head of an ancient family, Alaric, Lord Carradale, has finally acknowledged reality and is preparing to find a bride. But loyalty to his childhood friend, Percy Mandeville, necessitates attending Percy’s annual house party, held at neighboring Mandeville Hall. Yet despite deploying his legendary languid charm, by the second evening of the week-long event, Alaric is bored and restless. Escaping from the soirée and the Hall, Alaric decides that as soon as he’s free, he’ll hie to London and find the mild-mannered, biddable lady he believes will ensure a peaceful life. But the following morning, on walking through the Mandeville Hall shrubbery on his way to join the other guests, he comes upon the corpse of a young lady-guest. Constance Whittaker accepts that no gentleman will ever offer for her—she’s too old, too tall, too buxom, too headstrong…too much in myriad ways. Now acting as her grandfather’s agent, she arrives at Mandeville Hall to extricate her young cousin, Glynis, who unwisely accepted an invitation to the reputedly licentious house party. But Glynis cannot be found. A search is instituted. Venturing into the shrubbery, Constance discovers an outrageously handsome aristocrat crouched beside Glynis’s lifeless form. Unsurprisingly, Constance leaps to the obvious conclusion. Luckily, once the gentleman explains that he’d only just arrived, commonsense reasserts itself. More, as matters unfold and she and Carradale have to battle to get Glynis’s death properly investigated, Constance discovers Alaric to be a worthy ally. Yet even after Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard arrives and takes charge of the case, along with his consultants, the Honorable Barnaby Adair and his wife, Penelope, the murderer’s identity remains shrouded in mystery, and learning why Glynis was killed—all in the few days before the house party’s guests will insist on leaving—tests the resolve of all concerned. Flung into each other’s company, fiercely independent though Constance is, unsusceptible though Alaric is, neither can deny the connection that grows between them. Then Constance vanishes. Can Alaric unearth the one fact that will point to the murderer before the villain rips from the world the lady Alaric now craves for his own? A historical novel of 75,000 words interweaving romance, mystery, and murder. Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens “Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews “Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine Praise for The Murder at Mandeville Hall “Stephanie Laurens never fails to delight with her tales of romance, mystery, and adventure set against the elegant, glittering backdrop of British high society.” Irene S., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing “A shared passion for justice turns into a shared passion for much, much more in this clever whodunit from Stephanie Laurens.” Angela M., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing “(The investigators) must sort through layers of intrigue and family pride to find the killer. At posh and proper Mandeville Hall, even murderers mind their manners." Kim H., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with another thrilling story from the Casebook of Barnaby Adair . . . Miraculously spared from death, Malcolm Sinclair erases the notorious man he once was. Reinventing himself as Thomas Glendower, he strives to make amends for his past, yet he never imagines penance might come via a secretive lady he discovers living in his secluded manor. Rose has a plausible explanation for why she and her children are residing in Thomas''s house, but she quickly realizes he''s far too intelligent to fool. Revealing the truth is impossibly dangerous, yet day by day, he wins her trust, and then her heart. But then her enemy closes in, and Rose turns to Thomas as the only man who can protect her and the children. And when she asks for his help, Thomas finally understands his true purpose, and with unwavering commitment, he seeks his redemption in the only way he can - through living the reality of loving Rose.