[taken from fictiondb] Laura had practically raised little Mandy, but she had no legal claim to the homeless child. And now the authorities wanted to take Mandy away. / Paul Penalis could help her to keep Mandy, but his price was marriage. Was the price too high for Laura to pay, or could she find true happiness in a marriage of strangers?

[taken from fictiondb] Clare had dedicated herself to the memory of her fiance, but it was hard to keep that vow under the warm, star-filled Caribbean skies in the strong arms of Luke Mortimer. And Luke was waging a campaign to win Clare's heart with the same arrogant determination that had won him his fortune and his tropical islands. Clare could not struggle against the love she felt for Luke, but she dared not surrender without breaking the bonds of guilt and sorrow that chained her to a long-dead love.

[taken from fictiondb] A NEW LEASE ON LIFE For two years Linda Kendall believed her own life ended the day her husband and children were killed in a car crash. Only reluctantly did she set aside her grief to become nanny to the Conde Duarte de Dominga's three charges in Portugal. But this handsome nobleman aroused feelings Linda thought she'd never have again. Duarte tempted her back to life with his kindness, his charm, his proposal of marriage . . . if only she would agree not to fall in love with him. But it was already too late for that.

[from fictiondb:] Kim Rosswell was young, beautiful, and desperate. Vidas Christou was wealthy, and determined that the child she carried bear the Christou name. Kim knew she should have told Vidas the truth. There could not possibly be a child; another's lies had misled him. But the stakes were too high. His proposal gives her a chance to save her father's life. That is something to cling to even after he discovers her deception--and she discovers that she loves her distant husband.

Paula Blake realized, when first she saw her new employer, Ramon Calzada Gonzalez, that she may have been hasty leaving England to accept a job in Puerto Rico as his secretary. Worse than arrogant, Ramon seemed the rake, and a man consumed with hatred for all women. Paula wondered if even her own devotion could put this virile and very affluent lawyer at peace. In a sudden whirl of passion, Ramon asked Paula to be his bride. In days, the marriage was joyously consummated. Only afterward did Paula discover that she had been used as a pawn in his cruel game of revenge!

Includes two stories: **Yami no Kikoushi (闇の貴公子): Based on Anne Stuart's novel *Night*** Michael Blackheart: The illegitimate son of a legendary cat burglar, Michael is going to steal the world's most valuable private collection, right out from under the noses of the rich and famous -- and beat the old man at his own game! **Jounetsu no Torihiki (情熱の取り引き): Based on Trish Morey's novel *Back in the Spaniard's Bed*** Leah left Alejandro Rodriguez because she'd overstepped the boundaries of a mistress and fallen in love! The Spaniard's arrogance angered her, but his touch ignited her. So when Alejandro storms back into her life, how can Leah deny him?

After hearing that her husband has abruptly passed away, Olivia falls into the arms of Christian, her husband’s nephew and subordinate. When she regains consciousness, those strong, burly arms holding her won’t let go. Impulsively the two commit a grave mistake that night. Several months later, Olivia hears that Luis, her stepson, has been in a serious car accident. She wants to quickly check up on her son, but she knows that if she does, Christian will be there waiting. That’s the one thing she’s been avoiding…because Olivia is carrying a huge secret that he can never find out about!

Demure vicar's daughter Robina Percival has relished her Season in Town -- a definite change for the better after her somewhat straitened situation at home. But what is she to make of Daniel, Lord Exmouth? A widower with two daughters to raise, he appears to be in the market for a wife. Discovering that she has more spirit than she realized, Robina holds back from encouraging her potential suitor. How can she be sure he hasn't buried his heart with his beautiful wife? A young woman disappears. A husband is suspected of murder. Stirring times for all the neighborhood. The Steepwood Scandal.

Suzanne's decision to visit Villa Falcone was an impulse. Suddenly she was thrust into a family whose passions and jealousies pervaded their ancestral Italian home. Perhaps she had been meant to go, Suzanne thought later; otherwise she would never have met Mazzaro di Falcone, the brooding keeper of his ancient family's treasures. Mazzaro burst into her complacent life like a bomb--and Suzanne knew she would never be the same again!

Lucia committed a crime and was sentenced to imprisonment. Upon being released on parole, she is taken by limousine to an elegant mansion, where a woman she has never met asks her to be her painting partner. But Lucia tearfully confesses her crime: she painted a counterfeit and deceived people. Although it was to pay for her father’s medical expenses, it was still unforgivable. Unexpectedly, the woman’s son, Grey, appears, surprising Lucia—he is the millionaire who bought the counterfeit painting and whose testimony sent Lucia to prison!