Checkmate, My Lord

She will give him what he desires. But first, a small favor . . .

Lady Christina Fairhaven is devoted to her adoptive family—and most protective of her wayward brother.

So when battle-scarred and world-weary Captain Gavin Briggsarrives at her cottage bearing shocking news—that she is thegranddaughter of an aged, bad-tempered duke—Christina is stunned . . . temporarily.

She will not meet the duke whoabandoned her when she wasa child; Gavin will not receivehis significant—and muchneeded—reward. However,should the good Captainagree to help her locate andrescue her endangeredsibling, then perhaps . . .

But with a fortune at stake,the road to London is paved withperil. Treachery awaits them . . . not to mention attraction, temptation,and a most unanticipated passion.

To regain his soul, to protecthis lady, Gavin must be more than brave.To win his love, Christina must be positively . . .

Frances Hadley has managed her family's estate for years. So why can't she request her own dowry? She'll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she's dealt with lately, though, there's no way she's going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she'll have much less to worry about. . .

Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left--Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother's matchmaking melodrama!

"Make room on your keeper shelf for Sally MacKenzie's Duchess of Love series!" --Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling author

Praise for Bedding Lord Ned

"An engaging tale that balances greed, jealousy, and malice with humor and sweetness. . .readers will cheer." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

Praise for When You Give a Duke a Diamond:

"A humorous yet touching love story—with original characters who delight and enough sizzle to add heart to a delicious read."—RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars

Her Mysterious Past is the Best Revenge...

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She's adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

Only He Can Offer Her a Dazzling Future...

Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he's putting his life on the line...

To Warrick's shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she's keeping are exactly what makes her his heart's desire...

Praise for When You Give a Duke a Diamond:

"A thrilling ride, filled with mystery, intrigue, and romance."—Fresh Fiction

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don’t get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.

But that is precisely what she gets.

Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he’s up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he’s determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match…

The Duchess War is the first full-length book (97,000 words) in the Brothers Sinister series. It is preceded by The Governess Affair, a prequel novella. Each book stands alone, but those who prefer to read in order might want to read that book first.

Royden Napier, Baron Saint-Bryce, is tall, dark, and ruthless—and on the hunt for a dangerous beauty . . .

On the eve of her escape to the Continent, bold, beautiful Lisette Colburne accepts a proposal she dare not refuse: masquerade as the future bride of the steely-eyed Royden Napier and help him solve his most dangerous case. Soon Lisette is in even greater danger—of losing her heart to the one man with the power to destroy her . . .

Estranged from his aristocratic family, the enigmatic Napier has forged a reputation as Scotland Yard's most relentless police commissioner. He's vowed to bring Lisette to justice—but with every forbidden kiss and every tantalizing touch, he finds himself becoming less convinced of her guilt . . . and more certain he must have her. But when danger touches Lisette, can he save her?

A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.

Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordonwin custody of her young niece Georgina, saving thegirl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitorfor that. But when Edward de Lacey, son ofthe powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man whocan do the job, Francesca decides Edwardhimself must champion her case . . . if only she can meltthe dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family.When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . .and now, each moment together feeds the flames ofhis scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But whenGeorgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

Sensible gentleman of means seeks a sensiblelady of good breeding for correspondence, and indue consideration, matrimony.

Which is exactly the sort of advertisement that makespractical-to-a-fault Daphne Dale's heart flutter. A sensiblegentleman, in her estimation, is the perfect match,and she's even more convinced once she's exchanging sensiblyromantic letters with her very appropriate suitor. That is,until Lord Henry Seldon strays into her path. He's everythingshe's vowed to avoid—a rakish charmer whose verytouch seduces her practical sensibilities and her resolve.

Lord Henry Seldon was not amused when his nephewplaced an advertisement to find him a wife. Yet he couldn'tresist replying to the note from "Miss Spooner." And oncehe discovers he's corresponding with none other thanthe disarming Daphne Dale, he finds it's too late to disavowhis heart. Now it is up to Henry to prove to Daphne just howinsensible—and powerfully passionate—true love can be . . .