The Importance of Being Wicked

Enter the thrilling, sexy world of GeorgianEngland in this splendid Miranda Neville novella—and catch a glimpse of Caro, the heroine ofThe Importance of Being Wicked,on sale December 2012.

Eleanor Hardwick and Max Quinton shared onenight of incredible passion . . . that was shatteredthe next day, when Eleanor learned of a bet placedby Max's friends. Now, five years later, Max stillcan't get Eleanor out of his head or his heart. He hasa single chance to make a second impression—onethat will last forever.

They couldn't be more different—but there's one thing they agree on . . .

In London after a two-year exile, Lord Blakeney plans to cut a swathe through the bedchambers of the demimonde. Marriage is not on his agenda, especially to an annoying chit like Minerva Montrose, with her superior attitude and a tendency to get into trouble. And certainly the last man Minerva wants is Blake, a careless wastrel without a thought in his handsome head.

The lights and din of her debutante ball set Minerva's teeth on edge. Surely a moment's rest could do no harm . . . until Blake mistakes her for another lady, leaving Minerva'sguests to catch them in a very compromising position. To her horror, the scandal will force them to do the unthinkable: marry. Their mutual loathing blazes into unexpected passion but Blake remains distant, desperate to hide a shameful secret. Minerva's never been a woman to take things lying down, and she'll let nothing stop her from winning his trust . . . and his heart.

Being kidnapped is teaching Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life:

Lesson one: Never disrobe in front of a gentleman . . . unless his request comes at gunpoint.

Lesson two: If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

Lesson three: If presented with an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

Lesson four: Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, the real thing is even better.

When deception leads to desire . . .

When her stubborn sister runs off the night before her arranged marriage, Meg Lyntonhardly hesitates before donning the wedding veil and walking down the aisle herself. It's the only way to save her family from sure destitution. By the time her wealthy groom discovers he has married the wrong sister, it will be too late to annul their vows. And too late for Meg to escape her wifely duty to a man reputed to be a devil in battle and the bedroom . . .

A bride is the last thing Nicholas Hartley, Duke of Temberlay, wants. Then he sees Meg and realizes that his wedding night will be a great pleasure indeed. But aside from the agreeable business of begetting an heir, Temberlay will never change his wicked ways for a wedding vow—until he discovers Meg's deception, and decides to teach the scheming beauty how to be a proper duchess, kiss by devastating kiss . . .

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.

“A young lady with a fortune is subject to all sorts of untoward attentions by the worst sort of vagrants.” Aunt Allegra

A lesson Tabitha Timmons, a penniless spinster, has neverneeded to heed. That is, until she is left a vast fortune payableonly upon her marriage to the very respectable Mr. Barkworth—a match that offers little chance of discovering exactlywhat her aunt means by "untoward attentions."

But the same can't be said when the Duke of Prestonhappens along Tabitha's path. He spies a rebellious streak inher that matches his own and he makes it his missionto save her from such a passionless match, interfering in herlife at every turn. All too soon, Preston—whose veryname spells ruin—has Tabitha caught betweenthe good fortune that guarantees her security,and his kiss, which promises an entirelydifferent kind of happily-ever-after.

Lady Philippa Marbury is . . . odd

The brilliant, bespectacled daughter of a double marquess cares more for books than balls, for science than the season, and for laboratories than love. She's looking forward to marrying her simple fiancé and living out her days quietly with her dogs and her scientific experiments. But before that, Pippa has two weeks to experience all the rest—fourteen days to research the exciting parts of life. It's not much time, and to do it right she needs a guide familiar with London's darker corners.

She needs . . . a Scoundrel

She needs Cross, the clever, controlled partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, with a carefully crafted reputation for wickedness. But reputations often hide the darkest secrets, and when the unconventional Pippa boldly propositions him, seeking science without emotion, she threatens all he works to protect. He is tempted to give Pippa precisely what she wants . . . but the scoundrel is more than he seems, and it will take every ounce of his willpower to resist giving the lady more than she ever imagined.

Six Regency heroes—One royal hangover

After a royal bachelor party of the century,Lady Verity Fitzroy wakes up to find her brother's archenemy,Rory Lennox, the Duke of Abshire, in her bed. WhileRory has always fascinated her, nothing can convince her tomarry this rake even though her reputation is in peril.Indeed, there are far graver worries that plague her. If sheis unmasked as the author of the infamous Duke Diaries,no one can save her . . . not even the man of her dreams.

Though he has known Verity since she was still in theschoolroom, Rory never imagined her to be sucha spitfire! Which only makes the challenge of winning herhand more intriguing. Never mind that he has nointerest in a wife. But when this secret war hero discoversthe root of Verity's horrendous troubles, he realizes he must face down his greatest fears not only to save her . . .but to win her hand and her heart.

The Scandal Sheetscall him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser,Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest—in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. Andnow he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’sshattered legacy and bring him peace at last:the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She's about to play with fire...

But one unforgettable encounter withLisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale,and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girlwith the wicked smile and a wit tomatch is the first person to see throughthe icy façade to the fiery man beneath.But their irresistible attraction is atorment as sweet as it is dangerous,for surrendering to their desire could meanlosing everything else they ever wanted.

A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?

Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order—just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a marriage of convenience.

Katherine Howe's first marriage was one of dreary duty. Now that she's being pressured to marry her late husband's heir, she's desperate for a better option. Gerard de Lacey, with his sinful good looks, charming manner, and looming scandal, fits her needs perfectly. The fact that she's nursed a secret affection for him only makes it better—and worse. Because Gerard will likely marry her for her fortune—but can he love her for herself, as she loves him?