Alison York

Being side by side doesn't mean seeing eye-to-eye Hugo Baron was the proverbial "stuffed shirt." He made it clear that he had standards to maintain--and Petra Collins just didn't meet them. Still, Petra believed in taking whatever life had to offer. So what if Hugo insisted that neither she nor her stock of old collectibles was good enough to share the same premises as his antiques store? She had a lease, and there was nothing he could do about it. But while she refused to let Hugo's attitude be a deterrent, there was one thing she hadn't counted on. The effect Hugo had on her when he wasn't acting quite so stuffy....

It was time to get her life in order When Clare realized she couldn't go through with marriage to a man she could never love--she took off to think about a new and different future. The job that Adam Melvin offered her in Sicily seemed the perfect chance to do so. And an entanglement with her new boss was the last thing on Clare's mind. Adam might be the most attractive man she'd ever met--but he was arrogant, demanding, impossible and a woman hater! Besides--she'd had quite enough of emotional upheavals.

What a strange, ironic, topsy-turvy world, Julia couldn't help thinking. Warren Kane had been part of her past, and now it seemed that he was back to stay. Only this time, Julia Sinclair was to be tied to him in a contract from which there seemed no escape. For Warren Kane had said, "I shall pursue you quite relentlessly until you have settled things to my satisfaction." Would she be able to accomplish everything, Julia wondered--or would the price of her failure be her submission to his every desire?

"Money can't buy everything." That's what Ros told the arrogant Dan Maxton when he tried to buy the run-down Stables she inherited from his grandfather. Everything she held dear was wrapped up in the studio she'd established there-and she fought tooth and nail to hang on to her principles. It wasn't easy--especially when she realized whichever way she turned, her future happiness was at stake. Even more difficult was admitting that she'd fallen for a man who came from such a different world than her own!

Two years in the heart of Wales—with this man! When Sophie first learned she'd inherited Country Connection—her uncle's perfume factory—the young model thanked her lucky stars she'd finished business college as a backup. Because sharing that responsibility with know-it-all Ben Ross, the managing director and cobeneficiary, meant proving to him that he was in partnership with more than a frivolous clotheshorse. But to think she had innocently thought Ben would merely be frustrated by her intrusion. She hadn't considered the consequences of him being too interested!

AS WILD AND FREE AS THE DEVIL HERSELF From the hills of her beloved Ireland to the blood-reddened waters of the Americas, an envious world thrilled to the legend of Anne Bonney, the emerald-eyed pirate who gave no quarter in battle...and asked no quarter in love. An unforgettable historical romance of the turbulent 18th century, THE FIRE AND THE ROPE is based on the life of one of the most remarkable women of all time. With her comrade-in-arms Mary Read and her lustful pirate crew, Anne Bonney lived in the shadow of the gallows, fired by a raging lust for freedom--riding like the wind, fighting like the Devil herself, loving as only a woman can!

Love did not conquer all! At least it hadn't for Zoe Sutherland. Five years ago, she'd lost her heart to Ross Macallister, but circumstances had kept them apart. Zoe had returned to London, positive there was no truth in the old saying. Now back on the Isle of Arran, where she was obliged to stay, they discovered that their love had not died. But there was a problem. Ross was married--and that was an insurmountable barrier, although where was Ross's wife?

"What are you waiting for? A knight in shining armour?" Lauren had spent her life indebted to other people - now it was time to take an independent stand, without any help from the likes of Charles Lennox! A professional troubleshooter, he had obviously decided on Lauren as his latest challlenge. Lauren knew he could have his pick of women - so why was he so interested in her? And would she be able to stop him from taking over her life ... and her heart?

The first time Alex Leeward had seen him, he'd appeared with the sunrise, astride a white horse, But reality had hit -- hard -- when she'd discovered that he was Marcus Wakeford, the man who'd dumped her sister and affected her father's health. But having had her money and return ticket to England stolen, Alex's only way of getting home was to work back her passage -- helping Marcus transport his horses, Her only safe way home was to make certain that neither the magic of France nor the magnetism of Marcus would seduce her into forgetting that this man she could so easily love was the enemy.

She'd use her head, and not lose her heart Ahead of Annabel lay a brilliant career. If, that is, the talented young singer accepted the renowned Piers Bellingham as her agent. But in Annabel's mind the top-smooth entrepreneur was responsible for the heartbreak and accidental death of her dear friend Kate. Annabel didn't want to be anywhere near the man! Inevitably Annabel had to accept that Piers was the best. She'd be a fool to refuse his offer. Refusing his advances, Annabel assured herself, would not be a problem.

Sara detested living a lie "Miracles are our everyday achievement, " Sara's assignment editor had reminded her fledgling reporter. And Sara certainly needed a miracle to dig up dirt about reclusive entrepreneur Conrad Blake! Posing as a hapless tourist, Sara wormed her way into Conrad's island hideaway off Brittany--and into his life. Reluctantly she found herself charmed by her intriguing quarry. And what should have been a juicy scoop on Conrad's friend, Jane, only disheartened her. What a mess! Now her magazine was sending over a muckraking photographer! And Sara was falling for a man she had to betray.

Will past wrongs destroy their love? Although Fay Danby had worked hard to establish her small interior decorating business, was crumbling before her eyes. And then the attractive Richard Ellerby crashed into her life--offering an important restoration job that could spell the difference between bankruptcy and success. Until Fay learned that Richard's father was the man who'd ruined her father's business years before. Suddenly she found it impossible to accept Richard's money--or his love--even if that meant losing not only the company but her own chance for happiness. But Richard persisted. And Fay learned that past events weren't always what they seemed....