Barbara Dawson Smith

Author Rita Clay Estrada returns to Texas-this time the up-and-coming town of Clearwater-where two second-class citizens are about to discover a first-class love... The lowborn son of an English Earl, Benjamin Drake is exceedingly handsome, with a smile to melt glaciers-everything his twin brother Anthony is...except rich. Denied a heritage and a legacy, he's come to Clear Creek, Texas to inform his brother that their father is dead and he must return to England as heir. And it doesn't take long to find Anthony...in the midst of seducing a very lovely shopkeeper named Sarah Hornsby... Recently widowed Sarah is unlike any woman Ben has ever known. Her unassuming manner hides an intriguing independent streak revealed in her struggles to succeed on her own terms. Recognizing a kindred spirit, Ben stays in town to make his fortune-and win Sarah's love. But now that his heart is at stake, the once devil-may-care twin is keenly aware of how much he has to lose. Vowing to keep his intentions secret until he deems himself worthy of her affections, Ben fails to realize that Sarah's heart is his for the asking-and that he's wasting precious time by delaying his claim...

From afar, Cimarron Creek seems like an idyllic town tucked in the Texas Hill Country. But when former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford steps onto its dusty streets in 1880, she finds a town with a deep-seated resentment of Northerners--like her. Lydia won't let that get her down, though. All will be well when she's reunited with her fiancé. But when she discovers he has disappeared--and that he left behind a pregnant wife--Lydia is at a loss about what to do next. The handsome sheriff urges her to trust him, but can she trust anyone in this town where secrets are as prevalent as bluebonnets in spring?

Stevie Hylton found herself content with life. A congenial job at a riding school on the unspoilt Norfolk coast; a pleasant home for herself and her sister Lisa; the promise of romance for both of them; what could be better? It was a pity, though, that the local Squire was so irritating; handsome, yes, but an idle, worthless, thoughtless playboy. And for two pins she'd tell him so?

Dear Diary, Four years have passed since the utter humiliation of my wedding night. But it seems like just yesterday that my husband left me--before consummating our marriage. So why, then, do I still harbor feelings for the selfish cad I once adored? Why did my heart quicken when I finally saw him again? I have my own life to lead, and my own secret, romantic novels to write. Samuel Firth has no place in my world. Of course, the only reason Samuel returned to England was to contest my wish for a legal separation. He says he will not grant it--unless I agree to play the role of his wife until his place in Society has been secured. I knew he only married me for my noble name! Yes, I was forced to agree to his sordid scheme. But if he thinks that our bargain grants him access to my bed, then he shall be sorely disappointed. In truth, it shall be quite amusing to lead him on--and then spurn him as he once spurned me! From the private diary of Lady Cassandra Firth

Elise d'Evereaux was horrified when she spilled wine on the pants of the tall, handsome stranger and even more shocked when the bold Englishman made her clean it up. She had noticed Tony Fletcher the moment he walked into the room. The tight fit of his breeches left nothing to the imagination. The broad muscled torso made her want to be crushed in his embrace. She was attracted to this arrogant rogue, no doubt. But she was unprepared for the rush of desire than the mere touch of him would ignite. Tony Fletcher was mesmerized by the stunning, sensuous serving girl. Her hair had the jeweled sheen of autumn leaves; her slim waist invited his caress; her lips seemed to cry out for his kiss. Had he been watching her serve instead of admiring her beauty, he probably would have moved out of harm's way. Instead, it was as though fate had given him the chance to take her in his arms and teach her the ways of love. And Tony vowed to hear her murmur his name in ecstasy, until she screamed out in DEFIANT SURRENDER.

Haunted by her sister's memory... A vision brought traveling preacher's daughter Mary Sheppard to the wicked city of London-she saw the image of her runaway identical twin Josephine, bloodstained and begging for help. But Josephine has vanished and is wanted for the murder of her nobleman lover. And his brother Adam, the haughtily elegant Duke of St. Chaldon, has sworn to see her hang. Conspiring with her sister's enemy... The only way to clear Josephine's name is to find the real culprit, so shy Mary devises a scandalous ruse. Dressed as a courtesan, wearing gems as heavy as sin, and tutored in the arts of a temptress by the duke, she will enter the gilded salons of Regency society. Trapped by passion and endangered by love... But soon Mary's passion and spirit arouse in Adam the dark heat of desire. And as he coaxes her to delicious abandon in a decadent game of deception, Mary finds herself living the life and the lie of a privileged lady-the lady she knows she can never be...

When the bold sea captain bought her in a tavern auction, raven-haired Mirella knew she had traded one terror for another. Instead of a roomful of hooting sailors, she was now alone with a handsome stranger who intended the very worst! Her mind raced to find the quickest means of escape but his nearness filled her body with unfamiliar desire. Before she could utter a word of protest, Mirella's ruby lips discovered the salty taste of his skin; then her creamy flesh exulted in the new-found pleasure of being covered by his hard male frame. From long experience, Jason Fletcher learned that women were trifles for an evening's entertainment. But the moment he gazed into the voluptuous wench's smoky blue eyes, he wanted to caress her silken curves forever! Though he'd never allow himself to love the bewitching beauty, he vowed he'd cherish her and keep her as his mistress. He'd teach her to respond to the blazing heat of his passion and force her to surrender to the ecstasy of his DEFIANT EMBRACE.

She was an innocent in a world of scandal....The only child of a notorious madam, Isabel Darling will risk anything to find the man who murdered her mother-even if it means blackmailing her way into the exalted world of London society. Even if it means indulging her forbidden dream to take her place among the aristocracy. And even if it means battling Justin Culver, the Earl of Kern-the one man who can ruin her quest for justice.Arrogant and powerful, Lord Kern vows to stop Isabel. Yet, as they engage in a clash of wills, the fiery commoner threatens to breach the wall around his hardened heart. She alone can make him neglect duty and decorum: she alone can cause his downfall. And she alone can bring him to the heights of true love....or the depths of betrayal.

The sensational murder of a distinguished jeweler rocks London society -- and dashing Lord Kit Coleridge is suspected of the black deed. Determined to clear his name, the handsome half-caste aristocrat must first inform ravishing Norah Rutherford of her husband's mysterious demise. Though evidence strongly suggests the young widow bears responsibility for the crime, Kit is captivated by Norah's haunting beauty and tantalizing sensuality. And at the risk of life itself, he vows to protect the copper-haired enchantress whom his passionate heart insists is innocent -- thereby ensnaring them both in a perilous web of deception and greed that only the blossoming of a rapturous, reckless love will enable them to escape.

Her husband, her enemy. Desperate and alone, Lady Emma tricked Lucas Coulter, the Marquess of Wortham, into a hasty marriage. But on their wedding night, when he learned the truth about his not-so-innocent bride, he abandoned her. Seven years later, Emma lives in disgrace with her beloved daughter, Jenny. Penniless, Emma provides for her child in the one way she knows how: in the dark of night, she creeps across the rooftops of London and steals jewels from the wealthy nobles who have wronged her. Then Lucas catches her in a daring act of burglary. And he proposes a devil's bargain-- give him an heir...or be exposed. Vowing to hide the devastating secret in her past, Emma agrees to share her husband's bed, never dreaming this cold stranger has become a skilled seducer who will sweep her into a world of peril and passion...

Dear Reader, I have a secret. Several, in fact... Most people know me only as the headmistress of a charity school. Having a son but no husband has made me a social outcast­, which is no great inconvenience since I despise Society­ especially those "gentlemen" who seduce naïve young women. My contempt for such knaves leads us to Secret the First: I am the anonymous author of The Rogue Report, a newsletter that exposes these scoundrels and their exploits. My busy life leaves no time for romance, or so one might think. This brings us to Secret the Second: I have lately carried on a flirtation with the school's new mathematics professor. Mr. William Jackman is altogether too charming and mysterious for anyone's good ­particularly mine. Though I'm tempted to indulge my desires, I cannot help but wonder if my darling "Jack" hides secrets too. You see, not everyone appreciates The Rogue Report, and at least one of its subjects is out for revenge. Is Jack bent on protecting me, or is he really the villain who seeks my ruin? Is it possible that I've fallen in love with the most notorious rogue of them all? Lady Julia Corwyn

Scandalous Weddings In the Light of Day / Love Match / A Weddin' or a Hangin' / Beauty and the Brute Author: Rexanne Becnel, Brenda Joyce, Jill Jones, Barbara Dawson Smith Something old, something new... something scandalous -- could it be true? — YOU'RE INVITED TO FOUR UNFORGETTABLE WEDDINGS -- EACH WITH A SCANDAL THAT WOULD MAKE A BRIDE BLUSH! — IN THE LIGHT OF DAY by Brenda Joyce LOVE MATCH by Rexanne Becnel A WEDDIN' OR A HANGIN'... more » BEAUTY AND THE BRUTE by Barbara Dawson Smith In this delightfully wicked collection, four bestselling romance authors depict weddings at their most scandalous -- and tying the knot has never been so outrageous. Steamy, sensuous, and more delicious than a piece of wedding cake, SCANDALOUS WEDDINGS is the romantic event of the season!