Carole Buck

Awakened by strange and primitive mating music emanating from the apartment below, Brooke Livingstone suddenly believes all the tall tales she's heard about her neighbor, Dr. Archimedes Xavier "Meade" O'Malley. Only one electric meeting with him confirms them: he's intelligent, eccentric, charming and gorgeous. And, he'd like to get to know Brooke a lot better. Meade's also an expert in mystical magic, which is fortunate for him. Because it's going to take something more than shared interests and breathtaking passion to capture Brooke's disillusioned heart. Painful secrets and shattered dreams still fresh, only Meade can show Brooke that time heals all wounds--that true love is simply magic.

H1650 Cleone Aston had always thought she was happy and contented enough, with her pleasant job as a reporter on a local newspaper, and marriage to her boy-friend Ivor in due course — until she was offered, out of the blue, the job of editor on a fashion magazine. It would mean a move to London, a lot more money, an exciting life among exciting, sophisticated people — and a lot of challenge. But the biggest challenge of all, Cleone soon found, was her new boss — Ellis Firse. It was not long before thoughts of Ivor faded fast, to be replaced by an overwhelming love for Ellis. But why should Ellis think of her at all, except as a rather recalcitrant employee? How could she ever hope to compete with the other girls in his life — the Karins and Annabelles and Marias who had so much more to offer him.

Jazz O'Leary's learned life's lessons the hard way. A tender-hearted tomboy with a knockout smile, she's willing to sacrifice practically anything for the troubled teens she's taken under her wing. But Jazz can't handle the grace and good manners of the effortlessly noble Ethan Wilding, a man who seems to know all the right moves. Ethan's used to being the best, because he's a Wilding. But when he looks into the storm-gray eyes of a flame-haired sprite who's putting the hubcaps back on his classy car, even his upbringing won't tell hint what the rules are. He's already lost his heart--but his street-smart Cinderella can't quite trust her luck...

SOUTHERN COMFORT All Jake Turner wanted was a place to lay his weary head. Then he took a room at the boardinghouse of sweet Georgia seamstress Callie Barnwell and got more than he'd bargained for! Her brother took a potshot at him, her dog gave birth on his bed, and a parade of potential peanut princesses tried to impress him with Callie's designer gowns. But none of that mattered when he looked into Callie's hauntingly lovely eyes. Callie couldn't believe it! From the moment Jake took up residence, she wanted to be swept away by this sexy northerner. But he would never settle down, and she had no intention of leaving her hometown. How could their foolish passion lead to white lace promises?

Synopsis Drawn to the Light – A tragic car accident had robbed Royce Williams of his vision – and stolen his spirit. And he might have remained lost in shadow forever, if not for one mysterious woman, an extraordinarily gifted teacher of the blind. Against his will, she was drawing him out into the brilliant light of life – and the stunning heat of desire... He must never know it, but Julia Kendricks owed this man a debt she could never truly repay. Still, there was something she could give him – the courage to face his dark new world. And yet her embittered student was searching for something – about the passionate woman who had hidden within her for so long...

Was it too late to make her his wife? SHE WAS THE ONLY WOMAN HE'D EVER LOVED…. One snowy Christmas, John Gulliver came to a sleepy New England town as a stranger. He had a new name, a new face, and even the woman he'd loved and lost didn't recognize him. Because everything from their shared past—except their passion—had been a lie…. Now John wanted to reclaim the bride who should have been his six years ago. And be a father to the son he'd just discovered. Finally having a family would be the greatest Christmas gift of all. But telling Leigh the truth was not without its price….

Even with his growing super powers, Clark Kent cannot resist his classmate Chloe after green sparks from a fireworks display land on her and she becomes the object of almost every boy's desire at Smallville High School.

This captivating anthology utilizes the time honored fantasy of magical footwear to change each story's heroine and her lovelife: a pair of combat boots unites a starlet and her personal trainer, platform shoes work wonders for a day with boyfriend trouble and slinky T-straps heat up a business relationship. — BIRTHDAY SHOES by... more » Black suede pumps -- and a broken gypsy curse -- open a practical lady law assistant's eyes to the sensual charms of her work-obsessed boss -- and turn office politics into a desk-top sizzle. CUPID WEARS COMBAT BOOTS by Carole Buck Combat boots -- and a matchmaking teen --- convince a sex-kitten actress with a home-seeking heart that there is something far more important than her next action flick: going one-on-one with her virile combat instructor -- on a permanent basis. HEART AND SOLES by Cassie Miles Irridescent platform sandals -- and a punk fairy godmother -- expose the wild side of a practical-minded miss -- and thrust her into the arms of a long-lost love who'd like to re-park his own shoes under her bed.

Cassandra Leigh Addams couldn't quite believe the mess she'd gotten herself into. Her make-believe engagement to her boss, infamous, charismatic Brandon Marcus, had somehow turned into a real-life marriage--and she didn't know what in the world she was going to do about it. She was furious with her new "husband" and at herself for going along with his idiotic scheme to fool the world and the gossip columnists. Brand swore they could play house for a while and then dance away from it all--no muss, no fuss, no bother. But when he kissed her, when he touched her, it didn't feel like playacting to Cassie. It felt like the real thing.

He thought he'd never find heaven again . . . until he met her.Matthew Gallow is a fallen angel, cast out of heaven for daring to disbelieve. Furious, frustrated, and empty, he roams the earth, pretending to cast out demons and preserve souls. He doesn't have faith in anything — or anyone — until the night he nearly dies fighting a true fiend. His whole world is shaken. And when he meets Natalia, he isn't sure if he can trust her...or the attraction he feels for her.Natalia works for Cain, a rocker living on the edge, and she invites Matthew to be a part of his wild stage show. It's perfect — an exorcism for a man who says he's sold his soul to the devil. Only Cain really is in league with Lucifer, and all mankind is at risk. Matthew never before cared whether or not the world went to hell. But as his passion for Natalia grows, he'll fight to the death to rescue her from evil's grasp...and realize that love is the one thing that can save a fallen angel.

MEET THREE WOMEN WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS UNLUCKY IN LOVE. NOT ONE OF THEM IS PREPARED FOR A PASSION OF LEGENDARY PROPORTIONS... — TICKLE MY FANCY by Rebecca Paisley — With boyfriends ranging from a hypochondriac to a fiance who fancied himself as a kept man, spunky Southerner Cleopatra Murphy has given up on love. Now her sole passion is to forge a cosmetics empire from a salon in her Georgia backwoods garage...until she runs-up against a sweet-tongued Yankee business rival with a heart of stone that only she can melt. WHEN MONA LISA SMILES by Carole Buck Mona Lisa Lefkowitz has a generous spirit but a very smart mouth. She thinks she's an ugly duckling who will never turn into a swan and has decided that no one could ever love someone like her -- least of all her handsome best friend (and the subject of her dreams) when he learns she once posed for a Paris artist wearing nothing but a smile. MYTH AND MAGIC: HELEN OF TROY, NEW YORK by Paula Detmer Riggs Helen DiLorio left her home in suburban Troy, New York for a high-powered job creating fantasy vacations for Greek Isle Lines. Since her own romantic idyll was smashed long ago, she's settled for a sensible, unromantic lifestyle. But Helen's well-ordered world is about to be shaken up by a sensual stranger from her past who could make her dreams come true.

A FAVOR BETWEEN FRIENDS Pamela "Peachy" Keene was determined to lose her virginity, and she knew of only one man for the job. Luc Devereaux was conveniently single and sexy as sin--surely he'd agree to Peachy's proposal. After all, it would only be a one-time thing. SHOULD SHE WAIT FOR THE WEDDING NIGHT? But Luc didn't want to help Peachy become "experienced." He was attracted to her, yet he knew she'd regret not waiting for the man she loved. So to convince Peachy to change her mind, Luc would pretend to agree to her plan. And that was his first mistake.... Catching a husband can be as easy as catching the bouquet--if you're one of the WEDDING BELLES.

VERY LOUD WEDDING BELLS... Keezia Carew never imagined that her best friend's kiss would send shivers up her spine, set her head spinning and sound off alarms. Or that sexy Fridge Randall would suddenly be hearing wedding bells! With one bad marriage behind her, Keezia said "no thanks." Three times! But this determined man was deaf to everything but those darned bells! Until something happened that made Keezia suddenly think twice about Fridge's proposals. She said "yes." Once. But this time, he was the one saying "no thanks" and backing away. Yet this feisty female wasn't going anywhere--except down the aisle!

Two complete stories in one volume include Six White Horses, in which Patty King, infatuated with Lije Masters, a married man, resents Morgan Kincaid's efforts to convince her its only a crush, and Reilly's Woman, in which a plane crash brings together beautiful Leah Talbot and pilot Reilly Smith. Original.

He: Kyle Gordon. Ex-astronaut, former fighter pilot. No woman will ever clip his wings. She: Susan Brooks. Widow, working mom. Stunned by her soaring passion for this arrogant, insufferable--sexy--man. It: Is an irresistible force drawing them closer together. Kyle was cocky, celebrated--and the prime target of "astro bunnies" from coast to coast. Then an accident plucked him out of the wild blue yonder and sent him thudding back to his hometown. There, the grounded fly-boy was faced with his eccentric uncle, a small boy with a case of hero worship ...and Susan. The woman wouldn't even clear him for takeoff, much less give him the time of day. Why, it was enough to send Kyle back into orbit!

FIT TO BE TIED-UP! Lucy Falco couldn't believe her luck. First, her former husband, Christopher Banks, waylaid her at the office on New Year's Eve-asking for another chance. Then, before she could turn him down flat, a trio of inept thieves burst in, tied the pair together...and left them in a storage room. READY TO RE-WED? And that room started to get very, very hot. Chris's still-enticing body was pressed oh, so close to Lucy's, and the heroic way he'd tried to rescue her was quite impressive. Soon Lucy began to wonder if it was time to reconsider their marriage's end. So what was Chris to her? Her best chance for a cute date for New Year's Eve...or was he her man for always?