Elizabeth August

FATHER KNOWS BEST Murdock Parnell had come to the lake house looking for solitude. Instead, he found a ready-made-family. Pretty Irene Galvin and her son, Jeremy, filled his days with sunshine--and helped him forget painful memories. And when Jeremy asked him to be his dad, Murdock had to say yes. But would Irene ever say "I do"? She made it clear single motherhood suited hey just fine. Yet Murdock's rugged good looks were undeniably attractive and his quiet ways touched her heart. How long could she resist this compelling man's desire--and deny her little boy's wish? FABULOUS FATHERS: He's more than a man, he's a Fabulous Father! Where The Heart Is: Meet Sarah Orman With her down-to-earth charm, she brims couples together--for keeps.

Perfect partners. No sooner had Chelsie Russell and Griffin Stuart lost their siblings in a car crash than they find themselves fighting for custody of their two year old niece. Griff wins only to discover Chelsie is the only one who can soothe the child's night terrors and fears. Chelsie and Griff bond over the little girl and their growing sexual desire is mutual. But is it enough? Chelsie's been hurt before and Griff isn't sure he can trust the woman who once tried to take his niece away. What will it take for them to realize they are ... perfect partners? The right choice. Advice columnist Carly Wexler is planning the perfect wedding with the perfect fiance. So what if he doesn't make her heart beat faster? He's the right choice. Until sexy photo journalist, Mike Novak, her fiance's adopted brother arrives and Carly experiences all the passion she's convinced herself she doesn't need. Mike is torn by loyalty and a yearning unlike any he's ever known. After spending time with Carly, he is sure the engaged couple are marrying for the wrong reasons. With one week to go before the wedding, can Mike convince Carly he's the only choice for her? Solitary man. When tough Boston cop Kevin Manning promised to care for his fatally wounded partner's family, a one night stand with the man's grieving sister wasn't part of the plan. No matter how intense the night had been, a woman like Nikki Welles deserves much more than a broken man like Kevin can give, and he leaves the next day. When he returns months later, everything has changed. Nikki can't forgive Kevin for abandoning her nor can she regret the baby she's now carrying. And she can't stop wanting Kevin. But can this solitary man come to believe he's worthy of love?

ONLY A MOTHER KNOWS Amelia Varden wasn't her baby's natural mother, but she'd raised the little boy from birth. Now, after lying to the world about their family ties, it was time to pay for her deception. Because someone had come to claim her child.... Rancher Dalton Grayson had promised his family he'd find their long-lost grandbaby and bring him home. But what he found was a beautiful woman who loved the boy with all her heart, a woman so secretive, she wouldn't let him near. But near, he would get. Because he wasn't going anywhere without answers--or without Amelia and baby Mitch as his own....

THE STRANGER AND THE VIRGIN Bride-to-be Ellen Reese was all set to wed "Mr Right." But second thoughts sent her off on a ride that would change her life. Who knew that Mother Nature's worst blizzard would strand her in a mountain cabin with a ruggedly handsome stranger -- a man who was everything her fiance wasn't! Tall, strong and irresistible, Peter Whitley couldn't believe his good fortune. Miss Ellen Reese was by far the most desirable female ever to curl up in front of the fire. But Peter was a man of honor and would never dare to touch a woman promised to another. Unless that promise was meant to be broken.

CHAUFFEUR-DRIVEN MAN A tragedy had brought them together, but Darcy Raines could see no future in her growing attraction to Cole York. She drove a truck and operated heavy machinery, while the wealthy Cole--Darcy imagined--lunched at a country club and mingled at upper-crust cocktail parties. Surely Cole's interest in her was solely as a self-appointed guardian, she thought, and the only emotion he felt was a sense of duty. But then he kissed her. . . passionately. Suddenly Darcy wondered what kind of game he was playing. He seemed like a good man, but wouldn't Cole's falling in love with her be too good to be true?

Marriage for the sake of a baby can be a disaster. Joe Fraser knows this firsthand. So how did he land in the same situation? Because Philippa Browne, his daughter's teacher—and the woman carrying his baby—is irresistible and it was inevitable he'd give in to his attraction to her.Joe knows he should be offering her a diamond. His family tree is strewn with relatives who didn't do the right thing. But Pip has her own ideas about love and commitment and they don't seem to include hanging around...unless Joe can change her mind.

WEDDING BELL BLISS? When powerful businessman P. Bradley Franklin swept into the office to check out her company's books, Annabelle Royd vowed to keep things strictly professional. But the irresistible executive was like no man she'd ever known--and he soon awoke a fierce, tender yearning for something that could never be hers. Ms. Annabelle Royd was definitely not the woman for him. Until a snowstorm stranded them together in a remote mountain cabin--and Bradley discovered her dark secret... . For eight long years, Annabelle had been haunted by her painful past. Now Bradley offered her a chance at happiness.... Was their marriage just a temporary business arrangement? Or could she be the wife he wanted . . . to honor, to cherish--and to love?

WHO WAS JOE WHITEDEER? A commanding military man? A dark, compelling secret agent? Or...someone else altogether? For five years, his young widow, Beatrice Gerard, remained prisoner to unanswered questions...and longings. But all she knew was that her passionate husband had perished in a blaze as mysterious as his identity. Or had he? For whispers reached Beatrice that Joe had merely staged his death--to her life. And she'd have to brave the deepest peril to untangle the tormenting bonds that would finally either set her free...or hold her forever hostage to love. SMYTHESHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS... A sleepy New England town...with secrets hidden in the age-old hills.

Four popular authors present a collection of holiday heart-warmers about twins who decide they want a mother for Christmas, two friend's attempts at matchmaking their parents, a business-before-pleasure rancher, and a lonely single woman. All I want for Christmas by Nora Roberts. Very merry Step-Christmas by Barbara Boswell. Jack's ornament by Myrna Temte. This forever gift by Elizabeth August.

Rachel Hadley thought five years as a New York chauffeur had finally taught her to steer clear of trouble. But there she was again, stranded on a dead-end street--no job, no home and nowhere to turn for help. . . until her very own Lone Ranger rode into town and whisked the chauffeur away... . Tall, handsome cowboy Logan James took her straight to his sprawling Montana ranch. He offered Rachel first a job, a fantasy home, then his hand in marriage . . . but was he offering his heart? Rachel knew black sheep with nightmare pasts didn't dare wish for fairy-tale endings, especially not with men like Logan. But what about chauffeurs who drove rugged ranchers wild.

The Groom says, "I will." When Michael Flint learned that Emma Wynn was about to marry another man, he was determined to stop her. She'd turned down his proposal before, but Michael would get his "yes" this time. He knew what was best for Emma--he could see it in her eyes every time he kissed her lips.... The Bride says, "I won't!" How dare Michael Flint come courting again when Emma was already a bride-to-be! With his rugged good looks, Michael was a man of adventure--certainly not the kind of man she'd ever marry. Though his passionate kisses touched her heart, they'd never change her mind--or would they?

A Journey No One Has Survived... Trained by the mystical Villichi in the Way of the Druid and the Path of the Preserver, Sorak the elfling sets out to find the mysterious and reclusive wizard known only as the Sage. Guided by a spell scroll and his own tormented inner voices, Sorak must cross a lethal, rock-strewn wasteland no one has ever survived and make his way to Nibenay, where he must seek out the secret Veiled Alliance. Together with Ryana, the beautiful Villichi priestess who has forsworn her vows in order to follow him upon his quest, and the lovely, pampered daughter of a sorcerer-king whom they have stolen from a noble's caravan, Sorak braves the unknown dangers of the wild, Athasian desert...pursued by a cruel, relentless noble who will stop at nothing to regain the princess who was stolen from him.

NEXT-DOOR DADDY Chief of Police Thatcher Brant didn't need Samantha Hogan, his aggravating -- albeit attractive -- neighbor, in his life. His affection was reserved for his children, two beautiful reminders of hte past. He'd chosen a safe woman to love the first time, but now this widower was finding it harder than ever to ignore the girl next door. Samantha had a few thoughts herself about her good-looking neighbor. Thatcher's kids were adorable -- so how could their dad be such a grump? The children had the gift of Thatcher's love -- and it was a treasure Samantha would give anything to share....