Millie Criswell

Rose is the only Martin sister who has no desire to leave the family homestead--even if it was her father's deathbed wish that each of his girls would find a husband and a life far away from Kansas. Although the farm has been sold to Alexander, the Duke of Moreland, Rose figures he'll need her when he arrives and realizes he hasn't acquired a country estate complete with servants and field hands. She bets correctly; the Duke is speechless when he learns his rural playground will require more hard work and manual labor than he could ever have imagined. Not only does he enlist Rose's advice and aid, but he quickly comes to admire and then love her determined, unspoiled nature, despite the fact that her manner is at times as prickly as her namesake! Rose is unprepared for the passion the Duke brings into her life. Sometimes she'd like nothing more than for him to pack his bags and return to his aristocratic place in England. Only when his past arrives in Kansas in the form of his jilted fiancie does she realize how desperately she wants him to remain in Kansas with her forever.

Olivia Hewes has one dream: to make Chatham Manor's wool-producing venture profitable. When she meets Randolph Sherbourne, the heir of her largest competitor, the two are drawn toward a forbidden love that will mean betraying both their families and the centuries-old feud that has separated them. But when the shocking truth about the death of Randolph's father is revealed, their future happiness seems doomed.

WHEN A COWBOY AND A CITY GIRL MEET, IT'S A SHOWDOWN New Yorker Emily Jean Barlett, author of dime novels about the Wild West frontier, is determined to save her career with a ripsnorting book based on Jess Murdock, "Legend of the West." But the lanky, sexy cowboy living in True Love, Montana, refuses . . . unless Emily proves she can handle the hardships of real ranch life. Now, between marauding rustlers, Jess's long, hot kisses, and one tragic lie, true love might break Emily's spirit--or give her a man and a dream to fight for with all her heart.

Wedded, bedded...and suddenly separated Unable to cope with her dangerously seductive new husband's uptight family (how did he get to be so hot coming from that bunch?), Lisa Morelli is back home. Too bad there's no peace there, either! Lisa vows to stick to her newly single life, despite every female relative's despair at letting a catch slip away (after all, she's hitting spinsterhood -- at 27!). But there's one small detail she hasn't counted on. Alex Mackenzie likes being married to Lisa. And he's wooing his runaway bride with everything from tight T-shirts and torn jeans, to motorcycle rides and tattoos! With this kind of temptation, how will Lisa resist returning to wedded bliss?

Presents an account of his life in South Africa, his battle against apartheid as a newspaper journalist, his banning, and eventual escape from the country.

Clint Williams Born Feb. 16, 1852 Died March 23, 1877 Those are the words that mark his grave, and Clint knows that although he stands reading his own epitaph, they are true. Ever since the attack that killed his entire family, he's been dead inside. Only one thing keeps him going--the burning need to bring in the outlaws who savaged his family. The Last Chance Saloon Posing undercover to infiltrate the gang, Clint can let no one know his true identity or the fact that he'd once been a Texas Ranger. Not even the pretty daughter of a preacher man who bursts into the saloon, calling upon the gamblers to repent. As far as she knows, he's a gunslinger with a bad reputation who has no right to touch a good woman. But sometimes a man's got to break all the rules, ignore common sense, and get downright...DEFIANT.

Laurel Martin sets out to turn her father's deathbed wish into her very own dream come true. Having agreed to leave Salina, Kansas, in search of a husband, Laurel arrives in Denver, Colorado, determined to sing in its fabulous opera house. Unfortunately for Laurel, she is the only one who thinks she is qualified, or that she can carry a tune! When Chance Rafferty, a gambler and local saloon owner, offers to hire her, Laurel reluctantly accepts. She is convinced this is but a temporary arrangement until she successfully auditions for the opera. What Laurel Martin least expects is to like singing in a saloon. She is even more surprised when she finds herself passionately in love with Chance, a man who has sworn off a commitment to any woman and who considers the idea of raising a family while owning a saloon nothing short of preposterous. Laurel's wit and passion convince him otherwise!

"Engaging men" are lining up for Francesca Morelli, thanks to her enterprising Italian mama. The very able and controlling Josephina has arranged three -- count 'em, three -- weddings so far for her 29-and-pushing-it daughter. Unfortunately, all three had gone off, uh, without a hitch. No wonder. Francesca has a thing about the m word. The only vow she's taking is to stay single! But best man Mark Fielding is going to turn the tables on this woman who discards fiances like out-of-style shoes. His MO? Charm the sexy brunette into bed. Woo her to the altar with promises of happily ever after -- then plot his getaway. Except...Mark hasn't counted on falling in love.... And Francesca hasn't figured "The Wedding March" really is her new theme song....

Award-winning author Millie Criswell has charmed readers with her joy-filled historical romances. Now, in The Trouble With Mary, she serves up her first contemporary romantic comedy--a palate-pleasing love story of two people with nothing in common . . . except their undeniable attraction. THE TROUBLE WITH MARY IS . . . She's unemployed. Her huge Italian family is driving her crazy. Her love life is nonexistent. In fact, she needs a life! So Mary decides to open a restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy. And despite her mother's assurances that she will fail, the place is a big success--until the local paper delivers a scathing review of her pizza, pasta, and chocolate cannolis. Food critic Dan Gallagher hates Italian food--and his column shows it. Now Mary would like nothing more than to serve Dan on a steaming platter. Problem is, Mary is the most delectable woman Dan has ever met. And Dan is the most exasperating man Mary has ever encountered. And the trouble with chemistry is, neither one can resist it. . . .

Annie Goldman has played bridesmaid for the last time. Of course no one would ever suspect that she still carries a torch for Joe Russo. Fourteen years ago, Joe ruined her with seductive promises of love and a future. That was right before he became a priest. But seeing Joe at her best friend's wedding makes Annie realize: its time to forget Father-What-A-Waste and grow up. Even as a teenager, Annie had a body made for sin. And young Joe had been willing to break a few commandments. Now, more than a decade later, Joe is ready to quit the priesthood and is prepared to face the delectable woman he tried to pray out of his system. He wants her forgiveness--what he gets is an unholy torture that's impossible to resist...

HE CAME TO HER IN THE NIGHT In the darkened bedroom of Ravencrest, Bree Brennan was seduced by an unseen lover. A lover whose scorching kiss was strangely familiar. Was her midnight caller Troy London, her onetime love, or was it the mythical ghost who haunted the cliffside, windswept estate on the California coast? A P.I., Bree had come undercover to Ravencrest to find its owner, Troy, and ensure his well-being. But Bree knew she was out of her league the moment she saw its dark rock spires and its creepy inhabitants who claimed a crazy Troy was a prisoner in his own chambers. But Bree heard his husky voice, felt his sizzling touch... Exactly who was weaving an undeniable, erotic spell around her? 43 LIGHT STREET

SHE'D NEVER FORGET . . . Hannah Louise Barkley had no intention of seeing Travis Bodine when she came back to Misery, Texas. Five years before, he had demanded she choose between her legal career and their love. Her answer had been to walk away, never forgetting the pain--or the pleasure--of his touch. HE'D NEVER FORGIVE . . .Attorney Travis Bodine was in torment. His older brother Rafe was about to go on trial for murder, and Hannah was back in Misery. If anybody could save Rafe, it was Hannah. But the very thought of her made him burn with anger as hot as his passion. NO DESIRE HAD EVER BEEN MORE . . . DEFIANTHannah is willing to be Travis's partner-at law. Soon they're clashing over a risky plan to clear Rafe's name. Now they must learn some fast lessons in love. For a good man's future is at stake--not to mention their own last chance for happiness.

Pregnant and alone, Maddy Potter knew marriage wasn t in her near future—certainly not to Pete Taggart. The rude, arrogant—and she'd admit, protectively sexy—rancher would never ask her! Just because the handsome widower rescued her from a blizzard and she'd slept under his heirloom quilt for two nights did not mean anything would happen between them. Surely the quilt s legend wasn't real...? Pete had reasons for maintaining his status as one of Sweetheart, Colorado's most eligible bachelors. But seeing Maddy blossom with pregnancy shook him to the soul. A woman shouldn t be alone at a time like that. And he didn't have to love her to give her his name...did he?

Ex-Texas Ranger Rafe Bodine had thought he could leave the violent life of a lawman behind and settle down on his ranch. But Hank Slaughter, a ruthless murderer from his past, shatters that dream when he savagely murders Rafe's family. Now Rafe's on a mission of revenge. He doesn't count on meeting Emmaline St. Joseph, a stubborn philanthropist leading a group of orphans to a new home in California. But Emmaline needs Rafe's help and he reluctantly agrees. Along the way, Emmaline learns how to survive in the wild and Rafe learns to trust his life to another. Together they discover a desire that transforms their world.