Vanessa Kelly

Their marriage was convenient. . .Simon St. James, fifth Earl of Trask, knows he could do worse in the marriage of convenience department. Sophie Stanton may be a bit of a social liability, with her ungovernable ways and flighty nature, but Simon has responsibilities as an earl that far outweigh happiness in the household. And as for happiness in the bedroom. . .he has to admit he sees Sophie's potential in that arena. . .Their passion was not!But Sophie isn't some bargaining chip to be traded, and she's not about to let Simon St. James tell her how to live her life, even though she has nurtured a crush on the handsome young earl for as long as she can remember. If his idea of courtship is telling her what to do, then she is not interested, or at least she is trying not to be. But when his scolding words turn to scorching kisses, suddenly Sophie starts paying attention. . .Praise for Vanessa Kelly and Mastering the Marquess"A rare gem." Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author"Fast paced and difficult to put down." Romantic Times"A delectable treat." Sharon Page, author of The Club

She is difficult, demanding, and at times, quite fierce. And Dr. John Blackmore can't take his eyes off her. The Countess of Randolph is the most striking woman he has ever seen...and the most infuriating patient he has ever tended. Mired in responsibility, Bathsheba doesn't have time to convalesce in the country. She should be in London, hunting for a wealthy new lover to pay off her late husband's vast debts, not dallying with a devastatingly handsome doctor. But it is only a matter of time until the good doctor and the obstinate countess will have to contend with the sparks that fly between them. And once their bodies surrender, their hearts may follow.

Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

After being snubbed by the town due to one wild exploit too many, Eden Whitney relocates to the Scottish wilderness where she is faced with a new temptation--Alasdair Gilbride, the heir to a Scottish earldom--who needs her help in finding out who is trying to kill him.

When he is called home by his father to investigate an assassination plot involving his former sweetheart, war hero Captain William Endicott cannot believe that Evie Whitney could be mixed up in anything so nefarious until scandal pushes them into marriage--and into the heart of a deadly conspiracy.

"1816. Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match. Instead she's hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. One man can help her--Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan. Though a mistake drove them apart long ago, Royal is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby--even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again. Scarred in body and soul by war, Royal suddenly has a purpose--caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can't stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there's only one solution: marriage. And only one likely outcome: surrendering to the desire that's simmered between them for so long, no matter how dangerous it may be"--Back cover.

"Lia Kincaid, illegitimate daughter of the Duke of York, comes from a long line of notorious women. Raised by her grandmother, formerly mistress to the late Marquess of Lendale, she has little hope of a respectable marriage. But the new marquess, her childhood friend, Jack Easton, would make a very desirable protector...if he weren't too honorable to take her to bed. It's bad enough being saddled with a title he never desired. Now Jack must resist the beautiful woman he desires far too much. Duty calls, and he is duty-bound to choose a wealthy bride. But then Lia makes another outrageous suggestion: asking Jack to devise some tests to find her the perfect paramour. Tests that involve flirting, kissing, and other pleasurable pursuits. Tests that, in a matter of weeks, could transform friendship into the ton's greatest scandal, igniting a passion even duty can't deny" -- provided by publisher.

From some of the biggest names in Regency historical romance, 23 wickedly witty, lusciously romantic and sublimely sensual short stories. Stories replete with oversexed aristocrats, posturing courtesans and feuding dukes and duchesses tell of a beautiful lady awakened by a passion more powerful than anything she has ever known, one that could doom or save her; a disgraced rake who, given a final chance to redeem himself, discovers love has rules of its own; and a luscious young beauty fed up with proper tea parties and elegant balls who disguises herself to enjoy a soirée of uninhibited pleasure. As the passion mounts, so do the complications...

1 Forbidden Affections by Jo Beverley - Notorious Earl of Carne moves next door to Anna Featherstone's London townhouse. 2 The Pleasure of a Younger Lover by Vanessa Kelly - Clarissa Middleton and ardent Captain Christian Archer meet in secret or risk London society censure. 3 The Naked Prince by Sally MacKenzie - Demure Josephine Atworthy is shocked and beguiled by mysterious nobleman next door, who begs a kiss - then another. 4 A Summer Love Affair by Kaithlin O'Riley - Unwed, unconventional, unchaperoned Charlotte Wilson is free to do as she pleases at a secluded Spanish villa in summer with dashing Gavin Ellsw

They are the Renegade Royals, illegitimate sons of the Royal Princes, each finding his rightful place in society--and the woman destined to be his perfect match. . . Some men are born into scandal. Others pursue it with a passion. Griffin Steele, secret son of the Duke of Cumberland, is guilty on both counts. Yet somehow London's most notorious scoundrel has been saddled with an abandoned baby boy--and with the unflappable, intriguing spinster summoned to nurse him. . . Justine Brightmore may be a viscount's niece, but she's also a spy's daughter, determined to safeguard the infant when his suspected royal parentage makes him a target. Yet how to protect herself from the rakish Griffin? Marriage might shield her reputation, but it can only imperil her heart, especially with a groom intent on delicious seduction. . .