Mary Jo Putney

“Eight romance authors walk into a Regency-era ballroom and wreak fabulous, shimmering holiday mischief all over the place.”—Publishers WeeklyChristmas 1815. Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year . . .   “The tales are rather sentimental, a box of chocolates with sweet, soft centers inside a dark covering, a pleasant confection for the holiday season. My personal favorites are Anne Gracie’s ‘Mistletoe Kisses,’ a charming variant on the Cinderella story, and Susan King’s ‘A Scottish Carol,’ whose lovers must struggle to find healing for the wounds of self-doubt and past failures; but there is ample variety here for other tastes. Recommended for lovers of Regency romances.”—Historical Novel Society   “In this wonderful collection of eight short stories, Christmas in the Regency world is brought to life in extraordinary fashion, with love, secrets, scoundrels and heroes of every description.”—Fresh Fiction   “If what you are looking for is a set of short stories with a common location and holiday feel that are well done, quick to read, and entertaining then this will be a book for you . . . one of the best historical romance collections I’ve read in a long time.”—Smexy Books   “Each author’s unique style and storytelling talents are at their best, gifting readers one scrumptious treat after another . . . glowing with the joy and romance of the yuletide.”—RT Book Reviews (4 Stars)

Prev "The Rake and The Reformer". The Rake Reginald Davenport, disinherited, disgraced, alcoholic, is headed for a bad end. New Earl of Wargrave gives him Strickland, the ancestral estate his uncle took illegally. The Reformer Lady Alys Weston fled wealth and title, fell into managing Strickland, caring for three unrelated former students. Reggie wakes her passions.

London, 1816. As a Royal Navy officer, Lucas Mandeville, Lord Foxton, has fought his share of battles on the high seas, followed by long years of imprisonment. But on this night, he’d rather be on the burning deck of a ship than in a ballroom, where it is just a matter of time before someone challenges him because of what happened on the Continent. A woman who has lost her reputation is nothing... When dark-haired beauty Kyla Douglas arrives, a whisper of scandal ripples through the ton. The disgraced divorcee’s entrance is an act of daring. Which is exactly why Lucas asks her to dance... A couple who stands together has everything... Unexpectedly, Lucas offers Kyla his aid in finding the evidence to regain her good name—and her beloved young son. Together they investigate the wicked conspiracy that destroyed her life, and in the midst of danger, find a deep love that will redeem them both—if only they can live long enough to build a future together.

Bridgerton fans and readers of Mary Balogh, Grace Burrowes, and Stephanie Laurens won’t want to miss this thrilling and clever new love story from the historical romance legend. After the death of his fiancée, Kai Ramsay left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland . . . Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. It’s time for Kai Ramsay to come home . . . When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people. Until a wild storm sparks first passion, then unexpected danger when a treasure trove left by their ancestors comes to light . . .

This delightful collection offers magical tales from four beloved Regency authors. In "The Lord Of Elphindale" by Jo Beverley, Lovely Gwen Forsythe has loved Drew since she was a child. Both are half-faery, but Drew has denied the non-human part of himself for years. In an attempt to forever remove himself from the influence of the magic glen, he plans to marry another woman and move far away. But the faery people have other plans and take steps to again bring Gwen and Drew together. Karen Harbaugh's "The Faery Braid" tells the story of a beautiful changeling, Rowan; handsome Sir Jonathon Bradford; and the love that Rowan's still-human heart can't deny. In "The Love Talker" by Barbara Samuel, Faery Lord Galen is cursed, condemned to a life of roaming misty glens and seducing human women to their deaths. But lovely, innocent Moira enchants him, and when he falls in love, the spell is broken. Mary Jo Putney brings readers "Dangerous Gifts", a tale of true love and dangerous desire. Beautiful Leah and handsome Duncan fall in love, but the Faery Lord Ranulph schemes to seduce the lady. If Ranulph's plan succeeds, Leah will lose Duncan and everything she loves.

This novel was previously titled as Stirring the Embers. It is now being rereleased under its original title The Burning Point. The first contemporary novel by New York Times bestselling author, The Burning Point is a riveting story of the ties that bind two people together—and the incendiary forces that can tear them apart. Kate Corsi always dreamed of working for her family’s world famous explosive demolition business— a wish her old-fashioned father denied until the day he died. According to his will, Kate will receive a fortune while her ex-husband, Donovan, will inherit the family business. But only if they agree to live under the same roof for a year. Forced into a reluctant alliance, Kate and Donovan must discover the truth about her father’s death—and confront the past that almost destroyed them both. And as they face their shattered dreams, their wrenching secrets and bitter resentments, they find themselves sliding perilously toward the burning point where passion catches fire once more… The Burning Point was listed as one of the five best romances of the year by Library Journal. The Circle of Friends series: #1: The Burning Point #2: The Spiral Path #3: An Imperfect Process #4: A Holiday Fling (A Circle of Friends Novella) Praise for The Burning Point: “Powerhouse novelist Mary Jo Putney explodes on the contemporary scene with an emotionally wrenching and dramatically intense story. She tackles a very difficult subject with insight, and compassion. Exceptionally powerful reading!” —Romantic Times Magazine “This passionate love story [unfolds] gradually, in trademark Putney style. The author has created a realistic, well-crafted story, laced with elements of suspense and mystery and featuring sympathetic protagonists whose biggest mistake was marrying too young.” —Publishers Weekly “Kate and Patrick are both complex people, and answers do not come easily for the unresolved issues in their past. Set against the backdrop of demolition work and a question of sabotage, this gripping story sizzles with passion and danger, but is ultimately about healing and forgiveness—not only for others, but for ourselves as well. Mary Jo Putney will no doubt gain new fans with this book.” —The Old Book Barn Gazette “Ms. Putney is one of the very best authors who excel at historical romances—now she's crafted her first contemporary and fans of both genres will be delighted to learn that her incredible talent for compelling characterization and original premises comes through on every page. She takes a taboo issue not normally found in a romance and with touching sensitivity, creates a poignant tale about forgiveness and the awesome power of love to heal all wounds… I could not put it down.” —Rendezvous About the Author A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney's novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy.

Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, never met a predicament he couldn't charm his way out of. Then a tryst with a government official's wife during a bit of casual espionage in France condemns him to a decade in a dungeon, leaving him a shadow of his former self. Yet his greatest challenge may be the enigmatic spy sent to free his body - the only woman who might heal his soul. Cassie Fox lost everything in the chaos of revolution, leaving only a determination to help destroy Napoleon's empire through her perilous calling. "Rescuing Grey" is merely one more mission. She hadn't counted on a man with the stark beauty of a ravaged angel, whose desperate courage and vulnerability thaw her frozen heart. But a spy and a lord are divided by an impassable gulf even if they manage to survive one last, terrifying mission...

1 She Stoops to Wenchdom by Mary Jo Putney - Vicar's "little angel" daughter Lucinda Richards 22 disguises as tavern girl Lacey for back from wars Captain Gregory Kenmore. 2 Miss Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign by Jo Beverley - Penelope competes with debutante for Cherryholt heir Ross Skerries. 3 Intrigue and Mistletoe by Joanna Bourne - Elinor Pennington is found by Jack Tyler, former lover, spy searching French agent. 4 Wench in Wonderland by Patricia Rice - After coach accident, companion Damaris Bedloe is mistaken for Lady Alice by Adam, Viscount Trevelyan and motherless brood. 5 On a Wicked Winter's Night by Nicola Cornick - Wales innkeeper Lydia Cole houses once-rejected childhood friend John Jerrold, new Baron of Newport castle estate. 6 Weathering the Storm by Cara Elliot - Boston seaworthy Sophie Thirkell captains boat bought by elegant English diplomat Bentley, Lord Leete. 7 The Mistletoe Bride by Anne Gracie - Scotland Laird Ronan McAllister buys dying wife Mrs Smith, who gives care of toddlers to fellow coach passenger Marguerite Blackett-Smith. 8 A Wilder Wench by Susan King - Scottish Highland new sheriff Lord Dunallan has documents to free brother of Cristina Heron-Shaw, smuggler's orphan.

Marry in haste, repent at leisure.James, Lord Kirkland, owns a shipping fleet, half a London gaming house, and is a ruthlessly effective spymaster. He is seldom self-indulgent. . .except when it comes to the gentle, indomitable beauty who was once his wife. Laurel Herbert gave James her heart as an innocent young girl—until she saw him perform an act of shocking violence before her very eyes. That night she left her husband, and he let her go without a word of protest. Now, ten years later, a chance encounter turns passionate, with consequences that cannot be ignored. But as they try to rebuild what was broken, they must face common enemies and a very uncommon love. . ..

Son of a rogue and a gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside. Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas agrees --- only if Clare will live with him for three months.

Rogues Redeemed As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her. Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match. Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel's enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine...

Lady Meriel de Vere had deceived Adrian, Earl of Shropshire. Standing in the royal forest, her falcon perched on her arm, she boldly claimed to be a Welsh commoner, not a noble Norman. Lord Adrian beheld in wonder her raven-black hair and defiant blue eyes, heard her lies, and felt a dark, primeval passion rob him of all reason. In one irrevocable move of fate, he ordered this fair beauty locked in his castle’s tower, vowing to entice her into surrendering her kisses with lips as hungry as his own. Never to give in, to die if she must, was Meriel’s vow ... until one rash moment of impetuousness swept them both up in the royal battles of kings ... and into a dangerous intrigue of sweet caresses ... and fiery, all-consuming love.

Jason Kincaid, nineteenth Baron Radford, was devastatingly handsome, fabulously wealthy, and thoroughly ruthless. What he wanted, he got, and now what he wanted was to win a wager that he could make Miss Caroline Hanscombe his bride, after her name was drawn out of a hat. True, Caroline was an innocent compared to the baron. True, the ruling passion of her life was music, to which the baron turned a deaf ear. True, she found a perfect soul mate in the gallant Captain Richard Davenport, home from the wars and laying siege to her heart. But how could this chit of a girl defy the desires of this lord who so easily defeated her every defense as the day of her dreaded marriage came ever closer -- and her hopes of escape evaporated one by one...

Mismatched lovers and unexpected attraction catch fire in this timeless novel by the New York Times bestselling author and legend in historical romance Mary Jo Putney. . .Forced to wed to keep her inheritance, independent Lady Jocelyn Kendal finds an outrageous she proposes marriage to Major David Lancaster, an officer dying from his Waterloo wounds. In return for making her his wife, she will provide for his governess sister. But after the bargain is struck and the marriage is made, the major makes a shocking, miraculous recovery. Though they agree to an annulment, such matters take time. . .time enough for David to realize he is irrevocably in love with his wife. Haunted by her past, Jocelyn refuses to trust the desire David ignites in her. She never counted on a real husband, least of all one who would entice her to be a real wife. But some bargains are made to be broken--and his skilled courtship is impossible to resist. . .

As Washington burns, Callista Brooke is trapped in the battle between her native England and her adopted homeland. She is on the verge of losing everything, including her life, when a handsome Englishman cuts through the violent crowd to claim that she is his. Callie falls into her protector's arms, recognizing that he is no stranger, but the boy she'd once loved, a lifetime ago. Lord George Gordon Audley had been Callie's best friend, and it was to Gordon she turned in desperation to avoid a loathsome arranged marriage. But the repercussions of his gallant attempt to rescue her sent Callie packing to Jamaica, and Gordon on a one way trip to the penal colony of Australia. Against all odds, Gordon survived. Finding Callie is like reclaiming his tarnished soul, and once again he vows to do whatever is necessary to protect her and those she loves. But the innocent friendship they shared as children has become a dangerous passion that may save or destroy them when they challenge the aristocratic society that exiled them both . . .

LOVE MUST FIND A WAY . . . A sheltered life in the countryside has left Diana Lindsay restless to see the wider world, for both herself and the son she is raising alone. She cannot marry, but perhaps as a courtesan she will find love and protection despite her painful past. Gathering her courage, she moves to London--and finds herself the city's most desired woman, as admired for her charm as for her beauty. But it is one man who captivates her--handsome, haunted, and harboring a secret as deep as her own . . . Bound by the sins of his youth, Gervase Brandelin, the Viscount St. Aubyn, has spent his adulthood seeking redemption through service to England. Now a spymaster, he can allow nothing to distract him from his duty. But when he meets Diana, his burdens seem to lift. Though she can never truly be his alone, their genuine love fills him with hope, until a treacherous deceit--and a deadly enemy--threatens to tear them apart forever . . . Praise for Mary Jo Putney's Rogues Redeemed series "A compelling story that neatly balances dangerous adventures and passionate romance." --Booklist "A thrilling, romantic tale." --Bookpage, Top Pick of the Month "Putney's multifaceted and well-developed characters add depth to this romance, which is complete with the trials of war and the promise of future series installments." --Publishers Weekly

Award-winning author Mary Jo Putney captivated the hearts of readers everywhere with her breathtaking hardcover debut, The Wild Child. Now, in her spectacular new novel The China Bride, she has created another brilliantly moving love story, and a very special heroine--a rare beauty torn between two cultures who valiantly struggles to discover the woman she is destined to be.Born to a Scottish father and now living in China, Troth Montgomery grew up speaking several languages and thinking of faraway England as home. Enduring life as a concubine, she never imagined that one day she would leave the Orient, arriving in bitter winter at the estate of a stranger--the brother of the man who had briefly been her husband. Kyle Renbourne, Viscount of Maxwell, had taken Troth as his bride shortly before his apparent execution in a Chinese prison. Now, as his widow, she is entitled to the home she always dreamed of but remains haunted by the memory of a dashing husband and the brief, forbidden love they shared.Then Kyle seemingly returns from the dead. Though he has survived, his mind and body are badly wounded. He needs time to heal and retreats from the exotic wife he barely knows. Bitterly aware that she will never be a fitting English wife, Troth defiantly embraces her foreign traditions, hoping that the ancient arts of her ancestors will restore Kyle's spirit and her own battered heart. Together they embark on a miraculous journey of hope and faith as Kyle becomes enchanted with the intimate tranquillity he shares with his bewitching Troth. But before he can win back his China bride, Kyle must first face a deadly menace that has followed them halfway across theworld. . . .Written with exquisite elegance and gentle passion, The China Bride is a stirring tale of everlasting love and the power of forgiveness, by a master storyteller.

Kate Corsi always dreamed of working in her family's world-famous demolition business—a wish her old-fashioned father denied until his untimely death. He leaves a fortune to Kate and the business to her ex-husband, Donovan—but only if they agree to live under the same roof for a year. Kate and Donovan married too young and stayed too long in a dangerously destructive marriage. Ten years later, surely they're mature enough to co-exist peacefully. But the embers of attraction swiftly flare into flame again. Now, they must confront the pain of the past if they are to have a chance for a future and save their business from a saboteur they're beginning to suspect of murder. Originally published in 2000 under the title The Burning Point, this is the first in a series of three contemporary romances by acclaimed and bestselling historical romance author Mary Jo Putney.

Romantic Women's Fiction. Previously The Spiral Path Though they are sliding toward divorce, Raine Marlowe persuades her enigmatic superstar husband, Kenzie Scott, to play the lead in a movie she wants to produce and direct. Kenzie agrees, but without realizing how dangerously close the character's dark secrets are to his own. Then Kenzie's past explodes into a career destroying scandal. Like a phoenix, Kenzie had created spectacular success out of torment. Now his carefully constructed life has shattered. When Kenzie tries to push Rainey away, she knows only she can help him come to terms with his past-and if she fails, she'll lose the only man she's ever loved. ..".gripping... darkly emotional... and holds out such promise of hope, redemption and triumph that you will be unable to put it down." Romantic Times ..".emotionally honest... richly developed" Publishers Weekly THE STARTING OVER SERIES, in orderStirring the EmbersPhoenix FallingThe Imperfect ProcessA Holiday Fling, the novella

When lawyer Val Covington receives a windfall and leaves her corporate career to practice "do-gooder law," her assistant offers to come with her—if Val will look into the case of Kendra's former lover, who is on Death Row for a crime he didn't commit. Val agrees, but she can't do it alone. She finds help in Rob Smith, her landlord, who is as capable as he is mysterious. If justice is an imperfect process, so is falling in love. Val and Rob are drawn together as they fight to save an innocent man's life, but can they overcome their fears to build a lasting future?

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney is acclaimed by critics and readers alike for unforgettable storytelling and arresting characters. Now she introduces a Regency England you’ve never seen before, where dazzling magic is practiced in all but the highest reaches of Society, and where desire is the most mysterious and seductive force of all. One of the Duke of Wellington’s most respected officers, Jack Langdon, Lord Frayne, takes his family’s honor very seriously. He also hides a shameful a talent for sorcery he has been raised to suppress and openly reject. But after an injury lands Jack at death’s door, his only chance at survival lies with Abigail Barton, a peer’s daughter and a skilled wizard. Her Jack’s hand in marriage. It isn’t long before Jack feels an irresistible attraction to his forthright new wife, whose allure is as intense as the reawakening magical abilities he can no longer deny. Abigail had to make a great sacrifice to perform a spell powerful enough to save Lord Frayne, and although she cannot help but be drawn to her reluctant husband’s surprising sensitivity and kindness, she knows all too well his distaste for magic. Once she has Jack’s name and the child she has always longed for, she is determined to live apart from him so that he can preserve his reputation–and so that she herself can stay true to her gifts. But neither Abby nor Jack reckons on the deep, long-simmering passions her spell ignites. They challenge each other’s extraordinary powers and deepest desires for the sake of a love that may cost them all they cherish most. With breathtaking skill and vivid historical detail, Mary Jo Putney weaves a tale of enchantment, mystery, and romance that will forever hold you spellbound.

He's a bastard and a gambler and society's favorite reprobate. But to Lady Kiri Lawford he's a hero - braver than the smugglers whom he rescues her from, more honorable than any lord she's ever met, and far more attractive than any man has a right to be. How can she not fall in love? But Damian Mackenzie has secrets that leave no room in his life for courting high-born young ladies - especially not the sister of one of his oldest friends. Yet when Kiri's quick thinking reveals a deadly threat to England's crown, Damian learns that she is nowhere near as prim and respectable as he first assumed...and the lady is far more alluring than any man can resist.

Cornwall calling! From New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney, the first in an intoxicating historical romance series set on the rugged Cornish coast, filled with swashbuckling adventure and real-life history, intrigue and an unshakeable love—perfect for fans of Poldark . A smoldering nobleman and a beautiful amnesiac with paranormal gifts discover they share a powerful passion, a unique legacy—and a common enemy. Together they faced the past . . . A sense of duty sends Bran Tremayne to Cornwall to confront his heritage of British nobility. Abandoned at birth, Bran wants nothing to do with the embittered remains of his family. But as a special agent for the Home Office, he senses trouble brewing along the coast. And he can’t turn away from the vulnerable woman he encounters in the Cornish countryside. Merryn’s amnesia makes her past a mystery to them both, but with her life in danger, the only thing Bran knows for sure is that the beautiful stranger needs his protection . . . But would they share a future? Leaning into Bran is difficult enough, but can Merryn trust the strong bond—and the powerful passion—she feels for her rugged rescuer? She has no choice once Bran uncovers that she is at the center of a plot between French agents and Cornish smugglers. From misty woodlands to stormy shores, the two join forces with a band of loyal Cornishmen to bring down a common enemy. Yet will their growing love survive the coming peril?

Just in time for Valentine's Day! This on features stories of passion and romance from five critically-acclaimed romance authors -- Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, Joan Wolf, Edith Layton, and Patricia Rice. Each story is a classic, and all have been unavailable for at least five years. A perfect Valentine for the romantic reader!

From the New York Times bestselling author—a classic love story that has become one of her most beloved and acclaimed historical romances... He called himself Peregrine, and like the falcon he was wild and free. He was superbly handsome, fabulously wealthy, overwhelmingly seductive. He cut a dazzling swath through Victorian London—and wove a web of desire around beautiful and proud Lady Sara St. James, pledged to wed another man. In Peregrine's arms Sara learned the meaning of forbidden passion—and forbidding mystery. Only the burning power of love could pierce Peregrine's chilling silence about his secret past and hidden purpose...as Sara plunged into a whirlpool of yearning and uncertainty with a man who was everything a woman could want or fear...

REISSUE of THE CONTROVERSIAL COUNTESS A cool master of sensuality, Rafe Whitbourne, Duke of Candover, earned his rakish reputation in the silken boudoirs of England's aristocracy, never giving away his hand or his heart. Then a vital mission for a friend takes him to Paris to work with Countess Magda Janos, "the most beautiful spy in Europe." To his shock, the smoky-eyed temptress is no countess, but the deceitful tart who betrayed him a dozen years before—the only woman he had ever loved, and the only woman he had ever despised. Margot Ashton wants nothing more than to forget her turbulent past and the mesmerizing man who had cruelly wronged her. But patriotism binds the two together in a shadowland of intrigue, where a dangerous plot may plunge a continent into war...and a whirlwind of passion sweeps them into a shattering love that cannot be denied.

Money can buy many things, but does that include a good, loving husband? Emma Stone was raised as part of a large, loving aristocratic family, but after she was orphaned she became a tired, lonely governess. Then through an act of kindness, she inherits an unexpected fortune and realizes that she can now have the husband and family she craves. Anthony Vaughn, the dashing distant cousin she'd admired as a child now needs a fortune to pay his father's debts and preserve his family estate. Together they strike a bargain—even though Emma knows she risks not only her fortune but her heart… (This story is also available in the author's novella collection, Christmas Candles.)

Allies of the heart and soul . . .England, 1803. The oldest foster child of the Earl and Countess Tremayne, Caden Tremayne was one of several abandoned children rescued into the fold of the “Tribe of Tremayne,” each bearing a special gift. Now that he is grown, Cade’s superior investigative abilities and talent for preventing violence—or when necessary, executing it—are urgently required by the Home Office. For after an all-too-brief peace, Britain and France are about to be at war again. But it isn’t the dangerous mission that concerns Cade. It’s his secret love for his sweet, bright, spirited accomplice . . .Will their love be the victor? Tamsyn Tremayne has always felt a deep connection to Cade, whose very presence warms her heart. Yet though they are not blood, their family relationship has led her to suppress her love for him. Still, their mental bond is undeniable—and only grows stronger, along with their feelings, when Cade is captured by the French. Tam knows that Cade will not be easily broken, yet only their meeting of minds can truly save him—and hopefully free them to be together at last. But first, she will have to navigate a treacherous maze of enemies and allies to find him, they will have to escape France—and block a devastating plot against Britain . . .

An outcast on the high seas... The son of a proud naval dynasty, Gabriel Hawkins was born to command the sea, until he leaves the Royal Navy in disgrace and is disowned by his family. As captain of his own ship, he's earned his living in ways both legal and illegal, and his experience makes him the best choice to ransom an aristocratic beauty captured by Barbary pirates. Having avoided the traps of convention and marriage, Lady Aurora Lawrence is horrified by the prospect of spending her life as a harem slave. Her only hope of escape is a quiet, steely captain who has a history with her captor—and who will do anything to free Rory. Together they undertake a dangerous mission through troubled waters—and encounter another kind of danger as attraction burns hot within the close confines of his ship. But even if they endure the perils of the sea and enemy lands, can their love survive a return to England, where the distance between a disgraced captain and an earl's daughter is wider than the ocean?

THE ROGUE A master spy with the face of a fallen angel and a darkly heroic past, Lord Robert Andreville, returns to his ancestral home in Yorkshire after a dozen harrowing years spying against Napoleon. But nothing soothes his ravaged spirit until a determined young beauty sweeps into his life. THE RUNAWAY Half Mohawk and all-American, Maxima Collins is a wary stranger in a strange land, but she will let nothing halt her journey to London to learn the truth about her father's sudden death--not even a self-appointed guardian who is all lazy charm and dangerous skill. Together they travel across England, evading pursuers and circling each other in a dance of desire, where truth is elusive and only passion is sure. Then dark secrets shatter their idyll and only love has the power to heal the past....

Laurel Herbert en lord James Kirkland trouwden op jonge leeftijd met elkaar. Na een meeslepend begin bekoelde de liefde, toen Laurel een verborgen kant van haar man leerde kennen. Zij besloot bij hem weg te gaan en ze verdwenen uit elkaars leven. Maar dan, tien jaar later, is er opeens het weerzien als de gewonde James binnengebracht wordt in het hospitaal waar Laurel werkt. Hoewel zij wanhopig probeert afstand te bewaren, blijkt dat de aantrekkingskracht er nog steeds is. En die blijft niet zonder gevolgen: Laurel wordt zwanger. Omwille van het kindje in haar boek besluit ze hun huwelijk een tweede kans te geven. Laurel heeft daarbij een vriendschapsband in gedachten, maar James stelt zich de verzoening heel anders voor. De vraag is echter of zijn echtgenote het verleden achter zich kan laten.

Met zijn charme wist Grey Sommers, lord Wyndham, zich steeds uit iedere hachelijke situatie te redden. Totdat hij zich in de nesten werkt en zonder pardon in een Franse kerker wordt opgesloten. Grey is nog maar een schim van de vrolijke man die hij vroeger was, als hij na tien jaar door een vrouw uit deze hel wordt bevrijd. De heldin in kwestie, Cassie Fox, heeft tijdens de Franse Revolutie alles verloren en is vastberaden om als spionne te helpen Napoleons regime ten val te brengen. Daarom komt de ontmoeting met de duistere engel die haar hart weet te ontdooien erg ongelegen. Want zelfs als ze samen die laatste missie zouden overleven, dan nog is er geen gezamenlijke toekomst voor een spionne en een Engelse heer.

Damian Mackenzie is een gokker en een deugniet, maar ook de heldhaftige waaghals die lady Kiri Lawford redt uit handen van een smokkelaarsbende. Hij is onmiddellijk onder de indruk van Kiri’s exotische schoonheid, maar beschouwt deze halfzus van zijn beste vriend als een verboden vrucht. Desondanks lijkt Kiri niet ongevoelig te zijn voor Damians charmes. Als het tweetal moet samenwerken om een complot tegen de Engelse koninklijke familie te verijdelen, strijden ze niet enkel tegen gewelddadige vijanden, maar ook tegen hun eigen ontembare verlangens…

Als er een zwaargewonde drenkeling met geheugenverlies aanspoelt op het strand, ziet Mariah Clarke haar kans schoon. Door te beweren dat deze aantrekkelijke man haar echtgenoot is, kan ze ontkomen aan een opdringerige aanbidder. Adam, zoals ze hem noemt, ervaart de aanwezigheid en goede zorgen van de blonde schoonheid meteen als een geluk bij een ongeluk. Toch weet Mariah dat deze idylle eindig zal zijn, als Adams geheugen zich eenmaal herstelt. Zo'n vaart loopt het echter niet. Zelfs als hij zich wel meer herinnert, wil Adam geen afstand doen van zijn reddende engel. Maar dan zal hij wel moeten afrekenen met degene die hem, nog steeds, wil vermoorden.

Aan het helse huwelijk van Julia Bancroft, dochter van een hertog, komt een abrupt eind als haar echtgenoot tijdens een ruzie het loodje legt. Als ze onterecht van moord wordt beschuldigd, slaat Julia op de vlucht en bouwt ze een nieuw leven op als vroedvrouw. Haar kwelgeesten weten haar echter toch te vinden en ontvoeren. Gelukkig wordt ze al snel bevrijd door majoor Alex Randall, die een zwak heeft voor de aantrekkelijke Julia. Als ze hem haar levensverhaal vertelt, biedt Alex haar de bescherming van een huwelijk aan. Julia gaat akkoord, op voorwaarde dat hij niet aandringt op intimiteit. Een zware opgave, maar Alex is bereid te wachten tot zijn vrouw het verleden achter zich kan laten.

De keurige juffrouw Sarah Clarke-Townsend voelt de sterke behoefte om haar saaie leven op te fleuren. Zo gezegd, zo gedaan. Als haar hoogzwangere tweelingzuster - een heuse hertogin - ontvoerd dreigt te worden, neemt Sarah met gevaar voor eigen leven haar plaats in. Als ze wordt meegenomen naar Ierland, lijkt Sarahs situatie uitzichtloos. Gelukkig verschijnt Rob Carmichael ten tonele; hij is achter haar aan gestuurd om haar te redden. Het lukt hun samen te ontkomen aan de ontvoerders, maar daarmee is het gevaar allerminst geweken. Terwijl ze een ontsnappingsroute naar Engeland zoeken, groeien ze al snel dichter naar elkaar toe. De vraag is wel of er nog ruimte is voor avontuur van meer romantische aard.

Gevaarlijk in de omgang - Mary Jo Putney NA de dood van haar waardeloze echtgenoot beleefde een gebroken vrouw een nacht vol passie met een beroepsgokker die tot de galg was veroordeeld - een onschuldige man wiens laatste wens haar een volkomen nieuw leven zou verschaffen. De tegenstanders - Joan Wolf Een eigenzinnige schoonheid moest haar ware gevoelens onder ogen zien voor de nemesis uit haar jeugd toen ze zich voorbereidde op haar debuut in de society - en het huwelijk... Begraven schat - Edith Layton Toen een man werd neergestoken door piraten en voor dood op de kust werd achtergelaten, genas een argeloze vrouw op Long Island zijn wonden - maar ze moest vechten tegen de zee die zijn hart verleidde... Vaders en dochters - Patricia Rice Een bekeerde verkwister spande zich in om een lening terug te betalen aan de vader van zijn voormalige verloofde - en om een liefdesschuld in te lossen aan de vrouw die hij nooit had kunnen vergeten Dierbare schavuit - Mary Balogh Over het hoofd gezien door de rijke gasten van haar tante, trok een rustig weesmeisje de aandacht van een immorele schavuit - en bracht hem tot inzicht...

Renowned for her unique blend of adventure, wit and sweeping romance, New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney matches a dashing spy with a woman whose past will bear no scrutiny in Napoleonic era London. Love and survival in the shadow of Waterloo... Wearied by his years as a British intelligence officer, Simon Duval resigns his commission after Napoleon’s abdication. Hoping to find new meaning in his life, he returns to England, where he discovers his cousin’s widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron. Working as a seamstress, living in reduced circumstances, Suzanne has had a life as complicated as Simon’s. While both believe they are beyond love, their sympathetic bond leads him to propose a marriage of companionship, and Suzanne accepts. She didn't want or expect a true marriage, but as Suzanne joins Simon in a search for his long missing foster brother, warmth and caring begin to heal both their scars—and a powerful passion sparks between them. Then news from France threatens to disrupt their happiness. Napoleon has escaped from Elba and Wellington personally asks Simon to help prevent another devastating war. Only this time, Simon does not go into danger alone. He and Suzanne will face deadly peril together, and pray that love will carry them through...

Bribed by Kyle, his twin brother, Dominic Renbourne agrees to take his twin's place for a few weeks at Warfield Manor, where he is to pay court to Lady Meriel Grahame, the orphaned heiress Kyle intends to marry. The last thing Dominic expects is to be entranced by a silent sprite whose ethereal beauty is as intoxicating as the flowers and trees that surround her. For much of her life Meriel has lived outside normal society, finding joy and peace in her garden, safe from the nightmare that nearly destroyed her as a child. She is content with solitude until the handsome intruder begins to inspire dreams of life beyond her sanctuary. Despite his longing, Dominic's sense of duty keeps him away from his brother's future bride, but Meriel's untamed spirit proves more powerful than Dominic can resist . . .

After the death of his sweetheart when he was at university, Daniel Herbert buried his grief in medical studies and his passion for healing. Viewed as a saint by those who know him, in his own mind, he never quite manages to live up to his own high standards. Most men would be thrilled to learn they've inherited a title and estate from a distant relative, but Daniel is appalled because the burden of wealth will interfere with his medical calling. Warily he accepts that he must enter society and seek a wife—a sensible woman who can oversee his properties, leaving him free to continue his work. He does not expect to become intoxicated by a woman called the Black Widow, who is as mysterious as she is shockingly beautiful… Jessie Kelham’s looks have always been a curse. Now alone with a young daughter and a perilous secret, she is in need of protection. But dangerously attractive Daniel Herbert is not the kind of husband she has in mind. If he recognizes her, the demons of her past will surely erupt. Yet they cannot keep apart—and soon they are drawn into a union that may bring joy—or shattering danger…

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney continues her stunning Lost Lords series with this stirring, sensual story of a rebellious nobleman drawn to a lovely widow with a shocking past. As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft—a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall's protection. Within the space of a day, Julia has been abducted by her first husband's cronies, rescued, and proposed to by a man she scarcely knows. Stranger still is her urge to say yes. A union with Alexander Randall could benefit them both, but Julia doubts she can ever trust her heart again, or the fervent desire Randall ignites. Yet perhaps only a Lost Lord can show a woman like Julia everything a true marriage can be…

In the first of a dazzling series, Mary Jo Putney introduces the Lost Lords—maverick childhood friends with a flair for defying convention. Each is about to discover the woman who is his perfect match—but perfection doesn't come easily, even for the noble Duke of Ashton... Battered by the sea, Adam remembers nothing of his past, his ducal rank, nor the shipwreck that almost claimed his life. However, he's delighted to hear that the golden-haired vision tending his wounds is his wife. Mariah's name and face may not be familiar, but her touch, her warmth, feel deliciously right. When Mariah Clarke prayed for a way to deter a bullying suitor, she didn't imagine she'd find the answer washed ashore on a desolate beach. Convincing Adam that he is her husband is surprisingly easy. Resisting the temptation to act his wife, in every way, will prove anything but. And now a passion begun in fantasy has become dangerously real—and completely irresistible.

Laird of an ancient Scottish clan, Duncan Macrae also possesses the secret powers of the Guardians--humans with mystical abilities to control nature's forces and see into the hearts of others. Duncan has sworn to use his abilities for the greater good, but duty is eclipsed when he meets the dazzling, independent English widow Gwyneth Owens. Though Gwynne's father was a Guardian, she believes that she has inherited only her mother's beauty, not her father's power. Then one kiss from the dangerously alluring Duncan ignites a passion that shakes her to the soul--and reveals a looming catastrophe that threatens both their nations. Only by becoming Duncan's wife, and ultimately betraying the man she loves, can she avert disaster. As fate casts them onto opposing sides, Gwynne and Duncan must push their powers and passions beyond the most forbidden limits if they are to save their love--and secure the future.

Few romance novels have touched readers as deeply or as lastingly as this classic by New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney. Poignant, passionate, and tender, One Perfect Rose is the story of two mismatched lovers drawn into a fragile, unforgettable union...One Perfect RoseStephen Kenyon, the new Duke of Ashburton, has always known exactly what society expected of him. But a doctor's grim diagnosis leaves him longing to experience life as never before. Traveling incognito, he becomes entangled with a wandering theater family and their spirited adopted daughter, Rosalind Jordan. With no time to waste in courtship, Stephen convinces Rosalind to marry him-an arrangement that has advantages for both. The warm companionship and profound passion they share is more than Stephen expected, and far more than his family and his own guarded nature ever allowed. But each passing, perfect day together is a bittersweet reminder that love is the one thing he is not at liberty to offer, and the one thing she can never admit..."In her superb, inimitable style, Putney takes a pair of magnetic, beautifully matched protagonists, places them in a dark, impossible situation, and makes it work." -Library Journal" One Perfect Rose is Mary Jo Putney in top form." -Romantic Times

He was known as the Demon Warrior. As rebel, soldier, hero, and spy, Kenneth Wilding has never known defeat, until he returns from the Napoleonic wars to an empty title and a ravaged estate. Then a stranger offers a devil's bargain: financial salvation in return for Kenneth's special subversive skills. Reluctantly, Kenneth enters the household of England's greatest artist to unmask a terrible crime. But he also discovers something infinitely more dangerous: a tantalizing new way of life and an irresistible woman. After scandal destroys her trust and her reputation, tempestuous Rebecca Seaton withdraws to her attic studio and buries herself in her work. Then Kenneth Wilding sweeps into her life, dazzling her senses with his pirate's face and poet's soul. Warily, they slide into a duel of desire that brings both searing risks and shattering fulfillment, and unleashes a danger that threatens Rebecca's life—even as passion sweeps them into a river of fire that transforms their very souls.

Honed by danger and haunted by the past, Lord Michael Kenyon finds it easy to risk his life for his country's sake. But in the shadow of war, he faces a far more dangerous threat—the loss of his heart to the beautiful battlefield nurse who saves his life yet can never be his. Called a saint for her virtue and selfless courage, only Catherine Melbourne knows the tragic flaw at the core of her life. In Michael Kenyon she sees the strength and kindness she craves, yet for honor's sake, she must conceal her love and send him away. Even when freed from her bitter marriage, she conceals the truth because of the bleak knowledge that she can never again be any man's wife. Then fate offers Catherine a fortune, a title, a heritage for her daughter— if Michael will impersonate her husband on a visit to a wild Cornish island. Reluctantly, he agrees to the masquerade. But what begins as a simple journey leads them into a shattering vortex of danger and betrayal—and a fiercely passionate love that can no longer be denied.

Like his nickname, Lucifer, Lord Strathmore is know for unearthly beauty and diabolical cleverness. A tragic past has driven Lucien to use his formidable talents to protect his country from hidden enemies. It’s a job he does superbly well—until he meets a mysterious woman whose skill at deception is the equal of his own. By turns glamorous and subdued, his enchanting adversary baffles his mind even as she dazzles his senses. A perilous mission has forced Kit Travers into a deadly game of shifting identities and needful lies, where a single misstep might cost Kit her life. But her disguises are easily penetrated by the Earl of Strathmore, who may be a vital ally—or a lethal enemy. Unwilling to trust, yet unable to part, Kit and Lucien join forces to search the dangerous underside of London society. Yet even two master deceivers cannot escape passion’s sensual web—or from an impossible love more precious than life itself.

At seventeen, fiery Juliet Cameron had it all. She was beautiful, well-traveled as the daughter of a British diplomant, and married to the dashing and adventuresome Lord Ross Carlisle. But the constraints of Victorian society and the fear of an all-consuming love that threaten to engulf her restless spirit forced her to flee to the beloved Persian lands of her childhood.

After building a fortune in the exotic East, American adventurer and merchant prince Gavin Elliott sets his sails for London to begin a new life. Then fate intervenes on an infamous island in the East Indies where a European woman faces degradation and peril. Though saving her may cost Gavin his life, he cannot refuse to help the fierce beauty who touches his heart and soul with her indomitable spirit. Alexandra Warren is returning home from Australia as a widow and mother when a pirate attack condemns her to a life of servitude. A miracle arrives in the form of a steely-eyed Yankee captain, whose reckless courage wins them freedom and a safe passage home to London. Intimate strangers joined by too many secrets, they slowly begin to heal the past with attraction and tenderness—until an old enemy reaches out to threaten the passionate love Gavin has found with his irresistible bartered bride.

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00FFE6QA4 Loving a Lost Lord In the first of a dazzling series, Mary Jo Putney introduces the Lost Lords—maverick childhood friends with a flair for defying convention. Each is about to discover the woman who is his perfect match—but perfection doesn't come easily, even for the noble Duke of Ashton. . . Battered by the sea, Adam remembers nothing of his past, his ducal rank, nor of the shipwreck that almost claimed his life. However, he's delighted to hear that the golden-haired vision tending his wounds is his wife. Mariah's name and face may not be familiar, but her touch, her warmth, feel deliciously right. . . When Mariah Clarke prayed for a way to deter a bullying suitor, she didn't imagine she'd find the answer washed ashore on a desolate beach. Convincing Adam that he is her husband is surprisingly easy. Resisting the temptation to act his wife, in every way, will prove anything but. And now a passion begun in fantasy has become dangerously real—and completely irresistible. . . Never Less Than A Lady New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney continues her stunning Lost Lords series with this stirring, sensual story of a rebellious nobleman drawn to a lovely widow with a shocking past. As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft—a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall's protection. Nowhere Near Respectable Mary Jo Putney's riveting Lost Lords series unleashes a high stakes royal plot—which may prove easier for Damian Mackenzie to handle than his own unruly desire. . . He's a bastard and a gambler and society's favorite reprobate. But to Lady Kiri Lawford he's a hero—braver than the smugglers he rescues her from, more honorable than any lord she's ever met, and far more attractive than any man has a right to be. How can she not fall in love. . .? No Longer a Gentleman Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, never met a predicament he couldn't charm his way out of. Then a tryst with a government official's wife during a bit of casual espionage in France condemns him to a decade in a dungeon, leaving him a shadow of his former self. Yet his greatest challenge may be the enigmatic spy sent to free his body—the only woman who might heal his soul. Cassie Fox lost everything in the chaos of revolution, leaving only a determination to help destroy Napoleon's empire through her perilous calling. Rescuing Grey is merely one more mission. She hadn't counted on a man with the stark beauty of a ravaged angel, whose desperate courage and vulnerability thaw her frozen heart. But a spy and a lord are divided by an impassable gulf even if they manage to survive one last, terrifying mission. . .. Sometimes A Rogue. . . Even the most proper young lady yearns for adventure. But when the very well bred Miss Sarah Clarke-Townsend impulsively takes the place of her pregnant twin, it puts her own life at risk. If the kidnappers after her sister discover they've abducted Sarah instead, she will surely pay with her life. . . Rob Carmichael survived his disastrous family by turning his back on his heritage and becoming a formidable Bow Street Runner with a talent for rescuing damsels in distress. But Sarah is one damsel who is equal to whatever comes. Whether racing across Ireland with her roguish rescuer or throwing herself into his arms, she challenges Rob at every turn.

Suppressing her sensual nature behind a facade of Victorian propriety, Laura Stephenson marries army major Ian Cameron and journeys with him to the mountains of India to build a life together. Reissue.

Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN B005SZ176S A Welsh Methodist minister's daughter changes her life when she appeals for help to Nicholas Davies, a half-Gypsy earl... They called him the Demon Earl. They said he could do anything. Son of a rogue and a Gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside. Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas sets an impossible price on his aid—only if Clare agrees to live with him for three months, letting the world think the worst, will he intervene. Furiously Clare accepts his outrageous challenge, and the two are swept into an intoxicating Regency world of danger and desire. As allies, Clare and Nicholas fight to save her community. As adversaries, they explore the hazardous terrain of power and sensuality. And as lovers, they surrender to a passion that threatens the very foundations of their lives.

"Putney's reputation as one of the finest writers of Regency romance is well deserved. She never shies away from different plots or atypical characters and writes wildly exciting adventure romances. She's done it all again in the marvelous, emotional and thrilling fifth book in the Lost Lords series." --RT Book Reviews on Sometimes a Rogue Top Pick"Composed of equal measures of dangerous intrigue and potent passion, Putney's fifth elegantly written installment in her Lost Lords series delivers captivating characters, an impeccably realized Regency setting, and a thrilling plot rich in action and adventure." – Booklist, STARRED review for Sometimes a RogueSometimes. . .Even the most proper young lady yearns for adventure. But when the very well bred Miss Sarah Clarke-Townsend impulsively takes the place of her pregnant twin, it puts her own life at risk. If the kidnappers after her sister discover they've abducted Sarah instead, she will surely pay with her life. . .A Rogue. . .Rob Carmichael survived his disastrous family by turning his back on his heritage and becoming a formidable Bow Street Runner with a talent for rescuing damsels in distress. But Sarah is one damsel who is equal to whatever comes. Whether racing across Ireland with her roguish rescuer or throwing herself into his arms, she challenges Rob at every turn. "You can't go wrong with a Putney romance!" –Sabrina JeffriesPraise For Mary Jo Putney's Lost Lords Series"Romance at its best!" —Julia Quinn "Exquisitely and sensitively written." —Library Journal, starred review"Intoxicating and not-to-be missed." —RT Book Reviews (4 ½ Stars, Top Pick)