A Very Daring Christmas


Book Description

Christmas is the most daring time of the year. Ladies are meant for ballrooms. But Lady Phillipa Hampton would rather have the open skies of Scotland where she can paint to her heart's content. She'd still be there now if she hadn't kissed her grandmother's silver-eyed steward last summer. And been caught. She was exiled back to London, but Grandmama’s Christmas trip to Town offers Pippa an opportunity—prove she cares nothing for Bram Shaw and win her way back to the land she loves. Stewards aren't meant for ladies, and Bram Shaw knows it. But he doesn't like it. Not when his heart belongs to the artistic and daring Lady Phillipa, whose grandmother is a dowager duchess. And Bram’s employer. When Christmas brings him close to the woman whose kiss he can’t forget, he must hide his affection or lose his position in the dowager’s household. But adding another lost job to his long list will lose him the inheritance he’s been working years to secure. The dowager holds two hearts in her hands, and the crafty old woman pits the former lovers against one another. Whoever finds her the most interesting Christmas gift wins a return to Scotland. She’ll take a companion or a steward, but not both. Crowded London streets, eccentric shop keeps, violent-minded maids, and chaotic coffeehouses. Pippa and Bram will brave it all to find the elusive perfect gift to win their hearts desires. But a single kiss can change everything, and sometimes the perfect gift isn’t bought with coin but love. This is a Christmas novella to USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane's new THE DEBUTANTE DARES series. The novella was previously published in the Holiday Anthology: Naughty or Nice. The novella can be read as a standalone book.




Bluegrass Christmas


Book Description

An Old-Fashioned Christmas That's what led new believer Mary Thorpe to start over in quaint Middleburg, Kentucky. As director of the church's Christmas pageant, Mary's job is to bring the townspeople together, to remind them what the season is really about. But everyone is all riled up over one very handsome man: the man daring to run against Middleburg's popular long-standing mayor. Mac MacCarthy wants change. Mary wants things to stay as they are. Is there a happy medium? Both Mac and Mary are in for one very big Christmas surprise.




The 12 Dares of Christmas


Book Description

“A cheerful, lighthearted romp…cleverly mixes in a seductive game of alternating dares that morphs into more than just a holiday hookup…[a] joyous tale.”—Publishers Weekly Lauren Hall has one wish for Christmas this year—raise money to build a new, no-kill animal shelter for the little Virginia town of Sycamore Cove. And she is prepared to do anything to make it happen. Even dare a man she just met to perform a strip tease for the local knitting society. Gabe Nicholson has one wish too—obtain the job of a lifetime to launch his career. But his wishes get snowballed when his best friend's little sister hands him a pair of stripper pants and a bottle of eggnog-flavored body oil. It’s all sugar plums and mistletoe until a scandal caused by Lauren’s fundraiser threatens to ruin everything. With Gabe's work opportunities disappearing before his eyes and Lauren's fundraising efforts tanking, their game of dares stands to burn them both. Unless it ignites a spark of Christmas magic…




The Christmas Dare


Book Description

A jilted-at-the-altar bride reunites with her high school sweetheart in Lori Wilde’s sensational new Twilight, Texas Christmas novel. Kelsey James always played by the rules and look where it got her—dumped and half-drunk in a poofy white dress, her Christmas wedding ruined. Then her best friend talks her into going on her “honeymoon” anyway, daring her to a “Christmas of Yes.” It’s about time she lets loose a little, so Kelsey agrees to say “yes” to fun, to romance, and to adventure! And adventure leads her right smack into the arms of sexy Noah MacGregor. Noah’s never one to say no to a risk—from leading his NBA team to victory to making Christmas cookies in Twilight, he’s up to the challenge! But a lot has gone on since they were teenagers, and he knows he has to take his time to make Kelsey dare to believe that what they feel is more than just the holiday magic that’s in the air . . .




Christmas Belles: A Holiday Regency Anthology


Book Description

Can you hear the Christmas Bell(es)? It's that time of year... Step back in time to the enchanting world of Regency-era romance this holiday season. In “Christmas Belles," join eight extraordinary couples as they navigate the glittering ballrooms of London and the snow-kissed landscapes of the countryside, where love blooms amidst mistletoe and the promise of a yuletide happily ever after. From stolen glances beneath twinkling chandeliers to secret rendezvous by the roaring hearth, these timeless tales of passion and desire will warm your heart and leave you longing for your own Regency romance. Surrender to the magic of the season and discover love that transcends time in this captivating anthology. Celebrate this Christmas season with 8 brand new holiday Regency romances by some of your favorite USA Today and bestselling authors: Bree Wolf, Tracy Sumner, Collette Cameron, Charlie Lane, Jennifer Monroe, Meredith Bond, Shannon Gilmore, and Rebecca Paula.




Daring Done Right


Book Description

In this enemies-to-lovers Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane, a lady who dares too much and a brute who dares too little engage in a battle of wits. Lady Sarah Hampton would rather sew up a wound than tend to her own heart. Or matrimonial prospects. When the small hospital she’s been volunteering at faces financial peril, she seeks to save them the best way she knows how—one dare, one wager, and one foolish rake at a time. No matter the risk to herself. If her friend’s irritatingly handsome and brutish brother doesn’t stand in her way. Xavier Evans, Viscount Flint may be known as the Dare King to his old chums, but to Lady Sarah, he’s the King of Brutes. He’d take offense if he weren’t so busy trying to be a better man, the type who rises above insult, never gives it, and protects his family. But when his sister’s happiness hinges on her friend’s safety, he’ll have to figure out how to keep the sharp-tongued and beautiful Lady Sarah—who hates him—safe, too. Sarah is willing to risk it all, and Xavier will do what it takes to stop her. As the game of dares draws them closer, it reveals a hidden threat, and these enemies must work together or hurt those they love… including each other.




Daring the Duke


Book Description

"A beautifully written love story with utterly perfect imperfections." ~ Bree Wolf, USA Today bestselling author To save her family, bluestocking Lady Tabitha must marry well. Can she convince the Duke of Collingford — her opposite in every way — that she will make the perfect duchess? A fun Regency romance by a USA Today bestselling author! A redheaded bluestocking in desperate need of a wealthy husband. A handsome duke looking for his perfect duchess. And a dare that shows that opposites may not only attract but can be so much more. Lady Tabitha Hampton has the memory of an elephant. Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments that left them impoverished, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family. Arthur, the Duke of Collingford needs a wife but not just any lady will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead. Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him question everything. Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts? In this Regency Romance by USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane, a London season of scandalous dares forces a lady and her duke to see that perfect isn’t as perfect as it seems.




Only Rakes Would Dare


Book Description

Under pressure to marry, Lady Edith is saved a suitor's unwanted advances by Griffin, a family friend and earl. She suggests a fake engagement to placate both of their families - but could their arrangement be just the thing to awaken a true romance? Lady Edith knows the sting of unrequited love, and now she wants only one thing—to marry a man who desires her or to never marry. But at the Season’s end, her father threatens to provide a husband if she cannot secure one herself. When a family friend saves her from the unwanted advances of one of their suitors, she falls a little bit in love. With his auburn hair and radical ideas about women, Griffin Paxton, the Earl of Eastern, is perfect. Except he doesn’t want her back. Griffin will not be distracted by Lady Edith’s diamond-eyed beauty. He needs a wife to fulfill his dying father’s wish, and he needs her to be a model of propriety to repair the family reputation his rakish father sullied. When Lady Edith calls herself a rake, he knows she’ll never do. He’ll have to guard his attraction to her fiery spirit and open heart behind thick ice walls and look elsewhere. But when Edith suggests they forge a fake engagement to appease both their fathers, Griffin can’t refuse. She needs his help, and he never ignores a damsel in distress. Will a fake courtship bring out their rakish desires, or will it offer a home to two hurting hearts? In this sizzling opposites-attract Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane, a lady of passion and an earl of logic commit to a fake courtship as rakish as it is daring.




The Must-Read Novels for Christmas Time (Illustrated Edition)


Book Description

The Must-Read Novels for Christmas Time (Illustrated Edition) presents a breathtaking mosaic of literary talent and thematic exploration, perfect for the festive season. This anthology boasts an assortment of literary styles, from the enchanting to the reflective, covering a wide spectrum of Christmas experiences. Within its pages, readers will find classic tales of hope, joy, and reflection that resonate with the timeless spirit of Christmas. The diversity of the collection highlights significant works of varying tones and settings, each piece contributing to a rich, multidimensional portrayal of the holiday season. The anthology stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Christmas narratives and their ability to evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth. The contributing authors and editors, including luminaries such as Charles Dickens and Louisa May Alcott, bring together a vast array of perspectives and literary expertise. Their collective works reflect significant movements and moments in literary history, from Victorian moral tales to early 20th-century reflections on social justice, showcasing the evolving nature of Christmas stories. Their diverse backgrounds and literary styles enrich the anthologys overall theme, offering a kaleidoscopic view of Christmas that transcends time and geographical boundaries. This collection aligns with various cultural and literary movements, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the holiday's portrayal in literature over the years. The Must-Read Novels for Christmas Time (Illustrated Edition) is a must-have for readers eager to immerse themselves in the spirit of the season through the lens of classic literature. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of narratives that reflect the complexity and joy of Christmas, making it an ideal read for those seeking to deepen their appreciation of the holidays cultural significance. This anthology not only serves as an educational tool, shedding light on the historical and cultural contexts of its stories, but also as a source of inspiration and reflection. It is an invitation to engage with the seasons themes of hope, generosity, and renewal through the masterful storytelling of some of literatures most celebrated authors.




The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries


Book Description

The Edgar Award-winning editor collects sixty of his all-time favorite holiday crime stories—from Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy, to Sara Paretsky and Ed McBain. • “Anyone who cares about the best mystery writing of the past century and beyond would be lucky to receive this thick volume during the holidays." —The Washington Post This collection touches on all aspects of the holiday season, and all types of mysteries. They are suspenseful, funny, frightening, and poignant. Included are puzzles by Mary Higgins Clark, Isaac Asimov, and Ngaio Marsh; uncanny tales in the tradition of A Christmas Carol by Peter Lovesey and Max Allan Collins; O. Henry-like stories by Stanley Ellin and Joseph Shearing, stories by pulp icons John D. MacDonald and Damon Runyon; comic gems from Donald E. Westlake and John Mortimer; and many, many more. Almost any kind of mystery you’re in the mood for--suspense, pure detection, humor, cozy, private eye, or police procedural—can be found in these pages. FEATURING: - Unscrupulous Santas - Crimes of Christmases Past and Present - Festive felonies - Deadly puddings - Misdemeanors under the mistletoe - Christmas cases for classic characters including Sherlock Holmes, Brother Cadfael, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Ellery Queen, Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse, Inspector Ghote, A.J. Raffles, and Nero Wolfe.