The Dark Knight's Captive Bride


Book Description

She is the daughter of his enemy...and the keeper of his heart. Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy--a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay. Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate-and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight. As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...




His Captive Bride


Book Description

The warriors of Asgard Island are keeping a secret from their new brides… Kidnapped from a trade fair by a mysterious swordsman, Lady Avril de Varennes awakens on Asgard Island, an enchanted paradise cloaked in mists and mystery, kept secret from the world for centuries. Against her will, Avril weds her arrogant captor, Hauk Valbrand—even as she vows to escape. Hauk believes himself beyond the reach of love, until his fiery captive bride begins to melt his heart of ice. But soon he must reveal the stunning truth about Asgard and its people—and Hauk and Avril must choose between love and honor, duty and desire...now and forever. "Powerful. From the very first page you're whisked away to a world where anything is possible." -The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “An involving, beautiful story. I thought about the characters often at work, at the grocery store, in my car—wherever I was until I could get back to the book. A definite keeper. Five hearts (highest rating).” -TheRomanceReader.com "An utterly absorbing read! With its richly drawn characters, powerful conflict and vividly imagined setting, His Captive Bride is a romantic fantasy lover's dream. When it comes to sweeping, sizzling historical romance, Shelly Thacker is a shining star!" -Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author “If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! I loved Asgard Island and Shelly’s descriptions made it feel so real, as if I’m there with them. Highly recommended. I loved all the books but this was by far my most favorite!” – Goodreads reviewer “I'm in awe of this author's talent. Thacker has made me want to read all her books. She is so skilled at telling a story with strong, well defined characters and original storylines. This one blew me away!” – Goodreads reviewer “Take me to Asgard Island, please! His Captive Bride is totally engrossing, passionate and SEXY! The chemistry between Avril and Hauk is electric. I highly recommend every one of the books in this series as perfect escape reads.” – Reading Between the Wines Originally published by Dell under the title Timeless. This revised and expanded Author's Preferred Edition includes new scenes never before published. The Stolen Brides Series These regal brides are about to discover that falling in love with a warrior is the most dangerous adventure of all. Each book is a stand-alone, steamy historical romance: Book 1: HIS STOLEN BRIDE (Darach and Laurien) Book 2: FOREVER HIS (Gaston and Celine) Book 3: HIS FORBIDDEN TOUCH (Royce and Princess Ciara) Book 4: HIS CAPTIVE BRIDE (Hauk and Avril) Book 5: HIS SCOTTISH BRIDE (Henri and Aileen)




Their Captive Bride


Book Description

I'm a pawn in a brewing mafia war, a captive bride in a power play between two cold-blooded monsters. My father sold me to the devil: an arranged marriage with Dante Torrio, sadistic capo and would-be Boss. But before their bargain is complete, I'm stolen away by Luca Vitale, heir to the Vitale crime family. I hate Luca for forcing me into marriage, but he'll do anything to mold me into his obedient wife. The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to crave the dark pleasure my unyielding husband offers me. He is fiercely possessive and jealously guards me. He protects me from his enemies, especially Dante, who is determined to steal me back. Which fate would be worse? To belong to the ruthless mafia prince or to the devil himself?




Hostage Bride


Book Description

CAPTIVE IN THE DARK KNIGHT’S CASTLE… Raphael’s heart is thought to be in the grave with his late wife. He’s certainly thankful for the mission to restore King Richard to the throne; it leaves him with no time for distraction. Lady Rosamunde Meldreth is beautiful, vulnerable, and the prey of a dangerous man. As much as Raphael wants to walk away, he’s forced to keep Rosamunde under lock and key in his castle. Raphael’s interest in Rosamunde seems to be purely one of possession—but then she discovers the dark knight wants to make her his hostage bride…




The Frenchman's Captive Wife


Book Description

Emily Vaillon left her husband, Luc, a year ago. She couldn't stay with a man who clearly didn't love her—especially after she discovered she was pregnant. Now Luc is back, demanding to see his son: Emily must go to his château to play the role of mother—and wife. When they're thrown together the chemistry between them escalates. But how can Emily win back Luc's trust—for herself and their son?




Unattainable Bride Russia


Book Description

Throughout the twentieth century and continuing today, personifications of Russia as a bride occur in a wide range of Russian texts and visual representations, from literature and political and philosophical treatises to cartoons and tattoos. Invariably, this metaphor functions in the context of a political gender allegory, which represents the relationships between Russia, the intelligentsia, and the Russian state, as a competition of two male suitors for the former’s love. In Unattainable Bride Russia, Ellen Rutten focuses on the metaphorical role the intelligentsia plays as Russia’s rejected or ineffectual suitor. Rutten finds that this metaphor, which she covers from its prehistory in folklore to present-day pop culture references to Vladimir Putin, is still powerful, but has generated scarce scholarly consideration. Unattainable Bride Russia locates the cultural thread and places the political metaphor in a broad contemporary and social context, thus paying it the attention to which it is entitled as one of Russia’s modern cultural myths.




A Viking's Catch


Book Description

When Vikings are seen off the shore of a small town in Ireland, seventeen year old, Clare, is determined to drive them away. Being clever and strong-willed, she makes a courageous attempt to protect not only her village, but also herself. Though, this brave action only fuels the attraction of the Jarl who takes her back to Norway as his future bride. And when secrets are revealed about her mother being an exiled Viking, can Clare make a choice between the two worlds knowing it will divide a nation?




Sweet Captivity


Book Description

A dark romance from USA Today bestselling author Julia Sykes I don't like to be touched. I'm the hacker-geek-goddess of the FBI. When I'm hiding behind my screen, I'm a safe distance from everyone; isolated, powerful. No man has ever touched me, but when I'm captured by Colombian drug lord Andrés Moreno, I no longer have the right to refuse. He's scarred and scary, and his cruel brother Cristian has tasked him with breaking me. I try to fight, but I can't escape his strong arms and harsh discipline. He demands that I accept his touch, and my virgin body can't help but respond to his masterful manipulations. The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to suspect that I'm not the only captive in his brother's home. Andrés' scars go deeper than the wicked furrows carved into his flesh, his pain reflected in the dark demands he imposes upon me. His obsession is twisted and wrong, but maybe I'm twisted, too. Do I want to be rescued from him? Or is he the one who truly needs saving? Keywords: dark romance, capture fantasy, antihero, kidnapping, romantic suspense, standalone







Because I'm Watching


Book Description

Welcome back to Virtue Falls, Washington, where one woman is being held captive by her own delusions. . . “Smart, dramatic...with unexpected twists, psychological tension, and emotional depth.”—Kirkus Reviews on Christina Dodd's Because I'm Watching. She had survived, but she is still held captive... Of her memories, her loneliness, her delusions. But are they truly delusions? The survivor of a college dorm massacre, a woman accused of her lover’s murder, Madeline Hewitson is haunted by ghosts and tormented by a killer only she can see. At night, she works, writing and drawing the monster that slithers through her imagination, and living in fear of those moments when the doors of her mind unhinge and her nightmare lives in the daylight. A seasoned military veteran, Jacob Denisov lives alone in his small, darkened home, sleepless, starving, and angry. Every day he lives with the guilt that comes from his own failures and the carnage that followed. When neighbor Madeline Hewitson drives her car through the front wall of his house, she breaks his house—and his life—wide open. Forced to view the world outside, Jacob watches Maddie, recognizes a kindred spirit and wonders what she fears more than herself. Has someone caught her in a twisted labyrinth of revenge and compassion, guilt and redemption, murder and madness? When Maddie's imaginary killer takes form, she fights back. But will she be strong enough to triumph, or is the killer she fears no more than a shadow, an illusion...that watches?