While staying at Lady Merrill's French Riviera villa, flame haired and beautiful American heiress Nevada van Arden passes her time by casually breaking the hearts of her many ardent suitors - particularly that of young David, Lord Merrill. When his uncle, intrepid explorer and diplomat Tyrone Strome, overhears her cruel humiliation of his lovelorn nephew, he resolves to teach this 'vixen' a lesson - and save David from his misery. Tyrone Strome abducts Nevada, spiriting her away in his luxury yacht to Morocco. There the reluctant voyager, swaddled in native clothing, is terrified by the perils of the Sahara and its nomadic tribesmen. But, as they flee from certain death or worse, they find sanctuary in a beautiful hidden valley, a second Garden of Eden, where to Nevada's surprise, love begins to blossom in the desert.

Dutiful, demure and far lovelier than she knows, Princess Zosina, the eldest daughter of the Archduke Ferdinand of Lutzelstein, is reluctantly obedient when her father announces that she must marry King Gyorgy of neighbouring Dorsia in order to create an alliance between the two nations that will defend them against the threat from the German Empire. Arriving in Dorsia on a State visit she is greeted by the country's Regent, a kind, handsome and very considerate Prince. By contrast and much to Zosina's dismay, her future husband King Gyorgy is as wild and disagreeable as his reputation had suggested. It seems that for the sake of her country she must yield to a life without love - until dramatic events supersede even the power of Kings and the hope is rekindled in the young Princess Zosina's heart that happiness and true love will triumph after all.

Anastasia is about to be married, which should be the most exciting day of any young girl's life. Pretty, impulsive and wise beyond her years it seems that the young Princess will make an ideal bride for one lucky man. There is only one flaw in the wedding plans ? she is not in love with her bridegroom. Commanded to marry by Queen Victoria, Anastasia is horror struck at the thought of an arranged marriage. Having dreamt of true love since childhood, she despairs that a marriage based on political allegiance can ever be a happy one. Especially when her bridegroom, the handsome King of Maurona, is reputed to have a preference for anything French, including the seductive wife of Maurona's French ambassador. Determined to do her duty, Anastasia prepares to meet her future husband just days before their wedding. The roar of the assembled crowd tells her that she has won the love and approval of the people, but will she ever have the love of their King? As passions and political intrigue simmer amidst the idyllic palaces and sun-kissed olive groves of Maurona, Anastasia decides that this is a challenge she must rise to. As well as ensuring British protection for the tiny Principality from the greedy hands of neighbouring France, she determines to make her marriage a success. But can an innocent English rose compete with the dark smoldering beauty of the sensual Comtesse le Granmont? Two women, one man and only one winner ? but as danger grows ever closer will the King realise who his real friends are, and which woman should be at his side, in time to save his country?

When the Armistice between France and England came to an end in 1803, Napoleon interned ten thousand British tourists who were in France at that time. Most of these tourists had committed no crime and had simply been travelling when captured. Many, to save being arrested went into hiding, among them the widow and daughter of Sir Edward Waltham, who had died that winter. A year later, plunged into poverty and the seedier side of Paris life, beautiful Vernita Waltham is keeping her sick mother precariously alive on the money she obtains from making exquisitely embroidered lingerie for a famous shop that supplies Napoleon's sister, Her Imperial Highness Princess Pauline Borghese. Vernita discovers the shop is cheating and desperate to raise money for food and medicine, decides to approach the Princess directly with a negligee she has just finished, disguised as a petite bourgeoisie. Extravagant and self-obsessed, Princess Pauline is enchanted with Vernita's skills as a needlewoman and convinced that the silk and lace creations will only enhance her reputation as the most beautiful woman in Paris. She immediately determines that Vernita must move to the Palace and join the legion of servants that already pander to her vanity. From that moment on Vernita is thrust into complications with the Princess's lover, handsome Count Axel de Storvik, and the all-powerful Emperor Napoleon himself. Unsure of whom to trust in a Palace filled with secret assignations and political intrigue, Vernita soon finds herself in a position that could ruin her reputation for ever. But how long can an English lady of quality remain hidden amongst the loyal family and servants of the enemy French Emperor? Terrified of discovery and fearful of the future, Vernita dreams of escape and a return to her home in England only to find an ally, waiting like a guiding star, in the most unlikely of places.

Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

Tasked by the Prime Minister himself with bringing to justice the smuggling gangs that are rife around the Kent and Sussex coast, esteemed Napoleonic war hero Lord Cheriton is surprised to find a beautiful young girl called Wivina living in his dead and deeply hated father's supposedly vacant mansion. She has no idea who he is - and when he hears his reputation as a cold-hearted Lord who would turn her out without a qualm, he tells her he is just a passing friend... Nevertheless Wivina seems terrified by his presence - but why? Realising the entire village is at the mercy of a cut-throat gang and Wivina's prey to its murderous leader, Lord Cheriton endeavours to save the young beauty who's stolen his heart while accomplishing his mission to stop the smugglers once and for all. For the first time, he is fighting not for his country but for the love of his life - and the life of his love.

Destitute after the death of her beloved Papa, Carmela is miserable working as Nanny to the brattish children of the local vicar. So when her closest friend Felicity asks her to take her place in the home of her guardian, the dictatorial Earl of Galeston, she nervously agrees. The subterfuge is necessary to ensure Felicity can marry the love of her life - and possible firstly because none of Felicity's feuding family have set eyes on her since she was a child... And secondly because both young women are blue-eyed, blonde and beautiful. The Earl's ancestral home is awe-inspiring - but it is the Earl himself who makes the greatest impression on Carmela. Growing to appreciate the profound kindness behind his steely facade, she falls deeply, utterly in love... But can true love live when it's based on a lie? The Earl finds the answer in his heart when Carmela's life - and any hope of love - is at stake...

In 1750 Scotland, just four years after Bonnie Prince Charlie's Rising of the Clans, it's hard to know who's loyal to the English and who is faithful to the Stuarts. And it's beautiful seventeen-year-old Iona's perilous mission to ascertain whether the Duke of Arkrae, head of Scotland's most powerful clan, is a traitor - or is he in cahoots with the English. The plan is for Iona to gain the trust of the Duke and his clan by claiming to be the sister he thought to have died as a child. As all around her doubt her claim and call her a 'pretender', Iona struggles to hold her nerve. Her native wit and steel nerves do not fail her - but almost instantly, on meeting the imperious Duke, it's her heart that lets her down. She's fallen deeply, hopelessly in love Traitor or not, surely the Duke could never love the Little Pretender who was sent only to ensnare him?

The dashing Marquis of Oakenshaw is asked by the Foreign Secretary to visit Siam to reassure the King who has been upset by Britain and France quarrelling over the frontiers. Wealthy, handsome and a confirmed bachelor, the Marquis asks several friends to accompany him on his yacht to stave off the boredom of the long journey, including the latest Social Beauty - the recently widowed Lady Bradwell. At the last moment, Lady Bradwell, having accepted excitedly, finds herself without a lady's maid. Her cousin Tarina, also very beautiful but extremely poor, agrees to come with her under a disguised name. How Tarina learns for the first time of the intrigues and temptations of Society but how she also lifts her eyes to the stars is told in this romance novel by Barbara Cartland.

"I cannot let you die for my sake." The beautiful Zena prayed fervently that the Comte de Graumont would survive the duel with the Marquis de Sade early in the morning in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Would he ever forgive her for embroiling him in such a dreadful situation. It would break her heart in two, but after this wonderful week in Paris they would never meet again. Zena is really Princess Marie-Therese of Wiedenstein, a small independent Principality between France and Germany. Her brother, Kendric, is the heir to the Throne. Together they had eluded their escorts to escape Court rigour and to spend seven carefree days in Paris under assumed names before Zena becomes engaged to an English Duke. In the glittering whirl of gaiety that marked the Second Empire, Zena pretends to be her brother's mistress, only to find, because of her beauty, that this brings many unexpected problems, not least when she falls madly in love with a debonair French Comte. Zena would count the world well lost for the Comte's impassioned kisses, but could true love triumph over a Royal decree and her father's anger?

After her father's heroic death through the treachery of a Russian femme fatale, young Solita found herself in the care of her 'Aunt' Mildred in Italy - the cousin of her father's comrade in arms Hugo Leigh. On Aunt Mildred's death, a destitute, angry and hurt Solita travels to England to confront her errant Guardian, now Duke of Calverleigh, who had vowed to care for her but apparently neglected his duty for ten long years. It is true, he had forgotten her - largely thanks to his all-consuming infatuation with a beautiful Russian Princess. The chastened Duke determines to take Solita under his protective wing - and, as his charm and kindness dissolve her resentment, Solita's acute intuition and talent for language soon expose the wicked Princess's plot to overthrow the British Raj in India. In this well woven tale of intrigue, Solita and her Guardian are both in mortal danger - and when she saves the Duke's life, not once but twice, he sees this innocent young beauty in a Heavenly new light.

London Socialite and friend of King George IV, the Duke of Strathnarn enjoys his London life is reluctant and resentful when he inherits from his hated father the title - and onerous responsibilities - of Chieftain of the Clan McNarn. Arriving bitterly angry in the highland fiefdom he fled as a youth, he's faced with a terrible dilemma. To free his young nephew and heir from the clutches of his Clan's mortal enemies, the Kilcraigs, he must marry Clola, the daughter of their fearsome Chieftain. Appalled, he complies with bad grace, but refuses even to look his young bride in the face, so certain is he that she will be coarse, uneducated and unattractive, so unlike the sophisticated beauties with whom he is wont to dally in London Society. Soon, however, a terrifying plot against the King involving a sinister poisoner and her deranged and vengeful son unfolds - and it is Clola, aided by a ghostly Grey Lady, who comes to the rescue. Only now, after so terribly misjudging and ill-treating her, does the Duke see his bride for what she is - a raven-haired, musically talented and courageous beauty. But is it too late for their marriage of convenience to be transformed by the blessing of true love?

The beautiful Princess Ileana is virtually ruler of Zokala because her father the King, has been in a coma for over six months. Enjoying the freedom her fathers illness allows her, she is shaken when the Prime Minister informs her that a large number of brigands under the leadership of General Vladilas have entered the country uninvited and are camping in the mountains. To her horror the Princess discovers that the Zokalan Army and its aged Generals have no intelligence of this potential threat, and no strategy to protect their people. A fearless rider and experienced mountain climber, Ileana sets off to see if she can spy on the camp and find out what the brigands are doing. With only one mountain guide to protect her, she bravely determines to discover whether the peaceful land of Zokala is under threat. To her dismay her worst fears are confirmed when she finds that the valley is filled with the latest and most up-to-date guns and weapons of war. Convinced that the brigands intend to invade, she desperately tries to formulate a plan. But before she can alert anyone to raise the alarm she is captured and taken before the General. How the Princess is, for the first time, confronted with a man who is stronger than she is and how she finds herself a victim and captive of a formidable, and relentless enemy is told in this exciting, dramatic and passionate 350th book by Barbara Cartland.

Warren Wood is handsome, loyal and devoted to Magnolia. However, the one thing he lacks is a title and Magnolia betrays him in a heartbeat for the opportunity to be engaged to the Marquis of Buckwood. For beautiful and beguiling as she is, behind her perfect exterior lies a scheming manipulative personality that is desperate for wealth and standing in Society. Distraught and vowing to eschew love for evermore, Warren seeks solace in the African jungle, determined to forget the woman whose lovely face has nearly driven him to madness. But now the wheel of fate has turned and suddenly a legacy is calling him home to take up responsibilities he never dreamt would be his, and the chance to be reunited with Magnolia who surprisingly begs his forgiveness. Determined not to answer her siren's call, he leaves for England taking with him the sweet but mysterious Nadia, another young person desperate to leave behind the past. Together they concoct a charade that should free Warren from Magnolia's clutches and offer Nadia a new life. As the time for Warren to meet Magnolia again grows closer, he begins to feel nervous. Will he be able to resist the seductive charms of the woman he once loved to distraction? For above all else Magnolia is determined to marry well and she is not going to let a little thing like Warren's heart stand in her way.

In Book Three of the Milford-Haven saga, protagonist Miranda Jones continues to succeed as an artist, and she has started a relationship with handsome, wealthy Zack Calvin. Yet she's increasingly uncomfortable that he's secretive about his life. Meanwhile Deputy Delmar Johnson has a breakthrough in the case of a missing journalist; Samantha Hugo finds it impossible to keep secret the son she gave up years earlier; restaurant owner Sally O'Mally faces the most difficult secret of her past, and finds love at last with the man she's always loved.

After the tragic death of her mother and father when their horses took fright and sent their carriage hurtling into a river, orphaned Pandora was taken in by her uncle, the Bishop of Lindchester. She has never been happy with him, but now she is horrified to overhear that he plans to marry her off to his Chaplin, the Honourable Prosper Witheridge. There is no denying the will of her Guardian - but just maybe she can fill her husband-to-be with revulsion at the very thought of marrying her With this is mind she invites herself to stay with her cousin, the shockingly decadent Earl of Chartwood, who is notorious for 'entertaining' 'droxies and play-actresses - women with whom no decent man would be associated...' 'Perfect ' she thinks. But arriving at the awesome Chart Hall she is appalled by the outrageous goings on. If only her Guardian would relent and release her to embrace the love she finds burgeoning in her heart...

Having sailed with Sir Francis Drake, swashbuckling privateer Rodney Hawkhurst yearns for a galleon of his own with which to plunder the Spanish Main in the name of Queen Elizabeth. Seeking investment from Sir Harry Gillingham, he has a fleeting encounter with an elfin, tomboyish golden-red-haired beauty ? Sir Harry's youngest daughter Lizbeth ? and is bewitched by her limpid green eyes. Yet it is fair and golden-haired elder sister Phillida with whom he first falls in love... Granted his finances on the condition that Sir Harry's weak, possibly even traitorous son sails with him in the hope that the mission will make him a man, Rodney embarks on a voyage of blood, honour and glory in which he gains great riches but loses his heart, not once, but twice. The risks are great but so are the rewards: wealth beyond compare and, as Rodney finally discovers, a greater, deeper, more passionate love than he ever imagined possible.

Imperious, handsome and gallant in battle, the Duke of Kingswood has stolen the hearts of many society Belles - but he is 'a block of ice which nobody can melt', determined never to marry. To continue the family line, he is counting on his cousin and heir presumptive Richard to marry well and produce a son. To the Duke's horror, Richard's heart is bewitched by society siren and acclaimed beauty Lady Delyth Maulden - and disaster turns to tragedy when Richard finds his beloved in the arms of another, shoots him and turns his gun on himself. With Richard at death's door, the Duke is determined that he shall find a more suitable young beauty to mend his broken heart; to marry him and thwart Lady Delyth's scheming ways. Like manna from heaven, a beautiful young grey-eyed waif calls to him for help for her ailing father as he rides through his estate. Could this modest, unassuming beauty be the ideal bride he seeks for Richard?

Have you ever been so desperate that you would do literally anything for money? This is the tragic situation Giselda finds herself in, with no money for an operation her younger brother desperately needs to save his life, and no one to turn to. Ground down by poverty she plucks up her courage to offer the only thing she has of value - her purity. Choking back her pride and knowing that she is about to forfeit his respect, she approaches her wealthy employer, the handsome Earl of Lyndhurst, who is recovering from his injuries sustained in the Battle of Waterloo. Appalled that this frail and innocent young girl should be faced with such a terrible decision, he vows to find a way to help her without offending her dignity. He knows she would never accept his charity, and she refuses to confide in him the reasons for her family's poverty. Intrigued by the air of mystery about a girl of obvious quality reduced to the role of maidservant, the Earl decides to discover why a beautiful young woman of strong principles has been reduced to such extreme measures. Discovering her to have gentle hands and wonderful nursing skills he employs her as his private nurse and turns his sharp mind to uncovering her secrets - and learns his own lessons in love in the process.

Having survived the 1871 siege of Paris with her mother the Queen of Dabrozka, Princess Ilona is summoned back to the war-ravaged kingdom of her father, a tyrannical monarch whose unjust rule has divided the nation into two factions: her own Radak people and the Saros. Worse still, Russia threatens to march on Dabrozka to impose their iron-clad style of order. Only Ilona can save her country from this fate - by making a terrible sacrifice. At the Prime Minister's request, she must marry the Prince of Saros, their union bringing together the people. This she will do; this she must do - but what her pride will not allow her is to love the aloof, indifferent Prince. Humiliated by the Prince's evident disregard, and beaten by her own father on the eve of her wedding, it seems that love will never fill her heart - but as warclouds gather over Dabrozka, both the Prince and the Proud Princes are about to share a dramatic change of heart

When the Marquis of Sherwood declines her invitation to a Society occasion with the scathing comment that he has no wish to spend his time with d?butantes, whom he believes are ?half-witted, gauche, stupid and not well-educated?, Lady Katherine Wick is incensed. Even more so when she discovers that he apparently prefers the company of the Gaiety Girls, the femmes fatales of the theatrical set. So she resolves to teach him a lesson by enlisting dear friend Lavina Vernon and her most beautiful, talented and witty friends to pose as Gaiety Girls at an unchaperoned party at the Marquis? country mansion ? there to prove that Society girls are intelligent as well as glamorous. Kind, demure country parson's daughter Lavina is uncomfortable with this deceit ? all the more so as she comes to realise that her heart belongs utterly to the Marquis. The question, once the pretence has been exposed, is whether he will treasure it... Or break it.

Florence Day is a ghost-writer with one big problem. She’s supposed to be penning swoon-worthy novels for a famous romance author but, after a bad break-up, Florence no longer believes in love. And when her strict (but undeniably hot) new editor, Benji Andor, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye.

Although when tragedy strikes and Florence has to head home, the last thing she expects to see is a ghost at her front door. Not just any ghost, however, but the stern form of her still very hot – yet now unquestionably dead – new editor.

As sparks start to fly between them, Florence tells herself she can’t be falling for a ghost – even an infuriatingly sexy one. But can Benji help Florence to realise love isn’t dead, after all?

If you fell in love with Beach Read, The Love Hypothesis and The Hating Game, this laugh-out-loud romance packed with sizzling chemistry will give you all the feels!

The perfect summer rom-com to escape with! When two ex-bandmates reunite to perform on a cruise ship, sparks fly!

Micah’s relationship to music is… complicated. Her band took off after being featured on a teen TV show, but the group broke up in no small part thanks to Micah’s ex, the band’s guitarist. Having spent years of trying to make it solo, Micah is offered an opportunity to reunite with the band on a cruise and she reluctantly says yes, even though she’ll have to face the ghosts of her past.

John has been in love with Micah since they were kids making music together, but never said anything for the sake of the band, her old relationship, and to preserve their friendship. A life away from music has made him miss the way his heart sang with hers, so he boards the cruise too.

Onboard, Micah can’t help but see John with new eyes, and John’s feelings only intensify. As the discordant band’s tension grows to a breaking point and they’ll have to decide if their relationship is more than a one-hit wonder.