Cirrus@Austlit

'In the heart of Edinburgh, Aidan MacAndrew, the steadfast Laird of Clan MacAndrew, returns home to a startling revelation—his notorious cousin Donal is to be wed. But when Emily Mortlake boldly refuses to marry Donal at the altar, Aidan discovers that she has been thrust into this alliance by her scheming stepfather and becomes determined to save her from a fate worse than loneliness.

'Emily Mortlake has long yearned for freedom from her stepfather's oppressive control. Her brave refusal sets her on an unexpected path as Aidan steps in to protect her. Now living under his guardianship, Emily must navigate the treacherous waters of trust and newfound independence.

'As Aidan and Emily journey from the Scottish Highlands to the bustling streets of London, they must confront their own fears and the machinations of those who seek to control them. Amidst danger and deception, a bond begins to form, challenging the boundaries of duty and friendship.

'The Bride Said No is a tale of courage, love, and the relentless pursuit of independence, where two hearts must decide whether to forge a future together or remain bound by the ghosts of their pasts. This clean and sweet romance is suitable for readers of all ages.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A heartbroken photographer. An overlooked widow. One photographic plate.

'Clarke Metcalfe is down on his luck. Heartbroken and penniless, Clarke has one last chance to clear the debt he was saddled with when his beloved Emmaline left town to pursue the bright lights of Broadway. It’s an opportunity that will clear his debts and save his kneecaps. But when the mysterious Mrs. Price arrives at his studio, she is not at all what he was expecting.

'Francine Price has spent her marriage trying to meet her husband’s impossible standards, which included keeping her simple, intimate desires at bay. Now her husband is gone, she has begun sorting through his things. And what an eye-opening discovery she has made.

'Francine and Clarke come together for an afternoon—he, the photographer, her the model. But as the afternoon progresses, desires are voiced, and heartaches are laid bare. Clarke and Francine learn the power of passion exposed, but what does it mean to be truly seen by another?

'The Portrait Sitting is a slow burn steamy novelette for fans of romantic historical fiction between consenting adults.' (Publication summary)

'A secret admirer, a Yuletide ball, and a desperate situation

'Violet Hambleton, parson’s daughter, botanical artist, and self-professed wallflower, wants a marriage based on love. A secret admirer who keeps sending her verse will reveal his identity this Christmas. It can’t be the man she loves. . . Sebastian, Viscount Stanworth—he’s heir to an Earl and seven years her junior.

'Sebastian is an heir without a spare. The pressure from his family to wed soon is intense. If he doesn’t act fast this Christmas, he’ll end up betrothed to a bride of his mother’s choosing, not to the woman he loves. . . Violet.

'Time is running out for Sebastian to disclose his secret. It must be revealed at the Yuletide Ball, but will Violet reject him? Is Sebastian destined to surrender to a loveless marriage? Or will verse deliver new hope this Christmas?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

''Generosity is a good thing - but can too much of it keep loving hearts apart?

'Adeline Edmonds is rich, but can't touch that money for the charitable causes she believes in so passionately, and resorts to subterfuge and deception to do her good works. Anthony, Viscount Merryam, is pretending to be the kind of pleasure-loving nobleman her uncle and aunt want her to marry. He is shocked to see Adeline in the mean streets of Soho - and in the decidedly shocking environs of the Soho Club.

'Deception breeds confusion and heartache: can two generous hearts find happiness in the truth?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A chance meeting on a dark highway, a wounded heroine, a hero-in-waiting and Christmas . . .

'When Blake Ashton reluctantly returns to England for a business meeting—his first visit in ten years—he learns his partners are getting ready for a big family Christmas in the country. Ash wants none of that. He has just one plan in mind—to show his face, then immediately return to his free and easy life in the Far East.

'Making his way to Devon on a freezing dark night, he's accosted on the road by a footpad. Shots are exchanged and to Ash's horror he discovers he's accidentally wounded a girl. Ash can't leave her bleeding in the road, so he stays and tends her.

'Charlotte Underwood, in hiding from an unscrupulous guardian, is battling to support herself and her little brother. Wounded, and helpless in the hands of this handsome stranger, Charley soon realizes her heart is in danger from him too.

'Swept into a family Christmas with Max and Abby Davenham, and Abby's 'sisters of the heart'—not to mention their imperious aunt, Lady Beatrice—Charley finds the friendship and support her lonely heart craves. And as his feelings for Charley grow, Ash is forced to face up to his own past, and the reason he left England in the first place.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Cherise really, really loves Christmas. So, when she wins her perfect holiday for two, a white Christmas at Whistler Ski Resort in Canada - all her dreams come true. There’s only one downside to her ‘12 Days of Whistler’ vacation … her boyfriend of six months has dumped her only weeks before they’re due to fly out.

'When her brother’s annoying best friend wants to buy her ticket, she point-blank refuses. Hunter had always been a thorn under her skin, ever since he’d asked her brother ‘who the fat chick was’, on meeting her as a pre-teen. The insult had stuck with her over the years, and in her opinion, Hunter was way too good looking, and needed to be brought down a peg or two every now and again. Cherise had assigned that job to herself, sick of women drooling over him. Plus, there was no way she would sell her ultimate Christmas so he could take one of his girlfriends.

'Then Hunter offers her a deal she can’t refuse. They’ll share the holiday, and with him paying for half, Cherise has plenty of spending money. However, there were conditions. One, Hunter must escort her to all the couple events the holiday entails, and two, absolutely NO SEX!

'Among the magical festivities of a Whistler Wonderland the rules shouldn’t be too hard to enforce. After all, Cherise was immune to Hunter’s charms, so she could easily resist him, right?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.