Cirrus@Austlit

'Meet Mercy Blain, whose house has just burnt down. Unfortunately for Mercy, this goes beyond the disaster it would be for most people: she hasn't been outside that house for two years now.

'Flung out into the world she's been studiously ignoring, Mercy goes to the only place she can. Her not-quite-ex-husband Eugene's house. But it turns out she can't stay there, either.

'And so begins Mercy's unwilling journey. After the chance purchase of a cult classic campervan (read tiny, old and smelly), with the company of her sausage dog, Wasabi, and a mysterious box of cremated remains, Mercy heads north from Adelaide to Darwin.

'On the road, through badly timed breakdowns, gregarious troupes of grey nomads, and run-ins with a rogue adversary, Mercy's carefully constructed walls start crumbling. But what was Mercy hiding from in her house? And why is Eugene desperate to have her back in the city? They say you can't run forever...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'James Logan knew it was time to take a wife and produce an heir. Megan was perfect for his plans: shy, unworldly and quickly seduced by the Sydney advertising tycoon's devilish charm. She was pregnant on their wedding day.The honeymoon was barely over when Megan had a miscarriage and the scales fell from her eyes: she was trapped in a convenient marriage, and James expected her to conceive again soon. She should have demanded a divorce, but Megan was facing the uncomfortable truth: she'd fallen in love with her ruthless husband....' (Publication Summary)

'A wife on paper...Jasper Caulfield is outraged by the terms of his father's will: marriage for one month with Hayley Addington–or lose everything! In his bed? Hayley's determined to be a wife on paper only! But the art of seduction is this tycoon's specialty...Where she belongs!After thirty-one days, Jasper must decide if he's to return to his bachelor lifestyle–or keep his new bride for his very own pleasure.' (Publication summary)

'Headstrong Angelica Cynster is certain she'll recognize her fated husband at first sight. And when her eyes meet those of a mysterious nobleman across a candlelit ballroom, she knows beyond doubt that he's the one. But her heart is soon pounding for an entirely different reason--when her hero abducts her!

'The eighth Earl of Glencrae has no choice but to kidnap Angelica, the one Cynster sister with whom he hadn't wanted to tangle. But to save his castle and his clan, he must persuade her to assist him--and he's prepared to offer marriage to seal the deal.'

Source: Stephanie Laurens's website, http://www.stephanielaurens.com/
Sighted: 28/08/2012

'The winner takes all! When infamous billionaire gambler Bahir Al-Qadir is forced to protect his ex-lover, Marina Peshwah, it seems Lady Luck has finally deserted him. He's tried to forget the spoilt princess, but even the relentless heat of the desert has failed to burn the intoxicating image of her from his mind. Now he's about to discover that their passion left them with more than memories. Marina is once again at the mercy of the man she loves to hate. She may hold the winning card, but with such high stakes this proud sheikh will go all in to claim his heir!' (Publication summary)

'Rescued from the clutches of a lascivious prince, Princess Aisha Peshwah quickly realizes she's jumped out of the frying pan and headfirst into the fire. Her rescuer is Zoltan Al Farouk bin Shamal—an unashamed barbarian!—who must marry Aisha himself to ensure he is crowned king.

'Commanding, stern and brutally attractive, Zoltan is as untamed as the desert he will be master of. Aisha wants to resist, but is drawn to this enigmatic man, and soon her innocent body begins to unravel beneath his powerful possession.…'

Source : publisher's blurb

Discovering an abandoned baby in the backseat of a taxi was not on hotelier Zack Harrison's agenda. Luckily, a stunning stranger comes to his aid-and piques his interest. But before Child Services can arrive, a snowstorm strands the trio in Zack's luxurious Colorado cabin. Trinity Matthews wants to resist Zack's advances, but his care and concern for her and the baby soon have her melting. As the snow falls and the heat sizzles, it's not long before Trinity's sleeping in his bed. And she finds herself wondering if their temporary arrangement could have permanent effects.

Source: Robyn Grady's website, http://robyngrady.com/
Sighted: 17/04/2013

'For Better, For Worse, For Ever?

'The first look, the first touch, the first kiss...Is there anything better than the beginning of a new relationship? Not for Caitlyn March - self-confessed relationship junkie. Now she's sworn off 'for ever' for good - three broken engagements make it clear that she - and her fickle heart - are not to be trusted...

'Enter Dax Bainbridge - the most deliciously handsome man she has ever met! He's a man with enough oomph to make her forget her vows to steer clear of romance, but luckily his rules of engagement are simple: there's no ring on offer; all he's interested in is one unbelievably hot fling...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ruby Maguire's done with being messed around by men. Now she just needs to know three things about a potential bedmate: his name, where he'll be in a week's time, and what it is he wants from her.

'Damon West knows plenty about subterfuge and secrets, and nothing about being truthful with women. But Ruby demands honesty between them so Damon gives her as much as he can: I'm Damon West. I'll be leaving Singapore in a week. And I want you to touch me.

'At least, that was the intention, but something's telling normally bullet-proof Damon that one week with Ruby might not be so easy to recover from.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Crash Course in Flirtation...

'Poppy West - genius and legendary code-cracker - needs a hideaway. Her borrowed desert island seems perfect - until she discovers the owner is the most dangerously sexy man she has ever laid eyes on...Now she's out of her depth! Sebastian Reyne never intended to teach Poppy all the delightful, enticing mysteries of flirtation. Poppy needs a nice man, not a rogue. A patient man, not one who can't be controlled. But her clueless attempts at cracking the dating code bring out the rescuer in him, the teacher in him, even the gentleman in him. For a while. Until Poppy's skills start to exceed his own...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Gemma fights for what she believes in. Her local beach is under threat from developers—so she's chained herself up suffragette-style in a dramatic protest against tycoon Rory Devlin!

'As an attention-grabbing stunt, it's priceless…only, Gemma's usual dedication is being sidetracked by her inconvenient attraction to the big boss man himself! Gorgeous, rich and ruthlessly cynical, this corporate shark is everything Gemma has sworn to avoid….'

Source : publisher's blurb

'After spending the last few years as the perfect political wife, Ava's finally single and free to live her life as she chooses. She starts her new life as a freelance writer with a massive scoop: an interview with extreme sports legend - and dreamboat! - Roman Gianakis...The immediate chemistry is all-consuming, but Roman lives his life firmly in the public eye. To match him, Ava will have to step up next to him. Till now she's always wished she could hide in the wings - is she ready to embrace centre stage?'  (Publication summary)

'Nine month wedding night scandal!

'Nico Eliades is back on the idyllic Greek island of Xanos to uncover long-buried family secrets. He can't help but notice a bride in a crumpled wedding dress sitting on the steps of his hotel.

'Constantine's orchestrated marriage is over before the wedding night. A humiliated virgin bride, she longs to feel desired, and at Nico's skilled hands she experiences white-hot passion.

'But their one night brings more than just shame on Constantine and her family.... Constantine has no choice but to reveal her bombshell to Nico – yet still her fingers tremble as she dials the number for Eliades Enterprises....' (Publication summary)

'Emilio Andreoni's goal is perfection: a corporate king and Italy's most eligible bachelor, he craves only one more thing to complete his phenominally successful life – the perfect woman! Once he thought that woman was shy Gisele Carter – until her scandalous goings-on became headline news and he called off their seemingly perfect engagement. But now Emilio is faced with proof of Gisele's innocence! He's determined to win back the only woman who ever truly satisfied him, but first he must persuade Gisele she's worthy of wearing his diamonds again ...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Zander Kargas developed his drive to succeed first from his father's cruel fists, then from living on the streets. He's fought for everything, and few challenges remain...or so he thinks!

'Charlotte is the best secretary Zander has ever had the pleasure of dealing with, and the only woman to fire his blood in a long time. But she works for his bitter rival....

'Zander, assuming he can acquire her the way he does with most things, reaches for his wallet – except, Charlotte can't be bought. So Zander must entice her...beginning with a very indecent proposition!' (Publisher's blurb)

'Trapped by desire.

Maggie is at her most defenceless when she meets Khalid, a mysterious yet sympathetic stranger. Their single night of passion has consequences neither expect. Khalid's solution to their situation is simple, a marriage of convenience. But can Maggie give up everything she knows to marry the enigmatic lord of a desert kingdom? Can she trust her life to the hands of the man who makes her vulnerable in ways she's never been before?

'Khalid is determined to do the right thing by Maggie. She stirs his protective instincts even though she's one of the strongest and most resilient women he's ever met. More, she arouses desires and feelings he thought he'd buried long ago. He doesn't know where the passion between them will lead, but he refuses to back away, even if it means obliterating the walls they've each built around their emotions. He will have her as his bride and he won't settle for anything less than all of her: mind, body and heart.' (Publisher's blurb)

'The last woman he would ever marry

'The last time Andreas Ferrante saw Sienna Baker she was naively trying to seduce him. Whilst her provocative sensuality is emblazoned on Andreas's memory, the terrible consequences torment him. So the news that they must marry to secure his inheritance is unthinkable ...

'Once devastated by his heartless rejection, when she sees Andreas again it makes Sienna's humiliation burn brighter. And as for marrying him ... ? They'd be lucky to last the ceremony without killing each other!

'But there's a fine line between love and hate ... Will the flames of anger turn to white-hot passion on their wedding night?' (Publisher's blurb)

'Successful architect Matt McGregor is used to having his way, both in business and in the bedroom. So when he discovers his aunt's gardener is the violet-eyed beauty who captivated him at a night-club then promptly disappeared, he's determined not to let her run out on him again.

'Ellie Rose has sworn off relationships of any kind and falling for her employer's seriously sexy nephew could prove more painful than landing naked in a patch of poison ivy - after all, temporary is all he's offering. But the millionaire's red-hot kisses and chivalrous ways are melting her resistance big time.

'Can their no-strings affair tempt them both to unlock their hearts and risk more than a few nights between the sheets?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'From: Sophie Buchanan

'Sophie’s fantasy man is supposed to stay in her dreams…

'To: Jared Sanderson

'…until her diary detailing her saucy dream gets accidentally e-mailed to her sexy new boss!

'Subject: Red-Hot Dream!

Suddenly Sophie has Jared’s attention! He’s not looking for commitment, and luckily that’s also the last thing on Sophie’s mind, so the stage is set for a sizzling no-strings affair. But as work, steamy nights and painful secrets all begin to build up Sophie soon knows she’s in a whole heap of trouble… '

Source: Publisher's blurb.