Lucy Locket, the long lost granddaughter of a duchess, has never been a part of Society. One day, she was living a secluded life as the prisoner of a criminal, and the next day she was an heiress in a world she did not even remotely understand. She does not embody the typical qualities of a well-born lady...at all. She can't curtsy, she doesn’t hide her emotions, she’s too clever by far. But in three months, she must marry a suitor with a royally-bestowed title, or she forfeits a fortune—leaving her and the duchess in dire straits.All Henry Beaumont wants is to prove himself to Society and step outside of his half-brother’s shadow. So when the duchess asks him for a personal favor involving her newly found granddaughter—with a hefty thank you reward at the end—he leaps at the opportunity. It seems as if Lucy is trading one prison for another. Henry has now become a permanent fixture as her charming yet iron-fisted taskmaster and tutor in the ways of High Society. Like oil and water, Lucy and Henry spar in an epic battle of wills—and even rapiers. But Lucy’s past and her surprising, undeniable feelings for Henry may doom their undertaking if he declares his love for her...because without a title, he can never be hers.

"I was captivated by the beautiful covers from the start and that captivation just carried straight through from page one to the end of each book." ~Jeannette R. HolthamA breathtaking medieval saga of love, duty, loyalty, failure, and triumph.Experience the first three volumes of The Knights of England by Mary Ellen Johnson.BOOK 1: The Lion and the LeopardMaria Rendell wants to be a dutiful wife to her husband, Phillip, but she cannot deny her attraction to their liege lord, Richard of Sussex. Loving Phillip should be easy. She has married the knight of whom minstrels sing, the knight who saved Richard's life. But when Phillip abandons Maria to indulge his wanderlust, she turns to Richard, sparking a passionate affair amid the crumbling kingdom of Edward II. As rebellion rises and Isabella of France prepares to invade England, the day of reckoning approaches for Maria, Richard, Phillip, and Edward II himself.BOOK 2: A Knight There WasWhen Golden Knight Matthew Hart returns from battle with a life-threatening sickness, Margery Watson nurses him back to health. As their bond deepens, Matthew refuses marriage so his younger brother may inherit, but asks Margery to live openly with him. Margery agrees, risking everything for love. But while Matthew is away, a scheming adversary traps Margery in a deceptive marriage to a wealthy goldsmith. When Matthew returns to find Margery wedded, both lovers believe betrayal has torn them apart forever.BOOK 3: Within A Forest DarkHaunted by battlefield atrocities, Matthew Hart returns to London with his belief in the perfection of knighthood shaken. He longs to reunite with Margery Watson, now a wealthy widow with no intention of marrying again. But she cannot turn away the handsome knight she once loved. As Matthew struggles beneath feudal obligations and Margery's unrest turns treasonous, the forces of king and kingdom may become the lovers' undoing, or their only hope.Note: Readers with a passion for history will appreciate Mary Ellen Johnson's attention to detail and historical accuracy. This series contains scenes of brutality true to the period, a limited number of sexual scenes, and no modern vulgarity. Fans of Elizabeth Chadwick, Bernard Cornwell, Philippa Gregory, Tamara Leigh, and Suzan Tisdale will enjoy this historically rich medieval saga.The Knights of England Series:The Lion and the LeopardA Knight There WasWithin A Forest DarkA Child Upon The ThroneLords Among the Ruins

A warrior with a haunted past and the lass who vows to love him forever.Loki Grant’s first memories are of living in a crate behind an inn in Ayr, struggling to survive. Clan Grant saved him from his lonely existence and took him in as one of their own. But though the Highlands have become his home and he loves his adopted parents, Brodie and Celestina, Loki feels lost. Part of him is still that scrappy wee lad who relied on his wits to survive the streets, and he is not sure he belongs.The feistiest and most beautiful lass in the clan, Arabella, steals his heart, but when her father resists the match because Loki is not of clan blood, Loki decides to confront his past. He wishes to satisfy Bella’s father by discovering his parentage, but he also hopes his quest will help him understand his purpose. As far as Arabella is concerned, Loki Grant is the wiliest, brawest, and most handsome warrior in existence. She is determined to have him as her husband regardless of what her father thinks. So when Loki’s search for his sire leads him into trouble, she rushes headlong after him.Together, Loki and Arabella must discover the dark secrets of Loki’s origins, for only by confronting the past can they hope for a bright future together.

He wanted a comfortable marriage. She feared her wedding night. Ten years later, desire demands a second chance.Millie has been the Duchess of Camborne for a decade — and a stranger in her husband’s bed.On their wedding night, she let fear rule her, and what should have been the beginning of love became the beginning of distance. Since then, their marriage has been polite, proper… and painfully empty.Charles once believed he had chosen a gentle, affectionate bride. Instead, he found a wall he did not know how to break — and eventually sought warmth elsewhere.But when fate throws them together in the most scandalous of places — at his mistress’s house — old misunderstandings begin to unravel.One night. One truth. One final chance to claim the marriage that was always meant to be theirs.A Second Wedding Night is a steamy Regency romance about estranged spouses, rekindled desire, and discovering that love sometimes waits a decade to bloom.

From bestselling author Amelia Grey comes The Duke in My Bed, a wickedly romantic tale of one reckless bachelor, five unwed sisters, and a wildly unconventional game of love...HERE COMES THE GROOMAs a notorious member of the Heirs' Club, Bray Drakestone can't resist a challenge from one of his well-heeled colleagues-especially when it involves money and horses. But the friendly wager takes an unexpected and deadly turn. Bray is forced to agree to marry one of his challenger's five sisters-sight unseen. Now gamblers all over London are placing bets on whether Bray will actually go through with it...THERE GOES THE BRIDEMiss Louisa Prim, the eldest sister, doesn't care a whit what the reckless rogue at the Heirs' Club promised her brother-she has no intention of marrying the future Duke of Drakestone. Bray, however, sees her rejection as another challenge. He bets that the fiery Miss Prim will not only agree to marry him, she will propose to him! With four sisters behind her, Louisa knows she can't lose. But why does her opponent have to be a divinely handsome scoundrel? And so sweetly, irresistibly seductive...

A woman used to swashbuckling adventure is blindsided by love in this breathtaking Victorian romance from the New York Times–bestselling author.Courageous and resourceful Lady Tess Collier is at home in the world's wildest places. But when her explorer father, the Earl of Morrow, dies, she reluctantly agrees to honor his final wish: to return to England with Gryphon Meridon as her guide and protector, and to seek a good marriage there.A dashing and mysterious sea captain, Gryf has been charged with guarding Tess from unworthy and unscrupulous suitors. But resisting his own heart's fevered yearning for the brave and beautiful woman is his greatest challenge. For a dark secret he can share with no one prevents the bold adventurer from freely giving his love. But in a perilous, unsure world, perhaps only love can truly save them both.Praise for Laura Kinsale"No one—repeat, no one—writes historical romance better." —Mary Jo Putney, New York Times–bestselling author"Laura Kinsale is one of the romance genre's brightest stars." —Loretta Chase, New York Times–bestselling author"Laura Kinsale creates magic." —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times–bestselling author

From the Author Prequel to THE SHADOW AND THE STAR About the Author Laura Kinsale is a winner and multiple nominee for the Best Book of the Year award given by the Romance Writers of America. She became a romance writer after six years as a geologist -- a career which consisted of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and driving hundreds of miles alone across west Texas to sit at drilling rigs, wear a hard hat, and attempt to boss around oil-covered males considerably larger than herself. This, she decided, was pushing her luck. So she gave all that up to sit in a chair and stare into space for long periods of time, attempting to figure out What-Happens-Next. She and her husband David currently divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Texas.