Showing results by author "Laura A. Barnes" in All Categories

A wager on a young lady’s virtue leads to… She wanted to seek revenge against the gentlemen who ruined her father. He desired to earn her love. Can he strike a new wager to entice her into his arms forever? Devon Holdenburg cannot remember a time when he hadn’t been in love with Kathleen Beckwith. At his every attempt to court her, she waylaid him with her fiery exchanges. As he kisses the words from her lips, Devon strokes the flames of their passion higher. Can Devon convince Kathleen of his love? Ever since her family’s ruination, Lady Kathleen Beckwith had set out to expose ...

Time leads one along a soulful journey to find one’s true love. A spitfire debutante. A dashing imposter. One stolen kiss sets them on their path. Margaret Worthington was a lady who failed to escape the clutches of time. She was now forced to endure a dreadful season visiting the stifling ballrooms, wearing fancy dresses and false smiles. When she would rather ride her horse across the open fields in her comfortable breeches, enjoying the fresh air. Her penchant for trouble lands her in the arms of a lord who she had fantasized about all season. After they share a scandalous kiss, ...

Revenge only leaves your heart vulnerable to …. She rescues him for vengeance. He rescues her for desire. Will their unlikely meeting form a bond of everlasting love? Skye MacKinnon captures the double agent working alongside her enemy. When she holds her prisoner hostage at her castle, he draws her into an attraction that spirals out of control. After she fights off his spell, she deceives him for her own agenda. As she betrays his trust, she is caught in the web of the evil villain who is terrorizing England. Chained and left waiting for his own demise, Earl Zane Maxwell is soon rescued...

Tired of watching her friends become ruined by the scoundrels of the ton, Sidney Hartridge devises an experiment to reveal their antics. Her plan is to lure three gentlemen to kiss her and see how they would protect her honor. When her research leads her into her own inappropriate scandal, her father agrees to a wedding offer from one of her subjects. As her fiancé blackmails her into a marriage she doesn’t desire, her research becomes exposed. Can Sidney avoid her own scandal with the one she most desires to kiss?

A love that sneaks upon you unaware … All she had to do was to pretend an interest in the gentlemen invited to the house party. He only came to the house party to amuse himself. After they are thrown together for the entertainments, will they realize the depths of their desire for one another? Charlotte Holbrooke enjoyed her simple life at her uncle’s estate. She filled her days by spending time with her family and her favorite passion, horses. When her uncle announces a chance for a London season, Charlotte feels the pressure of her freedom drifting away. To prepare for the season, her...

A fallen lady must rise above her disgrace. A lady with limited options. A gentleman left without a choice. Could two souls forced together find it in their hearts to forgive one another? Vivian Wescott was once a debutante who won the affection of the most sought-after bachelor in London. However, her family’s fall from grace forced her into a life of servitude. With what remained of her pride, Vivian eagerly arrived in Scotland to begin her position as a governess. Only to discover her new employer was her ex-betrothed. A gentleman who had thrown her over, yet still held her heart ...

A love that must overcome deception… She tried everything to make a certain gentleman take notice. He only wanted the lady’s attention for financial gain. After a scandalous night and a swift ride to Gretna Green, can the couple admit to their true feelings of love for one another? Evelyn Holbrooke found herself married after a remarkable night spent in the earl’s bed. She fell in love with Reese Worthington after their first kiss. However, she used deception to make him fall for her charms. Now, trapped in a stormy marriage, Evelyn only hoped for his forgiveness. After getting caught...

When fate opens a door, one must … She was destined to become a Duchess. He wanted to claim her for himself. Before the wedding vows are spoken, can they explore the depths of their attraction? Selina Pemberton’s father arranged for her to marry a duke’s son when she was a young girl still in the nursery. Their marriage would unite two dukedoms and lay the foundation for a powerful dynasty. However, he wasn’t the gentleman who starred in her fantasies. No. The honor went to the groom’s cousin. A most maddening Scotsman. He irritated her with his teasing and the nickname Duchess he...

While trying to prevent her friend from a scandal Sophia Turlington becomes entangled in her own. As she waits for her friend in a brothel, a duke mistakes her for a harlot. When he requests an arrangement, Sophia decides to explore the passion he awakens in her soul. Her only stipulations for the affair are a mask, one week, and he must never discover her true identity. Can Sophia give him her heart and walk away as if their time never affected her?

One cannot force love, but must wait for the perfect moment to make their match. The love she held for him was a burden she carried in her heart. His family’s legacy kept him from opening his heart to her love. Can they overcome their doubts and share a lifetime of love? Abigail Cason was a dreamer. When she met her knight in shining armor, her heart only bowed to him. The friendship she shared with him led her to believe he would ask her to become his bride. Even with his promise to wed another, Abigail still dreamt of the impossible. After his broken betrothal, she thought her dreams ...

A fate already set in motion may hold unexpected surprises. A lady betrayed by her betrothed. A gentleman set out for destruction. Would his scandalous proposition entice her to surrender to the passion swirling around them? Noel Worthington’s happily ever after was only weeks away. She had finally secured herself a match with a divine earl who doted on her at every opportunity. However, Noel questioned if she should give her heart to him after he betrayed her with his deception. When her groom stays absent, she does what any lady in her position would do and confronts him, stating her ...

How many wishes must one make for a dream to come true? A lady who dreamt of the impossible. A gentleman tempted by fate’s calling. Would destiny show this couple the love they hold for one another? Grace Penrose fled to Scotland to avoid the vicious rumors circulating about her in London. Though they were false, they forced her to accept a position with an insufferable Scottish lord. When he wasn’t questioning Grace about her governess skills, he filled her thoughts with fanciful dreams of him, declaring his unrequited love. She thought he didn’t share her feelings until one rainy ...

Every honorable act is driven by love. A lady threatened by the unknown. A gentleman wishing to be the lady’s knight in shining armor. Would they acknowledge their feelings before danger strikes? Sara Abbott had been sheltered throughout her life by those who loved her. Now, her innocence leaves her vulnerable to a villain's terror. When her employer proposed marriage to ensure her protection, Sara’s heart refused to deny the offer. She had longed for the duke’s kiss since he had comforted her in his warm embrace. Was Sara’s greatest wish to be part of a family within her grasp? Ian...

To deny fate is to deny the love you hold in your heart. A gentleman smitten with a mysterious lady. A lady in search of a knight to rescue her. Graham Worthington had spent most of his career searching for a notorious villainess. Now, with her capture near, he becomes distracted by a lady who was just as elusive. While trying to avoid his family’s matchmaking attempt, he meets his mystery lady by chance in a moonlit garden. After sharing a few kisses, his heart declares the lady his soul mate. They share stolen moments, exploring the passion that drew them together. However, he must ...

Secrets have a way of coming to light… She never allowed her heart to love another. He had never forgotten her. Will their secrets keep them apart? Or would their love overcome them? Belle portrayed herself as two different women in London. To the lower class she was Rosie, a young widow who lost her husband too soon. A generous lady who befriended all, always helping those in need. To the peers of the realm, she was the notorious Madame Bellerose. Her establishment in Covent Garden was the most sought after to gain membership. Every gentleman attempted to bed the sultry Belle, but she ...

Once you overcome your sorrows and regrets the endless possibilities before you can be an unexpected surprise. A lady with secrets. A gentleman seeking redemption. Can forgiveness be sought for past betrayals? Flora Grant’s return to Scotland went unnoticed. Or so she thought. However, a gentleman from her past arrived, making it impossible for Flora to keep her secrets. She agreed to a truce with the infuriating Scottish barbarian who rattled her emotions more deeply than she cared to admit to. With each kiss he stole from her lips, Flora’s heartache melted away. Could she trust him ...

And our love will cling forever between the ivy and the thorns… He left soon after they shared their first kiss. She waited for his return. Can two lost souls find their way to love each other? Ivy Mallory spent the past seven years patiently waiting for Marcus Thornhill to return. He took her heart with him when he rejected her love. Over the years, Ivy played the part of the perfect lady enjoying the London seasons. However, when she overheard a treason plot threatening her brother, Ivy got herself kidnapped. When she awakened on the ship of the man who broke her heart, Marcus tempted ...

Every ball that Dallis MacPherson attended, she saved a spot on her dance card for a certain gentleman. Many balls later and still no offer prompts her to pursue the earl. When she encounters him on a darkened balcony, he steals a kiss and warns her away. His stolen kiss promises a passion she wants to explore. At every occasion, she tempts him with her own promise. Soon, the earl falls for her charms and sends her down a path of ruination with one incident after another. Can Dallis overcome the scandal of the earl's pursuit?

When one believes in love, they will embrace … She wanted to keep her independence. He wanted her to accept his marriage proposal. After her uncle withdrew his support of their union, will they discover they only need each other’s acceptance for a happily ever after? Jacqueline Holbrooke refused to become the latest match in her uncle’s mad matchmaking scheme. She watched her sisters and cousins fall victim to his madness. Yet, if she were honest with herself, they weren’t victims, but just as mad as their uncle. Madly in love. An emotion Jacqueline fought to keep from embracing. ...

Sometimes one must spark the flame to ignite the hidden passion. A fiery spinster. An irritating gentleman. One scandalous night filled with indulging in their desires. Eden Worthington strode through the London ballrooms with the confidence of an independent lady. She didn’t believe in the foolish notion of soul mates, nor did she wish to fall victim to the Marriage Mart. Eden was perfectly content to live her life free from a husband’s demands and help her brother with his detective agency. She refused to allow the attraction of a certain infuriating gentleman to ruin her plans. No ...