Short Stories/Novellas
This winter, steal away with the reigning queens of Regency Romance . . . to a surprise snowstorm, the comfort of a blazing fire, and the heat of a lover’s kisses . . . A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection . . . A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries Whisked away from a wintry ball by the officer she knew only through letters, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for the commanding Colonel Lord Heywood. For he, secretly a fortune-hunter, must marry for money to save his estate—and Cass, secretly an heiress, will accept nothing less than love . . . ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now snowed in with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them? “Hunter’s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit.” — Booklist “Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author “Putney’s books are the literary equivalent of catnip to historical romance fans .” — Booklist
The Beauty and the Beast: a haunted and hidden lord, a desperate young beauty, and a marriage of convenience between two people who yearn for more… James Markland, Lord Falconer, knows that he is ugly, very ugly, and he lives a life of seclusion, wearing a heavily cowled mantle to conceal his face from the world. When he learns that a neighboring girl, the exquisite young Ariel Hawthorne, is about to be sold into marriage with a revolting lecher, he offers her the only protection he can: his name. Of course it will be a marriage in name only, because what woman could want him? A talented artist, Ariel is cursed by her beauty and vulnerability. Though she never sees her husband's face, she is drawn to his kindness and generosity, but he is determined to push her away. Will he allow her to love him before it's too late? Perhaps the magic of Christmas can bring them together… This seasonal stand-alone Regency novella is also published in the author's Christmas Revels collection. What readers say: * " The Black Beast of Belleterre [is] the perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling with every detail wonderfully re-envisioned." * "When I was a teen, I read this and fell in love with The Black Beast Of Belleterre. It is a Beauty and the Beast sort of tale. It pulls in everything we hope for in a love story!" * "[ The Black Beast of Belleterre ] was an amazing story!"
The reigning legendary queens of Regency Romance, bestselling authors Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney, deck the halls with this delightful Christmas collection of three sparkling holiday interconnected romances, as stranded travelers find merriment, mistletoe, and holiday romance awaiting at a quaint country inn… THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter Jenna Waverly has closed her inn, anticipating a blissfully quiet Christmas, until a snowstorm brings the first of several strangers to her property. Lucas Avonwood, as charming as he is secretive, is on a mission to track down a scoundrel, but the inn’s lovely owner is giving him a more compelling reason to stay… WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries When Flora Younger first met Konrad Juncker, she thought she’d found her match, only to have her hopes dashed. Konrad is now a famous playwright whose plays Flora has secretly panned in reviews. But a chance meeting in a secluded inn may help them rewrite this star-crossed romance… WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney Kate Mcleod is shocked to find that her fellow guest in the snowbound inn is the dashing soldier who may or may not be her husband. Daniel Faringdon barely remembers that long-ago night when he rescued her from disaster, but the desire they discover now will be impossible to forget, or to ignore . . .
Searching for sunshine… Lonely and depressed by far too much rain, Lord Randolph Lennox decides on impulse to take the first ship leaving London for the sunny Mediterranean. Chance brings him to Naples—where it's also raining. But the rain clears and as he discovers the city, a pleasant young English governess rescues him from an altercation with a flirtatious girl and her protective family. Miss Elizabeth Walker is between jobs and taking a holiday in Naples when she meets the quiet, handsome Englishman. When he proposes that she act as his guide for the next few days, she accepts because they enjoy each other's company. Elizabeth matter-of-factly recognizes that of course she'll fall quietly in love with him and nothing will come of it, but she'll have some lovely memories to cherish in her old age. …and finding a second chance at love… As they come to know each other better, Randolph starts thinking thoughts of forever, but that seems impossible—until fate takes an alarming hand. (** This story is also available in the author's novella collection, Christmas Revels .) Author's Note: The hero of Sunshine for Christmas was a secondary character in my RITA winning novel, The Rake. A foolish youthful mistake had cost him the woman he loved. But doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? Praise for Sunshine for Christmas: " Sunshine for Christmas , which featured Lord Randolph Lennox, who made an appearance in the novel The Rake , has edged out (Putney's Christmas) Cuckoo as my new favorite (novella) by her. It was a thoroughly satisfying story." —A Reader "Putney's writing is clear as crystal and smooth as silk." — Booklist "Mary Jo Putney is a gifted writer with an intuitive understanding of what makes romance work." — Jayne Ann Krentz
Money can buy many things, but does that include a good, loving husband? Emma Stone was raised as part of a large, loving aristocratic family, but after she was orphaned she became a tired, lonely governess. Then through an act of kindness, she inherits an unexpected fortune and realizes that she can now have the husband and family she craves. Anthony Vaughn, the dashing distant cousin she'd admired as a child now needs a fortune to pay his father's debts and preserve his family estate. Together they strike a bargain—even though Emma knows she risks not only her fortune but her heart… (This story is also available in the author's novella collection, Christmas Candles .) Praise for Mary Jo Putney: "Putney's writing is clear as crystal and smooth as silk." — Booklist "Mary Jo Putney is a gifted writer with an intuitive understanding of what makes romance work." —Jayne Ann Krentz
A Chance Christmas Connection Tired of dealing with legalities relating to his father's unexpected death, new baronet Sir Philip Selbourne is ready to leave London and head home for Christmas. But having spent a boyhood rescuing strays, he's unable to resist helping a desperate young woman with speaking brown eyes and a kitten in her pocket. Young French seamstress Nicole Chambord is in dire straits after being wrongly fired by her dreadful employer. Then chance brings her together with Philip Selbourne. His kindness leads her to accept when he offers to take her to his family estate so she can become a companion to his French-born mother. But the roads are icy and an accident forces Philip, Nicole (and the kitten!) to seek refuge at the cottage of a lonely widow—and creates a Christmas miracle for them all. “"The two of them have heart melting adventures followed by a happy ending." —An Amazon reader
He was going to be hanged on Tuesday English-born Andrew Kane had enjoyed the adventurous life of a gambler in the Wild West, but after winning a ranch in Colorado, he was ready to settle down. Then his attempt to protect a young tavern girl led to a shoot out and a wrongful conviction for murder. On his journey to the gallows, he meets despairing young widow Eliza Holden who intervenes when he's being beaten by his guards. Together, they find comfort and a stunning sense of connection. Can Eliza create a Christmas miracle for them both? Praise from readers: "Mary Jo Putney always delivers wonderful stories that hold my interest and leave me feeling wonderful!" "I am a fan of all of Mary Jo's books. She creates very likeable characters. I have read all of her books." "The main characters have personal struggles which they approach with grit and honor. Of course the love and peace of the Christmas season helps them resolve and love. I really liked the story set in the West especially because there are so few good stories set there." "This was a really unique and memorable romance and much different than anything I've read from MJP before. It contains some serious subject matter...just be aware that it's not a light and easy read."