Short Stories/Novellas

I'd just come home from the worst first date ever and was seriously ready to give up on men. The only guys I was meeting were boring, lazy, and judgmental (seriously, Balding Bob, you don't get to deem my ponytail "not dressy enough" for a date with you, kwim?). But, instead of diving straight into the ice cream that night, I happened to open my messages first. There in my inbox was an innocent note from a bartender named Mike. What happened next was anything but innocent. We started chatting and one thing led to another and pretty soon, Mike was describing a graphic, erotic fantasy of what he'd do with me, should I accept his invitation to stop by his bar. This erotic short story is about 5500 words long and contains graphic depictions of sexual acts between consenting, adult strangers. Mike knew exactly what words to use--and what actions to describe--to get me all hot and bothered and I'm excited to share this sexy chat with you.

Rory MacPherson has returned home to find his castle overrun by the English and his timid wife missing. So when he hears of her tales of bravery, he's just a little surprised. But his main concern is whether she is still alive or has been captured. Upon discovering her intention to run to her father's and to leave their affectionless marriage for good, Rory realises just how much sweet Isla means to him. Can the warrior get past his fears of being too rough for her? Though fear of capture drove Isla out, it's the fear of returning to her marriage that keeps her travelling across the unforgiving Highlands. Not that she doesn't care for her husband, but she can no longer bear desiring a man who clearly doesn't want her. Believing that he must be sharing his bed with another lass, Isla plans to beg her father for refuge from the English...and her husband. But the journey is dangerous and Rory is a determined man. Will he even let her go? Hunting His Highland Lass is a short, Scottish romance with a touch of heat and characters who will steal your heart!

For years the Vikings had raided their lands and killed her people. Now the enemy lay in her bed… Rescuing a Viking pirate from the ocean after his ship wrecked on the shores of Pictland was bound to bring Ilisa trouble. After all, she knew well of the savagery of the Vikings—she had experienced it first-hand. But her heart would not allow her to abandon someone in need. Unfortunately, nursing him back to health rouses a part of her she didn’t know existed and soon she’s the one in need. Alrek’s well aware of his own need when he awakens in this beautiful Pict’s home. With his plans to venture to new lands on hold, he resolves to thank Ilisa for her help in any way he can—but not in the way he longs to the most. He must prove not all Vikings are the same. But his own savage past threatens to destroy any progress he makes and her people soon make it clear he will never be accepted. Can they bridge the gap between two cultures or will their differences—and the dangers they bring—forever keep them apart? Content warning: Contains some adult scenes. A novella length story: approximately 30000 words.

In a time when marriage had little to do with love and everything to do with money, Alexander Fenhurst, Duke of Wyndbourne, never expected a love match. But he also didn’t expect his wife to run into the arms of another man only a month after their nuptials. Having discovered her in the embrace of another man—and well aware of her dislike of him—he did what any self-respecting man would do. He left his Scottish estate and spent almost a year climbing the Alps and indulging his passion for adventure. But no amount of adventure will change the fact he needs an heir. Resigned to the knowledge he somehow needs to win over his wife enough to allow him in her bed, Alex returns to Scotland for Christmas to celebrate...and seduce. Emma Fenhurst, Duchess of Wyndbourne, has spent almost a year alone and miserable. She hadn’t expected much from her marriage, but she had at least expected a child or two, and Alexander had never seemed a cruel man. But after their fleeting first month of marriage, he tired of her and fled to France. Lonely and desperate for a child, the news of her estranged husband’s return summons her courage and determination. By the end of the Christmas celebrations, she will be with child and intends to do all she can to draw her husband into her bed. However, while she means to share her body with him, some secrets must remain just that—secret. Will the festive period bring them closer together or will their plans draw them further apart? Is there any chance for an arranged marriage to bring happiness...and maybe even love?

Dear Miss Manners, I have been following your column for some time since I made my debut into society some five years ago. As a young woman, I took your advice to become a well-mannered, polite young lady who would surely find herself a husband during her first season. However, it soon became clear to me that your teachings no longer have a place in this century. England is a modern place now with modern gentlemen. They do not expect us to be coy and polite. In fact, such behaviour only has the effect of turning one into a wallflower. I would wager that the eligible gentlemen of today value a woman who can hold a strong conversation and show intelligence instead of submissiveness. After all, how are we English ladies meant to hold our own against these American heiresses and French beauties? Now, it is likely too late for me but there are many other young women out there following your advice, many of whom are to be consigned to spinsterhood. As an unmarried woman yourself, how are we to trust your advice? I challenge, you Miss Manners, to prove the worth of your advice. Show myself and your readers that etiquette can win the heart of a fine prospect. Christmas is approaching and it is a time to reflect is it not? I am sure many a man is considering the worth of a wife. I highly anticipate,and look forward to, the announcement of your own engagement by the start of the New Year. Your once loyal reader, Miss Disbelieving

Originally published in the Christmas anthology Twelve Days of Christmas in a Highlander's Arms, LOVING HER HIGHLAND ENEMY is a steamy Highland novella for fans of enemies to lovers combined with danger and betrayal. Bold, courageous, and determined, Leana Sinclair is the lone survivor of a horrific fire that stole everything from her. Even her true identity. She’s waited for years to get revenge on her clan’s enemies and the time has come. It might be Yuletide, but she’ll not be celebrating. Nor will she be distracted by Tavish Maclean, the soon-to-be-laird of the very clan she loathes. The tall, intimidating and quick-to-smile Tavish might be the most braw man she has ever met but that won’t change anything. He’s also the most dangerous—because he knows her secret. Tavish hasn’t seen Leana since childhood but he knows the lass isn’t telling the truth. He’s no fool. He’d recognize those green eyes anywhere. And while he might not have been interested in curious green eyes when he was a bairn, he’s interested now. In truth, he’s interested in all of her and that’s no bad thing. His clan is pressuring him to marry her and put an end to the rumors that his family was behind the devastating fire that killed off many of the head members of Leana’s clan. He knows they were innocent of any wrongdoing but what better way to show that than to create a lifetime connection with the Sinclairs? However, it seems someone else knows her secret too, and might well be willing to hurt her to make it remain so. Somehow, Tavish must protect the foolhardy woman from herself and her unknown enemy, all the while fighting a desire strong enough to bring any Highlander to his knees.