When professional soccer player Alex Grey goes on a vacation to the local South Carolina islands, she isn't anticipating any life-changing events. Just a relaxing weekend to prepare for the upcoming season. But that quickly changes when she finds herself the lone witness to a sailing accident and makes the decision to risk her own life to save a drowning woman—unwittingly coming to the rescue of a US senator's wife, Catharine Cleveland.

Professional cellist Natalya Tsvetnenko moves seamlessly among the elite where she fills the souls of symphony patrons with beauty even as she takes the lives of the corrupt of Australia's ruthless underworld. The cold, exacting assassin is hired to kill a woman who seems so innocent that Natalya can't understand why anyone would want her dead. As she gets to know her target, she can't work out why she even cares.

Sydney MacKenzie, personal assistant to the rich and famous, is looking forward to a well-earned break to go travelling in her beloved VW camper van, Gertie. That is, until Gertie cries off sick. When her boss calls in a favor, one that will pay Sydney handsomely and put Gertie back on the road, she can’t refuse.

Ashley Tanner’s only desire after losing her father to a prescription overdose as a teenager has been to support her working-class family. Now an ambitious lawyer, she’s on the verge of achieving the coveted partnership she’s worked for her entire career. But with her goal in sight, the return of a mysterious woman from Ash’s past puts the promotion at risk and forces her to confront the sacrifices she’s made to win at all costs.

Australian crime reporter Maddie Grey is out of her depth in New York, miserable, and secretly drawn to her powerful, twice-married media mogul boss, Elena Bartell, who eats failing newspapers for breakfast. As work takes them to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief, seemingly harmless bet with her enigmatic boss - where they have to tell the complete truth to each other. It backfires catastrophically.

Brilliant ice queen Amelia Duxton is a hotel vice president who thrives on control, truth, and efficiency. All she wants is to buy the coveted Mayfair Palace. Fiery Kai Fisher is charming and chaotic and renowned for closing ambitious deals. Her sights are set on snatching the Mayfair Palace out from under the nose of her hated arch rivals, the Duxton family. But when secrets emerge and everything starts to fall apart, how can either of the warring women win - especially when they’ve just met their match?

It’s an ordinary workday when intelligence analyst Lexie Martin learns about a horrific chemical weapon attack abroad. Just an ordinary day...until a stranger breaks into her house and warns her to forget what she saw and heard, setting off a chain of events Lexie thought only happened in movies. Falsely accused of stealing intelligence and unsure of who to trust, Lexie quickly realizes the significance of the intel and that she must do everything she can to keep it safe. And as she runs—maybe for her life—Lexie knows she needs something, or someone, to help her.

Life has become a farcical mess for icy British A-lister Elizabeth Thornton. America's most-hated villain stars in a top-rated TV medical drama that she hates. Now, she's been romantically linked to her perky, new co-star, Summer, due to the young woman's clumsiness. As a closeted actress, that's the last thing Elizabeth needs. If she could just get her dream movie role, life would be so much better. The only problem is that the eccentric French film-maker offering it insists on meeting her "girlfriend", Summer, first.

LA-based English indie filmmaker Alex Levitin reluctantly takes a job in New Zealand to save the "worst movie ever", Shezan: Mistress of the Forest. Things might go easier for her if she didn't almost run over the standoffish, beautiful local cop on her first day in town. And it'd really help if her film set wasn't being mysteriously sabotaged. When Ika Whenu's Senior Constable Sam Keegan isn't trying to stamp out a motorcycle gang drug problem afflicting her town, she's publicly slamming everything about the exploitative film and the Hollywood blow-ins making it.

In the heart of Paris, Chiara Conti is a Queen trapped in an Ivory Tower of haute couture, fortune and lovelessness. Lonely and dejected, she's longing for inspiration, for direction, for understanding. When Vi Courtenay falls at her feet, losing her shoe like a veritable Cinderella, events are set in motion that will unravel their carefully fashioned lives. With everything tainted, will the thin lines they rend ever be mended?

Hitting rock bottom in the concrete jungle of Manhattan, investigative journalist Jamie Walker lands the assignment of a lifetime: Find the most elusive artist of a generation, who has enthralled the art and fashion world for more than a decade.

Neve Blackthorne, head of one of the most successful Studios in Hollywood, is the one to rule them all. Powerful, beautiful, and aloof, she's ruthless, yet irresistible. Above all, she has an unquenchable survival instinct. Surely a fleeting entanglement with one Audrey Avens, a bright, young, rising star in her company, won't bring down the Wicked Queen of Tinseltown. Or will it? Neve's public persona has no chink in the untouchable armor, but when the lights go out and the cameras stop rolling, what becomes of an Ice Queen whose heart is ruled by love and fear?

Jules Moretti is newly single, an aspiring writer, and the hyper-competent assistant to the most powerful woman in fashion. It's a tough job, but her ice queen boss won't settle for less than perfection. Vivian Carlisle helms the internationally revered fashion publication Du Jour. She might be smack in the middle of a messy divorce, but you have to make sacrifices to be the best. That's what she tells herself, anyway. When the unthinkable happens, Vivian's regimented world is turned upside-down. Her life is about power, success, and dominance—not a baby!

High-flying pediatric surgeon Emily Lawrence is new to Washington, DC. Her first week in her new job puts her on a collision course with the most powerful woman in America, President Calvin. Constance "Connie" Calvin's first term is proving turbulent thanks to trying to juggle work and life as a widowed single mother to a twelve-year-old boy. Running for re-election is imminent, and the critics are gunning for her. Worse, her famed icy cool is in danger of melting in the face of Emily's passion, commitment, and charm.

Hannah Martin has an unusual job: she's a professional cuddler. While she has a big heart for her clients, she hasn't found someone special to snuggle up to in her personal life. Winter Sullivan isn't looking for love. She's an aloof workaholic who's built walls of ice around herself. She would rather drive toothpicks under her fingernails than cuddle, and she certainly doesn't want to share her space with anyone. When Winter's estranged father dies, he leaves her one last surprise: she and Hannah, a perfect stranger, will inherit a building together.

After years of ho-hum dating, Noelle Gregory is tired of fooling around. There's only ever been one guy for her—Jake Conroy, her best friend's older brother. Now that Jake's back in town, she's headed to his sister's New Year's Eve party to make her move. Purse full of condoms? Check. Sparkly dress guaranteed to show Jake the sexy woman she's become? Check. Carjacker that makes off with both two hours before the party? Check.

Unleashing your inner tigress isn't easy when you're a doormat by nature! Still, after escaping a wretched marriage to a cheating SOB, Dallas party planner Naomi Delacroix isn't about to let another man sweet-talk her into sheathing her protective claws. Not even hunky millionaire Royce Powell, who's hired her to arrange his mother's surprise party. Even if he does make her purr like a kitten with one heated glance....

Jillian Greene is always getting caught in the act - it's her job! Working at Catch a Mate, Jillian gets paid by suspicious wives to smile, flirt, and prove that no man can be trusted around the opposite sex. But she never gets physical - until a heart-stoppingly gorgeous male walks in....

Former mean girl Dixie Davis is back in town, and it's payback time. Literally. Dixie is flat broke, and her best - make that only - friend, Landon, is throwing her a lifeline from the Great Beyond. Dixie stands to inherit his business...which is a phone sex empire. Wait, what? Plum Orchard, Georgia, is about to get even juicier.

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That's what her ex-husband said. And that's what her smart bob and glasses imply. So with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She's going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble - in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan - may be too tempting to avoid.

NYC's most eligible bachelor Brit Bencher is also known as The Slayer for his reputation in the boardroom - and the bedroom. And he'll do anything to take care of his family, even seduce high-powered corporate attorney Tori Anderson in the hopes of getting her to reveal confidential information about one of her clients. But for the first time in his life, he finds he's falling for a woman - and then he started to break them.

With his tight muscles and vibrant ink, certified bachelor Reece Walker is the kind of man who’s used to having any woman he craves in his bed - except Jenna Montgomery. She’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross. Until a wild, stolen kiss changes everything. Now anything goes, and Reece is determined to use every wicked skill in his sensual repertoire to claim Jenna as his friend, his lover, his everything.

Twelve years and too many pairs of stilettos later, Shaelyn Lawrence is back where she started: New Orleans. She's returned only to take care of her grandmother, and after that? She's out, hopefully long before she sees irresistible Brady Taylor, the boy who stomped all over her heart. But when a family member approaches her for help, there's only one person she can to turn to...and he's just as infuriatingly sexy as she remembers. Oh boy. New Orleans Detective Brady Taylor has his sights on the finish line: getting promoted to sergeant.

After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect - until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbor at its center. Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and - according to everyone in town - bad news. Thing is, no one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue. But he desperately wants to find out. The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbor pushes him away, the more he wants her.

Kady Dresco and Colton Brooks click on a level that defies logic. There are only two problems. One, he's her older brother's irritating best friend, and two, they're bidding on the same military security services contract. When the competition heats up, Colton is torn between wanting to strangle Kady (and her annoying brilliance) and kissing her into submission. Which is a bad idea for a million reasons, because Kady's submission is exactly what he craves.

Josie Jackson was growing tired of a constant stream of yawn-inducing blind dates, courtesy of her dear, meddling sister. But Nick Harris wasn’t the stuffy, straitlaced workaholic that Josie had come to expect. In fact, he was just the opposite—tall, dark, and ready to give little Miss Josie Jackson a night to remember.

From Romance Writers of America comes a never-before-published collection of tales that showcases the breadth and complexity of the world's most popular genre of fiction!

Kayla Maxwell is eager to shed her slasher-flick bimbo image - and she plans to do just that in her new role on daytime's most popular soap. With a chance to showcase her dramatic range, Kayla will be able to wash away the lingering betrayal and public humiliation left by her controlling, philandering ex-boyfriend. Sean Barrett, the son of an influential, award-winning actor, is the hottest soap star in the country. Paired on-screen with the talented and beautiful Kayla Maxwell, Sean is determined to keep her at arm's length, burned before by fame-seeking actresses who had no qualms about using him to get to his famous father.

Four years after escaping her abusive ex-husband, Kim finally believes she's in control of her life and her emotions and she's determined to never risk either again with a man. She has a great home, a job as a security specialist which she loves, and Jake for a best friend. But things are a tad lonely in the sex department, so she decides to embark on a no-strings-affair with one of her hot co-workers. And who better to help her remember how to lure a man than her best friend?

Waitress Marjorie Ivarsson is the picture of naiveté. Raised by her grandmother, she'd rather go to bingo than go dancing. But when she's asked to be a bridesmaid in her friend Bronte's destination wedding, she finds herself venturing into new and exciting territory. The wedding is set on the billionaire groom's private island, and Marjorie is fascinated by all the new people she meets. Most fascinating of all is the man she saves from almost drowning in the blue waters of the island lagoon.

Brilliant ice queen Amelia Duxton is a hotel vice president who thrives on control, truth, and efficiency. All she wants is to buy the coveted Mayfair Palace. Fiery Kai Fisher is charming and chaotic and renowned for closing ambitious deals. Her sights are set on snatching the Mayfair Palace out from under the nose of her hated arch rivals, the Duxton family. But when secrets emerge and everything starts to fall apart, how can either of the warring women win - especially when they’ve just met their match?

Ambitious Daily Sentinel journalist Lauren King is chaffing on LA’s vapid social circuit, reporting on glamorous A-list parties while sparring with her rival - the formidable, icy Catherine Ayers. Ayers is an ex-Washington political correspondent who suffered a humiliating fall from grace, and her acerbic, vicious tongue keeps everyone at bay. Everyone, that is, except knockabout Iowa girl King, who is undaunted and unimpressed and gives as good as she gets.

Australian crime reporter Maddie Grey is out of her depth in New York, miserable, and secretly drawn to her powerful, twice-married media mogul boss, Elena Bartell, who eats failing newspapers for breakfast. As work takes them to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief, seemingly harmless bet with her enigmatic boss - where they have to tell the complete truth to each other. It backfires catastrophically.

Muffin maker Olivia Roberts has had it with her awful exes taking advantage of her good nature. The theft of her nana's beloved stuffed penguin is the absolute last straw. She puts up an ad at her local crime bookstore for a henchperson to help her enact a little mild revenge. To her astonishment, Margaret Blackwood, the mysterious, icy, and annoyingly opinionated bookstore owner, applies.

A naïve activist is hired by a corporate villain but doesn't realize it. Cue one awkward farce, a twisty puzzle, and the slowest of slow burns in this opposites-attract, ice queen romance. Nine years ago, aloof, icy Michelle Hastings chose career over love. She's now living with that choice as she rules a secret corporation catering to the rich and powerful. Enter Eden Lawless. The guileless activist finds it a bit weird being employed by a mystery organization to bring down a corrupt mayor. But, hey, she's up for a challenge. Much harder is getting her beautiful new boss out of her head.

A deep kiss and a single rule. Like most women in dead-end relationships, Holly Markham was used to finding substitutes for love. But throwing herself into the arms of a leather-clad stranger was never on her list. When Holly's best friend Tori takes her to a dance for lesbians only, she realizes that Tori is gently trying to push her out of the closet. While it was true that Holly had been trying to come to terms with her growing attraction toward women, no one expected Holly to take one look at the mysterious Reyna and fall hopelessly in lust.

Two very different reasons brought Laura Izmani and Helen Baynor to the Beach Boardwalk for a symbolic ride on the biggest wooden roller coaster on the west coast. They part strangers, but only after sharing an experience that shifted both of their lives onto new tracks.

Life has become a farcical mess for icy British A-lister Elizabeth Thornton. America's most-hated villain stars in a top-rated TV medical drama that she hates. Now, she's been romantically linked to her perky, new co-star, Summer, due to the young woman's clumsiness. As a closeted actress, that's the last thing Elizabeth needs. If she could just get her dream movie role, life would be so much better. The only problem is that the eccentric French film-maker offering it insists on meeting her "girlfriend", Summer, first.

Ashley Tanner’s only desire after losing her father to a prescription overdose as a teenager has been to support her working-class family. Now an ambitious lawyer, she’s on the verge of achieving the coveted partnership she’s worked for her entire career. But with her goal in sight, the return of a mysterious woman from Ash’s past puts the promotion at risk and forces her to confront the sacrifices she’s made to win at all costs.

Morgan Ashworth isn't having a good day. The award for Minion of the Year is slipping out of reach, and she has to administer an afterlife package to one of her human employees. An employee she's attracted to. An employee who'll soon know Morgan isn't quite what she seems. Jane Smith was having a great day. Until her hot boss dropped a bombshell. It's time for Jane to complete the questionnaire to decide where she'll spend her afterlife.