Their fake relationship......isn't just for Christmas!Ex-footballer Lewis Matola urgently needs to clean up his reputation, and heiress Susan Collier is the only woman who can help. Their agreement's clear: they'll be each other's fake date for the holiday season—no feelings involved! But as Christmas Eve draws near, Lewis becomes intrigued by the side of Susan she keeps hidden from the world. Soon it's more than just snow swirling between the unlikely pair..."I've read many of this author's works and this is definitely one that I enjoyed the most! This romantic story included some unexpected twists that had me hooked from beginning to the very sweet conclusion. This one is a keeper to be read over and over!"—Goodreads on Their Christmas Miracle"Wow, this one was...fabulous. This will tug at your emotions and make you realize just how much you can feel. It's descriptive without being verbose and lively without being... Views: 596
Spend Christmas with this deadly duo of classic crime short stories, by number one Sunday Times bestseller Val McDermid
In this collection of two short stories, the peace of a picture-perfect Christmas in the Cotswolds is shattered by an unexpected turn of events, and DI Maggie Staniforth takes centre stage in a deadly tale of hardship at Christmas.
Containing all of the atmosphere and tension of Val McDermid's masterful crime novels, Christmas is Murder is the perfect short read to settle down with this festive season.
Includes the first chapter of Val McDermid's latest Sunday Times bestselling novel, Broken Ground* - out now*
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*Praise for Queen of Crime, Val McDermid:
'The queen of crime is still at the top of her game' Independent
'Beguiling . . . A compulsively readable tale' Irish Times
'No one can tell a story like she can' Daily Express
This duo of short stories contains 'A Traditional Christmas' and 'A Wife in a Million'.
** Views: 596
Career criminal Longview Moody assumes his dead, twin brother's identity as the new Chief of Police of a Texas town that's being terrorized by a Mexican drug cartel. Views: 596
They Have a History — Can It Be Rewritten?Prince Karl longs to once more be plain Karl Wethers, Wyoming rancher. Instead, his sense of responsibility, nurtured as a cowboy and honed in the U.S. Army, won’t let him turn his back on King Jozef of Bariavak. But he has a plan. If he can pull it off.Then international media consultant Harmon Reed re-enters his life. The Army brat who liked to juggle lit sticks of dynamite is now a woman who could explode that dynamite in his face. He’s fully occupied with trying to keep her from knowing anything about the complications of his royal life, because he will never trust her again, despite the pull of a love long gone.For Harmon, what started as a youthful summer fling ignited into a love that shook her to her core. Equally smitten, Karl saw something beyond her beauty and rebellious streak. Then Harmon broke it off – and broke Karl’s heart. They went their... Views: 596
Amazon.com ReviewLike An Instance of the Fingerpost, Iain Pears's Death and Restoration is grounded in a richly cultured vision rife with references to European history, art, and cuisine. And, though it represents the sixth novel in Pears's Jonathan Argyll series, the author subtly informs new readers of the key relationships and the past histories of his characters within the first three chapters. Once again, Argyll and his soon-to-be wife, Flavia di Stefano, are enmeshed in the Italian art world: Flavia, as a member of the Rome police's art squad and Argyll as a professor of art history. The suspense of the novel is sustained by the careful revelation of the central art-theft plot; in turn, each major character becomes the narrative center and offers an expanded understanding of the events at San Giovanni. While Argyll is troubled over his fiancée's frequent absences just prior to their wedding, Flavia feels compelled to keep odd hours. She's certain that her old nemesis, Mary Verney, has returned to Rome with the intention of committing a major new theft. And Verney, readers soon learn, is herself in jeopardy. She must steal a Madonna icon from the monastery--despite the close scrutiny she faces from the Rome police force--because the sadistic Mikis Charanis has kidnapped Verney's granddaughter, 8-year-old Louise, and he will only release the child when Verney has acquired the artifact from San Giovanni. Underlying each character's concerns is the mystery of the Madonna itself. Why does Charanis covet this piece over the more valuable, though still dubious, Caravaggio that is also in the monastery? In the end, the novel is a perfect melding of a tightly composed mystery plot, witty dialogue, and a realistic sense of character, all flowing from an intellectual's appreciation for the finer things in life. For readers who discovered Pears's fiction through An Instance of the Fingerpost, the Argyll series--particularly Death and Restoration--offers much to satiate the need for his pleasantly baroque sensibilities. Other works in the Argyll series include The Raphael Affair, The Titian Committee, The Bernini Bust, The Last Judgement, and Giotto's Hand. --Patrick O'KelleyFrom Publishers WeeklyPears, an art historian and author of the acclaimed historical novel, An Instance of the Fingerpost (1997), imbues his light-hearted art-world mystery series set in Italy (Giotto's Hand, 1997) with an enthusiast's love of his subject. Here, Jonathan Argyll, art dealer and lecturer, and his lover, Flavia di Stefano, an officer with Rome's Art Theft Department, investigate the theft of an ancient, seemingly worthless iconic painting of the Madonna from the Monastery of San Giovanni and the apparently related attack on the head monk. As Flavia investigates the theft, she runs into legendary art thief Mary Verney, icon dealer Peter Burckhardt and Daniel Menzies, a hot-tempered art restorer who is cleaning the monastery's second-rate Caravaggio. We learn that Mikis Charanis, the power-hungry son of Mary's former lover, has kidnapped her granddaughter; release is contingent on Mary stealing the icon for him. Then Peter Burckhardt is murdered, and the police must scramble to find motive and killer. After Jonathan learns the stolen icon is "Our Lady," venerated by the people in the neighborhood for saving Rome from the plague long ago, he traces the icon's astonishing history and uncovers the monastery's unpleasant secrets. Although Flavia's suspects escape arrest, Jonathan fingers the real thief?and the motive?in an amusing finale. Pears again achieves a delicate, sure balance with a book simultaneously witty and instructive. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The monastery of San Giovanni has few treasures -- only a painting doubtfully attributed to Caravaggio. So Flavia di Stefano of Rome's Art Squad is surprised to receive a tip-off that a raid is being planned. The raid happens, but the thieves are disturbed and snatch the wrong painting, a curious icon of the Madonna, remarkable only for the affection in which it is held by the local population. Or is this what the thieves wanted all along? Does the legend of the icon's miraculous powers hold any clue? And who murdered the French dealer found in the Tiber soon afterwards? Flavia, with the help of English art dealer Jonathan Argyll, immerses herself in the intricacies and intrigues of monastic and police politics in an attempt to solve the double mystery, but the solution that awaits her is murkier and more complex than anyone could have known. Views: 596
What will prove to be stronger, duty or love?Keane Patrick is a top lieutenant in his leopard clan yet all it takes is one small wolf shifter and he is ready to follow her anywhere. The truth of who she was to him was revealed after their one night together. All he has to do now is get the woman to understand it as well. Easier said than done.Tora's life is serving her Alpha but even she can't help but realize there is something between her and Keane. As her past comes back and danger swells around them, she begins to comprehend how deep their connection runs.But when it comes to light, what will win out? Duty to their Alphas, or their love for one another? Is there a chance for both? Views: 596
Small town life in Ocoee, Louisiana has its charms. Good food. Friendly neighbors. Quiet nights. For the Cooley family, it’s the perfect place to start over. And while the food is delicious and most of the residents amiable, the nights are anything but quiet. Because the house on Cypress Lane has a secret, and tonight the Cooley family will discover the darker side of small town life.Part One of the Dark Waters Fantasy SeriesFinn is a simple priest living a life of solitude in the Temple until the night his dying father sends for him. Finn learns that, not only does he have a half-sister, but that she is a captive in the Vaults – a prison reserved for the most heinous criminals. Vowing to save her he enlists the services of the scoundrel pirate, Egan Wey. Together they set off to commit treason. But their adventure only starts with a rescue. Across the ocean a plague is coming, dead men are walking and blood is like gold. Someone is behind this, but can they find out who in time…This epic fantasy adventure is pulsing with adrenaline and dark humour, with swashbuckling pirates, raging zombies and copious bottles of rum… Views: 596
From Allison Brennan, the New York Times bestselling author of Cut and Run, comes a new e-novella, No Way Out: FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid faces her worst fear when her husband goes missing Nine years ago, mercenary Kane Rogan and photojournalist Siobhan Walsh risked their lives to rescue Hestia Juarez, a thirteen-year-old girl being forced to marry a much older man to expand her father's crime family. Her enraged father has never forgotten.Now, Kane and Siobhan are finally getting married. They only invited a few people—including FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid and her husband Sean Rogan—to celebrate. When Sean and Kane go missing the day before the wedding, Lucy must put her fear aside and work the case. Because someone believes that Siobhan knows where Hestia is ... and will do anything or kill anyone to make her tell the truth. Views: 595
