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.

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?

An early morning hotel fire turns out to be anything but routine for firefighter Reid Webb, as her best friend and partner, Jimmy Grant, dies. Feeling responsible for the loss, Reid vows to look after Jimmy's young son - even if that means spending far too much time in the company of a woman she harbors feelings for.

Driven, reserved businesswoman Mackenzie Watson has one goal—take over her family company and secure her little sister's future. The only wrinkle is her late grandmother's decree that her company's CEO must be married. Adding marriage into Mack's well-ordered life is a recipe for disaster. Her oh-so-logical solution? She'll just hire a woman to be her wife for a year. Besides, maybe a little chaos is exactly what she needs . . .

Jodi Grant had plans—a job interview that held promise and a date with a real woman who didn't only exist in her mind. What she had not planned on was a trip . . . at gunpoint when her father dropped a bombshell in her lap . . . at his own funeral. Dr. Blair Whittington went to Peru in search of ancient artifacts. What she discovered was the illegal antiquities trade in which she had unwittingly become embroiled. Betrayed by Nicolas Grant, Blair must rely on his estranged daughter, the key to her freedom.

Former US Army pilot Lauren and Police Training Instructor Kim share a love of country, a sense of duty, and grief for a woman who left them too soon. That she was a friend to one and a lover to the other should at least give them something on which to build a friendship. But from the moment they met, they've been at odds. When Lauren gets a job at the same police department as Kim, they are forced to at least fake professional respect. Eventually, respect and begrudging attraction turn to affection and then something deeper.

Arson investigation is not exactly what firefighter Kate Chambers signed up for. But she doesn't have a choice when an injury forces her off the engine and into the office. Her first case, a fire at a downtown bar, is a clear-cut instance of insurance fraud, or so she thinks. But the property co-owner and prime suspect, Alexi Clark, won't go quietly to jail for a crime she didn't commit. Soon Alexi is fighting both the false charges against her and an unexpected attraction to the investigator determined to prove them.

Sawyer Drake has never known what she wants - except it isn't working in the family restaurant. In order to outrun her destiny, she bounces from job to job - and woman to woman. Nothing keeps her attention for very long. Nothing, that is, until she meets shy pastry chef Jori Diamantina. But Jori has no intention of risking the job she loves and a life she's comfortable with for a passing fling with Sawyer, no matter how strong the attraction. Sawyer has no idea what she wants from Jori, or from life, but she's about to find out - because Jori makes her want to stop running.

Finnley O'Connell is at a crossroads when her life takes an unexpected turn after getting fired from her family's lawn care business. Seeking refuge in Chicago with her gay uncle, Finnley discovers a vibrant city and a new sense of freedom. But it's meeting Emerson, a captivating and mysterious woman, that truly changes everything. Drawn to Emerson's strength and vulnerability, Finnley begins to untangle the threads of her own heart and identity. What begins as a temporary escape turns into a journey of self-discovery.

Maya Vaughn, the hottest young pastry chef to emerge from the reality television machine, takes a turn as a judge on the very show that launched her career, expecting to find a nice change of scenery and a little diversion. A late-bloomer at 42 years old, Shannon Hayes is finally on the precipice of achieving her dreams. She has one shot to prove she can compete with chefs half her age and with much more experience. Engaging in a fling with a judge 14 years her junior would almost certainly kill that chance.

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.

Mac and Jamie had their life together all planned out. Until Jamie did the unforgivable and left Mac for another woman. Twenty years later, they meet again for the first time at a friend’s wedding. Mac’s pain lingers, while Jamie is still haunted by regret.

Six months ago, Ty Sutherland dropped out of an online sex chat group. It was anonymous. No one knew their real identity. And it was a space where they could finally be themselves. Unfortunately, it was also a space where they fell in love with a woman whose name they promised to forget. Leslie Brandt would like to forget the online sex chat group she joined on a whim. In real life, she's a successful realtor with a professional image to maintain. She'd never want anyone to know the kinky things she's fantasized about—even if maybe she wishes some of those things could actually happen.

Ellie Beckett's life is simple and uncomplicated; she's on track to become a leading expert in biomedical engineering, she has a pub where she feels comfortable enough to hang out multiple times a week, and so what if she doesn't have time for . . . people? She doesn't need or want them. Until she meets Mia Sharpe. As it turns out, maybe Ellie does want at least one person.

Literary agent Emily May is in danger of losing everything she's worked for - her job, her home, her friends, and the security she provides her older sister back in Singapore - all because she doesn't have a green card. Racecar enthusiast, high-flying, fast-living Derian Winfield is called home when the only family member she still cares about falls ill. Forced into assuming a role in her father's dynasty she's spent years avoiding, Derian needs to rehabilitate her black sheep reputation in a hurry, or the agency will likely end up being lost in a takeover.

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.

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.

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman - or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems - starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.

Isabelle Ballantine has been fighting for independence since she was old enough to walk. Now that she’s finally out from under her father’s shadow, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. It’s tough living on her own, working in a bar and keeping her true identity a secret, but things start to look up when a sexy new stranger walks into her life. After working side by side for weeks, Izzy can’t figure out why he won’t make a move.

Attorney Liz Ramsey thought she had everything - a devoted partner, a challenging job, and plans for a family in the making. Unfortunately her life takes a turn, and she ends up alone and in the kind of trouble she never dreamed of. Then she bumps into - literally - young surgeon Reilly Danvers, and life gets even more complicated.

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.

In the dark alley of a pub, the words "Please don't" take hold of her heart and break the silence she seeks. Thinking herself beyond redemption, she tentatively grabs on to the slim thread of hope that unfolds inside of her. Holding her secrets close, she can't resist the comforting draw coming from The Skipper. The unconditional friendships it offers, the protective roof it provides, and the spark that its owner ignites in her - melting the frost off her heart, and slowly stripping away her resistance.

Fresh off a divorce from a Hollywood hotshot, Madison Atwood needs an escape. With the paparazzi fresh on her heels and her love life splashed on every tabloid, she runs away to a swanky retreat in Northern California. Avalon Springs is the mountainside haven she needs to find herself again. Luke Dawson lives off the grid, preferring solitude to society. When he finds a beautiful woman soaking in the hot springs on his property, he can't stop himself from watching her. She captures his attention, but she's just a city girl - a beautiful distraction disturbing the peace.

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!

Officer James Cannon is one tall, strong alpha male who's convinced that Shay stole his dog. But once he gets closer to the suspect, he realizes that this stubborn, independent woman not only needs a guard dog, she needs James as well. It seems that someone from her past is stalking her, and threatening her life. When danger meets desire, will James risk his career and his best friend - to protect the woman who's stolen his heart?

Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can't believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: "Nothing serious, 'kay?" Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael - it's the holy grail of hookups for a guy who's too busy following in his law enforcement family's footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie's all about casual...that is until Ever calls it quits, and his world tilts on its axis.

There is only one thing wrong with the charming community of Fool’s Gold, California: the men don’t stick around! This problem has to be fixed, fast, and Charity Jones may be just the city planner up to the challenge. Charity immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer – except its sexy, famous, world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she’s not about to take a chance on another bad boy…but it may just be what they both need!

Jesse's in a pinch. To keep control of his company, he has to marry. So he has valid reasons for offering Chris this business deal: in exchange for living in a gorgeous mansion for a year, playing the doting husband, Chris gets all the writing time he wants and walks away with a million-dollar payoff. Surely Chris can handle that. He can handle living with the most handsome and endearing man he's ever met, a man he immediately knows he wants in the worst way and can't have. Or can he?

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.

As one of the big names at his family's gym, Legends, MMA star Rory Kavanagh is used to being in the spotlight - until a gruesome leg injury knocks him out of the cage. Rory is left feeling sidelined in more ways than one, battling the inner demons that come with losing the one shot at his dreams. Then Clare walks into his life and gives him a new dream: winning her heart. There aren't many new faces in Woodlawn these days, but this tough, beautiful stranger makes Rory want to get his life back into fighting shape.

Eva Perez is the CEO of one of the biggest and most successful companies in her industry in the United States. She has everything she could ever need or want in life. She is confident she doesn't need a girlfriend to complete her. Most women fall at Eva's feet, so when a young woman turns up for an interview with her, who seems completely unphased by her power, Eva is intrigued. Madison is captivating and exciting to Eva and sparks fly between them right from the start.

When junior cupid Abby Angellini, fresh from Cupid Academy, heads to Sin City, she runs smack into her idol. Sabine Goddard is the one cupid who has a faultless record when it comes to slinging arrows and bringing people together. The stats for her own love life, however, aren't nearly as great.

Angie Righetti is the daughter of a sprawling but close-knit Italian American family. She's out and they're proud. Jillian Clark's family is the white bread to Angie's olive oil. Stoic and emotionally buttoned up, they don't want to think about Jillian's sexuality. It's 1988 when they move in together, on the brink of starting their careers. Like every couple at the start of their life together, they expect to live happily ever after. And for 23 years life happens.

Rising star cellist Kate Flynn is new to Chicago and her job at the Windy City Chamber Ensemble. On day one, she is surprised by the board's intriguing president, Vivian Kensington. Not only does the woman come with a formidable reputation, but she's also deaf. However, between a familiar face Kate isn't ready to see again and the difficulties of being a single mom, she isn't sure Chicago is the right place for her.

Jodi Grant had plans—a job interview that held promise and a date with a real woman who didn't only exist in her mind. What she had not planned on was a trip . . . at gunpoint when her father dropped a bombshell in her lap . . . at his own funeral. Dr. Blair Whittington went to Peru in search of ancient artifacts. What she discovered was the illegal antiquities trade in which she had unwittingly become embroiled. Betrayed by Nicolas Grant, Blair must rely on his estranged daughter, the key to her freedom.

In a steam-filled diner in a college town, Flannery Jansen catches sight of something more beautiful than she's ever seen: a graduate student, reading. The 17-year-old, new to everything around her - college, the East Coast, bodies of literature, and the sexual flurries of student life - is shocked by her desire to follow this wherever it will take her.

Driven and efficient businesswoman Vivienne Alexander reluctantly finds herself at a speed-dating night after her friend buys her a ticket. It'll probably be a waste of time anyway, she tells herself. She doesn’t need a relationship to make her whole. So, when an alluring stranger with bright smiles and a riot of auburn hair predicts Vivienne will be in her bed by the end of the night, she’s not sure which is more surprising: the sheer cockiness or the thrill that shoots through her.

Newly appointed judge Jordan Blake is done with romance. But on a rare night out, she becomes captivated by Sierra, a woman half her age. Unable to resist her charms, the usually cautious Jordan gives in to a reckless night of passion. Law student Sierra Fuentes doesn't expect to see Jordan again. Pleasantly surprised when she ends up her intern, Sierra sees an opportunity to continue their steamy affair. If only Jordan would stop caring about the rules. With Sierra in her chambers, Jordan vows to keep their relationship strictly professional... even if she can't stop thinking about that night

Driven, reserved businesswoman Mackenzie Watson has one goal—take over her family company and secure her little sister's future. The only wrinkle is her late grandmother's decree that her company's CEO must be married. Adding marriage into Mack's well-ordered life is a recipe for disaster. Her oh-so-logical solution? She'll just hire a woman to be her wife for a year. Besides, maybe a little chaos is exactly what she needs . . .

Sutton Spencer's ideas for her life were fairly simple: finish graduate school and fall in love. It would be a lot simpler if she could pinpoint exactly what she should do when she graduates in less than a year. Oh, and if she could figure out how to talk to a woman without feeling like a total mess, that would be great, too. Charlotte Thompson is very much the opposite.