Texas Wildflower (1987)

Shiloh Mulvane's father is one of Texas' greatest detectives, and she wants to be just like him. She gets her break when she's hired by a powerful judge to capture Justin McCord, the man who stole his daughter's virtue. It's fairly easy for Shiloh to capture the prospective bridegroom, but Justin, knowing the real reason the judge wants him for a son-in-law, turns the tables on her and tricks her into marrying him. From that point on, the tale is rife with espionage, murder, mayhem, intrigue, and dirty politics. Written before Wiggs evolved her current masterful style, this tale is as much a history of Texas gaining its statehood as it is a romance. Even though the book is long and the ending seems a bit rushed, fans will cheer for the spunky heroine who keeps putting herself at risk to be accepted by her father. This tale will please readers who enjoy Jodi Thomas and Lorraine Heath. Shelley Mosley

This historical romance offers love with just a hint of swordplay. Heiress Briar Rose falls for handsome knight Gareth Hawke, who, unbeknownst to her, is poor and not the nobleman she imagines. The story then proceeds in the usual way.

A Briar Rose basta uno sguardo per innamorarsi perdutamente di Gareth, il cavaliere vincitore del torneo di Briarwood, e a lui affida il proprio cuore. Ma Gareth deve scegliere tra la donna che ama e la salvezza della propria gente, e suo malgrado le infliggera' una profonda ferita...

Winds of Glory (La fiamma del cuore) (1987)

America 1755

Ashton è abituato a rischiare, ma questa volta è diverso... è in gioco il suo orgoglio di uomo, e la sua felicità. Bethany lo ha amato fin da ragazza, a dispetto del denaro e delle convenienze sociali che li dividevano. Lo ha strappato alla morte, donandogli tutta se stessa. Ma le prove più dure devono ancora arrivare: la guerra, la gelosia, l'inganno. Bethany arriverà a conquistare il cuore di Ashton, ma forse sarà troppo tardi...

Moonshadow (1989)

The Canary Who Sailed with Columbus (1989)

Corre l'anno 1414 e corre pure cattivo sangue tra Francia e Inghilterra. La lotta per la supremazia si gioca anche lontano dai campi di battaglia e re Enrico V, che ben lo sa, con un'astuta mossa decide di far sposare uno dei suoi fidati baroni inglesi, Rand Fitzmarc, con una giovane castellana normanna, Lianna, signora del feudo di BoisLong, situato in posizione strategica per gli interessi britannici in terra francese.

Il volere di un re, si sa, è legge, ma come biasimare la bella aristocratica per i suoi tentativi di sfuggire alle aborrite nozze con uno sconosciuto, per di più della fazione nemica? E, soprattutto, come pretendere che in un periodo tanto turbolento e inquieto, sempre sull'orlo di una guerra, ogni piano, esplicito o segreto che sia, fili liscio come l'olio?

Eppure, nonostante le mille traversie e i numerosi nemici più o meno occulti, tra l'incantevole dama e il nobile cavaliere nascerà un amore intenso e appassionato, cementato dalle ardite e romantiche avventure che si snodano sullo sfondo ricco e perfettamente ricostruito di un'epoca leggendaria, costellata da traditori ed eroi storici e immaginari.

Wiggs ( The Lily and the Leopard ) heaps device upon device--murder attempts, blackmail, hidden identities, and cameo appearances by Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte--to produce a disappointing historical romance that seems even longer than its 500 pages. Lorelei du Clerc, a skilled doctor raised by the fathers of the Hospice of Saint Bernard in the Swiss Alps, knows that she was a foundling. She does not suspect that she is the illegitimate daughter of the late King Louis XVI of France. When Daniel Severin is rescued from an avalanche and awakes at the hospice, he is delighted to find Lorelei caring for him: he has been sent by Josephine to murder her. Daniel, who feigns amnesia, soon realizes that some of the hospice's residents know Lorelei's true identity and possibly his own, a suspicion reinforced when two attempts are made on his life. As Daniel succumbs to his prey's innocent charms, he discovers that he cannot bear to see her killed. But he also knows that Josephine, who originally blackmailed Daniel into taking this mission, will retaliate for his failure to complete it and dispatch another assassin.

San Bernando,Svizzera.1800

Daniel Severin,uno spietato mercenario,viene mandato all'Ospizio di San Bernando,sulle cime inviolate delle Alpi,con un compito di morte.Li' incontra Lorelei di Clerc,una innocente fanciulla allevata dai frati,che con la sua esisttenza minaccia le fondamenta del nascente impero di Napoleone Buonaparte.Lorelei e Daniel mettono a rischio le loro stesse esistenze per un amore che non sarebbe mai dovuto sbocciare....

The Mist and the Magic (L'Incantesimo / Magia d'Irlanda) (1993)

This tale of Connaught in the mid 17th century would have made for an interesting story had not Wiggs ( The Lily and the Leopard ) clogged the narrative with a surfeit of subplots and some dreadful dialogue. Having stayed royalist John Wesley Hawkins's execution--and kidnapped his young natural daughter--Oliver Cromwell convinces this Catholic bounty hunter to travel to Ireland and find the head of a warrior society terrorizing his Roundheads. As fiction would have it, the rebel leader is Caitlin MacBride, mistress of Clonmuir and, before long, Wesley's captor. Wesley turns out to be not only a model prisoner, a one-time novice in a clergy-less Catholic community, an expert horseman and fluent Gaelic speaker, but he's also an all-around sensitive guy, able to see that Caitlin is a woman who needs some manliness in her life, who needs "to be touched" and whose defense of her manse is "a tragedy," as it has forced her to bury her femininity. The only thing that's wrong with Caitlin is that she would buy such blarney as "Look, I can't woo you with poetry. I can't overwhelm you with my virility. Good God, what must I do to win you?"

Inghilterra 1658

Mentre lui si avvicinava, Caitlin si sentiva preda di uno strano incantesimo. Nella nebbia, l'uomo sembrava avvolto da una luce sottile, come l'aura di un dio. Ma quando udì la sua voce capì che si era sbagliata. Era un inglese, una canaglia inglese, e doveva morire.

Vows Made in Wine (Un amore speciale) (1995)

Rescued from a hangman's noose, Oliver de Lacey finds an unlikely saviour in Lark Merrifield. Still, there is something about the scripture quoting, serious young woman that sparks his interest. When she asks a favor of him on behalf of her guardian, Spencer Merrifield, he cannot refuse. Plagued with thoughts of death due to a childhood ailment, Oliver sees Lark as a challenge a welcome challenge, at that. Lark's duties involve rescuing innocent men from sure death for a secret cause. The men are usually good, respectable, religious men but Oliver is a rogue, a spoiled noble whose only pursuit is pleasure. Lark doesn't know what she sees in him, she only knows that he stirs something deep inside her a longing that has been caged. When Spencer makes her promise on his death bed to marry Oliver, she agrees. But she refuses to love him because she knows that as soon as things become difficult, he will leave her. Treachery and danger seem to follow Lark and Oliver. Fighting to keep Spencer's estate from his evil son, they face powerful enemies. In the end, Oliver must make the choice between saving himself and saving Lark. For Lark, life without Oliver is unthinkable and she will do anything to save him once again. It is only in the face of death that they realize the most noble cause of all is love.An adventurous romp through merry old England! Susan Wiggs is a rare talent! Boisterous, passionate, exciting! The characters leap off the page and into your heart! Susan Wiggs once again shows a flair for capturing a moment in history! Fiction and fact are interwoven into a most entertaining tale! Vows Made in Wine will take you to a time and place you won't want to leave!Kristina Wright

Nell'Inghilterra del '500 un dongiovanni sottrae una giovane protestante al suo destino, rivelandole la gioia pura della passione.

Nell'Inghilterra turbolenta delle guerre di religione, Oliver irrompe all'improvviso nella vita di Lark, salvandola da un'imboscata. Lui è un affascinante viveur, lei appartiene a una famiglia di rigidi protestanti.

Sembrano non avere nulla in comune, ma basta uno sguardo e qualcosa di irreparabile accade nel silenzio dei loro cuori. Lark, in fuga dal diabolico fratellastro che vuole impossessarsi della sua eredità, di fronte al corpo ferito di Oliver si sente invadere da un desiderio sconosciuto. E tutte le paure svaniscono nella luce intensa della passione.

Belling The Cat in A Purrfect Romance Anthology (1995)

Three wonderful writers give the reader three different stories involving cats. Not just any cats, but cats with an extra special something that enable them to help the hero and heroine find each other. In A Purrfect Romance, the reader will see why cats are a woman's best friend.

Susan Wiggs tells the superb story of Belling the Cat. In this amazing story, Rhys of Snowdon has recently escaped from a monastery. Travelling with his half-wolf dog and his stolen war horse, Rhys is searching for someone who will hire his sword arm. When he is attacked by six experienced warriors, Rhys nearly defeats them until he is attacked by a black cat with green eyes. He is then taken prisoner to the castle of Bryn Melyn, where he is cared for by the chieftain's daughter, Sirona, a woman of incredible beauty and melancholy, a woman with black hair and green eyes. Sirona's father gives Rhys three tasks he must complete, one of which is to put a magic bell around the neck of the cat that attacked him. If he is successful, he marries Sirona. If he fails, he will be killed. Rhys is determined that he will succeed, but not because he is afraid to die. Rhys is compelled to help Sirona overcome the melancholy that is her way of life, and destined to give her the love she doesn't know she wants.

Whether you love cats or are indifferent to cats, you will love this collection. This book is destined to have nine lives, because you will read it over and over again. A Purrfect Romance is a perfect example of fine romance, no matter how you spell it.Gerrie Shepard

Dancing on Air (1996)

In England to bargain with Elizabeth I for his people and his country, Irish chieftain Aidan O'Donoghue surprises himself by saving a common strolling entertainer from arrest and ends up with a woman who is everything he always wanted and knew he could never have. Political intrigue, passion, and a frightening bit of Puritan fanaticism combine in a tale of vulnerability and rediscovered love and trust that features an outspoken, intrepid heroine, a hero worthy of the name, and other unforgettable characters. The story is compelling and, despite a rather miraculous conclusion, will keep readers involved to the end. Wiggs (Lord of the Night, HarperCollins, 1994) is a past winner of RWA's Golden Choice Award. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Miranda (Miranda) (1996)

Inghilterra 1814

Sapeva di essere la causa di quel disastro. Ne era certa. Ma perché? I1 suo nome è Miranda. E' tutto quello che sa di se stessa, dopo che l'incendio ha bruciato l'edificio in cui si trovava, e insieme tutti i suoi ricordi. Non sa perché è a Londra, né perché due uomini si interessano a lei. Per scoprirlo dovrà attraversare le lande della Scozia ed aprire il suo cuore.

Cinderfella in Merry Christmas, Baby! Anthology (1996)

The Changeling in Irish Magic II Anthology (1997)

Changelings, fairies, ancient deities, all ready to fall in love--where but in Ireland, the inspired setting for novellas that straddle the genre boundary between romance and fantasy.

The book gets off to a somewhat slow start with Susan Wiggs' "The Changeling," which finally disappoints by backing away from promised mystery and revealing that everyone is just human, after all.

Good, diverting reading for the lull between St. Valentine's and St. Pat's. Patricia Monaghan

The Lightkeeper (Le Onde del Destino) (1997)

Once, the sea took everything he loved . . .

Jesse Morgan is a man hiding from the pain of his past, a man who has vowed never to give his heart again. Keeper of a remote lighthouse along a rocky and dangerous coast, he has locked himself away from everything but his bitter memories.

Now the sea has given him a second chance.

A beautiful stranger washes ashore, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Penniless and pregnant, Mary Dare is a woman who carries painful memories of her own.

With laughter, hope and joy, Mary and her child bring light into the dark corners of Jesse's world. Soon friendship turns to passion and passion becomes love. And together they must fight the secrets from the past that threaten to destroy all they hold dear.

Territorio di Washington, 1876

Jesse Morgan, rampollo di una ricca famiglia, destinato a una vita agiata, subisce le ire dei destino e perde, per fatalità e per leggerezza, tutto ciò che di più caro ha al mondo: la moglie, gravida di suo figlio, perita in una sciagura tra le acque gelide del mare in tempesta. Travolto dal dolore, annientato dai sensi di colpa, Jesse si ritira in solitudine a guardia di un vecchio faro sulla costa rocciosa e squassata dall'impeto dei flutti. E proprio dal mare, crudele annientatore della sua felicità, giunge inaspettato un dono che turba la sua pace silenziosa e riapre antiche ferite: una donna, una pallida sconosciuta, vittima di un naufragio, miracolosamente approdata allo stremo delle forze sulla lingua di sabbia ai piedi del faro. Mary Dare, questo il suo nome, condivide con Jesse un passato tormentato e un futuro incerto. Per lei e per la creatura che porta in grembo...

The Drifter (Alla deriva) (1998)

Comes a drifter to a windswept island . . .

He wanted to tell her everything. About the lost years that had changed him from a desperate young boy into a man hardened by life. About the night he'd sold his soul for a woman who wasn't worth the price . . .

But Jackson Underhill said nothing. After all, he was an outlaw, clearly on the run -- reason enough for silence.

The truth was Dr. Leah Mundy scared him. She made him want to trust again, to share his burden. She made him want a home, a family. And it was dangerous to want such things. Because the past would find him if he stayed -- and there could be no future with a woman who would not leave.

Whidbey Island, Stato di Washington, 1894

Un uomo approda a una spiaggia spazzata dal vento nel cuore di una notte di tempesta. Ha con sé una pistola, un fardello di rancore e ingiustizie e una giovane donna che lotta tra la vita e la morte: Jackson Underhill deve trovare un medico, oppure Carrie morirà. E non importa se dovrà usare la forza per costringere il dottor Mundy, medico condotto di Whidbey Island, a seguirlo. Anche se una cosa è certa, la sua determinazione vacilla almeno un attimo, quando scopre che la persona che sta cercando è una splendida donna dallo sguardo fiero. La dottoressa Leah Mundy. Sebbene spaventata dai modi bruschi dello sconosciuto, Leah accetta di curare la donna. Ma chi è veramente costei? Da cosa o da chi sta scappando e che legame ha con lo straniero?

Island Time in That summer place Anthology (Accadde un'estate: La magia dell'isola) (1998)

The San Juan Islands in Washington State come alive in That Summer Place, an anthology set on fictional Spruce Island.

"Island Time" by Susan Wiggs finds workaholic Mitch Rutherford and Dr. Rosalinda Galvez busily conducting an environmental impact study of the island, although Mitch wonders if he will ever get anything done with the beautiful doctor around.

Barnett's trademark humor, Macomber's poignancy, and Wiggs's expert storytelling all combine to create the perfect summer beach book. --Maudeen Wachsmith --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Charm School (Lezioni di Fascino) (1999)

Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gains a berth on his ship, thanks to a little blackmail.

Life aboard ship and away from the strict confines of Boston society finds Isadora losing weight, gaining confidence, and blooming like a rose. She befriends the motley crew of rough sailors, and in turn, they become a charm school of sorts, tutoring her in gracefulness--which comes in handy when climbing the rope rigging--dancing, and friendship. Isadora's transformation fascinates Ryan, but he is determined to stay away from her for he has secretive, dangerous plans. Unaware of Ryan's interest, Isadora struggles with her growing attraction to the reckless sea captain. But before they can resolve their feelings, prior commitments surface and endanger their chance of finding a happy future together.

Il brutto anatroccolo in una famiglia di splendidi cigni. Questa è la definizione che più si addice a Isadora Peabody. Bersagliata dai sorrisi di compassione e dai bisbigli malevoli delle vecchie matrone ai balli di società, si innamora senza speranza di un uomo che non si accorge nemmeno della sua esistenza.

Disperata e desiderosa di allontanarsi da un mondo che non le ha riservato altro che umiliazioni, si imbarca come interprete su una goletta diretta in Brasile. All'inizio il rapporto con il capitano, un arrogante donnaiolo che risponde al nome di Ryan Calhoun, è difficile e burrascoso, ma a poco a poco Isadora si accorge che, sotto la maschera cinica e irriverente, Ryan nasconde un cuore puro e un animo generoso.

E da questa consapevolezza nasce una straordinaria trasformazione che porta la timida e goffa Isadora a rivelarsi per quello che realmente è: una donna sensuale, intelligente, bellissima.

The Horsemaster's Daughter (Eliza dei miracoli) (1999)

She had the power to heal. . . but would that be enough?

A wild horse, a broken man, a family in ruins and a woman with the power to heal. . .

Once a privileged son of the South, Hunter Calhoun is now a widower shadowed by the scandal of his wife's death. He's been more successful at breeding Thoroughbred racehorses than in managing his crumbling estate and in caring for his grieving children. When his prized stallion arrives from Ireland crazed and unridable, Hunter is forced to seek out the horsemaster's daughter.

His only hope is the barefooted girl, who's been brought up far removed from the social world of wealth and privilege. Eliza Flyte has inherited her father's gift for gentling horses, and she agrees to tame Hunter's Irish Thoroughbred. But her healing spirit reaches farther, drawing her to his shattered family and to the intense, bitter man who needs her—as much as she needs him.

Because Eliza understands what Hunter refuses to see -- that love is the greatest healer of all. But can someone from her world teach someone from his what truly matters in life?

Dotata di un potere quasi magico sugli animali, capace di domarli e di guarirli, Eliza Flyte trasforma in un campione pressoché imbattibile lo stallone indemoniato che Hunter Calhoun porta sulla sua isola sperduta. Colpito da un dono tanto raro l'uomo, vedovo e con due figli, trascina Eliza nella sua piantagione ormai in rovina, sulle coste della Virginia.

Qui, abbrutito dall'alcol, Hunter non si accorge degli straordinari miracoli che, a poco a poco, fioriscono intorno a lui per merito di quella piccola donna coraggiosa. Fino a quando la passione esplode e si consuma sotto un cielo trapunto di stelle. Ma la cosiddetta buona società, perbenista e meschina, emargina Eliza per le sue umili origini, costringendola a partire.

Divisi da due oceani i poveri amanti rischiano di perdersi. Riuscirà il loro amore a gettare un ponte tra sponde tanto lontane?

The Hostage (L'ostaggio) (2000)

A sweeping tale of love born from the ashes of revenge. . .

October 8, 1871 — One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a chance encounter leads to an unexpected new love.

Unaware of the fire sweeping toward them, Deborah Sinclair confronts her wealthy, powerful father, determined to refuse the society marriage he has arranged for her. Suddenly, out of the smoke and flames, a stranger appears — gun in hand, intent on avenging an unforgivable crime. As fire consumes the elegant mansion, the ruthless man takes the fragile, sheltered heiress hostage.

Swept off to mist-shrouded Isle Royale, Deborah finds herself the pawn in Tom Silver's dangerous game of revenge. Despite her horror at being kidnapped, she finds herself drawn to the people of the close-knit community and to the startling beauty of the island. As she engages in a battle of wits with her brooding captor, she begins to understand the injustice that fuels his anger, an injustice wrought by her own family. And as winter imprisons the isolated land, she realizes she's a hostage of her own heart. . .

Chicago - Isle Royale, 1871

8 ottobre 1871. Mentre Deborah Sinclair affronta il ricchissimo e potente padre, decisa a rifiutare il matrimonio che lui le ha combinato con un rampollo dell'alta società, un terribile incendio scaturito da una minuscola scintilla si propaga rapidamente all'intera città di Chicago. All'improvviso uno sconosciuto armato emerge dalle fiamme che hanno avvolto la casa intenzionato a vendicarsi di Mr. Sinclair, e nel caos generale prende in ostaggio la fragile e viziata fanciulla. Costretta a seguirlo nella nebbiosa Isle Royale, Deborah si ritrova così ad essere una pedina del pericoloso gioco di Tom Silver. Durante il rigido inverno che imprigiona l'isola, però, a poco a poco arriva a comprendere le ragioni che hanno alimentato la furia del suo ruvido rapitore, e si rende conto di essere ostaggio anche del proprio cuore.

October 8, 1871 — One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected new love.

As the historic fire ignites across town, Kathleen O’Leary finds herself dressed in borrowed diamonds and silk, enjoying a lavish masquerade. The penniless maid has caught the eye of Dylan Francis Kennedy, the rich, handsome gentleman all of high society has been speculating about. The night feels alive with magic...and ripe with promise.

Then fire sweeps through the city, cornering the young lovers with no hope of rescue. Desperate to share their last moments together, Kathleen and Dylan impulsively marry. Incredibly, they survive. Now, as the fire burns down to cold ash, Kathleen must tell Chicago’s most eligible bachelor that he has married a fraud. But the joke’s on her. For this gentleman is no gentleman. While Kathleen had hoped to win Dylan’s love, he had planned only to capture her heart and steal her fortune. Dylan Kennedy — con artist, gambler, and ne’er-do-well — has been unwittingly caught in his own game. Now the real sparks are about to fly.

Chicago, 1871

In una calda serata d'ottobre, durante una delle più esclusive feste dell'alta società di Chicago a cui partecipa sotto mentite spoglie, Kathleen O'Leary incontra Dylan Francis Kennedy, un affascinante gentiluomo che si vocifera sia l'erede di una favolosa fortuna... l'uomo dei suoi sogni. È la fatidica notte in cui scoppia il grande incendio di Chicago e, nel caos che travolge la città divorata dalle fiamme, Kate e Dylan si ritrovano per caso dopo il ballo, affrontano insieme una serie di pericoli e infine, convinti di avere le ore contate, decidono di sposarsi. Miracolosamente sopravvissuti all'incendio, si trovano ora a essere marito e moglie, solo che nessuno dei due ha detto la verità all'altro: Kathleen non è una ricca ereditiera bensì un'umile cameriera, e Dylan non è altro che un piccolo truffatore abituato a cambiare personalità con la stessa facilità con cui si cambia d'abito. Quando le menzogne vengono a galla, la rabbia divampa. Ma forse in quella notte di inganni è scoccata una scintilla d'amore.

The You I Never Knew (2001)

Michelle thought she had lost everything at 17. Her father, a Hollywood legend, had summoned her to his Montana ranch. When he had learned of his daughter's affair with a hired hand, he had fired him and destroyed his family. Michelle, pregnant, had fled to Seattle. Years have passed. Her son is lost to her. Her father needs her.

Sometimes passion has a fury all its own. . .

October 8, 1871 — One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a chance encounter leads to an unexpected new love.

As she flees the raging inferno, Lucy Hathaway risks her life to save a precious baby girl. The little orphan is a gift from heaven, coming into Lucy's life just as the fire takes everything else form her.

Five years have passed, and Lucy has raised Maggie has her own. Now, seeing a loan to refinance her most cherished dream — her bookstore, The Firebrand — Lucy finds herself face-to-face with Randolph Higgins, Chicago's most prominent banker. Rand is a bitter, lonely an scarred by the great fire and still grieving for the baby girl he lost that night. And to her astonishment, Lucy discovers that the child she'd saved was his.

Some women who have fun, some would have taken the secret of Maggie's identity to the grave. But not Lucy. Now her life is about to take another dramatic turn, forcing her to confront the one man who threatens all she holds dear. But it is their mutual love for a child that will propel Rand and Lucy on an unforgettable journey into emotion, adventure, and passion.

8 ottobre 1871.

Basta una scintilla per mandare a fuoco l'intera città di Chicago e gettare la popolazione nel panico.

Ma oltre alle fiamme della catastrofe naturale, a Chicago e nel resto degli Stati del Nord si propagano ben altre scintille: quelle prodotte da una nuova generazione di donne animate dall'ardente desiderio di liberarsi dai soprusi e dalle catene imposte da una società fortemente maschilista.

Mentre fugge da Chicago che brucia, Lucy Hathaway, ragazza dal carattere indipendente e ribelle, rischia la vita per salvare una bambina.
Cinque anni dopo, quando chiede un prestito per rifinanziare la sua libreria, Il marchio del fuoco, Lucy si trova a tu per tu con Randolph Higgins, uomo amareggiato e solo.

Halfway to Heaven (L'Arte della Seduzione) (2001)

At a glittering White House gala, Abigail Cabot discovers the man of her dreams. Only, he's not interested . . . yet. So the gifted lady astronomer, whose passion for measuring stars has left her woefully lacking in social graces, seeks someone to educate her . . . someone who is a master at the art of seduction.

Jamie Calhoun's handsome looks and easy charm have made him as popular on the Senate floor as he is with the capital's most attractive women. But secretly, he loathes the cynical, manipulative man he's become. Initially, he befriends Abigail as a means to a political end. But somewhere along the way the plan goes awry.

First laughter and then love take them completely by surprise in this wildly romantic story. For a man convinced he's incapable of love and a woman who believes she can reach the stars, could this be a match made in heaven?

Abigal Cabot, figlia del senatore Cabot, è timida, impacciata e convinta, a causa di una malformazione ad un piede, di non poter coronare il suo sogno d'amore. L'incontro con Jamie Calhoun, giovane senatore della Virginia, ad una festa da ballo, dà una svolta radicale alla sua vita.

"Farò di voi una donna irresistibile", le assicura l'affascianate senatore, mantenendo in seguito la promessa. Abigal riesce infatti, grazie ai suoi preziosi consigli, a conquistare il tenete Boyd Butler III, suo amore segreto fin dall'infanzia.

Ma insieme al fascino ed alla sicurezza in se stessa, Abigal acquista anche la consapevolezza di essere in realtà innamorata di Jamie, un amore apparentemente irrealizzabile...

Passing Through Paradise (2002)

It's been two years since the mysterious accident took Sandra Winslow's politician husband, Victor—the favorite son of a town called Paradise—and left Sandra under a cloud of suspicion. She decides to sell her beach house on the edge of town and hires Mike Malloy, who touches her lonely heart. Can she trust a man with unbreakable ties to a community she's eager to leave behind—and who is determined to unearth her deepest secrets?

Enchanted Afternoon (Fiori nel Fango) (2002)

Beautiful, charming and respected as the wife of an ambitious senator, Helena Cabot is the leading lady of Saratoga Springs. But beneath the facade lies a terrible deception. Helena married for all the wrong reasons — and discovered too late that her husband is a dangerous man. Fearing for her safety, she ends her marriage and flees to legendary Moon Lake Lodge, where she creates a refuge for other women in need of a safe haven. And there she finds the courage within to become the woman she was meant to be.

But Helena can't outrun her past. In desperation, she turns to Michael Rowan, a man she once loved, a man who broke her heart. A brilliant inventor, Michael is still ruggedly handsome, still defiantly unconventional. For Helena, the road to trusting Michael again is long and hard. And danger lies ahead. But Michael has just discovered a shattering truth . . . and a reason to stay and fight for the woman he once lost.

With a deft hand and a unique voice, acclaimed author Susan Wiggs creates an enchanting story that will take your breath away as it reaffirms the power of love and the magic of forgiveness.

Stati Uniti, fine XIX secolo

Bellissima, affascinante e rispettata moglie di un ambizioso senatore, Helena Cabot Barnes è la donna più in vista di Saratoga Springs. Ma dietro quella facciata si nasconde una realtà orribile: un matrimonio contratto per le ragioni sbagliate; un marito, Troy Barnes, dispotico e violento; una vita senza amore... Preoccupata per la propria incolumità e per quella del figlioletto, Helena vorrebbe divorziare da Troy, ma scopre ben presto che nessun avvocato è disposto a occuparsi di una causa così delicata e a mettersi contro il potente senatore Barnes. Disperata, si rivolge a Michael Rowan, l'uomo che ha follemente amato nove anni prima e che le ha spezzato il cuore, il padre del suo bambino. Un abisso di menzogne li divide, ma poi Michael scopre la sconvolgente verità... e con essa una ragione per lottare e riconquistare la donna della sua vita.

Home Before Dark (L'Ultimo Sole d'Estate) (2003)

In her career as a photojournalist, free-spirited Jessie Ryder has seen the world through her camera lens. But she's never traveled far enough to escape a painful moment that has haunted her for the past sixteen years: the day she gave her baby daughter away. Now, facing a life-altering crisis, she's decided to fix the broken pieces of her heart and seek out Lila, even if it means she has to upset the world of Lila's adoptive mother...her very own sister, Luz.

Like a Technicolor tornado bursting into Luz's picture-perfect life, Jessie returns to her Texas hometown with a shattering request. She wants to tell Lila the truth. As Luz and her husband struggle with what Jessie's return may mean to rebellious Lila, their seemingly solid marriage falters. Old secrets are exposed. Then, just as Jessie comes to terms with the past, life's bittersweet irony plays its hand. She meets Dustin Matlock, a young father who has survived a devastating loss. And Jessie begins to see the hopeful possibilities that lie buried in the most wrenching tragedies.

Though she aches to reach out to those she loves, Jessie stands at the crossroads. She is leaving behind the only life she knows and blindly leaping into the unknown. Now the choice she makes will affect the life of her daughter and challenge the meaning of sisterhood. As Jessie and Luz examine the true meaning of love, loyalty and family, they are drawn into an emotional tug-of-war filled with moments of unexpected humor, surprising sweetness and unbearable sadness. But as the pain, regrets and mistakes of the past slowly rise to the surface, a new picture emerges - a picture filled with hope, promise and the redeeming power of thehuman heart.

Nella sua brillante carriera di fotografa, Jessie Ryder ha girato il mondo e sfidato ogni pericolo. Ma non si è mai spinta abbastanza lontano da cancellare il rimorso che la tormenta da sedici anni, da quando ha abbandonato Lila, la figlia appena nata, per darla in adozione a sua sorella Luz.

Ora però una nuova, difficile prova - una malattia agli occhi che rischia di condannarla alla cecita' - la obbliga ad affrontare il passato, le scelte compiute seguendo l'istinto prima che la mente e il cuore.

Con l'abituale irruenza, Jessie irrompe come un tornado nella vecchia casa di famiglia. Il suo arrivo, come un'improvvisa tempesta, provoca effetti inaspettati. Lila, messa di fronte alla propria vera identità, esce da un'adolescenza ribelle e si avvia a diventare una donna matura e indipendente.

Luz e il marito Ian rompono la monotona routine di un matrimonio in cui si nascondono troppi segreti e ritrovano le ragioni della loro unione. E Jessie incontra finalmente ciò che le era sempre mancato: l'amore. Profonda, ironica, commovente, Susan Wiggs riesce a far vibrare le corde della nostra sensibilità in un memorabile romanzo sulla famiglia, le seconde occasioni, gli intrecci del destino. E la dirompente forza della verità.

A Summer Affair (Il fascino di Isabel) (2003)

A gifted but troubled physician, Blue Calhoun runs a thriving medical practice from his Nob Hill mansion in San Francisco while raising his son alone after an unthinkable tragedy. Then one day a female fugitive with a gunshot wound appears in Blue's surgery. Even though she holds a pistol aimed at his heart, the desperation in her eyes awakens Blue's compassion. Reluctantly he is drawn to her fragile beauty, her nerves of steel and the mystery surrounding her circumstances.

Isabel Fish-Wooten has spent most of her life on the run, but everything changes when she forces a stranger to save her life. Yet her rescue comes with an unexpected price. As Isabel recovers from her wounds, she finds herself touched by this remarkable man and yearns to reach out to him and his rebellious son.

From danger-filled back alleys to the glittering ballrooms of high society, Isabel and Blue confront the violence and corruption that threatens their newfound passion. Theirs is an unforgettable quest to discover a rare and special love, and the precious gift of a second chance at happiness.

San Francisco, 1885

Blue Calhoun, promettente medico di San Francisco vedovo da oltre dieci anni, ha avviato un ambulatorio a Nob Hill, dove vive insieme al figlio quindicenne, Lucas. Un giorno una misteriosa donna con una ferita d'arma da fuoco fa irruzione nell'infermeria dello studio, e puntandogli una pistola alla tempia lo costringe a prestarle le cure del caso. La disperazione negli occhi della sconosciuta tocca profondamente l'affascinante medico, che si ritrova suo malgrado attratto da quella fragile bellezza con i nervi d'acciaio che risponde al nome di Isabel e il cui passato è avvolto nel mistero. Durante il lento processo di guarigione l'attrazione tra i due divampa, inaspettata, indesiderata e più forte del previsto. Ma prima di cedere al tenero sentimento che è sbocciato nei loro cuori, Isabel e Blue dovranno confrontarsi con la violenza e la corruzione che minacciano la loro felicità.

The St. James Affair in It Happened One Christmas Anthology (2003)

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the city
Not a single woman was stirring except . . .

The Ocean Between Us (L'oceano tra noi) (2004)

Susan Wiggs deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of an American family facing life's greatest challenges as they come to understand the timeless lessons of the heart.

Grace Bennett has it all — three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But beneath the calm demeanor of an efficient Navy wife, Grace stands at the crossroads — of her life and her marriage. When she looks in the mirror, she doesn't recognize the person staring back. She's tired, out of shape and feeling invisible. Somewhere between her husband's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. Something needs to change. She needs to change.

Steve Bennett simply can't understand the unraveling of his wife's heart. He thought he was proving his love to her with each promotion. He believed he could still be a good husband and father while juggling an officer's myriad duties. But he now realizes they were seeing their marriage through different eyes. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces, Grace's discontent comes into sharp focus. Now Steve must try to make their marriage right again before his next deployment. For himself. For his family. For the twenty years of shared history that have always anchored him to home.

Then duty calls.

Separated by an ocean of regrets and longing, Grace and Steve take a hard took at their faltering marriage, the love that brought them together and the family they cherish. They confront the choices they've made, the sacrifices they've rationalized and the dreams they've set adrift.

But just as they come to grips with their marriage, the unthinkable happens — a disaster aboard Steve's aircraft carrier shatters Grace's world. As she gathers her children around her and waits for news, she faces a Navy wife's worst nightmare — the cold truth that life's biggest chances can slip away while you're looking for guarantees.

Cosa si nasconde sotto la superficie di relazioni apparentemente perfette? Grace e Steve sono una coppia ideale: lui è un ufficiale di Marina in carriera, lei la moglie innamorata che lo sostiene nell'ascesa verso i più alti vertici della gerarchia. Hanno tre figli, belli e pieni di talento. Eppure qualcosa non va, crepe invisibili si sono aperte nelle fondamenta del loro matrimonio, e anche i figli, così solari e felici, nascondono desideri, pensieri, tormenti. Quando, all'improvviso, un segreto riemerge dal passato di Steve, la situazione si fa insostenibile. Prima che Grace e Steve possano rimettere insieme i cocci della loro relazione, lui parte per una missione. Separati da un oceano di rimpianti e parole non dette, devono affrontare da soli le scelte fatte, decidere, ognuno per sé, se l'amore di vent'anni è sufficiente a tenerli ancora uniti. E poi, durante un'esercitazione notturna, Steve scompare in mare. Alle prese con il peggiore incubo della sua vita, Grace comprende che la felicità è un bene che è troppo facile lasciarsi sfuggire.

Summer By The Sea (2004)

It's the beginning of another season in the seaside resort town of Winslow, Rhode Island, and Rosa Capoletti is given the chance to rediscover the pleasures of love and laughter, food and wine, friendship and romance . . .

With a little determination and a lot of charm, Rosa Capoletti took a run-down pizza joint and turned it into an award-winning restaurant that has been voted "best place to propose" three years in a row. For Rosa, though, there has been no real romance since her love affair with Alexander Montgomery ended suddenly and without explanation a decade ago.

But Rosa's life takes an unexpected turn when Alexander arrives back in town and asks for her help sorting through his late mother's affairs. Reunited at the beach house where they first met and fell in love, Rosa and Alexander discover that the secrets of the past are not what they seem. Now, with all that she wants right in front of her, Rosa searches for happiness with the man who once broke her heart — and learns that in love, as in life, there are second chances.

Table For Five (Un viaggio lungo un'estate) (2005)

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith in order to soar . . .

A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family — a family that suddenly needs her.

Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.

Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks — and Lily's not sure she can.

The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride — thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile — a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all.

È tutta una questione di prospettiva, sempre. "Ereditare" tré ragazzini di cui occuparsi può sembrare una tragedia. Peggio: una tragedia nella tragedia. Ma a ben guardare Lily Robinson e Sean Maguire avevano bisogno di uno scossone nelle loro vite, così lontane e diverse. Lei è un'insegnante precisa fino all'ossessione, lui un ex astro nascente del golf professionistico a un punto morto della propria carriera. Per motivi opposti, non sono abituati ad avere bambini tra i piedi e, se potessero scegliere, continuerebbero a fame a meno..Ma non possono scegliere affatto, sono costretti a rimettersi in gioco. E Sean lo fa sul serio, quando gli viene proposto di partecipare a un torneo di golf. Così si preparano tutti e cinque a partire per un viaggio lungo un'intera estate, per imparare di nuovo, partita dopo partita, a vivere.

Lakeside Cottage (2005)

If you trust your heart, you'll always know who you are...

Each summer, Kate Livingston returns to her family's lakeside cottage, a place of simple living and happy times -- a place where she now hopes her shy little boy can blossom. But her quiet life gets a bit more interesting with the arrival of an intriguing new neighbor, JD Harris. Although she is a confirmed single mother and knows little of JD's past, Kate is soon drawn into the sweetness of a summer romance and discovers the passion of a lifetime.

JD has good reason for being secretive. In a moment of sheer bravery the Washington, D.C., paramedic prevented a terrible tragedy. Overnight the intensely private man became a national hero. He's hardly able to remember who he was before the media frenzy -- until he escapes to this lovely, remote part of the Northwest. Now Kate Livingston and her son have rekindled the joy of small pleasures and peace, something he thought he'd never have again. But how long will his blissful anonymity last before reality comes banging at his door?

Exploring the many facets of love and friendship, New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs evokes a summer in the Catskills, where family ties clash with family secrets during lazy days and hot, languid nights . . .

Real estate expert Olivia Bellamy reluctantly trades a trendy Manhattan summer for her family's old resort camp in the Catskills, where her primary task will be renovating the bungalow colony for her grandparents, who want one last summer together filled with fun, friends and family. A posh resort in its heyday, the camp is now in disarray and Olivia is forced to hire contractor Connor Davis -- a still-smoldering flame from her own summers at camp. But as the days grow warm, not even the inviting blue waters of Willow Lake can cool the passions flaring or keep shocking secrets at bay. The nostalgic joy of summers past breathes new promise into a special place and people . . . a promise meant to last long after the season ends.

L'agente immobiliare Olivia Bellamy scambia assai riluttante un'estate a Manhattan con il vecchio cottagge della sua famiglia nelle Catskill, dove il suo scopo principale sarà rinnovare il bungalow per i suoi nonni, che vogliono un'ultima estate insieme piena di divertimento, amici e famiglia. Un ameno luogo di vacanza ai suoi tempi, il campeggio è ora in disuso e Olivia è obbligata ad assumere Connor Davis, una vecchia fiamma non del tutto spenta delle sue vacanze estive al campeggio.

Mentre i giorni diventano sempre più caldi, neanche le invitanti acque azzurre del Willow Lake possono raffreddare la passione che scoppia o tenere nascosti i scioccanti segreti della baia. La gioia nostalgica delle estati passate sussurra nuove promesse in questo posto speciale... una promessa destinata a durare quando la stagione finirà.

Introducing the third annual More Than Words anthology. Five bestselling authors. Five real-life heroines

They're your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They're women across North America committed to reaching out and changing lives, one good deed at a time. Five of these exceptional women have been selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words Award. And once again five award-winning bestselling authors have kindly offered their creativity to write original short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.

Because of this year's recipients' dedication, thousands of tiny babies born into poverty are going home from the hospital wearing warm, hand-knit clothing. Prisoners are raising pups to keep people safe and be loyal guide dogs. Special-needs kids finally have a sports league to call their own. Cancer survivors enjoy a week of relaxation and rejuvenation nestled in Canada's stunning cottage country. And high-quality, low-cost children's books in Braille are finding their way to the thousands of children who need them.

We hope More Than Words will touch your heart and inspire the heroine living inside you.

Thank you. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be reinvested into the Harlequin More Than Words program to support the causes that are of concern to women.

Ecco a voi la terza Antologia annuale More Than Words. Cinque autrici di successo. Cinque eroine della vita di ogni giorno.

Sono le tue vicine, le tue zie, le tue sorelle e le tue migliori amiche. Sono donne attraverso il Nord America che si impegnano per cambiare la propria vita, una passo per volta. Cinque di queste eccezionali danno sono state scelte per il premio di quest'anno della Harlequin, More Than Words. E ancora una volta cinque autrici di successo hanno gentilmente offerto la loro creatività per scrivere dei racconti inediti ispirati da queste eroine della vita reale.

Il premio quest'anno è dedicato a fornire di vestitini le migliaia di bambini nati in povertà che devono andare a casa dall'ospedale. I carcerati stanno allevando cuccioli per destinarli a cani guida. Bambini con handicap potranno avere una squadra sportiva. I sopravvisuti al cancro godranno di una settimana di riposo in un meraviglio cottage di campagna in Canada. E libri di alta qualità ma a basso costo in Braille troveranno la loro strada verso le migliaia di bambini che ne hanno bisogno.

Speriamo che More Than Words toccherà il tuo cuore e ti ispirerà a far vivere l'eroina che è dentro di te.

Grazie. I proventi dalla vendita di questo libro saranno reinvestiti nel programma della Harlequin More Than Words per sostenere le cause che sono importante per le donne.

On the longest night of the year, Jenny Majesky loses everything in a devastating house fire. But among the ashes she finds an unusual treasure hidden amid her grandfather's belongings, one that starts her on a search for the truth, and on a path toward a life that she never imagined. The Winter Lodge, a remote cabin owned by her half sister on the shores of Willow Lake, becomes a safe refuge for Jenny, where she and local police chief Rourke McKnight try to sort out the mysteries revealed by the fire.

But when a blizzard traps them together, Jenny, accustomed to the safe predictability of running the family bakery, suddenly doesn't feel so secure. For even as Rourke shelters her from the storm outside, she knows her heart is at risk. Now, following her dreams might mean walking away from her one chance at love.

Durante la più lunga notte dell'anno, Jenny Majesky perde tutto in un devastante incendio della sua casa. Ma tra le ceneri trova un insolito tesoro nascosto in mezzo alle cose appartenute al nonno, qualcosa che la spinge a cercare la verità, e in un percorso verso una vita che non ha mai immaginato. The Winter Lodge, una baracca isolata di proprietà della sua sorellastra sulle spiagge di Willow Lake, diventa un rifugio sicuro per Jenny, dove lei e il capo della polizia locale Rourke McKnight cercano di risolvere il mistero svelato dal fuoco.

Ma quando una tormenta li intrappola insieme, Jenny, abituata alla sicura prevedibilità di mandare avanti la panetteria di famiglia, improvvisamente non si sente più così sicura. Anche se Rourke la protegge dalla tempesta esterna, lei sa che il suo cuore è in pericolo. Ora, seguire i suoi sogni potrebbe significare allontanarsi dalla sua unica possibilità di amore.

With her daughter grown and flown, Nina Romano is ready to embark on a new adventure. She's waited a long time for dating, travel and chasing dreams. But just as she's beginning to enjoy being on her own, she finds herself falling for Greg Bellamy, owner of the charming Inn at Willow Lake and a single father with two kids of his own.

Greg lost his first marriage to a demanding career. Now he's determined to make a new start before it's too late. Juggling work, raising his young son and helping his nearly grown daughter face life's ultimate challenge, he has no time to fall in love. Still, with Nina Romano, love feels just right this time around.

Con la figlia cresciuta e andata via, Nina Romano è pronta ad intraprendere una nuova avventura. Ha atteso molto tempo per avere appuntamenti, viaggiare e inseguire i sogni. Ma appena sta cominciando a godere il fatto di essere da sola, si scopre ad innamorarsi di Greg Bellamy, proprietario della incantevole locanda Inn at Willow Lake e padre single di due bambini.

Greg ha perso il suo primo matrimonio per una carriera esigente. Ora è determinato ad avere un nuovo inizio prima che sia troppo tardi. Lottare con il lavoro, crescere il suo figlio più piccolo e aiutare la sua quasi cresciuta figlia ad affrontare l'ultima sfida della vita, non ha tempo di innamorarsi. Eppure, con Nina Romano, l'amore sembra proprio la cosa giusta questa volta intorno.

Snowfall at Willow Lake (2008)

International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping oppressed people in war-torn countries. But when she survives a violent hostage situation, she remembers what matters most - the children she loves back home. Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.

There, Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life - including an unexpected passion for Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women - until Sophie.

Snowfall at Willow Lake speaks from the heart about all the loves that fill a woman's life, and all the ways that love is tested and made to grow. It's the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness.