Recommendations based on "Heiress's Defiance"

With the bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail she brought to her acclaimed Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett presents The House of Niccolò series. The time is the 15th century, when intrepid merchants became the new knighthood of Europe. Among them, none is bolder or more cunning than Nicholas vander Poele of Bruges, the good-natured dyer's apprentice who schemes and swashbuckles his way to the helm of a mercantile empire.      In 1462, Nicholas is a wealthy 21-year-old. His beloved wife has died. His stepchildren have locked him out of the family business. He and his private army are the target of multiple conspiracies. And both contenders for the throne of Cyprus, the brilliant Queen Carlotta and her charismatic, sexually ambivalent brother James, are demanding his support. Walking a tightrope of intrigue, Dunnett's hero juggles adversaries and allies, from the delectable courtesan Primaflora to the Mameluke commander Tzani-Bey al Ablak, a man of undiluted evil. Masterfully paced, alive with sensual delights, Race of Scorpions confirms Dorothy Dunnett as the grande dame of the genre.

In a spellbinding new Highlands story from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, the laird of the Buchanans finds the one woman who is his equal in passion and courage   Aulay Buchanan has retreated to his clan’s hunting lodge for a few days of relaxation. But the raven-haired beauty he pulls from the ocean puts an end to any chance of rest. Though he christens her Jetta, she knows nothing of her real identity, save that someone is trying to kill her. As she recovers, it will not be easy for Aulay to protect her and keep her honor intact when she mistakenly believes they are man and wife…   Jetta sees beyond Aulay’s scars to the brave, loyal warrior she’s proud to call her own. But as the attempts on her life grow more brazen, Jetta realizes that not all is as she believes. And if Aulay is not her husband, can she trust the desire flaring in his eyes, or his promise to defend her with his life?

As the Civil War turns brother against brother, Ian McKenzie receives an order to capture the South's most notorious spy: the Moccasin. She is beautiful deadly - and she is his wife. Duty demands she hang, yet Ian's heart demands another choice ... a magnificent rebellious love that can destroy or save them both. A brilliant writer of breathtaking scope, bestselling author Heather Graham proves time and time again why she is one of America's favorite romance novelists.

Dear Reader, I love all my stories, but must admit that for pure romance, it's hard to beat Thunder and Roses. The first book in my Fallen Angels series, it's now available with this lovely new cover. They call him the Demon Earl. Son of a rogue and a Gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake-until a shattering betrayal leaves him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside. Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas sets an impossible price on his aid-only if Clare agrees to live with him for three months, letting the world think the worst, will he intervene. As allies, Clare and Nicholas fight to save her community. As adversaries, they explore the hazardous terrain of power and sensuality. And as lovers, they surrender to a passion that threatens the very foundations of their lives. Can two such different people build a relationship that will last forever and beyond? Yoursquo;ll have to read to find out. Enjoy! Mary Jo Putney

Two sexy, suspenseful bestsellers? together in one volume!Two stories of dangerous women entangled in the arms of deliciously treacherous men? Trouble in High Heels When Brandi Michaels discovers her fiancé hopping a flight to Vegas to marry his other girlfriend, she pawns her ring, buys herself a fabulous outfit, and spends one sultry night in the arms of a gorgeous Italian stranger named Roberto Bartolini. And when Brandi becomes the mark for a killer, she has no choice but to turn to Roberto?a man who?s destined to be either her savior or her downfall? Tongue in Chic Devlin Fitzwilliam catches Meadow Szarvas breaking into his mansion to steal a priceless painting. In sheer desperation she tells him she has amnesia. But then he claims she?s his wife?and Meadow finds herself locked in a match of high-stakes deception. She doesn?t dare take her eyes off him?and doesn?t want to?yet the danger is just beginning?

Doug Cooper's first major assignment with the prestigious Colby Agency: protect the newly discovered D'Martine heiress and turn her into a lady. The tough-as-nails bodyguard has his hands full with Eddi Harper, who's more tomboy than princess and prefers baggy overalls to designer gowns. But during the long days and nights he spends instructing her, the small-town beauty innocently breaches the walls he's erected around his heart. Though Doug tries to remain professionally detached, keeping his distance becomes impossible once Eddi's life is threatened. Doug swears he'll stop at nothing to guard the heiress, but who's going to guard his heart?

The stunning sequel to The Pride of Lions! In a novel that sizzles with passionate intrigue and breathtaking romance, Marsha Canham whisks the reader back to war-torn Scotland as a legendary warrior fights for the two things most precious to any man: his country and the woman he loves. She was born an Englishwoman, but he made her a Scot, pledged to fight for her beloved husband--even against the country of her birth. Catherine Ashbrooke Cameron had committed the unpardonable sin of falling in love with her husband--a Scottish spy she married in her English home. Now, as she raced to the Highlands, into the strong, tender arms of Alexander Cameron, the innocent English beauty would learn the passions of war--and the price of love . . . . He fought to keep her safe as he battled the English enemy--and betrayal from within. Alexander Cameron was a man with a price on his head and enemies to burn. Love had made the legendary warrior vulnerable. Now he must protect Catherine from the dangers that threatened them both. But as he rode into battle against the English, she refused to stay behind. He had claimed her, touched her, loved her, and she vowed nothing would ever separate them again.

Royal beauty Catherine von Husden wanted Dr. Riley Jacobs to notice her. But the handsome doctor was all business and didn't give her the attention she craved. Nevertheless Princess Catherine loved a challenge, and helping Riley open up resulted in her discovering riches beyond her wildest dreams.Riley had all the qualities she'd ever wanted in a man. And then she was handed a royal dilemma—would Catherine have to take up her duty to her country and leave behind the love of a lifetime?

Stunningly beautiful Callie Conner is sick of being pursued by shallow suitors. She wants a man of faith, honesty and moral integrity who will love and value her for more than her appearance. So she flees to her aunt's hotel, where she soon finds herself falling for the handsome new stable hand. A successful businessman in disguise, Ezra Ryder enjoys working in Pinewood where he is accepted for himself, and not for his money. Growing closer to Miss Callie, he longs to proclaim his love. But revealing his true identity would also mean revealing his deceit--can he risk losing Callie's trust forever?

Reina seethes with rage over her fate: taken captive by the knight Ranulf -- a golden giant of a man -- who has pledged to deliver her to the nuptial bed of the despised Lord Rothwell. She will never accept such bondage -- and Reina offers herself to her kidnapped instead, offering to make Ranulf a great lord...if he agrees to wed her.But the brave knight desires much more than a marriage of convenience from this proud, headstrong lady who treats him with scorn yet makes his blood run hotter than liquid fire. She must come to him of her own free will -- or Ranulf will take her. For the passion that consumes them both cannot long be denied -- even though gravest peril surely awaits them on the heart's trail to a destines and turbulent love.