Can true love die? Or, neglected, does it lie dormant until the object of true desire is again within reach? Denied, does passion smolder, like embers waiting for the right conditions to flare into an all-consuming conflagration? #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens delivers the thrilling conclusion to her acclaimed series, THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a passionate Regency-era drama played out on the high seas and in the sweltering heat of tropical jungles, ultimately reaching a scintillating climax in the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair.The eldest of the Frobisher brothers and widely known as the lord of the privateers, Royd Frobisher expects to execute the final leg of the rescue mission his brothers have been pursuing. What he does not expect is to be pressured into taking his emotional nemesis, childhood sweetheart, ex-handfasted bride, and current business partner, Isobel Carmichael, with him. But is it Isobel doing the pressuring, or his own restless unfulfilled psyche?Resolute, determined, and an all but unstoppable force of nature, Isobel has a mission of her own—find her cousin Katherine and bring her safely home. And if, along the way, she can rid herself of the lingering dreams of a life with Royd that still haunt her, well and good.Neither expects the shock that awaits them as they set sail aboard Royd’s ship, much less the new horizons that open before them as they call into London, then, armed with the necessary orders and all arrangements in place, embark on a full-scale rescue-assault on the mining compound buried in the jungle.Yet even with the support of his brothers and their ladies and, once rescued, all the ex-captives, Royd and Isobel discover that freeing the captives is only half the battle. In order to identify and convict the backers behind the illicit enterprise—and protect the government from catastrophic destabilization—they must return to the ballrooms of the haut ton, and with the help of a small army of supporters, hunt the villains on their home ground.But having found each other again, having glimpsed the heaven that could be theirs again, how much are they willing to risk in the name of duty?Learn the answer and revel in the action, drama, intrigue, and passion as the Frobishers— with help from Wolverstone, the Cynsters, and many familiar others—steer the adventure to a glorious end.
How does marriage work? If convention is set aside and is no longer there to guide…what then?Stephanie Laurens, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Cynster novels, brings you THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love.The instant Captain Declan Frobisher laid eyes on Lady Edwina Delbraith, he knew she was the lady he wanted as his wife. The scion of a seafaring dynasty accustomed to success, he discovered that wooing Edwina was surprisingly straightforward—not least because she made it plain that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.Declan’s vision of marriage was of a gently-reared wife to grace his arm, to manage his household, and to bear his children. He assumed that household, children, and wife would remain safely in England while he continued his life as an explorer sailing the high seas.Declan got his wish—up to a point. He and Edwina were wed. As for the rest—his vision of marriage…Aunt of the young Duke of Ridgware and sister of the mysterious man known as Neville Roscoe, London’s gambling king, even before the knot was tied Edwina shattered the illusion that her character is as delicate, ethereal, and fragile as her appearance suggests. Far from adhering to orthodox mores, she and her ducal family are even more unconventional than the Frobishers.Beneath her fairy-princess exterior, Edwina possesses a spine of steel—one that might bend, but will never break. Born to the purple—born to rule—she’s determined to rule her life. With Declan’s ring on her finger, that means forging a marriage that meets her needs as well as his.But bare weeks into their honeymoon, Declan is required to sail to West Africa. Edwina decides she must accompany him.A secret mission with unknown villains flings unexpected dangers into their path as Declan and Edwina discover that meeting the challenge of making an unconventional marriage work requires something they both possess—bold and adventurous hearts.The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances.Start the journey here and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the cataclysmic end.Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens“Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly“Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews.“Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine
Sophy van Houton. Impetuous. Headstrong. Rich.The beautiful heiress needed to marry to access her fortune. But deep in her heart was a stubborn dream – to find a man who loved her for herself, not for her beauty or her money. In Seth Weston she realized the extent of her own desires and the depth of his need for her. But need was not the same as love… . Seth Weston. Proud. Honorable. Haunted.Seth Weston was determined to save his crumbling textile empire, even if it meant marrying for money. A marriage of convenience, indeed, for any love in him had died at Gettysburg. Until Sophy swept into his life, challenging his preconceptions, unleashing his hidden passion… .
THE O'NEIL SAGA A family driven by destiny!An Honorable Rogue…Gifted with a smooth tongue and a sharp blade, Conor O'Neil sought to avenge the hardships his people had endured. But while he played a risky game of politics and power, Emma Vaughn played an even riskier game still. An Innocent Seductress…Emma was shy and innocent, until she arrived at the queen's court with one duty-filled goal – to turn Conor O'Neil's attentions from intrigue to pleasure. But though each flirtatious caress brought her closer to success… Emma was beginning to wonder on which side her true loyalties lay.
London, June 1816 'Devlin squared his shoulders and prepared to be introduced to the wife he had thought was dead.' Dangerously seductive and sinfully beautiful, Susanna Burney is society’s most sought-after matchbreaker. Paid by wealthy parents to part unsuitable couples, she’s never yet failed. Until her final assignment brings her face to face with the man who’d once taught her an intimate lesson in heartache…James Devlin has everything he’s always wanted: a title, a rich fiancée and a place in society. But the woman who’s just met his eyes across a crowded ballroom threatens it all. Not because she’d once claimed his heart but because the secrets she carries could cost him everything. Dev just might have to play Susanna at her own wicked game. Let the scandal of the season begin…
Covent Garden, London, October 1816 Tess Darent’s world is unravelling. Danger threatens her stepchildren and she is about to be unmasked as a radical political cartoonist and thrown into gaol. The only thing that can save her is a respectable marriage. But when it comes to tying the knot Tess requires a very special husband – one who has neither the desire nor the ability to consummate their marriage.Owen Purchase, Viscount Rothbury cannot resist Tess when she asks for the protection of his name. But he has no intention of making a marriage in name only. Will the handsome sea captain be able to persuade the notorious widow to give her heart as well as her reputation into his safekeeping?
Now, thanks to their cagey uncle's ironclad will, saloonkeeper Lucas MacIntyre was forced to find himself a bride. So he proposed a chaste businesslike «merger» to Miss Emily Smythe, a uniquely enterprising schoolmarm. But how could he keep them wed in name only when all he wanted to do was bed down with his bride in her brand-new inn?And as for his brother….The fur would fly sure enough when his bear of a brother, Jackson, woke up to find himself hitched to Miss Molly Malone. He'd thought surely she was mistaken. But delirious with fever, he'd unknowingly consummated their marriage. And the Irish firebrand was determined that their union stick «'til death did them part»! Well, now he was guaranteed his inheritance, but what was the miner to do with a wife?
When Lady Valeria Augusta Marianus is captured by the savage Pict army, she is fearful of her treatment by their renowned and fearless commander. His enemy is the Roman Empire and she is the Cesar’s niece, but Tristan Caileanach is nothing like the wild beast she imagined.Instead his ruggedly handsome face and toned body makes her long to be held in his powerful arms. And her traitorous body can only resist the heat of this fierce warrior’s touch for so long…One night in Tristan’s bed is all it takes for Valeria to give him her innocence and her heart. Yet she knows they have no future together – not when his hatred for all things Roman runs so deep. But when the Roman army descends on the camp and Tristan is enslaved and forced to be a Gladiator, facing death every day, suddenly their roles are reversed.Now all Valeria wants is to give him back his freedom, but Tristan’s only chance is to win it in the arena…
Justice Was A Hard Mistress And one who demanded all of Jake McConnell's devotion. Until the day Clair Travers insisted that the straight-arrow lawman remove himself from her saloon. The day he knew his life would never be the same… Clair Travers Was Living a Lie She had gambled on a new life.But she hadn't counted on falling for a man like Jake McConnell, a man whose dedication to the truth could uncover the murderous secret that haunted her past.
The Infamous Lord Sin Had Taken A WifeIan Sinclair, the lord of ill repute, had married a country vicar's daughter. Now he was sure there'd be the devil to pay, for the passionate Mary Fulton was the woman he held above all others, and a woman he knew he didn't deserve.The more she learned of Ian's world of privilege, the more Mary Fulton realized how impossible their union really was. Yet the web of gentle passion woven on their wedding night grew stronger with every touch they shared… !