The bored, rich guy wants to own me.An envelope with ten thousand dollars. Cash.That's just for one week. For every week of the arrangement, I get a fresh one.What does he get in return?He will shape me into his idea of the perfect woman. His ultimate creation to appease his god-complex.Eloquent. Refined. Confident. Tasteful.I'm not that woman.Only, when he looks at me, I believe I am.He doesn't know it, but my fate was set long before him.This arrangement, it just might ruin us.

A heartwarming and "thoroughly enjoyable" novel of friendship, family, and second chances (The Times, London). Sylvia Appleby is lonely and dissatisfied with her life. She left her husband Frederick, a clergyman and a drunk, some years ago now, and hasn't seen him since. Her two children have grown up and moved out, leaving her to deal with her awful mother who keeps threatening to descend upon her from Manchester at any moment. Her only consolation is her loyal dog, Prophecy, but even he cannot fill the huge void in her life. So when she sees Mr. Hardcastle's advertisement for a cook and housekeeper at his beautiful home in Sussex, she jumps at the opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. However, it's not long before Sylvia realizes that she's not the only one with a complicated past, as she finds herself entangled in her employer's problems—including his turbulent relationship with his...

Sarah was uncomfortable with the idea of eavesdropping on Aunt Charity's and Uncle Ethan's private conversation, but she was anxious to hear what her uncle had to say about their tutor, Gabrielle Gordon."...spends most of her evenings in Christiana Campbell's Tavern listening to the men talk about the Revolution," he was saying as Sarah dropped silently beside Abigail beneath the open window. His words were as clear as though they were in the room with them. "We've suspected her for a while, but she's very clever. We haven't been able to catch her passing on what she hears to her British contact, whoever it is. Most likely it's the infamous 'Demon Devon' who eludes our every trap! If only I could get my hands on him!""But, Ethan, she's so gracious, so genteel, so....""So treacherous, Charity," he finished for her. "You heard Sarah say she's interested in me. I'm telling you, she only tutors our children to gain information about my activities and the action of the colonial army....

 Master of the damned There could be no doubt that the one called Damien was the master of shadows, the greatest of his accursed kind. But now his ancient mantle of mystic power was threatened by a terrible weakness--a fatal passion for a woman of mortal flesh and blood. . . Suspicion had first drawn Shannon Mallory into the darkness, in search of the truth behind the legends that swirled around this man--if man he was. But it was not suspicion that kept her there, or even fear--it was pure, stunning desire. . . For centuries, loneliness has haunted them from dusk till dawn. Yet now, from out of the darkness, shines the light of eternal life. . . eternal love.

The wife of a wealthy Los Angeles businessman is found murdered in her bed with her lover, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls. Columbo, America's favorite TV detective, must ask himself whether the horror of the Manson himself is ordering a fresh new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell? To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."

The Copper Peacock: a hideous bookmark given to Bernard, a writer, by his attractive cleaning lady, Judy. She had brought order to a hitherto chaotic life, but now the bookmark destroys all this, shattering his razor sharp sensibilities. If only she had given herself, then she might have lived...In this, and eight other landmark short stories, including the Wexford tale An Unwanted Woman, Ruth Rendell once again proves she is the mistress of crime and mystery genres.

Thea Barlow, Chicago native and newly minted editor for the city's Western True Adventures magazine, is on her first assignment: prove her worth by getting the story of Halfway Halt, a defunct whorehouse in Hijax, Wyoming.Upon arrival in Hijax, Thea is met with hostility. Assuming Thea is the "new girl" for the whorehouse, the townsfolk do not want the old days revived or their secrets revealed.Then a local woman is murdered and the present owner of Halfway Halt is found unconscious in an old building. Now Thea must dig deep to unravel the mysteries of Halfway Halt if she's to get the story...and survive.REVIEWS:"...a modern story of murder and mayhem in the colorful west." —Romantic Times"Caverly's books are a step up from cozy. Good stories, interesting characters, a touch of romance, and a little humor. Lots of fun!" —Mysterious WomanTHE THEA BARLOW WYOMING MYSTERIES, in orderAll the Old LionsFrogskin and...

When motherless Alice turns thirteen she feels in-between, no longer a child but not yet a woman, and discovers that growing up can be both frustrating and wonderful.

The neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon, is blue-collar; the cafe holds only three tables and four booths. But it's the only place attorney Barbara Holloway feels both productive and peaceful. Laptop computer on the table, coffee refilled regularly by the cook, Barbara gets her work done and wants for nothing more...certainly not another explosive, emotionally devastating courtroom case. Until a woman comes to Barbara with a case she cannot refuse. The sister of "Baby Killer" Kennerman, the tale she tells is so terrifying that Barbara must act. What she unearths is a corrupt conspiracy that will allow a killer to walk away free. And when she finds herself up against a smear campaign of unimaginable proportions, Barbara Holloway realizes that even the best defense may not be enough.... ""ENGROSSING...Wilhelm provides suspense and excitement while adeptly portraying Barbara [Holloway] as a wily and sympathetic heroine."--Publishers Weekly Better than any [courtroom dramas] I've read in years...Wilhelm has created an appealing and believable character in Barbara Holloway....The courtroom scenes are excellent, and narrative tension is maintained throughout the story."--Mystery News

Christmas Puck is a short story about my OG characters from my BTU Alumni Series Jake and Jordan. It is their first Christmas together and takes place after Power Play. This story was particularly fun for me to write because it was the first time I’ve gotten to write these two in 1st POV.

Karen's dreams come true when she gets to attend circus camp and to practice everything from costume making to animal training and even tightrope walking! She becomes friends with the daughter of the circus owner and learns how hard traveling around the country really is.

She's mine once again but she's practically a ghost. She's just using me...not that I mind. But her indifference is suffocating. I mean nothing to her...less than what she used to mean to me. Admissions of regret and apologies aren't enough to fix it. I have to return to the gypsy...and hope for the best.

The Sword of the Lictor is the third volume in Wolfe's remarkable epic, chronicling the odyssey of the wandering pilgrim called Severian, driven by a powerful and unfathomable destiny, as he carries out a dark mission far from his home. The Citadel of the Autarch brings The Book of the New Sun to its harrowing conclusion, as Severian clashes in a final reckoning with the dread Autarch, fulfilling an ancient prophecy that will forever alter the realm known as Urth. "Brilliant . . . terrific . . . a fantasy so epic it beggars the mind. An extraordinary work of art!"-Philadelphia Inquirer