The Rich Gal's Rented Groom by Carolyn Zane released on Oct 25, 1998 is available now for purchase.

HERO OF THE HOLIDAYS Bah, humbug! Some Scrooge was sabotaging the season of joy. Making mincemeat of Shea Burroughs's merriness. And the only man who could save the day was Jared Burroughs, Shea's beloved—estranged—husband. Shea hungered to have Jared home for the holidays. But how to tell love-leary Jared that he'd already given her the best Christmas present ever: a baby-to-be! Trouble was, rugged Jared was terrified of tots. Fearful of fatherhood. And certain the only thing he could give Shea was her freedom. Clearly, Shea needed a little help from Santa to convince Jared to be the hero of her holidays…and the daddy of her dreams!

Bundles of Joy Bachelor Gulch The Bachelor: Dr. Burke Kincaid. He'd spent one memorable night in town and had returned to claim the woman he'd never forgotten. The Bride: Miss Louetta Graham. The "gal most likely not to" now had one too many marriage proposals. The shiest woman in Bachelor Gulch had loved only one man and had waited years for his return. Now Burke was back…as someone else was asking for Louetta's hand. But just when she had decided to follow her heart, her doctor suitor revealed a few surprises. For Burke's Christmas present to the bride of his dreams was a tiny toddler…and a mighty big explanation. Don't miss the romantic excitement when an unexpected BUNDLE OF JOY arrives in BACHELOR GULCH.

FROM THE DESK OF LUC DUMONT, HEAD OF SECURITY ST. MICHEL DAY 12 Still no sign of any missing heir. Must speak with Queen Simone about the longing looks her granddaughter, the beautiful Princess Marie-Claire, is giving that aristocratic Sebastian LeMarc. He seems too worldly for her innocence, but the protective and personal touches he gives her leads me to believe something is brewing between them…. I see how he watches her as she laughs with her sisters—and the way she looks at him as he dances with others. But is their budding relationship true enough to withstand rumors that Sebastian's ties to the royal family might be stronger than we think?

TEXAS FAMILY TIES MARRIAGE…AMNESIA…LOVE? At eighteen, Grace Wright and Nick Spinelli eloped. But after one night of unforgettable wedded bliss, Nick mysteriously left town…and Grace never heard from him again. But guess what? Ten years later, Grace discovered she and Nick were still married! Now Grace wanted no part of this marriage. Until she crashed her car…and awoke with amnesia—in Nick's loving arms! Suddenly Grace could remember nothing but their unforgettable passion. Now how could she leave the only man she'd ever loved…the very man she was determined to keep as her husband? With bonds stronger than blood, these Texans are about to discover the true meaning of family, friendship…and love.

THE BRUBAKER BRIDES This wealthy Texas family needs a few good women to lasso their brood of bad boys! "Some little filly claims I fathered her baby. Hmm. Not a bad idea!" —Johnny Brubaker She arrived at the Brubaker mansion demanding retribution. Johnny Brubaker would do right by Miss Emmaline Arthur. But the plain Jane guickly realized Johnny wasn't her baby's father. Why, she'd never even laid eyes on the long, tall drink of water before! Now the unmarried mom-to-be would become the talk of the town. Luckily the honor-bound cowboy saw that sweet Emmaline deserved to be cherished, and her child deserved a name. So she became Johnny's pregnant bride…and wondered if she'd ever be his in more than name only!

VIRGIN BRIDES Celebrate the joys of first love with unforgettable stories by your most beloved authors. AN UNFORGETTABLE KISS…. Years ago, Joe Carpenter had been tempted by beautiful Gabrielle O'Shea. But he wasn't going to be the one to initiate the achingly innocent schoolgirl into womanhood. Still, he couldn't resist stealing one magical kiss before disappearing into the night…. A MISTLETOE BRIDE? Years later, Joe still remembered that kiss. And suddenly he was staring into Gabrielle's angelic face again. But Joe had more than his own heart to protect—he had his six-year-old son's. Would it take a Christmas miracle to become Joe's mistletoe bride?

When Joe Otto accepted the job to lead a wagon train to California, the last thing he expected was to be asked to marry Mr. Heller’s daughter. Still pining over the one that got away, he’s not sure he has it in him to open his heart to another woman. Mr. Heller assures him the arrangement will only be temporary. Once Joe delivers her to her aunt and uncle in California, he can annul the marriage. Joe can use the money, and besides, it’s only a temporary arrangement. She won’t be his wife for the rest of his life. Reassured by this logic, he agrees to the marriage contract. Michelle Heller knows the only way she’s going on the wagon train is if she has a husband, so she readily accepts the deal her father makes with Joe. What she doesn’t expect, however, is that her new husband is the most attractive young man she’s ever seen. Over and over, she has to remind herself their marriage isn’t real. It’s only borne of necessity. But as the days pass on the trail, it’s harder to remember their marriage is only on paper, and it seems the two are at odds as to what they want this marriage to be. After Joe watched the woman of his dreams start a life with someone else, he vowed he would never open himself up to being hurt again. Can Michelle break through his wall, or will she have to annul the marriage once she reaches California?