Those deep-brimmed Stetsons. Those faded jeans. And that's just the beginning. Cowboys are everything a fantasy man should be-tall, tough, and oh so handsome. In this sexy new collection of original stories, meet three men of the American West who know more than a thing or two about roping a girl's heart.

"The Reluctant Hero," Lorraine Heath

Sheriff Matthew Knight is the perfect hero for Andrea Jackson's next dime novel-or so she thinks. His outlaw-busting exploits may be larger than life, but the man behind the badge is more complicated than she bargained for. What's a writer to do when she needs a story, and her scowling subject is reluctant to open up? Maybe the question should be what won't she do?

"The Great Cowboy Race," Georgina Gentry

Boston-bred heiress Henrietta never imagined she would race a horse one thousand miles across open land disguised as a boy. But then, she never believed her parents would arrange a marriage for her she would have to run away to escape. However, there's no escape from her toughest competition, expert rider and champion wrangler Comanche Jones. She needs that prize money-almost as much as she finds herself wanting him.

"Whispering by Moonlight," Teresa Bodwell

Stranded in a town called Hell Gate without a penny to her name, Isabelle Milton is relieved that circumstances haven't forced her into something truly desperate-not yet, anyway. She's run out of options when gorgeous Lucas Warring rides into town like the answer to a prayer. Willing to do anything if he takes her in, she finds herself hired on as a ranch hand during one of the coldest winters ever-and delighted to discover there are plenty of ways they can keep eachother warm.

The West has never been wilder. 9780821779590 0.00 
Price: 12.93 AUD

Five short stories follow themes of hidden secrets and revealing love and include the works of popular romance authors Jennifer Blake, Madeline Baker, Georgina Gentry, Shirl Henke, and Patricia Rice.

Gambler's Delight, by Georgina Gentry " A ragtag riverboat loaded with trashy tarts and rowdy ruffians?" During the Civil War, a Yankee officer, urged on by the irate women of the Ladies' Town Betterment Society, evict the Gamblers, Ruffians, and Tarts from town by forcing a riverboat Captain to take them aboard. Unfortunately for the Captain, he's got Cargo to transport, and none of the towns will let him leave his "licentious load" and men from the towns along the way keep rowing out to meet them since the floating party is now a lot more fun than town life! Add to this a search for a spy, a secret agent aboard the boat, and a young lady of the evening who drugs her customers and seems to be lying about her name....

Masquerade, by Madeline Baker A 300 year old vampire who loves the Phantom of the Opera finds himself falling for a chorus girl who reminds him of his late wife. Leanne thinks this stranger feels familiar and can't get enough of him...but, he says he sleeps during the day and works nights... Falling in Love, by Shirle Henke Chastity O'Rourke and her father, Seamus, just pulled the biggest con of their lives, and Chastity thinks its high time they invested in their future. So, they're off to the new world and planning to play Gentleman and Lady and see if they can land a rich husband for Chastity. Marrying for money and security is much more important than love, right? Keeping the Fire Hot, by Patricia Rice Jamie Mulligan, used to be Jamaica Mulligan, but she has four mean drunk brothers and one mean drunk father, so, she's been on her own, disguised as a boy and working to keep them in food and whiskey since she was 13. At 20, she's getting to big to hide her femininity but doesn't want to attract the interest the local mine-workers and shopkeepers that visit the local whores...and might be looking for cheaper and fairer game. Dawson, the town tavern keeper and doctor, knows about Jamie...and knows what she has to do to stay alive... Besieged Heart, by Jennifer Blake Princess Mara is in trouble. Her castle is under siege, her brother and Lord of the holding is off making war, and the hostile Baron at her gate wants to cement his interests by marrying her. He'll beat her into submission if he has to, and Mara needs a Champion. Her loyal advisor and Wizard is too precious to risk - her last remaining battle asset..he's served her since she was a child...and she's never seen his face under his cowl. Her wizard has been in love with his princess since he was a boy but knows their ranks are too distant - and keeps a proper distance. When his Lady begins to talk of surrendering to the horrific Baron in order to save her people, he transports his Lady to the Future, the twentieth century, to show her what she'd REALLY think of being held captive and under another's command. His own. 003665 0.00 
Price: 6.50 AUD