From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Ranney - the story of a woman recuperating from tragedy only to be visited by murder. Jennifer Roberts is a survivor, not only from the car accident that changed her life, but from murder in her own neighborhood.Except that no one believed it was murder. Not Talbot, the cop who brought back bad memories. Nor her husband, whose actions led Jennifer to think that she had a problem there, too.She was determined to convince others that what she suspected was true - a murderer was loose in her neighborhood. Her only help was an eclectic group of amateur sleuths who played at murder.More intense than a cozy mystery, not quite a romantic suspense, Murder Among Friends is a thriller with a neighborhood bent. Not one international terrorist is to be found, but that's all right. The neighbors are strange.Murder Among Friends was originally titled Murder by Mortgage.

Beatrice can handle a troubled young duke -- but the boy's dangerously appealing cousin Devlen is another matter entirely ...

To avoid a scandal that would devastate her family, Riona McKinsey has agreed to marry the wrong man — though the one she yearns for is James MacRae. Had she not been maneuvered into a compromising position by a man of Edinburgh — who covets her family's wealth more than Riona's love — the dutiful Highland miss could have followed her heart into MacRae's strong and loving arms. But alas, it is not to be. A man of the wild, tempest-tossed ocean, James MacRae never dreamed he'd find his greatest temptation on land. Yet from the instant the dashing adventurer first gazed deeply into Riona's haunting gray eyes, he knew there was no lass in all of Scotland he'd ever want more. The matchless lady is betrothed to another — and unwilling to break off her engagement or share the reason why she will marry her intended. But how can MacRae ignore the passion that burns like fire inside, drawing him relentlessly toward a love that could ruin them both?

An explosive encounter leads to . . . After Mary Kate Bennett becomes a young widow, she's left to fend for herself without a penny. When she is in a terrible carriage accident, Mary Kate awakens in the bed of the mysterious Archer St. John—and to a life more luxurious than she could have ever imagined. But more unsettling is the desire this wickedly handsome stranger sets off in her.The most intoxicating passion . . . The whispers about Archer follow him wherever he goes. Did the reclusive nobleman murder his unhappy countess? When Mary Kate enters his life so unexpectedly, the bold earl is convinced that she has all the answers he's been searching for. So why can't he think of anything else besides her decadently red hair, her luminescent skin, and the feelings she evokes whenever she is near? Their love can be a fantasy— or it can be strong enough to seal their destinies forever.KAREN RANNEY wanted to be a writer from the time she was...

In a departure from her nationally bestselling Highland Lord series, Karen Ranney brings us another emotionally intense and passionate story that will speak to her fans. When Adam Moncrief, Colonel of the Highland Scots Fusiliers, agrees to write a letter to Catherine Dunnan, one of his officers' wives, a forbidden correspondence develops and he soon becomes fascinated with her even though Catherine thinks the letters come from her husband, Harry Dunnan. Although Adam stops writing after Harry is killed, a year after his last letter he still can't forget her.Then when he unexpectedly inherits the title of the Duke of Lymond, Adam decides the timing is perfect to pay a visit to the now single and available Catherine.What he finds, however, is not the charming, spunky woman he knew from her letters, but a woman stricken by grief, drugged by laudanum and in fear for her life. In order to protect her, Adam marries Catherine, hoping that despite her seemingly fragile state, he...

New York Times Bestselling Author Karen Ranney's captivating series concludes with a tale of opposites whose attraction scorches a trail from the Highlands to the glittering halls of London—and courts scandal at every turn . . .Politics has introduced MP Logan McKnight to many fascinating people, but the lady he encounters on the lands bordering his ancestral Scottish home outshines them all. Eleanor Craig of Hearthmere seats a Thoroughbred like a queen, knows as much about world events as any of his colleagues—and is engaged to one of the worst men Logan knows. She also seems lonely, so Logan brings her a friend. Thus should their acquaintance end, yet it's only just begun.The puppy Logan delivers is every bit as irresistible as the man himself. How could this stranger sense the isolation Eleanor suffers among her scheming, snobbish extended family and fiancé who control her life? It's even worse in London—until she begins meeting Logan...

Rebellion drove Mercy Rutherford to Scotland to escape the possessive grip of her fiancé. But it's fate that lands her in the crumbling highlands castle of Ross Caithart. A dreamer with visions of inventing airships, he's most certainly mad. Handsome beyond words, he's also causing an irresistible flutter in her stomach beyond reason. When Gregory arrives to see their arranged marriage to its bitter end, Mercy desperately turns to Ross with an offer of her fortune—and her hand in marriage.The Earl of Morton has a reputation for being a daredevil eccentric, but even he is hesitant to engage in such a rash proposition—no matter how utterly beguiled he is by the wildly independent American heiress. And yet, with so much at stake, how can he possibly say no? But when their unconventional union grows into a passionate and inseparable love, more than Gregory's obsession threatens them. Now, Ross and Mercy will have to risk more than their hearts to save it.

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney takes readers back to beautiful Scotland in the first novel in her breathtaking new series.Since she was a little girl, Jennifer Adaire, daughter of the Earl of Burfield, has loved Gordon McDonnell even though his station as the gardener's son made him strictly forbidden to her. After Gordon was forced from Adaire Hall, taking Jennifer's heart with him, he headed for London, intent on making a better life for himself. Though they've kept in touch through letters and Jennifer has waited patiently for him, it's taken Gordon five years to return to Scotland. Now Jennifer doesn't know if she can manage seeing again the man she loves—but can never have. In the time since his departure, Gordon has achieved the success he's always sought. When he learns that his father is dying, he returns home and discovers much to his surprise that the feelings he's always had for Jennifer burn ever stronger. ...

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney's third book in her Duke series spins the tale of a reluctant duke who must choose between his life in America—and the Scottish woman he's destined to love...As the ward to the late Duke of Lothian, Elsbeth Carew resides at the ancestral estate of Bealadair. Fiercely attached to the manor, she loves it more than anyone else. When Connor McCraight—the new Duke of Lothian—arrives, Elsbeth does not quite know what to make of the American who has inherited the title but has never even set foot on Scottish soil. The tall, ruggedly handsome Texan sweeps through Bealadair with an air of authority Elsbeth has never encountered.Connor has no intention of making Scotland his home and hopes to sell the estate as soon as possible. But his plan is jeopardized when he meets Elsbeth. A sweet, gray-eyed beauty, she tempts him in ways no other woman has. As word spreads of Connor's intention to sell Bealadair, his...

Derek McPherson thought he was a relatively normal, if ambitious man. He had everything in the world he wanted: a rewarding job, a magnificent home, a great reputation, and being married to the woman he loved. Everything changed when his wife was killed. That began his reluctant transformation from reporter to wizard.He discovered that the world wasn't the familiar place he thought it was and that his life was a carefully constructed lie.Now Derek had a chance to right all those wrongs and perform the most forbidden magic of all.

Shona Imrie should have agreed to Gordon MacDermond's proposal of marriage seven years ago—before he went off to war and returned a national hero—but the proud Scottish lass would accept no man's charity. The dashing soldier would never truly share her love and the passion that left her weak and breathless — or so she believed—so instead she gave herself to another. Now she faces disgrace, poverty, and a life spent alone for her steadfast refusal to follow her heart.Honored with a baronetcy for his courage under fire, Gordon has everything he could ever want—except for the one thing he most fervently desires: the headstrong beauty he foolishly let slip through his fingers. Conquering Shona's stubborn pride, however, will prove his most difficult battle—though it is the one for which he is most willing to risk his life, his heart, and his soul.

No longer the proper English wife she always was, Margaret kissed a handsome stranger.Now the dashing earl will not rest until the beautiful widow he held in his arms so briefly is his forever.Review"...highly entertaining..." -- Booklist"A compelling, beautifully written tale...Ranney is a rich, rare find!" -- --Judith Ivory, author of The Proposition"A writer of rare intelligence and sensitivity...a powerful story." -- Mary Jo Putney, author of The China Bride"Power, passion and dramatic flair...a rich tapestry of love...embroidered with golden threads of sensuality." -- --Stephanie Laurens, author of A Secret LoveAbout the AuthorKaren Ranney wanted to be a writer from the time she was five years old and filled her Big Chief tablet with stories. People in stories did amazing things and she was too shy to do anything amazing. Years spent in Japan, Paris, and Italy, however, not only fueled her imagination but proved that she wasn't that shy after all. Yet she prefers to keep her current adventures between the covers of her books. Karen lives in San Antonio, Texas