Books published by Kensington Publishing

For the Amish, the day after Christmas is for family, feasting, and exchanging simple gifts. And for three different couples, it will bring another precious chance for love . . .   THEIR SECOND CHANCE New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray Amish nanny Hannah Eicher never thought she’d ever see Rob Prince again. There was no way a relationship between her and the handsome English fireman could overcome her family’s objections—and their personal differences. But when he saves her from a sudden blaze, Hannah longs to see if they can turn holiday hope into a lifetime of happiness . . .   HIS AMISH ANGEL * Patricia Johns She’s too outspoken to be a proper Amish wife. So as advice columnist “Miss Amish,” Maggie Lapp helps Amish and English with their romantic problems. But when her tradition-minded former fiancé accidentally reveals her secret, Maggie will need more than a miracle to make things right—and find a perfect love for all the Christmases to come . . .   AN HEIRLOOM CHRISTMAS * Virginia Wise Rachel Miller won''t let her disability keep her from selling heirloom plants and proving she can be independent. She certainly doesn''t need reckless Joseph Webber working at her greenhouse to pay off a disastrous Rumspringa stunt. But she and Joseph have more in common than they think—and their surprising holiday partnership might just blossom into forever joy . . .

As professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard organizes a Christmas Eve gala for her best friend, Olivia, the obstacles are starting to outnumber Santa’s reindeer . . .   Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.   When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .

“Have you no decency?”   Straight-laced missionary Sarah Fisher has never met a man like Captain Martin Bouchard. He is the most beautiful person—male or female—she’s ever seen. Overwhelmingly masculine, elegantly attired despite months at sea, he is in complete command of everyone and everything around him: everyone, that is, except Sarah. But that’s about to change because Sarah has bought Bouchard’s mercy with the only thing she has to sell: her body.   “None at all . . .”   In spite of her outrageous offer, Martin has no doubt Sarah is a virgin, and a most delectable one at that. But instead of bedding her, he finds himself staring down the muzzle of his own pistol. Clearly, the longer she stays on his ship, the greater the chances that she’ll end up its damned captain! Most infuriating of all, she looks past his perfect exterior to the wounded man inside. Can Martin outrun his scandalous past in time to have a future with the first woman to find and capture his heart?   Praise for The Outcasts series   “Fans of Amanda Quick’s early historicals will find much to savor.” —Booklist (Starred Review)   “Wicked repartee, savvy wit, and energetic libidos.” —Publishers Weekly   “A remarkably resourceful heroine who can more than hold her own against any character invented by bestselling Bertrice Small . . . deliciously fun retro flavor.” —Booklist (Starred Review)   “Sexy and wildly entertaining.” —Bookpage   “Spencer shines . . . an author to watch.” —Kirkus Reviews

The “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home are determined to rise above scandal—and forge a sparkling new future operating their own brewery and alehouse…   With Christmas around the corner, Miss Caroline Anderson hoped to persuade a London tavern owner to carry the Home’s Widow’s Brew—only to discover the dastard was more interested in her ankles than her ale! To her further annoyance, her stagecoach back to Little Puddledon is waylaid by louts and a snow-covered ditch. Amid a nasty storm, Caro seeks shelter at a nearby estate—only to be greeted by Viscount Oakland, aka Nick, her brother’s childhood friend—and her schoolgirl crush. Now he’s the half-dressed host of what is clearly a holiday bacchanal. Still, his house is irresistibly warm…   Ever the free spirit, Nick has invited the wilder gentlemen of the ton, and an assortment of London’s lightskirts, to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional, pagan fashion. So he’s surprised to find Caro at his door. Now, with a blizzard raging, he must take her in—despite his fear she won’t take to his guests, and worse, upend his party. But she may surprise him—and upend his life…   Praise for What Ales the Earl   “A pure delight.” —New York Times bestselling author Betina Krahn   “A fun, heartwarming Regency romance elevated by witty dialogue and a unique concept.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Entertaining, earthy … readers will look forward to more stories about the women of the Benevolent Home.” —Booklist

Spring blossoms with new life and new beginnings for the flourishing Amish community of Promise Lodge. And as a just-opened bakery sweetens the air with fresh-baked goodness, residents will find that change can be a most joyous test . . .   Recently widowed after twenty years of marriage, Frances Lehman is only just tasting the freedom and opportunity that her Promise Lodge friends enjoy. So she’s not about to be pressured into marriage by her widowed brother-in-law, even if she and her daughter have no real means of support. Much more promising is her new friendship with Preacher Marlin Kurtz, though their respective families don’t see their relationship as proper . . .   When Frances suffers a serious injury, she’s determined to prove she can recover—and remain independent—without burdening Marlin. Now, with his steadfast belief in real love tested, Marlin’s hope is that Promise Lodge’s irrepressible residents can help him restore Frances''s joy—and that faith will show them a way to turn their fragile second chance into a blessed and abiding future together . . .   Praise for Promise Lodge   “Hubbard firmly grounds the storyline in the principle of Amish grace.” —Publishers Weekly   “Hubbard writes of healing and brave new beginnings from a refreshingly feminist perspective.” —Booklist (starred review)

JOHNSTONE. WHERE IT’S NEVER QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. In this rollicking new series, the Johnstones cordially invite you to the biggest, baddest event of the season—one that gives a whole new meaning to “shotgun wedding” . . .   Here come the brides. And the bullets . . . Bo Creel and Scratch Morton are lifelong drifters who keep one eye on the horizon, one finger on the trigger, and one foot out the door. Roaming the West is what keeps them young, or so Scratch tells Bo. But when they save the life of Cyrus Keegan—the owner of a matrimonial agency—they receive an unexpected proposal that’s hard to resist. Keegan needs to deliver five mail order brides to a mining town in New Mexico Territory. All Scratch and Bo have to do is get these gals to the church on time—and alive, if possible . . . The job seems easy enough—and the brides-to-be are even easier on the eyes. Cecilia, Beth, Luella, Rose, and Jean all need good husbands. But their prospects look bad when the journey to the altar includes Mexican banditos, scheming silver robbers, and one overbearing rancher who won’t take no for an answer. Bo and Scratch promised to keep the ladies safe—and keep their hands to themselves—but it could be the last vow they’ll ever make . . . Live Free. Read Hard.

A new kind of hero in the Old West tradition, Perley Gates is as honest and good as his heavenly name. But don’t make him mad. Because when Perley Gates gets mad, people get hurt.    Once every year, Perley Gates and his brothers lead the Triple-G crew on its annual cattle drive. It’s a treacherous journey along the Great Western Trail, with a herd of two-thousand cows on one side and many opportunities for trouble on the other. This year, trouble shows up in the form of a beautiful young woman, her little baby, and her bizarre traveling companion—a colorful old cuss who goes by the name of Possom Smith. They’re heading to a settlement called Butcher Bottom, and risking their necks to get there. Perley—being the gentleman he is—offers to escort the trio to their destination. But there are a few minor details they “forgot” to tell Perley . . .   The woman is a widow whose husband had enemies. The old man is hiding a small fortune that might get them killed. And Perley is stuck in the middle trying to decide who’s good, who’s bad—and who deserves to die first . . .   Live Free. Read Hard.

The world order is being hacked to pieces . . .   By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, it is too late. A dark network of hackers has infiltrated the computers of the U.S. military, unleashing chaos across the globe. U.S. missiles strike the wrong targets. Defense systems fail. Power grids shut down. Within hours, America’s enemies move in. Russian tanks plow through northern Europe. Iranian troops invade Iraq. North Korea destroys Seoul and fires missiles at Japan.   Phase 1 of ComWar is complete.   Enter Jake Mahegan and his team. Their mission: locate the nerve center of ComWar—aka Computer Optimized Warfare—and shut down the operation through any means necessary. There are three ComWar headquarters, each hidden deep underground in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Each contains a human biometric nuclear key that the team must capture to shut down the imminent nuclear strikes. Splitting up the team is Mahegan’s only chance to prevent the next wave of cyber attacks. But even that won’t stop the sleeper cell agents—here in the United States . . .   When Phase 2 ends, World War III begins.   “Tata’s books are absolute rollercoaster rides . . . he is in the top tier of thriller writers working today.” —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy Full Force and Effect

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson comes the chilling, riveting novel that first introduced Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli, hunting for a serial killer who is both savior and executioner… In the lonely woods around Grizzly Falls, Montana, the first body is discovered, stripped naked and tied to a tree. Alvarez and Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. The killer stages car accidents on icy, isolated roads and "rescues" his victims. He toys with them, heals them, earns their trust . . . before subjecting them to a slow, agonizing death. When Jillian Rivers opens her eyes, she's trapped in a mangled car. Then a stranger, claiming to be a trail guide, pries her free. Though she's grateful, something about him sets Jillian on edge. And if she knew what was lying in wait for her, she'd be truly terrified . . . Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a series of cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. Piece by piece, the killer's brutal plan is taking shape. But his final move will be the most shocking-and personal-of all . . .

Sometimes love needs a little help from Mother Nature-and what better time than the holidays to let it snow . . . and snow . . . and snow . . . STARRY NIGHT * Fern Michaels As the host of a radio program for the lovelorn, Jessie Richmond is surprisingly lonely, especially with the holidays approaching. So she decides to make the trek to her uncle's bookstore in rural New York state and hold a speed dating event-only to find herself snowed in-with one very special single . . . MISTLETOE AND MIMOSAS * Tara Sheets After years of hard work, real estate agent Layla Gentry has her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She's perfectly content to be on her own. Until her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, comes to town. When a snowstorm and a stranded kitten bring them together on Christmas Eve, Layla discovers he's all grown up-and she may have one more dream left . . . MISSING CHRISTMAS * Kate Clayborn It's all work and no play for two longtime friends-turned-business-partners Kristen and Jasper-until an unexpected kiss turns things personal. Will it mean the end of something, or the beginning? With a major contract in the balance, Christmas around the corner, and a lot of unspoken feelings, it may take an unpredictable blizzard in New England to seal the deal . . .

The divorce was just the beginning. . . Kimera Davis had a plan to jump start her life and land on easy street. But a disastrous marriage has her making amends and picking up the pieces. It's a struggle to balance her new responsibilities and her ex, who keeps pressuring her for another chance. All of this has her family scandalized, and with her minister father's health suffering, trying to do the right thing is pulling Kimera and the only man she's ever really loved further and further apart . . . But as Kimera's bad luck piles up, she senses there's something more than faulty decisions at play. Someone's playing a desperate, dangerous game with her life . . . and she'll have to win if she wants to survive.

Witty, sharply-observed, and warmly wise, Nita Brooks' debut novel tells the heartfelt story of a suddenly successful single mother who finds her perfectly-designed, fame-bound life upended by a surprise from the past . . . It wasn't easy for Yvonne Cable to get over a heartbreaking relationship and revamp her life. But now the once-broke single mom is Atlanta's most sought-after interior designer-and one-half of the media's hottest power couple. She and her celebrity fiancé, Nathan, are a perfect, practical match, on-and off-camera. And with their new home improvement reality show the object of a fierce network bidding war, there's no limit to how far they can go . . . But Yvonne is stunned when mogul Richard Barrington III unexpectedly makes an offer for their program. He's the man she thought left her for a more successful woman. And he's the father of her son-though he didn't know it until now. Richard wants to get to know their boy, and Yvonne agrees, though she's wary. Yet little by little, she's finding it hard to resist the responsible, caring man Richard has become. But when a scandalous leak puts everything Yvonne's worked for at risk, she'll have to look beyond surfaces to come to terms with who she is-and discover what she truly wants. "Brooks is a talented storyteller-Redesigning Happiness hits all the right notes." -ReShonda Tate Billingsley, National Bestselling Author "It's been a long time since I've wanted to turn to the last page to see what was going to happen in a novel and with Redesigning Happiness, I had to stop myself. It was a delightful read that made me smile the whole way through. This was a wonderful debut novel." -Victoria Christopher Murray, NAACP Image Award-winning Author

Johnstone Country. Frontier Spirit Lives Here. America's greatest Western storytellers take you inside the dangerous world of undercover agents-and one man's mission to hell and back . . . BREAKOUT OF THE CENTURY Hank Fallon used to be one of the best deputy marshals in the country. Then he got framed for a crime he didn't commit. Got sentenced to ten years in a federal penitentiary. And got out early for saving the life of the captain of the guards during a riot. When Fallon is released, a private detective is waiting for him. He wants to put Hank behind bars again-but this time, as an undercover agent . . . The last thing Fallon wants is to return to jail. Especially a rat-infested hellhole like Yuma Territorial Prison. But if he wants to clear his name, he's got to take the job. Get himself arrested. Make friends with criminal mastermind Monk Quinn. Find out where he stashed a fortune in stolen money. And join Monk's gang for the biggest breakout in American history. If Hank succeeds, he'll be on the run with the deadliest cutthroats alive. That's when all hell will break loose . . . Live Free. Read Hard.

Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o'-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment. Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost-they're all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright's favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna's Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth-and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats … Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love-whether they know it or not-the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be … PRAISE FOR THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE "This wonderful, well-written collection calls to mind brisk autumn nights cuddled with a loved one." -Publishers Weekly "This diverse trio of stories bring three couples to love with a charming, slightly sexy Halloween flair … Sassy, funny, and dusted with magic." -Library Journal "Delightful and spicy. . . . With humor and a little mysticism thrown in, each story winds its way to a happy ever after. Every pairing comes to fruition in a unique way." -RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars Includes cookie recipes!