Books published by Kensington Publishing

When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken. The Old King Is Dead With the demise of the Old King, there's a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king's sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it's all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals. Luckily, Keeley doesn't have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned … Praise for The Dragon Who Loved Me "A chest thumping, mead-hall rocking, enemy slaying brawl of a good book." -All Things Urban Fantasy "Aiken aces another one." -RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

When a man makes his living by his looks, he can forget that love-and lust-are more than skin deep. But the right woman can remind him . . . A former soccer player, stripper, and model, legendary party boy Patrick Halloran finally gets his big break starring in the summer blockbuster. But when an accident leaves him changed forever, he hides away in his secluded Montana ranch. Only his new housekeeper is allowed inside-with one rule: she's not allowed to see him. But Pat sees her, and she's the most stunning woman he's ever laid eyes on. Even her voice is beautiful. Still, Pat can't allow himself to get close to anyone. Not without a fight at least . . . Magdalena "Lena" Martel is a long way from Queens, New York. After a rough patch, the aspiring artist is working her way through college-even if it means keeping house for a man whose gruff voice she can only hear through a closed door. Still, Lena senses Pat's got a good heart, maybe even a lovable one. She's intrigued-until his anger sends her running into the freezing woods. Now Pat will have to find her-and when he does he may have found the one woman who can thaw his heart-not to mention the rest of him. But can their new bond survive the paparazzi-and their personal demons? . . . Praise for Stripped "A witty, wonderful romance that speaks to who we are, who we are meant to be, and who we are meant to be with." -Sarah MacLean, The Washington Post "Stripped is a modern rom-com that's equal parts sexy and sweet." -Shondaland "That smile you have on your face right now? It'll be there the entire time you're reading Stripped." -Jasmine Guillory, Oprah Magazine

How much more can you give when you've already given everything? In Colleen Faulkner's affecting, thought-provoking new novel, the mother of a pregnant teenager discovers there are no easy answers-and that a mistake-proof life may not be worth living … Liv Ridgely prides herself on being the responsible wrangler of all things family: stay at home mom, caretaker of elderly parents, supporter of husband Oscar's career, savior of her wayward sister. Now, with her son off to college, and her ambitious daughter, Hazel, a year away from following him, it's Liv's turn. She's even established her dream career of bringing beautiful old homes back to life in the most picturesque part of Maine. Until she learns that 16-year-old Hazel is three months pregnant. Hazel insists she will have the baby and raise him with her boyfriend, Tyler, who's no one's idea of a model father. Clearly, there are going to be some conflicts to iron out. Liv just doesn't expect them to be with her husband. As it turns out, Liv and Oscar have very different ideas about what to do. Perhaps it's because Liv, who was adopted, has a unique perspective on this baby's future. And perhaps it's because, as a mother, she knows better than anyone how Hazel's young life will be changed forever. As the family fractures in every direction, past resentments and pain come tumbling out. After years of putting others first, Liv wonders if she can do what's best for her daughter, her parents, and her marriage-while still being true to herself.

Embracing an improbable stretch of sobriety, unlicensed P.I. Duck Darley has proven himself stronger than the temptations that loom in the shadows of New York City. But the familiar pull of self-destruction lingers like garbage in July when Layla Soto, a sharp-tongued Park Avenue teenager with a family as screwed up as his own, presents a twisted missing-persons case he can't refuse . . . Layla saw video evidence of her billionaire father being abducted from their home-at the top of the tallest residential tower on earth. She suspects her grandmother, a Chinese social climber on husband number three, orchestrated the act to silence her only son. Duck agrees to investigate the hedge funder's disappearance, if only for the rush of a new thrill-and an excuse to reconcile with Cass Kimball, his leather-clad sometime partner who nearly got him killed . . . As the unlikely duo become immersed in a high-stakes ransom linked to the international drug trade and the delicate relations between the two most powerful nations on earth, survival means trusting no one. Because when confronting absolute power, certain forces will stop at nothing to bury the truth.

Among the New-new Order Amish of Oakland, Maryland, children bring precious hope, joy-and sometimes an unexpected second chance at love . . . For Amish widower Phillip Baker, providing for his family in the wake of his wife's death means back-breaking work and renewed dedication to his faith. Still, his strength can't help him relate to his little son's struggles. It seems a godsend when new doctor Emily White is able to treat Gabe's shyness and fear even as she helps heal him. But no matter how strongly Phillip is drawn to the caring Englisher from the city, their differences may be too great to overcome . . . Reeling from her own tragic loss, Emily keeps loneliness at bay through her clinic work. Somehow, though, Gabe and his gentle, sad-eyed father are making her want to risk opening her heart again. But can she find acceptance in their Plain world-and a way to turn their separate lives into a family forever? . . .

When three best friends decide to stretch their wings and revamp the local airport in small-town Haven, Georgia, the destination is laughter and love . . . Jade McKenzie left her high-society family's expectations behind when she came back to cozy Haven, and she's never been happier. But what's supposed to be a quick trip to Nashville for a cousin's wedding turns into a disaster when one of the airport's pilots offers to fly her there. One crash landing and a shared room later, and tattooed, bearded Cash Miller is standing in as her gorgeously unsuitable plus-one-and turning her on in ways she can't deny. But a relationship? A real one? That's definitely in the no-fly zone. Vincent "Cash" Miller doesn't have much in the world, but he does have pride-and a strict policy not to let anyone trash-talk his friends, not even their mothers. Standing up for sexy, headstrong Jade comes naturally-but so does the bone-deep itch for her he's always wanted to scratch. Giving in to attraction is one thing, but commitment is another. So why does it feel like together, love might take them to breathtaking heights? Praise for Jules Bennett and Stay with Me "Jules Bennett has a gift for creating warm-hearted, emotional stories of love, friendship, and romance set in small towns readers will want to return to again and again." -JoAnn Ross, New York Times bestselling author "Readers will hope for Bennett to continue telling Haven's love stories."-Publishers Weekly

With the excitement of the spring dog show season sweeping Connecticut, prize-winning Poodle owner Melanie Travis is determined to help her son finally lead his Standard Poodle toward a championship title. But the competition is fierce . . .   Aunt Peg even skips the judging panel to exhibit a pup of her own, standing out from the pack with a handmade leash from elite artist Jasmine Crane. Jasmine’s handiwork is to die for—but Aunt Peg didn’t expect to find her strangled to death by one of her dazzling custom creations . . .   When Amanda, Aunt Peg’s longtime dog sitter and a renter on Jasmine’s property, vanishes that same day, Melanie suspects a dangerous connection. Her hunch only grows as she discovers sketchy secrets about the late artist. Juggling a teaching job, the show ring, and a daunting suspect list, Melanie finds herself entangled in a mindboggling murder mystery—and hot on the trail of a desperate killer . . .     “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!” —Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author

Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests-not ghosts… A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start-so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore-and explains that he used to live here-when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won't be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she'll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .

Erin Marinelli has her work cut out for her when she arrives at her late grandmother's Wisconsin home to prepare for an estate sale. But sifting through the overwhelming collection of figurines, outdated appliances and dusty books, she finds something that captures her attention: a yellowed envelope of old photographs. In one, taken almost a century ago, a beautiful woman is seated with a young boy who looks uncannily like Erin's five-year-old autistic son, Will. Intrigued, Erin looks further into her family's history, and discovers parallels to her present‑day life. The boy in the picture, John Cartwright, was deaf. He and his mother, Amelia, are presumed to have drowned together in Geneva Lake, beside Amelia's family home. Named for the butterflies that flocked to its lush gardens, Monarch Manor still stands, though the once-grand Queen Anne house is now in ruins, slated for demolition. Seeking respite from her own exhausting battle to get the best care for Will, Erin delves even deeper into the past-unearthing a story that is both heartbreaking and surprising. Weaving Erin's and Amelia's narratives together, Maureen Leurck creates an unforgettable and moving novel of sacrifice and hope, and the way love between a parent and child can transform them both. Praise for Maureen Leurck's Cicada Summer "Rich with believable characters and an evocative setting, Leurck's novel is a gem." -Publishers Weekly "Leurck has crafted a perfect summertime story of love, loss, and second chances. . . . Readers of Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer will enjoy this beach read." -Booklist "A captivating novel about the power of redemption." -Jen Lancaster, New York Times bestselling author

SHE'S GOT THE GOODS . . . As a former military spouse, Sarah Winston's learned a little about organizing, packing, and moving. Her latest project sounds promising: a couple of tech-industry hipsters, newly arrived in her Massachusetts town, who need to downsize. Unfortunately, when Sarah tries to sell their stuff, she discovers it's all stolen-and she's the unwitting fence. BUT SARAH'S PROBLEMS ARE JUST BEGINNING Michelle, an old friend of Sarah's from the Air Force base, is in line for a promotion-but not everyone is happy about it, and she's been hit with an anonymous discrimination complaint. When one of the men she suspects is behind the accusations turns up dead in Michelle's car, Sarah needs to clear Michelle's name-as well as her own for selling hot merchandise. And she'll have to do it while also organizing a cat lady's gigantic collection of feline memorabilia, or they'll be making room for Sarah in a jail cell . . . Praise for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries "There's a lot going on in this charming mystery, and it all works . . . Well written and executed, this is a definite winner." -RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars on All Murders Final! "Full of garage-sale tips…amusing. A solid choice for fans of Jane K. Cleland's Josie Prescott Antique Mystery series." -Library Journal on Tagged for Death "A slam dunk for those who love antiques and garage sales . . .surprising twists and turns." -Kirkus Reviews on A Good Day to Buy