Donna Kauffman – författare

When it comes to love...When expert surfer Josie Griffin has a rare wipeout, she’s shocked to discover that a real-life treasure chest is to blame—one that contains a necklace hung with the biggest stone she’s ever seen. But that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she places the jewel around her neck. Instantly a mysterious little kilted man appears to inform her that the charm has betrothed her to an eighteenth-century Scottish laird! It’s not that Josie has anything against handsome lairds—or older men. But three hundred plus years may be stretching things a bit. After all, she has a career to consider. And besides, she’s sure the effects of her concussion will be wearing off any minute—until the minutes turn to hours...then days...A little charm goes a long wayThe spirit of Connal MacNeil has been waiting centuries for his betrothed to appear on Scotland’s roaring shores. Josie’s arrival with the MacNeil charm stone is his dream come true. Her passion is a fiery match to his own—and her powerful body is perfect for bearing the heir he plans. He bargained his soul for this last chance at prosperity, and he won’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately the lass doesn’t quite understand that destiny has bound them for all eternity. In fact, she seems determined to deny him at every turn—when she isn’t busy with her foolhardy need to go wave hunting. But it doesn’t take long for other, more earthly MacNeil charms to take hold. For Josie is only human—and Connal has waited long enough for the love affair of his lifetime to finally begin....From the Paperback edition.

She escaped every trap he set — only to fall prey to his timeless seduction....As a child, animal rescue worker Talia Trahaern was enchanted by the bedtime stories her mother spun of castles and kings, but she thought they were only fairy tales ... until a darkly compelling stranger invaded her world to reveal the fantastical truth. Suddenly Talia found herself face-to-face with a flesh-and-blood hero straight out of her wildest dreams.Devlin Archer had come looking for the legendary healer who could save his dying queen. Instead he found a passionate, beautiful woman unaware of the power she’d inherited or the danger that stalked her every move. Talia was skeptical of Archer’s story of assassins and imperiled kingdoms — but there was no denying his maddeningly seductive charm. As for Archer, he knew there was nothing more dangerous than losing his heart to a woman who didn’t know her own power. Now, with time running out, they will embark together on a perilous journey — and a timeless love that may cost their very lives.From the Paperback edition.

"For every soul there is one true mate." So says Sebastien Valentin, a former privateer destined to spend eternity bringing soul mates together. Hexed by a voodoo priestess nearly two centuries ago, he is summoned by anyone who unsheathes the Sword of Hearts....Former powerboat racing champion Jamie Sullivan has seen enough of the world that she doesn''t believe in happy endings. And she certainly doesn''t believe in the costumed pirate who appears after she draws the antique sword she discovers in her attic—or his claim that he will match three people with their soul mates. And the third will be Jamie herself....A notorious rake whose resistance to love sealed his fate, Sebastien has a surprising gift for pairing lovers for a lifetime. He introduces Jamie''s two closest friends to the happiness only true love brings. But when it comes time to find a union for the unique spirit he has discovered in Jamie Sullivan, Sebastien cannot imagine this fiery woman with anyone ... but himself. Can he break the curse that binds him? Or will he at long last lose his heart ... only to lose the woman he loves?From the Paperback edition.

The millennium bug plays matchmaker!When the millennium bug gives a crash course in romance, anything can happen--in these spellbinding stories by five beloved romance writers."Arts Magica" by Kay HooperWhen apprentice wizard Felicity Grant conducts a reckless experiment on New Year''s Eve, she''s hurled from present-day Seattle to 1899 London--and into the arms of a singular man--."Gabriel''s Angel" by Marilyn PappanoFor Gabe Rawlins, the new year holds little promise--until he awakens from a harrowing incident to discover by his side a beautiful, tender woman who offers hope--and much more."Stuck with You" by Michelle MartinWhen a blackout strikes San Francisco''s most glittering party, a softhearted defense attorney gets stuck in a stalled elevator with her most implacable adversary--and finds herself in a free fall of a different kind."Close Quarters" by Donna KauffmanThe daughter of an ex-president finds her peaceful holiday turned upside down when she''s trapped in a surveillance truck with a former secret service agent, the same one she''d had a hopeless crush on as a teenager."Trouble at Midnight" by Jill ShalvisWanting more in life than a predictable beau, a young woman vows to seek adventure--until a near disaster makes her wonder if her bland Clark Kent is really Superman in disguise.From the Paperback edition.

For thousands of years, tales of the fabled Dark Pearl were told and retold. Then the stories faded with the passage of time, leaving behind the stuff of myths and magic--until fate brought together the only two people in the world who can breathe life back into the...Legend of the Sorcerer.Sculptor Jordy Decker came to the Florida Keys seeking inspiration for her art--but instead becomes enmeshed in a mystery that turns her world upside down...and leads her directly to Malacai L''Baan, the intense, enigmatic author of the bestselling Dark Pearl fantasy series. The mystery seems connected to alarming letters from an obsessive fan who is certain the Dark Pearl is real--and will do anything to possess it.Jordy is drawn to Cai in a way she cannot understand...and cannot seem to resist. And as the danger grows stronger, Jordy finds magic in Cai''s embrace--and   a special passion that may just destroy them both....From the Paperback edition.

Three centuries ago in Scotland a curse was born of the long-standing feud between the Claren and the MacKinnon clans. Now, generations later, destiny has decreed that three women, the last of the Claren line, be granted one final chance to set things right.Maggie, Cailean, and Delaney Claren are three cousins who grow up unaware of one another—until an inheritance brings them together. Now mysterious journals and the deed to an ancient Scottish castle will bring them face-to-face with the warriors at the heart of the MacKinnon family, three brothers sentenced to cruel fates by a terrible curse.Duncan is trapped in the form of a ghost, Rory must live an immortal life alone, and Alexander has been wrenched by time from the past to the present, with no way back. Ferociously compelling, dangerously relentless, they are bound by no mortal laws—except desire for the three Claren women. The journals speak of one key that can break the powerful spell. And finding that key will plunge them all into a world of unforeseeable danger and tantalizing desire....From the Paperback edition.

The third novel in the Three Musketeers series by Donna Kauffman is Midnight Heat, a tantalizing story of two people finally learning to fly.   They call themselves the Three Musketeers: three lifelong friends, men who will put it all on the line in the name of honor and loyalty. Friendship is the most important thing in Dane Colbourne’s life—apart from his job as a determined investigator who never leaves a case unsolved. After the near-catastrophic midair collision of two planes, Dane focuses his laserlike intensity on the air traffic controller who appears to be responsible. But when she claims innocence with equal ferocity, Dane knows he may finally have met his match.   Adria Burke has gone over the details of “the incident” in her head: She is certain there was a third plane in the air at the time of the collision, and that she actually saved hundreds of lives with her commands. But how can she convince Dane of the truth? As they try to ignore the fact that there is an undeniable spark between them, together Adria and Dane uncover evidence that there was something else going on in the sky the night of the incident. But will their passion leave both of them permanently grounded?   Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Blaze of Winter, Light My Fire, and Santerra’s Sin.

Acclaimed romance author Donna Kauffman delivers a sweet and sultry tale of a thunderous passion that’s ignited in the midst of a deadly storm.   Hired by a concerned family member, Reese Braedon has come to the steamy Caracoles Key on the Gulf of Mexico to rescue a tempestuous loner from an oncoming hurricane. Never one to fear getting wet, Reese will do anything to make sure that he gets his target out safely—even if it means carrying her on his shoulders. But when the storm leaves him trapped in the home of a wild, sensuous beauty, Reese finds that he just might be in over his head.   Resenting the fact that her would-be hero was sent by her estranged mother, Jillian Bonner takes an instant dislike to Reese. She’s resolved to ride out the storm—alone. But Jillian is unprepared for the sparks that flash between them as the hurricane rages outside. And when the ordeal takes a turn for the worse, Jillian decides to take a risk and trust—for once—the desire that burns inside of her.   Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Escape Diaries, The Devil’s Thief, and The Magic.

Why Is It That I’m Not Willing to Settle for a Sheep Like the Rest of My Friends?Sheep sex aside, what’s wrong with a man who puts family first, who maintains a steady job, has college funds set up for his kids and builds that nest egg for his retirement? Member of the herd, never straying. Solid, dependable Sheep Guy. Why can’t I love Sheep Guy?For me, it’s all those wolves. They distract me from the sheep. Wolf Guy. Always on the prowl. Totally alpha. Not interested in being domesticated. So what is it about these men that makes my heart speed up in a way no sheep ever has or ever will?Tanzy Harrington is the Bay Area’s most-read romance columnist and self-proclaimed love-’em-and-leave-’em artist--and she’s not quite ready to tie herself down to one man. That is, until Riley Parrish lands on the scene. When Tanzy agrees to house-sit for her eccentric great-aunt, she finds herself sharing close quarters with Riley. At first he seems a bit too much like the “sheep” Tanzy derides in her column--too polite, the classic boring good provider. But when she catches a glimpse of the “wolf” lurking in his eyes, the ultimate alpha female is about to take a fall.

THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF CINDERELLA IN EVERY WOMAN . . . . . . except Darby Landon, or so she thinks before meeting the three fairy godmothers of Glass Slipper, Inc. They guarantee they can bring out the princess in any woman. But they’ll have their work cut out for them with Darby, who’s more comfortable in jeans and cowboy boots than designer gowns. But when she’s called from her Montana ranch to squire her impossible-to-please father’s star client around the D.C. social scene, Darby has to turn into the queen of chic . . . and fast. Between torture-chamber sessions of tweezing and teasing, and horrifying lessons on place settings, Darby finds herself drawn into a fairy-tale romance of the very adult variety with Shane Morgan, the devastatingly sexy (and reluctant) heir to one of the city’s largest companies. But when another Prince Charming arrives on the scene, Darby‘s caught between the woman she is and the woman she’s supposed to be, between two very different irresistible bad boys. Now Darby has to choose her own happy ending . . . and with the help of three very unusual fairy godmothers, this modern-day Cinderella is determined to stay dancing way past midnight—no pumpkins required.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Too short to be a model, too unartistically inclined to be a designer, Valerie Wagner has finally found her niche in the fashion world she loves as the publicist for Glass Slipper, Inc., and the mastermind behind the launch of their brand-new glossy magazine. She''s signed up the perfect cover model - Prince Charming, an advice columnist who''s won the hearts of millions of women with his acerbic wit and his on-target romantic insight. Best of all, he''s never revealed his real name or shown his face. Until now. And it''s Valerie who''s about to bring him into the limelight. There''s just one problem. America''s sweetheart, the sexy and sensitive man who''s helped millions of women get their man, is coming out of the closet with a vengeance. Valerie''s new-found career is teetering on the brink of ruin. She can''t crush the hopes of all the buyers of the magazine. She can''t get Eric out of his seven-figure contract. And Prince Charming himself is tired of living a lie, and wants to find his own Mr. Right. Looks like there''s no way out. Until Eric offers up his childhood best friend Jack, a sportswriter with a devilish smile and a chain of ruined relationships behind him. With Eric as the brains of the operation and Jack as the heartthrob that the media can sink its teeth into, they''re an unbeatable team, and no one ever has to know... until Jack notices that behind Valerie''s overachiever businesswoman personality is a woman with her very own kind of charm, and he decides to take matters into his own hands... Fresh, sexy, and funny enough to have come from the pen of Prince Charming himself, Donna Kauffman transcends the boundaries of romance and chick lit to take her own particular twist on a fairy tale.From the Trade Paperback edition.

At twenty-eight, elementary-school teacher Lucy Harper still feels more like a wallflower than the sex goddess she knows is trapped inside her. In fact, she can barely remember the last time she actually had sex. She claims she’s content with her life, but she doesn’t even realize she’s slipping into a coma–a sex coma, that is. Until It arrives: the invitation to her ten-year high school reunion.Lucy’s childhood pals Jana and Grady are baffled by her decision to attend. But they’ve managed to put geek-hood behind them. This may be Lucy’s last chance to lose her loser reputation and knock her ex-classmates’ socks off–thanks to the modern-day fairy godmothers at Glass Slipper, Inc. For a not-so-small fee, they promise to bring out the princess in any woman. If only Lucy’s friends were more supportive, especially Grady. After all, he loves her like a sister. Doesn’t he? Soon Lucy is under the scrutiny of eccentric self-made diva Vivian dePalma. And the diagnosis is dour: Lucy has slipped into the final stage of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome–meaning her love life is near death. Can Vivian rouse her in time for the reunion? And will a kiss from her teen crush really be enough to awaken her? For Lucy hasn’t quite opened her eyes to one important truth: the soul mate she’s been dreaming of has never left her side.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Can a down-on-her-luck princess really have it all?A whisper away from thirty, gorgeous Tess Hamilton has been the tennis world’s top titleholder and celebrity since she won her first championship at fifteen. Now the headline-making party girl is getting her first taste of mortality–thanks to new teenage phenom Gabrielle Fontaine. But it’s Gaby’s cool, calm, and all-too-collected brother and manager, Max, who really has Tess seeing double. He’s the first man she can’t seem to seduce–or intimidate. It appears Tess is truly off her game, until a real-life, modern-day fairy godmother steps in.… Aurora Favreaux, a founder of Glass Slipper, Inc., and an old family friend, has a plan to get Tess back on her stilettos, and it includes an unlikely meeting between Tess, Max, and Gaby at Glass Slipper’s new London headquarters–just in time for Wimbledon. It seems that Tess is going to hit the courts in a whole new way, to prove to the world–and herself–that a woman with the heart of a champion can ace life and love–even after the big 3-0.…From the Trade Paperback edition.

Finn Dalton is the black sheep of his privileged family--because he''s always trying to do the right thing. But do good guys let bad girls go free? Ask British heiress Felicity Trent. Finn should have called the cops when he caught Felicity with a fortune in stolen jewels. But after the hot night they''d shared, betraying her meant he''d never have her again. Two years later, he discovers Felicity scantily clad and handcuffed to a bed in a posh Manhattan hotel room. Finn has three choices. Turn Felicity in. Turn her loose. Or turn her on. . . Finn Dalton is bad boy personified. Felicity Trent should know; she''s a bad girl herself. But for Felicity, life as a jewel thief is almost as seductive as Finn is--and that''s dangerous. Because for a girl like her one night is all she needs to get what she wants, anything more means trouble. Now, with both of them after the same thing--the rarest of treasures--who gets there first might be the last thing they want. . .

Loch And Load, Baby Location coordinator Erin McGregor has finally found the perfect setting for her romance reality show, Your Prince Charming. The Chisholm clan stronghold in the Scottish Highlands has it all--romantic moors, windswept cliffs, misty lochs, a four-hundred-year-old castle, and possibly the most gorgeous man she''s ever laid eyes on in chieftain Dylan Chisholm. His three youngest brothers spoken for, Dylan Chisholm is at the top of his village''s matchmaking list. Now they''ve sent some impish, forthright American lass up to tempt him into a devil''s bargain: a foolish romance show for the money his village so desperately needs. It took a tragic loss to get Dylan to embrace his heritage. He can''t turn away from such a promising offer. But keeping his thoughts off Erin McGregor is another matter. She''s everything he never wanted in a woman, and suddenly, she''s everything he craves in every way possible. . .

He''s bringing anything but peace and quiet. . . Tate Winslow is done with all the guns, the adventures, the brushes with death. All she wants is to be left alone. So when her enigmatic ex-boss shows up on her doorstep barely alive, she really tries not to care. He''s all alpha male, the baddest of the bad--and a threat to her hard-won peace in more ways than one. Tate is the only lead Derek Cole has on a case that could blow the intelligence world apart--if it doesn''t kill him before he can figure it out. She was his best agent, but she''s in hiding and he''s gone rogue, and he''s starting to think of her in a very nonprofessional way. In fact, he wants Tate like he wants his next breath, but he''s already risking his life and his career. . .does he need to put his heart in danger too?

Buckle up. Enjoy the view. Jake McKenna fixes planes, not people. Compared to an engine, humans are high-maintenance and unpredictable--which is why Jake has zero interest in indulging his sister''s request that he play tour guide and rent-a-date to her boss''s visiting stepdaughter. Still, Lauren Matthews is nothing like the uptight, reed-skinny workaholic he expected. She''s curvy--deliciously so. Funny. Open. And convinced that there''s more to her mother''s hasty marriage to the local mayor than meets the eye.Leaving her fast-track Washington career is the most impulsive thing Lauren has ever done--right until the moment she arrives in Cedar Springs, Colorado. Everything about sexy, enigmatic pilot Jake tempts Lauren to unleash her inner bad girl and let him take her places she''s never been. . .even as her snooping around town provokes some extremely hostile reactions. At this altitude, losing your head is easy. Trusting your heart can cost you everything. . .

They''re the black sheep--the bad boys every good girl wants to have hold her, touch her, take her, love her. . ."I have some spare beer, if you''re interested. . ." I''d know that voice anywhere, and every time I hear it, it makes me sweat. If you saw Donovan MacLeod, trust me, you''d need a change of clothes, too. It''s been eighteen years, but he''s got the same cocky swagger, silver-gray eyes, and sexy smile that promises a whole lot of trouble. Not that I''ll ever find out because he loathes me--thinks I''m some spoiled princess. So, there''s something I''ve just got to ask. . ."Why are you here, Donovan?"Well, Kate Sutherland, how about, I''ve fantasized about you for eighteen years? Or, I wanted to remember how it feels to need a cold shower every time you flick that perfect blond hair out of your blue eyes? Yeah, good answers, but truth is I came back to help, because I think you''re in for some trouble. My bad-boy gut says you''re gonna need me--in more ways than one. . .

Get LuckyA child of Vegas, Brett Hennessey knows about luck--especially the bad kind. But when this poker superstar hops on his Harley to outrun Lady Misfortune and ends up at a pretty B&B run by an even prettier proprietor, he can''t help thinking he''s stumbled onto a winning streak. . .Sure, Kirby Farrell''s new B&B ski lodge opened to the warmest winter in Vermont memory, but fate brought her a bad boy on a hot bike and settled him into her best room. She''s still broke, but the view across the breakfast table has definitely improved. . .Only now Brett''s past has finally caught up to him. He has two choices: run again--and lose the best hand fortune''s dealt him yet. Or stay and risk everything for something he never thought would come his way. . .

There Goes The Bride. . .She''s cautious, careful--and about to lose control of her future to a marriage of inconvenience. So, what can reluctant bride Katie McAuley do? Easy--let a modern-day prince charming spirit her away for a month to his Scottish castle. There she can take refuge from her overbearing family and finally figure out what she really wants. But the more Katie sees of Graham McLeod, the harder it''s getting to keep their arrangement strictly business. . .As McLeod clan leader, Graham had always placed duty to his heritage and people before everything else. Now with Katie as his "betrothed," he''s finally satisfied a ridiculously outdated Marriage Pact to wed a McAuley descendant, letting him focus on more pressing matters, like preventing a ruthless relative''s takeover of his home island. If he could just keep Katie''s courage and honesty at arm''s length, not to mention their all-too-sizzling attraction. . ."Kauffman''s characters are both sexy and intelligent." --Romance Junkies"Their Scottish brogues and sexual prowess will tingle your spine and. . .just make you feel good." --Romantic Times on Bad Boys In Kilts"No one does a Scot quite like Ms. Kauffman." --Coffee Time Reviews

Fire Down BelowBrash entrepreneur Roan McAuley has no problem getting naked. But being the only one in the room dropping kilt and giving plenty isn''t his idea of fun--even if it''s for the "Men of the Highlands" calendar and a good cause. However, getting feisty photographer Tessa Vandergriff all hot, bothered, and hungry is proving irresistible. . .even though she''s not his type. And even if the sizzling attraction between them is changing everything this roguish playboy thinks he knows about lust. . .and love. Praise for Donna Kauffman and Her Novels "Give me more." --Linda Howard on The Charm Stone"Whimsical and sexy." --Jennifer Crusie on Your Wish Is My Command"Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!" --Janet Evanovich

Off Kilter BundleOff KilterFire Down BelowBrash entrepreneur Roan McAuley has no problem getting naked. But being the only one in the room dropping kilt and giving plenty isn't his idea of fun--even if it's for the "e;Men of the Highlands"e; calendar and a good cause. However, getting feisty photographer Tessa Vandergriff all hot, bothered, and hungry is proving irresistible. . .even though she's not his type. And even if the sizzling attraction between them is changing everything this roguish playboy thinks he knows about lust. . .and love. Praise for Donna Kauffman and Her Novels"e;Give me more."e; --Linda Howard on The Charm Stone "e;Whimsical and sexy."e; --Jennifer Crusie on Your Wish Is My Command "e;Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!"e; --Janet Evanovich A Great KisserBuckle up. Enjoy the view. Jake McKenna fixes planes, not people. Compared to an engine, humans are high-maintenance and unpredictable--which is why Jake has zero interest in indulging his sister's request that he play tour guide and rent-a-date to her boss's visiting stepdaughter. Still, Lauren Matthews is nothing like the uptight, reed-skinny workaholic he expected. She's curvy--deliciously so. Funny. Open. And convinced that there's more to her mother's hasty marriage to the local mayor than meets the eye. Leaving her fast-track Washington career is the most impulsive thing Lauren has ever done--right until the moment she arrives in Cedar Springs, Colorado. Everything about sexy, enigmatic pilot Jake tempts Lauren to unleash her inner bad girl and let him take her places she's never been. . .even as her snooping around town provokes some extremely hostile reactions. At this altitude, losing your head is easy. Trusting your heart can cost you everything. . . Let Me InHe's bringing anything but peace and quiet. . Tate Winslow is done with all the guns, the adventures, the brushes with death. All she wants is to be left alone. So when her enigmatic ex-boss shows up on her doorstep barely alive, she really tries not to care. He's all alpha male, the baddest of the bad--and a threat to her hard-won peace in more ways than one. Tate is the only lead Derek Cole has on a case that could blow the intelligence world apart--if it doesn't kill him before he can figure it out. She was his best agent, but she's in hiding and he's gone rogue, and he's starting to think of her in a very nonprofessional way. In fact, he wants Tate like he wants his next breath, but he's already risking his life and his career. . .does he need to put his heart in danger too?

You know those Scottish bad boys. . .they don''t wear anything under their kilts, and who would want them to?Bottoms UpBrodie Chisholm has more charm than the law allows, a good thing now that he''s bailed out of university to run the local pub. Brodie loves the pub life: especially flirting with the lasses--except for Kat Henderson. She''d probably kick his ass--or capture his heart. . .On TapReese Chisholm knows how to run the family distillery--until American Daisy MacDonnell shows up. The red-headed beauty has a lot of fancy ideas about promoting his family''s whiskey. But Reese is too busy fantasizing. . .. No, Reese is all business. He knows what he wants. What he wants is Daisy. . .Night WatchTristan always felt he''d been born a century too late. A sheepherder with a poet''s heart, he has a need to share a deep, hungry passion with one special woman. Bestselling author Bree Sullivan has come to Scotland to escape the paparazzi--until a surprise rainstorm has her rescued by the world''s hunkiest sheepherder. Suddenly, being alone is the last thing on her mind. . ."Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!" --Janet Evanovich

They''re back--the boys you go out looking for precisely because your mother warned you not to--the bad boys every good girl needs at least once, if not twice. . . Raphael "Rafe" Santiago may have left the streets years ago, but the street has never left him. A rough childhood in the Bronx taught him never to let his guard down, to keep everything in order, and always to trust that little voice in his gut that tells him when someone''s got something to hide. horse trainer Elena Caulfield, is definitely hiding something, and Rafe intends to find out what it is and take care of it--his way. But his way wasn''t supposed to include feeling an intense attraction to the tomboyish Elena. With her mud-caked boots, quiet strength, and gentle manner, she''s nothing like the flashy, seductive, overtly feminine women Rafe usually beds. The closer he gets to her, the harder it is to control that fiery passion he''s worked hard to keep cooled, the kind that can catch a man off guard and leave him open to danger--because whatever secret Elena''s protecting, it''s big. . .and worth killing for. Because when you''re from the Bronx, you take care of what you love--or die trying. . .