Joan Elliott Pickart – författare

A Bride by Christmas Potently sexy businessman Luke St John had a reputation for getting what he wanted – and he wanted pretty Maggie Jenkins. In fact, he was hearing wedding bells; could a determined Luke convince Maggie to marry a stranger by Christmas? Christmas Lullaby When “Santa” left three tiny tykes in his care, Riley McCabe assumed it was just a joke. The good-natured MD administered payback by daring the pretty joker to say “I do”. That’s how the sparring partners are now hitched, appointed temporary guardians of the precious children…and fighting an irresistible attraction. Mistletoe Manoeuvres Face to face with the dark, driven and dangerously handsome man who had stolen her father’s legacy, Lessa had revenge in mind. But it was her body and her company that Rick was after…

The Marrying MacAllister by Joan Elliott Pickart She couldn’t leave her baby behind. Caitlin Cunningham was fiercely independent, but when a mix-up at a Chinese orphanage led her to a choice between two orphaned baby sisters, she was glad another solution presented itself: marriage to strong, steady Matt MacAllister!That Blackhawk Bride by Barbara McCauley Days before Clair Beauchamp’s wedding, investigator Jacob Carver told her that she was a member of the Blackhawk family. He reunited her with her long-lost relatives, but their journey together sparked an irresistible passion…

The Reluctant Princess by Christine Rimmer Elli Thorson, displaced princess, was surprised at the sight of the handsome man in her apartment. Hauk FitzWyborn, the king’s right-hand man, said he’d come by order of her father, the king – to bring Elli home by any means possible. And the idea of a journey with this ‘warrior’ was strangely appealing… Princess Dottieby Lucy Gordon Prince Randolph would do anything to save his precious country. He’d given up the throne, tracked down a long lost heiress and transformed her from a street-smart waitress into royalty. No sacrifice was too great…except maybe falling in love with the haughty sovereign he’d helped create! The Royal MacAllisterby Joan Elliott Pickart Duty demanded Alice MacAllister attend a two-week wedding party. There, Alice met handsome, irreverent royal Brent Bardow. For two short weeks they could laugh, love and ignore the future. But Alice couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to be this magnificent man’s royal bride…

THE SINGLE MOM AND THE SEXY M.D. Mark Maxwell, now standing before his childhood sweetheart Emily MacAllister, was a drop-dead-handsome, successful doctor. Certainly no match for a single mom with twenty pounds to lose and clothing that resembled a walking rummage sale.A woman who lacked the confident poise to move in his sophisticated circle At least, that's what Emily thought until Mark gathered her in his strong embrace. His tender kisses melted away all her insecurities and emboldened her with a womanly desire. Emily wanted to believe that all things were possible. But would her fourteen-year-old secret cost them this second chance at love?

MR. FEBRUARY NAME: Tux Bishop GAME: Private Investigator AIM: Find a suitable wife and settle down DAME: Not woman-in-jeopardy Nancy Shatner! Tux can't explain how he knows trouble is stalking a beautiful stranger. He just knows . He figures he must be destined to protect the unwilling Nancy Shatner, but he can't be destined to marry her!No red-blooded Texas relies on fate to find a woman. That, Tux will do on his own. Just as soon as he can keep his mind – and his hands – off Nancy… . MAN OF THE MONTH: Born under a wild Texas moon, this man of the month is a confirmed Family Man… he just doesn't know it until Nancy rounds him up!

Mr. November Name: Forrest MacAllister – confirmed bachelor/family man MaritalStatus: Single (but who needed a wife with all the MacAllister babies around?)Honors: MacAllister family Baby Bet ChampionThe most important thing in Forrest's busy life was his family and their quirky traditions, from angels-and-elves assignments to complicated Baby Bets. Until his very pregnant, matchmaking sister asked him to take on a special assignment… Jillian Jones-Jenkins.One look at the sexy brunette had Forrest thinking about things he never thought possible… like brides and babies and happily ever after. Unfortunately, the lady in question had a project of her own – getting Forrest MacAllister married… but not to her!

CELEBRATION 1000 THE MAN ON THE BEDROOM FLOOR… was straight out of Kathy Maxwell's dream. But she could only stare at the lone Apache, wearing nothing but formfitting buckskins and a scowl, who rose to stand at the foot of her bed. "I am Dakota," he said. "Why have you brought me to this strange place?" Kathy was astonished at the sight before her.Somehow during the night the Native American dreamcatcher that hung above her bed had snuck into her sleep, stolen her dream man out of the 1870s and transported him here, into her present-day bedroom! Gee whiz, what was a twentieth-century girl to do?CELEBRATION 1000: Come celebrate the publication of the 1000th Silhouette Desire, with scintillating love stories by some of your favorite writers!

SOMETHING ABOUT JOE… Tall, dark… and arrogant-that was Polly Chapman's first impression of Joe Dillon. But then she took a closer look. Born with a sterling-silver spoon in his mouth, Joe chose instead to live modestly among the inner-city kids he taught… and took under his broad, protective wing.Drop-dead gorgeous, he had his pick of women… but he chose to pursue Polly, who considered herself well out of his league. Because Joe wasn't a man she could kiss, cuddle, then walk away from. He was her dream come true, and Polly didn't trust in dreams anymore. But then, she'd never met a guy like Joe before… .

THE WIFE HUNT Glory Carson couldn't believe she'd actually agreed to sexy Texan Bram Bishop's unorthodox proposition. For two weeks she would "act" as Bram's wife so the determined wanna-be-groom could learn the husband ropes and lasso himself a real bride. Glory herself had no intention of ever getting married.As a marriage counselor, she was only in this ruse for its research value – certainly not because she found the blue-eyed, blue-collar Bram husband material. And although she thought she'd conveyed this loud and clear, she never counted on Bram's love of a challenge!FAMILY MEN Tux, Bram, Blue and Gib are four unforgettable men with love as endless as the Texas sky, just waiting for women special enough to win their hearts!

TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY… . Marriage and babies weren't what Andrea Cunningham wanted – but Brandon Hamilton was. The gregarious hotel owner had a head for business, a body for loving… and a heart as warm and welcoming as his strong embrace. Like Andrea, he knew two weeks was too little time to understand what was happening between them.But unlike Andrea, he was starting to want all the things she resisted. Andrea had thought these stolen weeks with Brandon would make for beautiful memories. But somehow her heart and soul had been tamed by the tall, dark bachelor for whom memories were not enough… . Best buddies find their bachelor days numbered in bestselling author Joan Elliot Pickart's engaging new series The Bachelor Bet

THE SINGLE MOM AND THE SEXY M.D.Mark Maxwell, now standing before hischildhood sweetheart Emily MacAllister, was a dropdead-handsome,successful doctor. Certainly no match for a single mom with twentypounds to lose and clothing that resembled a walking rummage sale. Awoman who lacked the confident poise to move in his sophisticatedcircle… At least, that''s what Emily thought until Mark gathered her inhis strong embrace. His tender kisses melted away all her insecuritiesand emboldened her with a womanly desire. Emily wanted to believe thatall things were possible. But would her fourteen-year-old secret costthem this second chance at love?

Mom RequiredBefore Joey, his culinary repertoire was comprised of bad scrambled eggs, his spare bedrooms gathered dust and the master bedroom seemed destined to remain mistress-less. But when his nephew became his 24/7 responsibility literally overnight, Mark Chandler knew things had to change. And he needed help.Cedar Kennedy cured troubled kids, a reputation that prompted Mark to seek out the psychologist. Ordinarily their paths never would have crossed, she the silk-and-suits-wearing doctor, he the dusty-jeans-wearing construction-company owner. But Mark knew Cedar was the one.The one to help Joey face his fears. The one to make their house a home—if only he could get the good doctor to break her rules…and battle her own demons.

SOMETHING ABOUT JOE…Tall, dark…and arrogant—that was Polly Chapman''s first impression of Joe Dillon. But then she took a closer look. Born with a sterling-silver spoon in his mouth, Joe chose instead to live modestly among the inner-city kids he taught…and took under his broad, protective wing. Drop-dead gorgeous, he had his pick of women…but he chose to pursue Polly, who considered herself well out of his league. Because Joe wasn''t a man she could kiss, cuddle, then walk away from. He was her dream come true, and Polly didn''t trust in dreams anymore.But then, she''d never met a guy like Joe before….

FATHER…John Colton had searched a lifetime for the sense of belonging he''d never had. And now a secret son signaled the end of his elusive pursuit.LOVER…But what of Laura Bishop, the sensitive beauty who''d also entered his world, penetrating his barriers with no more than a willingness to listen, to understand…to warm his soul—and his bed?PRINCE…Then his lover revealed her bombshell: He was a king''s son, long denied his heritage, and she was in the royal employ. A one-time mercenary, Jogn didn''t trust—or love—easily. Dare he let down his guard to become all he''d been destined to be: father, lover, prince…husband?

ANOTHER MACALLISTER BLESSING?He was just passing through town, when his life changed forever. Jack MacAllister, tried-and-true bachelor, suddenly found himself a little boy''s #1 daddy pick. But the adorable tyke''s single mom didn''t seem as sold…and Jack sensed she was keeping secrets. But something about Jennifer Mackane made him believe he could trust her—could even love her—but he''d learned never to trust a lady.Then he discovered that not all of Jennifer''s secrets were old. One involved a baby, yet to be born.Jack''s baby.Experience more laughter and love as the MacAllister family increases its fold!

AND DADDY MAKES FIVE Every woman at the Fuzzy Bunny Day Care Center secretly longed for handsome David Montgomery to look their way. But there was only one female in the single dad's life–his little girl, Sarah Ann–until he lost his memory in an accident and winsome mother of two Patty Clark made him an offer he couldn't refuse.Between her three-year-old and her infant daughter, Sophia, Patty never had a dull moment. But how could the day-care worker turn her back on this irresistible father and his adorable child? Having a man like David around the house was setting off the kinds of erotic sparks that made this single mom long to turn a temporary arrangement into a family for life….

Mom Required Before Joey, his culinary repertoire was comprised of bad scrambled eggs, his spare bedrooms gathered dust and the master bedroom seemed destined to remain mistress-less. But when his nephew became his 24/7 responsibility literally overnight, Mark Chandler knew things had to change. And he needed help.Cedar Kennedy cured troubled kids, a reputation that prompted Mark to seek out the psychologist. Ordinarily their paths never would have crossed, she the silk-and-suits-wearing doctor, he the dusty-jeans-wearing construction-company owner. But Mark knew Cedar was the one.The one to help Joey face his fears. The one to make their house a home–if only he could get the good doctor to break her rules…and battle her own demons.

MRS. MARSHALL…AGAIN? The stranger at her door swore he was family, brother to the man who'd broken her heart and left her pregnant with twins. Before long, Uncle Mack had won her daughters' affection…and made Heather feel like a woman. But experience had taught her that to love was to lose, and though Mack wanted to form family ties, he didn't seem the type to stay….He was world famous…wined and dined beautiful women. She wore secondhand clothes, pinched every penny and hadn't dated in years. They couldn't be more different. Yet irresistibly they were drawn to each other. But Heather had traveled this road once before with a Marshall. Was Mack certain heartbreak…or the husband of her dreams?

Years have gone by, but I've never forgotten David Westport. His skill on the playing field–his star quality–was legendary.However, his heart belonged to a girl named Sandra. It was too bad they dropped out before graduation to become parents, yet they appeared to have built a good life. But I wonder, does David regret the choices he made? Judging from the shadows in Sandra's eyes, it would seem so. Too bad David is blind to all that he has. I had such hopes for them.Perhaps a blast from the past could open David's eyes to the wonderful things in his life…and all that a man can do with the right woman by his side!

SHE' D LEFT HER HEART IN WILLOW VALLEY Laurel Windsong had thought leaving Willow Valley–and her first love, Ben Skeeter–would be the hardest thing she' d ever done. But returning home ten years later proved much more difficult. Rumors swirled around the small town about why she' d come home, if she' d returned for good and whether she and Ben would give in to the undeniable sparks that still flew between them. But she had secrets in her past, demons she needed to conquer, before she' d be able to give Ben her heart. Would he wait for her, or had she lost the only man she' d ever truly loved?

COURTING CAROLYN… Adoption specialist Carolyn St. John had given up on ever holding her own baby. For Carolyn knew the handicap that distanced her from others barred a future for her and any man. And then she met Ryan Sharpe….The architect was blatantly masculine, sexy and…downright irresistible. As a member of the extended, loving MacAllister family, Ryan seemed to have everything he needed. Including his pick of gorgeous women. But his passionate pursuit of her and his searing kisses told Carolyn that he wanted only her. Dare Carolyn believe he'd still want her when he learned her secret?

FATHER…John Colton had searched a lifetime for the sense of belonging he'd never had. And now a secret son signaled the end of his elusive pursuit.LOVER…But what of Laura Bishop, the sensitive beauty who'd also entered his world, penetrating his barriers with no more than a willingness to listen, to understand…to warm his soul–and his bed?PRINCE…Then his lover revealed her bombshell: He was a king's son, long denied his heritage, and she was in the royal employ. A one-time mercenary, Jogn didn't trust–or love–easily. Dare he let down his guard to become all he'd been destined to be: father, lover, prince…husband?

ANOTHER MACALLISTER BLESSING?He was just passing through town, when his life changed forever. Jack MacAllister, tried-and-true bachelor, suddenly found himself a little boy's #1 daddy pick. But the adorable tyke's single mom didn't seem as sold…and Jack sensed she was keeping secrets. But something about Jennifer Mackane made him believe he could trust her–could even love her–but he'd learned never to trust a lady.Then he discovered that not all of Jennifer's secrets were old. One involved a baby, yet to be born.Jack's baby. Experience more laughter and love as the MacAllister family increases its fold!

An earth-shattering explosion…a mysterious call to duty…the woman he'd never forgotten. They all beckoned rugged Clay Callaway–one of the last of the family's bachelors–home to Texas. But in his search for a saboteur, he uncovered something long ago buried–his own demons. For Pam McCall, the childhood sweetheart who marred his memories, was suddenly at very close range, taunting his emotions and creating in Clay a temptation more threatening than any danger he'd ever faced in the line of duty….

We all need a little mistletoe magic! Lose yourself in this wonderful selection of six sensational seasonal reads!Claiming His Christmas Bride by Carole MortimerWhen Gideon Webber first met Molly Barton, he wanted her more than anything. But it appeared that Molly was already another man''s mistress– his brother’s! Three years later, they meet again. And this time Gideon''s determined to claim Molly once and for all—as his Yuletide bride!Christmas on the Children’s Ward by Carol MarinelliConsultant Nick Watson and Nurse Eden Hadley were old friends–until Nick lost his fiancée and the two grew apart. But when all a little orphaned boy on the children’s ward wants is one real family Christmas, can a little Christmas magic bring this trio together?A Surprise Christmas Proposal by Liz FieldingSophie Harrington is very much a damsel in distress when rugged bachelor Gabriel York comes to her rescue. Gabriel ends up taking her in as a temporary lodger in his exclusive London home. But before long he realises Sophie isn''t just for Christmas–but for life!Her Christmas Wedding Wish by Judy ChristenberryWorkaholic attorney Richard Anderson''s life was turned upside down when he became guardian to his orphaned nephew. He left it up to Molly Soderling, the boy''s beautiful nurse, to make this a very special Christmas—until a kiss under the mistletoe changed everything!The Italian’s Christmas Miracle by Lucy GordonDrago di Luca and Alysa Dennis are brought together by a shared betrayal – their partners have been having an affair! But against all the odds they strike an unlikely friendship…As the attraction builds between them, could Christmas ring in the promise of a new start?A Bride by Christmas by Joan Elliott PickartMarriage was not in wedding planner Maggie Jenkins’s future – until wealthy businessman Luke St. John hires her to plan a family wedding. His potent sexiness makes her forget her own name—but can he convince her to say ‘I do’?

Su gran secretoJoan Elliott PickartDecididos a frustrar los planes de los casamenteros del pueblo, Lindsey Patterson y Cable Montana decidieron fingir que eran amantes. Consiguieron poner fin a las llamadas y a las visitas de «cortesía» de sus vecinos, aunque sucedió algo que no habían previsto; se enamoraron…Sabores mágicosNancy Robards ThompsonReceta para un cuento de hadasIngredientes1 mujer bella.1 atractivo y famoso cocinero.Cantidad ilimitada de pasión desenfrenada.Modo de hacerlo1. Tomar a la despampanante Lindsay Bingham.2. Colocarla en el castillo de una exótica isla del Mediterráneo.3. Añadir un poco de sabor en forma del atractivo y famoso cocinero Carlos Montigo.4. Convertirlos en los presentadores de un programa de la TV.5. Provocar que suba la temperatura a causa del deseo.6. No quemarse cuando explote la pasión.7. ¡Cocinar hasta que Lindsay y Carlos se enamoren locamente!

Habían pasado los años, pero no había podido olvidar a David Westport. Su habilidad en el campo y sus dotes de estrella eran legendarias. Sin embargo, su corazón pertenecía a una chica llamada Sandra. Fue una lástima que hubieran dejado el instituto antes de graduarse para ser padres, aunque parecían tener una buena vida. ¿Lamentaría David las decisiones que había tomado? A juzgar por las ojeras de Sandra, parecía que sí, aunque David debería darse cuenta de todo lo que tenía.Quizá una visita al pasado le abriera los ojos y le hiciera ver la maravillosa vida que llevaba... y todo lo que podría conseguir teniendo a la mujer adecuada a su lado.

Mark Maxwell, o antigo namorado da adolescente Emily MacAllister, tinha-se convertido num médico incrivelmente sexy. Não era o pai ideal para uma mãe solteira com alguns quilos a mais e vestida com roupa de há várias temporadas atrás. Uma mulher que carecia da autoconfiança necessária para se movimentar com à-vontade naqueles ambientes sofisticados...Pelo menos era o que Emily pensava até que Mark a apertou entre os seus fortes braços. A ternura dos seus beijos apagou qualquer complexo ou insegurança e substitui-os por desejo. Emily desejava com todas as suas forças que tudo aquilo fosse possível, mas arruinaria o seu segredo de catorze anos a sua segunda oportunidade no amor?

Cuando Brenda necesitaba un hombro sobre el que llorar, alguien en quien apoyarse, él era su hombre. El lazo de amistad que había entre Richard y ella era irrompible. E inesperadamente, compartieron una noche juntos.Semanas más tarde, Brenda descubrió que estaba embarazada. Y curiosamente, Richard pareció quedarse extasiado, deseoso, incluso ansioso por anunciar al mundo entero el embarazo. Pero su entusiasmo parecía estar centrado en el niño, no en Brenda. Claro, ella era su mejor amiga, la madre de su hijo... ¿pero sería alguna vez la esposa a quien él amara?