The Devil's Own Moon; April Moon; White Fire; Sailor's Moon;

212 Pages·2012·0.89 MB·English

by  Jarrett Miranda

PRAISE FOR THESE AWARD-WINNING
AUTHORS
National bestselling author SUSAN KING
“No one weaves the magic and mystery of Scotland into passionate romance
better than Susan King!”
—New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney “Susan King’s talent is a
gift from the gods.”
—New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley “Susan King casts a spell
like a sorcerer—her books never fail to enchant!”
—New York Times bestselling author Patricia Gaffney “King deftly spins a
mystical Highland romance…(she) is a consummate story teller with a keen ear
for dialogue and the ability to create multifaceted characters who capture the
reader’s sympathy.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review of The Sword Maiden and bestselling
author MIRANDA JARRETT
“Miranda Jarrett writes beautiful romance.”
—New York Times bestselling author Patricia Gaffney “Miranda Jarrett
continues to reign as the queen of historical romance.”
—Romantic Times
“A marvelous author…each word is a treasure, each book a lasting memory.”
—The Literary Times
“Miranda Jarrett is a sparkling talent!”
—Romantic Times
MERLINE LOVELACE
spent twenty-three years in the air force, pulling tours in Vietnam, at the
Pentagon and at bases all over the world. When she hung up her uniform in
1991, she decided to try her hand at writing. She’s since had more than fifty
novels published, with over seven million copies of her works in print. She and
her own handsome hero live in Oklahoma. They enjoy traveling and chasing
little white balls around the fairways.
SUSAN KING
Former art history lecturer Susan King is the author of several acclaimed, award-
winning historical romances set in Scotland. An enthusiastic researcher, Susan
has handled hawks, shot longbows and caught arrows in her hand; she has
interviewed a harper, a stonecarver, a swordsmith, a falconer, swordsmen,
martial artists and Gypsies. She lives in Maryland with her husband, three sons
and a Westie puppy. Her most recent release is Kissing the Countess from NAL
Signet.
MIRANDA JARRETT
considers herself sublimely fortunate to have a career that combines history and
happy endings, even if it’s one that’s also made her family far too regular
patrons of the local pizzeria. Miranda is the author of twenty-eight historical
romances, has won numerous awards for her writing and has been a three-time
Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist for best short historical
romance. She loves to hear from readers at P.O. Box 1102, Paoli, PA 19301-
1145, or [email protected]. For the latest news, please visit her Web site at
www.Mirandajarrett.com.
MERLINE LOVELACE
SUSAN KING
MIRANDA JARRETT
APRIL MOON
CONTENTS
SAILOR’S MOON
Merline Lovelace
LETTER TO READER
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
LETTER TO READER
WHITE FIRE
Susan King
LETTER TO READER
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
THE DEVIL’S OWN MOON
Miranda Jarrett
LETTER TO READER
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
SAILOR’S MOON
Merline Lovelace
Dear Reader, I have two handsome nephews who are E.R. docs. They say
they’re always busiest on nights when the moon is full. The strangest things
seem to happen—dogs howl, tempers rise and passions rule.
Passions certainly rule in these three novellas, which all take place on one fateful
April night.
I hope you enjoy them!
To Suze 1 & 2—
great friends, fun schmoozers and superb authors!
CHAPTER ONE
IN THE QUIET MOMENTS before the first shot boomed across the bow, Lady Sarah
Stanton was in her cabin aboard the HMS Linx, preparing to take the evening
meal in the officers’ mess.
Stiff-spined, she stood before the fold-down writing desk that had doubled as
her dressing table during the long voyage across the Atlantic. While her maid
fussed with the laces of her corset, Sarah stared through the porthole at the low-
hanging April moon.
The silvery orb, which had waned to a mere slice after the Linx sailed from
Plymouth so many weeks ago, had since waxed full again. It now glowed fat and
round above the indigo sea, signaling the imminent end of the long sea voyage…
and of Sarah’s reprieve.
Soon the Linx would drop anchor in the West Indies. Short days after that,
Sarah would wed Captain Sir James Lowell, a battle-hardened veteran of the
French War and master of this frigate.
A widower, James had wanted to say their vows before they sailed from
Plymouth, but Sarah had cited a desire to be married at her new home with his
young daughter in attendance. She’d won that delay, but keeping him pacified
during this damnable voyage had proved a good deal more difficult. She’d been
forced to employ every coy, teasing skill she’d acquired during her five-year
reign as The Notorious Lady S. to hold him off.
Sighing, she tugged on the curling auburn strand that fell across her bare
shoulder.
The Notorious Lady S.
She was so very weary of that label! Not that she hadn’t done everything in
her power to earn it. As a girl, she’d been up for every dare and madcap scrape.
As a young bride married to a doting, indulgent husband three times her age,
she’d set London society on its ear. As a wealthy widow, she’d plunged into the
desperate search for pleasure so characteristic of the generation that had come of
age during a decade of war with Napoleon.
Looking back, Sarah could scarce believe only five years had passed since
she’d wed Sir Cedric Stanton. Three since the dull but exceedingly rich Ceddie
had died of an inflammation of the bowels. One since she, her father and brother
had run through every penny of her widow’s portion. How very long ago it all