Eclipse Heat Series by Gem Sivad

Fresh from the post-Civil War salons and drawing rooms of Boston, Lucy McKenna considers herself a sophisticated young woman. But when she meets Texas rancher Ambrose Quince, she turns into a flustered girl. He's too old, war roughened and unrefined-and she has no idea how to deal with the sensual hunger he inspires. Ambrose falls fast and hard for the innocent debutante visiting Eclipse, Texas. Persuading Lucy to accept his pursuit becomes a duel of wits and passion as he awakens her desire... moreFresh from the post-Civil War salons and drawing rooms of Boston, Lucy McKenna considers herself a sophisticated young woman. But when she meets Texas rancher Ambrose Quince, she turns into a flustered girl. He's too old, war roughened and unrefined-and she has no idea how to deal with the sensual hunger he inspires. Ambrose falls fast and hard for the innocent debutante visiting Eclipse, Texas. Persuading Lucy to accept his pursuit becomes a duel of wits and passion as he awakens her desire. Lucy leaves Boston and childhood behind when she becomes Mrs. Ambrose Quince. Her lonely days on the Double-Q ranch are filled with work and frustration. But the nights are spent in her husband's arms, learning carnal awareness . . . one molten caress at a time. less

Lucy and Ambrose Quince share fiery passion in and out of bed; they love hard but fight often, both having opinions and tempers. But Lucy mysteriously disappears in 1874, leaving the Double-Q ranch and all she loves behind. Three years later, scarred in mind and body, Lucy is drawn back to Eclipse and the life she’s forgotten—including a snarling, lustful husband. Although she claims she can’t remember him, Ambrose hasn’t forgotten a damned thing. Lucy left him and he owes her nothing... moreLucy and Ambrose Quince share fiery passion in and out of bed; they love hard but fight often, both having opinions and tempers. But Lucy mysteriously disappears in 1874, leaving the Double-Q ranch and all she loves behind. Three years later, scarred in mind and body, Lucy is drawn back to Eclipse and the life she’s forgotten—including a snarling, lustful husband. Although she claims she can’t remember him, Ambrose hasn’t forgotten a damned thing. Lucy left him and he owes her nothing. Trouble is—his heart remembers too, and Lucy’s the only woman who’ll ever own it. Reader Advisory: This book contains rape and graphic violence. This title was previously published elsewhere as Intimate Strangers, but has been revised extensively for Ellora’s Cave. less

A book in the Eclipse Heat series. Charlie Wolf is half Kiowa, all bounty hunter and a no-nonsense man—until he meets a schoolteacher with cornflower-blue eyes. After marauding outlaws attack Naomi’s school and kidnap her students, she’s desperate and will do anything to rescue them, even seduce the best tracker in Texas to secure his help. Naomi offers one night of sexual favors, underestimating the power of Charlie’s predatory charm and his determination to claim her as his mate... moreA book in the Eclipse Heat series. Charlie Wolf is half Kiowa, all bounty hunter and a no-nonsense man—until he meets a schoolteacher with cornflower-blue eyes. After marauding outlaws attack Naomi’s school and kidnap her students, she’s desperate and will do anything to rescue them, even seduce the best tracker in Texas to secure his help. Naomi offers one night of sexual favors, underestimating the power of Charlie’s predatory charm and his determination to claim her as his mate. She’s impatient with his decisions, questions his authority and generally ignores his warnings. But she melts in Charlie’s arms when he makes love to her. Blood is spilled, past murder avenged, desperadoes captured and lust assuaged as the two set out to rescue Naomi’s young ladies. A Romantica® historical Western erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave Publisher’s Note: This book was previously published elsewhere in 2009 and has been significantly revised and expanded for EC. less

Comfort Parker Bailey Quince wears her string of names with pride. Before she marries Owen Bailey, she’s a Parker, from Perry County, Alabama. She isn’t one of the highfalutin branch. Comfort belongs to the scrabble in the dust, do anything to survive including sell yourself for food, poor side of the Parker clan. But, she dreams of being rich and studies a copy of Godey’s Lady’s Book, determined to hold up her head with pride... moreComfort Parker Bailey Quince wears her string of names with pride. Before she marries Owen Bailey, she’s a Parker, from Perry County, Alabama. She isn’t one of the highfalutin branch. Comfort belongs to the scrabble in the dust, do anything to survive including sell yourself for food, poor side of the Parker clan. But, she dreams of being rich and studies a copy of Godey’s Lady’s Book, determined to hold up her head with pride. Thankfully, Comfort begins life with one very helpful asset—her brain. Maybe two, if you count her tall, curvaceous figure, creamy skin, and thick wavy hair. But her beauty proves to be more curse than blessing when local men discover her daddy and brother have run off to fight for the South’s honor, leaving the two Parker girls to fend for their own. Comfort guards her sister, Naomi’s virtue. Nobody guards hers. After she secures a home for her sister, she trades what’s left of her innocence for marriage to a violent man. When he’s killed, Comfort inherits the general store she’s been managing for years. Then Hamilton Quince, a prominent Texas ranch owner, asks her to be his wife. It’s the happily ever after she’s always wanted. All those early years of dirt and gritty living are done and her dream of affluent respect have come true. Her husband is a man who will cherish and protect her. A man she will always be able to trust. When Hamilton brings home his son born to another woman, Comfort’s heart shatters into a thousand broken parts. Her fairy-tale dream is at an end. She has no way of knowing it—but her happily ever after has arrived. less

Half-Kiowa rancher Grady Hawks owns 9,000 acres of water-enriched Texas grassland. But when the Eastern Land Company moves to steal Hawks Nest Ranch, claiming Grady is too Indian to rightfully control it, Grady decides to apply what he's learned in mixing different strains of cattle. He needs to find a red-haired wife and breed back to the fair skin and Scottish features of his father... moreHalf-Kiowa rancher Grady Hawks owns 9,000 acres of water-enriched Texas grassland. But when the Eastern Land Company moves to steal Hawks Nest Ranch, claiming Grady is too Indian to rightfully control it, Grady decides to apply what he's learned in mixing different strains of cattle. He needs to find a red-haired wife and breed back to the fair skin and Scottish features of his father. With a white child and wife, he plans to appease his neighbors and outmaneuver the greedy Eastern consortium of businessmen who are trying to steal Texas land. But when Grady marries auburn-haired widow, Julie Fulton Rossiter, breeding cattle is the last thing on his mind. Julie doesn't want a husband, but with an accusation of murder threatening her, Grady Hawks' offer of marriage is something Julie needs. When unexpected passion burns hot between them, want and need take on a whole new meaning. less

When bounty hunter Sam McCallister sees Eden Pace playing poker for the first time, he loses all interest in the cards; instead, the thought of playing stud with the lady gambler stirs his cock to life. Eden's the prettiest woman and the best card sharp Sam's ever met. Good thing he has a few cards up his sleeve.Eden's doing her own outlaw hunting. She's on the trail of her husband's killer and Sam's in her way... moreWhen bounty hunter Sam McCallister sees Eden Pace playing poker for the first time, he loses all interest in the cards; instead, the thought of playing stud with the lady gambler stirs his cock to life. Eden's the prettiest woman and the best card sharp Sam's ever met. Good thing he has a few cards up his sleeve.Eden's doing her own outlaw hunting. She's on the trail of her husband's killer and Sam's in her way. To get free of this hardheaded, softhearted, gorgeous man, Eden tries strip poker and naked truth-or-dare, but when Sam ups the stakes, carnal submission and desire are unleashed.When Sam discovers Eden's wanted for murder, he figures his bed is the safest place for her. But taking Eden prisoner isn't as easy as Sam expects. He's in a high-stakes poker game with lust on the table and his heart on the line, because one taste of Eden just isn't enough. less

Sam McCallister enjoys looking at Eden Pace across a poker table. She has to be the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, smart too, and the best card sharp he’s ever likely to meet. He has no doubt the lady gambler thinks she’ll win in their game of five card stud. He’s got a hole card that says she won’t–a Wanted for Murder poster with Eden’s picture on it. Eden’s doing her own outlaw hunting. She’s on the trail of the man who killed her husband... moreSam McCallister enjoys looking at Eden Pace across a poker table. She has to be the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, smart too, and the best card sharp he’s ever likely to meet. He has no doubt the lady gambler thinks she’ll win in their game of five card stud. He’s got a hole card that says she won’t–a Wanted for Murder poster with Eden’s picture on it. Eden’s doing her own outlaw hunting. She’s on the trail of the man who killed her husband. Though she’d like to forget the past and let Sam McCallister give her a future, she won’t do it. She’ll bring her husband’s murderer to justice or die trying. When Sam gets in the way of her goal, she uses seduction to free herself. But the hard-headed bounty hunter keeps dogging her steps, blurring the line between pursuer and protector. Eden’s got more trouble than Sam chasing her. She’s using herself as bait to unmask a master criminal. The monster knows who she is, and he wants her dead. But Sam’s not about to lose the woman he loves. He’s pushing all the limits in their high stakes game. With hearts are on the table and death on the line, nothing is certain until the last card’s played. less

Since both his partners have married and retired from the hunt, Deacon McCallister is alone when he visits the Pleasure Dome, an infamous brothel in Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre. He’s tracking a counterfeiter but what he finds is Trouble—dressed in a man’s ruffled shirt and nothing more. Bounty hunter Miracle Beauregard pretends to be male, calls herself Beau and for years has fooled everyone. But underneath Miri’s disguise beats a feminine heart lusting for Deacon McCallister... moreSince both his partners have married and retired from the hunt, Deacon McCallister is alone when he visits the Pleasure Dome, an infamous brothel in Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre. He’s tracking a counterfeiter but what he finds is Trouble—dressed in a man’s ruffled shirt and nothing more. Bounty hunter Miracle Beauregard pretends to be male, calls herself Beau and for years has fooled everyone. But underneath Miri’s disguise beats a feminine heart lusting for Deacon McCallister. Though she spends a lot of time dreaming about her rival, she never expects to act upon her longings. When Miri follows an outlaw to the fanciest whorehouse in Texas and crosses paths with her heart’s desire, she trades her buckskins for bare skin to play the part of Deacon’s paid companion. less

Since both his partners have married and retired from the hunt, Deacon McCallister is alone when he visits the Pleasure Dome, an infamous brothel in Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre. He’s tracking a counterfeiter but what he finds is TROUBLE—dressed in a man’s ruffled shirt and nothing more. Bounty hunter Miracle Beauregard pretends to be male, calls herself Beau and for years has fooled the general public concerning her gender... moreSince both his partners have married and retired from the hunt, Deacon McCallister is alone when he visits the Pleasure Dome, an infamous brothel in Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre. He’s tracking a counterfeiter but what he finds is TROUBLE—dressed in a man’s ruffled shirt and nothing more. Bounty hunter Miracle Beauregard pretends to be male, calls herself Beau and for years has fooled the general public concerning her gender. But underneath Miri’s disguise, beats a feminine heart in lust for Deacon McCallister. Though she spends a lot of time dreaming about her rival, she never expects to act upon her longings. When Miri follows an outlaw to the fanciest whorehouse in Texas and crosses paths with her heart’s desire, she trades her buckskins for bare skin to play the part of Deacon’s paid companion. less

Desperate to give her twin daughters a decent life, Julie Fulton agrees to marry Grady Hawks and produce the son he needs to inherit Hawks Nest ranch. At the end of a year, child or not, Julie will receive enough money to escape to San Francisco and leave behind her rough existence. Grady intends to breed back to the fair skin and Scottish features of his father and Julie meets every requirement. Her red hair and pale skin are an excellent way to dilute Grady’s half Kiowa blood... moreDesperate to give her twin daughters a decent life, Julie Fulton agrees to marry Grady Hawks and produce the son he needs to inherit Hawks Nest ranch. At the end of a year, child or not, Julie will receive enough money to escape to San Francisco and leave behind her rough existence. Grady intends to breed back to the fair skin and Scottish features of his father and Julie meets every requirement. Her red hair and pale skin are an excellent way to dilute Grady’s half Kiowa blood. If Julie breeds true, their child will prove that the Hawks family is “white” enough to own Texas land. The formula is right, but the outcome unexpected. Siring a son is the last thing on Grady’s mind when he discovers pleasure in Julie’s bed. And San Francisco no longer seems like paradise to Julie when she finds heaven in Grady’s arms. less

Dr. Elizabeth Grace Souter agrees to set up practice in Texas after exchanging letters with Mrs. Lucille Quince for more than a year. Mrs. Quince, the representative of the Eclipse Town Council, assures Grace that a scarcity of doctors in that part of the state, guarantees even a female physician will be welcome. Armed with knowledge about the area, Grace expects to encounter hardships, and anticipates no problems meeting the challenges... moreDr. Elizabeth Grace Souter agrees to set up practice in Texas after exchanging letters with Mrs. Lucille Quince for more than a year. Mrs. Quince, the representative of the Eclipse Town Council, assures Grace that a scarcity of doctors in that part of the state, guarantees even a female physician will be welcome. Armed with knowledge about the area, Grace expects to encounter hardships, and anticipates no problems meeting the challenges. She knows herself to be resourceful, steadfast, and calm. But no amount of research prepared her for being kidnapped by renegade Apache before reaching her destination. Using stealth and trickery, horse trainer Dan Hawks, riding with Deacon, Sam, and Charlie Wolf McCallister, rescue the lady doctor from her Indian captors. As she keeps her wits about her, aiding in her own escape, Dan recognizes the heart of a warrior in the injured woman. Grace doesn't complain when things don't work out for her at Fort Stockton. Nor does she whine when the town of Eclipse hires a man instead of waiting for her to arrive. Instead, she accepts a job on Hawks Nest Ranch caring for Dan's Palouse mares. But, though Grace grows healthy in body, Dan knows her mind and spirit are scarred. As she uses her medical skills to save the abused Palouse horses, Dan whispers her with his magic, helping her gather her splintered soul, healing her with his love. less