Thieves of Desire Series by Ellie St. Clair

It was only supposed to be one night.Calliope Murphy was determined to prove to her family that she was as capable as the rest of them. That she could master a priceless painting to steal from a duke who is far too arrogant and pompous for his own good. But when Calli is discovered and mistaken for the new governess, one night of deceit becomes a much longer game—one that Calli is not sure she can win.Jonathan Saville, the Duke of Hargreave, should be able to attain anything he desires... moreIt was only supposed to be one night.Calliope Murphy was determined to prove to her family that she was as capable as the rest of them. That she could master a priceless painting to steal from a duke who is far too arrogant and pompous for his own good. But when Calli is discovered and mistaken for the new governess, one night of deceit becomes a much longer game—one that Calli is not sure she can win.Jonathan Saville, the Duke of Hargreave, should be able to attain anything he desires. His fortune is as large as his entailed lands, and his title is enough to cause young women to overlook his surliness and vie for the role of his bride. But Jonathan learned long ago never to trust, and never to let anyone in too close—most especially not his overeager niece and nephew, nor the far-too-tempting new governess.Posing as the governess to the Duke of Hargreave, Calli relishes the opportunity to spend as much time as she can with the painting she must perfect. But the more time she takes, the closer she becomes to the children—and the duke himself, as she discovers that there is more to him than he allows most people to see. As they draw closer, she realizes she can never betray him. Betraying him, however, is the only option her brother allows her to choose.When the deception is complete, Calli isn’t sure what all will be stolen—the painting, the duke’s trust, or, most at risk, her heart.For readers 18+ due to some steamy scenes. less

She’s the only one he’ll ever love. And the only one he can never have.The love of her life abandoned her. Injured. Penniless. Alone. Juliet Simpson is now making her own way in the world, by any means necessary -- including a scheme with a payout that would change her life forever. All she has to do is pretend to seek marriage to the baron, steal his jewels, and replace them with forgeries until she’s captured the greatest prize of all -- his diamond necklace... moreShe’s the only one he’ll ever love. And the only one he can never have.The love of her life abandoned her. Injured. Penniless. Alone. Juliet Simpson is now making her own way in the world, by any means necessary -- including a scheme with a payout that would change her life forever. All she has to do is pretend to seek marriage to the baron, steal his jewels, and replace them with forgeries until she’s captured the greatest prize of all -- his diamond necklace. Then one night, an innocent glance with a footman changes everything.Xander Murphy is relieved that his role of footman is only a means to an end. It’s a simple job. Get in. Find the jewels. Steal them. Get out. Return to his family. He just never expected that the baron’s intended bride is the one woman who haunts his dreams -- the one he can never forget and who has no business being here, in the very life that he tried to save her from.When neither Juliet nor Xander have any intentions of leaving nor ceding the jewels to the other, they decide there is only one thing left to do -- work together. But while they each are determined to focus on the jewels -- and only the jewels -- old feelings resurface and begin to battle with all that first tore them apart.Will trust between the two of them ever be possible again? Or will old wounds and family loyalty prove too strong to overcome? less

When she fell into his arms, it was love at first sight.A man who read books, who noticed a wallflower like her, who rescued her from an oncoming horse with ease? He seemed too good to be true. One fixed boxing match later proved he was just that.Damien Hondros knows his role. He is the protector of the Hondros family, one of the most notorious in London. His role is to be the enforcer, the fighter, the man who speaks with his fist... moreWhen she fell into his arms, it was love at first sight.A man who read books, who noticed a wallflower like her, who rescued her from an oncoming horse with ease? He seemed too good to be true. One fixed boxing match later proved he was just that.Damien Hondros knows his role. He is the protector of the Hondros family, one of the most notorious in London. His role is to be the enforcer, the fighter, the man who speaks with his fist. But his role is at war with his true nature, as that of a peacemaker, of a man who would rather spend his afternoon in a reading room than a boxing ring.One woman seems to understand that. Which is probably why Damien finds himself drawn to Grace Mulberry. And while Grace knows that the fighter is all wrong for her, she can’t help her attraction to the other side of Damien, the gentle soul that only she seems to see. As a woman who has spent her life in the shadows, she is astonished that he not only notices her but pursues her. There must be a reason for it.The clash between their families points to a forbidden love between them until Damien’s brother asks him to learn more about the Mulberry family business. Damien is unable to deny the request, but fears the day when secrets are revealed and trust betrayed—unless their love is strong enough to prevail.For readers 18+ due to some steamy scenes. less

If there was ever a forbidden love, this was it. John Wade. The very man who threatened to destroy all that Diana’s family had ever built.But by the time Diana realizes the man she has fallen for at the race track is the very man she has vowed to bring down, it is too late -- she’s already lost her heart. And her hand in marriage.Wade had said he’d needed a wife. He just hadn’t counted on falling for the sister of his greatest foe... moreIf there was ever a forbidden love, this was it. John Wade. The very man who threatened to destroy all that Diana’s family had ever built.But by the time Diana realizes the man she has fallen for at the race track is the very man she has vowed to bring down, it is too late -- she’s already lost her heart. And her hand in marriage.Wade had said he’d needed a wife. He just hadn’t counted on falling for the sister of his greatest foe. For Wade is trying to build his own empire, to become a man who is as feared and respected as Arie Hondros. And he must do so while facing secrets from the past he never saw coming -- secrets that question everything he ever knew about himself.The trust between Diana and Wade is as shallow as their passion for one another is deep. But when a shadowy figure from their pasts threatens all that they know and all who they love, they must learn to work together or risk losing everything -- including each other.This Regency romance contains some steamy content. less

A man wronged.Revenge disguised as robbery.An unexpectedly romantic ruse.Determined to right the wrongs against him, Arie Hondros hones the perfect plan. But to succeed, he must have the perfect wife. When his brother’s wife suggests her friend, Annabelle, he immediately refuses.The woman — who clearly has nothing but disdain for him — has already captured his affection, something he vowed he’d never permit... moreA man wronged.Revenge disguised as robbery.An unexpectedly romantic ruse.Determined to right the wrongs against him, Arie Hondros hones the perfect plan. But to succeed, he must have the perfect wife. When his brother’s wife suggests her friend, Annabelle, he immediately refuses.The woman — who clearly has nothing but disdain for him — has already captured his affection, something he vowed he’d never permit. Imagine his surprise then, when she assents to the union, and his scheme prepares to unfold.For Arie’s ploy to steal priceless Greek artefacts to work, he and Annabelle must convince the museum Board of Trustees that they are husband and wife. But when true love blooms from counterfeit sentiment, there is more than only the greatest robbery in London history at stake —There is the matter of his heart.Romance of a Robbery is a steamy regency romance. less