Nurse Lucy is shocked to find her former pediatrician lover, Connor, is going to be taking over the pediatric ward at the hospital she works at. He'd left her to move to America, so why would he come back now? When she finds out, Lucy can't help but be anxious. After they broke up, she became a single mother...and now Connor has returned to claim his place as Isabel's rightful father! She doesn't want to let her old flame near her daughter, and Lucy swears that she'll never give in to his demands. But Connor has other ideas...
An injured golfer with marriage troubles may not be the biggest news story in the world, but it's a giant sand trap in Sebastian Fox's life. Yet the car accident that took his sports stardom away from him, also lead him to one Romy Bridgeport, divorce lawyer. When she handles his latest divorce, he challenges her to help him become perfect marriage material! Can she help him find his true love ? He'd be the perfect man for her if someone hadn't already asked for her hand! Still, you miss all the shots you don't take...
Eve's a hard worker, a freelance gardener who's more used to having her hands covered in dirt than being kissed by lovers. Since the death of her parents five years ago, she's raised her younger brother by herself. When her brother comes home from a friend's, battered and bruised, she feels the need to give the elusive "Uncle Dan" a piece of her mindword. While her brother's injuries may have been an accident, she might just become a mistress by mistake!
Beth Farley can't stand working at her job while she's in love with her soon-to-be-married boss, Andreas Kyriakis. But before she can even submit her resignation letter, Andreas's arrogant brother, Theo, comes up with a plan to help both of them. The two will pose as lovers so Beth can get Andreas's attention and Theo can break his brother's engagement. But cCan Beth go through with Theo's plan? And does she still want Andreas now that she's seen another side of Theo?
Years after divorcing her unfaithful husband, Kate Vincent arrives at work assuming it will be just another day. To her dismay, she finds out thather boss is being replaced by her ex-husband, billionaire businessman, Sean Howard. Desperate to keep Sean as far away from herself and her precious little secret, Kate immediately submits her letter of resignation and rushes home. The life she's built instantly shatters around her when Sean shows up on her doorstep refusing to accept her letter of resignation and comes face-to-face with her secret.
Danielle's life has come crashing down on her, literally. When a bad accident damages her leg, her ballet career looks as though it's over! Her wealthy grandfather reaches out to her and offers her a place to stay while she recuperates, but he ripped apart her parents years ago. Can she mend her relationship with her estranged grandfather, or is his handsome employee, Rand, just another machinationdesigned to control her life?
All Izzy ever wanted was to be a mechanic and one day the crew chief of a racetrack pit crew.Oh, and to find the key to a box she was left by her uncle. Eventually she finds the key, but she also finds out she is a princess who is already married to a prince, to Niko. Niko is willing to give her the key but in return he wants to get an annulment. Izzy never had any real interest in getting married so she's more than happy to go along with it. She travels to the place of their birth, Vernonia. It has been suffering ever since her disappearance long ago. No one wants Izzy and Niko's marriage to end, and after being with him neither does Izzy. But how does Niko feel about Izzy, a mechanic who isn't afraid to get oil on herself?
Mere weeks away from her wedding, Natasha moyles finds her fiance entangled in a lovers' embrace with her younger sister Cindy. Desperate to get away, she accepts the aid of an unlikely ally: her fiance's brother, Leo Christakis. As she's wondering to herself why leo is helping her, his warm and endearing tone turns menacing. It turns our that Natasha is the collateral for the millions of euros her ex-fiance embezzled from Leo's business!
I'm going to quit painting... After Misaki Kurahashi loses an art competition, he becomes fascinated with the work of his fellow student, Ikkei Shibuya. While he's depressed at his own lack of talent, Ikkei encourages him not to quit, and paints a small picture of outer space in the palm of Misaki's hand. "Anyone can create a world, you know," he tells Misaki. The palm Ikkei touched grows hot... Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest of places and dreams of love really do come true in the sweet palm of your hand.
Yoshino found herself married to Keigo Shinoi, the genius artist she had admired since her school days. However, his reason for marrying her was for revenge against Yoshino's father. Hated all the while, she continues to love Shinoi as he suffers in a state of isolation. Will her feelings finally get through to him...? The title story, Maple Leaves, is just one entry in this best-of selection of sorrowful, bittersweet love stories. Also included are three stories.
Following a tragic childhood accident, Mitsuki Etou gained the power to read the thoughts of others using only the touch of her right hand. For most of her life, this gift has been a curse, granting her unwelcome access to the dark truths behind people's smiles. But when a chance meeting with a troubled co-worker throws Mitsuki into the middle of a murder plot, she can't just let tragedy unfold on its own. Can Mitsuki intervene without revealing her secret?
Working at a public office, Haru leads an ordinary life. He lives together with Shuji, the son of his high school crush and friend, Natsu, who passed away. Shuji, who is set to move out after he graduates high school, looks just like his father. As they live together, Haru starts to grow feelings toward Shuji and agonizes over whether he should be spending time with him as his guardian. But then, Shuji also begins to develop feelings for Haru. Meanwhile, a man who claims to be Haru's lover shows up and tells Shuji he and Haru are dating. Shuji runs away from home, confused by the side of Haru he didn't know. With his secret revealed, Haru and Shuji start to grow apart because of their feelings for one another, and...
Dana Dillinger is the perfect secretary for R.J. Maitland, the company president. She's loyal and she and would do anything for R.J., not only for her job but also because she's deeply in love with him. Dana knows R.J. is out of her league-she's been told as much her whole life. When a baby is left on the company's doorstep one day, R.J. decides to step up and take care of it-the only thing he needs is a wife. He can't imagine anyone better for the job than Dana and soon they are married. But what kind of marriage will it be? R.J.'s marriage of convenience or Dana's romance for the ages?
When pediatric surgeon Nikos Mariakos ends their relationship, via email no less, Ella decides to start her life anew in a familiar town. Her six-month fling with the deceitful doctor has left her with a new purpose in life: raising their child alone in this small town...far away from her adulterous ex. But a twist of fate brings Nikos to her doorstep, and he's determined to be a proper father to his child.
Rachel is on the verge of making her fashion dreams a reality when her financial backing is suddenly pulled out from under her. She quickly discovers that it's thanks to the dealings of her estranged lover, the newly wealthy Alessandro Vallini. Years ago, he was the gardener, and she his master. But now she must become his housekeeper in order to keep her business afloat. Will Alessandro always see her as his poor little rich girl, or will both their lives be quickly and irrevocably altered by this strange new setup?
Rhiannon Windmorr is a powerhouse in the ad industry, and when Gabriel Stone,CEO of the world-renowned Chauvin line of watches, decides he wants to make use of her advertising prowess, he gets what he wants. But when he decides he also wants her in his bed, will Rhiannon have the strength to fight back...or will she succumb to the dominating man who wants her mind, body, and soul?
One fateful day a devilishly handsome man crashes into Isabella's life, claiming to be her husband. An accident a couple years earlier left her memories more than a little fuzzy, but she refuses to believe she could have forgotten the fact that she was married. As if suddenly becoming this overbearing man's wife wasn't enough to throw the independent Isabella for a loop, she soon discovers that he's the future king of the desert kingdom of Jahfar...and about to marry another woman! One final, earth-shattering revelation leads Isabella to accompany this man back to Jahfar. But what's waiting there for her? And why does her husband seem so disgusted with her existence?
Professional painter Alexa Harcourt has just been commissioned for a portrait of Guy de Rochemont, the young head of Europe's most prestigious banking institution. At first Alexa holds nothing but contempt for the rich playboy because he treats their sitting time so frivolously, but even as her irritation grows, Alexa somehow finds herself drowning in Guy's emerald eyes. When he eventually wraps his arms around her, Alexa realizes there's no escaping her true feelings...
While attending a lavish party, Lily Alexander finds herself caught in the arms of the devilishly handsome aristocrat Tristan Romero. When the billionaire playboy offers her a night of passion, she finds herself drowning in his blue eyes. And when their one-night stand proves fruitful, lily sees flashes of good in the eyes of the haunted Spaniard. Even though he tells her he can never truly love her, Lily agrees to marry him, believing all the while that the power of her love can chase away his demons.
Unlike most girls, Lucianna Stewart could never get used to being feminine. She'd always been a tomboy, and it didn't help that she loved to fix up old cars for a living. Luce is tired of everyone making fun of her lack of femininity, so she decides to put her all into becoming the kind of woman that could attract the attention of a man...namely her boyfriend. What she doesn't count on is family friend, Jake Carlisle, offering to lend a hand. Luce has held a grudge against the man since they were teens, but reluctantly accepts his help. Jake, on the other hand, secretly thinks Luce is perfect the way she is...but wants to see her happy. He helps her out with everything from body language to fancy clothes, and soon Luce starts to catch on. But soon he's worried he'll lose her to a man who'll only notice her looks...without appreciating who she truly is. And after spending all this time with Jake, Luce quickly finds herself more interested in impressing Jake than her boyfriend. Will Jake let Luce go in the belief that she'll never love him? Or will Luce sort out her mixed feelings for him?
Cassie Winters gave up on marrying for love after her parents, who she'd always thought were passionately in love with each other, got a divorce. Instead, she's decided to marry a man compatible with her. on paper, but for whom she feels nothing. But the morning after her bachelorette party, she finds herself naked in a strange bed...alongside a man she's never met before! Now she's stuck on a cruise with this stranger she can't even remember spending the night with. While she tries to avoid him, she finds it difficult to ignore her growing feelings for him. Will her feelings about marriage keep her from falling for this man, or will she follow her heart and risk making the same mistake her parents did?
While attending an art exhibition, Romillie is introduced to Naylor Cardell, but as they converse Romillie quickly finds the successful entrepreneur's arrogance infuriating. Not that she expected anything different from a man...not since her artist mother had had a mental breakdown after suffering under the tyranny of her abusive father. Romillie had been her mother's support, and that left her with no time to-or interest in-romance. But when Naylor looks at her with his impudent eyes, she feels a reluctant stirring in her heart. Could she ever let herself become involved with such an overbearing man...even one as alluring as Naylor?
Sportscaster Alana knows she's seen as the infamous villainess of Ireland. Soon after her spectacular wedding to a legendary soccer player, her husband died in an accident. But the scandal surrounding her in the wake of his death is nothing but a pack of lies, and in reality Alana is a respectable woman. Alone in a world where no one understand her, one day she is selected to give an interview to the press-hating billionaire Pascal. Full of overwhelming charisma, the man's passionate gaze kindles a fire inside her. Unfortunately, Pascal is a world-famous playboy, and Alana soon learns that his sweet temptations may be a ploy to trap the notorious villainess...
Samantha has long been feeling the effects of her husband Johann's gambling addiction. He'd almost lost everything they had, and now, he's even bet Samantha! When a man named Cristiano appears after winning Johann's last bet, Samantha's husband disappears, and she's forced to give in to the man who bested him. But when she and her daughter, Gabby, suddenly run away to the orphanage Samantha grew up in, they discover that even that won't keep Cristiano from pursuing his winnings!
Celine is devastated by the tragic news of her grandfather's passing. Her grandfather, a self-made millionaire, was like a father to her, and he raised her following the death of both her parents. But three years ago, Celine renounced her status, name, and even love when she ran away from home. Now back after three years, she's greeted at the airport by none other than her former fiance, Guy. Guy's still single, and Celine harbors mixed feelings about him... She still wears the engagement ring she received from him around her neck, but will it always remain there, swaying sadly on its chain?
A small hotel on the New Hampshire coast is barely managing to stay in the black, so the manager's niece, Cassie, concocts a ghost story with the aim of luring curious guests. Their first visitor is a handsome young man named Dan. Cassie is undeniably attracted to him, but he seems wrapped up in more mysteries than she can count. Later, after more ghost-happy guests flood the hotel, uncanny incidents begin to happen...and they seem to be concentrated around Dan. Even as the intrigue around him intensifies, Cassie realizes she's falling harder for Dan by the minute.
Alice is a forensics investigator working a crime scene when she has an unpleasant run-in with a cowboy named Harley. After crashing into one another outside the hardware store they have a huge quarrel. In a fit of rage, Alice lays this snappy zinger on him: "I wouldn't buy you from the groom shop even if you were in the bargain bin!" But the next day, her impression of him takes a complete 180. He saves her from a gang of hoodlums, and wins her love with his courage and kindness. So Alice follows her heart...and asks him to marry her!
Haley is the manager of her own beauty salon. One day, she gets a most unexpected visitor: Jasper Caulfield, the real estate king known for his riches, fame and ways with women. When her mother married Jasper's father, they became step-siblings...which didn't stop Haley from crushing on him. But their parents are long-since divorced and they haven't seen each other in years. Now he's back with the deed to her shop! He tells her that if she doesn't want to lose her salon, she has but one option: marry him!
Glory, the 20-year-old daughter of the prominent Sutton Family, would rather devote herself to restoring the family name than look for a potential husband...despite the constant meddling of her aunt. She decides to restore Queen's Well, the spa that's been her family's legacy, but is bothered everywhere she goes by Oberon, the arrogant duke who is visiting her town. But unbeknownst to either of them, the water in Queen's Well is working its magic on the bickering pair, slowly drawing them into each other's hearts!
Lauren journeys to the desert country of Al Shafeeq, where her late grandmother once shared a secret tryst with the king. Carrying with her as a memento the medallion the king gave to her grandmother, Lauren travels through the desert, but is soon caught up in a raging sandstorm. When she comes to her senses, she finds herself in a bedroom in the royal palace! She learns she's been saved by Rafi, a man employed by the king. Rafi's noble aura and handsome visage cause Lauren's heart to stir. And if she's not mistaken, he seems to be directing his deep and alluring gaze back at her!
Jane and Viscount Raleigh have married in a pragmatic scheme to protect their reputations. But she lacks confidence in her looks, and they haven't yet consummated their union Raleigh escorts Jane to Kraven Hall, an estate in Northern England that he's inherited from his great-uncle. The manor is in a terrible state, and strange things begin to happen soon after they arrive. The servants are all terrified, but despite the creepy occurrences Jane seems to like it there. Raleigh finds himself becoming more and more infatuated with his bride as together they face the obstacles Kraven Hall throws their way.
Cassandra was twelve years old when she first met Vincent, and still remembers the dashing older boy that helped her and her kitten down from a tree. Eight years later, Vincent pledges to honor his dying friend's last wish-for Vincent to marry his sister...Cassandra! Curious about the woman that the little girl he once knew has grown up to be, Vincent invites Cassandra to his house to get to know his would-be bride...all over again.
Lisa first met Diego while on vacation in Spain when she was only eighteen years old. The two collided in a whirlwind of passion and fell madly in love, and she thought that he was surely her soul mate. But after she stumbled upon Diego locking arms with another woman, she left him and their burgeoning romance behind. Five years later, the wheels of fate have brought Diego back into her life. But this time, the man she remembers as a mere waiter has returned the CEO of a major corporation...holding the future of her father's company in his hands. The only way Lisa can stop him is to become his mistress and fulfill every one of his desires. From behind cold black eyes he tells her, "If you wound a Spaniard's pride, expect to face retribution."
After losing her favorite great-aunt, Zoe is left with the responsibility of managing her assets. When Zoe visits her great-aunt's high-class apartment, a man searching for his father stops her in the hallway. He introduces himself as Nicolas and claims a letter from her great-aunt's address was delivered to him. No matter how handsome he is and no matter how dazzling his eyes are, Zoe knows she shouldn't trust this strange man. As she reluctantly moves to part ways with him, Nicolas pins her to the spot with a question she can hardly believe: "Are you in a relationship with my father?"
Sebastian is one of Australia's foremost billionaires, and any number of women are jostling for the position of his girlfriend. Even his housekeeper, Emily, has succumbed to his dangerous charms, but she knows she shouldn't be falling for a playboy like him. She wants an honest man who'll dedicate himself to building a life with her! If she stays with him in this job much longer, she'll just be inviting intrigue and unhappiness, so she writes a letter of resignation. But when Sebastian sees it, his response overwhelms her. "If what you want is a husband and children, I can give it to you. Let's get married."
Sarah leads two lives. By day, she is the perfect lady, training for married life, and blossoming into a high-society lady. By night, she is a member of the Wednesday League, a secret club that helps defenseless women and children. One night, she slips out the window dressed as a man and hurries through London's foggy back streets in order to help a child. But the charming yet dangerous Ethan Travis, blocks her way. He asks what such a beautiful woman is doing out in the middle of the night and attempts to proposition her. Has he mistaken her for a prostitute?
Lady Sarah has a secret-besides the fact that she dresses as a man and runs around London in the dead of night. She was once betrayed and damaged by a man she used to love. That's why she now risks danger in order to devote herself to helping the weak. However, when Ethan Travis embraces her, she decides she doesn't hate the experience. She actually finds it rather pleasant... Unfortunately, it seems he's under the impression that she's a prostitute! What is Whitlock's plan, why does he look down on Ethan, and will Sarah find happiness even though she's sworn off love?
The true identity of Lisa, who is volunteering in the interior of Africa, is that of the Princess of Ohlemann. The rebellious royal has come to Africa to make something of herself. In the wake of a village attack by a terrorist group, Nick, a special unit-soldier, saves her. Acting as her lover, Nick helps her escape, then suddenly gives her a passionate kiss. Despite her outrage over his audaciousness, her heart flutters for the first time in her life. But she knows that waiting for her at home is an arranged wedding with the prince of a neighboring country, a prince that she has met only once as a child...
Nina came from wealth, but she's lost her fortune and her job and now she's hit rock bottom. Every day, she's looked down upon by her former peers as she serves them as a waitress at a high-class resort. While taking a walk on the beach during her time off, she trips over some driftwood and faints after smacking her head. An elegant, masculine man comes to her rescue. He clutches the freezing Nina to his warm chest and calms her trembling lips with a passionate kiss. Despite her self-consciousness, Nina returns his advances, and they spend one night drowning in pleasure. But can their fate cross the vast divide that separates the rich from the poor?
Party planner Sienna goes to a hotel's royal suite for a meeting with a client, only to find her former lover, Sheikh Hashim waiting for her. Five years ago they were on the verge of becoming intimate, but then Hashim came to the conclusion that she was a tainted woman-and cruelly threw her aside. Now she finds he's gone so far as to use a fake name to set up this meeting and trap her again. His overwhelming presence and the charisma that coaxed submission from those around him haven't faded in the slightest. He embraces Sienna and gives her a powerful kiss. "I want you. I came here to finish what I started that night."