Men from Special Branch

Series · 5 books · 1999-2004

By Elizabeth Thornton

Books in series

Whisper His Name

1999

Breaking the code to her heart... Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business—and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins.... Someone wants the book back—and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities. But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly—in fact incredibly—handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies. Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.

Princess Charming

2001

When Gwyn Barrie inherits a mysterious legacy donated by an anonymous benefactor, she is sure it's too good to be true—and it is. For along with the legacy comes the man named as the sole trustee of the money: Handsome, charming Jason Radley. Eight years ago, Gwyn and Jason were in love—until Gwyn disappeared for reasons Jason could never understand. Now fate has brought him back into her life again—along with the funds Gwyn so desperately needs. But Gwyn's good fortune quickly sours when someone begins to follow her all over London—someone who may even want her dead. Frightened and alone, Gwyn has only Jason to turn to. But can she trust the man who broke her heart so many years ago—and fight the passion that is seething so close to the surface? Soon nothing is what it seems as Gwyn and Jason are swept up in a terrifying game of greed and lust—where the stakes are nothing less than their lives....

The Perfect Princess

2001

Lady Rosamunde Devere has no interest in marrying dull Prince Michael, no matter how perfect the newspapers think she is for the role of his wife. But when she becomes the willing hostage of criminal Richard Maitland, ex-chief of Her Majesty's Secret Service condemned to be executed as a murderer, Rosamunde finds herself in a conspiracy—and a passion that is rash, reckless, and impossible to resist.

Almost a Princess

2003

From nationally bestselling author Elizabeth Thornton comes a sensuous new tale of true love and fiery romance—under the most intriguing of circumstances. Case Devere, the steely-eyed earl of Castleton, has agreed to help Special Branch track down a notorious killer—one who just happens to be his archenemy. But he finds more than he bargained for when his search leads him to Jane Mayberry, a beautiful bluestocking passionately devoted to the cause of women’s rights—and to protecting her privacy. As irresistible as she is uncooperative, the spirited Jane arouses Case’s interest—as well as his worst suspicions—when she quietly disappears. Determined to find the one woman who may hold the key to his investigation—and to his heart—Case goes after her. Though their sparring belies an attraction too powerful to deny, Jane knows there can never be anything between herself and the strong-willed earl. For she bears a dark and terrifying secret that must remain hidden—even at the cost of a broken heart. As Case fights for the love of the one woman who has ever mattered to him, they are swept into a deadly game by a killer who won’t stop until he has punished them both.

Shady Lady

2004

Bestselling author Elizabeth Thornton weaves a tale of seduction, love, intrigue—and the most dangerous of romances. As the Avon Journal ’s no-nonsense publisher, Jolie Chesney always sticks to the facts. And the fact is that she finds the celebrated war hero who comes to her office angrily demanding a retraction unsettlingly charismatic. Waldo Bowman’s wild sexual exploits have found their way into the paper’s gossip column, and Jo has no intention of compromising her standards, journalistic or otherwise. But when her star reporter suspiciously vanishes, Jo seeks help from this dangerously sensual man, whose connection to the Special Branch may save her friend’s life, even if it means putting her own life—and heart—on the line. Waldo Bowman senses danger in his instant attraction to Jo. Beautiful and independent, she is unlike any woman he knows—and he’s determined not to lose her, whatever the risk. For soon, these reluctant lovers will embark on a mystery that will either change their lives—or end them.

Author

Elizabeth Thornton

Author · 29 books

Mary Forrest George, née Baxter was born and educated in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she taught school for a number of years before establishing her own nursery school, St. Swithin Street Nursery School, an institution that is still going strong today. She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg. As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist). After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books. She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages. Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.