Much Ado About Marriage »

Karen Hawkins is the USA Today bestselling author of a dozen historical romance novels. When not stalking hot Australian actors, getting kicked out of West Virginia (thanks to the antics of her extended family), and adding to her considerable shoe collection, Karen spends her time warming her feet on her narcoleptic golden retriever while writing her next book. She lives in Florida.

Karen welcomes mail from fans and can be reached at 2511 East Colonial Dr. #146, Orlando, FL 32803. Please visit her website at www.karenhawkins.com.

New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’s first historical romance, originally titled ONE LUCKY LORD and written as Kim Bennett, has been rewritten to tie into both her "MacLeans" series and her new "Hurst Amulet" series.

Fearless English earl Thomas Wentworth scoffs at failure, trusting in the legendary Wentworth luck to safeguard his spy mission to Scotland. But a single encounter with saucy Scotswoman Fia Maclean turns Thomas's mission topsy-turvy. All-too-innocently entangling him in his enemy's trap, the beautiful Fia gives Thomas no escape but to marry her. But Thomas doesn't know just what he's marrying into. With an ancient amulet in Fia's possession, she wields even more power than her sharp tongue and quick wit. Her cousin, Douglas Maclean stole the magical amulet from the White Witch, Maeve Hurst, and gave it to Fia for safekeeping. But now, with Fia in London with Thomas, the amulet falls into the hands of Queen Elizabeth. Thinking it will be safe in the queen's hands, Fia leaves it be and focuses on bedeviling her newly betrothed!

Publishers Weekly

Sassy, beautiful Fia MacLean wants nothing more than to leave Scotland for London and present her plays to Queen Elizabeth. However, the very night she attempts to run away from Duart Castle and her overprotective cousin, Laird Duncan MacLean, she knocks Thomas Wentworth, an English earl on a spy mission, right off a window ledge, and the two begin a journey toward love. Though some elements will be confusing for new readers, anyone can appreciate the espionage subplot and the delightful banter between spitfire Fia and quick-tongued Thomas. Colorful secondary characters, especially Thomas's bombastic best friend, add humor and charm. An open ending may strike some readers as weak, but others will be moved to seek out Hawkins's MacLean Curse and Hurst Amulet series, to which this is a prequel. (Sept.)