An antique hope chest containing five unique objects . . . five people inexorably drawn to the items inside . . . each sent to the past where they must accomplish a task and find their own path to true love with the help of a magical matchmaker determined to bring soul mates together, even across time.
The Mesmerist by Pam McCutcheon
On the eve of her wedding, dog trainer Gina Charles flees her unfaithful fiancé to a hotel where a ghost cuddles up to her in the middle of the night—former mesmerist Drake Manton. She agrees to help him learn how he died, but when her investigation leads her to the old Chesterfield hotel, Gina finds a hope chest in the ruins and is drawn to the melted dueling pistol inside. When she touches it, she hurtles back in time to 1883 where she comes face-to-face with the very alive, very sexy mesmerist. Now all Gina has to do is prevent Drake’s fiery death so she can return to her own time. Or will she give up her life in the future for a lifetime of love in Drake’s arms?
(Originally published as Enchantment)
The Lawman by P.J. Bishop
Five-star chef Corrine Webb jumps at the chance to miss Christmas, and travels to Virginia where she is caught in a snowstorm and seeks shelter in the Chesterfield. Drawn to the hope chest, Corrie picks up a broken tin star and finds herself tossed back to 1886 where she’s expected to wait tables. Police Chief Jess Garrett’s predictable life hits a bump when he meets the awkward waitress so unlike the other women he knows. Drawn together across time, Corrie and the lawman fall in love. Yet how can she let him plan their future, knowing she will return to her own time at the summer solstice? And how far will Jess have to go to keep her safe?
(Originally published as Fire With Fire by Paula Gill)
The Prince by Karen Fox
Unable to sell her work, frustrated artist Cynda Madison restores old paintings instead. When she works to restore the damaged portrait of the very sexy Prince Dimitri Karakov, she finds herself overwhelmingly drawn to the prince. When she finds an old hope chest, she ends up back in time in 1889 where Prince Dimitri is a resident. Alive and devastatingly handsome, Dimitri is even more irresistible. But can she prevent his death before she can return to her own time? Even more difficult, can she prevent herself from falling in love with him?
(Originally published as Grand Design)
The Thief by Laura Hayden
The thief known as Delgatto stumbles into the ruins of the Chesterfield and finds an old wooden chest. When he touches the gold chain inside, he’s sent back in time, and realizes he’s in the exact time and place where his family’s priceless emerald was last seen. However, when he spies the legendary gem around the neck of a green-eyed beauty at a costume ball, he’s not sure which treasure he wants more—the emerald or the masked beauty wearing it. Trouble is, he has no idea who she is. Perhaps a green-eyed maid named Emily Drewett, who was offered a one-time chance to forget being a maid for one day in order to play Cinderella?
(Originally published as Stolen Hearts)
The Pinkerton by Maureen McKade
Reporter Trish “Mac” McAllister will do anything to get the story of a lifetime. After chasing a killer to a ramshackle building, Mac finds a pair of broken handcuffs in a weathered wooden chest . . . and suddenly finds herself aboard a nineteenth century locomotive with Pinkerton agent Jared Yates. Jared’s fiancée was killed two years ago at the Chesterfield and he’s been searching for her murderer ever since. When his path crosses the odd Miss McAllister’s, he finds an unlikely ally in his hunt for justice. However, losing her heart to the sexy Pinkerton was never part of Mac’s plan. Mac will have to decide whether a once-in-a-lifetime story is more important than a once-in-a-lifetime love. . . .
(Originally published as At Midnight by Maura McKenzie)
