Highlighting the best independent publications in fiction and non-fiction. Your new favorite author is right here.

Kristina Cook

Kristina Cook is the author of more than a dozen books for adults and teens, ranging from historical and NASCAR romance to paranormal and contemporary young adult fiction (also writing as Kristi Cook and Kristi Astor). Since the publication of her first novel in 2004, her books (with Kensington/Zebra Books, Harlequin Books, and Simon & Schuster) have hit national bestseller lists, landed on bookseller association lists, and won awards, including the National Reader’s Choice Award.

Kristina lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

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Lover’s Dawn (Historical Romance)

From Nationally bestselling author Kristina Cook (writing as Kristi Astor) comes this erotic historical tale set in Edwardian-era England.

Twenty-three-year-old Aisling Wainscott writes risqué stories under a secret pen name, but her real-life love life is a bore…until she makes a wish for her winter’s desire that works only too well. Suddenly, she sees her childhood friend Will Cooper in a completely different light, and the two rush headlong into a passionate affair that would scandalize everyone if word got out.

But as the walls around Aisling’s heart begin to crumble, she can only wonder if their feelings are real, or if it’s simply the winter solstice playing tricks on them.

Originally published as part of the Winter’s Desire anthology by Harlequin Spice. Republished with a bonus epilogue.

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Swept Away (Historical Romance)

Winner, Best Novella, 2009 National Readers’ Choice Awards

When vivacious Christobel Smyth is forced to attend her matchmaking sister’s annual house party, she realizes that there may be more–much, much more–to brooding mill-owner John Leyden than she first supposed. Once ignited, their passion cannot be ignored, but is it enough to bridge the enormous social gulf that separates them?

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Unlaced (Historical Romance)

From nationally bestselling author Kristina Cook comes an award-winning historical romance set in Regency England–first time in digital!

All Lucy Abbington wants is to get through her first London season without losing sight of her true ambition—gaining some informal training in veterinary arts so that she can retire peacefully to the countryside with her beloved horses. Instead, she’s caught up in a whirlwind of balls, marriage proposals, and ton intrigues. Worse, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her sponsors’ maddening neighbor, Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville. The handsome, arrogant, sometimes infuriating Mandeville stokes a passionate fire within her that won’t be denied, no matter the consequence.

Deep, emotional scars secretly plague Henry, Lord Mandeville. As a result, he’s avoided romantic entanglements at all costs. Only, now he needs a wife—someone from a wealthy, powerful family to further his political aspirations. Instead, he finds himself all but obsessed with the beautiful but unconventional Lucy Abbington—a woman whose passions and wit stir desires he’d rather ignore. And yet…she might just be the one woman who can heal his wounded heart.

Lucy and Henry’s heads say no, but their hearts say yes. Will they find themselves undone by love?

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Unveiled (Historical Romance)

Miss Jane Rosemoor doesn’t want marriage. Hayden, Earl of Westfield, doesn’t want love. But when their paths cross, sparks fly and passions ignite, putting their resolve to the test in UNVEILED, book #3 in the “Undone by Love” series by Kristina Cook.

Fearing a mysterious malady that affects the women in her family after childbirth, Jane has secretly vowed to remain a spinster. Over the years, she’s turned down countless marriage proposals without regret. But when Jane meets Hayden, Lord Westfield, her resolve—as well as her heart—is sorely threatened.

Every woman Hayden, Lord Westfield has ever loved—his mother, his sister, his fiancée—was taken from him tragically. Believing himself cursed, he’s carefully kept his heart under lock and key. But his young ward needs a womanly influence and he needs an heir. Jane Rosemoor seems a likely candidate to take as his wife. Only, her kiss makes Hayden want so much more than he bargained for.

When a single night of unbridled passion forces the pair to confront their demons and face their fears, will they come away unscathed, or will they find themselves undone by love?

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Undressed (Historical Romance)

In the course of a day, Colin Rosemoor has managed to lose everything—his reputation, his standing in society, his club affiliation, and the affections of the woman he’d planned to marry. But when Colin enlists his friend, Hugh Ballard, to help him win back his lady—and his honor—a chance meeting with Hugh’s long-lost sister changes everything.

Brenna Maclachlan is perfectly satisfied living on the highland estate in Scotland where she was raised. She spends her days managing the manor, her nights gazing at the stars in her observatory. But when an English earl and his wife appear on her doorstep and convince her that she’s really their daughter, Brenna finds herself whisked off to London where she’s completely out of her element. While most of the ton finds Brenna’s independent streak and headstrong manner wholly unacceptable, Colin finds her refreshing…and irresistible.

With Colin’s sister Jane playing matchmaker, the pair find themselves drawn to one another, unable to resist their growing attraction. Will secrets, lies, and circumstances keep them apart, or will they find themselves undone by love?

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To Love a Scoundrel (Historical Romance)

More than a decade before Henry, Lord Mandeville met his match in UNLACED, his sister, Lady Eleanor Ashton, learned what it’s like TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL in this poignant prequel to the “Undone by Love” series!

Frederick Stoneham is an unapologetic rake, thoroughly enjoying his position as one of London’s most disreputable rogues. When his father arranges for him to wed Lady Eleanor Ashton, a well-bred marquess’s daughter, he’s perfectly agreeable. After all, the girl he remembers is not the type to demand his attentions or insist he abandon his mistress. But when he becomes reacquainted with his betrothed, he realizes he’s made a terrible mistake–far more so than he ever imagined.

Eleanor is devastated to learn that her father has arranged for her to marry Frederick Stoneham–the wild, hellion of a boy she has secretly pined after all these years, despite his shocking reputation.

They both beg off the engagement: Eleanor because she’s scared he will break her heart; Frederick because he thinks he’s not worthy of her. But when they are forced to travel together to Devonshire, Frederick’s true nature is revealed–and Eleanor finds herself drawn to him once more, unable to resist getting to know the man behind the carefully created facade.

Their passion is undeniable, but can Eleanor risk her heart to a rogue? Can she find Frederick worthy, when no one else ever has?

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A Midnight Clear (Historical Romance)

“Astor, a pseudonym for author Kristina Cook, delivers an elegantly written, richly sensual historical romance with a fascinating, refreshingly different Edwardian setting.” –John Charles, Booklist

While sailing aboard the RMS Mauretania, American painter Troy Davenport met his muse–only, he has no idea who she is until he sees a clipping in the society page and learns that the woman who has haunted his dreams is none other than Miss Miranda Granger of Surrey. Learning that she will be spending the Christmas holidays at the spectacular seaside resort, the Grandview Hotel, he hastens there himself, hoping to paint her.

Miranda Granger has escaped to the Grandview Hotel hoping to forget the memories of her scandalous past. But when she crosses paths with the handsome, mysterious painter she met by moonlight on the ocean liner’s second-class deck, she fears she is doomed to repeat her past mistakes. She agrees to let him paint her, but that only stokes the fire that threatens to consume them both.

Sweeping passions bring them together, but secrets and lies tear them apart. Can a Christmas miracle can save their love and reunite them, once and for all?

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