A Pressing Engagement

In this delightful novella from the national bestselling author of A Study in Death, Lady Kiera Darby has one last mystery to solve before she can walk down the aisle... Scotland, 1831. With her wedding to fellow investigator Sebastian Gage only a day away, Kiera is counting down the hours. But just when matrimonial jitters threaten to consume her, Kiera receives a welcome distraction in the form of a mysterious gold necklace. The Celtic torc, thought missing for decades, was directly involved in a recent investigation. Now, Kiera feels compelled to uncover the truth behind its sudden reappearance. But with an overwhelming flock of wedding guests, a muddled cat, an unpaid favor, and a ferocious storm throwing things into disarray, it’s anyone’s guess whether Kiera and Gage will actually make it to the altar... Includes an exclusive preview of the next Lady Darby Mystery, As Death Draws Near Praise for the Lady Darby Mysteries “[A] fascinating heroine…A thoroughly enjoyable read!”—Victoria Thompson, national bestselling author “[A] clever heroine with a shocking past and a talent for detection.”—Carol K. Carr, national bestselling author “[A] must read…One of those rare books that will both shock and please readers.”—Fresh Fiction

Jared Talent, Earl of Burnleigh, had his own reasons for wishing lovely Diana St. Aubin to pose as his fiancée. And Diana was forced to agree, as the handsome Earl had the power to send her to prison for a crime of which she was not guilty. Difficult as it was to tolerate the pretense, Diana knew that the earl always got what he wanted. Regency Romance by Anne Barbour; originally published by Signet

Frustrated secretary Esther is desperate for a change. She's been in the same job for years, working for dear Mr Pethrie, and has been waiting patiently for the love of her life, gorgeous professor Julian, to finally divorce his wife. So when the prospect of a fabulous job abroad comes along, Esther leaps at the chance. There's just one problem - she needs to start immediately. To avoid hurting the feelings of Mr Pethrie, who has been so kind to her all these years, she tells him that she is actually leaving her job in order to get married after a whirlwind romance. Julian is nowhere to be seen, so the job of fake fiancé falls to her trusty childhood friend Nico. But what started out as just one little lie soon spirals out of control... Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Lisa & Co.

Jared Talent, Earl of Burnleigh, had his own reasons for wishing lovely Diana St. Aubin to pose as his fiance. And Diana was forced to agree, as the handsome Earl had the power to send her to prison for a crime of which she was not guilty. Difficult as it was to tolerate the pretense, Diana knew that the Earl always got what he wanted.

Dr Roger Harvey, a high-flyer headed for the academic first division, has pursued his career and women with equal passion. But now he's just another murder statistic; his body has been lying in his flat for four days when a small-time burglar literally stumbles over it on his way out with the stereo. DS Ian Kerr and DCI Jacobson of Crowby CID can discern no obvious motive. Harvey didn't do serious drugs or have a criminal record. Not even Harvey's closest friends, John Kent and his beautiful wife, Annie, seem able to throw any light on the situation. Despite Jacobson's dependence on booze and fags, and the fact that Kerr's marriage is disintegrating faster than his boss's liver, the two men are experienced policemen. But to solve the case they have to untangle the dark threads of a mystery which threatens to unravel in seemingly every direction . . .

There is a growing need for public buy-in if democratic processes are to run smoothly. But who exactly is "the public"? What does their engagement in policy-making processes look like? How can our understanding of "the public" be expanded to include – or be led by – diverse voices and experiences, particularly of those who have been historically marginalized? And what does this expansion mean not only for public policies and their development, but for how we teach policy? Drawing upon public engagement case studies, sites of inquiry, and vignettes, this volume raises and responds to these and other questions while advancing policy justice as a framework for public engagement and public policy. Stretching the boundaries of deliberative democracy in theory and practice, Creating Spaces of Engagement offers critical reflections on how diverse publics are engaged in policy processes.

The authoritative guide to implementing the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER) intervention. With a strong evidence base, JASPER provides a clear, flexible structure to bolster early skills core to social communication development. The authors show how to assess 1- to 8-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), set treatment targets, choose engaging play materials, tailor JASPER strategies to each individual, and troubleshoot common challenges.