New Releases by Keiko Okamoto

The true identity of my one-night love…an actual prince! Rosa, a cleaning lady in a Venetian hotel, gave her virginity to a stranger named Vittorio on the night of Carnival. Lost on the streets, Rosa was surprised when he approached her and invited her to a party in a palatial mansion. Rosa instantly fell for the charming stranger, even knowing she would likely never see him again. But a few weeks later, Rosa is stunned to realize she is pregnant, and then Vittorio shows up in front of her!

It was on the night of my husband''s funeral that I first felt the warmth of someone else… Two years ago, when Mia married her husband, who was almost as old as as her father was, the media had a field day with her, calling her the "evil woman who tore apart a loving couple". Now, at her husband''s funeral, her son-in-law Dante and his relatives scorned her for her wealth, but she took it in stride. She had no intention of telling anyone the secret of her marriage - yes, Mia was still a virgin, having only acted as a wife in exchange for financial support. But on the night of the funeral, she lost to her passion and spent the night with Dante, whom she had been attracted to since their first meeting...

Falling in love with a prince is futile. Flo is visiting a foreign country to attend the wedding of her best friend. While there, she runs into a man she once had a one-night stand with, Prince Hazin. But he’d coldly left her after their blissful night together and she swore she’d never be made a fool of like that again. Her heart still pounds when she sees him. Will he be as cold as ever toward her? Or is there something more between them?

From elegant to funky, popular designer Keiko Okamoto presents a wide selection of crochet stitches in this valuable reference. Amazing Japanese Crochet Stitches includes versatile stitch patterns that can be used in just about any piece. Whether you want to recreate an Irish lace in creamy neutrals or play with stitches that stand out for their unusual shape and dimension, this book has it all. You''ll find designs for unusual yarns, unique stitch patterns and some amazing edgings. Seven practice projects help you cut loose with some creative application, including: Two elegant, lacy shawls Two fun flowery necklaces A bohemian vest in neutral tones A wildly embellished rainbow scarf The most one-of-a-kind bag you''ll ever see A technical section demonstrates the stitches step-by-step, so readers can become familiar with crocheting in the Japanese style. Amazing Japanese Crochet Stitches is a joy for the experienced crocheter, and a valuable reference for needlecraft enthusiasts everywhere!

During a revolt by the Scottish army against the king, Lara and her siblings are captured along with their father, the leader of their clan. By order of the king, Lara is forced to marry Sebastien, the king’s loyal subordinate. If she refuses, she and her family will be killed. On the verge of despair, she makes up her mind to fulfill her duty as the daughter of a clan leader. On their wedding night, Lara is terrified, but Sebastien treats her gently. She is surprised at first but ultimately follows his lead. But there is a secret behind his gentle demeanor…

In high school, Molly was a little plain and chubby and yet her crush, Des, asked her out! She thought things were going well between them until Des left for college without saying a word of goodbye. Years later, Molly has transformed into a beautiful woman. When Des returns to town, he doesn’t even recognize her. But the wounds he left on her heart still haven’t healed…

“This man is my boss…and my father’s enemy.” Bryce’s dirty tricks drove Paige’s father to his death. Now she slips into Bryce’s company as a secretary in order to find out his weakness. However, he doesn’t trust her and is trying to discover her motives. They’ve both been keeping their suspicions a secret, but now the seeds of a dangerous love are beginning to sprout!

Elizabeth is a teacher who was charged with a crime despite being innocent, so she visits top lawyer Price to ask for his help. Price Domenico is the father of one of her students. Although there are many dark rumors surrounding him, Price greets her with a handshake and a warm welcome and Elizabeth’s nerves are put at ease. But when she tells him about her circumstances, his gaze suddenly turns cold and he turns her down! Why? Were his warm hands and friendly smile just an act?

Nicole, a simple cleaning lady, married billionaire Rocco, but despite their modern-day Cinderella story, their marriage did not last long. After Nicole’s miscarriage, Rocco’s attitude toward her suddenly changed and he began neglecting her for work, so she left. Years later, Rocco tracks her down to work out the terms of their divorce. Rocco demands they make a public appearance as a couple to seal one of his business deals before going through with the divorce. Nicole accepts the terms, not knowing their little act would rekindle an unwanted passion…

Laura is a reporter whose drive to help those in need keeps causing her to miss her scoops. With her job on the line, she goes after a big story, looking for a scandal about Xander, the crown prince of Montorino! Luckily, she manages to slip into his official residence and approach him. But her nature once again gets in the way and spoils her plan… The next day, as Laura sulks in dejection, who should appear at her doorstep but Prince Xander!

Straitlaced Eleanor and playboy billionaire Niccolo are spending a week at a resort! It all started when her advertising firm got the opportunity to present their ideas for his luxury resort. However, her conventional approach doesn’t appeal to the carefree Niccolo, who says he’s looking for something sexier. They’re at a creative impasse, so he proposes that she visit the actual resort… In order to meet Niccolo’s exacting expectations, she’s willing to spend time with the sexy man. But why is he suggesting she pretend to be his lover?

Saskia agreed to seduce her best friend’s lover in order to find out whether he was cheating. So wearing a sexy dress and makeup, she approached the man who was allegedly her friend’s boyfriend, but it turned out to be the wrong man! What’s more, he was Andreas, the new CEO of the hotel Saskia works at. Andreas was outraged by his employee’s behavior, but then he made her an incredible offer. “If you don’t want to get fired, I need you to be my fake fiancée!” His challenging gaze left Saskia with no other choice than to accept.

When Luce, an art dealer, first arrives in Venice for work, she sees a man standing on a wharf and gets a powerful wave of déjà vu. “I wonder if I’ve met him somewhere before.” Trying to ignore the powerful feeling, she goes sightseeing around the city. And then she runs into the man from the wharf! He introduces himself as Michele, and when Luce states that it’s her first time in Venice, his expression fills with rage. Her day keeps getting stranger, but she manages to make it to her employer’s home—only to learn that her new employer…is Michele!

Madalyn, an unemployed single mother, encounters Philip at a job interview—an interview, it turns out, with the CEO himself! She’d prepared herself for an inevitable rejection, but upon seeing her résumé, he hires her as his secretary. Philip has the face of a prince, but he’s a demon when it comes to work. Yet seeing Madalyn work so earnestly for the sake of her child makes Philip concerned about her somehow. Madalyn’s heart is swayed not just by his gorgeous looks but by Philip’s kindness, as well. So what will happen when she learns about the real reason Philip hired her…

Perdita sneaks into the wedding ceremony of famous actor Travis Falcon to get an exposé. But then she then runs into Travis’s younger brother, Leonid, who looks exactly like Travis. He asks Perdita to pretend to be his lover for one day in order to discourage his father from forcing him to marry someone he doesn’t want to, never realizing that she is an infamous gossip writer. As she grows closer to Leonid, though, she becomes hesitant about airing his family’s secrets. But will she be equally able to keep her own secret safe?

Beth’s childhood love had to come to an end, but young Jamie vowed he’d grow up and then he’d come get her. Over ten years later, only half of his promises had been fulfilled. Jamie was a man, a success in Australia, where he grew up to be very powerful. But when a likewise grown-up Beth tries to meet with Jamie, he beds her thinking all the time that she is a just another anonymous gold digger. Traumatized, Beth tries to say goodbye for good, but then Jamie tracks her down and buys her financially troubled family’s farm… Just what is Jamie’s end game?

Beth’s childhood love had to come to an end, but young Jamie vowed he’d grow up and then he’d come get her. Over ten years later, only half of his promises had been fulfilled. Jamie was a man, a success in Australia, where he grew up to be very powerful. But when a likewise grown-up Beth tries to meet with Jamie, he beds her thinking all the time that she is a just another anonymous gold digger. Traumatized, Beth tries to say goodbye for good, but then Jamie tracks her down and buys her financially troubled family’s farm… Just what is Jamie’s end game?

Dominic Winters, usually as cold as his name suggests, decides to look for someone to comfort him, and he finds that person in Sophie. He used to believe that the death of his fiancée was Sophie’s fault, but having realized his mistake, a haggard Dominic has come to apologize. This man, who never gives the upper hand to another person, let alone someone of lower social rank, is doing just that now, which is why Sophie lets him hold her. Sophie has been waiting for this moment since the first time they met, half a year ago… And the passion they indulge in will have life-changing consequences for both of them!

American multimillionaire Meryl has just one problem: until she turns twenty-seven or gets married, she can’t use her father’s inheritance freely. Determined to get the money her friend needs, Meryl puts a wanted ad for a husband in the paper. She soon gets a response from Jarvis, a broke nobleman living in an old castle in the English countryside. Meryl immediately goes to his castle to meet him, but is coldly refused and told to go home. Despite this, there’s genuine warmth behind his stubbornness that Meryl finds herself more and more drawn to.

“I may be able to find my family here…” Sara visits Texas after hearing her mother’s deathbed confession that she’d been adopted. As soon as she arrives, a strange man named Lucas mistakes her for his missing bride, Analise. He says she looks just like his fiancée. Feeling bewildered, Sara agrees to pretend to be her. She then discovers so many resemblances between the two, resulting in stronger expectations. Meanwhile, she finds herself attracted to this kind, sincere man…

Brooke is a child psychologist devoted to her work. She finds that men just make life unnecessarily complicated. But then, after meeting her just once, billionaire Matt Cutter proposes to her! Is he teasing her? Matt explains that he wants to make his ill grandmother happy by introducing his fiancée to her. So he’s asked Brooke to play the part for just two months. It’s only for a short time and for a good cause… What could possibly go wrong?

It’s been over a year since she caught him cheating on her. Although she’s been struggling, Samantha’s getting used to a new life with her young daughter. One day, her estranged husband showed up at her apartment. He came to tell her about the massive inheritance that her father-in-law left for his granddaughter. But he gave her a shocking condition in order to receive it. If Samantha wants to receive the inheritance, she and Annie need to live with him for the next six months. Samantha can’t live with the man who betrayed her. But when she thinks about her daughter’s future… Samantha decided to go back to his house and engage in a marriage in name only.

When they reunited, hotshot banker Liam kissed Regan, reminding her of their passionate romance, which she has been trying so hard to forget. Liam was the president of the company where Regan worked seven years ago…and her first love. She worked hard and made a bold attempt to seduce him. She was successful and they fell in love. However, after a months-long relationship, the ambitious and coldhearted Liam decided to marry the daughter of a wealthy family. So why are Liam’s eyes again filled with desire for Regan? Whatever the reason, she’s determined not to make the same mistake again or let him find out the secret she’s been keeping from him!

Keiko Okamoto''s Japanese Knitting Stitches presents 150 exquisite knitting and crochet stitches from one of Japan''s most prolific and innovative designers. Her designs range from classic to ethnic to quirky--in colors ranging from earthy to vivid. Keiko Okamoto is recognized around the world for her colorful and textural stitches, and this book features beautiful color photos showing the full potential of these stitch patterns. An introduction by veteran Japanese knitting expert Gayle Roehm--translator of Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible and 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches--explains the ins and outs of using the Japanese-style knitting charts and executing the stitches in a way that is simple and easy for all knitters to understand. Full instructions and diagrams for crochet and knitting projects offer a chance to put these stitches to use. These projects include: A cardigan with charming crocheted strawberry garland A multi-colored, fringed neck wrap A pair of funky, sculptural arm-warmers--toasty and multi-textured A charming Fair Isle knitted basket bag A pair of fluffy, cuffed mittens An elegant A-line textured wool sweater suitable for any body type A chic Nordic-patterned short coat This book will be a prized addition to every knitter''s library, and a favorite reference for years to come!

Lara’s disastrous marriage came to an end, and she believed she’d never love again. But then she meets the charming Bryce at her aunt’s party. She’s instantly attracted to him but warns herself to stay away. Her painful experiences should have taught her that lesson. To love and trust men only leads to heartache! But he persists in asking her out. He’s pushy yet surprisingly kind, and she lets her guard down around him. She never thought it would happen, that she would again be betrayed by a man she trusted so deeply…

After her distraught sister told her that her fiancé’s older brother, Santos, wouldn’t give them his blessing to marry, Georgina decided to speak with Santos herself. The brothers’ father left a will saying the first son to marry would inherit the family business, which is why Santos won’t support their marriage. Georgina asked Santos to allow her sister’s marriage anyway, but Santos turned her down flat. That’s when she decided to propose to him. “Why don’t you and I get married so that you can inherit your father’s business? Then we can get divorced.”

Nella’s life hasn’t been easy, but now she’s the sister of a Congressional candidate. On the night of a significant party, attended by all the most important people, a man called Raul accuses Nella of marriage fraud and says she’s a criminal. Full of rage, hazel-eyed Raul shows her the marriage certificate belonging to his younger brother and Nella. To prove her innocence, Nella agrees to meet Raul’s brother at a cottage. But his brother never comes and she’s locked up in a room instead. How will Nella find her way out of this situation?

Natalie is a single mother whose everyday life is filled with work and caring for her little girl, leaving no time for romance. When her work takes her to Paris, she is invited to a dinner with her boss, millionaire Demitri Makricosta. Her heart flutters at his passionate gaze but she tells herself she’s there to work. Still, when she has dinner with him, she struggles to resist his charm and soon finds herself in his bed. It was supposed to be just a one-night fantasy. But maybe the future holds more…

Liza was enjoying her island vacation but froze when Nick Menendez appeared in front of her. Nick was an important businessman and the son of her mother’s best friend. They had known each other since they were young?he’d even been her first love. But when Liza was sixteen, there was a misunderstanding that led Nick to scorn her and call her a loose woman. Her first love was ruthlessly shattered to pieces and she’d been avoiding him ever since. Liza was thoroughly bewildered by the sudden reunion, yet she felt the flames of love rising in her once more. What she didn’t know was that their reunion was no accident!

Claire has been hired as a cleaner at billionaire James’s manor. While she’s excited to find out that her boss is a handsome man, like a real prince in a castle, James is confused as to why a girl with an art degree is satisfied with a cleaning job. The answer is simple: Claire is in love with him. After her confession, they begin dating. But at the peak of their happiness, Claire discovers a picture of a woman in his study?he gives her a cold look and tells her the woman is his wife!