Romancing the Con

The Thomas Crown Affair meets The Lost City in a new action-packed rom-com from bestselling authors Michelle McLean and Lisa Rayne.

Artist Brittany Emerson thought her first big show would finally prove she belongs in the art world. But on the eve of her debut, she finds out she’s been scammed. Her dream venue, her savings, and her entire art collection have all but vanished.

Determined not to go down without a fight, Brit tracks down Hunter Scott, the charming grifter who stole it all and the only man who might help her get it back. When she spots an online ad suspiciously similar to the one she answered, she creates a fake profile and arranges a meeting, ready to catch him in the act.

Meanwhile, Hunter has secrets—and mistakes—of his own, and he’s shocked when Brit walks into his setup, knowing his influencer-turned-dangerous-crime-lord boss is on his way over. When the “serious bad guys” show up and threaten Brit’s life, Hunter doesn’t hesitate—he grabs her and bolts.

On the run together, sparks ignite between the furious artist and the reluctant con man. Soon, Brit finds herself dodging mobsters, committing a little grand theft auto, and hiding out with a thief who infuriates her almost as much as he excites her.

To survive, Brit and Hunter will have to pull off the ultimate con—and risk losing their hearts to each other in the process.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs