"No-nonsense Jane Delaney divides her time between her grandfather's beloved bookstore and writing newspaper columns, determined to overcome a past that's left her with scars on her face and in her heart. But when the store ends up in unexpected financial jeopardy and Jane's secrets are threatened by a mysterious blackmailer, she finds herself in desperate need of money. All seems lost until a temptation like no other presents itself . . .
Christopher Marsden is the new rakish Duke of Roxby and someone wants him dead. The problem is, he has no idea who or why. Following a vicious attack, he's acquired a rare affliction where he can no longer recognize faces. But when he catches Miss Delaney attempting to steal a priceless book from his library, Christopher can tell her apart from the rest. Her scarred beauty stands out like a beacon, and he doesn't want to let her go. So he offers her an outrageous proposal: the money she needs in exchange for a marriage of convenience and her help in catching his would-be killer.
As passion flares between the two unlikely newlyweds, dangerous truths are exposed and hidden enemies poise to strike. Can these two damaged souls survive long enough to find love?"
"Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton in a blend of cosy fantasy, historical romance and humour, as a recently graduated nanny finds her supernatural abilities are little help when it comes to falling for the shy, mysterious inventor who happens to be her employer. For readers of Heather Fawcett, India Holton and Freya Marske.
London, 1851: Emmeline Chase, twenty-five-year-old widow and recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, is more high-spirited than her peers would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke's rooftop into an offer of employment.
Emmeline will need every trick in her nanny's handbook to manage eccentric horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St Lawrence, and his three rambunctious wards. Xavier's charges have already sent two nannies packing thanks to frogs, firecrackers and general mayhem. And the duke has his own fair share of quirks, requiring absolute peace and quiet to work on his design for a clock to grace London's Westminster Palace.
Emmeline is determined to restore order to the duke's household, but someone seems intent on sabotaging his plans. As she and Xavier work to identify the saboteur, Emmeline finds herself drawn to him, even though her nanny's handbook forbids fraternising with employers. But she's fairly sure the duke is falling under her spell, too…"
"Georgiana Dudley, the 'Ice Duchess', has just emerged from mourning after a nine-year marriage of convenience to the Duke of Darby, her twin brother's lover. Deeply hurt by a scoundrel a decade ago, Georgie swore she would never turn her head for any man, let alone another rakehell. But then she encounters the wickedly handsome and all too charming Rafe Landsbury, the Earl of Markham and against her better judgment, her interest is reluctantly aroused. An affair may be impossible to resist but dare she trust Lord Markham with her most intimate secrets . . . and her heart?
Society believes Rafe to be a diplomat but for many years he has been working on the Continent as a spy for the Crown. Leaving the shadowy world of espionage behind, he returns to London with the intention of finding a wife. When he is paired with the frosty yet fascinating Duchess of Darby at the piquet table during a ton ball, he is intrigued. Do-or-die man that he is, he's certainly not going to let her cool demeanor dissuade him from pursuing her. When Rafe's dark past returns to endanger Georgie, he is determined to protect her at all costs, even if that means hiding who he once was. With the stakes so high, both Georgie and Rafe must decide if love is a risk worth taking . . .
Contains mature themes."
"A match most unsuitable. A love that's undeniable.
Catherine, the widowed Lady Rosemont, is considered a most unsuitable countess by polite society. Whispers about her checkered history follow her wherever she goes. Despite the rumors, Catherine navigates high society's treacherous waters with her head held high. For the sake of her son, Louis, she must never sink. But when she receives threatening letters and Louis's life is endangered, she turns to a past paramour for help . . . the man who left her heartbroken.
Adam St Clair, Lord Dalton, has always been one to adhere to family duty no matter the cost. Five years ago, he set aside his all-consuming desire for his mistress, Catherine Delacourt, and took a conventional ton bride. Now, newly widowed, fate decrees he should cross paths with Catherine once again. When she shares a secret and implores him for protection, Adam is torn. With danger lurking around every corner, keeping Catherine and her son safe is the right thing to do. Nevertheless, Adam must decide whether he'll risk his reputation—and his family's—for the only woman he's never been able to forget . . . The one woman who might just steal his heart.
Contains mature themes."
"A runaway countess finds love when she least expects it . . . but she can't hide from her past forever.
Elizabeth, Lady Beauchamp, fears for her life. When she discovers her dissolute and long-estranged husband has syphilis—and he wants to beget an heir no matter the cost—she flees to a remote part of Scotland to begin a new life as the widowed governess, Mrs. Beth Eliott at Eilean Tor Castle.
When Mrs. Eliott unexpectedly arrives on his doorstep, the reclusive and recently widowed Marquess of Rothsburgh is both irritated and intrigued. No longer in need of a governess—his young daughter now resides with his sister's family in Edinburgh—he proposes the beautiful widow fill a position of a different kind . . .
Torn between staying true to her marriage vows and her wanton attraction to the devilishly handsome marquess, Elizabeth struggles against the temptation to become his mistress. But living a lie is not easy when you have fallen in love. And secrets always have a way of coming out . . .
Contains mature themes."
"Miss Lucy Bertram is content to spend her days writing scientific articles or curling up with a Gothic romance novel. Indeed, she'd rather stick a hatpin in her eye than attend a ball. But when her father, the eccentric botanist Sir Oswald, insists she accept the suit of a wealthy but stiffer-than-a-poker industrialist to save the family from penury, Lucy decides to act. She's certain her disowned brother, Monty, will take her side. But first she must find him in St. Giles's cutthroat rookeries. A covert agent for the Crown, William Lockhart, the Earl of Kyle, is on the hunt for a ruthless killer determined to destroy the Linnean Society. Sir Oswald, a botanical poisons expert, is the prime suspect. Posing as a groom in the baronet's household, it shouldn't take Will long to unearth the evidence Scotland Yard needs. If only the beguiling Miss Bertram wasn't so damn distracting… As an unexpected but undeniable passion flares between Lucy and Will, confidences are exchanged and dark secrets come to light. But will a murderer, determined to stay hidden, destroy their chances of finding a happy-ever-after?"
"Artemis Jones—respectable finishing-school teacher by day and Gothic-romance writer by night—has never lost sight of her real dream: to open her own academic ladies' college. When she’s unexpectedly called upon by a dear friend, a fellow Byronic Book Club member, to navigate her first London Season, she comes at once—who knows, perhaps she can court the interest of a wealthy patron for her school. It’ll all be fine as long as she can avoid her high-handed aunt's schemes to marry her off… Dominic Winters, the widowed Duke of Dartmoor, needs a wife—someone who will provide him with an heir and help him manage his spitfire adolescent daughter. The problem is, Society has dubbed him The Dastardly Duke. Rumors are rife that he murdered his mad wife so his choices for a suitable bride are limited. But then he meets the ravishing and passionate Artemis Jones…who might just be everything he needs."
"In this fourth installment of the Disreputable Debutantes series, the spirited daughter of an earl is in imminent danger of ruining her reputation forevermore.
Lady Charlotte Hastings—already branded a hellion by polite society—is in a terrible scrape courtesy of London’s most notorious blackguard. One thing is certain: her name cannot appear in the gossip rags… again. However, Charlie’s bold attempt to extricate herself from the fine pickle she’s in takes an unexpected turn when the devilishly handsome Maximilian, the Duke of Exmoor—the rakehell she’s secretly loved for years—comes to her aid.
Upon discovering the irrepressible Lady Charlotte—his best friend’s younger sister—is in danger, Max Devereux feels duty bound to offer assistance. Only he soon realizes he’s also mired in deep trouble when an entirely inconvenient desire for Charlie sparks to life. If that’s not enough to contend with, Max’s manipulative mother is busily engineering his betrothal to a perfectly polished debutante. A hardened rake with an armor-plated heart, Max has absolutely no intention of becoming leg-shackled to anyone. At least not this Season.
When unforeseen disaster strikes plunging both Charlie and Max headlong into a new public scandal, Max proposes a deal: to restore Charlie’s good name and to help Max avoid his mother’s machinations, they’ll enter a temporary engagement-of-convenience. But even the best laid plans can go awry. As passion flares between Max and Charlie, their arrangement doesn’t seem like make-believe anymore… and hidden enemies intent on ruining Charlie once and for all, are waiting in the wings. Will a happily-ever-after ever be within their reach?"
