Bøger om Georgian era

Témoin de la façon dont l'amour a rendu son oncle amer et a brisé son père, Felix Havers, comte de Ware, a fait le serment de ne jamais aimer. Il dissimule ses émotions derrière une façade d'esprit et de charme, et il est considéré comme le maître des divertissements, qu'il s'agisse de fêtes, de pique-niques ou de courses. Lorsque la discrète s¿ur de son meilleur ami doit se trouver un mari, il promet de faire d'elle la coqueluche de Londres... sans y perdre son c¿ur. Mlle Sarah Colton a renoncé à l'idée de se marier. Lorsque ses parents apprennent qu'elle a l'intention d'ouvrir une chapellerie, ils lui posent un ultimatum : elle doit choisir un mari ou ils le feront à sa place. Elle accepte l'aide de Felix, sans se douter que leur projet va faire naître une attirance mutuelle à laquelle aucun d'entre eux n'ose se laisser aller. Mais lorsque la tragédie frappe, pourront-ils se guérir mutuellement, ou les démons du passé de Felix les consumeront-ils tous les deux ?

In the haunting ruins of Almerry Castle, scarred by war and shadowed by secrets, a chance encounter between a spirited woman and a war-weary soldier ignites a passion that defies history's wounds in Passion's Lasting Promise, a Regency tale of love's enduring resilience. In the enchanting sequel to Whispers of Desire journey back to a time of elegant Regency romance as Passion's Lasting Promise unfolds. Amidst the haunting ruins of Almerry Castle, a flicker of light guides the steps of Rebecca Summerville. Drawn by curiosity and an indomitable spirit, she stumbles upon an unexpected treasure-a chance encounter with Captain Camden Beauchamp. A soldier scarred by the trials of Waterloo, Camden seeks solace within the castle's walls, only to be met with Rebecca's spirited intrusion. Haunted by the specter of her brother's tragic demise on the battlefield, Rebecca harbors a deep aversion to all things military. Yet, as fate weaves its threads, her fearless defiance and compassionate heart kindle a spark of desire in Camden, one he never thought possible. Determined to bridge the chasm between their war-weary souls, Camden yearns to claim her affections, while Rebecca guards her heart, afraid to risk another shattering loss. United by the echoes of love's enduring legacy, can two souls scarred by the ravages of war find the courage to mend what the past has severed? As their worlds collide within the castle's ancient walls, they must navigate a landscape of tender longing and unspoken secrets. In Passion's Lasting Promise, desire and resilience entwine, proving that even amidst the remnants of history, love's light can guide them through the darkness of their shared pasts. Step into the shadows of Almerry Castle and let the echoes of love's enduring legacy guide you through a Regency tale where passion's promise ignites even the darkest corners of the heart.

Samuel Dellamore, Duke of Chantmarle, is on a mission . . . but it's not the one everyone thinks.Samuel has turned up in Edinburgh and convinced Society that he's on the hunt for a wife. But his actual mission is to scour the city to discover the traitor spilling secrets to the French.Samuel's natural curiosity, good looks, and title have always been enough to get him what he wants-even when he's not on the hunt for a spy-but a chance encounter with a Miss Lucy Finch shows him that she may be the exception to that rule. This mysterious woman quickly becomes a baffling and intriguing distraction from his real purpose in Scotland.Unfortunately for Lucy.The last thing she needs is the attention of a duke while she's trying desperately to pay off her ruthless blackmailers. And she's determined to warn this Samuel away from her-for his own sake. She knows she's dangerous. Bad news.But the duke's curiosity and the growing attraction between them lands them both in a scandalous situation which only a marriage of convenience can set right.Will Lucy accept the offer of respectability just when she needs it? And, even more importantly, can she keep the scandal of her past away from the devastatingly handsome duke she may just be falling in love with?This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.Dukes in DangerDon't Judge a Duke By His CoverStrike While the Duke is HotThe Duke is Mightier than the SwordA Duke in Time Saves NineEvery Duke Has His PricePut Your Best Duke ForwardWhere There's a Duke, There's a WayCuriosity Killed the DukePlay with Dukes, Get BurnedThe Best Things in Life are DukesA Duke a Day Keeps the Doctor AwayAll Good Dukes Come to an End

Escape to Castle Combe, an idyllic village in the south of England, with three sweet Regency Christmas novellas. Eternally Yours by Haley Marie When Gwendolyn Lockhart loses her childhood home, it devastates her. In hopes to have it returned, she leaves a letter to the new owner, Mr. Atwell. To her surprise, a friendship blossoms, but could there be something more? When Hugh Beaumont gambles away his inheritance, his good friend Mr. Atwell gives him a place to live. When he finds a letter addressed to his friend, he decides to write the young woman back in hopes of giving her some peace...but will that remain his only motivation? How to Lose a Match in 10 Days by Chloe K. James When Anna Appleton learns that she's to be married to her childhood nemesis, Benjamin Blackburn, she is repulsed and will do whatever she can to end the engagement before it's announced at the annual Christmas Day Ball.In 10 days. With the help of her unlucky-in-love friend, Molly Rabbitt, Anna does whatever it takes to make Benjamin cower away from marrying her.In this Regency re-telling of the 2003 romance-comedy, "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," will Anna's silly antics make Benjamin question his choices or give him another reason to marry her? A Christmas Proposal by Madison Bailey Andrew Fitzgerald has a problem. Unless he can bring home an eligible young woman and prove to his father he's serious about settling down, he will lose his inheritance. The requirement would be easier to fulfill had he not sworn never to marry.Elinor Langley has just finished her second Little Season with a broken heart instead of an engagement. So when her brother's handsome best friend invites her to his family's Christmas house party in idyllic Castle Combe, pretending to be his fiancée seems a small price to pay for the distraction from her heartbreak.But with Christmas trees and kissing boughs filling the air with holiday magic, will pretending to be in love be enough to save Andrew's inheritance and mend Elinor's heart, or will they learn the best things bloom in winter?

'Tis the season for love-no matter how much mistletoe it takes!It's Christmas time and Ulysses "Yule" Quartermain is unenthusiastically looking for a bride when Penelope St. Clare, the little sister of his boyhood friend, makes an appearance at a Christmas party. But it's been ten years since he's seen her. Penelope is no longer a child but a ravishing beauty, who's turning heads everywhere she goes. And much to his discomfort, Yule is not immune to the charms of the little girl next door. But he's working on it.Penelope has wanted to marry Ulysses Quartermain for most of her life. Now she's on the brink of her come out Season--a desirable young lady with wit and determination--and her happy ever after is within her grasp. If only she can make Yule see that she's grown up and would make him the perfect wife, it'll be the best present she'll ever get.Still, Penelope is not leaving anything to chance. Utilizing every ball of mistletoe she can find, she teases and tantalizes Yule, daring him to kiss her in hopes of breaking down his staunch resolve. As Christmas Day approaches, Penelope sets a final desperate plan in motion.Before the holiday is over, Yule will know just how much of a woman she truly is!The Welwyn Marriage WagerUntil I'm Safe in Your ArmsThe Baron's HaloYule Be MineNo Rival for Your LoveGem of My HeartThe Captain Takes a Wife

"Christopher Egan, heir to the notorious Prestwick Earldom, is one of London's most scandalous rakes. He's never credited the gossips' claim that fate cast an ancient curse on every successive Earl of Prestwick as punishment for their wickedness, but once he inherits the earldom after his infamous uncle's untimely demise, it looks as if he may be the next to lose his head. Determined to cheat the curse and avoid his ancestors' grisly fate, Kit abandons his life of merry debauchery and embarks on a London season to wed the lady he's long been promised to. Mathilda Templeton has a knack for causing scandal. Wherever she goes, it follows on her heels. London is the last place such a provocative lady should dare set foot, but when her shy friend Harriett is sent to London for a season, Tilly is determined to protect Harriett from all the scoundrels salivating over her impressive dowry. All she has to do is find her friend a proper match without falling prey to another scandal. When the scandalous Earl of Prestwick makes a play for Harriett's hand, Tilly vows to do whatever she must to stop him. But when the battle of wills between them leads to a stolen kiss, Tilly fears she may have fallen in love with London's most charming scoundrel."--Amazon website.

Schon kurz nach seiner Hochzeit wird Commander Henry du Valle mit seiner Sloop Mermaid zurück ins Mittelmeer beordert. Auf See ist die Royal Navy zwar die uneingeschränkte Herrscherin, doch an den Küsten sind ihre Feinde auf dem Vormarsch. Besonders der junge französische General Napoleon Bonaparte eilt in Ägypten von Sieg zu Sieg. Als er sich nach Norden wendet, scheint ihn niemand aufhalten zu können. Im alten Kreuzfahrerhafen Akkon stellt sich ihm Kommodore Sir Sidney Smith entgegen. Henry du Valle soll ihn in seinem Kampf gegen die französische Übermacht unterstützen.

From the ashes of humiliation, can true love bloom?When dashing and audacious Lord Severn takes pleasure to its extremes, he leaves behind a wake of broken hearts and regrets. His most notorious act? Deceiving the sweet Primula Greetwell into a false marriage, and audaciously leaving her at her parents' threshold with nothing but a mocking bow and laughter. Such antics cannot continue unchecked. It's time for the infamous rake to face the music.Banished for a decade to India and yearning to return to England, Lord Severn's father presents his wayward son with a daunting ultimatum. Either marry the woman of his choosing, sight unseen, or be permanently exiled, stripped of family, title, and fortune. Lord Severn, albeit reluctantly, agrees to wed. Little does he realize that his chosen bride is none other than the previously scorned Primula, who accepts this pact with motivations of her own.As they navigate this precarious union, Primula is strictly advised to feign ignorance of their shared past. This leaves Severn perplexed by her calm demeanor, igniting a fresh intrigue between them. Yet, complications arise in the form of Severn's young nephew, who idolizes the rakish ways of his uncle and encounters another innocent teetering on the brink of society's ruin.Dive into a world of high society, hidden motives, and unexpected relationships. In this tale of redemption, passion, and schemes, will a match that seems doomed from the start pave the way for unforeseen love and understanding?

A Lost Love. A Cold Marquess. A Fateful Christmas Country House Party...Mirabel's dreams are shattered when her bridegroom vanishes without a trace from her little village in Cornwall. With a determined heart, she embarks on a journey to London to find him, only to find herself in humble service in a noble household. As time passes, the memory of her lost love lingers, defying the odds. When an unexpected opportunity arises to attend a lavish country house party as a companion, Mira seizes the chance.Enter the enigmatic Lord Atherton, a sought-after bachelor known as the 'Cold Marquess.' His icy demeanour belies a longing for connection. At the opulent London opera, he's captivated by the exquisite Mira and resolves to make her his own. As Christmas approaches, a festive country house party sets the stage for a tale of lost love, concealed identities, and the promise of second chances. Will Mira's heart find the love it yearns for amidst the glistening snow and warm glow of Christmas?This enchanting story serves as the prequel to the "Viennese Waltz" series, introducing to a world of captivating characters and timeless romance.

The year is 1808. Davey Ten, a promising Gunwharf Rat, has finished a year of medical school at the renowned University of Edinburgh. It's been a tough year for Davey. Students and faculty alike have been informed of Davey's early workhouse years, his questionable parentage, and his lowly status. These bigots have condemned him by silence, which is killing his spirit. All Davey wants is to return to St. Brendan's. Master Able Six finds a solution. Why not send along another Gunwharf Rat to keep him company? Able's grandmama, a Scot of wealth and influence, arranges for the two Rats to stay at her Edinburgh house, maintained by Esther Teague, a spinster. Fellow Rat Avon March returns to Edinburgh with Davey. Adept at skulking, Avon will provide needed conversation, but also try to learn about the mysterious disappearance of a Royal Marine sergeant and Royal Navy warranted officer, from the hospital's famed Royal Infirmary.

On this frigid Christmas eve, everyone should be snug in front of a glowing hearth. But orphaned and impoverished, Lady Patience St. Claire is trapped in her overturned coach, wondering how much lower her luck can fall.The Earl of Beaumont cannot believe his good fortune. The very female who captured his interest and then spurned him a year earlier is at his mercy. He takes her to his brightly lit manor house, offering hospitality and the possibility of something more.While old misunderstandings keep them cautious, passion blooms between them. Can a rake convince a lady that the twelve days of Christmas are long enough to fall in love? Engaging characters, attention to period detail, and passionate romance with a touch of intrigue - you'll find it all in the stories by USA Today bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily.

Forsaking all others...Gage Trembath is getting married. He is the only one who knows it, but the statement is true nonetheless. The woman he had once loved has been married elsewhere for a time, and he can put off his own marriage no longer. The woman he has chosen to marry, without love, is sensible, quiet, musical, and amenable, which should enable him to have a good marriage and a content life. That is all he wants now, and Honora Berkeley makes the most sense.Honora cannot believe that a handsome and wealthy man like Gage has any interest at all in marrying her, even without love. She has certainly very little to recommend her, but escaping her life of criticism and abandonment is something she cannot resist. But what about the woman Gage had once loved? The one who was perfect for him and the one who made him determined to abandon love? Are his feelings for her truly gone? Will Honora ever have his affection along with his respect?

For her protection, Margaret needs to convince the Duke of Fradure to marry her. Liam has settled with Gretta-until he hears that Margaret is in trouble. But as he braves the capital of Anatalia to save her, can he escape death again?

Adam Mason must find the leader of a treasonous gang of smugglers. He's sure his quarry is Catherine Ashton's father, a wealthy businessman who persuaded her to reject Adam two years ago. Now, if Adam finds enough evidence to arrest the man, Catherine and her entire family will be ruined. But is that what he wants? Catherine believed rejecting Adam was the right thing, though it broke her heart to do it. Now he's back, intent on seeing her father hang, unless she can prove him innocent. As they each search for clues, they find their feelings for one another reigniting. But England faces a very real threat, one that could cost them everything...

A love match would not do. She would make an advantageous match-a brilliant match! At the age of nineteen, Lady Dorothea Rowlandson was practically on the shelf. Had she not suffered her father, the earl's, untimely death weeks before last year's season, she would surely by now be a married lady-the established wife of an illustrious peer. With such a regrettable delay, time was ever more of the essence if she wished to secure her own future and that of her sisters. Miles Shaw holds an encumbered estate. It is only logical, therefore, that he commence the London Season on the hunt for a well-dowered wife. His personal code of honor requires he be upfront about this goal, so that he deceives no one. And as he fully intends to love and cherish the wife of his choosing, he will naturally bring as much to the union as he receives. After all, he is a landed gentleman with no shortage of charm. When chance forced Miles and Dorothea to partner one another for the first dance of the first crush of the season, Fortuna could only have been in a funning mood. To have fostered so unsuitable a connection was nothing short of absurd. For what could a peer of the realm's daughter and a gentleman of no consequence, with his pockets to let, possibly have in common?

A combination of archaeological and geomorphic techniques was used to study erosionhazard at Aboriginal shell midden sites in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.In the absence of artifactual material, biological and taphonomic analyses were undertaken todetermine the likelihood a deposit was anthropogenic in origin. These analyses were also used togain an understanding of site formation processes.The relationship between, and relative influence of, anthropogenic and non-anthropogenicerosive factors at shell midden sites in different geomorphic settings was used to formulate threeerosion hazard assessment methods. Each method was designed to address the needs of a differentstakeholder group. The archaeological method includes analysis of the effects of bank erosion,cultivation, anthropogenic and biological excavation, wind and wave erosion. Erosive factors arecompared between sites and geomorphic settings. The rapid assessment technique designed for useby Aboriginal Land Councils and local Indigenous communities includes an Erosion Hazard Pro Formaand uses relatively simple geomorphic analyses which can be performed in the field. A handbookcontaining straightforward, user-friendly instructions on how to complete the Erosion Hazard ProForma is also included, along with a scoring system used to quantify erosion hazard and rank thestudy sites. A GIS model generated using soil, land use, vegetation and elevation data is also used toquantify erosion hazard and rank the study sites.

Lei ha bisogno di un campione. Lui di una persona in meno di cui preoccuparsi.Selena Lockhart non ha né dote né conoscenze, e sa bene di non potersi aspettare che la Società le dia il benvenuto, soprattutto dopo che suo padre ha perso al gioco la propria fortuna, provocando l'improvvisa caduta in disgrazia della famiglia e la rottura del fidanzamento di Selena con il suo promesso sposo. Non sorprende quindi che il suo nuovo vicino, Sir Lucius, la tratti con disprezzo. Perché dovrebbe guardare oltre le apparenze quando le sue promettono così poco?Sir Lucius Clavering non è sposato, ma potrebbe benissimo esserlo, visto il modo in cui è tenuto ad accompagnare la madre vedova nei centri termali, a far quadrare il numero degli invitati alle cene della sorella sposata e intervenire in aiuto di quelle canaglie dei suoi fratelli minori. Non aiuta il fatto che le donne nubili e le madri in cerca di matrimoni vantaggiosi si affannino a reclamare il suo volto, la sua fortuna e il suo titolo, così da lasciarlo senza un attimo di pace.Quando Selena si presenta alla porta di Lucius in cerca di aiuto, lui è sicuro che si tratti di un altro stratagemma per mettere a repentaglio la sua preziosa esistenza da scapolo. Sebbene il pregiudizio non duri a lungo, Lucius teme che la sua prima reazione possa aver rovinato ogni possibilità con lei. Come può salvarla dalle grinfie della Società se continua a tenerlo a distanza?

Roxanne Whitcomb plans to spend her London season finding a rich backer for her brother's inventions until she meets Spencer Tanner and realizes she cannot marry for money. Tanner is attracted to her wit and startled by her lively nature, but assumes that, like other women, she needs protection. Her London debut is ruined by the arrival of her estranged mother and guardian, recalling gossip about her father's suicide and mother's untimely remarriage. Roxanne decides to tackle her problems by rescuing her mother and protecting her brother, but Tanner is reluctant to offer help, doubting her theory on why this would be necessary. Then he discovers the independent Rox can also be resourceful and courageous.

They handed him a title, but she was the offer he couldn't refuse.Boston businessman, Nathaniel Lawrence doesn't have a dime he didn't earn himself. So when he finds out that he's the long-lost heir to a penniless dukedom in England, it's easy for him to dismiss the undeserving fortune. Why pour money into a crumbling castle and meaningless title when his eye is set on the future in America? But when the current duke throws his lovely daughter's hand in to sweeten the offer, Nathaniel rethinks his rash decision. He knows a good business deal when he sees one, and marriage to Lady Charlotte, the jewel of the ton, is the very best.With a squandered dowry, Lady Charlotte only has one option that will keep her-and her father-living in the custom befitting their station. Marrying her father's heir would make her a future duchess and allow her to retain control of her family's ancestral home. A bargain is set. Nathaniel will accept the title and all the connections that come along with it, living the majority (or all) of his time in America, while Charlotte gets to raise their future son on their estate where he can learn to be a true English duke, cementing the family line for another generation. On paper, the agreement is brilliant and convenient, but in person, it's something that neither of them expected.Because the more Charlotte spends time with her new, brash husband, the more his enterprising and entrepreneurial American spirit rubs off on her. Soon, she begins to realize that maybe she didn't need a knight in shining armor to come and rescue her family from bloodthirsty creditors and a title in abeyance.Maybe she only needed a good idea, some alpacas, and a belief that she is more than just another passive branch on her ancient illustrious tree for a male heir to use to climb to the top.The Eglinton Knight SeriesBook 1 - Knight of the Jaded HeartBook 2 - Knight of the Broken HeartBook 3 - Knight of the Wicked HeartBook 4 - Knight of the Bleeding Heart

She's betting it all on the future...Celia Calthorp, Duchess of Acaster, is sick of always being on the edge of disaster. Now that widowhood has finally given her the freedom to make her own choices, she knows exactly what she needs to do-marry a rich man to secure her future and that of her beloved stables. And it's all going to plan...until it isn't.He never takes a risk he can't win...Gabriel Siren, proprietor of London's most exclusive gaming hell, knows exactly where he stands-always on the fringes of the aristocracy. That changes when he becomes the Seventh Duke of Acaster and inherits a beautiful dowager duchess, too. But Celia might be exactly what he needs...All bets are off when the gamble is love...Working together to secure his sisters' place in society, neither is prepared for the pull of attraction they feel-or being swept away when passion flares. As sweet as falling in love for the first time is, Celia knows that it can't last. But Gabriel isn't ready to let her go. Can he convince Celia to risk it all...for him?

A collection of Regency set romance tales, featuring the novella, A Search for Refuge. Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can't seem to elude local solicitor Nash Banfield.All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life--no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won't let him leave this determined woman without assistance.But will discovering the truth about Margaretta make him think twice about finally taking a risk on love?A Search for Refuge is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Kristi Ann Hunter's new Regency historical romance series, Haven Manor! Includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, A Defense of Honor.Also includes the short stories Three O'clock in Portman Square, Saving Miss Caulfield, and The Heir Next Door.

"Sharp and exquisite."-Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgertons seriesA rake falls for a beautiful recluse, but being bad is all he's good for.A tall maiden with nothing to lose. Caro knows she will never marry, never bear children. But she will seduce the first man who asked her to dance a dozen years ago. She will be bedded by the Earl of Bur­ches­ter once in her lifetime. And as fate would have it, the gorgeous man is just down the hallway. Alone. Naked in a bed. He wouldn't refuse her request, would he? Surely, his reputation means he takes all-comers. A shorter-than-average rogue who is about to lose his mind. And his heart. Phin­e­as Edge knows what he likes. And right now, he very much likes the darling girl who just showed up in his bed at his friend's country house. True, she doesn't say much, but what happens between the two of them has a magic that he would do anything to experience again. Even if it involves a ring and a church.And falling in love.Bed Me, Earl is the third book in the steamy Regency romance series The Bed Me Books from author Felicity Niven.

Can a lady wager on love?The Diamond of Bristol by Arlem HawksLieutenant Derrick Owens has always been on his own and wants to keep it that way, but when he saves a shipmate's sister from a horrible dance partner, Corah Bradford's sweet temperament and friendly nature make her hard to resist. Unable to find a suitable husband in Bristol who she can also love, Corah is entangled in a wager to secure Derrick's company for an evening. Despite their reluctance to let go of their convictions, their easy friendship turns to something more. But with war on the horizon and Corah bound for the marriage mart in London, they both must discover what's truly important-love or their previous expectations.Women of a Certain Age by Josi S. KilpackOver the years, Colletta Markshire has been the driving force in helping young women make their match during the Season in London. Rachel is her lucky thirteen and Etta has every expectation that she will be a triumph ... except that things are not going to plan. Rachel has not taken to London and is determined to grow an acquaintance with a young man not at all the thing. The young man's father, Wynn Firth, is nearly as distracting as Etta's worries, and in every way she felt sure she would never feel distracted again. When Rachel disappears, Etta has little doubt what's happened and she and Wynn set out together to find the young couple before word gets out. Hours in a carriage with a handsome man can be even more distracting, however, and Etta finds herself entertaining ideas she never thought to have. Etta gave up on love years ago ... and yet, as Women of a Certain age can attest, it is never too late to change one's mind and change one's future.A Most Unsuitable Suitor by Sarah M. EdenDrowning in debt, Julian, Lord Wesley spends an evening of shared misery with his closest friend at their club and makes a startling discovery: someone has placed a wager that Lady Charlotte Duchamps will not marry before her 21st birthday, with Julian himself receiving £1000 if she does not. Lady Charlotte suddenly finds herself the subject of a great deal of attention from Lord Wesley, a vague acquaintance with a questionable reputation. With Julian and Charlotte both attempting to solve mysteries and wreak chaos, betting on the possibility of love might just prove the most risky wager of all.Timeless Georgian Collections:Her Country GentlemanA Lady's WagerA Midnight Masquerade

Three Regency Romance novellas by Josi S. Kilpack, Carla Kelly, and Jennifer Moore.SAINTS AND SINNERS by Josi S. Kilpack. When Neville Franklin's best friend Burke wants to wager who can kiss Eloise first, Neville puts a stop to it. Eloise has been his friend since childhood, and, well, she's off-limits. Especially to Burke. As Burke pursues Eloise and claims that she has a tendre for him, Neville becomes more and more protective of the girl he grew up with. On the night of the Christmas ball when Eloise appears in a dress that clearly shows that she is no longer a girl, but a beautiful woman, Neville realizes that his protective feelings toward Eloise have turned into something greater. But now, Neville's best friend stands in his way.THE CHRISTMAS ANGLE by Carla Kelly. Sailing Master Able Six is on half-pay with the British navy, biding his time during the uneasy Peace of Amiens and the resumption of war. Meanwhile, he's invited to teach young pupils at the home of a vicar outside of Plymouth. There, he unexpectedly meets Meridee, the spinster sister-in-law of the vicar. From the moment Able sees Meridee, he's entranced. When she asks him about his past and discovers his remarkable yet troublesome gift, he realizes he's finally found someone who can care for all of him. Sadly, Able's low station and half-pay gives him no way to provide for a wife. Meridee's lack of dowry and dependence on relatives makes their union impossible at best. But isn't Christmas a season of hope?THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Moore. Archie Clawson wants nothing more than to give Jane the perfect Christmas. Since her troubled childhood, she's not experienced a Christmas with all the trimmings. To top off the perfection, he also plans to ask her to marry him on Christmas Eve. But as he and his friends, including Jane, travel to his country home, they are caught in a snowstorm and discover that notice of their arrival did not get through to the house staff. Worried over the disappointment he must be causing Jane and the complete shift in their planned Christmas, Archie fears that he's misinterpreted her kindness towards him and lost her favor forever.A Country Christmas is a Timeless Romance Anthology® bookOther books in the Timeless Regency Collections:AUTUMN MASQUERADEA MIDWINTER BALLSPRING IN HYDE PARKSUMMER HOUSE PARTYA SEASON IN LONDONA HOLIDAY IN BATHFALLING FOR A DUKEA NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE

THE TWO BELLS OF CHRISTMAS by Joanna BarkerRoland Hastings made a promise to his father: to marry and carry on the family line. But after a year of searching, he has given up hope of finding the right woman. Anticipating a quiet Christmas with his mother, Roland is frustrated to learn she has organized an entire house party to help him find a bride. Cassandra Bell arrives for the house party with her twin sister Vivian, who has set her heart on winning a proposal from the eligible Mr. Hastings. But when Vivian grows ill, she begs Cassie to switch places with her and keep the other conniving ladies away from Mr. Hastings. Cassie reluctantly takes on the role of her poised and proper twin, but things become much more complicated when Roland begins to take an interest in the spunky and unconventional Cassie...PROMISE ME AGAIN by Annette LyonSecret wedding plans. A powerful brother who will go to any lengths to stop them. Can love truly conquer all? Miriam and Jacob have loved each other for as long as they can remember. They want to wed, but Jacob's older brother Norman forbids it. Deciding to do so secretly without his blessing, Miriam and Jacob make plans to marry on Christmas Eve at a church several hours' journey away. Despite their efforts, Norman's long reach finds them. Miriam's love is tested to the very limit when she is forced into a devil's bargain with him. She agrees only to spare Jacob pain, but can their hearts find their way back to each other no matter what-or who-stands in their way?A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Jennifer MooreThe war is over, but Lucy Breckenridge's plans for a perfect Christmas are ruined when Captain James Stewart brings news that her father will not return in time for the holiday. Determined to not miss yet another Christmas with her father, Lucy starts on a journey for London with her trusty maid and manservant. Learning they have gone, James follows, hoping to stop her before she discovers the true reason for Colonel Breckenridge's absence. Along the way, the two join in local holiday celebrations and learn that families have flaws, friendship requires trust, and Christmas traditions can be created in the most unexpected places.Timeless Regency Collections:AUTUMN MASQUERADEA MIDWINTER BALLSPRING IN HYDE PARKSUMMER HOUSE PARTYA COUNTRY CHRISTMASA HOLIDAY IN BATHFALLING FOR A DUKEA NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUAREROAD TO GRETNA GREENWEDDING WAGERSAN EVENING AT ALMACK'SA WEEK IN BRIGHTONTO LOVE A GOVERNESSWIDOWS OF SOMERSETA CHRISTMAS PROMISE

The Wayward Dukes' Alliance.A wayward duke is "difficult to control or predict". The "hero" is either be a duke or expected to inherit a dukedom. None of these dukes want to be trapped by marriage and form a pact to help each avoid matrimony by any means necessary. This Christmas the Wayward Dukes' resolve is tested. Can their alliance hold true, or will the magic of the holiday be too much for even them to resist. One by one they will fall. It's only a matter of how hard and fast they will succumb to the one woman they're destined to love. All their ladies want for Christmas is their own wayward duke, and they are each determined to have their wish fulfilled. Seven Christmas stories in the Wayward Dukes' Alliance in one book. Her Duke to Savor by Dawn BrowerUnwrapping the Duke by Jane CharlesNever Beg a Duke by Alyssa DrakeWish Upon a Christmas Duke by Amanda MarielA Duke for December by Nadine MillardWhat the Duke Desires by Ari ThatcherBoxing with My Duke by Anna St. Claire

Miss Michelle Ellington despises the founder of a competing school for young ladies. Already, he has lured away two teachers and seems intent on wreaking havoc upon her school, all while the headmistress is away. She's never met the man, but the few missives they've exchanged have told her exactly the sort of person he is-an underhanded cad. Sir Miles Wentworth made a promise to his dying father and is driven to succeed. He'd be well on his way if he could just entice the reputable Miss Ellington to leave her current position and work for him. Unfortunately, her frigid reply makes it clear that his school would be the last place she'd ever seek employment. When the pair encounter each other as strangers one evening, they form an instant connection. Smitten by the mysterious woman, Sir Miles sets out to romance her. What he soon discovers, however, is that the woman he is falling more in love with every day is the same woman who would like to make mincemeat of him.

"Benedick Kimbrell attempted to steal his first kiss from Miss Catherine Parker in the perfectly imperfect spring of 1808. But his hopes, then and since, were larger than fact."A LADY'S UNSPOKEN LONGINGKate Parker is resolute in her quest for marriage, seeking a dependable match among Newford's eligible bachelors. But behind her composed demeanor, Kate's heart holds a stubborn affection for her less-than-dependable friend and an unspoken longing for a kiss that was never claimed.A ROGUE'S LOST AMBITIONYears ago, Ben Kimbrell harbored ambitions, chief among them a kiss from Miss Kate Parker. Fate, though, had other plans. Now, his heart is weighted by family tragedy, his pain concealed behind a carefree charm. His reputation as an aimless rogue is well-earned, but beneath the façade lies a man who yearns for more.AND A HEART WELL-GUARDEDWhen Kate sets her sights on Ben's dependable cousin, a man who fits her expectations if not her heart, Ben can no longer stand idly by. His efforts to save her from a loveless match find the two of them paired together in a village production of Much Ado About Nothing. Tasked with crafting the enchanting sets for their town's inaugural performance, their undeniable affection finds the perfect stage to blossom.But for their love to flourish, Ben must reveal his true self and confront the shadows of his past. Can he find the courage to unlock his heart before it's too late?Kissing Kate is a heartwarming best-friends romance about finding the courage to choose happiness and the healing power of love. Set in the charming seaside village of Newford, each book in the Hearts of Cornwall series stands alone.