Author: Rue Allyn Page 5 of 17

Gentle Reader,

As you might imagine, the drawing rooms of Key West, Florida, make quite the effort to compare with those of genteel civility, such as Savannah, Philadelphia or Boston. Our young ladies are brought up to display the most decorous of behavior. That is, of course, until those of lesser class broach the best thresholds, and then what may we expect, but scandal?

Miss M, daughter of a codfish aristocracy businessman, recently–and inexplicably–became engaged to local society swain TW.  Until a few weeks before, he had been most intently courting a young lady of proper breeding, Miss P.  I can assure you that more than a few jaws dropped, and a dozen young ladies’ hopes were dashed at his most public announcement of the sudden engagement. But the worst was yet to come.

At the party to celebrate the engagement Saturday last, the most shocking event occurred. The young woman was abducted by pirates! Right from under her fiancé’s nose! We are told that she returned home the same night. One can only imagine in what condition she arrived, considering the scoundrels who stole her away. The young man was overheard loudly demanding that she be examined to see what sinful harm had befallen her during her absence, and her father seemed quite beside himself, his already-questionable family name being exposed to such shameful behavior.

One may hope that such shenanigans will bring the young man to his senses, and that he may, with all proper decorum and certainly legal right, breach his promise to marry this unfortunate girl. Certainly, his parents should encourage such a course of action immediately.

About the book: Tamsyn McKiernan thinks her dreams have come true. She’s engaged to a dashing Key West bachelor and finally in her widowed father’s good graces. But in her heart, she knows something’s wrong. She loves the ocean and the quiet pleasures of nature—so what does the aristocratic life she’ll lead truly hold for her?

Mercenary captain Drake Ashton is neck deep in preparations for the Spanish-American War, running guns and other supplies to Cuban natives who want out from under their Spanish masters. He and his brother Freddie risk their lives daily, focused on saving his friends on the island. Nothing else matters but his mission.

Available Now: Ebooks   Paperback   B&N

About the Author: Alana Lorens has been a published writer for more than forty years, after working as a pizza maker, a floral designer, a journalist and a family law attorney. Currently a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, the aging hippie loves her time in the smoky blue mountains. She writes romance and suspense as Alana Lorens, and sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal mystery as Lyndi Alexander. She lives with her daughter on the autism spectrum, who is the youngest of her seven children, and she is ruled by three crotchety old cats, and six kittens of various ages.

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 Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFWs54EUJeU

Dear Gentle Reader,

As this writer predicted several years ago when the present Duke of Calhoun assumed his title, there is again turmoil within the family. The heir to the dukedom, the Marquis of Whittington, has gone to the Crimea to fight for Queen and Country. The Marquis left behind a broken- hearted fiancée after embarrassing her at the Levington’s party. There was some report of fisticuffs!

This writer has also been informed within the last few days, that the turmoil that surrounds the Duke and Duchess of Calhoun has spilled over to the family of the Count and Countess of Levington. Not only is their son in the Crimea with the Marquis, but it has been rumored that the daughter, Lady Alison Spencer, is soon to joined that woman, Florence Nightengale, in journeying to Turkey to help in the healing of our brave young men in that war-torn country.

I ask you, Dear Reader, can anything good come of this scenario? The heir of the dukedom in harm’s way and gentle young women going to war zones to be exposed to disease and pestilence?

About The Marquis’s Healing: This novel brings together history, intrigue, betrayal, and romance. The Crimean War is the backdrop for the story of Jonathan Ryan Carmichael, the Marquis of Whittington, who strives to hold onto his honor after being betrayed by his betrothed. He searches for healing from the deep wounds of losing not only the fidelity of his fiancée, but also from the loss of his childhood friend and comrade-in-arms who succumbs to disease while serving alongside him in the Crimea. Meanwhile, back home in England, Lady Alison Spencer is troubled by news of the terrible conditions in the Crimea and seeks to find a way to help. She joins with Florence Nightingale on the journey to improve conditions for the troops in the faraway land. In the course of time Lady Alison assists not only the Great Lady in restoring healthful conditions in the Crimea, but she also aids in healing the Marquis by means of honor and perfect love.

Available Now: https://www.amazon.com/Marquis-Healing-story-Honor-Perfect-ebook/dp/B0BYTBC698/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pl_foot_top?ie=UTF8

Excerpt:  “For the next several days Alison performed her duties, but the other nurses as well as her patients knew that something had happened the day Captain Carmichael had found her in the Barracks Hospital. She had returned the following day to carry out her appointed duties, but the laughter in her hazel eyes was missing. Her joy of life was no longer evident, nor was her ever-present smile. Alison dressed the men’s wounds, read to them letters from home, and assisted the doctors on their rounds, but all knew that something had happened between her and the captain.” —from The Marquis’s Healing

About Deborah Craton: The Marquis’s Healing is the author’s first published work of fiction. She began writing while still in high school, creating a number of novellas that today would be classified as “fan fiction,” much of it based on the original “Star Trek” television series; she also completed a Western saga novel while in high school. In the ensuing years college, medical school, and family intervened to limit her creative opportunities, but after retiring from an active medical practice in 2022 she was able to complete the current novel about Jonathan Ryan Carmichael, the Marquis of Whittington, which she began writing in 2004. The author is married to her college sweetheart, and together they have raised three sons, hosted four foreign-exchange students, and cared for numerous cats throughout her 38 years of medical practice. She states that the impetus to complete this novel came largely through her sons’ good-natured sniping at her fascination with period romance novels. She hopes her readers enjoy her story-telling and will look forward to reading more from her pen as the Whittington saga continues.

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Dearest Readers,

An evening at a ball never lacks for good gossip, but the events at Lady P’s ball this past week surprised even this writer. The Bon Ton has been aflutter these last weeks about a certain Miss B, whose beauty is only superseded by her mysterious arrival in Society. And when that certain young miss chose the Awkward Earl (whom many have taken to calling Lord H. for his inability to carry even the simplest conversations) for her first dance of the evening, many an eyebrow raised.

While her taste in dance partners is certainly in question, I can quite attest to how shocking the next events were. At the end of the quadrille, Lord H. abandoned Miss B. on the dance floor in a cut direct! But instead of returning to her chaperone as any respectable young miss should, Miss B. chased after him onto the shadowed balcony. A reliable source confirmed to me that they did not return to the ballroom for quite some time, and while they returned separately, my source says Miss B. looked quite flushed for a chilly spring night. One can only imagine what the pair were doing on a dark balcony hidden away from her chaperone.

Miss B. must be aware that her actions have tarnished her reputation and her association with the Awkward Earl will certainly leave her marriage prospects far thinner than they had been prior to the ball. This should serve to remind us all to take care when selecting the people one associates with. Especially if you are on the marriage mart.

About the Tempting the Reclusive Earl:  Destiny brought her. He’ll fight to keep her.

Christian Albury, the Earl of Huntington, prefers his inventions to people. When he discovers that someone is stealing from him, he is forced to leave the comfort of his workshop to investigate the matter. Being highly intelligent has its advantages, but not in the shark-infested waters of a London Season where his social awkwardness makes him an outcast. When he meets a beautiful woman who claims that one of his inventions brought her from the future, Christian does what any self-respecting recluse would—he ignores her request for help and avoids her. A decision he fears left a bad impression on her.

Bellamy Bennett just became the new face for a famous perfume company’s ad campaigns. Even though modeling isn’t as fulfilling as it once was, she’s hoping the work will provide the means for the next chapter of her life. But when her sister goes missing, Bellamy rushes to find her, only to end up two hundred years in the past—and in the arms of a handsome but exasperating Earl. He may be the only person who can help her get home. He’s also avoiding her. But Bellamy is persistent and the more time she spends with Christian, the deeper her feelings grow for the brilliant but shy man.

When Christian’s time travel clock is stolen, he discovers a depth to the theft that threatens his entire estate and could keep Bellamy in the nineteenth century forever. And when an old enemy resurfaces to threaten all he holds dear, Christian will discover how much Bellamy means to him and just how far he will go to protect her.

Pre-Order Link: https://amzn.to/3OHaEf2 (also available in KU)

Excerpt: What happens on the balcony stays on the balcony?

Christian took hold of her upper arm and steered her into the shadows. “Bellamy, why are you out here? Your reputation could be ruined.” He crossed his arms over that wide chest and glared down at her.

She lifted her chin. “I’m helping you find Dale.”

“I don’t need help.”

She waved at where Waler had been. “He planned to share the information with you?”

He pressed his lips into a thin line.

“I heard the terrible things he said to you,” she added softly.

Christian looked away.

She laid her hand on his arm. “I don’t understand their cruelty.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does if it hurts you.” She cupped his cheek and made him look at her.

He sucked in a sharp breath at her touch. Whatever else she meant to say disappeared beneath his intense gaze.

The air changed between them. Grew charged in a way she couldn’t describe. Every sensation magnified. The coolness of his cheek from being out in the chilly air, beneath her gloved hand. The solid muscle she felt beneath her palm when she laid her other hand on his chest. She heard him swallow and watched his sensuous lips part.

Heat curled in her belly and her nipples pebbled. She inched closer.

Christian move his hands to cup her waist. The warmth of his palms seared through her thin gown, warming her even more. His gaze dropped to her lips.

She pressed closer until their chests brushed.

“Bellamy.” Her name was a soft sigh on his lips. It washed over her like a caress.

She wanted to kiss him, she realized. He was frustrating and shy, and at times achingly vulnerable, and she wanted to kiss him more than anyone she’d ever been with.

“Christian,” she whispered as she slid her hands up to wrap behind his neck.

He startled at her touch, and she saw the desire-filled haze begin to clear from his eyes.

No. She wasn’t letting this moment pass. She threaded her fingers into his hair, angled his head down, and kissed him.

 

Book 2 in the Taken by Destiny series

Book 1- The Earl’s Timely Wallflower:

The Earl’s Timely Wallflower Teatime Tattler link: https://bluestockingbelles.net/an-earl-with-two-mistresses-in-the-same-house/

About Aurrora St. James: Aurrora St. James writes sexy historical and paranormal/fantasy romances featuring tough heroes, strong women, quirky characters, and a touch of humor added in for spice. She loves coffee, making her own journals, old B, C, and D-movies, and the magic of a happily ever after.

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Dear Readers, we offer today, a titillating story impossible to keep quiet. It seems that Sir Henry was travelling from England via the newly launched SS Great Eastern luxury liner to attend a business conference in New York City. Lady Brisson was not accompanying him; however, installed in a separate cabin, his previously unknown British mistress Caroline was!

As per the ship’s custom, strangers were seated together at a large table in the dining salon permitting the two secret lovers, presumably unacquainted, to dine together. By the sixth day of the ocean crossing, members of the group knew each other and it was not considered unusual for the two of them to be seen promenading around the ship.

It was a lovely night with a full moon when Sir Henry and Caroline excused themselves from the dinner table to take in the air. While strolling on deck enjoying the warm breeze and star filled sky, they passed a lifeboat undergoing some sort of upgrading or repair.

Not to be dissuaded from a chance for adventure, they looked at each other and said, “Why don’t we check out the inside? What an opportunity! How can we resist?”

Climbing on board, carrying their evening’s second bottle of wine, they proceeded to take advantage of the unusual locale. The risk that someone enjoying an evening walk might pass by and spy on their activities just added to the excitement!

But totally unexpected was their discovery in flagrante delicto by four workmen when they showed up to check on their repairs. After quickly reassembling themselves, the lovers beat a hasty retreat. Although they were spared further embarrassment by bumping into the workers during the rest of the trip, the incident had supplied a titillating story for the entire ship’s crew; a crew who talked!

This tawdry affair comes at a particularly awkward time as the Brisson’s eldest daughter Louise is about to marry the Rev. John McMichael, a staunch Church of England minister who is rector at St. Clements Anglican Church in London. Will the marriage take place? Will Lady Brisson throw Sir Henry out of their Kensington Gardens estate or will she forgive him?

Watch this space for more, as information becomes available.

About the book: Get ready to experience a roller coaster ride of emotions!

Laughter, sadness, empathy, outrage. Canadian Anne Hamilton Fowler appeared to have it all. However, life is not always as idyllic as it seems and at age twenty a series of events almost destroyed her. Emerging from the wreckage she reinvented herself, started over, and proceeded to live on the edge with a risk-taking lifestyle. Then in 1993, an event experienced during a trip to Central America changed everything.

“I’ve Worn Many Hats” is an inspirational read that demonstrates our human frailties, one’s ability to survive personal adversity, and how we can learn to forgive both ourselves and others. It is a story of redemption.

Anne Fowler is a retired Canadian who divides the year between her Haliburton summer cottage and Central America. This memoir is her first book and all proceeds will go to support Anne’s ongoing humanitarian work in Honduras.

Available now!

 

 

 

This past fortnight most of good society was in Brighton while the king was in residence. This week’s highlight was a performance by Mr. Maddox’s traveling circus troupe. Dear reader, I have been to the circus performances at Astley’s Amphitheatre in London but have never seen a show quite like this. You may be wondering what could possibly be so scintillating to catch all the ton’s attention.

Let me paint you a picture. The evening was warm, and the skies clear. On the great lawns behind the Royal Pavilion, a stage with rich red velvet curtains hung from a large ironwork frame created a dramatic backdrop to a great wooden ring that sat in the grass. And above it, at least twenty feet in the air, a tightrope stretched across the ring. The entire stage area was lit with torches that flickered brightly in the twilight. Mr. Maddox, tall and handsome, strode out onto the stage to welcome the crowd of onlookers and bow deeply to the king, who sat with the best view atop a sumptuously appointed dais.

Then with a blare of a trumpet, the show began. Acrobats dressed as fairies, male and female, cartwheeled onto the stage in frothy costumes made of sparkling gauzy fabrics. And from their midst, two horses in tandem rode out into the ring, with a beautiful woman atop, one foot on each horse, her long hair flowing behind her, the copper strands on fire in the torchlight. The lady wore a dress with a voluminous skirt of pink gauze that ended mid-calf over white stockings. The bodice sparkled with bejeweled silk flowers. A collective gasp echoed in the evening air as the guests recognized the performer as none other than the scandalous daughter of Lord and Lady Dearborn.

Yes, you read that correctly. Lady Susanna Ashby rode out into the center ring, scantily clad I might add as many said they could see her stocking-covered calves, to perform with the circus. I will admit the tricks she executed on horseback were quite entertaining, but shocking in the absolute scandal of it all! And in front of the king, no less. This writer heard from a reliable source that Lord Dearborn was seen dragging his prodigy off into the shadows. And hot on their heels was a certain marquess of the very respectable variety. So, it begs the question, what business does an upright peer have with an outrageous lady who willfully ruins her reputation in front of the king?

About: Making the Marquess Mine–Miles Weston, the Marquess of Hawksridge, longs for a holiday from his life. He is tired of all the politics, in and out of the ballrooms. Ever since his aborted wedding, his aunt has tried to match him with blank-faced debutants at every turn. The only entertaining thing in his overscheduled life is observing the antics of Lady Susanna Ashby, whose beauty and vibrancy brighten the greyest day.

Susanna’s spirit for adventure is matched only by her loyalty to her friends. Determined to help the distractingly handsome but overwhelmingly serious marquess, Susanna concocts a plan to distract his matchmaking Aunt Diana. She’ll reunite Diana with her long-lost lover, who wrote her passionate letters of love and longing. If only Susanna could discover the whereabouts of the mysterious James Marlow.

As Susanna launches her ill-fated plan, heedless of the danger, her worried friends send Miles to fetch her home. But Susanna has no intention of letting anything derail her quest to find the man from the letters. Not bad weather, broken carriage wheels, or highwaymen. Not even a sexy, managing marquess.

Available Now: https://books2read.com/u/b5qQwG

Excerpt:  Dear Lord, she was still in the bath. He froze, his thoughts stuttered to a full stop at the idea that Susanna was naked in the bath only ten feet away. He cleared his throat. “It’s me.”

“Miles! What are you doing in here? Do you make it a habit of entering lady’s rooms without knocking?”

He stiffened at her barb. Of course, he didn’t. He was a bloody gentleman. “Do you make it a habit of not locking your door? And I did knock, twice.”

A splash accompanied her huff of indignation. “So, you just barge in? I know that we are sharing this room but I’m quite exposed. Please leave.”

He should leave, but his feet were rooted to the ground. Water splashed as the shadow behind the screen stood up. With one slim arm it reached for a towel and then the shadow turned to wrap the towel around itself and Miles got an eyeful of her curves in silhouette. Susanna stepped out of the tub and the tantalizing profile disappeared. He could feel her glare through the linen screen.

“Miles, get out. Better yet, go home. Thank you for saving me today but now I am safely in the care of the Hadleys. You can go back to Brooksdale and your precious holiday.”

“No. I’m not going anywhere. We are going to get some rest and then we are going to travel back to Marbury tomorrow.”

Susanna’s shadow raised one arm in the air, a pointed finger jutted into the air. “We are doing no such thing. I am going to travel with the Hadleys to Weymouth Bay. I am going to find James Marlow and convince him to come back and reunite with the love of his life.”

Miles ran a hand through his already unruly hair. He blew out a long breath. “Why are you so stubborn? Marlow is likely nowhere near Weymouth Bay. And even if he is there, why would he listen to you?”

Susanna’s head popped around the corner of the screen. Her hair dripped on the floor and the curve of one bare shoulder came into view. He sucked in a sharp breath as his gaze swept over the sprinkling of freckles there.

“I am very persuasive. And he will be there, I just know it.” Her grin turned practically feral. She disappeared behind the screen and he heard the towel drop to the floor with a wet plop. Her lithe shadow moved to the other end of the screened area and she pulled a piece of clothing over her head affording him another tantalizing view of her silhouette.

Miles crossed his arms and snorted. “You just know.”

She appeared a moment later covered in a long-sleeved nightgown, its frilly hem skirted the tops of her bare feet. He couldn’t tear his eyes from her toes. Small and square, the nails trimmed neatly, they were the most adorable toes he had ever seen.

About the Author:  From the time she read fairytales as a child, Karla Kratovil was hooked on stories that ended in Happily Ever After. Now as an author of sexy historical romance she gets to craft her own happy endings. Karla lives right on the edge of Northern Virginia’s wine country with her college sweetheart, two terrific teenagers, and two blond terriers. She is a Taurus. Like any good earth sign she loves good food, good wine, and getting her hands dirty growing things in her garden.

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