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Come closer my friends. I’ve got a scandal to share.

By

On May 28, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,
In this report we shall indulge in a bit of time travel with an intriguing report from an American correspondent:

Have you heard? There’s a woman—a girl really, no more than nineteen and born in the backwoods of Wisconsin, haunting the halls of Congress. She carries flowers from her garden and boxes of sweets and wears a winsome smile, but we all know what she’s really doing, twisting those congressmen around her little finger. That prairie upstart dares think that those august men will give a little nobody like her a fortune to make a sculpture of our dear assassinated president Abraham Lincoln.

And that audacious little humbug just might do it. Why Horace Greely says she’s a phenomenon of successful impudence such as no country, but America, ever did or could produce.

She’s already wheedled herself a sculpture studio in the basement of the Capitol. Men who should know better are totally bewitched by that little coquette. Even that curmudgeon, Thadeus Stevens, has taken her under his wing. It’s all that hair of hers. Though I’ve heard that most of it is fake.

But who’s to know? Maybe she shares other charms with them as well. After all, her artwork is nothing special. Why, if she wins that government commission, she’ll prove our dear Mark Twain right. She’ll be the smartest politician of them all, he says, and he’s put her in his new book The Gilded Age, which you really ought to read.

Her name, you ask? Vinnie Ream.

Prairie Cinderella

SHE IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST SCULPTRESS Of THE GILDED AGE

Spirited Vinnie Ream might have been driven from her prairie home to the political hotbed of Washington City by the outbreak of the Civil War. But despite her plainspoken ways and western twang, she’s a survivor, and nothing will stop her from pursuing her art in a world dominated by men.

UNTIL DISASTER STRIKES

But on the cusp of success, all her dreams come tumbling down. With her family destitute and her sister threatened, she does the unthinkable. Can she claw her way back to the top or will she go down in history as a failure?

A biographical historical novel about the power of family ties, the pursuit of fame, and the pain of unrequited love, based on the life of 19th century American sculptor, Vinnie Ream.

Awarded first place in the 2025 Bookfest for biographical historical fiction. All proceeds donated to the Freedom to Read Foundation.

 

Available from

AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT7K7NXN

APPLE https://books.apple.com/us/book/prairie-cinderella/id6740748987

BARNES&NOBLE https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prairie-cinderella-joan-koster/1146855813

BOOKSHOP.org  https://bookshop.org/p/books/prairie-cinderella-vinnie-ream-and-the-gilded-age/

KOBO  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/prairie-cinderella

About the Author

When she is not writing in her studio by the sea, Joan Koster lives in an 1860s farmhouse stacked to the ceiling with books. In a life full of adventures, she has scaled mountains, chased sheep, and been abandoned on an island for longer than she wants to remember.

An ethnographer, educator, and award-winning author who loves mentoring writers, Joan blends her love of history and romance into eye-opening historical novels about women who shouldn’t be forgotten and into romantic thrillers under the pen name, Zara West. She is the author of the award-winning romantic suspense series, The Skin Quartet and the top-selling Write for Success series.

Prairie Cinderella is book 3 in the Forgotten Women series. Book 1 That Dickinson Girl was a 2023 Chanticleer finalist, and book 2 Censored Angel was 2024 First Place winner of the Book Fest in biographical historical fiction.

Joan blogs about women who should be remembered at JoanKoster.com, about everyday life during the Civil War at American Civil War Voice, about romance at Zara West Romance, about writing at Zara West’s Journal and teaches numerous online writing courses.

 

Academia  https://independent.academia.edu/JoanKoster

Amazon author page https://amazon.com/author/joankoster

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joan-bouza-koster

Facebook  https://facebook.com/joankosterauthor/

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3989103.Joan_Bouza_Koster

Instagram  https://instagram.com/joankosterauthor

Linkedin   https://www.linkedin.com/in/joankosterauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up  https://www.joankoster.com/tidbits-newsletter-sign-up/

Pinterest https://pinterest.com/joankosterauthor

ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan-Koster

Website https://joankoster.com

X  https://twitter.com/womenwewrite

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@joankoster2786/featured

 

Whispers of Scandal and Suspense

By

On May 7, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dearest readers,

Sharpen your fan edges and pour the tea strong, for last evening’s events at Lady A’s illustrious Mayfair residence have left tongues wagging and reputations teetering!

The occasion, purportedly held in honor of none other than Her Royal Highness, Princess T von H-S, promised a night of elegance and refinement. But where Lady A entertains, drama and readers often overshadow refinement, and she does not disappoint.

The arrival of the honoured guests was enough to set hearts fluttering and monocles dropping. Prince S, with his usual flair for excess, made a royal fuss of his entrance in a gilded coat that blinded every poor soul within ten feet. He was flanked by his dashing brother, Prince A, and the ethereal Princess T, who could induce envy simply by breathing. A trio worthy of every gossip in the room, to be sure.

Now, one might expect Princess T to charm her way across the ballroom floor with every eligible lord and viscount in the Ton. But no, dear readers, our princess had other plans. To the great shock (and likely despair) of many titled mothers and their hopeful progeny, she danced exclusively with a certain Dr. A F. Yes, you heard that correctly, a doctor from Italy, whose sole claim to fame thus far seems to be his deft hand in orthopedics. If his skill in the ballroom is half as precise as his scalpel, I daresay he’ll have a future flock of patients from the Ton on his hands.

As if the sight of a princess monopolizing a mere physician were not enough to keep tongues wagging, pray brace yourselves for the truly scandalous tidbit of the night. There was, of all things, a poisoning at the ball! It was all kept very secret but I shall, dear readers, not rest until I find out who the victim was.

Ah, Lady A. How could one fail to notice that this so-called celebration of Princess T had all the grace of a well-aimed dagger. Our hostess, known for her sharp intellect and even sharper sense of family, was using the occasion to stake her newfound alliances with prominent personages. Not only has she aligned herself with Prince S and Princess T, but also with the mysterious and reputable doctors of Harley Street. One cannot help but wonder if alliances forged in secret will soon cast shadows over the Ton. Her revenge upon society may not yet be written in ink, but readers, the quill is poised.

Still, the night concluded with an announcement of great importance, though its details remain shrouded. Dearest readers, I shall find out. Until then, hold tightly to your secrets—for it seems Mayfair’s glittering exteriors hide venomous hearts aplenty.

Yours Indiscreetly,
An Anonymous Observer

 

To find out more about the events at Lady Ashford’s ball and her alliances to the Doctors on Harley Street, check out Sara Adrien’s series “Miracles on Harley Street” which will soon bring a third book with events intersecting at that event.

 

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D72FXRFK?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

 

Sara Adrien

Bestselling author Sara Adrien writes hot and heart-melting Regency romance with a Jewish twist. As a law professor-turned-author, she writes about clandestine identities, whims of fate, and sizzling seduction. If you like unique and intelligent characters, deliciously sexy scenes, and the nostalgia of afternoon tea, then you’ll adore Sara Adrien’s tender tear-jerkers.

For more information and exclusive sneak peeks, new releases, and more, sign up for Sara Adrien’s newsletter at www.SaraAdrien.com

social media links:

Free companion Scrapbook: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/d7hj45yo6p
Substack: AuthorSara.Substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/author_sara_adrien/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565938324623

 

 

 

The scent of trouble stirs the air

By

On April 23, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Reader,

This humble gossip column has it on the highest authority that a certain lady known for her outspoken boldness and unshakable glint of trouble in her eye is dead set on exacting revenge upon a certain earl who has risked his grandfather’s legacy on a hairbrained wager. Yes, the one that involves him to find a wife or else.

What unfolds promises to be an unstoppable gallop on a racetrack that will collide with sharp tongues, sharper secrets, and a reckoning no amount of lace or lies can soften.

So, clutch your pearls, dear reader.

It seems the dear earl in question has found himself tangled not only in the strings of matrimony’s clock but also in the silken web of our bold lady’s schemes. Whispers suggest the lady in question is armed with not only her wit but also a most curious ally. A certain gentleman of questionable repute has been spotted at her side, offering up his infamous talents in orchestrating chaos. Could this be a plot to ensure the earl’s courtship attempts end in a spectacular disaster? Or might their collaboration uncover secrets that even this ink-and-quill columnist dares not yet write?

And as for the race to the altar, one cannot help but notice the parade of hopeful maidens fluttering in the background, like moths drawn to a rather perilous flame. Among them, sharp-eyed observers claim, is one whose grasp on the earl’s attention seems more solid than the others’. But caution, sweet reader, for where one heart might warm, another’s icy precision may strike. Could this gentle miss be as innocent as she seems, or is there more to her charm than meets the eye? Ah, the stage is set, and the players are primed. Rest assured, this gambit will unfold with all the drama and spectacle one might wish for during the Season.

The fallout might just scatter the ton into scandalous pieces, or perhaps, more thunderously, shatter only the hearts of those caught in its wickedly delicious snare.

Are you ready?

And never say, I didn’t warn you.

~~~

Dare To Tempt An Earl This Spring

 

She plans revenge. He wagers his future. But neither bets on love.

Lady Ashley never imagined she’d lose the love of her life because of a heartless wager. And she knows exactly who to blame for her heartbreak. Thomas, the Earl of Linsey, has it all—wealth, prestige, good looks, and his prized thoroughbred horses. Determined to exact her own kind of justice, Ashley hatches a daring scheme to steal the one thing he values most. But as she enters his world, she discovers an infuriatingly charming man with unruly wit and a passion that stirs something deep within her. The closer she gets to stealing his horses, the harder it becomes to shield her heart.

Thomas, the irresistible Earl of Linsey, is a man bound by secrets and a wager that will change his life. If he doesn’t marry before his 25th birthday, he’ll lose more than his dignity to a ruthless rival. But even as time passes, he focuses on preparing his horses for the Royal Ascot. That is, until Ashley saunters into his life. With her sharp tongue and undeniable allure, she’s both the distraction he doesn’t need and the woman who ignites a fire he can’t ignore. Yet Thomas begins to suspect Ashley has ulterior motives, and untangling her secrets may cost him more than his treasured horses.

Their battle of wits sparks undeniable passion, but when deception and betrayal come to light, will Thomas and Ashley risk it all for a love they never saw coming?

Step into a world of glittering ballrooms, fiery attraction, and scandalous secrets in the first book of this steamy Regency romance series by #1 bestselling authors Sara Adrien and Tanya Wilde. Perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, sizzling romance, and the thrill of sweet revenge. Don’t miss this captivating series starter filled with witty banter, dangerous stakes, and a love worth fighting for!

Buy links:

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Tempt-Earl-This-Spring-ebook/dp/B0F4GW8238

About the Authors:

Tanya Wilde

Award-Winning and Bestselling author Tanya Wilde developed a passion for reading when she had nothing better to do than lurk in the library during her lunch breaks. Her love affair with pen and paper soon followed after she devoured all of their historical romance books.

When she’s not meddling in the lives of her characters or pondering names for her imaginary big, white greyhound, she’s off on adventures with her partner in crime.

Wilde lives in a town at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa.

You can connect with her (she loves that *wink wink*) at:

Website: http://www.authortanyawilde.com

Website: https://www.authortanyawilde.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyawilde/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authortanyawilde

Wallflowers and Wenches Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/843373666456177

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tanya-wilde

 

Sara Adrien

Bestselling author Sara Adrien writes hot, heart-melting regency romance with a Jewish twist. As a law professor-turned-author, she writes about clandestine identities, whims of fate, and sizzling seduction. If you like unique and intelligent characters, deliciously sexy scenes, and the nostalgia of afternoon tea, then you’ll adore Sara Adrien’s tender tear-jerkers. She is the author of the series Infiltrating the Ton, Diamond Dynasty, Check Mates, and Miracles on Harley Street.

 

Instagram: @author_sara_adrien

Substack:  https://authorsara.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSaraAdrien

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22249825.Sara_Adrien

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sara-adrien

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3ASara+Adrien

 

A Union Between Foes?

By

On April 12, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

IMAGE CREDIT: AFTERNOON TEA FOR THREE (ALSO KNOWN AS A STIRRING CONVERSATION) BY CHARLES SOULACROIX

Is the Rumored Union of Foes Possible?

Gentle Readers,

Every fall, the entire ton eagerly awaits invitations to Sir Peter Somerville’s annual house party. We all know that only the crème de la crème of society is ever invited to the event. Thus rumors are swirling about this years guest list, and why a number of no so August personages have been included.

It is not difficult to understand why plain Mr. George Froppin received an invitation, although it seems to have arrived several weeks after all the others. Froppin, a member of the Society of Friends, has been advising Sir Somerville on a piece of legislation to be presented at the next parliament. We won’t bore you with legislative details other than to say, it may have something to do with the abolition of slavery—a circumstance dear to the heart of all Quakers, like Froppin.

Much more curious than politically motivated invitations is that of life peer, Lord Sandrow and his daughter, Lady Beatrix. Though he cannot sit to Parliament, the earl is known to oppose nearly every measure of reform. Somerville, on the other hand is in the forefront of many political reform movements. In addition, the Somerville line is nearly as ancient as that of the Duke of Leigh. A life peer, no matter how wealthy, is not a guest with the usual cache of those invited to the Somerville home, Normanton House in Sussex.

I mention the Duke of Leigh and that family’s lineage earlier not simply for comparative puposes, but also because the Duke is a close friend of Sir Somerville and his lady. This year as always the Duke is invited. This circumstance makes the invitation of Sandrow even more odd. Everyone knows of the bad feeling between Sandrow and Leigh. For those few who may have forgotten, the cause of the ill-will was the death of Sandrow’s son in a duel with Leigh’s youngest brother, Lord Fontus Leigh.

Sandrow has been calling for the younger Leigh to be tried and hung for murder. Technically, the king’s ban on dueling would make a resulting death a murder, no matter how fair the fight. Sandrow has nearly as much influence as the Duke. Hence Lord Fontus fled the country nearly three years past.*

Keen observers of London Gentlemen’s clubs will have noted, a few months past, that the Duke of Leigh summoned Lord Sandrow to meet in a private room at Whites. No one knows what was discussed between the two men. However, several letters were exchanged subsequent to that meeting. Then Sandrow received the invitation from Somerville, which included Lady Beatrix Sandrow. Could that invitation have been arranged by Somerville’s friend the duke? If so, for what purpose? An engagement perhaps that might cement a rapprochement between the two families? Might Lady Beatrix soon wear a coronet?

Does the invitation have anything to do with the recent return of Lord Fontus Leigh from his self-imposed exile on the continent? Lord Fontus was seen arriving at Leigh Chase. He remained only one night and departed early the next morning, headed in the general direction of Sussex and Normanton House.

A day later, a message arrived at Normanton House from the Duke of Leigh, tendering his regrets. He could not attend the house party due to urgent business on behalf of the Prince Regent. Our source was able to learn that his grace has sent Lord Fontus to represent the Leigh family in the Duke’s absence.—So perhaps not a coronet for Lady Beatrix. However, even an engagement to one of his grace’s younger brothers would be a feather in the cap of a life peer’s daughter, especially one who has been on the shelf for nearly five years.

We shall have to await news of the house party once it starts to discover how much of this rumored union of foes may be true. Still it is worth noting, with less than two weeks before the Somerville event begins, Lord Fontus Leigh has not yet arrived in Sussex. He has had more than sufficient time to cover the distance between Leigh Chase and Normanton House twice over. What could be causing his delay? Perhaps he is smart enough to realize that marriage to a woman who’s brother he killed might not result in a happy union?

If this rumor is true, this reporter wishes to know, what in the world is His Grace of Leigh thinking?

Until next time, Gentle Readers. I cannot wait to learn what happens at the Somerville House party, can you?

*Readers may wish to review our report about the horrifying event that took place between Lord Fontus and Sandrow’s son, published in this paper in September of 1812. https://bluestockingbelles.net/a-horrifying-event/.

About the Story: Forever & Always – The Secrets of Fontus Leigh, Secret Leigh Series Book One By Rue Allyn, to be published in a Bluestocking Belles & Friends Collection launching in Fall of 2025.

Revealing their secrets could be fatal.

He thought of her day and night. Lord Fontus Leigh secretly wed a stranger to protect her, then she left him with no way to find her. Years later, he is desperate to discover her whereabouts. His family has arranged another match for him, but he already has a wife. Unless the marriage was annulled as she promised.

She never forgot him. Out of options, Lady Deoiridh Aitken narrowly escaped marriage to a cruel fortune hunter by means of wedding a complete stranger. She swore her husband to secrecy before she left, believing everyone would be safer if no one knew where she was. The plan worked perfectly, until now.

Will an old enemy destroy them, or can they overcome all obstacles and make a life together forever and always?

About the Author: Hi, I’m Rue Allyn, and mostly I’m about writing stories, books about heart melting romance. Books about characters and adventures in which love triumphs at the darkest moment. The kind of suspenseful, hopeful, cathartic, romance that melts a reader’s heart.

Join my Daring Damsels Facebook group or subscribe to my newsletter. The Daring Damsels gather on Facebook and spread the word far and wide about great books, mine and other authors. Active members can have a lot of fun, reap rewards and gain prizes, all for free (and a little bit of your FB time). Here’s the link  to Rue Allyn’s Daring Damsels. Or use this link to subscribe to Rue’s News (2 issues every month). Can’t wait to meet you.

A Walking Scandal

By

On April 9, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,

Writing for the Teatime Tattler is my bread and butter, which means I must report on the latest gossip.

Nevertheless, I am in favor of the truth, or at least a kind-hearted version of it. I loathe malicious gossip which seeks to put the worst construction on everything. I have decided henceforth to always seek the most positive interpretation of the latest on dits.

Which leads me to the thorny problem of Miss L B. I have always wondered why she was a wallflower. She’s quite pretty, and as far as I can tell, not at all shy. Perhaps she put on a discontented air and avoided dancing to discourage her many suitors—or perhaps to save both them and herself from her mother’s machinations. (If you are acquainted with Lady B, I’m sure you’ll understand.)

Why, then, has the grumpy wallflower finally decided to bloom? Not only bloom, but do so in such a way! In the space of two short days, Miss B has set her feet firmly upon the road to ruin.

First, she attended Mrs. H’s salon, a well-known gathering of bluestockings who feel free to discuss whatever they choose, no matter how unladylike the topic. I am in favor of educated women and applaud their attempts to become well informed—as long as their behavior is otherwise impeccable.

Which Miss B’s, sadly, is not. Whom should she choose to escort her but the notorious libertine, S R!

(Oh, very well, in the interest of truth, I admit that R’s aunt, Lady A, accompanied them as chaperone, but she’s so totty-headed as to be well-nigh useless.)

Then, after showing herself to be far too knowledgeable about matters of which a young lady should be ignorant, what must Miss B do but accept an invitation to one of the notorious Lady T’s card parties—and we all know what goes on there!! A single game of piquet might destroy her reputation forever.

If that wasn’t bad enough, I have been creditably informed that R will escort her there as well!

What, I ask you, can Miss B be thinking? Surely she doesn’t hope to catch R in her toils! It would serve him right if he were obliged to marry her—not that one can count on that, given his reputation. I would hate to see her 1) ruined or 2) stuck with R. Rakes are rarely as skilled in the bedchamber as they are purported to be. (Not that I know from personal experience, mind you.)

After thinking it all over, I don’t believe Miss B is pursing R. She has known him since childhood, so he is no exciting stranger to her, merely her brother’s annoying friend. She is an intelligent woman, and I think she is using him for some secret purpose. What in heaven’s name can that purpose be?

I hope and trust that one of the Tattler’s readers will find out and let us know!

The Wallflower Ruse

He suspects her of treason – and she suspects him right back.

Lord Restive wonders why Lucinda Belair grew up to be a grumpy wallflower—and now, because of a message in code, he is forced to suspect her of treason.

Lucinda wishes her childhood friend Restive hadn’t grown up to be a horrid libertine—and now, because of the coded message, she has to suspect him right back.

Soon, they are compelled to work together to save England from an unnamed disaster. But Restive is intolerably rude to Lucinda, and she longs for revenge – to show him she’s intelligent and capable and can handle whatever a patriotic Englishwoman must do. Is this the opportunity for Lucinda the wallflower to bloom at last? Will Restive’s bad reputation forever stand in his way—or might Lucinda’s desire for revenge be replaced by love?

Buy links:

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVQG5BP8/

Every vendor buy link: https://books2read.com/u/b60vRx

The Wallflower Ruse is Book #56 in the Revenge of the Wallflowers multi-author series.

About the Author:

Winner of the Holt Medallion, Maggie, Daphne du Maurier, Reviewer’s Choice and Epic awards, Barbara Monajem wrote her first story at eight years old about apple tree gnomes. She published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young, dabbled in paranormal mysteries, then moved on to Regency romances and mysteries with intrepid heroines and long-suffering heroes (or vice versa).

Barbara loves to cook, especially soups. She used to have two items on her bucket list: to make asparagus pudding (because it was too weird to resist) and succeed at knitting socks. She managed the first (it was dreadful) and doubts she’ll ever accomplish the second. This is not a bid for immortality but merely the dismal truth. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.

Find her at:

Website: http://www.BarbaraMonajem.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.monajem/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaramonajem/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/barbara-monajem

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