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What happened to the wedding?

By

On June 25, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers, I received the following most interesting letter:

Dear Mr. Clemens,

For those readers acquainted with the popular gentleman, Mr. William Cole, they might be interested to know that he was spotted at the Twelfth Night celebration hosted at the home of Lord and Lady Penrose. Alone.

It was certainly a surprise to see him there as he left Munro very abruptly several months ago, supposedly to be married, yet he was very much unattached at the baron’s festivities. Where was the bride he had dashed off to claim?

Make no mistake, now that he has joined the military, Lieutenant Cole cuts an even more dashing figure in his uniform. The young ladies could not wait for their turn under the mistletoe, and he was happy to oblige. But no Mrs. Cole was there to object to his popularity or claim a kiss for herself.

Rumor has it that the bride was to have been Miss Verity Lockhart, daughter of the vicar of Fernbridge. It is hard to imagine the charming and witty young lieutenant married to a young woman of such sober upbringing. Perhaps that is why the nuptials fell though.

It is our understanding that they were childhood friends and that the potential match was more their parents’ hopes than their own. Though it does make one wonder why Lieutenant Cole rushed off to be wed if his heart was not in it. Could it be that he was willing but that Miss Lockhart was not? It seems so unlikely. And yet, not impossible.

If the attentions of Miss Frances Penrose at the Twelfth Night celebrations are any indication, Lieutenant Cole might not remain unmarried for very long. The young lady has just come out into society and clearly has her eye on the handsome gentleman. Of course, the baron will likely be seeking someone of higher social standing for his youngest child. But young ladies can be very persuasive.

We shall be watching this development with interest.

Signed,

Waiting for a wedding invitation

Verity’s Choice

A man with a past could change her future.

Having failed to win the hand of the woman he loves, William Cole returns to his childhood home the same vain, shallow gentleman who relies too much on his charm and good looks. He wants to join the military, but his father decides William should take over the reins from the retiring vicar and—while he’s at it—marry the vicar’s daughter.

Unlike William, Verity Lockhart has changed in the five years since he saw her last. While he might remember her as a quiet, mousy sort of girl, she has developed opinions and habits deemed unsuitable for a young lady, the worst of which is a fascination with science and—gasp!—insects. No man, says her mother, would want a wife who is always running off with a butterfly net.

William and Verity can agree on one thing only: they have no desire to marry each other. They will have to encounter an utterly shameless rogue, an unusually honorable gentleman, and a very real war to form a love so deep, it could be the best choice either has ever made.

To be released on 27 June (available now to pre-order)

Buy Link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3JYY2LX

Verity’s Choice is Book 3 in the 5-book “Ladies of Munro” series.

Ladies of Munro
1) Sophia’s Letter
2) Ellena’s Secret
3) Verity’s Choice
4) Jillian’s Wild Heart (Due for release in September)
5) Irene’s Fall (Due for release in December)

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade’s Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.

Tropes you’ll love:
✔ Reformed rake
✔ Bluestocking heroine
✔ Small village romance
✔ Family expectations vs. personal dreams
✔ Sweet slow-burn romance
✔ Redemption arc & emotional growth

What begins as a mismatch may just become the love story neither of them dared to imagine.

A sweet Regency romance filled with wit, warmth, and the quiet courage to choose love on your own terms.

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

About the Author

Elizabeth Donne writes award-winning sweet Regency romance, a natural outpouring of a lifelong love affair with English literature.

She has spent most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2015, Elizabeth moved to Iowa with her husband, their two children, two cats, and their African bush dog.

When she’s not writing, or discovering the secret wonders of the Midwest, she is enthusiastically introducing her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.

Social Media Links:

Free newsletter signup: https://www.elizabethdonnebooks.com/#subscribe

Website: https://www.elizabethdonnebooks.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/elizabethdonne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093280712789

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-donne

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35270040.Elizabeth_Donne

 

Salacious, Notorious, and Delicious Rumors

By

On June 18, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Reader,

I offer you today a most interesting report from the ever-reliable Lady P:

Lady P, with more than the latest on dits—I have a confession to make! There have been a number of strapping young footmen over the years who had my heart fluttering, imagining stolen embraces in the linen closet, the tack room in the stables, the alcove… do forgive me for rambling. But, I simply must call your attention to the sixteen handsome-as-sin Irishmen who have been an even greater source of distraction as of late. Fueling more than one day dream because I do so hate to use the word fantasy.

Of whom am I speaking? You must have been banished to the Highlands if you have not espied at least one of the tall, broad shouldered, broad chested men in the Duke of Wyndmere’s private guard. Dearest they have been seen in London, Sussex, the Lake District, Cornwall, and even the Borderlands!

As with any supremely handsome man, there are bound to be salacious, notorious, and dare I say it, delicious, rumors regarding these men. Brothers and cousins and every one more handsome than the last.

Heavens, a glance at the head of the Duke’s Guard had me reaching for my hartshorn! Having seen the broad shouldered, deep chested, green-eyed blond giant, standing beside his equally tall and broad, dark-haired, dark-eyed cousin on one side, and his auburn-haired, blue-eyed giant of a cousin on the other, had my head spinning and my heart pounding. Botheration! Where was I? Those terribly handsome men in the Duke’s Guard have gotten me off track when what I wanted to share was the latest tidbit that I overheard.

Viscount C. all but told S.F. that his injured wife’s condition was less important than reporting in after his patrol. Now I am all for the separation of classes and knowing one’s place in Society, but even I would have to wonder what difference a scant quarter of an hour to see for himself that his wife was indeed on the mend was not too much to ask for.

There are times it pains me to repeat such, but it is for the greater good. For where would the duke and his extended family be without those sixteen men who, it is rumored, have been battered and have bled for those they protect?

Did I fail to mention that the duke’s London man-of-affairs and a certain inspector from Bow Street had to step in and mediate between the viscount and S.F.? How Their Graces will be able to move past this serious threat to the very foundation of His Grace’s private guard is beyond me.

My equilibrium has been knocked out of balance just passing on what I have heard. But fear not, dear reader, for I shall sally forth and uncover the resolution—for certainly there had to have been one—or my name isn’t Lady P! Rest assured, I shall share further news on this subject with the editor of this unimpeachable daily source of information.

 

The Duke’s Champion (The Duke’s Guard, Book 13)

©C.H. Admirand Feb. 2025

Excerpt: 

If he hadn’t lost so much time recovering from wound fever, he might have confessed his small mindedness sooner. His thoughts drifted to a fiery-haired lass and wondered why Mary Kate had not come to see him after he’d been shot. He’d been courting the woman, and by all counts she was besotted with him.

Flaherty closed his eyes and swore, the lass had a perverse way of showing it. “I need to get back to work.” He needed to forget the faithless lass with the bewitching eyes. Concentrate on his duties. “’Tis what I signed on for.” He thought of his cousins’ wives and marveled that every one of them had been unafraid to go toe-to-toe with the men they married whenever they thought they were right. What a sight that had been!

“The lot of them are beautiful and stubborn to the bone.” His thoughts immediately went to the woman he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of while recovering. The fever held him in its grip longer than he anticipated. Bloody hell! He’d even dreamed Mary Kate had been beside him, but it must have been the fever overheating his brainbox. Flaherty had been weak as a babe those first few days after his fever broke. Well he was hale and hearty now, and had made up his mind to confront her. He decided it was past time to ask Sean for the time away from his duties to pay her a visit. She’d taunted him in his delirium—and in his sleep. It gutted him that his woman always claimed James Garahan was the man who’d saved her life. When would Mary Kate remember the far more dramatic rescue the day Flaherty had pulled Mary Kate and Lady Calliope, Viscountess Chattsworth, from the duke’s carriage? It had slid on ice, and tipped over onto its side, just a half a mile from Chattsworth Manor.

Mary Kate was a winsome lass, with blue-violet eyes, a sunshine smile, and lips as red as a rose. Soft and supple, just ripe for kissing. But women were fickle creatures at best. “Bloody hell.” Why had she deserted him in his time of need if she loved him? A devastating thought occurred… The lass was still in love with Garahan! Had she ever loved me?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9QY519S

Author Bio:

If we have not met yet, I’m delighted to meet you. Here’s a little bit about me…

I have been writing romance novels for almost half my life—well, at least for the last thirty years. I’m a die-hard romantic and have to confess the broad shoulders and wicked glint in the brilliant green eyes of a stranger had my breath snagging in my breast, my heart beating madly, and my future flashing before my eyes. At the age of seventeen, I’d met the man I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with.

I write Historical & Contemporary Romance featuring characters that I know so well: hardheaded heroes and feisty heroines! They rarely listen to me and in fact, I think they enjoy messing with my plans for them. Over the years I have learned to listen to them. I have always used family names in my books and love adding bits and pieces of my ancestors and ancestry in them, too! Visit my website to learn more about my books.

C.H.’s Social Media Links:

Website:

https://www.chadmirand.com

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-H.-Admirand/author/B001JPBUMC

BookBub:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-h-admirand

Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/CHAdmirandAuthor

GoodReads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/212657.C_H_Admirand

Dragonblade Publishing:

https://www.dragonbladepublishing.com/team/c-h-admirand/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/c.h.admirand/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSXBeqEY52VV3mHdtg5fXw

 

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

 

 

 

A Royal Scandal on Harley Street: Secrets, Shadows, and Stolen Glances

By

On April 2, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dearest Readers,

I bring you the following most interesting letter from a correspondent: 

Dear Mr. Clemens,

The streets of London are buzzing, and one cannot help but be drawn to the peculiar activity surrounding the esteemed practice on Harley Street (I shall not mention the exact address). While this column exists to inform, amuse, and, dare I say, tease, even my pen trembles at the sumptuous scandal unfolding.

It all began with whispers of a new arrival, a woman shrouded in mystery and appearing at the most respectable hours for reasons unknown. Clad in garments far simpler than her bearing suggests, this “governess” is none other than Princess T of [ahem] well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it? Yes, dear readers, you heard correctly! A runaway royal walking among us common folk. But why, pray tell, is she under the good Doctor A F’s protection?

As you all know, our dear Dr. F has been the subject of many admiring glances across the ton. With his Mediterranean charm, untouchable skill, and the kind of brooding look that one only acquires from keeping secrets, he has won hearts and healed bodies alike. But this? Keeping company with a princess on the run? Could it be that he holds connections to her royal House, ties so strong they tether her to his doorstep? Or perhaps the answer is more passionate than political.

And what of the cherubic little girl who accompanies Princess T? While she is far more interested in spinning hoops than courting scandal, the true question remains. Is she a mere ward under T’s care… or could she be of royal blood? Whispers suggest the princess gave up more than her tiara in her flight from duty. Could this child be her greatest secret yet? How scandalous it would be if a royal heir were hidden among London’s cobblestone streets!

This arrangement raises more questions than answers, yet one thing remains certain: Princess T and Dr. F’s connection is far from ordinary. Simple acts of medical care do not explain the stolen glances between the two at odd hours of the day… and, dare I say, night. For one who has long preserved his spotless reputation, the good doctor seems to be teetering on the edge of propriety. Is he her savior, her confidant, or perhaps something far more thrilling to my quill? Surely the gentle press of his hand as he guides her into his practice is not just medical assistance.

But beware, dear hearts, for shadowed figures have been seen prowling nearby. Villains on the scent of a fugitive royal? Or another twisted piece of this tangled thread? One cannot say, but rest assured, the game afoot is as dangerous as it is delectable.

This column shall remain vigilant, for secrets like these have a way of unraveling. Until then, keep your parasols high, your ears pricked, and your hearts braced. For when forbidden love meets a society teeming with judgment, one must always expect fireworks.

Yours in observation and mischief,
An anonymous friend from across the street.

A Touch of Charm

Her love is forbidden. His secrets are unforgiveable. But their hearts will risk everything… Welcome to Miracles on Harley Street, where love defies society’s rules.

Dr. Andre Fernando has poured his heart and soul into healing others at the renowned 87 Harley Street practice. To his colleagues, he is the handsome Italian doctor with unmatched skill, but only Andre knows the painful secret he keeps—a truth that bars him from claiming the life he truly wants. When a nighttime highwayman attack thrusts Princess Thea into his arms, his carefully constructed world begins to crack. Escorting her to safety is one thing—but falling for the spirited woman desperate to escape her royal chains may cost him all he’s worked for.

An impossible love in a world that won’t allow it.

Princess Thea ran away from an unwanted betrothal and thought she’d escaped. Hoping she’d abandoned a crown for freedom, hiding as a governess, she doesn’t realize that the villains followed her. But when a dangerous encounter lands her in the care of a stunningly selfless—albeit frustratingly loyal—doctor, she falls for his calm strength and piercing kindness. As Andre’s brilliance and his tender kisses set her ablaze, can Thea fight for this impossible love and still escape the chains of her royal station?

He doesn’t just see her title; he sees the woman beneath the disguise—the woman she wants to be.

Their connection is unmistakable, their passion undeniable. But every stolen moment comes at a cost. Secrets threaten to destroy them; danger looms with every heartbeat. Beneath the weight of society’s rules and the pull of duty, their hearts forge a bond that defies reason.

But danger looms over every step they take. As she faces threatening villains and his secret looms, their fragile love comes at high stakes.

Forbidden love. Dangerous secrets. A passion that demands to be free—step into a world of the doctors on Harley Street where intrigue, irresistible attraction, and a circle of doctors bound by loyalty set hearts ablaze with hope.

This is the third book in the Miracles on Harley Street series, perfect for fans of steamy Regency romances featuring forbidden love, swoon-worthy doctors, and secret identities among aristocracy.Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade Publishing’s Flame line, so this is a scorching-hot read with open-door steam.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DY2XDBCX

Miracles on Harley Street series
Book 1: A Sight to Behold
Book 2: The Scent of Intuition
Book 3: A Touch of Charm
Book 4: The Sound of Seduction
Book 5: A Taste of Gold
Book 6: Bring Me A Winter Miracle

About the Author

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.

Find her at:

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 Questionable Bride for our Illustrious Viscount

By

On March 26, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,

A letter has arrived with alarming news regarding the pending nuptials of Viscount H and Miss E T. One can scarce believe our finest citizen is bound to someone with so much unresolved mystery surrounding them.

Do read on and decide for yourselves!

Dear Mr. Clemens,

As all members of the ton will be aware, Lord H, Munro’s most influential gentleman, has chosen to cast his eye beyond our proud city and found his bride in the nondescript country town of Ermenbrough.

Miss E T’s father is a wealthy merchant, sans title or connections other than the fact that his bespoke furniture is admired by our Regent. Miss T has been selected to be the new viscountess despite the availability of a myriad worthy daughters from good families in our great northern city.

One can only wonder what sort of negotiations must have occurred between the viscount and Mr. T for the banns to be called in the young lady’s absence and for her to arrive in Munro only ten days before the wedding. How confident can his lordship be in his choice when he has not yet met his bride?

But that is not the worst of it. I have it on good authority that even the simple arrival of the young lady was not without incident. There is talk of a carriage accident, necessitating her to spend the night alone in the woods and then be rescued in the morning by a farmer and his wife on their way to market. I cannot be the only sensible voice in Munro who questions such a story.

It is far more likely that Miss T was not, in fact, alone. Either she is not of the delicate constitution that one would wish for in a fine lady, or she was given assistance during her time in the woods. It was, I recall, a particularly rainy night, and cold. How did she not catch a chill in such conditions? Was there truly a carriage accident at all or was the coachman bribed to allow her a secret rendezvous?

It would not surprise me in the least if she had some country lad who pined for her and could not bear to be parted from her. What if she is no longer all she should be? Does Lord H not deserve a bride whose virtue is without question?

I am sorry to say, but it seems his lordship has chosen poorly. We can only hope no further shocking discoveries are made regarding her character. After all, Lord H’s estate needs an heir, and the question of this heir’s parentage must be beyond reproach.

Let us hope this stranger in our midst, who takes our most eligible gentleman as her prize, does not bring shame to his family, and, thereby, to our fine city.

If anyone has more information before his lordship is bound in marriage next Friday, let them speak up.

A concerned citizen

Ellena’s Secret

An arranged marriage, sight unseen. Or have they met before?

George Howell, a viscount and the most eligible bachelor in Munro, has almost given up on finding a bride. The ladies of the ton only want him for his title, mocking him behind his back for his tongue-tied ways. So when he hears of Ellena Trenton—beautiful, unjaded, and raised to know her duty—he seizes the chance to claim a wife who might accept him as he is.

Ellena believes herself fated to repeat her parents’ joyless marriage. When her ambitious father negotiates her betrothal to Lord Howell, without her even having met him, it seems her worst fears are about to come true. But fate has other plans. As she reluctantly journeys to the city of Munro, a carriage accident leaves her stranded overnight in a woodland cabin with a handsome stranger.

Torn between duty and the stirrings of real feeling, Ellena faces a new challenge when her unscrupulous cousin, driven by greed, stirs up trouble with the viscount. With both her engagement and any hope of a happy marriage at risk, a desperate Ellena decides to take matters into her own hands, with disastrous results.

Lord Howell finds his betrothed a lot more trouble than he expected. What is worse, he suspects her heart lies elsewhere. If only they had had a chance to make a proper first impression… But maybe, just maybe, they can start again.

To be released on 28 March (available now to pre-order)

Buy Link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSQHVQSL

Ellena’s Secret is Book 2 in the 5-book “Ladies of Munro” series.

Ladies of Munro
1) Sophia’s Letter
2) Ellena’s Secret
3) Verity’s Choice (due for release in June)
4) Jillian’s Wild Heart (Due for release in September)
5) Irene’s Fall (Due for release in December)

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade’s Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.

 About the Author

Elizabeth Donne writes award-winning sweet Regency romance, a natural outpouring of a lifelong love affair with English literature.

She has spent most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2015, Elizabeth moved to Iowa with her husband, their two children, two cats, and their African bush dog.

When she’s not writing, or discovering the secret wonders of the Midwest, she is enthusiastically introducing her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.

Social Media Links:

Website and newsletter signup: https://www.elizabethdonnebooks.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/elizabethdonne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093280712789

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-donne

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35270040.Elizabeth_Donne

 

 

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