Home of the Bluestocking Belles

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!