Members’ Regency Fiction Releases for 10/2021

Fear can be a bully unless one beats it back to chase adventure and love.

Captain Francis Hildebrand Storme—Brand to those closest to him—didn’t come out of the Navy unscathed. Though he’s lost an eye in the Battle of Grand Port, that doesn’t stop him from playing the rake to the hilt. Life’s too much fun to settle down or act like a proper gentleman. Doesn’t matter that he might secretly wish for more.

Miss Elizabeth Hayhurst is recuperating at the seaside town of Ipswich for her health. Though her lungs are weak from a respiratory disease, she plans to depart for India in a month to keep house for her brother who is a missionary. Wearied from the war that took a suitor from her, she’s anxious to put heartbreak behind her, but when she receives an unexpected kiss from a dashing, randy Navy man while at the market, she might just change her mind.

While Brand’s not used to women rebuking his overtures, Elizabeth isn’t accustomed to having a man desire her. Though he’s been dared by friends to seduce the innocent miss, something about her draws his interest beyond winning the wager. He and Elizabeth spend three glorious weeks together, exploring, talking, and creating scandal as the seduction plays out. But reality intrudes and rips at the seams of their happiness. It’ll take courage and determination to mend hurt feelings in order to walk a new path together.

London’s most sought-after bachelor, the Earl of Devere, has never met the woman with whom he wants to be shackled, but he becomes obsessed with his sister’s companion, the quiet Caroline Rutherford, a woman of mystery.

To reveal her mysterious past—even to Devere, the man she’s falling in love with—could mean death to Caroline.

Heat up the holiday with ten dreamy Regency rogues! Winter is a time of magic, promise, and unexpected romance. Anything could happen…and it all begins with Christmas Kisses.

The Wallflower’s Christmas Wish (Brides of Bath) by Cheryl Bolen: While painting the portrait of Sir Elvin Steffington, Bath’s most eligible bachelor, the exceedingly plain spinster Diana Furness develops a strong friendship with her subject. Could this be more than friendship? Could he ever be attracted to one as inconsequential as she?

A Kiss From a Captain (An Everly Manor Happily Ever After) by Samantha Grace: Captain Gabriel Brazier defied doctors’ predictions and learned to walk again after losing his leg in war. But the damning voice whispering no woman will find him desirable again is hard to ignore, especially when he arrives at Everly Manor to compete for the charming Lady Laurel’s heart.

A Rogue’s Christmas Kiss (The Rogue Chronicles) by Lana Williams: Mary is shaken by a letter requesting she return home for Christmas. But her world is truly upended when she reunites with a former love for the long journey. Arthur has no desire to rekindle their relationship after Mary broke his heart, but a snowstorm and some passionate kisses just might reignite their love.

’Twas the Rogue Before Christmas (The Honorable Rogues®) by Collette Cameron: Eager to leave England, American, Jason Steele can’t forget the beautiful noblewoman he saved from a foiled robbery. Determined to behave properly, Lenora Audsley can’t stop thinking about the rogue who rescued her. Can the magic of the holiday season unite these lovers who are forbidden to see each other?

Bound to the Belgian Count (London Lords) by Sasha Cottman: Abandoned bride, Lily is determined to seek an annulment. But when her absent husband Count Maximilian de Viron suddenly appears in court, the judge decides on a unique compromise. Between now and Christmas Eve, the couple must live together, share meals, and talk.

Embracing the Scandal by Barbara Monajem: Harriet is banished for her naughty behavior, and when Jonathan asks for her hand, he is told she is dead. When they meet again, can they overcome the lies and sins of the past to fall in love once again?

A Viscount for Christmas by Suzanna Medeiros: Viscount Thornton returns home for his mother’s annual Christmas party to find a beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. Neither he nor Celia are happy when her mother demands they wed. Can they escape marriage or will they both get the Christmas gift they didn’t know they wanted?

The Impetuous Heiress (The Upstart Christmas Brides) by Alina K. Field: Before dashing Lord Loughton can make amends with his neglected fiancée, the lady’s meddling cousin delivers her to his doorstep. He soon realizes more is amiss than his carelessness. Can he uncover her secrets and win her back before he loses her altogether?

A Duchess for Christmas (Forgotten Heiress) by Alanna Lucas: Grace Banks is looking forward to her first Christmas at the Home for Desolate Ladies, but Edward, Duke of Tavistock, is set upon ruining it, and the secrets keeping them apart leave little hope for reconciliation. Can the spirit of Christmas heal two wounded hearts?

Let it Snow by Heather Boyd: When the worst scoundrel in her acquaintance rescues Yvette from a winter storm, she fears a holiday spent dodging his attempts at seduction. But more than one yuletide surprise awaits as she discovers Luc is a man of surprising patience, and passion for just one woman…Yvette herself.

A man who read books, who noticed a wallflower like her, who rescued her from an oncoming horse with ease? He seemed too good to be true. One fixed boxing match later proved he was just that.

Damien Hondros knows his role. He is the protector of the Hondros family, one of the most notorious in London. His role is to be the enforcer, the fighter, the man who speaks with his fist. But his role is at war with his true nature, as that of a peacemaker, of a man who would rather spend his afternoon in a reading room than a boxing ring.

Captain Desmond Coulter knew there was something wrong with the newest cabin boy—but he didn’t expect to find a girl in disguise. Now they are miles out to sea, and he is quickly becoming captivated by her warm smiles and vivid green eyes.

Eleanor Warburton knew only that she had to escape her father, the admiral’s, clutches and his terrifying plan to marry her to the most illustrious suitor. Now he is threatening to bring forth his mistress and humiliate her mother…what is she to do? Her heart sees only the captain of the Tempest as a possible husband.

Caught between honor and duty, the pair struggle to find a way to be together. But will they fall prey to the admiral’s plots or find a way to escape his grasp?

Ana Gardner is determined to lose her virginity before her thirtieth birthday. She’s no stranger to fake identities, having posed as a chaperone since the scandal that destroyed her titled family. So she dons a mask, changes into a low-cut red gown, and attends the city’s most elite brothel, the Silver Chalice.

Oliver Bedford, the imposing Earl of Drake, is only at the Silver Chalice to appease his debauched friends—until he spots Lady Scarlet. She’s refreshing…and a complete mystery. Certain she’s a lady in disguise, Oliver is determined to learn her identity, but she eludes him at every turn.

The night with Oliver was unforgettable. But when he arrives at her employer’s home, she’s horrified to discover her lover is the Earl of Drake, the son of the man responsible for her father’s death and subsequent family ruin. And that he’s there to court her young charge.

Oliver never had any interest in the debutante, but he is drawn to her chaperone—a woman he soon realizes is his Lady Scarlet. Now that he’s found her, she claims she wants nothing to do with him, even though her kisses say otherwise. Fortunately, Oliver is not one to give up when he finds something he wants…and he wants Ana. But first, he must persuade her to trust him— and to believe that one wild, passionate night can turn into forever.

When a cruel prank leaves the blind Rosalind Blake ripe for humiliation on a ballroom dance floor, she is rescued by an infamous rogue. Soon the innocent wallflower is seduced by the charm of Adrian Calwell, the scandal-chased Baron of Norbury, who is much more than he seems.

Adrian’s only goal in rescuing Rose was to thwart another man’s heartless trick. But Rose proves to be well worth it, and Adrian is impressed by the unusual young lady. Unfortunately, his reputation as a scoundrel makes it unlikely he’ll never be allowed near her again. Not that Adrian has ever let what’s “allowed” stop him for long.

When rumors begin to swirl about Rose’s own reputation and threaten her whole future, Adrian takes matters into his own hands to find the source and defend her honor. It will take all of Adrian’s ingenuity and all of Rose’s daring to find the truth and prove to the world that there is a way for a rose and rogue to be together.

Madelyn assumed marriage as an old man’s ornament would be better than life with her abusive parents. She was wrong.

Now the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, she wrestles with ugly memories and cultivates a simple life. She is content. At least, she was until her half-brother returned to Ashmead bringing a friend with knowing eyes and coal black hair to capture her thoughts.

Colonel Brynn Morgan’s days as an engineer in his father’s coal mines in Wales are long behind him. With peace come at last and Napoleon gone, he makes a life for himself analyzing the reports about military and naval facilities worldwide for a shadowy government department. What income he has is committed elsewhere. He has nothing to offer a wife, much less a dowager duchess.

More lies between the duchess and the man she wants than money and class. They have personal demons to slay.

An unexpected romance at Christmastide proves it’s never too late to realize the secret dreams of the heart.

Recently retired from the Royal Navy, much acclaimed Captain Bartholomew Grayson has come home to London. He’s looking forward to the Christmastide season, especially now that he’s adopted a ten-year-old former cabin boy. The waif needs a family and Bartholomew wants to recapture the joy of his own childhood. Too bad the fly in the ointment is a strong-willed harridan with a tart mouth intent on stealing his cargo.

On the shelf and well past the first and second blooms of youth, Miss Felicity Cowan has made peace with the fact she’ll never know love or have a family of her own. The daughter of a shipping merchant, she keeps inventory for her father’s imports. The remainder of her time is spent as companion to a cantankerous elderly widow, but she’s determined to enjoy herself this holiday season. If only a foul-mouthed, bad-tempered ship captain hadn’t got her dander up at first meeting.

Immediate loathing turns into attraction, even more so when Bartholomew discovers Felicity is part of his household. Though all hell breaks loose for the first few days, there’s magic and mischief afoot that works to throw him and Felicity together at every turn. When a surprise romance comes about, they do everything they can to circumvent the fall, but if they can stop clinging to old excuses, they might just find what they’ve wanted all along.

An army major whose soul is stained by war. A lonely bluestocking who failed miserably during her first Season. Two strangers who bond over an injured kitten . . .

Aaron Hartfield becomes the Duke of Mansfield when his brother is killed in a scandalous duel. He attends the Season at his friends’ urging to search for a bride to provide him with an heir.

Bluestocking Olivia Knight wants a kind husband of good character, despite her father wanting her to secure a wealthy bachelor with a lofty title.

Will Hart wait too late and lose his chance with the blossoming Olivia—or will he speak up and find a lasting love with the ugly duckling who has turned into a beautiful swan?

Is the holiday season a perfect setting for a second chance at love?

After secretly arranging Lydia and Wickham’s marriage, Mr Darcy encouraged Bingley to return to Jane. While his friend is now happily married, Darcy regrets not having the courage to pursue Elizabeth in the autumn. As 1812 draws to a close, Darcy rallies his spirits to spend the Christmas holiday with Lady Catherine.

Elizabeth Bennet wanted to show Darcy that her feelings for him had changed, but he never returned to Hertfordshire and she fears Darcy could never tolerate being brother-in-law to Wickham. For a change of scene and with the hope of lifting her spirits, Elizabeth accepts an invitation to visit Charlotte Collins and her new baby at Christmas.

Lady Catherine’s New Year’s Eve masquerade ball is the social event of the season and, amid the festivities and mistletoe, both Darcy and Elizabeth hope for a reason to make their affections known. But will her ladyship’s interference, the sudden appearance of her scheming nephew, and Elizabeth and Darcy’s insecurities prevent them from finding happiness during the holiday season?

Spencer Burnett, Viscount Stiles, once swore he’d left England for good. Yet after five years of self-imposed exile in West Africa, he’s no longer the same spoiled, selfish boy who ran away from a domineering father, a disappointed grandmother, and a decidedly unwanted wife. Proving himself to the family he abandoned will be no easy task, but Spencer no longer shies away from a good fight. He hardly expects his formerly docile wife will be the hardest to convince. But when Philadelphia refuses to accept his apologies—or to allow him back into her bed—Spencer finds himself tempting her into a bargain he cannot afford to lose.

Philadelphia Burnett’s desires were once as vast as the sky. But now, after suffering one devastating loss after another, the only thing she allows herself to want is a home. When Delphie’s estranged rake of a husband returns from a five-years’ absence to claim the estate promised to her, Delphie resolves to fight him every step of the way. Beechcombe Park will be a sanctuary for her, and for the wayward Audley cousins she promised her sister she’d always protect. She cannot, will not, suffer even one more loss.

Especially not the loss of her heart…

A bonny pretender and a handsome imposter… Can love overcome a double deception?

When Brigid is sent to London to “smooth her rough edges,” she vows to turn the punishment into an adventure. She’ll master the rules of society, become the perfect English miss to placate her family, then return to the Highlands and her old life with a clean conscience—unattached. Until she falls in love with a quiet, self-possessed Englishman who believes her ruse.

When the malicious Lord Raines dies, Frank becomes viscount and vows to fill his mother’s last years with joy. But his mother’s deathbed confession shatters his world. He journeys to London to find a wife and learn more about his real father. Frank meets Miss MacNaughton, a beguiling and soft-spoken Scot, and is instantly smitten. If he divulges his scandalous parentage, will she still fall willingly into his arms?

Miss Ella Radcliffe’s family is in desperate straights. And rather than marry the man her mother has chosen, she looks for work – hoping that her love of writing might help her save the family from starvation. When a mysterious offer of employment turns out to have come from her literary hero, she begins to hope that things may improve. But it soon becomes obvious that nothing is quite as it seems…

Mr Oscar Harman is a celebrated author – with a problem. More than one problem, in fact. First, his inspiration has deserted him, and second, the spectre of old wrongs haunts him – rather literally. If he is ever to finish another book, he needs help – so he decides to hire a secretary. When the applicant for the job turns out to be a woman – and a woman who seems like the perfect composite of every heroine he has ever written, everything changes.

The Duke of Shadowbrook has lived a double life for many years now, avoiding the public eye, and resenting the requirements of the title. Now, his great aunt has forced him to see that his double life is a trap. But how does one escape a trap of one’s own making?

With Ella’s influence, for the first time in ten years, Oscar begins to consider changing – taking up responsibilities he has left abandoned, and mending long broken friendships. As the attraction between them blooms, the pressures of the past and the culmination of a vengeance declared bring them to the brink of disaster.

Can Oscar overcome his stubbornness, and forgive the transgressions of the past? Can Ella trust her own instincts, and help him, or will she be driven away?

Can they admit their love for each other in time, or will everything end in fiery ruin?

By his own admission, Lord Ernest Brook is a rake. With sapphire gaze, sinfully handsome looks and a duke for a brother, the pleasures of London have come with ease…apart from one.

Ever since the gauntlet of her first wintry dismissal was thrown, the widowed Hebe Lock has stirred his deepest desires, but just what would it take to woo such a woman?

A determined governess, a reluctant bridegroom, and a winter’s journey from London to Cheshire…

Reputed to be the most exacting governess in England, Miss Elegy Perkins has cared for Lady Margaret, the spoiled daughter of the Marquess of Braemar, for twelve interminable years. Then she receives a life-changing offer that would bring her a prize of 5000 pounds and the chance at financial freedom. All she must do is find and escort Lady Margaret’s reluctant bridegroom to his wedding. A simple enough task, until she meets the bridegroom in question.

Major Lord Devlin St. George has very little control of his life. For the past eight years he has done his utmost to avoid contracts, signed when he was a child, to leg-shackle him to the daughter of a wealthy marquess. Evading the efforts of his betrothed’s brothers to drag him to the altar, Devlin has successfully missed three wedding dates so far. The only thing that stands between him and missing a fourth is a pistol-wielding, strait-laced governess. A lady who is far more woman than she dares reveal.

When evil lurks, the best way to draw it out is to cloak yourself with shadows.

Hugh Cavendish, new Marquess of Armestead, is a man disillusioned about life. After spending three years imprisoned in Botany Bay for crimes he committed against a peer, he’s returned to London with revenge on his mind and a black mark against his name. However, it’s a sticky wicket, for in bringing retribution to a certain duke’s doorstep, he would destroy the life of his enemy’s sister—the woman he’d loved and lost.

Lady Roslyn Kenton, sister to the Duke of Innesford, is wary of men, for they’ve certainly proved untrustworthy and disappointing. Though her brother wields dark and treacherous power, she’d rather not have her name associated with him, but when the repercussions of his misdeeds come home to roost, they bring with them the one man she never hoped to see again—her former fiancé, Hugh Cavendish.

They get on like oil and water at first, but when underlying sparks set desire ablaze, secrets are revealed that shift their perceptions and challenge their thinking. While a romance blooms and they work to overcome lingering obstacles, danger moves within the ton, and its sights are set on permanently keeping Hugh from restoring his honor… and her promise. Only by calling upon a few friends fighting social injustices will Hugh and Roslyn have the freedom to grasp the happily ever after denied to them years ago.

Miss Margaret Merriot is known as Daisy to her friends. But she is totally unknown by the larger world. Penniless, orphaned, and shy, Daisy is a true wallflower, destined to live out her days in the shadows, working for her thankless stepfamily. Stuck in the English countryside, Daisy knows that nothing special will happen to her…until she meets a most unusual duke.

Tristan Holbrook never wanted to become the Duke of Lyon, but when has fate ever favored him? Scarred by war, uneasy in his new life, and now saddled with a massive estate that can’t pay for itself, Tristan needs a miracle to turn things around. One day, his path leads him directly to Daisy, and now he can’t get his shy but sweet neighbor out of his mind.

Daisy is charmed by Tristan’s direct manner and his unpretentious ways, not to mention his brooding good looks. But he’s a duke, and must marry an heiress to fulfill his obligations. He’s expected to announce his choice at the harvest ball. Daisy seems doomed to loneliness…unless she can change her destiny during one magical night…

The Wallflowers of Wildwood follows five young women as they leave their beloved boarding school and venture out into the cutthroat world of the marriage mart. Get ready, London. These wallflowers are wilder than you think!

Fearless and impulsive, Lady Anne Lewis, daughter of the Earl of Doverton, is not the usual ton lady. Nor does she want to be, for she’s worked the bulk of her adult life at being a balloonist. At eight and twenty she wants to make her stamp as an inventor and more importantly, show the beau monde she’s not a laughingstock for wanting to fly. What is romance compared to that ultimate freedom?

Well-read Benedict Urquhart, Viscount Worthington is a man who values peace and order over all else in his life. After attaining the rank of captain in the military, he refuses to use it, for he was naught but a coward on the field. He wants a surcease from guilt and a way to gather the courage he lacked years ago, regardless of his dull work as an actuary. None of that can be found by marrying and furthering his line.

When a freak accident throws Benedict from his horse, his placid life takes an abrupt turn upon meeting the distracting and unrepentant woman manning the runaway hot-air balloon. Anne’s ecstatic about the new distance she’s covered and gives the handsome, incensed viscount a field promotion to her unlikely assistant. Despite their differences as well as the desire simmering between them, they become allies when a wager is thrown down. If they’re fortunate, the prize won at the end will bring exactly what they both needed all along but were too obstinate to see.

A brash army major who surprisingly becomes a duke. A lady who has no interest in ever wedding. An attraction that leads to passion . . . and love . . .

Cool, moody, and irresistible Donovan Martin finds himself the new Duke of Haverhill after his father and brother drown in a carriage accident. The womanizing Donovan decides to work his way through the numerous beauties of the ton because he has no intention of settling down. Until he encounters a most unusual woman—who informs him she never plans to wed.

Lady Wynter Day wants to maintain her independence and never become subservient to any man. Besides, no man has ever sparked her interest romantically. Then the new Duke of Haverhill crashes into her life, causing Wynter to reconsider her stance on marriage.

A sprained ankle brings the pair closer together, with Wynter spending the Christmas holidays with Donovan and his friends. Sparks ignite and Donovan sees a future with Wynter. Then tragedy strikes, separating the couple, perhaps for good.

Will their stubbornness keep them apart—or will Donovan and Wynter let go of the ghosts of their pasts and take a chance on love?

They call her Lady Luck…

…but that never helped Diana Kingsley, daughter of England’s finest horse breeder, in matters of the heart.

In fact, she’s been decidedly unlucky after jilting her fiancée at the alter five years ago. Having endured ruin once, Diana is determined never to court it again. But when her father sells her beloved racehorse to the Prince of Wales, desperate times call for unconventional measures.

He has nothing to offer – not even his good name…

Every gentleman knows that the sister of your best friend is forbidden. Especially when you have nothing to offer her but a mountain of debt and an empty title.

So instead Alex, Earl Templeton watches out for Diana, spars with Diana and, on one momentous occasion, stops her engagement.

Now she is engaged again and once again engaged to the wrong man.

This time he must keep his opinion to himself. No matter what.

A Race for a pot of gold

When the Prince of Wales announces a race to Brighton with a thousand guineas as the reward, Alex sees a way to pay his debts, Diana sees a way to buy her horse back.

Neither of them see love coming.

When newlyweds Sir James and Lady Cecilia Branstoke come to the aid of a new-made widow, some things don’t add up about the death of her young lord husband. Worse, a man who won’t state his purpose, but is obviously military, wants a carte blanche to search the dead man’s library! The sheer effrontery!

In USA Today bestselling author Sally MacKenzie’s intoxicatingly romantic series, the “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home are restoring their reputations—and their future prospects—by operating their very own brewery and alehouse . . .

As the founder of the Home, Jo, the widowed Lady Havenridge, is determined to be there for the women who need her. But when those same women conspire to accept an invitation on her behalf, she finds herself suddenly on the way to the Earl of Darrow’s home for the christening party of the son of her longtime friend and former partner, Pen, now the Countess of Darrow. Guests at the party will include her other former partner, Caro–and Edward Russell, the new Duke of Grainger and the Home’s generous benefactor. While Jo is determined to resist her friends’ matchmaking ways, the duke’s handsome looks and charming words are enough to make the lovely widow a little reckless . . .

Even after a year, the title of “duke” still sits strangely on Edward Russell’s shoulders. But the responsibilities of the title are his duty, no matter his less-than-positive opinion of the nobility. When Edward encounters Jo—capable, fun, and utterly irresistible–he’s delighted to find someone he truly connects with. A trick of fate has placed them on two different paths . . . but Edward is beginning to realize that perhaps he’s not the kind of man who does the expected thing after all . . .

The upcoming marriage of the Earl of Wrexford and Lady Charlotte Sloane promises to be a highlight of the season, if they can first untangle—and survive—a web of intrigue and murder involving the most brilliant scientific minds in Regency London . . .

One advantage of being caught up in a whirl of dress fittings and decisions about flower arrangements and breakfast menus is that Charlotte Sloane has little time for any pre-wedding qualms. Her love for Wrexford isn’t in question. But will being a wife—and a Countess—make it difficult for her to maintain her independence—not to mention, her secret identity as famed satirical artist A.J. Quill?

Despite those concerns, there are soon even more urgent matters to attend to during Charlotte and Wrexford’s first public outing as an engaged couple. At a symposium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a visiting botanist suffers a fatal collapse. The traces of white powder near his mouth reveal the dark truth—he was murdered. Drawn into the investigation, Charlotte and the Earl learn of the victim’s involvement in a momentous medical discovery. With fame and immense fortune at stake, there’s no shortage of suspects, including some whose ruthlessness is already known. But neither Charlotte nor her husband-to-be can realize how close the danger is about to get—or to what lengths this villain is prepared to go . . .