Author: Elizabeth Reed
Publisher: Elizabeth Reed
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 37
Book Description
Irresistible Rakes Collection Part 1: 4 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories Total word count 21,771. Please note that each of these short stories can all be bought as a standalone single story. The Duke’s Mistress Caroline is furious with David, the Duke of Sunderland, when she finds out that he has completely ruined her plans to elope with his younger brother. The worst is yet to come, as she realizes that the Duke means to have her for himself now that his brother is out of the way. He offers her a deal: if she becomes his mistress, he will make sure all of her needs are cared for and that she wants for nothing! Caroline unwillingly accepts his offer, knowing that she has no other option for her survival. But she cannot help but hate herself for lying with the Duke, especially when she finds that she is unable to control her wanton reaction to his mere touch! The Earl and the Gamekeeper’s Daughter Alexander, the Earl of Southwark is besotted as soon as he lays his eyes upon Sian, the gamekeeper’s daughter. He knows he will not be able to rest until he makes her his! A conviction that grows even stronger when the gamekeeper offers Sian to him. But when Sian finds out about the agreement between Alexander and her father, she is left in a turmoil of emotions. She doesn’t want to be owned by anyone, and yet she finds herself powerfully drawn to the Earl! Pursued by a Rake Christina is a widow looking to understand for the first time in her life what it means to lay with a man and give herself up completely to feelings of passion and desire. When she is introduced to Daniel, the Earl of the Brentwood, she believes she has found just the gentleman to help her achieve her aim! Daniel is very aware of his reputation as a notorious rake, but he makes no excuses for his behaviour. He is determined to take and give pleasure where he will without forming any strong attachments to another, and he expects all the lovers that he takes to understand these rules. When he is introduced to Christina, it is not long before he is embarking on a passionate affair with the beautiful widow. But this time around, all is different for him. He cannot get Christina out of his head. When she finally walks away from him, he finds to his surprise that for the first time in his life, he is the one at a loss. He soon looks for a way to win Christina over once more—this time for good! Pursued by the Marquess Lydia finds herself in a desperate situation with her family. She needs to act quickly, or they will be homeless. There is only one person whom she knows she can turn to: the Marquess of Brubeck. But Lydia is fully aware that the Marquess’ help will come at a price. He has made no pretence of his pursuit of her and his determination to possess her in every way possible! This leaves Lydia with the choice of whether or not to submit to the Marquess and all the emotions and pleasures that he invokes within her!
Irresistible Rakes Collection Part 1: 4 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories
Author: Elizabeth Reed
Publisher: Elizabeth Reed
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 37
Book Description
Irresistible Rakes Collection Part 1: 4 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories Total word count 21,771. Please note that each of these short stories can all be bought as a standalone single story. The Duke’s Mistress Caroline is furious with David, the Duke of Sunderland, when she finds out that he has completely ruined her plans to elope with his younger brother. The worst is yet to come, as she realizes that the Duke means to have her for himself now that his brother is out of the way. He offers her a deal: if she becomes his mistress, he will make sure all of her needs are cared for and that she wants for nothing! Caroline unwillingly accepts his offer, knowing that she has no other option for her survival. But she cannot help but hate herself for lying with the Duke, especially when she finds that she is unable to control her wanton reaction to his mere touch! The Earl and the Gamekeeper’s Daughter Alexander, the Earl of Southwark is besotted as soon as he lays his eyes upon Sian, the gamekeeper’s daughter. He knows he will not be able to rest until he makes her his! A conviction that grows even stronger when the gamekeeper offers Sian to him. But when Sian finds out about the agreement between Alexander and her father, she is left in a turmoil of emotions. She doesn’t want to be owned by anyone, and yet she finds herself powerfully drawn to the Earl! Pursued by a Rake Christina is a widow looking to understand for the first time in her life what it means to lay with a man and give herself up completely to feelings of passion and desire. When she is introduced to Daniel, the Earl of the Brentwood, she believes she has found just the gentleman to help her achieve her aim! Daniel is very aware of his reputation as a notorious rake, but he makes no excuses for his behaviour. He is determined to take and give pleasure where he will without forming any strong attachments to another, and he expects all the lovers that he takes to understand these rules. When he is introduced to Christina, it is not long before he is embarking on a passionate affair with the beautiful widow. But this time around, all is different for him. He cannot get Christina out of his head. When she finally walks away from him, he finds to his surprise that for the first time in his life, he is the one at a loss. He soon looks for a way to win Christina over once more—this time for good! Pursued by the Marquess Lydia finds herself in a desperate situation with her family. She needs to act quickly, or they will be homeless. There is only one person whom she knows she can turn to: the Marquess of Brubeck. But Lydia is fully aware that the Marquess’ help will come at a price. He has made no pretence of his pursuit of her and his determination to possess her in every way possible! This leaves Lydia with the choice of whether or not to submit to the Marquess and all the emotions and pleasures that he invokes within her!
Publisher: Elizabeth Reed
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 37
Book Description
Irresistible Rakes Collection Part 1: 4 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories Total word count 21,771. Please note that each of these short stories can all be bought as a standalone single story. The Duke’s Mistress Caroline is furious with David, the Duke of Sunderland, when she finds out that he has completely ruined her plans to elope with his younger brother. The worst is yet to come, as she realizes that the Duke means to have her for himself now that his brother is out of the way. He offers her a deal: if she becomes his mistress, he will make sure all of her needs are cared for and that she wants for nothing! Caroline unwillingly accepts his offer, knowing that she has no other option for her survival. But she cannot help but hate herself for lying with the Duke, especially when she finds that she is unable to control her wanton reaction to his mere touch! The Earl and the Gamekeeper’s Daughter Alexander, the Earl of Southwark is besotted as soon as he lays his eyes upon Sian, the gamekeeper’s daughter. He knows he will not be able to rest until he makes her his! A conviction that grows even stronger when the gamekeeper offers Sian to him. But when Sian finds out about the agreement between Alexander and her father, she is left in a turmoil of emotions. She doesn’t want to be owned by anyone, and yet she finds herself powerfully drawn to the Earl! Pursued by a Rake Christina is a widow looking to understand for the first time in her life what it means to lay with a man and give herself up completely to feelings of passion and desire. When she is introduced to Daniel, the Earl of the Brentwood, she believes she has found just the gentleman to help her achieve her aim! Daniel is very aware of his reputation as a notorious rake, but he makes no excuses for his behaviour. He is determined to take and give pleasure where he will without forming any strong attachments to another, and he expects all the lovers that he takes to understand these rules. When he is introduced to Christina, it is not long before he is embarking on a passionate affair with the beautiful widow. But this time around, all is different for him. He cannot get Christina out of his head. When she finally walks away from him, he finds to his surprise that for the first time in his life, he is the one at a loss. He soon looks for a way to win Christina over once more—this time for good! Pursued by the Marquess Lydia finds herself in a desperate situation with her family. She needs to act quickly, or they will be homeless. There is only one person whom she knows she can turn to: the Marquess of Brubeck. But Lydia is fully aware that the Marquess’ help will come at a price. He has made no pretence of his pursuit of her and his determination to possess her in every way possible! This leaves Lydia with the choice of whether or not to submit to the Marquess and all the emotions and pleasures that he invokes within her!
Under Two Flags (Romance Classic)
Author: Ouida (Maria Louise Ramé)
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 607
Book Description
Under Two Flags tells the story of an English aristocrat, apparently in disgrace, who disappears and joins a French battalion in Algeria, loosely based on the Foreign Legion. The novel is about The Hon. Bertie Cecil (nicknamed Beauty of the Brigades). In financial distress because of his own profligacy and the loss of an important horse-race on which he has bet extensively, and falsely accused of forgery, but unable to defend himself against the charge without injuring the "honour" of a lady and also exposing his younger brother, Cecil fakes his own death and exiles himself to Algeria where he joins the Chasseurs d'Afrique, a regiment comprising soldiers from various countries, rather like the French Foreign Legion.
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 607
Book Description
Under Two Flags tells the story of an English aristocrat, apparently in disgrace, who disappears and joins a French battalion in Algeria, loosely based on the Foreign Legion. The novel is about The Hon. Bertie Cecil (nicknamed Beauty of the Brigades). In financial distress because of his own profligacy and the loss of an important horse-race on which he has bet extensively, and falsely accused of forgery, but unable to defend himself against the charge without injuring the "honour" of a lady and also exposing his younger brother, Cecil fakes his own death and exiles himself to Algeria where he joins the Chasseurs d'Afrique, a regiment comprising soldiers from various countries, rather like the French Foreign Legion.
Tempted All Night
Author: Liz Carlyle
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439100969
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 453
Book Description
Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss -- but burdened by a dark secret. She's buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash's household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe...until a reckless village maid's disappearance pulls her into London's seedy underworld. A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan's an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel -- a perfect task for his talents! -- Tristan can't refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt -- until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae. Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated...when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion -- and deadly foes!
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439100969
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 453
Book Description
Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss -- but burdened by a dark secret. She's buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash's household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe...until a reckless village maid's disappearance pulls her into London's seedy underworld. A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan's an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel -- a perfect task for his talents! -- Tristan can't refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt -- until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae. Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated...when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion -- and deadly foes!
The Rake's Vow
Author: Ruth Ann Nordin
Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 134
Book Description
Thaddeus (Tad) Darkin, the Duke of Lambeth, used to be a rake. In fact, before Lord Edon was scandalizing the Ton, Tad was the one everyone was talking about. Many gentlemen secretly wished they had his charm with the ladies. All reputable ladies were warned to stay as far from him as possible, which only made him all the more attractive. Then, after a tragic event, he took a vow of celibacy, promising he would never be intimate with another lady again. Over the years, this caused him to be the most sought-after single gentleman in all of London. And even though he doesn't want to marry, his steward left him in financial ruin, so whether he likes it or not, he must take a wife. After being rejected by the gentleman she was hoping to marry, Miss Loretta Bachman is on a mission to save her reputation. She needs to marry someone who will impress the prestigious ladies in her social circle. So when she catches the leader of the group talking about the very handsome and hard-to-get Duke of Lambeth, she's determined to get him to marry her. All she needs is a little bargaining power, and fortunately for her, she happens to have the money he needs to save his estate. When she learns of his vow to remain celibate, she agrees to keep away from his bed. After all, her only reason for marrying him is to secure her social standing in London, not to have a love match. All she asks is that he pretends to be deeply in love with her when they're in public. That way she will succeed in impressing the Ton. But before long, the lines between what is pretend and what is real starts to blur, and it's hard to decide how far to push the limits of their agreement.
Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 134
Book Description
Thaddeus (Tad) Darkin, the Duke of Lambeth, used to be a rake. In fact, before Lord Edon was scandalizing the Ton, Tad was the one everyone was talking about. Many gentlemen secretly wished they had his charm with the ladies. All reputable ladies were warned to stay as far from him as possible, which only made him all the more attractive. Then, after a tragic event, he took a vow of celibacy, promising he would never be intimate with another lady again. Over the years, this caused him to be the most sought-after single gentleman in all of London. And even though he doesn't want to marry, his steward left him in financial ruin, so whether he likes it or not, he must take a wife. After being rejected by the gentleman she was hoping to marry, Miss Loretta Bachman is on a mission to save her reputation. She needs to marry someone who will impress the prestigious ladies in her social circle. So when she catches the leader of the group talking about the very handsome and hard-to-get Duke of Lambeth, she's determined to get him to marry her. All she needs is a little bargaining power, and fortunately for her, she happens to have the money he needs to save his estate. When she learns of his vow to remain celibate, she agrees to keep away from his bed. After all, her only reason for marrying him is to secure her social standing in London, not to have a love match. All she asks is that he pretends to be deeply in love with her when they're in public. That way she will succeed in impressing the Ton. But before long, the lines between what is pretend and what is real starts to blur, and it's hard to decide how far to push the limits of their agreement.
Romance in New England
Author: Jennifer DeCuir
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1507203519
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 2508
Book Description
Love blooms along the picturesque New England coastline in these seven romantic tales. From small-town sweetness to fast-paced action, this value-priced digital bundle offers swoon-worthy seductions for every reader. Always My Hero: Ryan Pettridge left Scallop Shores, Maine, a hometown hero with a full scholarship to UCLA and an NFL destiny. But a freak accident stole his dreams, and the all-star athlete returned home to take over the family hardware store. When he comes face to face with his former flame, Bree Adams, it’s clear they still can’t resist each other. But will their difficult past be too much to overcome, or can Bree prove to Ryan once and for all that he has always been a hero in her eyes? One Day’s Loving: Mae Alden likes her quiet life—she’s certainly not cut out to defy convention like her sisters. But everything changes when Boston attorney James Collins reads her father’s will and Mae must choose between who she is and the marriage everyone expects. Could James himself offer the answer to both? The White Carnation: The last person disgraced Boston Examiner reporter Faye Lewis wants back in her life is Detective Rob Halliday, the man she blames for ruining her career and breaking her heart. But when an old friend is murdered, he’s assigned the case. Can they set their troubled past aside and work together, or will the Harvester serial killer and his cult followers reap another prize? The Way You Love Me: When self-confident surgeon Melanie Sweet volunteers her skills in war-torn Kazakhstan, ex-Navy SEAL and security expert Jake McCabe is secretly assigned to protect her. Their attraction is intense as they team up to rescue an orphaned child and escape back to Boston. But Melanie has her own past that’s about to threaten their relationship, too. Will secrets and lies prove stronger than their chance at love? Love Is in the Air: When Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Jim Cromwell and airline pilot Captain Sophie Berg are hurt in a drive-by shooting, their bond is palpable, even though he suspects she’s the head of the Maine drug smuggling ring he’s sworn to bring down. Then she’s kidnapped, and Jim must decide whether to believe his head or his heart. The Bride’s Curse: In Bar Harbor, Maine, three brides in a row return a gorgeous vintage wedding dress to Kelly Andrews’s Wedding Bliss store, claiming it’s cursed. Kelly thinks it’s nonsense, but these returns are bad for business, so she’d better get to the bottom of the problem. Researching the gown, she meets Brett Atwell, the handsome nephew of the dress’s original owner, and a mischievous spirit sends the two of them on a goose chase for a groom who went missing decades ago. Will love get its due at long last? The Rebel’s Own: In high school, a cruel prank left shy Kennedy Bailey pregnant and alone. Now grown-up and gorgeous, she won’t let anything stop her from saving her five-year-old son’s life when he’s diagnosed with leukemia. Even if it means confronting his father, Boston Rebels quarterback Ryan Carville, who just wants a second chance to show he’s a man worth loving. Sensuality Level: Sensual
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1507203519
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 2508
Book Description
Love blooms along the picturesque New England coastline in these seven romantic tales. From small-town sweetness to fast-paced action, this value-priced digital bundle offers swoon-worthy seductions for every reader. Always My Hero: Ryan Pettridge left Scallop Shores, Maine, a hometown hero with a full scholarship to UCLA and an NFL destiny. But a freak accident stole his dreams, and the all-star athlete returned home to take over the family hardware store. When he comes face to face with his former flame, Bree Adams, it’s clear they still can’t resist each other. But will their difficult past be too much to overcome, or can Bree prove to Ryan once and for all that he has always been a hero in her eyes? One Day’s Loving: Mae Alden likes her quiet life—she’s certainly not cut out to defy convention like her sisters. But everything changes when Boston attorney James Collins reads her father’s will and Mae must choose between who she is and the marriage everyone expects. Could James himself offer the answer to both? The White Carnation: The last person disgraced Boston Examiner reporter Faye Lewis wants back in her life is Detective Rob Halliday, the man she blames for ruining her career and breaking her heart. But when an old friend is murdered, he’s assigned the case. Can they set their troubled past aside and work together, or will the Harvester serial killer and his cult followers reap another prize? The Way You Love Me: When self-confident surgeon Melanie Sweet volunteers her skills in war-torn Kazakhstan, ex-Navy SEAL and security expert Jake McCabe is secretly assigned to protect her. Their attraction is intense as they team up to rescue an orphaned child and escape back to Boston. But Melanie has her own past that’s about to threaten their relationship, too. Will secrets and lies prove stronger than their chance at love? Love Is in the Air: When Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Jim Cromwell and airline pilot Captain Sophie Berg are hurt in a drive-by shooting, their bond is palpable, even though he suspects she’s the head of the Maine drug smuggling ring he’s sworn to bring down. Then she’s kidnapped, and Jim must decide whether to believe his head or his heart. The Bride’s Curse: In Bar Harbor, Maine, three brides in a row return a gorgeous vintage wedding dress to Kelly Andrews’s Wedding Bliss store, claiming it’s cursed. Kelly thinks it’s nonsense, but these returns are bad for business, so she’d better get to the bottom of the problem. Researching the gown, she meets Brett Atwell, the handsome nephew of the dress’s original owner, and a mischievous spirit sends the two of them on a goose chase for a groom who went missing decades ago. Will love get its due at long last? The Rebel’s Own: In high school, a cruel prank left shy Kennedy Bailey pregnant and alone. Now grown-up and gorgeous, she won’t let anything stop her from saving her five-year-old son’s life when he’s diagnosed with leukemia. Even if it means confronting his father, Boston Rebels quarterback Ryan Carville, who just wants a second chance to show he’s a man worth loving. Sensuality Level: Sensual
Romance Fiction
Author: Kristin Ramsdell
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1610692357
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 742
Book Description
A comprehensive guide that defines the literature and the outlines the best-selling genre of all time: romance fiction. More than 2,000 romances are published annually, making it difficult for fans and the librarians who advise them to keep pace with new titles, emerging authors, and constant evolution of this dynamic genre. Fortunately, romance expert and librarian Kristin Ramsdell provides a definitive guide to this fiction genre that serves as an indispensible resource for those interested in it—including fans searching for reading material—as well as for library staff, scholars, and romance writers themselves. This title updates the last edition of Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre, published in 1999.While the emphasis is on newer titles, many of the important older classics are retained, keeping the focus of the book on the entire genre, instead of only those titles published during the last decade. Specific changes include new chapters on linked and continuing romances, a new section on "Chick Lit" in the Contemporary Romance chapter, an expansion of coverage on the alternative reality subset. This is THE romance genre guide to have.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1610692357
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 742
Book Description
A comprehensive guide that defines the literature and the outlines the best-selling genre of all time: romance fiction. More than 2,000 romances are published annually, making it difficult for fans and the librarians who advise them to keep pace with new titles, emerging authors, and constant evolution of this dynamic genre. Fortunately, romance expert and librarian Kristin Ramsdell provides a definitive guide to this fiction genre that serves as an indispensible resource for those interested in it—including fans searching for reading material—as well as for library staff, scholars, and romance writers themselves. This title updates the last edition of Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre, published in 1999.While the emphasis is on newer titles, many of the important older classics are retained, keeping the focus of the book on the entire genre, instead of only those titles published during the last decade. Specific changes include new chapters on linked and continuing romances, a new section on "Chick Lit" in the Contemporary Romance chapter, an expansion of coverage on the alternative reality subset. This is THE romance genre guide to have.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published
Author: Julie Beard
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780028631967
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 418
Book Description
Takes the budding romance novelist through the entire process of developing story ideas, editing, finding publishers, and marketing.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780028631967
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 418
Book Description
Takes the budding romance novelist through the entire process of developing story ideas, editing, finding publishers, and marketing.
The Rake's Mistress
Author: Nicola Cornick
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 1426836953
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 270
Book Description
Lord Lucas Kestrel's anger turns to desire when he meets Miss Rebecca Raleigh. He believes that she's one of the scandalous Archangel courtesans, but he quickly discovers that not only is she innocent she is, in fact, the woman he's been seeking.... Lucas has an agenda. He has to get close to Rebecca, court her, even seduce her, to try to discover if she's smuggling secrets that are threatening England's security! But Lucas, the rake without a heart, hasn't bargained on falling in love with the one woman he can't have....
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 1426836953
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 270
Book Description
Lord Lucas Kestrel's anger turns to desire when he meets Miss Rebecca Raleigh. He believes that she's one of the scandalous Archangel courtesans, but he quickly discovers that not only is she innocent she is, in fact, the woman he's been seeking.... Lucas has an agenda. He has to get close to Rebecca, court her, even seduce her, to try to discover if she's smuggling secrets that are threatening England's security! But Lucas, the rake without a heart, hasn't bargained on falling in love with the one woman he can't have....
The Marlborough magazine
Author: Marlborough coll
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
A Rake's Redemption
Author: Donna Lea Simpson
Publisher: Beyond The Page
ISBN: 1940846633
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
From the author of Courting Scandal comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with. Phaedra Gillian, the spinster daughter of a vicar, is quietly content to manage the chores in the household she shares with her father and tend to the needs of the less fortunate in their small village. When she discovers the body of a man who’s been badly beaten and robbed on the road near their cottage, her compassionate nature compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. But sheltered as she is from the depravities of the London ton, she’s dismayed to learn that the ruggedly handsome Hardcastle is a notorious rake and scoundrel—and a man who stirs unfamiliar and dangerous feelings of physical longing within her. Lord Hardcastle has led a debauched and dissolute life, taking pleasure from women at his whim and shrewdly breaking the fortunes of lesser men in the gambling dens. While on his way to collect a debt from his latest victim at the card table, he’s beset by highwaymen and left for dead, only to be saved by an angelic creature as beautiful as she is virtuous. Captivated by the lovely Phaedra and shamed by her pure-hearted goodness, he’s nonetheless drawn to thoughts of seduction and concocts a fiendish scheme to coax her to his bed. As Hardcastle skillfully leads her from genuine affection to mounting desire and Phaedra finds her resolve weakening, she must struggle to defend her virtue against the promise of a deeply tempting pleasure. And in a bold gamble that will change both their lives, Phaedra agrees to wager her innocence against Hardcastle’s dishonorable ways—as both come to realize that a true and lasting love hangs in the balance and rests on the turn of a card.
Publisher: Beyond The Page
ISBN: 1940846633
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
From the author of Courting Scandal comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with. Phaedra Gillian, the spinster daughter of a vicar, is quietly content to manage the chores in the household she shares with her father and tend to the needs of the less fortunate in their small village. When she discovers the body of a man who’s been badly beaten and robbed on the road near their cottage, her compassionate nature compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. But sheltered as she is from the depravities of the London ton, she’s dismayed to learn that the ruggedly handsome Hardcastle is a notorious rake and scoundrel—and a man who stirs unfamiliar and dangerous feelings of physical longing within her. Lord Hardcastle has led a debauched and dissolute life, taking pleasure from women at his whim and shrewdly breaking the fortunes of lesser men in the gambling dens. While on his way to collect a debt from his latest victim at the card table, he’s beset by highwaymen and left for dead, only to be saved by an angelic creature as beautiful as she is virtuous. Captivated by the lovely Phaedra and shamed by her pure-hearted goodness, he’s nonetheless drawn to thoughts of seduction and concocts a fiendish scheme to coax her to his bed. As Hardcastle skillfully leads her from genuine affection to mounting desire and Phaedra finds her resolve weakening, she must struggle to defend her virtue against the promise of a deeply tempting pleasure. And in a bold gamble that will change both their lives, Phaedra agrees to wager her innocence against Hardcastle’s dishonorable ways—as both come to realize that a true and lasting love hangs in the balance and rests on the turn of a card.