Showing results by narrator "Stevie Zimmerman" in All Categories

In the Regency era, surface appearances of civility often conceal more hostile activity. More than one family of seemingly sterling reputation is torn apart by savage intra-family feuds. That situation unexpectedly confronts Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet when Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth becomes known to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her noble Matlock relations. Determined to prevent an affront to the reputation of their aristocratic clan, the most prominent members of the family gather with Lady Catherine to confront Darcy and force him to choose a more suitable wife.

Fearless and impulsive, Lady Anne Eliza 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. Well-read Benedict Giles Urquhart, Viscount Worthington is a man who values peace and order over all else in his life. When a freak accident with a crashing hot-air balloon spooks his horse and throws Benedict, his placid life takes an abrupt turn, to say nothing of the distracting and unrepentant woman manning it.

Ana de Navalles has almost nothing, aside from her friends. Having always been a child of the slums, her fortunes change when she’s admitted to Galfour’s Point, the prestigious and almost mythical academy, and the only place in the world where you can train to become a dragon rider. Just before she is set to leave, her friend Cien is murdered before her by a mob-affiliated criminal with surprising strength. But Ana does not cower. With dark magic seemingly on the rise, her hunger to make something of herself - and thirst for revenge - is revived.

Our Fine Romance is the true story of two young people who grew up separately during the London Blitz of 1940, and were both evacuated into the English countryside. Following their unusual meeting, courtship, and marriage, they emigrated to "Apartheid" South Africa. Three years and two children later, for financial reasons, they made the risky decision to move to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), close to the war-ravaged Republic of Congo.

The Lambeth Workhouse is no place for nice dresses, so why does Violet Marsh dream of a pretty blue satin dress? Violet remembers nothing of her life before the poverty of the workhouse. Her only comforts are a recurring dream and little Joe, the cheeky orphan, who is her one friend. But, life is hard in the workhouse. At eight years old, Violet has learned to keep quiet about her dreams. She has learned that there is little hope for the future.

Fitzwilliam gives his opinion of Meryton and its assembly ball to Bingley before having a chance to thoroughly study the attendees. A woman with fine eyes catches his attention, but she rebuffs his invitation to dance. Miss Elizabeth Bennet quotes his own thoughtless words back to him and seems to find amusement in causing him discomfort as she ensures all in attendance know his thoughts.

A duke who has imprisoned himself in an attic for nine years is in need of a wife...Evander Meyrick, the Duke of Sutherton, has lived the past 13 years under a curse. He didn’t know just how bad the curse was until every lady he married died within a year of their wedding day. Now he has a step-daughter, Tabitha, who is ready for her first Season, and he longs to give her something he can’t have for himself: A normal life. A spinster who thought her best years were behind her may find a second chance so long as the curse doesn’t touch her...

All Vicar Julian Roskin wants is to lead a quiet life. He’s caused enough trouble in the past. He doesn’t need any more problems. But, late one night, his safe and predictable world is turned upside down when a beautiful young lady ends up on his doorstep in need of protection. Protection, in this case, will require him to marry her. Reason tells him not to do it. Nothing good can come from marriage to a lady he doesn’t know anything about. But something about her demands he take her up on her offer.

Isabel Besson’s father owns a French Equestrian Circus in which she grew up, touring throughout France and performing with her brilliant horse, Alonzo. In the audience at a performance in London is Leo Sommers, earl of Camden, who is stunned when he sees in Isabel the replica of his famous great-grandmother, whose portrait hangs in his drawing room. This is no coincidence, as it soon comes to light that Isabel had been kidnapped as an infant and adopted by “Papa” and his wife when an English woman attempted to sell them the baby.

Lewis Cotter, the Earl of Pruett, has just inherited his title, and his first order of business is to find a wife. He never thought he would need to get married, but after the death of his older brother, it’s up to him to secure the estate. While he has to marry for money, he doesn’t want to marry just anyone. He wants a love match.

Fitzwilliam’s first impression of the residents of Meryton is poor, save for noticing a pair of fine eyes in a pale face. Elizabeth Bennet fascinates him even as they argue over her mother and sister’s intentions toward Bingley. When he learns of her weak heart, it does nothing to dissuade him from losing his and falling helplessly in love with her.

Dragging along a reluctant Lydia due to her scandalous behavior with a certain redcoat, Lizzy arrives at Hunsford to reunite with Charlotte. To her displeasure, she discovers Mr. Darcy is visiting his aunt at Rosings Park, and their stays overlap. At first, acrimony remains between them, but as the days pass, she starts to soften toward him. Lydia and Georgiana unexpectedly become close friends, and when Lydia is invited to stay with them at Darcy House, Lizzy can scarcely refuse to act as Lydia’s chaperone.

On her wedding day, Patricia Cotter, the widowed Lady of Pruett, signed a contract agreeing to the following: She would never look at her husband’s face. She would never remove the sheets covering the mirrors. She would never ask her husband about his past. In return for doing these things, she will have a secure place for her unborn child and her worries will be over. She has nothing to lose by agreeing to her husband’s terms.

Very few knew Antonia, despite her fame as La Stella di Venezia. In decadent 18th century Venice, she develops from Vivaldi’s star pupil into his musical colleague and the pride of Venetian music. After falling in love with Orlando Sagredo - master planner of the Palio - Antonia recognizes the emotional bondage she has never questioned. Antonia of Venice is inhabited by brilliant musicians, avaricious politicians, and ineffectual rulers of the Republic.

Leaving her first love behind was the hardest thing Regine, Duchess of Heartwaite, had ever done. Her marriage of convenience to another man saved her family, even as it laid waste to her heart. That was years ago, however. Now widowed, she’s ready to begin her life anew. But all it takes is one glimpse of her former sweetheart to realize the feelings she buried so long ago are still there, stronger than ever. Unfortunately, his feelings for her are decidedly colder....

Hoping to put the shame of her father’s disgrace behind her, Jessica Brentwood is determined to be the epitome of decorum and propriety her first London Season. All is well until she’s discovered naked in the arms of a notorious rake, Crispin, the wicked Duke of Bainbridge. Though thoroughly compromised - through no fault of her own - Jessica refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal. She’d rather face certain scorn and ridicule than be forced into a marriage of convenience. Or rather, inconvenience.

Olivia Mackenzie, disowned granddaughter of the Duke of Lennox, has only one foot in society and a tenuous one at that. One day at a garden party, she stumbles upon her soon-to-be fiancé in the arms of another woman. Revenge is sweet and immediate. Seizing the first stranger wandering past, Olivia plants a kiss full on his lips. Eight years ago, Lord Nicholas Blair turned to gambling and womanizing in an effort to hide his pain when his rival, Lord Randall, wed the woman he loved. But living the life of a rogue has grown dull.

Penniless and jilted, Charlotte Atchenson accepts a position as governess to Lord Alistair Cassilis’ illegitimate children. When Eliza sets foot in the Scottish lord’s carriage, she faces the most dangerous foe a woman can face: a charming rogue. The danger is not only to her heart, however, but to her life, as well.

Drama, divorce, and dating. When you’re searching for that perfect match, just how many dates is too many? Forty and unhappily married, Alix wonders if she'll ever have something beyond her husband and her kids. After returning to college, she strikes up a friendship with Suzi, a happily wed woman who's 10 years younger. Together, they meet for girl's nights to discuss school, scandal, and divorce.

Plowing headlong into the Marquis of Sterling and dropping eggs on his boots wasn’t the most foolish thing Eden Haverden had ever done. Imprudently agreeing to take the charming rogue home when his horse went lame wasn’t either. But reluctantly accepting Chester’s invitation to stay the night at his familial estate after she nearly drowned? Yes, that assuredly was a rash decision and invited utter ruin.