Showing results by narrator "Stevie Zimmerman" in All Categories

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.

Miss Melpomene Rand's only refuge from a life of monotony and cruelty is the extensive library left to her by her grandfather. The fantastic notions and romantic heroes contained in those books are the only thing that distracts her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.

Brynnde Archambault needs to find someone to marry, or else she'll be stuck with dull Mr. Dallweather. The answer to her problem arrives in the form of handsome and witty Viscount Burbridge, but just when everything seems to be going smoothly, scandal strikes, and the engagement ends. Meanwhile, Brynnde has no trouble matchmaking her friends and even her own brother. But while she breezily finds suitors for everyone else, for her, time is running out. Must she resign herself to becoming Mrs. Dallweather? Or will Brynnde yet succeed in making a match for herself?

Penned by a lifelong “Henry Head”, The Lazy Historian's Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII combines Jillianne Hamilton's sassy, fun, and snarky storytelling with one of history's most alluring eras. Focusing on the lives of the wives, and less about the dudes around them, The Lazy Historian's Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII gives the six unfortunate queens the biography for which they almost certainly wouldn't have asked.

Proud single parent Joanna is accustomed to school phoning to tell her that her 14-year-old son Ryan is in trouble. But when Ryan hits a girl and is excluded from school, Joanna knows she must take drastic action to help him. Ryan's dad Lex left home when Ryan was two years old. Isolated, a loner, and angry, Ryan finds solace in books and wildlife. Joanna, against all her instincts, invites Lex to return and help their son. But Lex is a drifter who runs from commitment, and both Joanna and Ryan find their mutual trust and love is put to the test when Lex returns, and vows to be part of the family again.

Lady Sybil Anson thought she had it all. Even a match of the heart, despite so many London elite marrying for convenience. But the night before their betrothal was to become official, the love of her life vanished - with a hastily scrawled note and little more.

Giles Goddard, Lord Norcourt is odd. Born with his life's cord wrapped around his neck and sent away to Ireland to be raised in an orphanage run by nuns, he's known nothing but the cold sting of being misunderstood and altogether unwanted. But that's all about to change... Lucy Whitaker is a fallen woman who has done her best to build a life for her and her son. But when her son finds a battered gentleman left on the side of the road, her entire world is about to come crashing down as she once again finds herself caught between two brothers: an heir and a spare.

After being thrown over for the second time in one season, Mr. Simon Appleton’s interest in courting another young lady is less than his interest in reconciling with his estranged brother. Entering into her third, and dare she hope final season, Miss Henrietta Hughes has a single goal: make it to August without becoming engaged, thus securing her sister’s promise of being allowed to become a spinster. But with the most scandalous woman to ever step foot in London acting as Henrietta’s chaperone and Simon’s undeniable urge to vex her every chance he’s afforded, they both might find themselves with new plans.

One summer night, Sebastian Gentry, Lord Belgrave hauled the wrong young lady to Gretna Green. When her identity is exposed, the only obvious solution is to get an annulment. Only, just like his elopement plans, things didn’t go as planned and while she has reason to believe they are no longer married, he knows better. Wanting to make things right for her, he offers to help her find a husband…

A new duke moving into their sleepy village doesn't interest Julia, especially when she hears all about his scandalous behavior in London. Rumors of gambling debts, illicit liaisons, and pub brawls surround the far-too-handsome Duke of Weston. And the far-too-handsome duke happens to want to build a mill on her favorite nature spot, meaning Julia's beloved otters will be homeless.

In this sweet Regency variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy's eldest son sets out to seek a bride. Alexander Fitzwilliam Darcy is the spitting image of his father - in looks, temperament, and his inability to impress a woman not particularly wanting to be impressed. Darcy, against the loving advice of his intelligent wife, decides to help his son along. In the process, the forever kind of love our dear couple has for each other is displayed as tenderness meets stubbornness and affection meets determination.

The last thing Daphne Cavanaugh wants to do is marry - well, perhaps not the last thing, but it's certainly not at the top of her list, especially if it's only to get her out of her guardian's hair. Aaron Lentz has faith in marriage - for other people, that is. Having been betrayed and made a fool once before, he has no inclination to walk down the aisle.. But perhaps a sprig of mistletoe, a dash of fate, and a shameless, meddling family (even in the form of an ancient duke), Michaelmas, 1816 might bring about a future they never expected.

Long ago, Marcus Gray, the Marquess of Haversham, left the home office with a blackened reputation and a determination to never look back. He skirted the edges of London society, caring for little other than himself, until he crossed paths with Caroline Staveley. When Marc discovers the recently widowed Caroline has returned to London and her late husband's actions have placed her in danger, he is quickly lured into the once familiar game of cat and mouse he thought he'd escaped.

If Lady Arabella Winslett was left to her own devices, she would happily paint each day away and want for nothing else. Unfortunately, her grandfather has other plans for her future, plans that involve marrying her off to her horrid cousin and sending Bella far away. Only a quick betrothal to someone else will save her from that unhappy fate. But with time ticking by, it would take a miracle to bring anyone up to scratch...If only someone could be convinced to play the role of her intended for just a little while.