Showing results by narrator "Mary Jane" in All Categories

'Tis the season when lovers' eyes shine by the light of a blazing Yule log, when a quick kiss is shared beneath the mistletoe, and when love is the most splendid gift of all. Savor the beauty and passion of Christmas with two heartwarming stories by outstanding Regency author Elizabeth Mansfield. From A Sneeze on Tuesday: A broken engagement and a miserable cold were not in Elinor's holiday plans. But her spirited heart found its own remedy: a true and lasting love.

Alnwick, Northumberland, 1813: Lady Percy's worries about spending her first holiday season as a new countess grow worse upon their arrival at Alnwick Castle. When the old duke calls her by the wrong name, she is left with unsettling questions: Who was this mysterious woman in the duke's past, and why does his fading mind cling to her memory so fiercely? Meanwhile, Lord Percy confronts a crisis outside the castle walls. Children are disappearing from neighboring villages, vanishing without a trace into the Northumberland wilds.

Evangeline Ames has rented a country cottage far from the London streets where she was recently attacked. Fascinated by the paranormal energy of nearby Crystal Gardens, she finds pleasure in sneaking past the wall to explore the grounds. And when her life is threatened again, she instinctively goes to the gardens for safety.

George Eliot pushed the boundaries of fiction and of Victorian society. She was an extraordinary woman whose unconventional life meant that she was judged harshly by family, friends, and strangers. Eliot wanted to draw attention to the feelings and motivations of ordinary people, so that we might feel more generous towards each other. But human beings are complex, and to capture that complexity Eliot drew on an astonishing range of philosophical, psychological, and scientific ideas. She hoped her work might do good, yet she was clear-eyed about the limits of both human sympathy and the novel.

When Scarlett Heroux witnesses her father's assassination from mere inches away, her world shatters. The 22-year-old heiress to a political dynasty is thrust into her newly inherited seat in Parliament, compelled to fulfill her father's revolutionary dream of opening Soleil’s borders to a world of magic her people have long rejected.

The time for Antonia’s court presentation has finally arrived, but how will she be received? Not only by the King, but by his Majesty’s new mistress Mme de Pompadour, and also the French nobility? This seems the least of the Duchess’s worries, until the Duke comes face to face with the Comtesse Duras-Valfons in the very public space of the Hall of Mirrors.

Descending Thirds is an epic tale of love, ambition, and betrayal set against the lush world of classical music in 1965 New York—a searing triangular love affair that unfolds like a symphony of passion and suspense, culminating in two intriguing twists.

1740s France and England—the age of hedonism and enlightenment. Antonia must flee the Court of Versailles and the predatory schemes of the Comte de Salvan. She orchestrates an escape with the unwitting assistance of the all-powerful Duke of Roxton, a man she has been warned against as too dangerous for her to know.

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore What happens when a bride says maybe? She'd once been the toast of London, but now scandal has brought her down. Still, pretty, petted Lady Tara Davidson can't believe her new fate. She...

Her pious father’s murder leaves Faith Montague orphaned and lost on the dangerous road to London , only to be rescued by a notorious highwayman. Morgan de Lacy, a lawless rake with the bearing of a nobleman, treats her finer than those who should have loved and protected her. Recognizing a fine gem when he sees one, de Lacy sets about seducing his orphaned companion. His caresses incite passion…his fiery kisses tantalize, and Faith is in peril of losing herself to temptation.

1815, London. Arabella Latham is a free spirit who longs to feel the spark of true love, but few men can match her passion for Shakespeare or her zest for life. Though her prospects seem slim, Arabella knows she can always count on the handsome but stoic Lord Henry Northcott, dubbed “The Brooding Baron” by the ton, to be willing to engage in intelligent conversation and even share a congenial dance with her at almost every ball. His quiet demeanor is the opposite of her vivacious personality, and she finds herself drawn to him, despite their differences.

Nimona Weston has fallen into a game from which there’s no agreeable way out. The stakes have risen, putting everyone she loves at risk. As she uncovers old secrets, the dark magic resting in the foundations of Inara begin to stir. She’s running out of time. If Nim can’t find a way to stop the queen, the Trust will rise like the river of power beneath the kingdom, devouring everything in its path.

How can a smile be so misunderstood? For Nell, it's a sign of friendship. To her male colleagues, it's so much more. With two men intent on securing her affections, and little chance of escape, life for Nell is challenging. Until she finds an unexpected guardian. Her savior is charming and chivalrous, but when he unwittingly causes more problems than he solves, she finally snaps.

Nell's dream of traveling on a transatlantic steamship is about to come true. Although not in the way she expected. Life is hard, and with only three women working amongst a crew of eighty, there are challenges Nell had not foreseen. While she struggles to cope with the constant attention of her colleagues, not to mention their criticisms, there are some who will do whatever they can to support her.

Jack's due back...and Nell is waiting. She's dreamt of this moment for a long time. Nine years after their plan was hatched, Master Mariner Jack Riley is ready to take control of his own ship. And Nell is preparing to travel with him. Counting down the days until he gets home, she longs to see America...and nobody is going to stop her. Not her two young daughters...and especially not her sister, Maria.

Life hasn't been easy for Nell. Orphaned as a child, her elder sister Maria is a substitute for the mother she barely remembers. All she wants now is a husband and family of her own. Second mate Jack Riley loves his life at sea and dreams of one day captaining his own ship. Settling down to life in the back streets of Liverpool holds no appeal. Until he bumps into his old flame, Nell.

In this extraordinary new life, Astrid will forge friendships and confront ancient creatures. Through perilous trials and breathtaking adventures, she will have to decide what promises are worth keeping and which must be broken. Immerse yourself in this spellbinding retelling of the classic fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon—where romance and adventure collide in an unforgettable tale of love and magic.

Nickolas Brigham was meant to marry a princess. Everyone said so. His mother, mostly, but it wasn’t the time to quibble. If he doesn't marry a woman of station soon, he’ll be tied to a fate worse than ruination. When he’s dragged bodily into a compromising situation, his only choice is to accept the aid of the doe-eyed damsel he chances upon in his attempt at escape.

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore What happens when a bride says no? He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also...

Edmund Winters' life has been laid out for him by his ambitious father: he had to do whatever it takes to get away from his trade-bound roots and prove himself every inch a gentleman. If that requires marrying the haughty daughter of a local grandee, a loveless match is a small price to pay for acceptance by the ton. His youthful rebellion long forgotten, he is now planning to carry his late father's plans out. However, these are thrown into disarray when the living, breathing, and captivatingly beautiful reminder of that youthful rebellion arrives in Morwood Hall.