Showing results by narrator "Ruth Urquhart" in All Categories

For most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years, scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, paleontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over 300 million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs.

Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress, and even with her developing magical skills, she's finding it hard to cope. Things aren't any better for Monroe - his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they're going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they'll be able to survive together, too, is anyone's guess.

When the Marquess of Campbell inherits a fiery, red-headed Scottish beauty as his ward, it's his job to marry her off. No problem. She comes with a fortune. Lady Bridget MacDuff will have suitors falling all over themselves to wed her. Not so fast. Lady Bridget has plans for that fortune, and they involve helping unfortunate women. And she has no intention of helping her devastatingly handsome guardian in his quest to get her off his hands. He doesn't plan to marry, either. Why should she?

A mansion, a title, and marriage to a wealthy Lord, Lady Eveline Cartwright has it all. Unfortunately, it's not enough to prevent her from being bludgeoned to death one night in the study of Merisham Lodge, the family's country estate in Derbyshire. Suspicion quickly falls on her ne'er-do-well son, Peter, but not everyone in the household is convinced of his guilt. Head kitchen maid Joan Hart and lady's maid Verity Hunter know that when it comes to a crime, all is not always as it seems.

Ruethwyn's life may have been destroyed, but now she's ready. With the blessing of the fey and others who she barely dares dream of, Ruethwyn's body is whole once more. Turning to the future, she sets her sight on her beloved who was stolen away by a dragon. Yet even with all her magic at her command, Ruethwyn stands little chance against such a powerful foe, so she must tread lightly.

Maria had been forced to marry at 17, then was left widowed shortly thereafter. Now, five years later, her brother had chosen another husband for her, sight unseen - the boy king of Scotland. Maria, who had never known passion or love, refused to submit, vowing to flee to freedom. But the ship she chose went down in the gathering fog, leaving the dark-haired beauty at the mercy of wind and tide, and headed for a shattering destiny.

Elizabeth Boleyn has been ordered to yield to a lecherous king what she most prizes - her innocence. Now, at the tournament of two kings, her beauty has attracted not only the eyes of Henry Tudor, but those of the handsome Scottish warrior Ambrose Macpherson, whose bold offer to bed her might be her only salvation....

On his way to claim his late father's title, highland chief Connor Brunwood stumbles upon an English lass in a deserted clearing. She's dressed like a man, in shirt and breeches, her blond tresses hidden under a large hat and a foil in her hand, as she practices the art of sword-fighting. Awed by the sight of her spirited, blue eyes, and graceful, yet alluring movements, Connor calls her bluff, vowing that he will make her his wife. However, that is easier said than done.

Beginning with The Dreamer, May McGoldrick's Highland Treasure trilogy captures the lives and loves of three Scottish sisters. Now, meet Laura: The Enchantress. Fleeing persecution from the English king, the three Percy sisters scattered to different corners of Scotland. But when the level-headed Laura found herself abducted by the fearsome Laird of Blackfearn, all her well-made plans were torn asunder. His reckless and wild ways left Laura burning in his wake - and awakened in her a passion as untamed as his own....

It is 1934. Returning to the West Country after their latest adventure in London, lady's maid Verity Hunter and cook Joan Hart are ready to embrace a quieter life. Their mistress, the glamorous young heiress Dorothy Drew, is attempting to rein in her enthusiasm for too many cocktails and takes up the offer of a place to rest and recuperate from an old family friend, Mrs Ashford. All seems well, until the day after they arrive, when everyone in the house is struck down by what appears to be mushroom poisoning. The deadly dish proves fatal for one unlucky soul.

Lady Sabrina Bell has never been so embarrassed in her life. Not only did her new suitor fail to appear for their morning rendezvous in Hyde Park, but a thief pushed her into the Serpentine. Being rescued by a burly Highlander just adds to her humiliation. Nor is he content with rescuing her just once. Even when Sabrina travels to Edinburgh as part of King George's entourage, Graeme Kendrick is there, interfering, exasperating, and so very tempting....

Tristan Turner, Viscount Elton, is haunted by a night he cannot remember. Abandoned by his beloved sister, Tristan finds himself in a world devoid of love and acceptance, a world without hope. All that is left are the hushed whispers of London society about the madness that drove his parents into an early grave. A madness that taints his own blood. Until fate intervenes...and his path crosses that of a young lady.

Saffron Sawyer is on her own. She's no longer part of the Office of Faery Godmothers - in fact, she's no longer part of anything, even if her magic is stronger now than she could have ever dreamed possible. Thwarted at every turn and stalked by monsters in the streets, her life feels like it's falling apart. But Saffron isn't going to give up hope. She's sworn revenge on the Director and she can't forget about Jasper and the way he makes her feel.

Highlander Laird Evan MacNeil cannot believe Mistress Katie Sterling just shows up at the MacDuff castle with this faded piece of parchment laying claim to the lands he just legally inherited. Not that he really wants to be here in the lowlands, but he has responsibilities to his clan and the exasperating Katie has uprooted the remnants of her father's clan and moved them across the country to live here. There's no way he can leave to go back home now.

Georgia Hamilton is an adventurer. After a life spent exploring the most remote places on earth, she's found her way back home to Scotland, where she teaches her expert survival skills. Kelsey Campbell has spent her whole life acting, both personally and professionally, and has had it with the pressure of keeping everyone else happy. Craving somewhere far from the glaring spotlight, she signs up for a two-week team survival course.

After her own mother mysteriously disappears, seventeen-year-old Alicia turns up on her godmother's doorstep and asks if she can stay. Carina can't say no to the godchild she hasn't seen in over a decade. And in a way, Alicia is the daughter she always wanted—she's so smart and driven, and definitely scholarship material. Carina is only too happy to help this brilliant young woman achieve her full potential. But husband Don and children Tegan and Arthur aren't so sure. There's something about Alicia… Is she just too good to be true?

Gregor MacLachlan has much to hide. Not only has he made a name for himself as a man with a sword for hire, but no one knows his true identity as that of the laird of MacLachlan's son. Banished from his home, Gregor has been content with his life, never relying on anyone or anything - until Fiona.

A tragic case of arson sends Sarah into hiding to escape the terrible fate of her family. She works as a common laborer, and is safe for 13 years, until she receives an ominous note. Despite her disguise, the killer has caught up with her, and she is once again in danger from a man determined to silence all echoes from the past. William, an inquiry agent, is consumed with curiosity when he meets Sarah and hears about her case. And one look into her gray eyes has him hooked.

Lady Charlotte Frampton is dead...at least, that is what everyone believes. Fleeing from her life-shattering past, Charlotte reinvents herself as Lotte and becomes the companion to a viscount's sister. All she is hoping for is a simple and quiet life in the country, away from the demons that still plague her. However, her safe haven is threatened when a visitor arrives one day.

With his young sister Georgiana's reticence a constant reminder that his onetime friend, George Wickham, should not be trusted, Darcy decides a trip to rural Hertfordshire is in order, for both him and Georgiana. Darcy believes the people there are of so little consequence, Georgiana will know no fear in interacting with them. He soon learns he's wrong about both his sister and Hertfordshire, but not about Wickham. Even bearing the brunt of Mr. Darcy's insult doesn't soften Elizabeth to her wife-hunting cousin, Mr. Collins, and her first reaction is to disdain both men.