Showing results by author "Mary Jane Holmes" in All Categories

After the tragic death of Matildas husband James, she marries the wealthy Dr. Kennedy, hoping for a brighter future for her daughter Maude. Unfortunately, the doctor turns out to be a miser, expecting Matty to serve as his housekeeper rather than a loving partner. They have a little boy who is disabled, but the doctor pays him no attention. Maude is fiercely devoted to her brother and, on her mothers deathbed, vows to care for him forever. As the story unfolds, Maude encounters her stepsister Nellies cousins, JC and James. While Nellie is pursuing JC for his wealth, Maude finds herself ...

In Part 1 of The Tracy Diamonds, the alluring and affluent Helen Tracy sets her sights on the one man who seems entirely indifferent to her charms. With her less fortunate cousin Alice and her mother in tow, she escapes to Ridgefield for the summer, where the elusive Craig Mason is also vacationing. Along the way, youll meet the colorful owners of the Prospect House, Uncle Zach and Dotty. As Helen weaves her intricate plan to capture Craigs heart, a dashing office clerk named Mark enters the scene, leading to a tangled web of misguided love and deep regrets. Part 2 unfolds many years later, ...

Step into the world of mid-19th century melodrama with Lena Rivers, recognized as one of Holmes greatest commercial successes. Follow the captivating journey of Lena, a charming heroine who faces lifes challenges after losing her mother at a young age. Raised by her grandparents in the serene New England mountains, Lenas world is turned upside down when her grandfather passes away, forcing her and her grandmother to relocate to Kentucky. There, they encounter her wealthy uncle and his three spoiled children, who go out of their way to make their new relatives feel unwelcome. This tale is a ...

Step aboard the train from Paris to Marseilles and gaze upon the imposing Chateau DOr, or The Castle of Gold, as it looms gray and somber against the French countryside. What tales lie behind its majestic name? Join two curious travelers as they delve into the folklore and legends that surround this enigmatic fortress. Additionally, immerse yourself in two captivating shorter stories, Norah and Kitty Craig, beautifully summarized by LynneT.

Dive into the captivating world crafted by bestselling author Mary Jane Holmes in Maggie Miller, also known as Old Hagars Secret. This gripping tale weaves together themes of deceit, love, misplaced pride, and the painful loss of innocence, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. With her signature realistic characters, Holmes delivers a narrative that is as emotionally charged as it is suspenseful. As one character poignantly reflects, Mustnt put on airs! — a sentiment that echoes throughout the story, revealing the complexities of envy and human relationships. ...

In this captivating three-part novel by Mary Jane Holmes, a murder cover-up leads to a decades-long quest for the heiress of the deceased. Bessie, raised in poverty while her mother gambles at the tables of Monte Carlo and Baden Baden, finds herself navigating a world of neglect from her aristocratic father and indifference from wealthy relatives. With the affections of three men vying for her heart, Bessie’s journey becomes an enthralling tale of love and resilience set against a backdrop of historical intrigue. - Summary by Celine Major

Dive into the captivating world of Mary Jane Holmes, a bestselling American author celebrated for her enchanting Victorian melodramas. In Family Pride, she weaves a rich tapestry of complex characters, including a beautiful and innocent heroine, her domineering husband, a disdainful mother-in-law, and a devoted neighbor who harbors unrequited love. As their lives intertwine, the backdrop of the Civil War adds a poignant touch of realism to this sentimental story, leading to a deeply satisfying conclusion that will leave you enchanted. - Summary by Celine Major

Rich and sophisticated Arthur Tracy returns to Tracy Park after years abroad, but hes not the same man who left. Confused and mentally unstable, he speaks of a mysterious woman named Gretchen, claiming she traveled with him back home and is expected to arrive any moment. Meanwhile, tragedy strikes when a child is discovered next to a woman frozen to death in the nearby Tramp House. Arthurs brother, Frank, believes he knows the childs identity but keeps it a secret, fearing that revealing the truth could threaten his lavish lifestyle. This captivating tale beautifully weaves together elements ...

Immerse yourself in a captivating blend of fiction and history with Rose Mather - A Tale, set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Civil War. Meet Holmes charming, playful, yet compassionate Rose, who draws you in from the very first page. Alongside her are a cast of unforgettable characters the sweet and devout Annie, the honorable Tom Carleton, the nurturing widow Mrs. Simms, the brave young Isaac, the spirited rebel working for the South, and the rough-edged Bill Baker. Their journeys of hardship, bravery, grief, and love will resonate with you long after the last chapter. Join Celine ...

The coverup of a murder leads to the search for the dead man's heiress decades later in this delightful 3 part novel by Mary Jane Holmes. Her characters are as always very interesting and realistic. Poor little Bessie is raised in poverty because her mother spends most of her time at the gaming tables of Monte Carlo or Baden Baden while her so called aristocratic father looks down on all menial work. Her wealthy relatives will do nothing to help. Add the love of three men for one girl to the mix and the result is an absorbing historical romance.

From bestselling and prolific author Mary Jane Holmes, Maggie Miller or Old Hagar's Secret COMES a compelling story of deceit, love, misplaced pride and loss of innocence that will keep you in suspense until the very end. And as usual her amazingly real characters will not disappoint. Excerpt: " Mustn't put on airs ! " muttered Hagar, as she left the room. " Just as if airs wasn't for anybody but high bloods ! " And with the canker-worm of envy at her heart she wrote to Hester, who came immediately

If you're a fan of mid-19th Century melodramas with many twists and turns you will love this book. Acclaimed as Holmes greatest commercial success the charming heroine of this tale is Lena Rivers whose mother died when she was a baby. The father is unknown, and she is brought up by her grandparents in the New England mountains. When the grandfather dies, she and her grandmother are uprooted to live with her uncle in Kentucky. His wealthy wife and 3 spoiled children are not at all happy about taking in these poor relations and do all they can to make them feel unwelcome.

When Matilda's husband James dies, she marries rich Dr. Kennedy thinking he will provide a good home for her daughter Maude. However, the doctor is a miser and assumes that Matty will be his housekeeper. They have a little boy who is crippled and the doctor ignores him. Maude is totally devoted to him and on her mother's deathbed promises to look after him always. The story then evolves with Maude meeting her stepsister Nellie's cousins JC and James. Nellie has set her sights on JC who is after her money while Maude develops strong feelings towards James.

Rich and sophisticated Arthur Tracy returns to Tracy Park after several years abroad confused and mentally unstable. Initially claiming that Gretchen accompanied him on the boat and train back he then expects her to arrive at any moment. Meanwhile a child is found at the side of a woman frozen to death in the Tramp House nearby. Arthur's brother Frank believes he knows the child's identity but keeps it a secret fearing that his elaborate lifestyle could be in jeopardy. This is a heartwarming story with just the right mix of suspense and romance.

Fiction merges with history in this novel taking place during the turbulent times of the civil war and the horrors it entailed. Holme's silly, coquettish yet kind-hearted Rose will pull you in from the start. The sweet and pious Annie, the noble Tom Carleton, the motherly widow Mrs. Simms, the young and courageous Isaac, the mischievous rebel working for the south, and the brash, uneducated Bill Baker are just a few of the unforgettable characters who grow with every chapter.