AustLit

'A letter misplaced, a ship wrecked on foreign shores, a love thought lost, a journey through terrible hardship, faith rewarded by love regained. Dario Harrison, Marquess of Weatherbrook, is urged by his father, the Duke of Winterward, to travel to their estate in Italy, before the weight of the Dukedom falls on his shoulders. When Dario agreed, he had no expectation of falling in love before the date set for his departure? Lady Augusta Carlington has found her true love, and an idyllic summer together has shown that all that is needed is his proposal. All seems wonderful, until she discovers that he is to travel to Italy - a dangerous matter indeed, as Napoleon's armies and navy make all manners of travel a matter of risking one's life. But surely, if he must go, he will propose before he does? As the date approaches, Augusta despairs - there has been no proposal, no letter? But letters written are not always delivered as they should be, and fate can intervene in the best and worst of ways. When all seems lost, and her future lies ahead, empty and lonely, will Augusta hold steady to her love, and her belief, writing letters which will never be sent? Or will all hope of love be lost?'' (Publication summary)

'A Duke who needs a wife, but doesn’t want one; a Lady who needs to marry for money, but would far prefer love; an envious acquaintance, lies, deception and manipulation; a dramatic pursuit of truth; a love reclaimed from the storm.

'Lady Hope Spencer needs to marry well – and as soon as possible. Her father’s untimely death has left her with an impossible burden of debt, an ailing mother, and barely a roof over their heads. The fact that she has never had any confidence at all amongst society is a handicap she must overcome before disaster befalls her. Unfortunately, on attending her first Ball, an unexpected collision with a handsome gentleman sets all of her best intentions awry.

'Xavier Harte, the Duke of Birkchester, needs to marry, to ensure that he gets an heir, and that the title and estates are secured for future generations. But the last thing he wants is to tie himself to a young woman who wants to spend her life in London’s ballrooms and salons – he would prefer a quiet life in the country. When he bumps into a young woman at a crowded Ball, for the first time, interest stirs – for she is so very different from most that he wants to know more of her.

'That first meeting leads to more, but neither Hope nor Xavier know how to go about expressing their feelings. Despite that, it seems that they may come to an arrangement, a marriage which would save Hope and her family. An arrangement which Hope cannot allow to occur, for it would be based on deception, and she will not, now that she is coming to care for Xavier, contemplate such a thing.

'Will Hope find a way to save her family regardless?

'Will Xavier be misled by others, or will he trust his instincts and uncover the truth in time to save their love, and Hope’s family too?

'Can they find their way to true love together, or will guilt, lies and deceptions tear them apart forever?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young lady with a lifelong dream of writing, a novelist who is far more than he seems, a Duke who leads a double life, a noblewoman bent on revenge, a love born in fire and passion.

'Miss Ella Radcliffe’s family is in desperate straights. And rather than marry the man her mother has chosen, she looks for work – hoping that her love of writing might help her save the family from starvation. When a mysterious offer of employment turns out to have come from her literary hero, she begins to hope that things may improve. But it soon becomes obvious that nothing is quite as it seems…

'Mr Oscar Harman is a celebrated author – with a problem. More than one problem, in fact. First, his inspiration has deserted him, and second, the spectre of old wrongs haunts him – rather literally. If he is ever to finish another book, he needs help – so he decides to hire a secretary. When the applicant for the job turns out to be a woman – and a woman who seems like the perfect composite of every heroine he has ever written, everything changes.

'The Duke of Shadowbrook has lived a double life for many years now, avoiding the public eye, and resenting the requirements of the title. Now, his great aunt has forced him to see that his double life is a trap. But how does one escape a trap of one’s own making?

'With Ella’s influence, for the first time in ten years, Oscar begins to consider changing – taking up responsibilities he has left abandoned, and mending long broken friendships. As the attraction between them blooms, the pressures of the past and the culmination of a vengeance declared bring them to the brink of disaster.

'Can Oscar overcome his stubbornness, and forgive the transgressions of the past?

'Can Ella trust her own instincts, and help him, or will she be driven away?

'Can they admit their love for each other in time, or will everything end in fiery ruin?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady forced into marriage, a Duke with a dark reputation, an unseen enemy, lies, secrets and ‘helpful’ friends – can they find their way to love, despite it all?

'Lady Ariana Torryngton was forbidden the only man she had ever loved – and has resolved to stay a spinster. But her dictatorial father, driven by his own approaching death, has arranged a marriage for her – to a man with a terrifying reputation. A marriage which she cannot avoid.

'Benedict Blackshaw, the Duke of Darkmire, is plagued by the rumours of dark horrors of his ancestors – horrors which the common people believe he may well perpetuate. As a consequence, the young women of the ton have turned away from him. When the Earl of Hazelworth suggests a match with his daughter, Benedict agrees, hoping that marriage will change things in his life.

'From the moment of their first meeting, nothing goes as either might have wished, with the ghosts of the past filling their present with the misery of secrets and lies, and their marriage seems doomed before it has barely begun. Each turns to a friend for support and advice – but is that the best thing to do?

'When danger threatens from an unexpected quarter, will they realise the risk in time?

'Can they see past the terrible beginning to their life together, and discover love?

'Or will Ariana follow her first love to a terrible death before Benedict can save her?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A scandal, an interfering grandmother, an unavoidable marriage, dark family secrets revealed, an ever-present threat, a love that thrives despite it all.

'Lady Iris Gardenbrook has seen all of her sisters find love and marry. She hopes for the same, but has not met a man she would truly consider – until she sees the Marquess of Greenleigh play the pianoforte. A man who looks that good, who obviously shares her love of music, and who plays that well is perfect. She’s falling in love just watching him – but he is reclusive, and rarely seen in society. How will she ever attract his attention?

'Leon Atherton, Marquess of Greenleigh, is resigned to an unmarried life – at least for the foreseeable future. His family holds too many secrets, too many painful challenges, for him to ever consider inflicting that on a wife. But he cannot deny his attraction to Lady Iris Gardenbrook – if only….

'Music draws them inexorably together – until the intervention of relatives turns something innocent into a compromise. For which the only suitable resolution is marriage.

'Will Lady Iris survive the revelation of the secrets which Leon has been bound to hide?

'Will the attraction they both feel blossom into love? Or will that chance be destroyed by those who want to tear them apart?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'An Earl on the edge of Scandal, a Lady disgusted by his failings, an attraction they both resist, an accidentally overheard conversation, a conspiracy to treason, a love found in the face of danger.

'Arryn Carrington, the Earl of Merryfield, is obsessive about truth and honesty. It’s an obsession that has just led to him being sent down from Oxford, which has put his father, the Marquess of Westerhazy, in a rather difficult position. Arryn has vowed to put things right, somehow, but when his father suggests that finding a young woman to marry would be a good start, Arryn flinches from the very idea. He has never met a woman with a true thought in her head - until he is introduced to Lady Violet Gardenbrook, whose every utterance upends his view of the world.

'Lady Violet Gardenbrook values books and study above all else – and the thought that a man, who has the privilege to study at Oxford would do something to get himself sent down horrifies her. A man who would do such a thing is obviously irredeemable. Why then, does she find herself steadily more intrigued by Lord Merryfield?

'When Lady Violet accidentally overhears a very private conversation, she becomes embroiled in a treasonous plot which threatens Lord Merryfield and his family, unbeknownst to him.

'Can Lady Violet discover enough for the plot to be foiled?

'Can Arryn uncover the truth of the threat, before his sister is ruined?

'And, when an impetuous act puts Lady Violet in terrible danger, will he reach her in time to save her?

'Through all of it, will they each find the courage to move past their prejudices, and admit the love they feel, or will everything they have every hoped for be lost?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'An impoverished Governess, a grieving Earl with problematic daughters, an unexpected passion, betrayals and confusion, a love that conquers all.

'Mrs Constance Leslie is desperate. Cut off by her family long before, and now a widow for two years, with her employment completed, she faces starvation for herself and her ailing mother-in-law. Though her past work has been as a governess and companion, at this juncture, even the chance to work as a maid at Blackwood Chase looks good. But working there will challenge everything about her, as she deals with her employer’s thoroughly spoilt daughters, and her own undeniable attraction to the Earl.

'Peregrine Stapleton, the Earl of Blackwood, still grieves his first wife, although she has been gone five years and more. His grief has led him to spoil his daughters, and now he must face the fact that, before the eldest is introduced to society, the behaviour of all three must be repaired. Nothing seems to have any effect, and the only thing which distracts him from despair is fighting his attraction to the new maid – who seems far more educated and confident than any housemaid he has ever seen before. Not to mention her beauty…

'When the daughters’ behaviour causes Constance to attempt to leave his employ, the Earl finds himself unable to let her go… Will Constance and Perry allow the passion that flares between them to override good sense? Can they find love, despite the difference in their social status? Or will the meddling of both the daughters, and Perry’s mother, tear them apart?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady with unexpected interests and few prospects, a Duke with a vow to keep, a Christmas House Party, an accidental meeting, a plot to compromise, a trail of feathers, a love born of defiance.

'Lady Charity Pemberton is prone to being blunt, and does not fit in all that well with society – she would rather ride or walk across the countryside, and indulge her habit of collecting feathers. When she finds herself invited to a Christmas house party, at which it is rumoured the Duke of Oakmoor will choose a bride, she is quite certain that he would never consider her. Her mother holds out greater hope – for their family finances are fragile, and Charity needs to marry well.

'Rafe Livingstone, the Duke of Oakmoor, made a vow to his mother a year ago, to choose a woman to marry by the following Christmas – a Christmas which is now but two weeks distant. Surrounded by the most recent batch of eligible young ladies who have been invited to his house party, his deadline for making a choice is looming. So far, none of the ladies inspire his interest. But, when out walking early one morning, he rounds the bend in the lane and collides with a lady he has not seen before, he is intrigued, despite himself.

'As Charity and Rafe discover more about each other, they are faced with the fact that someone, amongst the other young ladies, is plotting for her own advantage… and is quite willing to do whatever it takes to attract Rafe’s attentions, including discrediting her rivals.

'Can Charity overcome her own doubts, and act in time to prevent her reputation, or the Duke’s, being ruined?

'Will the Duke recognise, in time, that whilst Charity is nothing like the woman he expected to marry, she is everything that he wants?

'Will a trail of feathers bring them together, or be the leverage which forces them apart, forever?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady abandoned by the man she loves, a Duke determined to prove his worth, a chance meeting, a renewed courtship, lies, misdirection and despair, a triumph of love restored.

'Lady Elizabeth Chartwell has avoided London since her first Season, which ended with the loss of the man she thought the love of her life, and her belief that no man could ever be trusted. But now, her sister has persuaded her to return to London, to be seen in society again. Elizabeth is intent upon enjoying herself, whilst avoiding her sister’s matchmaking attempts, and then retiring to the country again. An excellent plan - which seems far less achievable from the moment that the Duke of Blackstone saves her nephew’s life.

'Gavin Villiers, the Duke of Blackstone, spent his time at university behaving as a rake, well loved within society, and rather irresponsible in all areas of his life - until his father’s death brought him the title, and a moment of painful self-awareness. The decisions he made then have made him a far better man, but at a high price. Those decisions forced him to walk away from the woman he loved. Now back in London after a year of mourning, and two more of travelling, the last thing he expected was to come face to face with her – and to find that the spark between them is as strong as ever.

'When a stolen kiss changes everything, he is forced to act, but the consequences are far reaching, and, with the unexpected appearance of someone from his past, he finds himself on the verge of losing everything he has worked for, everything he cares about, again.

'Can Elizabeth learn to trust again, and seize the love she’d thought irretrievably lost?

'Can Gavin overcome old habits, and prove himself worthy of love?

'Or will the mistakes of the past drive them apart forever?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lord and a Lady promised from birth, an avaricious uncle with plans of his own, an impossible choice which leads to disaster, an unplanned compromise, a love fulfilled despite all opposition.

'Lord Marcus Northam was betrothed to Lady Kathryn Harrington when he was four, and she just born. Always in each other’s company, they grew up, certain of the happiness of their fate together – until he was sent off to school, and a series of misfortunes led to a pivotal moment. On the day that should have been the happiest of his life, Marcus is forced to make an impossible choice – and the consequences of that choice will shatter both of their lives.

'Lady Kathryn Harrington has always loved Lord Marcus, and held no doubt that he would marry her, even in the lonely years after her parents’ deaths, whilst he was away at school. Her faith in him remains intact, until, on what should have been the happiest day of their lives, he disappears, abandoning her.

'Two years later, when Marcus returns to England, everything has changed – he is now the Duke of Weatherly, and Kate has sworn never to forgive him for what he did. But despite everything, they are drawn to each other, unable to deny the love which has always been between them.

'Can Marcus tell Kate the truth of his disappearance, even though it may betray her in another, most likely unforgivable, way? Will Kate forgive Marcus? Or will the chain of past betrayals destroy their hope of a life together?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady with limited prospects, and an unwanted suitor, a Duke with secret responsibilities, and a passion for protecting the poor, an enemy who plots to kill, an act of unexpected heroism, love found amidst the chaos.

'Lady Linnet Quinton has few prospects for a good marriage - but she most definitely does not want to marry the man her mother is pushing her towards! When she meets the Duke of Grantsham, she finds herself helplessly coming to care for him, inspired by his passion for helping the poor. But... there are some puzzling things about him, things which make her wonder if what he shows to the world is all of the truth.

'Jeremy Starret, the Duke of Grantsham, has a passion for helping those threatened, especially children. With his mother, he sponsors an orphanage - and struggles to get the aristocracy to donate to that cause. But, whilst what the world sees is a rakehell with an odd penchant for charity, the truth of him is far more complex, and not something he is at liberty to reveal to Lady Linnet, no matter how much she is coming to fascinate him.

'When Lady Linnet’s closest friend is taken in by a man whom neither Linnet nor the Duke trusts, will they discover the truth of him, before it is too late?

'Will Lady Linnet find the courage that she has always lacked, when it is most needed? Can the Duke protect her, and still do the duty that he is bound to? Will love triumph?

'Or will death and betrayal steal all hope of love for Lady Linnet, the Duke, and their friends?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Widowed Violetta Tytherton, Countess of Caldicot, will be perfectly happy if she never sees the man who betrayed her, ten years before, again. She has moved on from that, and is enjoying her independence. And, perhaps, by going to her favourite cousin’s Christmas House Party, she might also enjoy Christmas for the first time in her life.

'Christophe Bourdain, Duke of Lustering, is still attempting to deal with everything he inherited, and to reinsert himself into London society. Duty says that he should marry, and beget an heir – but he cannot face the thought of letting a woman into his life that closely – he has been betrayed once, and he will not allow that to happen again. He will attend his old friends Christmas House Party, and attempt to relax, to forget all about duty at least for a short while.

'When a blizzard strands them both at the same already overcrowded Inn, everything changes. Old secrets drive them, as regret, revenge and desire tangle inextricably, until a truth ten years hidden is revealed by the force of an undeniable love.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady with a private passion, a merchant who loves above his station, a shared yearning for travel, a conflict of perception, an unexpected enemy, a love born in adversity.

'Lady Primrose Gardenbrook is obsessed by art, and is a talented artist herself – but she is also obsessed by Mr Gabriel Morton, a man that most of the ton regard as beneath her, for he is commoner born and a merchant. Nonetheless, she is determined to pursue a better acquaintance, no matter what it takes.

'Mr Gabriel Morton has been more than half in love with Lady Primrose from the moment that he met her – but is wise enough to know that a Duke’s daughter is most unlikely to consider him, no matter his wealth, or highly placed connections. When he discovers that Lady Primrose is as interested in travel as he is, he finds himself entertaining foolish dreams.

'But then, through unexpected circumstances, they find themselves sharing a journey away from England, and everything changes for them both. For weeks, they are together constantly, away from the prying eyes of the ton, with only the chaperonage of Gabriel’s brother and his wife. It seems perfect, idyllic, until it becomes obvious that evil lurks in paradise.

'Can Gabriel save Primrose from the threat? Can he overcome his doubts of his own worth, and fight for what he truly desires?

'Can Primrose find the determination to reach for everything she has ever wanted, no matter the risk?

'And, more challenging than anything else, can they both find the courage to defy society for their love?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Duke left bitter by past betrayals, a kind-hearted lady with secrets to keep, a family trapped by the mistakes of the past, blackmail and threats confronted, a love which heals the past.

'Damien Falton, the Duke of Blackwater, has been full of bitter anger since his father’s Will reading – which revealed that everything he thought he’d known about his life was a lie. Now, over a year later, with his mourning over, he must deal with society again, for the sake of his sisters, and their chances of finding men they wish to marry. The fact that he, too, will need to marry is something he doesn’t wish to contemplate – until he meets Lady Camellia Gardenbrook. Despite all expectations, she makes him want to believe that love without betrayal is possible.

'Lady Camellia Gardenbrook hopes that she will eventually find love, as her older sisters have – but she doubts that finding a man who will accept her secrets is possible. Still, she will not give those things up – what would her life be worth, without being able to help others? When she meets the Duke of Blackwater, for the first time, she finds herself truly intrigued by a man – for he is a contradictory, confusing combination of warmth and aloofness of manner, all in a sinfully handsome package.

'As the Season progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that all is not right, and that the secrets of the past are far from forgotten, but, instead, present a threat to the future – not just for the Duke, but for his sisters, and for the other family he never knew that he had.

'Can Lady Camellia discover the source of the threats, before the Duke’s sisters are ruined? Can the Duke protect his sisters, when the identity of the person who threatens them, and him, is unknown?

'And when it all comes out in one dramatic moment, can Lady Camellia and the Duke accept the truth of their feelings, and find love? Or will the shadows of the past steal their happiness in the future?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Lady promised since childhood, now questioning her feelings, a Duke also promised, and questioning his desire for love, a nobleman turned to the sea, now desperately in love, a cousin doubting her own betrothal, a confusion of suitors, an unexpected triumph of love.

'Lady Margaret Caulfield is somewhat spoiled, and newly come out into society, finds that she suddenly doubts everything – about love, and about her future. Promised since childhood to the man who saved her life when she was ten, she had not questioned it – until she met a man at a Masquerade Ball, and immediately fell in love with him.

'Captain Lord Adam Halstone is barely accepted by society, and only then because he is the second son of a Duke – for he has done the inexcusable, and not only invested in trade, but chosen to work as a ship’s Captain. Love is not something that he has considered, yet when he meets a green eyed beauty at a Masquerade Ball, he finds himself utterly in love.

'But Lady Margaret must contend with her uncertain feelings for the Duke she is promised to, who himself is coming to doubt the wisdom of the promise he made eight years before. And matters are complicated by others who would also seek Lady Margaret’s hand, should she cry off from that promise.

'In the end, will love triumph? Or will duty bind each of the players in this tangle to an unhappy future?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Marquess with a scandalous collection, a Lady with a fascination for everything improprietous, a book in need of translation, an unexpected enemy, a scandal designed to destroy, a love stronger than any threat.

'Lady Mariel Angleton has a talent for languages, and has always been fascinated by the sensual and sexual side of things, especially since she helped her friend Selina marry the man she loved, through 'discovering' Selina in a compromise... But young ladies of the ton are not supposed to know about such things. She goes to visit the now married Selina for a month or so, before the next London Season, and hopes to discover interesting books in Selina and Alex's library. What she finds is far more than she had ever expected...

'Dashiell Hardstone, the Marquess of Longwood, has spent the last eight years overseas, in Italy and beyond. Along the way, he has amassed a large collection of books and objects related to the history of eroticism - a fascinating topic, but not one that the ton approve of, at all. Now, back in England, he must decide what to do with that collection, before his father, the Duke of Cockleigh, finds out about it, or the gossip gets out of control. But he also, desperately, wants one of those books translated, for it is in a language he does not speak.

'When Dash visits Alex, his old friend, who has married Selina, and discusses that book, he sets in motion a chain of events with an ending he would never have expected - events which bring him into close contact with Mariel, and expose her to his collection... As they spend more and more time together, the attraction between them is undeniable.

'Will the knowledge of that collection reach the ears of the ton, before Dash is ready? Will Mariel find herself in the midst of scandal? Will they admit their feelings for each other, or will an unexpected enemy drive them apart?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A rebellious Lady, a Baron’s heir, a too proper Marquess, matchmaking gone awry, a storm drenched kiss in the haunted ruins, a last minute triumph of love.

'Lady Grace Wellford has always been happy riding about the countryside with her best friend, Miss Amelia Gardner, and Amelia's brother Theodore. Far happier than when she is expected to be ladylike indoors. But now that she is eighteen, her mother intends that to change, in preparation for the coming Season. Even the chance for Amelia to stay at Hesterton Park with her is not enough to make up for the loss of her freedom...

'Mr Theodore Gardner is coming to realise that, now that they are both grown, he sees Lady Grace rather differently from before - but he knows that she can never be for him - she is far above his social standing, and her mother hopes that she will marry a man of even higher standing than her. But part of him still hopes...

'When the Marquess of Chesterport and his sisters come to visit Hesterton Park, Lady Grace's mother is determined that she will make a match between the Marquess and Grace. It is a plan which does not meet with Grace's approval.... Then, when a sudden storm results in an unexpected kiss amongst the supposedly haunted castle ruins, four lives are thrown into turmoil.

'Will they have the courage to admit their true feelings? or will Grace and the Marquess bow to family pressure and each marry the wrong person?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.