Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them? Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.
Highclere Castle, known as 'the real Downton Abbey' bustles with activity at the best of times, but it is never more alive than at Christmas. Christmas at Highclere is a look behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make the castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. Lady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations. This book also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year. As well as telling the stories of Highclere Christmases past and present, Lady Carnarvon provides recipes, tips and inspiration from her kitchen so that readers can bring a quintessentially British festive spirit to their own home. Lady Carnarvon divulges the secret to perfectly flakey mince pies, the proper way to wrap presents so that you and your guests are guaranteed a Christmas to remember. Lavish, celebratory and utterly enchanting, Christmas at Highclere is celebration of one of the UK's most beloved historic houses and is the perfect gift for any Downton Abbey fan.
Murder Under The Mistletoe - Ultimate Christmas Murder Mystery Collection weaves a chilling tapestry of mystery and intrigue against the festive backdrop of the holiday season. This anthology amalgamates a dazzling array of literary styles, from the methodical deductions of the archetypal detective to the suspenseful ambiance of psychological thrillers. Reflecting the rich literary context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, each story within this collection, helmed by iconic figures like Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, thrives on the diverse interpretations of the yuletide spirit intermingled with dark and often profound narratives. The selected works stand as a testament to the versatility and depth of the murder mystery genre, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the human propensity for moral ambiguity under the veil of holiday cheer. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from various cultural and literary backgrounds, bring a wealth of experience and innovation to the anthology. Their collective works, embedded in historical, cultural, and literary movements ranging from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction to the intricate plot twists of Gothic mysteries, offer a panoramic view of changing societal norms and the unending quest for justice amidst chaos. Authors such as Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe, among others, contributed foundational texts that have shaped the contours of crime and detective literature. This collection acts as a crucible, melding these diverse voices into a singularly gripping narrative on crime, set against the contrasting innocence of Christmas. Murder Under The Mistletoe is a compelling invitation to readers seeking to explore the shadows cast by the festive lights through the lens of master storytellers. For those fascinated by the interplay between societal festivity and the darker aspects of human nature, this anthology promises a journey through varied landscapes of suspense, framed by the universal theme of holiday gatherings. Beyond its entertainment value, the collection offers invaluable insights into the evolution of the murder mystery genre and encourages a dialogic engagement with the works of some of its greatest practitioners. It is an essential volume for readers desiring not just a tale of mystery and suspense but a richer understanding of the cultural and literary forces that shape these narratives.
It's the Christmas season and Lady Amelia St. Vincent, spinster sister of the Devil Duke of Enwright, finds herself in something of a quandary. While attending Lord Raynecourt's annual holiday house party she has been relentlessly pursued by a veritable army of men after her hand in marriage. Not to mention her obscenely sizeable dowry. She is at her wit's end when the dashing Lord Fitzherbert Frost, the current Earl of Houghton, appears as if by magic and comes to her rescue, saving her from yet another fortune hunter. Now paired with Lord Frost during a rather absurd treasure hunt through the manor house, Amelia must decide if she is willing to trade one night in the earl's bed for a lifetime of ruination. Or whether the magical power of love can melt even the frostiest of hearts before it is too late.
Under royal command, The Duke of Astleyshire, William Harrington investigates a notorious writer stirring up trouble among the lower classes. Never one to back down from a challenge, he also makes a bet to bed a known man-hating lady. There is no way Georgiana Eaton will spend another season paraded in front of the ton’s eligible bachelors. She has more important things to do, like secretly writing chapbooks that support workers’ rights. When a roguish duke invites himself to her family’s holiday celebrations at Trent Castle, Georgie fights back. Never mind their intense attraction, the duke and the lady despise each other. Believing that Winkentattle is one of Georgie’s brothers, William follows her to a protest where all hell breaks loose. Now William and Georgie must appease the Prince Regent, save themselves from the gallows, and make it back to Trent Castle before Twelfth Night.
A gorgeous Regency Christmas romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes. A freshly wrapped Regency Christmas romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes. Through hard work and persistence, Elijah Harrison has become a successful portraitist. To gain a nomination to the prestigious Royal Academy of Artists are some portraits of juvenile subjects. He's accepted a commission to paint the Viscount Rothgreb's grandchildren, and finds that their aunt, Lady Jenny Windham, has offered to assist him. Elijah recognizes Lady Jenny Windham's artistic talent. He also realizes that he paints much better when she's nearby...
To help stoke the Christmas spirit and provide a respite from the annual blizzard of commercialism and family obligations, these twenty tales offer a heartwarming and enlightening look at Christmas from the perspective of some of America's most gifted and well-loved writers of the early twentieth century and before. Some celebrate traditional Yuletide sentiments while others present surprising twists on the Christmas theme or portray alluring characters involved in unexpected circumstances. Many take place in America, but some are set on foreign soil, such as in Italy and the Arctic. A wide range of social situations is represented (i.e., not all are about New York socialites discovering the true meaning of Christmas), and not every one has a conventional happy ending, but all offer compelling and original insights into the human condition within the context of Christmas. There are well-known tales of love and sacrifice such as O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" but also more obscure stories from other celebrated but perhaps less-well-known authors. Writers represented include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jack London, Frank Stockton, Mary Agnes Tincker, Robert Grant, Edward Eggleston, Sarah Orne Jewett, Bret Harte, and many others. This compact collection of Christmas literary gems is a perfect gift and will be a treasure for years to come.
The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think? Dear Reader, My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar. Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic. So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision. I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after. Positively, Penelope “What do you get when you combine a lovable heroine with characters who have mastered the art of witty banter? A charming read.” —Sheila Roberts, USA TODAY bestselling author Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming contemporary romance A sweet, kisses-only romance An epistolary novel written mostly in emails and texts Stand-alone novel, but a companion to Authentically, Izzy Book length: approximately 110,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Dear Reader, My name is Isabelle Louisa Edgewood—Izzy, for short. I live by blue-tinted mountains, where I find contentment in fresh air and books. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. And occasionally in being accosted by the love of my family. (You’ll understand my verb choice in the phrase later.) I dream of opening my own bookstore, but my life, particularly my romantic history, has not been the stuff of fairy tales. Which is probably why my pregnant, misled, matchmaking cousin—who, really, is more like my sister—signed me up for an online dating community. The trouble is . . . it worked. I’ve met my book-quoting Mr. Right, and our correspondence has been almost too good to be true. But Brodie lives across an ocean. And just the other day, a perfectly nice author and professor named Eli came into the library where I work and asked me out for a coffee. I feel a rom-com movie with a foreboding disaster nipping at my heels. But I’ve played it safe for a long time. Maybe it’s time for me to be as brave as my favorite literary heroines. Maybe it’s time to take the adventures from the page to real life. Wish me luck. Authentically, Izzy Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming contemporary romance about book lovers A sweet, kisses-only romance An epistolary novel written mostly in emails and texts Stand-alone novel Book length: approximately 105,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad . . . and even the impossible. Dear Reader, My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon. But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong. Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms. Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it. Loyally, Luke “Readers, you are in for a pure delight! Luke Edgewood is, in a word, dreamy.”—Emma St. Clair, USA TODAY bestselling author Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming contemporary romance A sweet, kisses-only romance Stand-alone novel Book length: approximately 107,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
