As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster's timid heart with dread. She hasn't her sisters beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family's enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster. But Daphne's misery turns to surprised delight when the first event of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door, James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne's disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach. Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love.
Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams.
Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke of Kielder's castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke's steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride--Persephone Lancaster.
As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster's timid heart with dread. She hasn't her sisters beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family's enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster. But Daphne's misery turns to surprised delight when the first event of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door, James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne s disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach. Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love.
He stole her inheritance. She stole his heart. Daphne Windham has depended upon one thing her entire life: inheriting her beloved great-aunt's estate, Cheriton Hall. With her mother desperate to marry her off to the highest bidder, Daphne is relieved to escape to Cheriton for the summer-until she learns that her aunt has decided upon a different heir entirely. Cole Everard, the steward's son and Daphne's childhood friend. Former friend, that is. Raised on the grounds of Cheriton, Cole Everard never imagined he would be named heir, but he is determined to prove himself worthy of the position. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, especially when Daphne arrives claiming he is anything but worthy. Instead of their close friendship, Cole is met with cold indifference-which would sting much less if he wasn't entirely in love with her... Hurt and betrayed, Daphne believes her only choice is to undermine her new rival and reclaim what is rightfully hers. But that plan becomes increasingly difficult, what with Cole's infuriating charm and kindness. When fate offers Daphne a second chance, will she take it or risk it all for the promise of love? Romancing Her Rival is the second in a series of books about five friends. The other four novellas will be written by authors Sally Britton, Megan Walker, Heidi Kimball, and Arlem Hawks.
The Bradens are a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom series. "You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak "Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely IN USA Today bestseller ROMANCING MY LOVE... After months of caring for her terminally ill mother, Rebecca Rivera is left all alone in a world she doesn't trust--but she's determined not to let her mother's death define her. Losing her job, having to pummel some jerk for being too handsy, and living in her car are just temporary setbacks to an otherwise solid plan in finding her footing. Full of pride and used to being in control of her life, she's certain she can make it on her own. The last thing Rebecca needs is a man to fix her troubles--even if that man is strikingly handsome, wealthy, and charismatic Pierce Braden. Pierce is a powerful real estate investor on the verge of a major acquisition. As the eldest of six siblings raised by a single mother, he's spent his life protecting those he loves. He's used to being in charge and making things right, and although he'd give his life for his family, he treats the women he dates as expendable--until he meets sexy and stubborn Rebecca Rivera, a woman who is as strong as she is vulnerable. Passion ignites between them, and the two share their most intimate thoughts and desires. It doesn't take long for Pierce to realize that Rebecca is as determined not to be saved as he is to find a way into her heart. As their love grows, Rebecca must face fears she didn't even realize she had--and Pierce must learn the hard truth that sometimes less really is more. Is the power of true love enough for Rebecca and Pierce to learn to give up control and allow their hearts to take over? *** WANT MORE BRADENS? All Braden books can be read as stand-alone novels or as part of the series: THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO) Taken by Love (Luke) Fated for Love (Wes) Romancing My Love (Pierce) Flirting with Love (Ross) Dreaming of Love (Emily) Crashing into Love (Jake) *** The Bradens are part of the Love in Bloom big family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books. Read the complete Love in Bloom series: SNOW SISTERS Sisters in Love Sisters in Bloom Sisters in White THE BRADENS (Weston, CO) Lovers at Heart, Reimagined (Treat & Max) Destined for Love (Rex & Jade) Friendship on Fire (Josh & Riley) Sea of Love (Dane & Lacy) Bursting with Love (Savannah & Jack) Hearts at Play (Hugh & Bree) THE BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS Promise My Love (Rex & Jade's Wedding Novella) **Best if read after Weston & Trusty Bradens** THE REMINGTONS Game of Love (Dex) Stroke of Love (Sage) Flames of Love (Siena) Slope of Love (Rush) Read, Write, Love (Kurt) SEASIDE SUMMERS Seaside Dreams (Bella) Seaside Hearts (Jenna) Seaside Sunsets (Jamie) Seaside Secrets (Amy) Seaside Nights (Sky) Seaside Embrace (Hunter) Seaside Lovers (Grayson) Seaside Whispers (Matt) THE BRADENS (at Peaceful Harbor) Healed by Love (Nate) Surrender My Love (Cole) River of Love (Sam) Crushing on Love (Shannon) Whisper of Love (Tempest) Thrill of Love (Ty) REVIEWS "Like Nora Roberts, Melissa Foster has captivated me with her fantastic, sexy, romantic stories." K. Winning NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Melissa loves to chat with book clubs and readers, invite her to your next event. Foster's love stories are perfect steamy romance beach reads for fans of big-family, small-town romance. The characters are romantic and loyal, some are billionaires, others are not, and you're always guaranteed a happily ever after. 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From New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the first novel in the beloved Regency-set world of her charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix. In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince--while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable...but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen. Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society--just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend's sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar. The plan works like a charm--at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London's elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule... This novel includes the 2nd epilogue, a peek at the story after the story.
When Crispin, Lord Cavratt, thoroughly and scandalously kisses a serving woman in the garden of a country inn, he assumes the encounter will be of no consequence. But he couldn't be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentlemen, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle.
After inheriting his uncle's estate and the title of Marquess of Grenton, Miles Linwood returns to England haunted by his beloved friend Elise's mysterious disappearance. So when he glimpses a woman with a startling resemblance to his lost friend, he's shaken to the core.
