Regency

Saucy pickpocket Simone Dougherty relies on her nimble fingers and quick mind to work London’s streets. However, using her wits to survive in the East End is one thing. Using her wits to pose as the wife of the attractive Lord Temple Wellington is another thing altogether. Especially when her rebellious heart refuses to listen to reason.

Restless and bored with the life he’s carved out for himself, black sheep Lord Temple Wellington determines to turn over a new leaf. Somehow he never imagined embarking on a new life would involve marriage to a fetching thief with a penchant for trouble. A thief with mysteries of her own.

When Temple unexpectedly becomes the new Earl of Leavenby, will both his and Simone’s dark pasts rise up to haunt them? Or are they strong enough together to fight for their happiness?

Novella – Regency Romance
Sensuality Level: Sweet
Approximate word count: 20,000
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As Lady Sophia passes through the gates of her new bridegroom’s country estate and he begins to whisper in her ear the delights that await her in his bed, Lady Sophia realizes she has made a most dreadful mistake. There’s only one thing to do. She must bolt.

The bride-on-the-run is rescued by the exceedingly handsome William Birmingham who thinks she’s a woman named Isadore, and though he’s the richest man in England, she mistakes him for a common (but well-to-do) criminal. Since she’d rather be dead than wed to her wretched bridegroom, Sophia pretends to be Isadore and take her chances with the provocative Mr. Birmingham. But how could she have known that her ruse would bring the gallant Mr. Birmingham into such peril from the wicked man she married? And how could she have known her enigmatic rescuer would ignite passions she never knew she possessed?
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EXCERPT:

“Just what are you suggesting, sir?”

“You -- and your sister -- will stay at my home until I’m assured that you’re out of danger.”

She shook her head. “I’m . . . an unmarried woman.”

The very suggestion of impropriety stirred his lust for her. She was an unmarried woman, a very beautiful unmarried woman, and he was an unmarried man. He had never been more aware of a woman. A sizzling heat flared between them as he drank in her sensuous loveliness, as his heated gaze poured over her exquisite face, down the creamy flesh of her neck and the tops of her breasts swelling against the blue gown.

Bringing a wellborn lady to his house was not a good idea. How would he be able to stay away from her bed?

He drew a deep breath. “I give you my word to behave as a gentleman. And my servants are very discreet. Your reputation will not suffer.”

Her eyes sparkled with mirth. “How can I know you’re a gentleman? I know of no gentlemen whose valets are skilled swordsmen.” Her gaze darted to Thompson, whose face was inscrutable.

William shrugged. “The manner in which I conduct my business and the manner in which I live in polite society are two completely different things.”

“I may regret it, Mr. Birmingham,” she said, “but I’m willing to put myself in your hands. Until this business is completed.”

Widowed, penniless Sabrina Whitcomb isn't looking for romance. What she needs is a husband, and she knows well enough that romance and matrimony aren't always compatible. While providing for her twins and the child she now carries is paramount, wedding a virtual stranger--even a wealthy one, like Gideon St. Goddard, Duke of Stanthorpe--is no light matter. Sabrina knows the friend who arranged the union would not promise her to a true scoundrel, but one look at her future husband convinces her that he is a shameless rogue. A shockingly handsome and desirable one, at that. Why has he agreed to marry her? When Gideon flashes that wicked, seductive smile, the reason hardly matters, but the chance that he'll steal her heart becomes all too real...

Will he secure his future by ruining hers, or will she ruin his plans by securing him? A new twist on the old fortune hunter plot puts an impoverished earl in a position to gain his fortune only by ruining an innocent's reputation without offering marriage. The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him. With no other means for an income, the impoverished Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, makes an agreement that will put a definite end his eight year poverty streak. But, in order to gain his fortune he must do only one simple thing: ruin an innocent young lady’s reputation enough to make her flee to America. Brooke Banks isn’t interested in marriage, or so she thinks. She came to London to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. Widely known for her tendency to flout the rules, she suspects nothing when a handsome stranger appears on her doorstep. Thirteen days, a handful of kisses and one scandalous situation later, Andrew and Brooke will have to choose to stick to their original plans, or decide if a life together is worth the risk.

Australian Romance Readers Awards Finalist for Favorite Historical Romance of 2011.

When the Earl of Salt Hendon marries squire's daughter Jane Despard, Society is aghast. But Jane and Lord Salt share a secret past of mistrust, heartache and misery. Four years on, they are forced into a marriage neither wants; the Earl to honor a dying man's wish; Jane to save her stepbrother from financial ruin. Beautiful inside and out, the patient and ever optimistic Jane believes love conquers all; the Earl will take some convincing. Enter Diana St. John, who has been living in a fool's paradise believing she would be the next Countess of Salt Hendon. She will go to extreme lengths, even murder, to hold the Earl's attention. Can the newlyweds overcome past prejudices and sinister opposition to fall in love all over again?

Deluxe trade paperback edition bound in gloss laminated white 240gsm/90lb stock. Page print is deep black 444 dpi on silky-smooth 85gsm/55 lb offset opaque crème paper. All paper used is acid free and meets every ANSI standard for archival quality.

When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?

Readers will enjoy being drawn into this world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades. Author Laurie Alice Eakes whisks readers through the drawing rooms of London amid the sound of rustling gowns on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past and let love guide the future.

The Wetherby Brides, Book 3... When Chloe Hawthorne is asked to chaperone her cousin during the London Season, it is with a heavy heart that she departs her home and family in Essex.Though she has been widowed for more than a year, she has yet to move on, and is loathe to do so. But when she meets her cousin's fiancee, Lord Andrew Wetherby, she must choose between honoring her cousin's impending marriage and following her heart. Andrew Wetherby has chosen the perfect bride. She is well bred and beautiful - what more could the second son of a marquess ask for? However, when Lady Elizabeth's new chaperone arrives on the scene, he knows he's made a mistake of monumental proportions. The young widow with the russet curls captures his undivided attention, but as a gentleman, there is little he can do about it...or is there?