Download or read book The Debutante Dilemma written by Valerie Bowman and published by June Third Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on 2023-07-25 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lady Jessica Whitmoreland has been waiting for her first Season her entire life and she has her eye on the best catch of the Season, but when the gentleman of her dreams turns out to be a nightmare, what’s a debutante to do? When a debutante with a plan… Lady Jessica Whitmoreland has always had a clear plan for her debut Season: find a suitable husband and secure her place in Society. Her sights are set on the catch of the Season, the Duke of Thornbury, Aiden Thornton. But when he offends Jessica during their first encounter, she writes him off as rude and arrogant. Meets a duke with an attitude… Aiden is a rake who shudders at the thought of settling down. He prides himself on crushing the dreams of hopeful debutantes. But when he realizes he’s offended a Whitmoreland, he has no choice but to make amends, and quickly. Only Lady Jessica isn’t interested in his apology. She wants nothing more to do with him, leaving Aiden feeling frustrated—and more than a little intrigued. Sparks are bound to fly. Aiden can be exceedingly charming and persistent, however, and despite Jessica’s initial reluctance to forgive him, they become unlikely friends. But when she resumes her search for the ideal husband, Aiden realizes he’s feeling more than friendship for the quick-witted beauty. Her sensuous kisses tell him she feels more too. Passion is never in short supply when they’re together, but this is not the perfect courtship Jessica imagined. Can they let go of first impressions for a chance at lasting love?

Download or read book The Debutante s Dilemma written by Donna Lea Simpson and published by Beyond The Page. This book was released on 2016-07-19 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the author of Lord Haven’s Deception comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with. Pamela Neville is a free-spirited young beauty who has no intention of subjecting herself to the stifling restrictions of London society—until her grandmother lures her with an irresistible offer. The indomitable dowager promises to teach her everything she needs to know to elicit a proposal from Sir Colin Valens, the man Pamela has adored since childhood. Soon Pamela is feigning the same coy disinterest of the other women of the ton—and catching Colin’s eye in the process—but the green-eyed gamine can only be demure for so long. And each time she indulges her more wild, carefree side, she runs headlong into the startlingly handsome Lord Strongwycke, who seems to find her entrancing just for being herself. Suddenly Pamela finds herself with the vexing dilemma of being pursued by two different gentlemen, and in what seems like the span of a heartbeat both men offer for her hand. Now Pamela faces a choice between clinging to the dreams of a girl and a life that would allow her to live as the free spirit she longs to be. This is a fully revised edition of a book originally titled Pamela’s Second Season.

Download or read book The Debutante s Dilemma written by Elyse Mady and published by Carina Press. This book was released on 2010-11-08 with total page 85 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One woman in search of passion Miss Cecilia Hastings has achieved what every young lady hopes for during her first London season...in duplicate! She's caught the eye of not one but two of England's most eligible bachelors. Both Jeremy Battersley, Earl of Henley, and Richard Huxley, Duke of Wexford, are handsome, wealthy and kind, the epitome of proper gentlemen. But Cecilia doesn't want proper, she wants passion. So she issues a challenge to her suitors: a kiss, so that she may choose between them. Two men in love with the same woman Friends since childhood, and compatriots on the battlefields of Spain, Jeremy and Richard have found that falling for the same woman has set them at odds and risks destroying their friendship forever. But a surprising invitation to a late-night garden tryst soon sets them on a course that neither of them could have anticipated. And these gentlemen quickly discover that love can take many forms... 22,000 words

Download or read book The Duke is Back written by Valerie Bowman and published by June Third Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on 2022-04-25 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A wedding is in her future Miss Sophie Payton might be engaged, but she’s not in love. The only man who ever captured her heart was Phillip Grayson—a soldier who was slain a year ago. But when her stepmother decrees that Sophie will marry Phillip’s cousin, the new Duke of Harlowe, Sophie’s in no position to refuse. A funeral is in his past The ton thinks Phillip Grayson died a hero on the battlefields of Europe, but he’s very much alive. While he spent the last year recuperating from his grave injuries in secret at his friend’s estate, his brother was murdered, his cousin took over the title of duke, and the woman he loved—the one he dreamed of every night—apparently moved on without him. But the duke is back Phillip has returned to London intent on reclaiming his brother’s title and making the people who killed him pay. He doesn’t understand how Sophie could have betrayed him; she can’t forgive him for letting her believe he was dead. And yet neither can deny that the attraction between them burns hotter than ever. Nothing is as it seems, but perhaps the truth can save them…if it doesn’t kill them first.

Download or read book Lord St Claire s Angel written by Donna Lea Simpson and published by Beyond The Page. This book was released on 2013-11-05 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the author of Reforming the Rogue comes a full-length Classic Regency Romance novel celebrating the witty and romantic world first introduced by Jane Austen. Celestine Simons was of good family, but an untimely death and a shortage of funds forces the homely spinster to take a position as governess at the estate of Lord Langlow and his wife. Never one to bemoan her change in fortune, Celestine is content to spend her days raising and overseeing their children, knowing in her heart she will never have any of her own. Lord St. Claire Richmond, Langlow’s brother, is a rogue and seducer, content to while away his days pursuing pleasure—and driving his brother and sister-in-law mad by reducing their female staff to lovelorn fools with his flirtations. When he learns on his annual Christmas visit that the drab Celestine was hired as governess solely to thwart his dalliances, he devises a scheme to both stir her heart and spite his family’s interfering ways. But as his game unfolds, the cunning St. Claire discovers this conquest may be more challenging than expected when the thoughtful and intelligent Celestine begins to fire an ache in his own heart. And what began as an amusement to give the plain, timid miss an innocent thrill is turning into much more, as St. Claire realizes she may be the one giving him the thrill—and teaching him in a way only a governess can that real beauty lies beneath the surface and that true love is often found where you least expect it.

Download or read book Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage written by Valerie Bowman and published by St. Martin's Paperbacks. This book was released on 2013-10-01 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A duchess awaiting trial for her vile husband's murder is the most delicious gossip the ton has heard in years. But for Kate Townsende, the woman in question, it could be a matter of life and death. And when a shrewd and handsome nobleman offers to publish her side of the story while arranging for a barrister to take her case, she's tempted by much more than the chance to defend herself... James Bancroft, Viscount Medford, tells himself he's only interested in a bestselling pamphlet, but Kate's stubborn determination is captivating. Could the accused widow be telling the truth? At first, James isn't sure of anything besides his growing desire for her—but before long he's willing to risk much more than his reputation to make the infamous beauty his wife... Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage is the third Secret Brides novel from Valerie Bowman.

Download or read book The Last Dance of the Debutante written by Julia Kelly and published by Canelo. This book was released on 2022-03-31 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Amidst the glamour of high society, a tawdry secret will change Lily’s life forever... 1958. The last year debutantes will be presented at court to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nicholls agrees to debut and do the Season – a glittering and gruelling string of endless balls and cocktail parties. There she befriends two women: aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career after helping her parents find their place among the elite. But the sparkle of the Season dims when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a murky past, what will she choose for her future: her family legacy, or her own, uncertain happiness? A fast-paced and compelling historical novel for fans of Kate Morton and The Crown. Praise for The Last Dance of the Debutante "Between the crinkling of crinolines and the popping of champagne corks, Last Dance of the Debutante leads us on a glorious dance through the traditional glamour and suffocating expectations of a bygone era." Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters across the Sea "Julia Kelly elegantly brings to life the last official presentation of debutantes at court with her exquisitely researched and beautiful written detail. This story was so decadent, I wanted to don silk and crinoline and read it with a glass of champagne." Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London "Refreshing, intriguing, oozing with elegance, and with three female leads who will keep you thoroughly engrossed, a charming gem of a novel which will delight fans of The Crown." Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter "An insightful and engaging look at this neglected subject ... an unforgettable journey of a young woman's liberation." Piper Huguley, author of By Design: the story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret "Peels back layers of lush glamour and the extraordinary expectations of the London Season to give us a glimpse into a world teetering on the brink of change and the choices facing those who navigated it. Woven with heartfelt emotion, this novel is a captivating, unforgettable story of one woman's journey to find love, truth, and, most importantly, herself." Kelly Bowen, author of The Paris Apartment "Kelly's descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time." Booklist "The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace... Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life." Publishers Weekly

Download or read book Secrets of a Wedding Night written by Valerie Bowman and published by St. Martin's Paperbacks. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Secrets of a Wedding Night Valerie Bowman HOW TO STOP A WEDDING Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled "Secrets of a Wedding Night," knowing it will find its way into his intended's innocent hands... HOW TO SEDUCE A WIDOW Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon's new fiancée cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it's his former fiancée Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be...

Download or read book Duke Looks Like a Groomsman written by Valerie Bowman and published by June Third Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on 2020-07-28 with total page 231 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: He’s posing as a groomsman. Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington, has bet his friends an ungodly sum of money that despite his loftiness, he can pass himself off as a servant at the house party of the Season. But when his clever ex-flame arrives and recognizes Rhys in the stables pretending to be a groomsman, she realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to pay him back for breaking off their engagement. She’s the bride-to-be. The lovely Lady Julianna Montgomery may be the only young woman at the house party who’s not in the market for a husband. She’s quite happily engaged to a marquess, thank you very much, and scarcely remembers the pain of being callously tossed over by the Duke of Worthington nearly two long years ago—till now. All bets are off. Rhys seems to be everywhere, flexing his muscles, laboring in the sun—and Julianna has never found him more appealing. With his signature charm, he persuades her to keep his secret. But when she learns he’s determined to win a bet of honor, she can’t resist playing a game of her own. She’ll spend the next fortnight tempting Rhys at every turn and making him lose his precious wager. Even if it means she must lose her heart in the process…

Download or read book The Season A Social History of the Debutante written by Kristen Richardson and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2019-11-19 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Smithsonian Best History Book of 2019 “Sparkling.” —Genevieve Valentine, NPR Kristen Richardson traces the social seasons of debutantes on both sides of the Atlantic, sharing their stories in their own words, through diaries, letters, and interviews conducted at contemporary balls. Richardson takes the reader from Georgian England to colonial Philadelphia, from the Antebellum South and Wharton’s New York to the reimagined rituals of African American communities. Originally conceived as a way to wed daughters to suitable men, debutante rituals have adapted and evolved as marriage and women’s lives have changed. An inquiry into the ritual’s enduring cultural significance, The Season also reveals the complex emotional world of the girls at its center, whose every move was scrutinized and judged, and on whose backs family fortunes rested.

Download or read book The Kennedy Debutante written by Kerri Maher and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2019-08-13 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A riveting reimagining of a true tale of forbidden love.”—People The captivating novel following the exploits of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the forgotten and rebellious daughter of one of America's greatest political dynasties. London, 1938. The effervescent "It girl" of London society since her father was named the ambassador, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy moves in rarefied circles, rubbing satin-covered elbows with some of the twentieth century's most powerful figures. Eager to escape the watchful eye of her strict mother, Rose; the antics of her older brothers, Jack and Joe; and the erratic behavior of her sister Rosemary, Kick is ready to strike out on her own and is soon swept off her feet by Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire. But their love is forbidden, as Kick's devout Catholic family and Billy's staunchly Protestant one would never approve their match. And when war breaks like a tidal wave across her world, Billy is ripped from her arms as the Kennedys are forced to return to the States. Kick finds work as a journalist and joins the Red Cross to get back to England, where she will have to decide where her true loyalties lie—with family or with love....

Download or read book Secrets of a Runaway Bride written by Valerie Bowman and published by St. Martin's Paperbacks. This book was released on 2013-03-26 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE Valerie Bowman Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Green—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman. When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend's sister-in-law, he didn't realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters worse, he's stuck playing the role of honorable protector...when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.

Download or read book The White Swan Affair written by Elyse Mady and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2012-05-21 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: London, 1810 After the tragic death of her beloved, Hester Aspinall vowed never to be ruled by her passions again. Still, she is drawn to her landlord, handsome adventurer Thomas Ramsay—but she doesn't fool herself that a man of his station would look twice at a poor tailor's sister. With the sea for a mistress, Thomas has no intention of entering into matrimony. And yet, he can't get the plain-spoken and desirable Hester out of his mind, even though she's never tried to secure his attentions as other women do. Everything changes the night Hester's brother is arrested during a raid on a gay brothel, the infamous White Swan. With no one else to turn to, and terrified Robert will hang for his crime, Hester accepts Thomas's offer to bear the cost of the defense. A true gentleman, Thomas expects nothing in return—but Hester can no longer deny her own desires... She may offer her body eagerly, but can she protect her heart? 96,000 words

Download or read book The Unexpected Duchess written by Valerie Bowman and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2014-04-29 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "St. Martin's Paperbacks historical romance"--Spine.

Download or read book A Lady s Choice written by Donna Lea Simpson and published by Beyond The Page. This book was released on 2016-12-15 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the author of The Debutante’s Dilemma comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with. “Simpson excels at imbuing her realistic characters with subtle depths!” —John Charles, American Library Association For as long as she or anyone else can remember, the beautiful but cold Rachel Neville has always adhered strictly to society’s rules, and she is now reaping the rewards with an offer of marriage from an eminently suitable fiancé. Yet despite the secure future that lies ahead, Rachel is suddenly questioning her acquiescence to the strictures of the ton—and her future husband. Stranger still, she is preoccupied with thoughts of Colin Varens, a wholly unsuitable man whose proposals she has rejected several times. Colin can’t remember a time when his heartfelt declarations for Rachel weren’t being rebuffed, but the rough-and-tumble country gentleman has finally come to terms with the rejection—and Rachel’s betrothal—and has made peace with her as friends. But as he and Rachel spend more time together, he finds her once-haughty manner thawing into the warmth and vivaciousness that attracted him so many years ago, just as he is finding a growing strength and confidence of his own. As Rachel finds comfort in Colin’s strong embraces and the unfamiliar emotions simmering within, Colin must struggle with feelings he thought stifled once and for all and admit the hope he still carries in his heart. And as Rachel’s marriage draws near and both of them confront the reality of a life without the other, they will discover that the habits of a lifetime are not carved in stone, because a lady’s change of heart can change everything. This is a fully revised edition of a book originally titled Rachel’s Change of Heart.

Download or read book The Footmen s Club Books 4 6 Save a Horse Ride a Viscount Earl Lessons The Duke is Back written by Valerie Bowman and published by June Third Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on 2023-05-14 with total page 684 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this entertaining box set, a stubborn wallflower with a broken leg is forced to stay at a prickly earl’s country house, the princess of the debutantes has two weeks to turn an army captain into the hottest bachelor of the Season, and a wounded duke must avenge his brother's death and reclaim the woman he loved. Book Four: Save a Horse, Ride a Viscount Viscount Clayton had meticulously planned his path to success, ticking off every box, including finding a lady to marry and winning an Arabian thoroughbred. But when Lady Theodora Ballard's father sells her beloved horse to Clayton, she'll stop at nothing to get him back, even if it means a horse spying mission gone wrong. Thea's broken leg leaves her as a houseguest in Clayton's estate, igniting undeniable sparks between them. But with secrets and scandal looming, Clayton's best laid plans are about to go awry in the face of unexpected passion. Book Five: Earl Lessons Captain David Ellsworth never expected to become the Earl of Elmwood, but upon his return from war, he and his sister must navigate London Society. Lady Annabelle Bellham, the elusive belle of the ballrooms, agrees to teach David the ways of Society as a favor to her older brother. Despite having nothing in common, Annabelle and David find themselves drawn to each other with a fiery passion and inconvenient feelings. But Annabelle is dead set on avoiding marriage and the destruction it brings. Could their connection be enough to change her mind? Book Six: The Duke is Back Sophie Payton is engaged to the new Duke of Harlowe, Phillip Grayson's cousin, but her heart still belongs to Phillip, who she believed was killed in action. Unbeknownst to Sophie, Phillip has survived and returns to London to seek justice for his brother's murder and reclaim his title. As they confront their feelings for each other, they must also face the lies and danger that surround them. A wedding may be in Sophie's future, but a funeral is in Phillip's past, and the truth may save them or kill them.

Download or read book The Wallflower Win written by Valerie Bowman and published by June Third Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on 2023-10-24 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: She’s a wallflower on a mission to win. Bookish Lady Elizabeth Whitmoreland has no interest in being a debutante. She’d rather immerse herself in the tranquility of a library than dance in a ballroom with some silly fop. But when she overhears a wager being placed on a game of chess, she sees her chance to challenge the ton’s smuggest rake. If he loses, he’ll have to pretend to court her for the entire Season to fend off her relentless mama. He's a rake who’s never been beat. Christopher St. Clare, the Marquess of Claremont, is a man who staunchly avoids the debutante scene and marriage altogether, confident that his brother will carry on the family line. But when a spirited debutante challenges him to a chess match, he can’t resist. He's always been unbeatable, but his world is turned upside down when he faces an unexpected loss. Now, he must play the role of a devoted suitor for the entire Season. In a game that quickly turns to seduction, the stakes have never been so scandalous. Lady Eliza might be beautiful, clever, and witty, but she’s still a debutante. One playing a dangerous game when she begins tempting him beyond all reason by asking him to kiss her. Despite their undeniable chemistry, Christopher remains resolute. He will not touch her. But when Eliza steps up her attempts to seduce him, how long will he be able to resist the undeniable attraction between them?