Two New Novellas to enjoy for Christmas in July

(With characters from The Never Series)

Never Keep a Secret at Christmas

Sometimes a secret can mend broken hearts.

AMAZON

(Note: This story was first published as part of the Dragonblade Publishing Boxed set O’ Night Divine, December 2020)

BELLA’S CHRISTMAS WISH

When you wish upon a Christmas star dreams come true.

AMAZON

(Note: This story was first published as part of the Dragonblade Publishing Boxed set Star of Light, November 2021)

NEVER TRUST AN EARL

AMAZON

Redcliffe Park, Northumberland, 1819

Dominic Thorne, the Earl of Redcliffe, arrives in Redcliffe village in the far north of England, to view his inheritance. The estate, Redcliffe Park, is miles from a decent town, and in need of extensive renovation.

A rake, says the squire’s wife, who heard all about him from her aunt in London. Rumors of Dominic’s scandalous lifestyle have quickly spread. His uncle, the former earl, was disliked. He failed to pay his debts. And it’s assumed his nephew is cut from the same cloth, or even worse, will ravage all the ladies in the village. It’s suspected his uncle distrusted banks, and stashed his wealth in a secret place somewhere on the estate.

Dominic wants to restore order to the estate to lease or sell it, then return to London. But his extremely attractive and capable housekeeper, Miss Olivia Jenner, makes him want more than a well-run house. He wants her in his life, in his bed. But she has plans of her own and doesn’t trust him.

Olivia Jenner has her own reasons for becoming the housekeeper, which she is not about to tell the earl. She loathed his uncle who destroyed her father’s life, and is determined to keep the rakish earl at arm’s length. But it becomes difficult for Olivia to hold on to her poor opinion of Dominic, after he toils in the fields with his plowman and works to improve the lives of those on his estate. Intrigued, Olivia can’t seem to stay away from him. She brings them lunch and hovers, admiring his fine physique and his straightforward manner with his workmen. He is not what she expected. But she cannot not lose her focus, she must find what she came for, then execute her plans for her future.

The house is broken into, and it’s believed they search for the money stashed away by his uncle. While Olivia and Dominic work together to discover who is behind it, a further threat appears. Someone wants Dominic dead.

The attraction between them grows to fever pitch. Dominic wants her, but will the independent and practical lady who considers the disparity in their births an impossible hurdle to overcome, ever agree?

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The Never Series
Book 1 – Never Doubt a Duke
Book 2 – Never Dance with a Marquess
Book 3 – Never Trust an Earl

A great new collection from Dragonblade authors!

My entry in this collection is THE DUKE’S BROWN-EYED LADY inspired by Van Morrison’s Brown-Eyed Girl.

Welcome to a rollicking summer in Regency England, where the weather is warm, the ladies warmer, and the dukes sizzling-hot!

For lovers of historical romance, lose yourself in this collection of never before published Regency tales. From gambling halls to ballrooms, you’ll enjoy a summer with a wide cast of unforgettable characters. Themes from your favorite summertime songs have inspired these tales, so get ready for fun, fun, fun or a little old lady who drives her phaeton far too fast.

It’s glamour, passion, and adventure in one magical summer in Regency England!

Goodreads review for THE DUKE’S BROWN-EYED LADY

THE DUKE’S BROWN-EYED LADY by Maggi Andersen -Gene and Mellie were the perfect couple and I fell in love with both instantly. Their friendship turned romance had several problems – her parents wanted her to marry an awful man, Gene felt he was too old for Mellie, Mellie thought he only wanted a friend but in the end love won. This was a well written, sweet story with a wonderful HEA.

ANNOUNCING MISS THEODOSIA

Book #3 Once a Wallflower Series

Amazon

Take an independent miss, a gentleman intent on changing her mind, a dangerous foe, and stir in a whirlwind romance.

Theodosia Tothill attends her first Season with the conviction that all men control their wives. Even her brother’s wife, who used to have opinions, is now intent on filling his nursery and talks of nothing but babies.

Inspired by her poet aunt, Thea intends to remain unmarried while pursuing her dream to write for newspapers. But her father, wary of her restlessness which has exhausted nannies, governesses and run her parents ragged over the years, is just as determined to see her safely married to a good man.

At her first ball, Thea puts her plan into action. While avoiding a gentleman intent on dancing with her, she escapes onto the terrace. Forced to retreat into the garden, she overhears a frightening conversation through the open window in the room above her. A man comes to the window and peers out.

Tackled from behind, she rolls into the shadows, to be held by a strong male body and a voice in her head which urges her to be quiet.

Thea embarks on a dangerous adventure with Lord Ashton Grainger, who she considers controlling and annoyingly inscrutable, but oh, so attractive. And her father, furious at discovering her intention to avoid suitors, becomes more determined to marry her off. He has chosen the man Thea and Ash overheard coldly planning another man’s death. Rather than reveal all to her father, who would send her back to the country, Thea avoids the gentleman intending to work with Grainger to uncover what lies behind the murderous plot. But annoyingly, Grainger refuses to indulge her.

Ash has his own concerns. He dances with debutantes at balls merely to humor his grandfather, the Earl of Highworth, who is keen to see him wed before he dies. After the family suffered a terrible tragedy, his grandfather has become a virtual recluse. With the belief the earl has years left on the earth before he needs to marry, Ash intends to continue his bachelor existence. Until he receives disturbing news which forces him to make a snap decision that will affect both his and Thea’s lives. He comes to realize it was something he wanted all along. But does Thea think the same?

When the murderous foe widens his net to include an innocent child and Thea in his sights, Ash must take matters into his own hands.

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Once a Wallflower
Presenting Miss Letitia
Introducing Miss Joanna
Announcing Miss Theodosia

Goodreads Review:

Thank you to the author and the publisher, Dragonblade Publishing, for letting me read an ARC of this book via NetGalley!!

“A marriage of convenience could suit them both.”

“Breakfast was the most necessary meal, in her grandmother’s opinion, for it set one up for the day”

For fans of Bridgerton but with softer vibes … less spicy let’s say but with the really same purpose and setting, this book is for you!
I absolutely loved this book!
It was exactly what I needed … a soft, interesting, historical romance about a young woman who wants to marry for love or , instead, live as a spinster writing …
Most readers’ dream, I’m afraid!
I loved each and every character and the writing-style made the plot easy to get through and to follow!!
I loved how independent Thea is and how much she cares for other’s stories, and her grandmama … an icon!
Ash is a great love interest and the fact that this book involved a forced-proximity trope as well as a sudden strategic marriage … well this should say it all!!
The reading felt sure but simply because it got into it, right after the fast few pages, and it kept me captivated till the very end.
I can’t wait for this to be published and possibly read more about it.

“Do you object to marrying me, or just the idea of marriage, Thea?”

“He was the man of her dreams, even though she rather thought of him as a lover and not a husband”

Goodreads Review:

Miss Theodosia Tothill wants  to be a crime reporter. The one benefit of being in London is the chance to hear and report on more stories. She has no idea just how dangerous that can be.  

Viscount Ashley Grainger works for the Crown but this latest mystery is a more personal one.  It will however turn into much more.  

A fascinating historical romance with a very interesting mystery to solve.  Our characters must draw on unusual sources to solve it.  There is danger from a very nasty man who has nothing to lose.  

This story is brim full of great characters.  It is part of a series but each book can be read on it’s own. I do love having more than just romance in the stories. 

Amazon Review:

What’s a debutante to do when she wants to write for the newspaper instead of getting married? Why avoid men if possible!

Unfortunately (or really fortunate!), when she is on the terrace at a ball, she overhears a man plotting to kill someone and before he sees her, she is tackled to the ground!

He only wanted to protect her from being seen and had to get her out of sight quickly. He soon finds out the lady is determined to solve the mystery of the man talking, so reluctantly teams up with her to find the villian.

A sweet and romantic tale, full of humor, witty banter and two determined individuals who are perfect for each other!

Amazon Review:

This was a first time read for me by this author and it was an absolute delight. It is a romantic, lighthearted, and fast-paced read with wonderfully charming characters. Theodosia does not have any desire to become a wife and lose her independence, and decides marriage is not for her. Her dream is to become a newspaper writer. Viscount Ashley Grainger works for the Crown. Similarly, he also intends not to marry. The two meet when he tackles her to the ground as she becomes witness to a dangerous conversation she shouldn’t have overheard. Thus, Theodosia embarks on a dangerous adventure with Ashley, because this is her chance to write the ultimate crime story! This story is filled with a delightful mix of romance, mystery, and suspense and I was pulled into the story from the very start. The conversations and banter between Ashley and Theodosia were witty and full of spirit and had me smiling throughout. As they spent more time together, their attraction and feelings toward each other inevitably began to grow as well as their respect for each other. This was a very well-written story with charmingly lovable characters and I enjoyed it very much. I will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series.