“I’m sorry” the figure whispers, as it places the bundle on the cold stone of the work-house steps, “There is no other way.”For Frances Noel, a nobody’s child-work house waif, named simply for the day she was found, Christmases somehow seemed alive with promise and the possibility of miracles. So, when Frances is chosen to work in a grand house, more beautiful than she has ever seen, Frances believes that her miracle has arrived. But the beautiful house holds no comfort for a nobody such as Frances, as she suffers the tyrannical rule of the housekeeper and the unwanted attentions of Master Felix Ainsworth, the son of the house.But Ainsworth house holds a deep and dark secret that sheds its gloom over all who dwell within. The only joy in Frances’ life is Peter Gibson, the gentle-eyed stable lad who has become her friend. Christmas after Christmas, their friendship deepens, until a terrible event occurs that tears them apart.What is the secret that brings doom to all those who dwell in Ainsworth house? Why are the house keeper and the young Master so cruel? Will Frances ever be able to make amends to Peter, or are Christmas miracles simply a foolish child’s dream?Nell Harte writes clean and sweet historical fiction.

    If he wasn't part of the aristocracy, he would be a laughable dandy or maybe even a highwayman, just for the sake of adding some meaning to his life. His longest friend, Miss Katherine Worthington, is also his childhood companion and secret crush. She just happens to be the hottest talk of the town, and the most eligible lady in waiting. Does Hugh have any chance to seduce her and steal her heart?Miss Katherine Worthington, "Kitty" to her friends, has grown into the perfect specimen of womanhood, with more than her fair share of ideal suitors. A tomboy as a girl, she finds high society awkward, but her ravishing beauty and perfect voice see her in high demand as both guest and entertainment at the highest level in London. When Lord Blackmore expresses his interests, Kitty is flattered, but reminds him of his terrible shortcomings as a gentleman. Will she manage to stay true to her word and resist the temptation?He is so willing to marry Kitty that he vows to change, and makes a promise. If he can make her change her mind in just seven days, they will be married next Sunday. A week proves to be enough for the pair, with the hand of fate seeing both experience paradigm shifts. Hugh reformes himself, and Kitty feels she had overlooked the most promising man in the world. Has her other half been in front of her the whole time? Can a childhood friendship turn into a love that they have never dreamt of?

    A mere Baron’s daughter will find herself saddled with the title of Duchess and a husband she barely knows…Laurence Webbs knows he should marry and produce an heir to his Duchy, but he cannot help postponing the inevitable as he is so used to living alone. When a random act of kindness backs him into a corner, he must do the honorable thing and push his misgivings aside…Henrietta and Laurence must find a way to coexist, thinking that a loveless marriage is all the future holds for them. But when love comes knocking on their door a whole new world opens up ahead…Though, it’s still not happily ever after for the two of them…

    They call her the "Widow Drake", because she is lonely and grieving, but there is much more around this mysterious widow. She carries secrets buried deep about her marriage that nobody should ever find out! For Susannah, the first glimpse of the tall, handsome master of horses will kindle something deep inside her, something that she never thought she would feel again. But with wounds from the past still bleeding, how can she ever hope to open her heart, and love again?When Jasper Stone arrives at The Willows, to tame the new colt the Widow Drake has purchased, he mistakenly thinks there is nothing exciting about his new assignment. He has been drifting through the country, trying to clear his mind from the painful events that forced him to leave home many months ago...But the Widow Drake is not the middle aged virago Jasper is anticipating. She is a young, beautiful woman; a passionate woman that might be dangerous. How can he hope to keep the fortress he has built around his heart intact?Jasper is not alone in trying to attract the beautiful Widow Drake. A man from her past holds the key to the painful secrets of her past, as well as threatens her very future. As Jasper and Susannah grow closer, she knows she is being drawn to him, as irresistibly as a moth to fire. Can she find the courage to open her heart, even if danger swirls all around her once again?"The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    Young, widowed Clare Byrne, is escaping the famine in Ireland. On the coffin ship from Dublin, in the final hours of the journey to England, Clare goes into labour. Weakened and alone, the young, beleaguered mother gives birth near the quayside. Unable to look after the newborn, the child is bought for a single shilling by a curious gentleman, the industrialist Samuel Hudson. What will happen to the young girl? What plans does Mr Hudson have for her? Will the child thrive, or merely survive? Also by Emma Hardwick ----------------------------------- The Urchin of Walton Hall

    Her job is to pull a valuable warlord out of his black hole. The king wants Laird Tam out of the doldrums and back doing what he does best: killing in the name of Scotland. Juliette reluctantly agrees to the king’s task, because she has no choice. Lady Juliette is sweet, sassy, and determined, but also a little spoilt. She knows she’ll cope with the bleak north, the boredom and the barbarous Scotsmen, but when these two hundred days are done, she’s bolting back to England as quickly as her silk slippers will take her. Juliette underestimates the Scottish Highlands. She greatly underestimates Laird Tam. And there’s something else she doesn’t realise: the Highlands are never boring . . . “We’re going into the sea, Juliette.” “No, no, no . . .” “Aye, we are. You’re a strong Sassenach, remember that. You’ll survive this shipwreck.” “No. I won’t . . .” “I’ll find you, my darling, I’ll always find you . . .” Then the wave hits. Now Lady Juliette must survive the sea, the Irish outlaws, runaway nuns, and the ancient Caledonian Forest. Not to mention her growing attraction to Laird Tam . . .

    The grand opening of the Manchester Ship Canal is set to be a day of unfettered festivity for Ruby and her younger sister and brother. Even Queen Victoria will be in attendance.But the glories of the ceremony fade into insignificance when their dying mother delivers them to the imposing oak doors of Ignatius House. Abandoned in the not-so-tender care of the nuns, the siblings are soon separated.So when the Board of Guardians force Ruby into a marriage that sends her to a new home upon the Salford waterways, she makes only one vow: to reunite her family whatever the cost. This is an enthralling story of romance and rebellion perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court. Praise for Ruby McBride ‘An inspiring novel about accepting change and bravely facing the future’ Bangor Chronicle‘Compelling and heart-wrenching’ Hull Daily Mail‘The kind of character-driven saga that delights the Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox audience’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph‘This book deals with gritty, real-life situations and shows how the heroine’s strength of character triumphs through adversity’ 5* Reader review

    Following her father’s sudden death, an ultimatum came from the lips of her stepmother: “marry, or your mother’s virtue will be put to question and so your fortune.”Her best option for marriage is her childhood friend, Christian, despite that she has always been secretly in love with his older brother, Jack. But with Jack being away, leading a roguish life in Europe, that is not going to be a problem. Or is it?Jack Gladstone, the notorious Jack of Hearts, returns back to London to assume his duties as the Duke of Sussex, where he finds his younger brother ready to make a marriage arrangement.How odd it was that the day he would meet his brother’s future wife, would be the day that he kisses her!Yet a flower bouquet to the wrong recipient and a scandalous walk at a ball seems to be enough to keep them apart…Jack has to figure out his feelings fast as another woman will come to shuffle the cards and play with his heart…Love games can be tricky, even if you hold the winning hand…

    But long years have passed and he never came.Gail has gone on with her life. Then one day, a letter arrives. Clark apologizes for not coming for her but he looked and looked and he couldn’t locate her. He says he still loves her and will she come out west and marry him?They marry and things are going well. Then a band of horse thieves starts attacking in their area. Clark is the Marshal working on the case. He tries to trap the outlaws but the plan fails. He wants to send Gail away to keep her safe but she’s having none of it.When the outlaws come to attack the town itself, Clark and Gail will have to sacrifice everything to protect their love.If you like fast-paced clean romance and action-packed stories, you won't be able to put down this addictive Novel by Ember Pierce."The Hesitant Bride And Her Wounded Marshal" is a stand-alone Western Historical Romance Novel of approximately 500 pages.

    

     Falsely accused of being a witch, Morgana Taylor is doomed to live on the run. In an attempt to escape a terrible fate at the hands of a vicious man, she finds herself under the protection of a captivating Highlander. Having lost both his wife and unborn child, Gregor Reid, Laird of Henwen, has dedicated his life to his people. Until he meets Morgana. Mesmerized by her eloquence, modesty, and abilities, he falls passionately in love with her. When Morgana’s huntsman finds a way to imprison her, Gregor is haunted by his failure to protect her. With his time running short, he will have to enlist every ounce of his wit and bravery: the only way to save the woman he loves from the pyre is to uncover the witch hunter’s darkest secret. *Lusting for the Highlander is a steamy Scottish historical romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, lots of steam and a happy ending.

    

    How could she ever have known the tragedy that was about strike with such unforgiving force?Meeting the farmhand, Lawrence Trent, a man robbed of his childhood by the misdeeds of a renegade father seemed at first a doorway to happiness. Instead it was one leading to desperation and deprivations that overshadowed even the brightness of their love for one another.What strength will be required to survive the obstacles set along the course of their lives? What gifts from heaven can steer them to safety?Can the beautiful Barbara Coomb finally lay to rest the ghosts that taunt her present and haunt her future? Will Lawrence break free from the chains that not only held his childhood but now hold his heart?In this Victorian Romance historical romance author, Rosie Swan, carries readers through a lifetime saga of a child who became a woman worthy of the deepest love and admiration a man could give.