Book picks similar to
Lucia's Progress and Trouble for Lucia by E.F. Benson
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The One I've Waited for
Mary B. Morrison - 2017
Morrison's unforgettable series, the fiercely sexy Crystal women bring ultimate drama and shattering choices home with a vengeance . . . Now that she's happily married-for-security, there's nothing Mercedes Crystal won't do to hold on to what she's got. She didn't sweat it when her rich businessman husband had a down-and-dirty ego-boosting affair. But she's not going to stand for him falling in love with luscious Arizona Remington--or Arizona unleashing all kinds of shenanigans to keep him. And Mercedes' take-no-prisoners ways are just what her siblings need to take down all those out to game them . . .Gorgeous Devereaux Crystal has the hottest show on television that demands the majority of her time. She's in-love with her financially challenged fianc� but is tiring of supporting him. Before she walks down the aisle, Mercedes convinces Devereaux to do a background check on Phoenix. The discovery is devastating. Devereaux knows she has to let Phoenix go . . . and she'll need every weapon imaginable not to take him back . . .Now with her mother and sisters at her back, Devereaux is flipping the script and turning betrayal into beneficial options. And as the scandalous fallouts threaten all the Crystal women's futures--including sister, Alexis, whose lies are catching up with her, the baby girl, Sandara, whose children's father demand part of her newfound fortune, and matriarch Blake, who's struggling to grab her own happy ending--their bond will be tested past its limits . . .
To Tempt a Dashing Lord
Lucy Langton - 2020
Her brother, the Earl of Sedgewick, has squandered their family’s fortunes, leaving Catherine no other option but to seek employment as a companion for Lady Evergreen. But Catherine’s foreseeable life will change forever when she meets the dashing Lord Kingston. Every time their eyes meet a fire starts deep inside her chest. Will this seductive young man awaken feelings inside her that she could never dream of?Lord Marcus Kingston, has returned from the Peninsula, to take up his position as the Viscount of the Ralston estate and take care of his infant nephew after his brother’s sudden death. Marcus can’t raise the child all alone and he’s desperately in need of a wife. Even though the tempting Catherine seems to be the perfect bride, he highly doubts his decision to marry a Lady he feels very attracted to, but barely knows. Will he manage to turn this unexpected marriage into a passionate one?Lost in their lust for each other, both Catherine and Lord Kingston will have to make big decisions that will dramatically change their lives. Torn between burning passion and desire for more, will they regret this marriage, or will it turn out to be greater than they could ever imagine?
You Will Be Safe Here
Damian Barr - 2019
I left this book bruised yet somehow better for it.” – Tayari Jones.“Brutal, haunting, redemptive and...beautiful.” – Jojo Moyes. This extraordinary debut set in South Africa reveals legacies of abuse and redemption exploring the extraordinary strength of the human spirit - from the Boer War in 1901 to brutal camps for teenage boys now. There is always darkness but there is always light in it if we just look.South Africa, 1901 - the height of the second Boer War. Sarah van der Watt and her six-year-old son Fred are forced from their home on Mulberry Farm by British troops. As the polite invaders welcome them to Bloemfontein Concentration Camp they promise Sarah and Fred that they will be safe there.2010. Sixteen-year-old Willem is an outsider. Hoping he will become the man she wants him to be, his Ma and her boyfriend send Willem away to the New Dawn Safari Training Camp where they are proud to 'make men out of boys'. They promise Willem he will be safe there.You Will Be Safe Here is a powerful and urgent novel of two connected South African stories with universal relevance. Inspired by real events, it uncovers a hidden colonial history, reveals a dark contemporary secret, and explores the legacy of violence and our drive to survive and to love. An Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, Irish Times, Irish Independent and Big Issue Pick of the Year
We'll Meet Again
Judith Saxton - 1996
But she joined the WAAFs instead, together with a very mixed company of girls - all of whom had joined for very mixed reasons.
Uncle Fred in the Springtime
P.G. Wodehouse - 1939
At the request of Lord Emsworth, Uncle Fred journeys to Blandings Castle to steal the Empress of Blandings before the ill-tempered, egg-throwing Duke of Dunstable can lay claim to her. Disguised as the eminent nerve specialist Sir Roderick Glossop, and with his distressed nephew Pongo in tow, Uncle Fred must not only steal a pig but also reunite a young couple and diagnose various members of the upper class with imaginary mental illnesses, all before his domineering wife realizes he’s escaped their country estate.
My Next Mistake
Sarah J. Brooks - 2019
Whoever created him used the following recipe: Dreamy eyes, playful smile, and rock-hard muscles that give you chills. Add a pinch of humor, coupled with quick-witted intelligence and a mysterious aura that will make you feel slightly insecure. When I met him on a winter climbing excursion, I didn’t expect to wake up in his tent the next morning. It may be minus ten degrees outside, but he makes me melt. I believe I’ve just met the father of my future children... But the more I want to know about him, the more questions I find. Why does he live completely alone in a villa in the mountains? Why does he never talk about his past? And where does the sadness in his eyes, which flashes every now and then, come from? Fate ensures that I get answers I would never have expected. Even worse, when a devastating fire breaks out in the mountains, Cole has to leave his shelter - and suddenly his face can be seen on every TV channel in the country. What the hell is going on here? And who is this man I love? "My next Mistake" is a full-length standalone romance with no cheating and no cliffhangers, but with a gorgeous protective alpha male, plenty of steam and a guaranteed HEA. I've also included a preview of my romance novel "Unexpected Surprise" for you. Happy reading! - Sarah J. Brooks (USA Today Bestselling Author)
Mary Russell Collection: The Beekeeper's Apprentice / The Language of Bees / Locked Rooms / The Game
Laurie R. King - 2011
The Atlantis Papyrus
Jay Penner - 2019
vivid... gripping. Takes you through a thrilling quest in a violent ancient world." Some secrets are best left unrevealed323 B.C.King Alexander the Great has died without a clear successor and the citizens of a vast empire wait nervously for what comes next. But Captain Deon has other worries—his family will be sold to slavery if he does not clear his debt soon. Desperate, he accepts a mission from Alexander’s wily Royal Secretary in return for a generous reward. All he has to do is steal a papyrus from the King's funeral procession.A papyrus with a stunning secret that can transform the balance of powers that fight for Alexander’s throne.Plunged into the heart of succession wars and thrust between bloody ambitions of greater men, Deon is forced to embark on a dangerous journey and battle those he fears, to decode the ancient clues before time runs out for his family. But the more he learns, the more he realizes that his decisions will decide the life and death of not only his loved ones but also that of millions of innocents.-------- BONUS: Join the newsletter on the author's website to get a free "History behind the book" that sheds light on some of the interesting events after Alexander's death.
How to Win a Duke's Heart (Seductive Scoundrels #14)
Collette Cameron - 2022
This is not one of those tales…
Sophronie Slater had no interest in getting married. Even if she did, the Duke of Waycross would not be her choice. She would, however, do anything for her father. So, in honor of his dying wish to see her legally bound to the contrary, annoyingly handsome Scot who drives her mad, she agrees to a very temporary marriage. She’ll never love him, though. At least, that was the plan…Evan Gordonstone has no interest in romance. Caring for his relatives and restoring his duchy to profitability is about all he can manage. But if he has any hope of one day realizing his dream of breeding and racing horses, he needs Sophronie. Their arranged marriage will fix all his problems. Assuming he doesn’t fall for his lovely new wife and ruin everything…Sophronie and Evan are about to find out that opposites can attract in the most unexpected—and sensual—ways. But when all is said and done, can they win each other’s hearts and turn their fake marriage into a real happily ever after?~ * ~Scandals, Secrets, and Sweet RomanceThis Historical Regency Romance by a USA Today bestselling author proves that enemies can become lovers and opposites do attract. Sparks fly as Evan and Sophronie match wits until they admit their love for each other.If you enjoy reading lovable rogue or duke romances with a pinch of intrigue, a dash of humor, and soul-searing emotion, then you’ll adore Collette Cameron’s enthralling SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS series. Settle into your favorite reading nook with a beverage and your copy of HOW TO WIN A DUKE’S HEART for a page-turning, enemies to lovers, entertaining Regency world adventure you can’t put downThough this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS SERIES:A Diamond for a DukeOnly a Duke Would DareA December with a DukeWhat Would a Duke Do?Wooed by a Wicked DukeDuchess of His HeartNever Dance with a DukeThe Debutante and the DukeWedding her Christmas DukeLoved by a Dangerous DukeHow to Win A Duke’s HeartWhen a Duke Desires a Lass - Coming soon!
Still Whispering After All These Years: My Autobiography
Bob Harris - 2015
He continues to be a household name today and his velvety voice can be heard on Radio 2's The Bob Harris Show and Bob Harris Country. In this fully revised and updated autobiography, with a forward by Robert Plant, Bob tells his story of over 40 years of broadcasting with the BBC, from the young, passionate music fan who moved to London determined to make music his life, to being presented with an OBE for his services to music broadcasting. Much like his musical heroes, Bob's personal life has had somewhat of a rock 'n' roll vibe: he has been married three times, gone bankrupt, fought cancer, weathered a very public spat with a fellow DJ and has had to revamp his career four times. Throughout all these times, however, his love of music and talent for broadcasting has endured. The Whispering Years is a frank, vibrant and inspiring tale of one of the most influential names on the radio and reveals the story of the man behind the voice.
The Third Mrs. Galway
Deirdre Sinnott - 2021
By exposing the painful past she has created a beautiful, timely, and uplifting book with unforgettable characters who kept me guessing.--Donna Hylton, author of A Little Piece of Light: A Memoir of Hope, Prison, and a Life UnboundDeirdre Sinnott is an extraordinary writer whose eye misses nothing. This compelling story is a must read--and it couldn't be more timely.--David Black, award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and producerA fast-paced excursion into Utica, New York, in the mid-1830s, The Third Mrs. Galway captures the true-life antiabolition riots against the New York Anti-Slavery Society. With lively and enjoyable prose, Deirdre Sinnott brings the story of emancipation alive.--Paul Stewart, cofounder of the Underground Railroad History ProjectThe Third Mrs. Galway offers readers romance, adventure, and poignant family drama while also providing insight into the complexity of antislavery attitudes before the Civil War. This is a historical page-turner that both enlightens and entertains.--Barbara Weisberg, author of Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of SpiritualismWith historical accuracy, Deirdre Sinnott brings to life the surprising drama of freedom-seekers and slave-catchers in Oneida County. This book animates the history of the region and the larger Underground Railroad phenomenon in a way that street signs and public lectures cannot.--Jan DeAmicis, cochair of the Oneida County Freedom Trail CommissionThe Third Mrs. Galway reads like Balzac, with fear, desire, terror, and love intertwined in this gripping work of historical fiction. Deirdre Sinnott weaves the stories of a cross-section of 1835 Utica, New York, into an impressive and fascinating narrative that contemplates race, class, history, and the search for justice and humanity. ReadThe Third Mrs. Galway to be swept into the uncertain, violent time of 1830s New York and to see in new ways how that moment still affects our own.--Taylor M. Polites, author of The Rebel WifeIt's 1835 in Utica, New York, and newlywed Helen Galway discovers a frightening secret: two runaway slaves are hiding in the shack behind her husband's house. Suddenly, she is at the center of not only the era's greatest moral dilemma, but her own as well. Should she be a good wife and report the fugitives to her husband? Or will she defy convention and come to the aid of the least of her brethren?Within her home, Helen is haunted by the previous Mrs. Galway, recently deceased but still an oppressive presence. Her husband, injured by a drunken tumble off his horse, is assisted by a doctor of questionable ambitions who keeps a close eye on Helen. In charge of all things domestic is Maggie--formerly enslaved by the Galway family and freed when emancipation came to New York eight years earlier.At the same time, Utica is at the center of emancipation efforts as abolitionists arrive for the founding meeting of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society. Those who plead for an immediate end to enslavement are attacked by newspapers accusing them of being insurrectionists and traitors to the Constitution. Everyone faces dangerous choices as they navigate this intensely heated personal and political landscape.
Nothing Venture
Patricia Wentworth - 1932
Due to his uncle's diabolical will, Jervis must marry within three months of his uncle's death, or the huge estate and vast fortune will go to his fiance, Rosamund. When Rosamund dumps him just two days before the wedding, Jervis must scramble to find someone else.
The Marauder
Tessa Bowen - 2015
The spoiled sovereign expects a night of torment and shame. Instead, her unlikely bedfellow introduces her to a world of carnal delights. Prince Taran, dreaded leader of the savage Picts, approaches. He plans to pluck Guendolen’s prized maidenhead. Once she carries his heir he will claim her father’s throne. King Cedric hatches a frantic scheme. His daughter must lie with one of their own. Better a Briton babe growing in her womb than a Pictish one. With every last man fighting on the battlefield, there is only one lad who is available for such a task; and that is Phalen, her childhood nemesis. Mysterious as he is defiant, the adopted son of the village blacksmith has little interest in Guendolen’s beauty and considers the overindulged “jewel of the kingdom” to be a royal pain in the rear. Sparks fly each time they meet. On the fated night, Guendolen does her best to obstruct Phalen from carrying out his orders, but what starts out as an act of duty soon turns into an evening of passion. Our hero and heroine reunite two years later. She, having given birth to his son; and he, having returned from battle—now a formidable warrior. Under constant pressure from her father to marry, Guendolen agrees to wed the father of her bastard child, whose touch she still wears like a brand. The elusive Phalen continues to rile the Princess with his taunting gaze, denying her the attention she craves in and out of the bedchamber. Will she ever be able to win the favor of this dark and brooding man?
The Black-Eyed Blonde
Benjamin Black - 2014
The telephone on my desk had the look of something that knows it's being watched. Traffic trickled by in the street below, and there were a few pedestrians, too, men in hats going nowhere."So begins The Black-Eyed Blonde, a new novel featuring Philip Marlowe--yes, that Philip Marlowe. Channeling Raymond Chandler, Benjamin Black has brought Marlowe back to life for a new adventure on the mean streets of Bay City, California. It is the early 1950s, Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and business is a little slow. Then a new client is shown in: young, beautiful, and expensively dressed, she wants Marlowe to find her former lover, a man named Nico Peterson. Marlowe sets off on his search, but almost immediately discovers that Peterson's disappearance is merely the first in a series of bewildering events. Soon he is tangling with one of Bay City's richest families and developing a singular appreciation for how far they will go to protect their fortune.Only Benjamin Black, a modern master of the genre, could write a new Philip Marlowe detective novel that has all the panache and charm of the originals while delivering a story that is as sharp and fresh as today's best crime fiction.
A Spy Is Born
Emily Kimelman - 2019
The last thing I want is the director of my film—my first big role—dead.Now the cops are here, and even though it's obviously self-defense, I'm done for...my life is over. I'll never work in this town again even if I manage to avoid jail time. I'll be infamous instead of famous.Temperance Johnson is straight out of central casting—a spy master with tiger's eyes and unnatural grace—a real killer.He offers me a solution. He'll sweep all this under the rug and help me reach my goals if I work for him. Well, for the government. There is a long history of spies in Tinseltown; we have the perfect cover, and we're good at lying.
I always wanted to be a star, and I never considered becoming a spy.
Now I'm both.
***If you have trouble reading about violence against women, modern political themes, or sex (not graphic but out of wedlock).. then this series probably isn’t your thing. If you love powerful women, gritty thrillers, and vivid storytelling then download A Spy is Born today!***