Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to people and has no interest in marriageÂ--much to the dismay of her flirty younger sister, Viola. Because their father has one rule: Viola may be courted, only if Effie has a suitor as well. ​ Saddled with debt, Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, is determined to rebuild his estates. When the owner of his vowels offers him a fortune to charm the impervious Lady Evangeline for the season so Lady Viola can be courted, the game is on, even if it means pretending to seduce an unconventional wallflower. ​ But Gage gets much more than he bargains for in an adversary who wants to make her own scandalous arrangement. Effie will go to London for the season, but only if Gage agrees to be her lover. Yet when their fake courtship leads to passionate feelings, will their indecent proposal end with the season or be the start of something real?
Can a rookery thief steal a fair maid's heart?​ ​ Mina always follows the rules. Ever since she came to the Duke Street orphanage as a frightened girl, the rules have given her safety and purpose in a world of uncertainty. But when her first placement ends in disgrace, Mina learns that there are different rules for different people-especially maids of all work. ​ Dismissed, alone and ashamed, she turns to the unlikeliest of Enzo, the scruffy haired boy who once shared her games within the orphanage walls. The boy who broke her heart when he fled those same walls, leaving her behind. ​ At 14, Enzo escaped Duke Street. He embraced a life of thievery and rough justice, preferring to live life on his own terms instead of chasing a well-turned heel. He has only one regret—that he left behind the girl with the blonde plaits and the shy smile, a girl he still looks for on busy street corners. And like magic, there she is, in the dank depths of the rookery and asking for his help. ​ A tale of resilience and romance set against the harsh backdrop of 1852 London, rich with the grit of working-class life and fleeting moments of beauty, I will Steal you the Stars is a historical romance of hardship, hope, tough choices and the power of a dream. ​ Because even in the poorest chapters of history, every heart deserves a happy ending.
The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount by Vivienne Lorret
Honoria Hartley enjoys flirting far too much to consider marrying. And besides, she’s been betrothed since birth to the long-lost Viscount Vandemere. But no one has actually ever met the viscount and, without an heir, the title will soon become extinct. So she’s willing to do anything to keep her viscount alive, even if she has to invent him herself. ​ Oscar Flint is a first-rate gambler. Estranged from his father’s side of the family his entire life, he grew up beneath the tutelage of a legendary con artist. There isn’t anyone who could pull the wool over his eyes. Not until he crosses paths with Honoria. Losing to her puts him in a bind… Until he remembers her story about a lost heir to a viscountcy. An heir that no one has ever met. Not yet, anyway. ​ When Oscar arrives on Honoria’s doorstep, claiming to be Vandemere, she is thrown for a loop. This rogue is not her viscount. The only problem is, he’s quite convincing, and when he kisses her, the line between the lie and the truth becomes hazy in all the steam they create. Honoria refuses to gamble with her heart. But Oscar has never played by the rules and he’s determined to win, no matter the cost.
Alarmed by the sound of an intruder, Rose St. Claire fetches her pistol. She’s shocked to discover that the trespasser is a handsome gentleman—one who states that the house, which Rose recently inherited from her late benefactor, was stolen from his father decades ago. He claims it is now his. And it is—but not entirely. As it turns out, Hammond Court has been left to them both—and neither can evict the other without forfeiting their right to the property . . . ​ Wealthy and ruthless, Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, has spent years regaining the many properties his father lost to bad wagers. Only Hammond Court remains. But Rose has no intention of leaving. In fact, as Christmas draws near, circumstances force Max to plan a holiday party, and Rose is all too happy to help. Max despises such merriment—until he sees it as an opportunity . . . ​ Max will forgive the debt of another young duke’s family if the attractive gentleman woos Rose at the party, ultimately marries her—and returns her share of the estate to Max. It’s foolproof. Except that Rose’s spirited joy is seductive, recalling within Max long ago feelings of happiness—and awakening a deep attraction. Has Max cooked his own Christmas goose—or is there a chance love will prevail? . . .
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