Cirrus@Austlit

'1815. Having fallen on hard times, doctor's daughter Grace Ellis serves as a lady's companion. But on Lady Florence's death, Grace discovers that she's been left an unexpected legacy by her former mistress. There's just one catch. In order to claim her inheritance, Grace must wed Lady Florence's disreputable nephew, a gruff army brigadier more than three times her age.

'She is offered a way out by family friend Dominic LeSayres, who determines to marry Grace himself in order to save her from a grim fate. But just as the proposed marriage of convenience looks set to turn into a true love match, others step in to crush Grace's happiness ...'

Source : publisher's blurb

'He is an Earl who was left at the altar . . . She was his childhood friend, his one true love . . . Now Fate has brought them together again.

'December 1816. Ryder, Lord Madigan, has never got over the loss of his childhood sweetheart, Adele: the woman who abandoned him at the altar. The woman who humiliated him and left him a broken man. Now she’s come home, a widow.

'Wrongly believing Ryder to be dead, Adele has returned to her Dorset village to reunite with her family and pick up the pieces of her life. Despite everything, she has never stopped loving the man she jilted. But can she put right the wrongs of the past, and bring herself to tell Ryder the truth about why she left him – and the misery of her life since then?

'Ryder too is keeping secrets from Adele. If the two former lovers are to have a second chance at happiness, they must overcome their pride and admit their true feelings for one another.' (Publication summary)

'Their relationship didn't get off to the best of starts...but who can tell what the future will bring? As a longstanding fan of bestselling author Jivan Childering, aspiring young novelist Jessica Lord is dismayed on encountering the man himself to find him aloof, arrogant and stand-offish. But, some months later, many thousands of miles away in Western Australia, Jessica's path is destined to cross with Jivan's once more - and she begins to see a different side to this talented yet reserved and private man. For his part, Jivan finds himself increasingly drawn to the unpretentious Jessica, and impressed by her single-minded determination to follow her dreams of becoming a successful writer. But following a bitter divorce, Jivan has vowed never to get romantically involved with a woman again. Can Jessica break down his emotional barriers? What's more, Jivan's vengeful ex-wife is determined to stop him embarking on a new relationship - and is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve her aim.' (Publication summary)

'1812. Clever, strong-willed Vivienne Fox is unexpectedly endowed with riches beyond her wildest dreams when a remote cousin dies, leaving her his fortune. Unwed at twenty-four, Vivienne still hopes the right man is out there, but she despairs of ever finding him, and she is determined that rumours of her new-found wealth be quashed, lest she be courted for her purse rather than her heart.

'Renowned rake Lord Alex LéSayres comes to an unpleasant decision after the death of his father. If he is to save their family lands, he must marry a wealthy woman - and quickly. Introduced to Miss Fox, his interest is soon piqued. But he must set aside his rising feelings, or else his family will face disaster . . .'

Source : publisher's blurb

'When Gabrielle Newman throws her cheating husband out, Stu cares more about the money than the break-up, getting more than his fair share from their house sale. An unexpected bequest offers Gabrielle a new start and she tries to leave the past behind, heading north with Dan Monahan, the private investigator sent to find her. Meanwhile, Stu has got entangled with organized crime in Eastern Europe and is desperate to pay his gambling debts. Gabrielle needs Dan's help to protect herself and her inheritance. She's very attracted to Dan - but dare she trust any man again? Then Stu tracks down his ex-wife and Gabrielle discovers just what the man she once loved is capable of, as her life is threatened. Can she and Dan find a way to stop Stu and his ruthless new friends?' (Publication summary)

'In this historical romance, when a young Englishwoman becomes a governess to two grieving orphans, she discovers an unknown past - and a promising future.

'London, 1835. Despite her youth and inexperience, Clementine Morris is hired by Zachariah Fleet to care for his recently orphaned niece and nephew. He hopes she can be more than a governess to the unfortunate infants. And as an orphan herself, Clementine's heart goes out to them.

'Little does Clementine know that Zachariah's is interested in her extends beyond her new position. He believes she is a distant relation of his by marriage, and there is a chance she is a legatee for a not insubstantial amount of money.

'There are troubles ahead, though, when another young woman turns up with a claim to the inheritance . . . and troubles for Zachariah too. The self-possessed, wealthy businessman has never allowed himself to fall in love, but as he grows to trust Clementine he realizes that he may be falling for her.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'An unexpected inheritance from her grandmother offers Libby Pulford the opportunity to escape her abusive marriage and return to her Lancashire roots with her young son Ned. But her domineering husband Steven won't let her go so easily. She turns to her new neighbour for help, former police detective Joss Atherton, to whom Libby feels a growing attraction. But Joss has troubles of his own. Emily Mattison is trying to make contact with the daughter she was forced to give up for adoption so many years before. People's lives are destined to intertwine in ways they could never have imagined.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A devastating accident is only the start of Emily Mattison's troubles ...

'When Emily Mattison falls victim to a near-fatal accident shortly after receiving an unexpected inheritance from a distant cousin, her ruthless nephew George seizes the opportunity to take control of his aunt's assets. It's only when Emily reaches The Drover's Hope, the former pub on the edge of the Lancashire moors, bequeathed to her by her late cousin Penelope, that she begins to feel safe. She also discovers that love can be found in the most unexpected places. But it's not so easy to escape the clutches of someone as determined as George ...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Meggie Elliot is a young woman of above average intelligence, and on the brink of adulthood. Living with her aunt and uncle in London at the outbreak of World War 2 she's intent on going to university, then pursuing a career in law. She is encouraged in this by her solicitor - a man she admires a little too much. Too old for her, he lets her know it.

'Meggie follows her dream as best she can, knowing it's unlikely it will ever come to fruition. In a burst of patriotism she joins the WRNS to do her bit for the war effort. Sent to work in a decoding unit she meets the dangerously exhilarating young aristocrat, Nicholas Cowan, who sweeps her off her feet.

'But Meggie suspects Nick of being the man who burgled her aunt's home, and to expose him would ruin a lot of lives. Against all reason Meggie and Nick begin to fall in love . . .'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Miranda Fox has devoted much of her life to caring for her elderly father. But when he dies after a descent into Alzheimer's she knows she must leave the dilapidated family home and make a clean break from her past.

She starts to make plans for her future, funded by the inheritance she is sure will be coming her way. However, her arrogant and domineering half-brother has very different ideas as to how Miranda should live her life and begins to take control.

A chance encounter with a man who has been given months to live helps to boost Miranda's confidence, and as their friendship grows she learns to stand up for herself and her dreams. But can Miranda find the happiness that she deserves?' (Publisher's blurb)

A collection of short stories/novellas.

'Content with her humdrum life, Miss Dorothea Darent has no intention of marrying. She knows that her unfashionable curves and outspoken ways make her a disastrous match for any gentleman of the town. The scandalous Marquis of Hazelmere is equally intent on remaining single — but when he encounters Dorothea, he's entranced. He doesn't expect Dorothea's unconventional charm to take society by storm...but when the lady is surrounded by suitors, the confirmed rake must fight for his beautiful prize!' (Synopsis)

'Molly Peel has been downtrodden for years, but everyone has their sticking point. At her daughter’s wedding she’s sidelined in favour of her ex-husband’s new wife. When an accident puts her in hospital no one visits her. Her son, who lives with her, isn’t paying his share of expenses. It’s time to move on and make a better life for herself, painful as that may be.

'Molly leaves London, looking for a job, and finds far more than she’d bargained for, including a new chance of love - if she can pluck up the courage to seize the moment. But her ex intends to buy her old family home at a knock-down price and is an expert at dirty tricks to prevent her selling it. Will she find the strength to resist him this time and keep moving on? Or will his emotional blackmail pay off?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.