Sophies Halloo

Sophie Corby thought every man was like her father and brothers—crazy for fox-hunting. Brought to London for a season, she was astonished to meet Sir Tony Farnham, who loved town, was indifferent to fox-hunting, and was possessed of polish and grace. Unfortunately, Sophie’s father had found a more acceptable (to him) candidate for her hand… Regency Romance by Patricia Wynn; originally published by Harlequin Regency Romance

In the summer of 1716, as King George celebrates victory over the Jacobite rebels, waiting-woman Hester Kean is sent into Yorkshire to ready her cousin Mary for life at Court. Nursing a broken heart, Hester is grateful for the change of scenery, but her peace is soon disrupted by the religious conflicts still stirring tensions in Great Britain. She befriends a fellow passenger on the stage, a neighbour of her cousins’, who turns out to be a Roman Catholic, coming home after receiving an illegal education in France. When they arrive to learn that his father has been murdered, Hester efforts to help are stymied by the secrecy under which Catholics are forced to live. To solve the murder, she must delve into the practices Catholics used to shield themselves from the law and the neighbours who would do them harm. All is not grim, however. Hester’s heart is instantly elated when Gideon, the outlawed Viscount St. Mars, aka the highwayman Blue Satan, appears at her cousins’ house in the guise of a gentleman searching for an estate to buy. At last, Hester’s doubts are banished. She knows that he loves her. But does he want her for his mistress or his wife? It will take a different sort of act of faith to seize the happiness she was convinced would never be hers.

In the winter of 1715, the River Thames freezes over and a Frost Fair is erected on the ice. Sir Walter Tatham, a recent visitor to Hawkhurst House, appears as a frozen corpse, leaning against a booth and dressed in expensive coronation robes. Lord Harrowby Hawkhurst asks Hester Kean to find out what she can about the baronet’s affairs but won’t tell her why. Hester enlists the help of her friend, the outlawed Viscount St. Mars, alias Blue Satan. Of course, he his embroiled in something else entirely—helping a Jacobite rebel escape Newgate prison. See how these two navigate the treacherous streets of London and avoid the price on Blue Satan’s head. They must use all their wiles to corner a clever murderer in the 4th book in the award-winning Blue Satan mystery. Georgian Mystery by Patricia Wynn; originally published by Pemberley Press

A Lady of Expectations Jack Lester seeks the perfect bride—one who is attractive and kind, but who also loves him in spite of his wealth. Which is why he keeps this trifling detail hidden. But when Sophie Winterton enters his life, believing he must marry into wealth to run his family's estate, how will he convince her that she is the woman he desires—and that he can be the husband she deserves? Secrets of a Courtesan Eve Nightingale thought she had put her past as mistress to the Duke of Welburn behind her. But when the handsome duke strolls into her small village, she finds it hard to keep her secrets concealed…and to keep her heart from stirring for him once again. How to Woo a Spinster Still unmarried at twenty-eight, Lady Emmaline Daughtry has resigned herself to spinsterhood. Then Captain John Alistair arrives at her door—the very image of the perfect lover of her most private dreams. But can a man with a secret and a woman who's never known love find happiness together?

Love is in the air in London society in this heartwarming tale, only from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens. Jack Lester has to find a bride... But where can he find the perfect woman? She has to be attractive, kind, a good conversationalist...and most important, she has to accept him as he is: devilishly handsome, charming and, as far as anyone knows, poor as a church mouse! If London society discovers his hidden wealth, he’ll never find the right wife. Jack’s heart races when he first lays eyes on Sophie Winterton. She is everything he desires—and more—but he is caught in his own trap. Believing that Jack needs to marry into wealth, Sophie rejects all his advances, certain he would never marry a poor girl like her. As they play out a game of cat and mouse, can Jack convince her that she is the woman he wants—and that he is the husband she deserves? Previously published

This annual selection guide covers new novels in the mystery fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, western fiction and romance genres. By identifying similarities in various books, it seeks to help readers to independently choose titles of interest published during 1995 - 1996. Entries are arranged by author within six genre sections, and provide: publisher and publication date; series name and number; description of characters; time/geographical setting; review citation; genre and setting notations; and related books.

Reproduction of the original: Out in the Forty-Five by Emily Sarah Holt