A Season for Love

Miss Penelope Blayne is furious. A highly competent, well-traveled young woman of twenty-six, she is shocked when the aunt with whom she has lived for most of her life names a male guardian for Penny's considerable inheritance until she is thirty. And, worst of all, the guardian is Jason Lisbourne, Earl of Rocksley, a man she has not seen since a dramatic incident a decade earlier.

Penny arrives at the earl's estate in the midst of an ice storm, only to find a drunken party in progress. Horrified and angry, she is totally unprepared for the earl's proposal the following morning: that it is time they take seriously the vows made under duress in a sultan's harem ten years earlier.

Penny and Jason each recall their days in Constantinople and the disastrous event that began their personal tangle. "What ifs" abound, but common sense now demands they make the best of the noble sacrifice Jason made as a very young man. Also instrumental in the events in Constantinople,is the British Ambassador, Lord Elgin, whose struggles to have his "marbles" accepted by the British Museum become part of the continuing story of the Earl of Rocksley and Miss Penelope Blayne.

Unfortunately, Penny's debut as the Countess of Rocksley is marred by rumors of her time in the harem of the Topkapi palace and by Jason's mistress, who just won't take "no" for an answer. Penny's attempts to fit into society, in both London and Shropshire, come to naught, and she is the one who cuts the Gordian knot binding them together. Will Jason forge a more lasting tie? Does he want to? Or has he suffered enough for a youthful excess of heroism?

Author's Note: The Harem Bride is a tad "warmer" than my other Regency romances, and perhaps not suitable for every reader.

Reviews:

". . . The book also has an ambiance that is simply of a different flavor than that of a typical Regency. If you like daring and originality in your Regency authors, I suggest that you pick up all the Blair Bancroft titles you can get your hands on."

Barbara Hume, Rakehell

"Blair Bancroft does it again! . . . once again, she has offered us a tale rich with Regency settings, but unique in characters and plot. . . . Bravo, Ms. Bancroft, for not being afraid to shake the genre up a bit - I think the Prince Regent himself would have applauded your daring."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

Miss Aurelia Trevor has a problem. Until she reaches the age of twenty-five, she will have no control over her beloved Pevensey Park, and by that time her unscrupulous uncle will have run it into the ground. Marriage to someone other than her uncle's leering son is her only way out, but, one by one, she rejects the men on her list of suitors. In desperation, Aurelia does the unthinkable. She hires a solicitor to find her a husband strong enough to stand up to both her uncle and her cousin. And soon learns the truth of that old adage: Be careful what you wish for.

Thomas Lanning is man of the City. Unlike Aurelia, who stands to inherit vast land and wealth, he has made his own place in the world. He is not tempted by the suggestion of marriage to an heiress, but other considerations, such as a power base for a seat in Parliament, tweak his interest. Plus an unexpected twinge of chivalry when he hears the full extent of Miss Trevor's difficulties with her uncle and his family.

Aurelia, who only wants to live in peace on her acres, finds she has acquired a ready-made family in Thomas's younger sister and brother, as well as a head-strong husband whose campaign for MP fills her household with a shocking assortment of characters. It seems her marriage of convenience is fast becoming a marriage of inconvenience. Just how far will this strong-willed pair bend to accommodate each other? And will they do it before it is too late?

Reviews:

"Blair Bancroft's warm and tender [novel] boasts a great heroine in Aurelia: She's attractive, courageous, vulnerable and intelligent."

Robyn Taylor, Romantic Times

"Reading how they gradually learn to like and eventually love each other is wonderful. Blair Bancroft is now definitely one of my favorite traditional Regency authors and this book is a prime example of why."

Nicole Hurst, Romance Junkies

"Set against a backdrop of rural politics (and a fascinating look at the early world of "buying" votes) this is a story that entrances, enlightens and endears."

Celia at A Romance Review

Catherine Audley, the daughter of Britain's spymaster on the Iberian Peninsula, is far more sophisticated than most young women her age, which doesn't protect her from the machinations of her father, a husband of convenience, or the unrelenting demands of a long war. Over seven years of a first-hand, and highly personal, view of the Peninsular War, she matures into a woman who is finally able to go toe-to-toe with the enigmatic young man to whom she has given years of unquestioning devotion. Only to discover that love cannot compensate for betrayal of trust. Or can it?

While masquerading as an ox-cart driver, the young Englishman known as Blas the Bastard meets Catherine Audley, and his life is changed forever. It is 1807 and France is about to invade Portugal. To protect Cat's father, his gaming establishment in Lisbon, and the British spy network on the Peninsula, Blas proposes a "paper" marriage between himself and young Catherine. She is fourteen; he, twenty-one—both too young for the responsibilities they must assume. Blas is arrogant, dashing, occasionally reckless, totally bound up in the demands of the war, and oblivious to the looming disastrous conflict with his sometime wife.

When Cat finally discovers how badly Blas has deceived her, a monumental clash is inevitable. In no way does the triumph of allied troops in 1814 guarantee a happy ending for two people for whom the war was a personal disaster. Is she a sometime bride, "widow" of a man who never existed? Is she Blas's well-rewarded, but discarded mistress? Or is she a beloved wife whose only rival is her husband's determined expediency in a time of war?

Author's Note: In addition to being a saga of young lovers caught up in a war, The Sometime Bride is the history of the Peninsular War, Britain's fight against Napoleon in Portugal and Spain. The story moves from France's invasion of Portugal and British troops driven into the sea at La Coruña to the return of British troops under General Sir Arthur Wellesley, the fortified lines at Torres Vedras, and the gradual push of French troops across Spain and back into France. Plus the chaotic times in Paris after Napoleon's surrender and the Emperor's triumph as he gathers up his old troops, only to be stopped in one of the most famous and bloody battles in history—Waterloo.

Reviews:

Reviewers Choice Award. "Sometimes a reviewer gets a book so powerful, it's hard to know where to begin to tell about it. The Sometime Bride is such a book. . . . Bride passes every criterion for a successful book that I was given as a reviewer. Ms Bancroft weaves a most unusual love story in among the threads of history that cover eight years. She gives a clear and concise overview of that terrible, yet glorious, age that held both Napoleon and Wellington, and she makes it fascinating by showing it to us through her characters' eyes. . . ."

Jane Bowers, Romance Communications

"The writing talent displayed by the author is wonderful . . . Ms. Bancroft's detail for historical events is phenomenal. . . ."

April Redmon, Romantic Times

Five Stars. "Set against the bloody Napoleonic wars, The Sometime Bride is ambitious, engrossing and absolutely wonderful."

Rickey R. Mallory, Affaire de Coeur

Five Stars. "The Sometime Bride by Blair Bancroft is a riveting and well-written story . . . The tension between the hero and heroine sizzles.

Janet Lane Walters, Scribes World

Reviews:

"Blair Bancroft can always be counted on to deliver exceptional characters and/or settings, historical accuracy, unusual plots, and flawless writing. LADY SILENCE is one more sterling example." Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today

"LADY SILENCE by Blair Bancroft is a splendid Regency romance! The creative intrigue and alluring characters make this novel a must have."

Nadine St. Denis, Romance Junkies

When he went off to war, Colonel Damon Farr vaguely recalls giving permission for his staff to "keep" a twelve-year-old waif who asked for shelter in the midst of a snowstorm. Six years later, he finds her still there, a beautiful eighteen, and companion to his mother, in spite of the fact that Katy can't talk. Who and what is the girl Damon promptly names Lady Silence?

Except for speech, Katy Snow has all the attributes of a lady. She reads, she writes, she rides, and has an unusual knowledge of Latin and Greek. Although Damon wants to shut himself up in his library and forget the world, he grudgingly allows his mother to talk him into using Katy as a part-time secretary.

Katy's beauty, spunk, and efficiency soon charm Damon from the sullens all the way to lust, but he can scarcely set up his mama's companion as a mistress. But honorable intentions are impossible. A gentleman of good birth and ample fortune cannot ally himself with a nameless waif.

Frustration mounts by agonizing steps, fraught with mistrust, as Damon's idyll at Farr Park is shattered by an unexpected inheritance, two overly zealous junior officers, greedy relatives, an impostor, and a missing fortune. Is "the girl the cat dragged in" Damon Farr's Sinful Temptation or his Salvation? Katy and Damon walk a rocky road before the answer becomes clear.

All Major Charles Tyrone wants to do is forget his soldiering days and concentrate on making a success of his new engineering company. But Fate has other plans. Although an obscure third in line as heir to the Earl of Wyverne, Charles is suddenly catapulted to head of the family when the old earl suffers a stroke, the heir is killed, and Julian, the heir's only son, is in a coma from a curricle-racing accident.

As if that weren't enough, the major is confronted by Lady Vanessa Rayne, a ward of the old earl, who has been managing very well without the major's help, thank you very much. Animosity between Charles and Vanessa is further exacerbated by the earl's dictate that they shall marry.

The efforts to restore Julian to health are considerably hampered by a plethora of relatives, two of whom follow Charles in line of succession. Mr. Ambrose Tyrone is the local vicar; his mother, a woman accustomed to ruling the roose. Mr. Godfrey Tyron, a London dandy, arrives at Wyverne Abbey with his young sister, fluttery mother, and his mother's latest "friend" in tow. Not exactly welcome visitors in a house with two bed-ridden patients.

When hints of murder and attempted murder begin to rear their ugly heads, Charles calls on the support of some of the soldiers once under his command, but even that isn't enough to keep Julian, Charles, and even Vanessa from harm. Yet in spite of being caught in the midst of murder and mayhem, Charles and Vanessa begin to suspect that it truly is possible for the daughter of a duke and a lowly engineer to fall in love. If they live long enough to enjoy it.

Reviews:

"The very talented Blair Bancroft has added another diamond to the Regency treasure chest with the tightly plotted and delightfully executed The Major Meets His Match."*

Teresa Roebuck, Romantic Times

*now titled The Temporary Earl

"It's a vibrant and fun-filled glimpse into a time long ago, and I highly recommend it to ... any fan of romance. It has all the qualities that we look for, regardless of time period. Don't miss it. It's a keeper."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

Abigail Todd, the very proper headmistress of an academy for young ladies in Boston, arrives in England to settle her grandmother's estate, having no idea that her grandmother was "la grande Clarisse," the most notorious courtesan of her day. Nor that in order to inherit the cottage, which is far grander than she had ever imagined, she must carry out a series of commissions, detailed in letters left by her grandmother. It is also stipulated in the Will that the estate's executor must accompany Abby while she carries out the commissions.

The estate's executor is Jared Verney, Earl of Langley. Not only is he a shining example of England's ruling class, whom Abby despises, but his brother, a military man, helped burn Washington in the recent war. Not an auspicious way to begin a collaboration on eight commissions. To make matters worse, it was Jared's grandfather who installed Abby's grandmother in the cottage and frittered away his fortune showering her with gifts. Which means—oh horrors!—Abby and Jared may be cousins.

Only strict training in manners allows the stiff-necked American and the English aristocrat to move forward, carrying out Clarissa's instructions. Over the course of the commissions, which range from sentimental to uncomfortable, threatening to a stunning surprise, the two antagonists begin to realize that Clarissa might have had an ulterior motive. Is it possible she hoped to achieve for Abby the wedding ring Clarissa was never offered by Jared's grandfather? By the time Abby and Jared recognize the old courtesan's scheme, it may be too late. Clarissa has bound them together as thoroughly as the ribbons around her packets of letters. But is it marriage the earl has in mind, or merely tumbling the proper Bostonian into her grandmother's footsteps?

Reviews:

"This story flows like fine champagne, full of sparkle, zest and energy."

Teresa Roebuck, Romantic Times

"The dialogue sparkles, the plot evolves at a brisk pace, and a diverse cast of secondary characters adds depth and texture to this well-written tale."

Susan Lantz, Romance Reviews Today

"I was completely and utterly seduced by this book. . . . The plot is exquisite, a sparklingly innovative, perfectly executed piece of craftsmanship. . . . It is books like this that restore our faith in the Regency genre. . . ."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

What do you do when you’re The Other Woman, and your rival is younger and prettier than you are?

Althea Jameson, a young widow, has no desire to marry again. After her difficult marriage, she prizes her independence, and her friendship with Jeremy, the Viscount Stanton. It is only when his engagement to another woman is announced that she realizes she loves him.

Jeremy can’t marry for love, not with the debts his father left. Marriage to Miss Evadne Powell seems just the thing. Evadne is young, pretty, and charming. Jeremy, a veteran of the Peninsular War, is restless and energetic, and ready to settle down. He is also in love with someone else: Althea.

Events conspire to bring the three together. Althea soon realizes that Evadne is all wrong for Jeremy. He needs someone more caring and less self-centered. He needs her. Their affair is more than inconvenient; it seems impossible. But when the chance comes for something more, will Althea have the courage to reach for happiness?

Originally published by Kensington Books as An Intriguing Affair.

“Regency aficionados will find much to enjoy in this unusual romance” - Romantic Times

“This is a particularly insightful book. Ms. Kingsley has good reasons for every one of her characters’ actions and feelings...a remarkably good Regency” - Rendezvous

To survive, she’ll have to trust him with all her secrets.

The Secrets Trilogy book 1

Nick is back.

After eight years of facing public scandal and private humiliation with her head held high, Isobel’s courage fails when the man she never stopped loving returns and asks her to marry him. Once he discovers her secret, he won’t visit her bed more than once. And she can’t bear his rejection.

Nicholas, Marquis of Cardington, is confident he can cope with the baggage Isobel carries from her first marriage. It doesn’t matter that the beautiful widow once left him to elope with another man. After all, he was partly to blame for that disaster. All that matters is he has always loved her, and now she’s free to accept his proposal.

Only on their wedding night does Nick learn the terrible secret Isobel has harbored for eight long years. To win his wife’s trust will take every ounce of tenderness he possesses—when what he really wants is to show her the passion he saved for her and her alone.

But just as Isobel begins to believe her heart is safe with Nick, the blackmailers who drove her first husband to suicide reappear. And they want their pound of flesh.

Isobel must finally trust Nick will all her secrets—and her life—or their enemies will destroy them both.

A simple trip to the Scottish Highlands turns into a nightmare for Robert Carlton, the Duke of Cantin. A misunderstood act of kindness results in his wedding, at gunpoint, to Fiona, the Laird Stewart’s daughter. Both Robert and Fiona are distraught by the forced marriage, until Robert comes up with a plan – they will remain married for six months, after which, the marriage will be annulled and Fiona will receive a generous settlement.

Robert’s restrictive contract for his new duchess causes Fiona to rebel. Her impeccable beauty, fiery disposition, and her penchant for finding scandal wherever she goes, take Society by storm, and living with the oppressive duke has her wanting out of their marriage sooner than the proposed six months.

To his astonishment, Robert becomes enamored with the many charms of his unorthodox bride. However, remaining chaste was part of their agreement, though desire and jealousy prove a powerful aphrodisiac.

Convincing Fiona of his love is the hardest thing Robert has ever had to do. But when he thinks he’s won her heart, a devastating secret from his past surfaces. Will the promise of an uncertain future with Robert be enough to keep Fiona from filing divorce papers of her own?

Winner of the $10,000 Woman's Day/Random House Romantic Fiction Prize and Romantic Book of the Year Finalist with Romance Writers of Australia.

A classic romance in the tradition of Georgette Heyer, Noble Satyr pays homage to Heyer's These Old Shades.

France and England in the age of hedonism and enlightenment.
A green-eyed beauty is abandoned at the court of Versailles.
The predatory Comte de Salvan plots her seduction.
An all-powerful adversary snatches her to safety.
But is he noble savior or a satyr most despicable?

Book 1 in the acclaimed ROXTON family saga.

★★★★★  Readers' Favorite Reviews
Anyone familiar with Lucinda Brant’s Georgian novels will relish this book. Brant has the ability to transport the reader back in time, to a bygone era, without swamping the story with facts. The characters live and breathe the atmosphere of the time; they are captivating, from the primary players, right down to the smaller, but no less important characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding of this passionate romance, with added action and adventure, derring-do, and some narrow escapes! For readers who like intricate detail there is a wealth of carefully chosen gems to enhance the picture. Everything the author describes enhances the reader’s enjoyment of a truly historical romance. I loved it. — Fiona Ingram