Synopsis
Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.
Join us for three novellas in one collection:
The New Countess, by Josi S. Kilpack
Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.
Mishaps and Memories, by Martha Keyes
Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.
Moonlight Summer, by Heather B. Moore
Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.
Excerpt
Moonlight Summer, by Heather B. Moore
Eight trunks and seven valises packed into two carriages, and still Dottie had the feeling she was forgetting something as she stood in the doorway of a London townhome. Oh, no—all the baggage wasn’t for her alone. She could only claim one trunk and one valise. A feat for a twenty-year-old lady, to be sure. But Dottie’s mother had given her strict instructions to pack modestly. She’d bring along her small sketchbook in her reticule in the morning.
“That way, my dear, you’ll have to shop for what you need,” her mother had said earlier that day as her pale blue eyes sparkled. “You have a new father now. And he will provide for us.”
Her mother’s color was heightened these past few months, and her voice had taken on a higher octave. Perhaps it was because of her new marriage? Still a blushing bride?
Dottie didn’t want to think about her own mother, at thirty-eight, having a romantic time with Viscount Fisher of Turnberry, Dottie’s new stepfather.
But there was no denying it.
Last night after supper, her mother had announced that she was with child.
Well.
Dottie was already feeling misplaced enough with a new home, three new stepsisters, and a new stepfather who said hardly a word to her.
Now, Dottie knew why they were quitting the London season early. A season that was meant for her, at least originally. She’d missed her first season because she and her mother were in mourning for Father. And her second one? Her mother had secured the husband, not Dottie.
One day, Dottie might find it amusing, but at this very moment, she could hear someone crying. Wailing, really.
“Dorothea!” Her mother’s voice echoed from the upper level.
Dottie turned from the doorway and all the preparations. She hurried up the stairs, wishing for one quiet moment. She’d never appreciated those moments before, when she was the only child to her parents, Lady Atkinson and Lord Atkinson, who had been the Baron of Rutland.
“I don’t want to leave my dollhouse!” This was followed by another wail.
Dottie stepped into the nursery, where her mother, the nursemaid, and the housekeeper were all surrounding six-year-old Alice. The young girl was as fair-haired as Dottie was dark.
“Dorothea, do something,” her mother said, touching her perfectly coifed hair as if a piece of it had strayed. “My nerves can’t take this. I’m expecting, you know.”
I know, Dottie wanted to say, but instead, she crossed to Alice and knelt in front of her.
The child’s clear green eyes were filled with tears, and the flush on her cheeks told Dottie she was about a half a minute from a full breakdown. Wailing was only the beginning. Dottie’s heart went out to this young girl, though. A child who’d lost her mother last year. Just as Dottie had lost her father.
“What do you want to take on our trip to the seaside?” Dottie said in a quiet, calm voice.
Alice sniffled. “My dollhouse.”
Dottie didn’t miss the fact that her mother and the housekeeper had quit the room. Only the nursemaid, Mary, remained, hovering by the door.
“This one?” Dottie said, resting her hand atop the roof of the nearby dollhouse. “I love it too.”
“You do?” Alice’s eyes widened. “But you don’t play with dolls. You’re too old.”
Dottie smiled. “Perhaps. Do you know if you take the dollhouse to the seaside, then we can’t take all your favorite dresses? There won’t be room for both.” She could see the understanding growing in the girl’s eyes. “What will you wear? A blanket?”
Alice’s small, rosy lips curved upwards.
“Oh, I know. You can wear my shawl.”
Alice giggled. “It’s too big for me.”
Dottie touched a finger to her chin. “Let’s see, then. How about you wear one of my dresses?”
“That’s too big!” Another giggle.
Dottie held back a laugh. “Oh well, I guess we’ll have to bring your dresses. But I have an idea for your dollhouse.”
Alice’s green eyes rounded. “You do?”
“We’ll put a special drape over it so that it will stay here, safe and sound, for you,” Dottie said. “Nothing will be touched, and it won’t even get dusty.”
A line appeared between Alice’s eyebrows, but she turned and gazed at the dollhouse for a long moment. “All right.”
Dottie’s heart did a victory leap. “Wonderful. Now, let’s find the drape that you want. It has to be very pretty, just like the house.”
About the Authors
Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton’s Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children
Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.
Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She’s lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.
Giveaway
Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour.
To enter, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book.
This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all!
Tour Stops
Aug 23 Austenprose
Aug 24 My Jane Austen Book Club
Aug 24 Getting Your Read On
Aug 25 The Bibliophile Files
Aug 26 Heidi Reads
Aug 27 Our Book Confessions
Aug 30 The Lit Bitch
Aug 30 Wishful Endings
Sept 01 The Book Diva Reads
Sept 01 Rosanne E. Lortz
Sept 02 Laura’s Reviews
Sept 04 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Sept 07 Probably at the Library
Sept 08 Gwendalyn’s Books
Sept 09 Books and Socks Rock
Sept 10 Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Sept 11 Storeybook Reviews
Sept 13 From Pemberley to Milton
Sept 13 My Bookish Bliss
Sept 14 Bookworm Lisa
Sept 15 Relz Reviewz
Sept 15 Reading with Emily
Sept 16 Lu Reviews Books
Sept 17 Greenish Bookshelf
Sept 17 Austenesque Reviews
Sept 17 Bringing Up Books
Sept 18 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina
Sept 19 Eli’s Novel Reviews
Jenny Kales is the author of The Callie’s Kitchen Mystery Series, featuring Greek-American Calliope Costas, feisty food business owner and amateur sleuth, who lives in a scenic Wisconsin town with colorful characters — and a high murder rate! Each book contains several delicious recipes, both Greek and American. Callie’s latest adventure, SLAYED BY SOUVLAKI is the 5th Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series and was released in October 2021.
Library series. DEATH OVERDUE, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.
Bailee Abbott is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Bailee lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Visits to Bemus Point, a town along the Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York inspired the setting for the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series. She also writes the SIERRA PINES B&B mystery series under the name Kathryn Long.
Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series and award-winning historical suspense, The Brass Compass. Fans who enjoy the suspense of Melinda Leigh and the humor of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum will fall in love with Butler’s Karina Cardinal. Her experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired the mystery-action series. The Brass Compass has won multiple awards for historical fiction and is compared to such bestselling novels as Kristen Hannah’s The Nightingale. Ellen lives with her family in the suburbs of Washington, DC.
Victoria Hamilton is the bestselling author of several mystery series including the national bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She does, indeed, collect vintage kitchenware and bake muffins. She also writes the Lady Anne Addison Historical Mysteries. She drinks tea and coffee on writing days, and wine other times. She crochets (a little), paints (a little), and reads (a lot). A solitary being, she can be coaxed out of her writing cave for brownies and cat videos.
Vanessa Hall is an author, musician, and homeschool graduate. Most days, she is reading, writing, or practicing the violin—or trying to find time for all three pursuits. Currently, she is working toward gaining a degree in instrumental music education. Unknown is her debut novel. Above all, she is a sinner saved and held fast by the abounding grace of Jesus Christ.
