SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS · ANTHOLOGY
Louise Allen
Also known as: Louise Allen, Francesca Shaw
Melanie Hilton has been immersing herself in history, real and fictional, for as long as she can remember, and her first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle. Some considerable time later she joined forces with a friend and became one half of the writing partnership Francesca Shaw -- what began as a decidedly tipsy storytelling session in a Burgundian vineyard led on to a series of Historical Romances, all but one set in the Regency period. Career changes meant that the partnership had to end and she now writes as Louise Allen about her favorite historical period alone -- which means she can keep all her gorgeous heroes to herself. She lives in England in a village in Bedfordshire with her long-suffering husband who is not only a wonderful cook, but also the perfect inspiration for every romantic hero imaginable. All their spare time is spent at their Norfolk cottage on the coast where, although they have no pets, they are permitted to share the garden with a very bossy pheasant called Percy.
THE WIZENED GIRL turned her head and stared at Emma Hollis with large, blank eyes.
— from Married to a Stranger
Most acclaimed
Married to a Stranger
Bride's Bay Resort: A luxurious playground with a colorful past and a romantic present! Generations of Jermains have catered to the rich and famous at their exclusive, family-owned hotel. Madeline Hopewell -- if that's her real name -- has no memory of who she is or why she's in a Charleston hospital. Her husband -- if that's who Adam Hopewell is - wants to take her to the resort where they spent their honeymoon ten years ago. He's hoping she'll recall some of the wonderful times they shared there. Does Bride's Bay hold the key to Maddy's memory -- and to the nightmares that haunt her? Maddy knows Adam is counting on this and more... Among other things, he's hoping she'll remember how much she used to love him!
Hot Desert Nights
♡Mistress to a Sheikh - Lucy Monroe (Kahlil & Jade Madison) 1-128 Jade sacrifices nearly everything to succumb to the sensuous pleasures of wealthy sheikh Khalil...only to realize she's simply another notch in his well-worn bedpost. But Jade can be sneakier than forty thieves when it means getting what she wants! ♤Desert Rake - Louise Allen (Drew Fenton & Caroline Morvall) Pages 129-247 (not contemporary) Widow Caroline Morvall defies her disapproving family to visit Constantinople. Her plan is to explore the wilds of Turkey, fulfilling her elderly husband’s dream, not to find herself in the harem of English adventurer and explorer Drew Fenton. While taking a lover might have been an agreeable theory, finding herself in love with a man who rejects all commitment is heartbreak. Caroline launches herself into an expedition to wildest Anatolia to forget Drew, but a stolen Arab stallion brings them together again, offering one last chance of happiness. ♡Blackmailed by the Sheikh Kim Lawrence (Karim Al-Ahmad & Prudence/ Prue Smith) 248 -376 Karim, the heir apparent to the throne of Zafsid, a small but wealthy state, is convinced English teacher Prue Smith is responsible for his sister's disappearance. Despite his unexpected attraction to her, Karim will do whatever is necessary to protect his family—even if it means blackmailing Prue and abducting her back to Zafsid! (From Lucy Monroe's website.)
Snowbound Wedding Wishes
Three Regency Christmases to remember… An Earl Beneath the Mistletoe by Louise Allen Hugo, Earl of Burnham, hates Christmas! Snowbound in widow Emilia Weston's cozy alehouse, with her young twins, he's surrounded by festive preparations. Hugo's cynical heart is in danger of being melted…. How much longer can he avoid the mistletoe? Twelfth Night Proposal by Lucy Ashford Leaving London to claim his newly inherited estate, Theo Dalbury finds remote Derbyshire as foreign to him as his feelings for country girl Jenna. Christmas evokes painful memories for him, but Jenna is bringing out his festive spirit…and will give him a yuletide that he'll never forget! Christmas at Oakhurst Manor by Joanna Fulford Vivien Hastings is looking forward to a quiet Christmas at Oakhurst Manor, until she realizes she'll be sharing it with Max Calderwood. It's been years since he broke her heart, but one hot glance from his cool gray eyes shows her that she's just as vulnerable to him as she ever was….