Spring 1763. Career diplomat Alec Halsey returns to London to the shocking news his estranged brother, the Earl of Delvin, has not only killed his friend in a duel but is engaged to the woman Alec hoped to marry. The dead man's mother wants Alec to investigate, so he reluctantly attends a weekend house party celebrating the engagement. Houseguests get more than they bargained for when a lady's maid is murdered, the bride-to-be is attacked, and a guest is shot dead. Uncovering a connection between these sinister acts and his brother's duel, Alec confronts a cruel twist of fate and why his brother will go to any lengths to ruin him in Polite Society. Lucinda Brant's Alec Halsey mysteries explore the darker side of her deliciously romantic 18th century world. Along with trademark wit and high drama there are deeper subplots and even quirkier characters that will have you shuddering and laughing in equal measure! Awards for this Book Romantic Book fo the Year Finalist, Romance Writers of Australia Book Details Series: Book 1 in the Alec Halsey Mystery series Classification: Parental Guidance Recommended (mild violence) Length: Full-length novel (102,000 words) Edition: Second print edition Style: Character-driven amateur sleuth Connecting Books Many readers enjoy Lucinda Brant's books as part of a wider series since her characters inhabit the same meticulously-researched 18th Century world with people and events cross-referenced throughout. You can explore the details and delve deeper into the history within each book by visiting LucindaBrantAuthor on Pinterest. Should you wish to read each series in chronological order, here is the sequence: Alec Halsey Mystery Series Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem) Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda) Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad) In progress Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Evil lurks in Edinburgh) In progress Salt Hendon Series 1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane) 1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline) 1767 A FAIRY CHRISTMAS (Kitty and Tom); a short story in SILVER BELLS COLLECTION, a Timeless Romance anthology Roxton Family Saga 1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia) 1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb) 1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon) 1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory) 1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher) In progress 1780s SATYR'S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa) In progress Reviews "Lucinda Brant is the queen of Georgian Historical Mystery just as Georgette Heyer was the queen of Regency Romance." -- Anne Boling, Readers' Favorite "An exciting and gripping tale of passion, murder and mistaken identity. This is one Georgian page-turner I savored until the very end." -- Ingrid Taylor, All About Murder
One of the 20 Most Romantic Books Ever, According to BookBub Members Inspired by real events, a secretly arranged marriage establishes a dynasty. After years in exile, Julian returns to claim a bride he doesn’t know. To his delight, he discovers she is everything he’d hoped for. Unaware they are already married, Deb is content with her independent life. Julian’s challenge is to have her accept him on his merit, even though she has no choice at all. The future of the Roxton dukedom depends upon it. Set in the opulent world of the Georgian aristocracy, Lucinda Brant delivers another lavish 18th century experience in her trademark style—heart-wrenching drama with a happily ever after. Character-driven romantic adventure Non-explicit, mild sensuality Story length 100,000 words (not including bonus material) Reviews Lucinda Brant’s sweeping family sagas are a perfect reminder of why I fell in love with historical romance —Cheryl Bolen, New York Times bestselling author You will once again be reminded why Lucinda Brant’s books are such a treasure. —SWurman, Night Owl Reviews 5 STAR TOP PICK The energy starts on page one and never lets up. Twists and turns, dramatic revelations, and some enjoyable chaos make this a book that keeps the reader turning pages. Highly recommended! — Fiona Ingram, Readers’ Favorite 5 STAR MEDAL WINNER Lucinda Brant fully immerses the reader in the world of Georgian England, keeping you turning pages, or listening late into the night as the case may be. For those historical romance fans who have been gobsmacked by Nicholas Boulton (as a narrator), I am thrilled to report that Alex Wyndham is every bit as good. His narrative voice is deep and lovely. I unreservedly recommend that you listen to Midnight Marriage.—Lady Wesley, Romantic Historical Reviews audiobook review Accolades B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Readers’ Favorite Audiobook Silver Medal Winner Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist
One of the 20 Most Romantic Books Ever, According to BookBub Members Inspired by real events, a secretly arranged marriage establishes a dynasty. After years in exile, Julian returns to claim a bride he doesn’t know. To his delight, he discovers she is everything he’d hoped for. Unaware they are already married, Deb is content with her independent life. Julian’s challenge is to have her accept him on his merit, even though she has no choice at all. The future of the Roxton dukedom depends upon it. Set in the opulent world of the Georgian aristocracy, Lucinda Brant delivers another lavish 18th century experience in her trademark style—heart-wrenching drama with a happily ever after. Character-driven romantic adventure Non-explicit, mild sensuality Story length 100,000 words (not including bonus material) Reviews Lucinda Brant’s sweeping family sagas are a perfect reminder of why I fell in love with historical romance —Cheryl Bolen, New York Times bestselling author You will once again be reminded why Lucinda Brant’s books are such a treasure. —SWurman, Night Owl Reviews 5 STAR TOP PICK The energy starts on page one and never lets up. Twists and turns, dramatic revelations, and some enjoyable chaos make this a book that keeps the reader turning pages. Highly recommended! — Fiona Ingram, Readers’ Favorite 5 STAR MEDAL WINNER Lucinda Brant fully immerses the reader in the world of Georgian England, keeping you turning pages, or listening late into the night as the case may be. For those historical romance fans who have been gobsmacked by Nicholas Boulton (as a narrator), I am thrilled to report that Alex Wyndham is every bit as good. His narrative voice is deep and lovely. I unreservedly recommend that you listen to Midnight Marriage.—Lady Wesley, Romantic Historical Reviews audiobook review Accolades B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Readers’ Favorite Audiobook Silver Medal Winner Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells. Readers will love this collection of six historical romance novellas, all centered around the Christmas season. In NY Times & USA Today's bestselling author Lucinda Brant's delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others' charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty's world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all. Sarah M. Eden's charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He's about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn't sure if she's intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes. In Heather B. Moore's enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter's best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will's last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he's turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn't be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart. In Lu Ann Staheli's sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he's not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla's heart, as well as her mother's favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated. A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who's on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can't forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one. Becca Wilhite's entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy's department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she's determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a "modern girl" might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined.
England, 1763. Career diplomat Alec Halsey returns to London to the shocking news his estranged elder brother, the Earl of Delvin, has not only killed his best friend in a duel, but has become engaged to the woman Alec had hoped to marry. His friend's mother is convinced her son was murdered and wants Alec to prove it. As the deaths mount, Alec is forced to confront a cruel twist of fate ...
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