Aubrey Wynne's Blog, page 5

Deceiving her Duke by Aileen Fish

Deceiving her Duke 
by Aileen Fish
Revenge of the Wallflowers Book 52

Arabella Dixon’s love for horses, and riding astride, lands her in a quandary when the Duke of Gilstead unknowingly demands she—disguised as his groom named Billy—accompany him on his rides with a new jumper he purchased. One ride becomes many, and a confusing friendship grows between the groom and the duke.

Gilstead enjoys the companionship of his groom a little too much. Then he meets the lovely Arabella and falls head over heels, but oddly, his feelings for his groom don’t diminish. When he learns Arabella’s secret, he’s overwhelmed with relief, and sweeps her into a most passionate kiss, despite her breeches.

Someone witnesses the kiss, and word spreads through the ton linking Gilstead and his groom in a scandalous affair. The duke blames Arabella of a plot to disgrace him. Now she must uncover the truth of who’s behind the lies.

She hopes to clear his name, but will she ever recapture his heart? For she knows she’ll never love another man like she does the Duke of Gilstead.

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Release day for An Orchid Blooms in Winter by Natalie Alleyn

An Orchid Blooms in Winter
by Natalie Alleyn
Revenge of the Wallflowers #47

“It’s no grand passion, but I prefer it that way. She’s a kind, placid girl with a frugal nature who will cause me little trouble and even less expense.”

Miss Phaedra Akers overheard the earl she’d fallen in love with say these words on the night they planned to announce their engagement. Heartbroken to discover that his vows of love and desire had all been lies, she immediately fled to the safety and comfort of her father’s country estate. In time, her pain turned into righteous anger at the earl’s intention to trap her into a marriage of his convenience. She burned with a desire for revenge and vowed to make him regret underestimating and using her in this way. She seeks aid from one of her late mother’s friends, an elegant, charismatic lady who agrees to teach her how to be alluring.

But as Phaedra transforms herself, is this sheltered, solitude loving young woman truly prepared for the reactions of the gentlemen around her?

“You are no blushing rose, you are a stunning, rare orchid and I find myself endlessly fascinated by the mystery of you. I long to discover all of you.”

These words, whispered so ardently by a handsome duke with a dark, devilishly wicked reputation, sent shivers of both apprehension and excitement shivering through her. No longer interested in love and marriage and spurred on by the groveling dismay of her former betrothed, she dares to relish all the excitement and delicious risk of a clandestine, forbidden affair. But when the emotions her actions provoke in those around her explode into a dangerous firestorm, the price for her vengeance may be the loss of her last chance at happiness and love.

Steamy Romance, Full-Length Novel, HEA
Can be read as standalone

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Farewell, My Rogue by Amanda Mariel

Farewell, My Rogue 
by Amanda Mariel
Revenge of the Wallflowers #51

Amidst the frost-kissed beauty of Regency England’s winter, a tale of rekindled hope and unexpected passion unfolds in Farewell, My Rogue.

Miss Beatrice Sinclair, a quiet wallflower harboring a burning desire for revenge, finds herself entangled with the charming and elusive Earl of Lorne, Matthew Everhart. Scarred by a past betrayal, Beatrice is determined to see Matthew pay for his misdeeds in the most unconventional way.

Beatrice devises a cunning plan to have Matthew spirited away on a ship bound for America, ensuring he won’t realize what’s happened until he awakens in the middle of the ocean with no hope for a quick return to England. However, fate has other plans, and Beatrice unexpectedly finds herself aboard the very same ship. The close quarters and the long voyage force them into each other’s company, turning a carefully orchestrated scheme into an unavoidable confrontation of emotions.

As the days at sea turn into weeks, Beatrice and Matthew are compelled to spend time together, peeling back the layers of their pasts and discovering truths neither was prepared to face. Beatrice’s icy resolve begins to thaw as she witnesses Matthew’s true character, far removed from the man she believed him to be. Likewise, Matthew finds himself captivated by Beatrice’s quiet strength and hidden fire, realizing there is more to the reserved lady than he ever imagined.

As February’s chill gives way to the warmth of burgeoning feelings, Beatrice’s quest for vengeance becomes overshadowed by an irresistible attraction. Yet, with the vast ocean between them and their homeland, will they find a way to navigate their tumultuous emotions and forge a future together? Or will Beatrice bid adieu to the rogue forever, leaving their newfound love adrift in the sea of uncertainty? In Farewell, My Rogue, the journey is not just across the ocean, but into the depths of the heart.

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INN THE DEAD OF WINTER by Rhonda Blackhurst

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rhonda Blackhurst will be awarding a free e-book of Inn the Dead of Winter or book one, Inn the Spirit of Murder to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to Spirit Lake in the dead of a Minnesota winter, where the brutally cold temp isn’t the only thing to fear.

Andie Rose Kaczmarek, a six-year sober life coach and owner of the haunted Spirit Lake Inn, has learned the hard way that the living are far more dangerous than anything in the spirit world.

When a controversial guest fails to return to her room on the same night a body is discovered in a fish house on Big Spirit Lake, Andie Rose teams up with her sponsor and sidekick, Sister Alice, and her emotional support red retriever, Aspen, to solve the case.

After Andie Rose discovers illegal activity on the inn’s property that ties to the murder, the investigation shifts into high gear. As she uncovers shocking secrets of those she thought she knew, someone is intent on keeping her quiet at any cost.

Can the inn’s resident ghost save her from impending harm when it seems the ones closest to her pose the greatest threat?

Read an Excerpt

Tootsie’s attitude hung between them, and I held my breath for a moment.

“Knock it off, Toots.” Simon’s voice was a low grumble.

“Knock what off?” She turned on him. “Showing the ladies how to live a little? That they’re not only a mom and a wife, but they’re also their own person?”

Simon grasped his wife’s upper arm. “Toots,” he warned. He turned his attention toward Bobby and Jerry. “You’ll have to excuse my wife, gentlemen. She’s become a bit too, shall we say, independent, as she gets older.”

She released a heavy sigh. “Lighten up, Simon. You say that like it’s a bad thing. I have always been independent. This isn’t the dark ages. Women have every right to be independent of men.”

Again, I agreed wholeheartedly with Tootsie, but swallowed my retort to Simon. A gift sobriety had given me. The ability to keep my mouth shut sometimes.

“Refreshments,” I said merrily as I could to lift the cloud that levitated in the room. Two guests had been smart and skittered from the room unnoticed from all except me.

“Aspen’s with Jade,” Sister Alice said as she came through the door. She quirked a brow as she scanned the guests and touched the crucifix that hung around her neck. “Do I sense tension in the room? What did I miss?”

Tootsie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “My husband emerging from a cave.”

Abut the Author: Rhonda is an avid reader, writer, coffee and dark chocolate connoisseur, and certified life coach. She has 10 independently published novels: The Inheritance, a contemporary fiction novel; seven books in the Melanie Hogan Mysteries; and Finding Abby and Abby’s Redemption in the Whispering Pines Romantic Suspense duology. She was awarded the 2022 Master of Literary Arts Award from the Brighton Chamber.

Website: http://www.rhondablackhurst.com
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.blackhurst.1
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjblackhurst/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonda.blackhurst
BookBub: https://partners.bookbub.com/my_books
TWRP Buy Link: https://wildrosepress.com/product/inn-the-dead-of-winter/

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How to Pluck a Wallflower by Sydney Jane Baily

How to Pluck a Wallflower
by Sydney Jane Baily
Revenge of the Wallflowers Book 49

Miss Dinah Lennox never intended to be a wallflower. Yet in the shadow of her successful older sister, her opinionated mother, and the more dazzling debutantes of the ton, that’s what she has become . . . until the day she sees another less fortunate female and hatches a plan to help her.

Sadly, the rogue who callously trifled with a young woman’s affections, practically in front of Dinah, is also the only man who has ever sparked her interest. What’s a wallflower to do except change from duckling to swan and bring this nobleman to his knees for a sound comeuppance!

Engaging characters, a rollicking good tale, and passionate romance with a touch of intrigue — you’ll find it all in the stories by USA Today bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily.

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Excerpt from Mending Broken Threads by E.D. Hackett with giveaway

Mending Broken Threads
E.D. Hackett
Publication date: January 28th 2025
Genres: Adult, Women’s Fiction

Family secrets never stay buried for long…

Lynette Waller, a divorced Chicagoan, finds herself face to face with the demons of her past after her estranged mother passes away. Standing in her childhood home for the first time in decades, she learns of her mother’s past mistakes and regret through a magic suitcase, a medium, and her equally estranged daughter, Ruby.

To her parents’ disdain, Ruby Franklin traded security for chaos when she dropped out of college to pursue her modeling career in California. When an unexpected phone call sends her to Maine for her beloved grandmother’s passing, she finds herself emotionally unprepared for a family reunion.

The magic suitcase allows Lynette and Ruby to see into the matriarch’s past, but what lessons do her secrets hold? As they search for answers, they find that sometimes the truth is hiding in plain sight. With the help of Mema’s memories, will this mother-daughter duo heal old wounds and find the love buried within their past?

If you adore mother-daughter stories, heartwarming relationships, and transformative journeys, you’ll love this women’s fiction novel Mending Broken Threads.

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EXCERPT:

Later that night, Lynette lay in her parent’s old bed, huddled under the massive pile of blankets. Suddenly spooked by the shadows in the room and the anticipation of sleep, she pulled the blankets to her eyes and closed them tight.

Her heart raced when her body jerked at the sound of a tree branch breaking outside. It must be an animal or the wind. Lynette flipped on the bedside lamp and scanned the room. The closet doors remained shut, the hallway light spread from under the door, and a pile of dirty clothes sat in the far corner. Nothing looked amiss.

She closed her eyes again, and thoughts of ghosts, spirits, and mediums infiltrated her mind. Freaking herself out, she turned on the tv at a low volume and focused on the sound of the eleven o’clock news.

When her eyes became heavy, she closed them for a moment, praying that morning would arrive fast. When she opened her eyes, her body bolted upright and her fingers gripped the sheets. Tiny beads of sweat formed along the nape of her neck. She wiped her neck, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.

It was only a dream. The thought didn’t calm her mind, but solidified her hunch that Mom and Dad were expecting when they married, but in this dream, Mom was pregnant. Like, really pregnant and wearing that awful top from the suitcase. Dad stood at a grill, cooking outside, and Mom sat in a chair knitting. Knitting…was that Loretta? But Dad called the baby Lorraine. Lorraine, Lorraine…there was no Lorraine. And Mom looked sad, always sad. Lynette felt her unhappiness, which solidified her assumption that Mom didn’t want to get married. Whatever happened to Lorraine? Worst-case scenarios popped through Lynette’s mind. And why was she kept a secret all these years?

Unable to handle her thoughts any longer, she hopped out of bed and ran to her old bedroom. “Ruby.” She barged open and through the door, finding her daughter fast asleep. Gripping and shaking her shoulder, she said, “Ruby, wake up. I need to talk to you.”

Author Bio:

E.D Hackett is a Speech-language pathologist by day and a writer by night. She writes novels that investigate layers of self-expectations, family dynamics, self-love and self-acceptance. She hopes that her novels create a safe and cozy environment for her readers to fall into and explore.

She writes women’s fiction with one foot in romance.

She lives in New England but in her heart, she feels that she belongs in Ireland. She reads women’s fiction and romantic comedies, prefers books to movies, loves ice cream over cake, and thrives in fall and spring.

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Snowed by the Wallflower by Caroline Warfield

Snowed by the Wallflower 
by Caroline Warfield
Revenge of the Wallflowers #48

Belinda Westcott doesn’t want to injure the Earl of Ridgemont. She merely wants to humiliate him. After all, one good prank deserves a payback. How could she anticipate that it would go so terribly wrong, or that he would turn out to be nothing like she expected?
Skilled in both chemistry and cooking, Belinda happily hides in her aunt’s kitchen rather than risk embarrassment at the ongoing house party. The unexpected appearance of the earl and a skating party present the perfect opportunity to embarrass him in front of some snooty society miss. Unfortunately, his partner is Belinda’s cousin, and even worse, the cousin drinks the hot chocolate—laced with emetics—meant for the earl.
As plain Major John Conlyn, John had sunk into a morass of dissipation wen first released from the army. Neither his actions nor his companions make him proud. The death of a beloved cousin shocked him back to sense. It also made him an earl and the heir to his grandfather, a duke. He’s been ordered to find a wife and settle down. He wouldn’t mind, but now he’s surrounded by flighty debutantes and their grasping mothers. The one woman who interests him avoids him. She acts as if she despises him. Is it possible he did something when out of control that he ought to apologize for, something he can’t recall?

 

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The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy

The Loathe Boat
Cindy Dorminy
Publication date: January 20th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

The Loathe Boat is about to set sail! All aboard!

Chrissy Parks already has one failed marriage under her belt, and despite being on good terms with her ex, she has no desire to put another ring on her left hand anytime soon. Life is good with Deacon, her amazing boyfriend, so there’s no need to rock the boat.

Deacon Youngblood has other plans. He pops the question just days before they plan to set sail on a role-playing-themed cruise. When Chrissy flips out and turns down his proposal, he begins to think that she may not be over her ex.

The situation escalates into a breakup, but neither will relinquish their cruise ticket. Chrissy climbs aboard the Sovereign of the Sea with the goal of clearing her head and enjoying all the cruise has to offer. Deacon follows with the hope of winning her back.

Chrissy has a nagging feeling that Deacon is hiding something from her. And he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Chrissy must search her heart and decide who she wants. Or maybe she should abandon ship.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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EXCERPT:

First line: Nothing says love like walking through a parking garage in a bright yellow duck suit. ~ Chrissy

I open the box to reveal the custom-made engagement ring I’ve been hiding in my drawer for a month. Her mouth gapes open, but no words come out – no “OMG, yes” or even “Of course I will” or a squeal of excitement…..

Her breaths come out in rapid pants. “I..I… uh, I…” Her chair falls backward as she runs toward the bathroom.

Relinquishing my ticket to her would be the right thing to do, but there is no way on Earth I’m going to let her share my stateroom with her ex-husband. I’d rather be stuck on the Titanic with her than let her have any sexy times with that twenty-first century Eddie Haskell ~ Deacon

A sword? Wait! A viking helmet too? Most of the people in line around me seem more like they are on their way to a Ren Faire. All that’s missing is a very large turkey leg. ~ Chrissy

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Rom-Com readers will have a memorable trip on The Loathe Boat ~ Goodreads

Great for getting in the ‘vacation mood’ without necessarily hearing Jimmy Buffet. ~ Goodreads

For a closed-door romance, they had magnetic chemistry! ~ Goodreads

 

Author Bio:

Cindy Dorminy writes about love when it’s least expected. Quirky dialogue and sassy, southern heroines are a must in her romances. When she’s not in her she-shed working on her next novel, she enjoys walking her dog, gardening, and weightlifting. She shares her house with her musician husband, an awesome daughter, and a miniature dachshund who would eat all the food if he could figure out how to open the refrigerator. She resides in Nashville, TN, where live music can be heard everywhere, even at the grocery store.

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Excerpt from Some Like It Hott by Serena Bell with giveaway

Some Like It Hott
Serena Bell
(Hott Springs Eternal, #3)
Publication date: January 14th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

She’s nothing he wants. And everything he needs.

Preston: I’m Mr. Serious, the guy they call “all work and no play.” So of course my grandfather’s sadistic will has put me in charge of fun at the family’s wedding resort. I have just a few weeks to come up with an all-ages activities program for the resort’s guests—or lose my family’s land forever. Meanwhile, the clock’s ticking at my finance firm, where I’m up for a huge promotion—if I can prove I’m a team player.

Worse, I have to work with the reigning queen of fun, Natalie Archer. If there’s a party, Natalie’s there, and she’s the one dancing on the tables. She doesn’t think much of my suits, ties, cufflinks, and spreadsheets, and I don’t think much of her fun-first–safety-last attitude. But for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about her gorgeous curves, wild curly hair, or sparkling smile. I’m a man who values self-control—and I’m running low.

Natalie launches Operation Fun to help me loosen up and win the promotion I’ve been chasing. Now we’re spending days and nights together—and learning that some activities are a lot of fun for both of us. But as our deadline approaches and our collaboration heats up, Natalie and I find ourselves asking a big question: Opposites may attract, but can they live happily ever after?

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, fish-out-of-water, billionaire, opposites attract, workplace relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

By the time I start my new job a week after my coffee-shop encounter with Lloyd and Susie, I’m starting to feel more optimistic about things. My new boss, Hanna, hooked me up with a swanky room in the Hott Springs Eternal lodge; I’ve deleted all Lloyd’s emails, texts, and photos; and I’ve pawned all the jewelry he gave me.

I’m not sleeping great, and I’m still a little weepy…but you can’t have it all.

I poke my head into Hanna’s office and say, “Hey!”

“Oh, hi, Natalie. Come in.”

I can tell right away that something’s off. She doesn’t sound as brimming with enthusiasm as she did when she called to let me know I had the job or when we talked about my lodging. But I tell myself it’s nothing to do with me—probably a bridezilla situation from earlier in the morning—and step inside.

“Good to see you.” She waves me into a chair across from her. “I have some paperwork for you to fill out, but first I wanted to have a word with you.”

She rearranges a stack of papers, and I realize she’s nervous. Which means the “something off” I observed when I first walked in? Probably does have to do with me.

Shit. “Everything okay?”

I don’t know what I’ll do if this job falls through. Things are over with Lloyd, and it’s a huge understatement to say my parents aren’t my first choice of roommates. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that the idea of asking them for any kind of favor makes me feel like throwing up. Which is why I have to save the money to go back to school.

And even if my housing situation weren’t at stake, I want this job. Yeah, it’s not on the long-term Get Serious path, but it’s totally up my alley. I love people and I love, well, fun—and this is a job where I get to make sure people have fun. Nothing else I’ve applied for sounds like something I want to do.

“I have so many great ideas for how to make Hott Springs Eternal a true destination!” I blurt out, sounding like a bad cover letter—as if that’s going to keep her from delivering whatever bad news is on the tip of her tongue.

She winces, and…I do, too. She looks away, and shit. Shit shit shit.

“It’s complicated,” she says, still not making eye contact. “Nothing to panic about, but there’s a—twist.”

“A twist,” I repeat. That doesn’t sound good.

“I’m really sorry about this bait and switch, but my hands are totally tied. I know I hired you to be the sole person in this position, but, well…God, how do I explain this?”

She’s not making any sense, and apparently my face betrays my confusion and worry because she says, “Wait, let me start from the beginning.”

But just then, her eyes leave my face and fix on something behind me. “Oh, hey,” she says.

I turn to see a man standing in the office door, towing a rolling suitcase behind him. He’s tall and broad-chested, wearing a gorgeous gray linen suit whose expensive tailoring flaunts the strength in his shoulders and biceps. His brown-and-burgundy power tie is cinched up tight against his strong, tanned throat. A half day of dark stubble coats his iron jaw, his cheekbones were carved from stone, and he’s scowling like he just found out his bespoke-suit maker has gone out of business.

My mouth goes dry, and my thighs get hot.

I may have read a little too much “You liked Fifty Shades? Try this!” romance at a formative age.

My eyes go to his hands.

No ring.

Yes, I checked. The universe has spontaneously served me up a Hot Man in a Suit. I challenge any single, straight woman with a pulse not to try to figure out if this guy’s married.

Although it’s pointless.

Because things never work out between men like him and women like me. They’re all business, and I’m a party. They take themselves and everything else seriously, and I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

But it doesn’t stop me from having to wipe imaginary drool from both corners of my mouth.

It might be the stern look and the crease between his dark eyebrows. The set of his jaw or the harsh twist of his lush mouth.

Whatever it is, I have to force my eyes away from him and back to my boss’s face.

Which is pained.

Whatever the bad news is, it involves this man. And that makes sense because no matter what happens next, I already know he’s bad news for me.

“Preston,” Hanna says, “this is Natalie Archer. I’ve, er, hired her to be Hott Springs Eternal’s activities coordinator.”

His scowl deepens, making my heart beat faster, out of both fear and lust.

“That’s unfortunate,” he says.

Yikes.

Nice to meet you, too, Preston.

 

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

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Winning the Wallflower’s Heart by Rebecca Paula

Winning the Wallflower’s Heart
by Rebecca Paula
Revenge of the Wallflowers #46

She’s desperate to escape. He’s determined to protect her. Together, they might find a love worth risking everything for…

Lady Georgiana is trapped in a home filled with her brother’s cruelty and vice. Desperate to reclaim her future, she makes a daring choice: auction her virtue to secure her freedom. But she never imagined Lord Ellis Linfield—her brother’s estranged best friend and a man who has rebuilt his life on his own terms—would step forward as the winning bidder.

Ellis offers a solution to save Georgiana from scandal: a marriage of convenience. Yet what begins as an act of protection quickly ignites into something neither of them expected. Georgiana’s quiet resilience stirs a longing Ellis thought he had buried, and her love for him has always been just out of reach.

As desire blurs the lines of their arrangement, Ellis and Georgiana must confront the wounds of their pasts. Can they overcome the fears keeping them apart—or will the love they’ve found prove as fleeting as the freedom they both crave?

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