The Wicked Waif

Blackhaven Brides #10

by Mary Lancaster

Welcome to Blackhaven, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society STILL turns local life upside down!

Book 11 "The Wicked Waif" in the Blackhaven Brides Series is now available. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!

Where there is love, there is life…

When Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she is injured, traumatized, and remembers nothing of her previous life, not even her real name. In a frightening, unknown world she clings only to her rescuer, Major Dominic Doverton.

Dove is the quiet man of Blackhaven. Outside his regiment, no one knows of his heroism or its tragic consequences. He is at peace with his fate. Only Tillie, with her innate kindness, curiosity, and mischief breaks through his aloofness to his secret.

However, the mystery of her identity seems to be mixed up with a conspiracy to free Bonaparte from Elba and finding Tillie’s family only unleashes more danger – and threatens to separate her forever from the man she loves. Dove will take on the world to protect her, but does he have the will to fight again for his own fate?

Blackhaven Brides Series
Book 1 - The Wicked Baron
Book 2 - The Wicked Lady
Book 3 - The Wicked Rebel
Book 4 - The Wicked Husband
Book 5 - The Wicked Marquis
Book 6 - The Wicked Governess
Book 7 - The Wicked Spy
Book 8 - The Wicked Gypsy
Book 9 - The Wicked Wife
Book 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella)
Book 11 - The Wicked Waif
Book 12 - The Wicked Heir
Book 13 - The Wicked Captain
Book 14 - The Wicked Sister

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, British Literature

216 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2019

About the author

Mary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.

Connect with Mary on-line:
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Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves]

Solid 3*
Likable mcs.
Believable insta-connection.
But still a mild, middle of the road story/romance.

Despite the book opening on the H rescuing the h from the sea, from inside a floating nailed up barrel!
Despite her amnesia and villainous relatives, and her uncertain marital status.
And despite his tortured past image complete debilitating injuries as tropes .

[InD'tale Magazine]

She paints brilliant pictures with her words, making readers want to jump inside and join the story!

Read full review in the 2019 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
Sweet and romantic to the end . Perfect chemistry between the two main characters and guest appearances by many favourites from Blackhaven history.
What more could you possibly want from a Mary Lancaster book.

Dove is a soldier ,a gent, a hero, and a wonderful human being.
He’s loved and lost , been injured fighting for his country, and now he’s risking his life to save others.
Saving the crew of a ship that sinking off the coast ,he finds a lady in a box , what is the story behind her plight and can he keep her safe .

Tilly is sweet , beautiful and good natured . Even though she’s no memory of her past life she deals with her problems by being there for others .
Meeting Dove gives her a peace , he’s the one who makes her feel safe , from the dark and maybe from something else , if only she can remember what .

When her family turn up to claim her , can she trust what they say, or is Dove the only sure thing in her life .

Loved this book , full of sweet, delicious romance that will make you smile .
Such a brilliant and enjoyable series of books .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Cheryl]

I did enjoy this story, the main characters of Tilde and Dove were so likeable. Tilde was a kind hearted person, who cared deeply for other’s welfare. Dove was brave and honourable. Even though Tilde was struggling with her memory loss, she still worried about others. They had an instant connection and as they got to know each their feelings deepened. However, there are many things against them, Dove’s family and an old flame plus what happens when Tilde’s memory returns. It was also enjoyable to read of previous characters in this book. An entertaining read.

[Lana Birky]

Oh, how I love Blackhaven & all the people that live there! Mary Lancaster expertise in describing the detail & giving us some historical facts to learn; immerses you right in to everyone's lives in Blackhaven. This 11th Book in the series was no different & what a great adventure it was!

Our hero, Major Dominic "Dove" Doverton is a soldier who has been in Blackhaven for a while recovering from a war wound. He is kind, friendly & on this night has organized a rescue for a ship that has capsized after hitting rocks near Blackhaven. They have managed to save many of the crew & are heading back to shore when they hear screaming & discover a wooden box nailed shut with a young woman inside. She is injured & after Dove takes her to the Vicar's home, the doctor treats her head wound but she does not remember anything - where she from, her name or how she got in the box.

Tillie, is the name she came up when Dove tried to bring reminder from her past & she thought she remembered it. She is a vivacious, adventurous lovely lady & endears herself quickly to many of the Blackhaven residents, especially Dove. The longer she stays, the more she is falling for the kind & gentle man who saved her life.

Dove & Tillie's love story is full of secrets, nasty money-hungry relatives, treachery, evil villains, humor, love, romance & wonderful people from past stories in Blackhaven. I highly recommend this book to all historical romance readers & would urge you to read the whole series!



Major Dominic Doverton, Dove pulls a young woman from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she’s injured and doesn’t remember who she is. Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea traumatized and scared she remembers nothing of her previous life. Dove is a gentle hero, a quiet man who feels the pull of attraction for Tillie. Tillie has a sweet mischievous way of getting into his heart in the mysterious story of Tillie’s identity and murderous relatives in another great mystery at Blackhaven. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the wonderful book and this is my honest opinion.

[Petula]

Major Dominic Doverton is stationed with the army at Blackhaven. Everyone tiptoes around him because of the nasty wound he is still recovering from. When a storm causes a shipwreck he rallies the troops to rescue as many from the ship as possible. He drags more out of the water than could be expected.
Tillie can remember nothing from before her rescue. The only lasting impression is one of great fear. The good folk of Blackhaven are very helpful and friendly.
Something bad is in our heroine's past and it soon finds her again. Is our wounded hero fit enough to solve the mystery and save the lady.
A very exciting story that fits in well with the other books from the Blackhaven series. The characters are fabulous and we meet several old friends from the other books.
Great fun.

[Gillian]

When Major Dominic Doverton (Dove) goes out to rescue people from a ship caught in a storm he did not expect to find a young woman inside a wooden crate. Tillie has no recollection of how she got into the crate nor of her real name and background, she clings to Dove as her rescuer.

Dove has secrets of his own - he believes he only has two years left to live as a result of injuries he sustained during the war in the Peninsula.

Secrets and danger threaten to drag the two apart until the help of the various residents of Blackhaven and their own determination overcome the obstacles and they achieve their HEA.

This has been another highly enjoyable part of the Blackhaven Brides series.

[Jeanie's Kindle]

Afraid of the dark all of her life, Marildila was horrified to find herself locked in a crate in the sea. The ship she had been on was sinking and she was drowning. Major Dominic Doverton was saving his lives of as many sailors as he possibly could but he had a gnawing feeling there was more. He finally heard a slight mewling sound coming from a locked car ate. Breaking it open he found a woman barely alive, freezing locked inside. Pulling her into his boat and getting her to safety, the doctor declared she might live. When she awoke, she had no memory before her rescue.

[Elizabeth S]

During a rescue of sailors from a sinking ship, Captain Doverton pulls a woman out of the sea. Tillie is traumatized and has no memory of who she is. Blackhaven residents take care of her until her memory returns, and in the meantime, Dove and Tillie struggle with their attraction to each other. This was a rather implausible story, but fun nonetheless, with all the usual elements of intrigue, duels, and kidnappings that are characteristic of Mary Lancaster's stories.

[Maureen haller]

Wonderful

What a great story. Mrs Lancaster never disappoints. You've got heroism, loyalty, mystery, suspense and a surprise ending. Lancaster had me captivated from beginning to end.

[Alicia Marsland]

new take on the kidnapping trope

Loving a dying man is tough, which is why he has held himself aloof until he hears a scream coming from a shipwreck and finds the girl in a box, nailed tight shut!

[Carol]

easy read

The captain finds his ever after love after he pulls a young lady with amnesia out of the sea from a shipwreck. Of course he pursues the mystery and then gets his love

[Tina]

Great read! Characters, mystery and story were excellent!

[Penny Wright]

The Phoenix!

What a delightful, extraordinary heroine Tillie is. She exhibits strength, courage, and common sense. Loved this thrilling action packed adventure!

[Kim]

Mary Lancaster's Blackhaven Brides series has become one of my favorite historical series. Already in the first book in the series, she establishes the setting and the cast of characters so well that you feel as though you're there, experiencing the adventures firsthand. The same is true in The Wicked Waif, book 11 in the series. We return again to Blackhaven, this time in the midst of a ship in distress and the rescue of the crew. The last thing Major Doverton expects is that he'll end up rescuing Tillie, a young woman who may have been a stowaway on the ship. Tillie doesn't remember how she ended up in a wooden crate on the ship, she's not even sure if her name is really Tillie. And the mystery of her origins (and her beauty) intrigues Doverton as he determines to help her find out who she really is and tries to avoid falling in love in the process.

As with all of the books in this series, I fell in love with the main characters. I really enjoyed following their paths to discovering one another and themselves. Both Dove (as his friends call him) and Tillie are enigmas and getting to know them through their actions and the secrets they both eventually reveal was enthralling. I also enjoyed seeing how the townspeople they interacted with became part of Dove and Tillie's story.

Such a fun pageturner! I can't wait to read the next book by Lancaster. Highly recommended!

[Lori D]

Excitement from the first page when Major Dominic Doverton, Dove, rescues a woman from a shipwreck. She was floating in a box with the lid nailed shut. Could you imagine? He can only hold her hand as she struggled to ward off something and murmur "There, you're safe now. You're safe." He was the comfort the frightened Tilly could hold onto.
Dove is a soldier who has been wounded himself saving others and is really a hero. He has had a past himself of loss and even with his injuries he pushes forward to help others.
Tilly doesn't remember anything. Just darkness and fear. But once she begins interacting with Dove her personality comes out. She is beautiful and kind and all becomes attached to Dove.
But the past will come back and it is a matter of who to believe or what may come.
Heartwarming and such a wonderful story that pulled me in right from the start. I have enjoyed the Blackhaven series and never tire of reading more. Mary Lancaster leaves a lasting impression with her wonderful characters and settings!

[Barbara Michael]

On a cold stormy night, a ship crashes unto the rocks on the coast of Black heaven. The Army soldiers have been alerted and are rescuing crew and some of the creates in the cold water. Major Dominic Doverton is in charge and his batman, Cully, is with him rowing in a boat around the ship. They see a chest bobbing in the water and then hear sounds coming from it. They rescue it and when it is opened; a terrified woman comes screaming out of it. Who would put a woman in a box and stow her away on a boat? As they calm her down, they discover that she has no memory of who she is or where she came from. A mystery at Blackhaven and it seems to be mixed up with a conspiracy to free Bonaparte from Elba. Mary Lancaster has written a wonderful mystery and of course provided great characters; many of whom we already know from previous books. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon reading at the beach or cabin.

[Sandra Standefer]

Major Doverton helping with a sea rescue one stormy night when he hears screams coming from a box. When he tries to open he box he realizes that someone has nailed shut a woman inside. As he rescues her she is shaking and afraid and has no memory whatsoever. This starts the relationship between a man with a devastating secret and a woman who can’t remember her past. It was such a great story! I loved
Tilley she was funny and strong. This story was sweet, romantic and full of intrigue. I have enjoyed reading all the Blackhaven stories and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I definitely recommend this book!

[Vintagebooklvr]

I loved the characters in this. Tillie is beautiful, sweet but no milk-maid. Her conversation may not be conventional but this is wit and warmth. She's also smart enough not to fall for the words of a manipulative Mrs. and doesn't misinterpret looks of fondness to be love (or at least not for long).

Dove is no slouch either. He doesn't care what society or his family expects. If he thinks action is necessary he will take it.

Together they are magic. Throw in a little amnesia, traitors, manipulation families, and maybe a kidnapping or two. The side characters are well-developed too. One of the best Regencies I've read in years.

[Barbara Literski]

Beautiful Waif

Love, love reading MARY Lancaster’s books! I really enjoy reading about the people of Blackhaven.
This story has a few characters from previous books which I enjoy reacquainting myself with them.
Now we have “Major Dominic Doverton of the 44th but most people call him Dove. There is a storm that capsizes the ship named “Phoenix” they found a girl nailed in a box.
She has a head injury and has lost her memory. Different things happen. The only name she would say was Tillie.
To find out what happens I recommend reading the story.
HAPPY READING!!

[Debbie Brown]

Major Dominic Doverton, Dove pulls a young woman from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she’s injured and doesn’t remember who she is. Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea traumatized and scared she remembers nothing of her previous life. Dove is a gentle hero, a quiet man who feels the pull of attraction for Tillie. Tillie has a sweet mischievous way of getting into his heart in the mysterious story of Tillie’s identity and murderous relatives in another great mystery at Blackhaven. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the wonderful book and this is my honest opinion.

[Margaret]

Sealed in a box

A shipwreck reveals a box enclosed with a young lady. Unconscious from a head wound, they hope to discover who she is. Once she is awake, she doesn't remember her identity or her past. The coming days bring uncertainty, but all is eventually revealed when two relatives show up. First they have to go through Dove. An engaging romance of mystery and intrigue with the name Napoleon in the mix. Nice read.

[BROWN2]

Loved it!!

This series never disappoints. Dove and Tillie's story adds to the romance of Blackhaven. I can never get enough of these books. I am an awe of how unique each book is and the individuality of each person in Blackhaven. Every story lures you for an entertaining adventure.

[Colene Myers]

Major Doverton keeps doing his duty even as he believes he is dying. Doverton affectionately known as Dove pulls Tillie from the Sea where she was found floating in a sealed box, Tillie has no memory of who she is so Dove has promised to help her find out and find out why she was in a sealed box on a ship that know one knew she was on... Enjoyed this one with it's twists and turns.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis]

Found in a crate

Tillie Aka Matilda is rescued from a crate by Dove Captain Doverton! Mystery, memory loss, scheming relatives, old war injuries and a fortune all conspire to keep this couple apart! Kidnapping an abduction and of course a duel all happen in this "sleepy" little town! This book is a page turner never a dull moment!

[Cynthia Houser]

Waif

This a another very enjoyable book by Mary. I enjoy this series with it's entertaining and engaging characters of Blackhaven. Tillie was a delightful heroine. Dove is a very honorable man who looks for the good in others.

[joyce ryder]

Good

I feel that this book is more of a romantic story and I enjoyed it more than the others.The story line flowed well and was believable.The characters seemed believable all in all I liked it😊

[D'anah]

Good story

An interesting read that you can't put down. Although I prefer my books without the sex stuff (find it unnecessary). The story itself was good and engaging.

[Sharon Wagner]

Good book!

Good storyline and characters. Very exciting and full of adventure and drama. Sinister plots by family. Mathilda and the Major were perfect together.

[Lois M Aliotta]

Another good book in the Blackhaven series