Showing results by narrator "Victoria Aston" in All Categories

Rowden Payne, known as The Royal Payne, makes his living in the world of bareknuckle boxing. The disavowed son of a duke likes the focus boxing requires. But just as he's poised to knock out his biggest rival, he's mesmerized by a pair of exotic hazel eyes in the crowd. He finds himself flat on his back and short fifty pounds.

When her mother's incessant matchmaking hits an all-time high, Georgie Archibald does what any sensible woman would do: she flees the country. Seeking refuge in the picturesque seaside village of Vernazza, Italy, Georgie's only plan is to lie low, gorge herself on gelato, and let the wine and waves wash her troubles away...that is until she wakes up in a bed that belongs to the most romantic-looking man she's ever seen.

In monetary matters, Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, is used to being in control, but from his first sight of Lady Charlotte, his carefully cultivated world is rocked to its foundations. Determined to best her other, more eligible suitors, he goes to great lengths to ensure his betrothal to Charlotte. A locked black leather box holds the dark secret that has assured his success.

Security Company CEO Josh Slater put his life on hold when he said "I do" to protect a stranger. While his marriage was never meant to be real - he hasn't even seen his wife in five years - Josh can't shake the idea that he'd be cheating if he moves on. Now he's a man with a mission: Chase down his "wife", get an annulment, and finally indulge in a little no-strings sex.

In America, Lady Halcyone Syramore-Forbes, known as Flame, is a student with a talent for designing jewelry. She is introduced to jewelry boss Reece Dexter and finds him arrogant. She is also wildly attracted to him. Then she discovers her mother is marrying Reece’s father.

Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, doesn't believe in ghosts. Even though tragedy and mysterious hauntings have driven his family away from his ancestral home, Stormclyffe Hall, he is determined to restore the castle to its former glory. His plans are disrupted when a stubborn American shows up on his doorstep hoping to pry into his family's tragic history.

Our bond, once vulnerable, grows stronger by the day, but the unwritten rules of friendship stand. Yet, something feels different. How his eyes caress me, how his hands touch me, how right his body feels beside mine at night-this can't be mere friendship. Might my feelings be reciprocated? Could there be a way to break all the rules and still find a happily ever after . . . Together?

Rafe Davies might seem like just another charismatic rake, but in reality, he is one of the crown’s most valuable agents. As relentless as he is reckless, Rafe has never come upon a mission he couldn’t complete. But when he encounters the intriguing-yet-prickly lady’s companion Miss Sylvia Sparrow while on assignment at a Scottish house party, he finds himself thoroughly distracted by the secretive beauty.

With a heavy heart, spirited but low-born Susanna Guthrie agrees to honor the deathbed request of the wealthy young woman who rescued her from a life of poverty. Masquerading as her benefactress, Susanna travels to the Virginia colony to take the dying heiress' place as head of the sprawling tobacco plantation Briarwood, and to "marry wisely." Once, she would have welcomed the attentions of handsome Adam Thornton. But now, consorting with a "hired hand" is unthinkable - though the raw, sensual power of the rugged plantation manager leaves Susanna breathless.

Kassandra whirled to face the arrogant military man she'd hoped never to see again, remembering all too clearly his impassioned kisses that lingered like molten honey on her lips. To admit to her scandalous indiscretion would ruin her father's diplomatic career and forever destroy her reputation. Stefan nearly shouted in triumph. He'd searched throughout Vienna for the beguiling tavern wench who had aroused him past endurance, and here she stood like a shimmering goddess.

I was raised to believe that I was a warrior witch, someone who made the world a little safer. On my 16th birthday, I found out that I'm nothing more than a monster myself - a fae abomination created to protect the queen of the Fallen. For eight long years I ran from the fae who'd have me take up my place at the queen's side. Then I found him, my light in the darkness.

After enduring five interminable seasons, Lottie Carlisle has had enough of shallow London society, her boring little life, and her uncle Alfred's meddling. When he demands she accept a proposal by the end of next season or else he will choose a husband for her, she devises a plan: create a scandal shocking enough to make her unmarriageable and spend her spinsterhood far enough away in the countryside where no one will ever recognize her.

Chief Officer of the Society for the Intellectually Advanced, Lord Matthew Strathmore, Earl of Whittingham, takes his position very seriously. Not only does it distract him from the painful aftermath of a gunshot wound to the leg, earned most honorably, it is important work. So he feels duty-bound to question esteemed scientist Lord Talbot about a suspect article. Matthew dashes from London to Oxfordshire, despite wretched weather that only exacerbates his injury, reminding him he is far from the dashing gentleman he once was.

Tea leaves and tarot cards are entertaining ways to predict the future, but when Evelyn Osbourne finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the public eye on stage in Vauxhall Gardens, not even the most reliable crystal ball can prepare her for what happens next. Evelyn has always known love wasn't written in the stars, not with her family turmoil, and yet when she meets Malcolm Walker, she can't help but question her fate.

Descended from the old god of legend, Malcolm Rauor possesses the ability to steal one's sanity. The marquess views his power and the eerie shadows that serve him as an affliction, one dooming him to a lonely immortal existence. Everything changes after a disastrous chance encounter with a witch on the outskirts of his estate. The woman is the mate he'd long ago lost all hope of ever finding.

Vauxhall Gardens may be London's ideal attraction with its diverse population, unusual entertainment, and illicit pleasure walks, but for Sofia Gallo, it's also a safe haven. Leaving Italy with her brothers, she escaped the threat of scandal and the longer she performs as a tumbler, the more Vauxhall feels like home. Especially when she meets Noah Wright, a handsome bachelor seeking work as a magician. Yet predicting the future is far from a magician's illusion and when Sofia's past collides with her present, she discovers forbidden love is more dangerous than she ever dared to imagine.

In the hedonistic world of Vauxhall Gardens, a place where London's aristocracy pursues daring entertainment and sensual pleasures, desire overrules status, prejudice, and societal censure. When Lola York meets Theodore Coventry, Earl of Essex, their chemistry is undeniable, but she knows better than to yearn for forbidden love. That is, until their involvement becomes unavoidable and Lola realizes the most dangerous risk of all is the one that threatens her heart.