Another perfect holiday read with lots of romance and laugh out loud comedy, Lasting Victory is the fifth and final entry in the Dartmouth Diaries. Victory Shackleford has been married to Hollywood heartthrob Noah Westbrook for nearly two years, and despite all media predictions of doom, she has never been so happy. Of course, her best friend Kit’s relocation to Scotland did come as a bit of a blow, but being married to an A list actor has its perks, and ease of travel is definitely one of them… Kit Davies has spent the last eighteen months helping the bad tempered, gorgeous ex-naval captain Jason Buchannan renovate his family pile up in the wilds of Scotland. Considering the chaos they’re in, nobody is more surprised than Kit when, out of the blue, Jason suddenly pops the question. Even more surprising is her lack of hesitation in saying yes. The only complication is the housekeeper’s niece Nicole, who for some reason is still hanging around like a bad smell. When her best friend Tory suggests holding an engagement party in Dartmouth, Kit thinks she’s in for a relaxing break, away from all the dust and rubble, not to mention the redhaired pain in the arse. Unfortunately she’s reckoned without Tory’s interfering father… …On discovering the Scot has unexpectedly proposed to his daughter’s best friend, Admiral Shackleford is of the firm opinion that Nicole has finally outstayed her welcome at Bloodstone Tower. What’s more, he’s determined to dig up enough dirt on the redhaired baggage to send her packing. But this time, finally, the Admiral might have opened one can of worms too many...

Dartmouth Diaries

Lasting Victory: A Romantic Comedy

Another perfect holiday read with lots of romance and laugh out loud comedy, Chasing Victory is the fourth entry in the Dartmouth Diaries. Kit Davies has been dating the gorgeous Captain Jason Buchannan for six months. Six whole months of being wheeled out as his significant other at various Naval functions. While she's not convinced she has the makings of a future Officer's wife, things have been pretty good, and at least she hasn't caused a diplomatic incident - yet. Then one memorable evening, Jason drops a bombshell. His father’s health is failing and he wants to retire from the Royal Navy, and relocate to his crumbling ancestral home in the wilds of Scotland. And he wants Kit to go with him. But Kit has too much unfinished business in Dartmouth to just up sticks and leave. She’s worked hard to build up her Event Management business, then there’s her best friend Tory who’s just had a baby, and her Aunt Flo who to date still hasn’t told Kit the whole truth about her father. When Hollywood superstar Noah Westbrook agrees to help finance Jason’s plans to convert his pile of ruins into a luxury hotel, Kit begins to get desperate. How can she leave everything she’s ever known for a man she’s only known for six months? It’s no secret that she has trust issues, not to mention a ridiculous fear of change. In fact, burying her head in the sand is probably her strongest talent... Decision time comes as Jason’s father Hugo goes missing from hospital. It’s no surprise to anyone that Tory’s irresponsible father is at the bottom of it, but in deciding to drag his old friend on an impromptu road trip across the country, the meddling Admiral may finally have gone too far… Chasing Victory is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for fans of funny love stories, especially quirky British Romantic Comedies.

Chasing Victory: A Romantic Comedy

Full of romantic humour, Claiming Victory is a must for fans of funny love stories. At thirty two, Victory Shackleford is arguably overweight, undeniably frumpish and the love of her life is a dog. She still lives at home with her father - an eccentric retired Admiral who she considers reckless, irresponsible, and totally incapable of looking after himself. Her father on the other hand thinks Victory is a boring nagging harpy with no imagination or sense of adventure and what’s more, he’s determined to get her married off. Unfortunately there’s no one in the picturesque yachting town of Dartmouth that Tory is remotely interested in, despite her father’s best efforts. But all that is about to change when she discovers that her madcap father has rented out their house as a location shoot for the biggest Hollywood blockbuster of the year.

Claiming Victory: A Romantic Comedy

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday read, with lots of romance and laugh out loud comedy, then curl up with the third entry in the Dartmouth Diaries... It’s not often that a fledgling career in Event Management kicks off with the wedding of a Hollywood superstar. Of course the fact that this particular Hollywood star is marrying her best friend might have had something to do with the fact that former art gallery owner, Kit Davies landed the job. That, and the fact that she was about to become homeless and penniless… But organizing her friend Victory’s big fat Hollywood wedding in the small yachting haven of Dartmouth without alerting the media is not for the faint hearted, and Kit very quickly realizes that she’s way out of her depth - especially as the bride to be has a secret of her own that is rapidly changing her disposition from a fairy tale Cinderella to a would-be Bridezilla. And then there are the ongoing machinations of Victory’s father, who not only has his own agenda, but has decades of experience in the art of being slippery and evasive... Inviting Hollywood to Dartmouth might actually be the least of Kit’s worries… All For Victory is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for fans of funny love stories

All For Victory: A Romantic Comedy

Get ready for more laughter and sparkling romance in this, the final instalment of the Shackleford Sisters… Anthony Shackleford had long been acquainted with the word duty. Indeed, since the moment he could walk, it had been drummed into him every Friday between the hours of two and four in the afternoon, accompanied by tea and apple cake. His mother had always been especially partial to apple cake. The essence of his obligation was this. The Duke of Blackmore could not be expected to keep his in-laws into their twilight years. Despite the fact that his sisters had all made extremely advantageous marriages, as the only son, it was his job to ensure his parents a comfortable dotage. So, for the most part, his duty had always appeared very simple. Marry an heiress, preferably with a title. But while Anthony was handsome enough to capture the eye of even the pickiest of debutantes, the fact that the Duke had seen fit to gift him with a manor house and twelve acres would certainly help in winning over any unduly ambitious mothers. Though grateful for his brother in law’s generosity, Anthony was nevertheless determined not to hang onto his benefactor’s coat tails and stubbornly declared he would undertake the repairs to Bovey Manor himself. Unfortunately, that meant he would have to temporarily set aside his duty since the renovations were likely to take some time… Georgiana didn’t know her last name. In fact it was only by accident that she discovered her first one. Raised in the slums of Exeter, she’d been George to everyone for as long as she could remember and no one but her foster family had any idea she was a girl. She knew nothing of where she came from, only that Henry and Martha Atkins were being paid to keep her alive. Indeed, she’d always been a pain in her foster father’s slovenly arse - until she began to blossom into womanhood. As he suddenly started looking for ways to be alone with her, Georgiana realised she had to escape. But Henry Atkins was not about to simply let her go. In truth, he dared not, since she was the key to plans years in the making… When Anthony crossed paths with a raggedy arsed lad named George, employing him out of pity to help with the renovations to Bovey Manor, he had no inkling that his life was about to change forever, and duty would be the very last thing on his mind… Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humour and a little bit of steam...

Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James

Anthony

Get ready for another helping of dizzying romance and laugh out loud comedy in ‘A Shackleford Victory’, the sixth instalment in the Dartmouth Diaries … After being suspended and subsequently dismissed from her job in the National Crime Agency, Teddy Shackleford reluctantly takes refuge in the quaint town of Dartmouth at the behest of her uncle, retired Admiral Charles Shackleford. Since she holds him partly responsible for the ignominious ending of her career, Teddy thinks the least he can do is give her a temporary roof over her head. Expecting to spend the summer licking her wounds and keeping her head down, the last thing Teddy expects is to be recruited by an eccentric aristocrat to unravel a tangled web of missing titles and family inheritance. Determined to solve the mystery, Teddy dives headfirst into her employer’s aristocratic world, but as she navigates the labyrinth of lineage and intrigue, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic and charming Sebastian Sinclair, Fourteenth Duke of Blackmore, complicating matters in ways she could never have imagined. Will she uncover the truth behind the tangled inheritance? And could there be an unexpected prize waiting at the end of her journey? ‘A Shackleford Victory’ is a delightful contemporary romantic comedy that will have you laughing and cheering for Teddy as she navigates previously uncharted waters of friends, family and unexpected love.

Totally Chaotic History

A Shackleford Victory

In this funny Regency romance series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… In the eyes of her family, Chastity Shackleford was impulsive, flighty, overly emotional and inclined to sentimental overtures. All in all, a disaster waiting to happen should she accept the Duke of Blackmore’s offer of a Season in London. But what else was she to do since her twin sister and best friend had abandoned her for the wilds of Cornwall? Naturally she might have hoped that disaster had waited a little longer before striking, but at least she faced the possibility of marriage with someone who had all his own teeth. The fact that the gentleman was also wanted for murder was a little off-putting, but then one couldn’t have everything. When Christian Stanhope was forced to jump ship after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he’d never expected to return to England. But then he’d never expected to become the next Earl of Cottesmore either. However, if he was to survive the merciless world of England’s aristocracy, clearing his name was essential. And for that he needed the help of his former First Lieutenant Nicholas Sinclair, now the Duke of Blackmore. But first he had to convince the Duke that he was not guilty of a heinous murder committed seventeen years earlier. A task easier said than done. But just when he despaired of ever finding the real culprit and bringing him to justice, help, or possibly hindrance, arrived from an unexpected quarter… Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humour and a little bit of steam...

Shackleford Sisters

Chastity

In this funny Regency romance series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… Prudence Shackleford had not expected to be a spinster at three and twenty, but unfortunately, as she’d quickly discovered, very few men were prepared to tolerate either her ghoulish sense of humour, or her macabre taste in literature. And those were the ones she’d got as far as holding a conversation with. When invited to London by the Duke and Duchess of Blackmore to witness the Coronation of King George IV, she was equal parts horrified and intrigued. Especially after a chance meeting with a Bow Street Runner on the trail of conspirators it was feared were planning to murder the King. Jamie Fitzroy had been a Bow Street Runner for five years. In that time he’d risen swiftly up the ranks, gaining a reputation for both ruthlessness and guile. Such were his successes in ridding London's streets of thieves and murderers, his name had become almost legendary. But in the wake of the Cato Street Conspiracy, he was now on the trail of a gang intending to assassinate the King during his own Coronation. And with less than two weeks to go, and a London packed to bursting, the stakes had never been higher. The last thing he had time for was a russet haired chit who was too ripe and ready by half – even if she did haunt his dreams every night… Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humour and a little bit of steam...

Detective Geraldine Steel

Prudence

From the highly acclaimed author of The Shackleford Sisters, Beverley Watts, comes an exciting new series featuring the next generation. The Shackleford Legacies are a delightful dance of romance, humour, mystery and fun... Lady Jennifer Sinclair is halfway through her second season and thoroughly disillusioned with the marriage mart. After one discretion too many, the headstrong only daughter of the powerful Duke of Blackmore finds herself on the way to Scotland in the company of her older brother Peter who’s been tasked by his father to inspect the family estate north of the border. Once at Caerlaverock, the Duke’s estate on the shores of Loch Lomond, Jennifer is surprised to discover an unexpected sense of peace. But that peace is not to last… Brendon Galbraith, last of the disgraced Clan Galbraith has high hopes of becoming the next steward to Caerlaverock. But though penniless and very nearly homeless, he has another, more important reason to wish for the Duke of Blackmore’s patronage. After accidentally discovering a terrible secret, Brendon realises the only person who can possibly help him is the Duke of Blackmore himself. Desperately awaiting Nicholas Sinclair’s forthcoming visit, the discovery that the Duke has sent his son and heir instead is a bitter blow. However, it quickly becomes clear that Peter Sinclair is every bit his father’s son and has no intention of running from the challenge presented by the shocking truths Brendon is forced to reveal. But in the end, it’s the unanticipated arrival of the Duke’s beautiful, wilful daughter that proves Brendon’s biggest headache, especially as Jennifer Sinclair very quickly disabuses him of the notion that she has any intention of running from the forthcoming challenge either…

The Shackleford Legacies

Jennifer

In this funny romantic series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… When Faith Shackleford found herself in the unenviable position of having to accompany her irascible father to convalesce in the genteel seaside town of Torquay, she envisioned three months of wearying monotony, She certainly wasn’t expecting to be intrigued by the forlorn empty house situated next to their own elegant villa, especially when she discovered it belonged to a handsome captain in the Royal Navy who was currently away at sea. Unfortunately, she never imagined that fascination might cost her her life. Roan Carew grew up an orphan on the streets of Torquay, until he was press ganged into the Royal Navy at eleven. Through a combination of determination, shrewdness and sheer bloody mindedness he rose to the rank of Captain, but he was certainly no gentleman nor ever would be. Indeed, his purchase of Redstone House, a rundown mansion in Torquay’s wealthiest district was more of an impulse than an aspiration towards respectability. He most certainly did not expect the house to come with a thirty-year-old secret that someone was prepared to commit murder to protect. Naturally Reverend Shackleford, who it was generally agreed would be 'in if he fell in,’ simply had to investigate… Perfect for fans of funny, lighthearted Regency Romances with a little bit of steam.

Faith

In this funny romantic series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… Perfect for fans of funny, lighthearted Regency Romances with a little bit of steam. Reverend Shackleford was at a loss. He’d truly believed that in marrying his eldest daughter Grace to an extremely wealthy peer of the realm, his problems would be over. But as the Reverend was now beginning to realise, it wasn’t sufficient to have a wealthy Duke in the family if the daughter he was trying to marry off had the manners of a stable hand. And to Reverend Shackleford’s knowledge, his second eldest daughter Temperance is the exact opposite of her name and a harpy to boot. In fact the Reverend very much feared that unless he could find someone to teach her at the very least how to hold her temper, he would be stuck with her forever. But as he was always telling his curate, the Almighty works in mysterious ways. Indeed, Reverend Shackleford believed his prayers were finally answered when he found the very person to take Temperance in hand.

Temperance

In this funny Regency romance series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… With her four older sisters now married, it’s Patience Shackleford’s turn to take charge of her younger siblings’ education. But given that Patience’s most prodigious skill is lock picking, any abilities she passes on to her younger sisters are unlikely to provide any assistance in the drawing rooms of the genteel, especially as she has no interest in either high society, or horror of horrors… marriage. Indeed, her father the Reverend Augustus Shackleford is firmly of the opinion that the less society knows about his fifth daughter the better… When Grace and Temperance, now married to influential members of the ton, offer to take her in hand and bring her out, both Patience and her father are entirely horrified. For once in total accord, they endeavour to hatch a plan to somehow avoid the upcoming Season. But that’s before a chance meeting with the enigmatic and undeniably handsome Marquis of Guildford when Patience discovers that lock picking is exactly the expertise he happens to be looking for… Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humor and a little bit of steam.

Patience

Get ready for more dizzying romance and laugh out loud comedy in Sweet Victory, the sequel to Claiming Victory and the second entry in The Dartmouth Diaries series. Against all the odds, perfectly ordinary girl next door, Victory Shackleford has won the heart of Hollywood heartthrob Noah Westbrook. But after a whirlwind courtship, the dust is now settling and Tory is faced with the reality of life with the most famous actor in the world. And it's not all hearts and flowers, especially as the media seem intent on digging up every bit of dirt about her they can possibly find. When a secret comes to light that could not only land her madcap, irresponsible father in jail, but completely wreck Noah's acting career, Tory faces an impossible decision - one that could result in her losing everything. And not all fairy tales end happily ever after...

Sweet Victory: A Romantic Comedy

In this funny Regency romance series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… There was no doubt that things had definitely looked better for Gabriel Atwood, one time Viscount Northwood. Mainly because everyone who knew him or of him almost certainly believed him dead - the bastard who’d betrayed him had made sure of that. His only hope was to seek aid from Nicholas Sinclair, his former mentor, now the current Duke of Blackmore, before his enemies realised that news of his demise had been greatly exaggerated. Unfortunately, on finally reaching the Duke’s estate late on Christmas eve, Atwood discovered the house shrouded in darkness and realised with despair that his grace had undoubtedly chosen to spend the Christmas season elsewhere. Hope Shackleford did not relish spending the festive season under the same roof as her entire family, even though the roof beneath which the gathering was to take place belonged to the Earl of Ravenstone and was far grander than the modest vicarage in which she’d spent her whole life. Indeed, given that her two eldest sisters were married to influential members of the ton, it had to be said that her family were becoming increasingly accustomed to indulgences entirely above their station. Hope on the other hand, despite possessing a head of flaming red hair giving indication to the contrary, was a practical young woman who eschewed both whimsy and optimism, unlike the rest of her eccentric family - in particular her father whose calling as a man of the cloth seemed in recent years to play a secondary role to his passion for meddling in affairs that in Hope’s view were entirely none of his business. Thus, the chances of their Christmas festivities being wholly focused on the simple joys of the season were, in Hope’s opinion, slim to none. After the unexpected appearance of a handsome vagrant who was clearly more than he seemed, Hope had no idea just how correct her misgivings would turn out to be… Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humor and a little bit of steam.

Hope

In this funny Regency romance series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… While Charity Shackleford might be considered far more outspoken than her twin sister Chastity, she was much less inclined to make a complete cake of herself. Something her twin appeared to be doing with increasing regularity. Indeed, when details of Chastity’s latest faux pas threatened to travel beyond the confines of Blackmore, it appeared that removing her from the vicinity was the only answer. Naturally, as always, Grace, the eldest daughter and current Duchess of Blackmore was tasked with picking up the pieces. Unfortunately, just as she was about to inform their father of her intention to take Chastity for a short holiday to their sister Faith in Torquay, the Reverend was unexpectedly called upon to attend his curate’s sadly dying mother. Firmly of the opinion that their father could not be trusted to stay out of mischief long enough to give anybody the last rites, Grace instructed Charity to accompany him. On reaching the trading port of Dartmouth, Charity quickly learned that nothing was as it seemed. Indeed, she discovered her sister’s worst fears were well founded as she, her father and Percy found themself embroiled in a long-standing conspiracy involving smuggling and murder. Only the arrival of the mysterious Jago Carlyon stood between them and the infamous leader of the Hope Cove smuggling ring. Struggling to fight her undeniable attraction to the handsome Cornishman, Charity had to decide whether he could be trusted with her heart, or more importantly her life. Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit and humor and a little bit of steam...

Charity

In this funny romantic series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it… ....Reverend Augustus Shackleford’s mission in life (aside from ensuring the collection box was suitably full every Sunday) was to secure advantageous marriages for each of his eight daughters. A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness. .... Grievously wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nicholas Sinclair was only recently returned to Blackmore after receiving news of his estranged father’s unexpected death. After an absence of twenty years, the new Duke was well aware it was his duty to marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible. However, tormented by recurring nightmares after his horrific experiences during the battle, Nicholas had no taste to brave the ton’s marriage mart in search of a docile obedient wife. ….. Never in his wildest dreams did Reverend Shackleford envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the new Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it a bit in describing Grace as respectful, meek or dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all…. Perfect for fans of funny, lighthearted Regency Romances with a little bit of steam.

Grace

The third title in Beverley Watt's Shackleford Legacies series.

Roseanna

From the highly acclaimed author of The Shackleford Sisters, Beverley Watts, comes an exciting new series featuring the next generation. The Shackleford Legacies are a delightful dance of romance, humour, mystery and fun... As the eldest daughter of the Earl of Cottesmore, Lady Mercedes Stanhope didn't expect to be still without a husband at the start of her third season. And neither did she expect to be the target of a kidnapping attempt on her journey home from Scotland. But most of all, she didn't expect to experience such an emotional connection to the man who came to her rescue… Horrifically scarred after a bayonet wound nearly cost him his life, Nathaniel Harding lived for fifteen years in the shadows. He didn't expect to be cast into the role of hero in the attempted kidnap of a young gentlewoman. And neither did he expect to be offered the role of her protector to prevent it happening again. But most of all, he didn't expect feelings he’d long believed dead and buried to come bubbling to the surface with her unexpected intrusion into his life… When Mercy and Nate are thrown together to help defeat the kidnapper, neither of them expected to be facing their deepest, darkest fears in confronting the very essence of evil. But most of all, neither expected that love might be found in the midst of such darkness… And then, of course, the one thing that no one expected, was the crucial role Reverend Augustus Shackleford would end up playing in the whole proceedings…

Mercedes

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