A Season of Invitations – November’s Releases

A Season of Invitations continues with 2 more invitations being sent in this month.

On 5th November, Judy Lynn Ichkhanian invites you to Christmas at Pettigrew Hall, and 19th November sees the release of Concealed in my Heart by Heather Osborne.

Incase you missed them, check out last month’s invitations.

A Season of Invitations

In a glittering Season of Invitations, society’s most sought-after house parties open their doors to dukes, debutantes, and dangerous secrets. From elegant estates to intimate country gatherings, each invitation promises scandal, temptation, and unexpected romance, with stories ranging from clean to gently steamy, where whispered wagers, hidden pasts, and carefully arranged matches may lead not to ruin, but to love.

Here’s a peek at the next invitations available on Kindle and Kindle+.

Coming 5th November

Christmas at Pettigrew Hall

A sweet historical romance

by Judy Lynn Ichkhanian

Abigail Butters has a terrible secret: she has become a thief. Having been left destitute, she now faces an uncertain future with few chances of a happy ending. The family silver is merely a way to ease out her last days.

One hope sustains her, and that hope is small. An invitation to the most sought-after Christmas house party in all the South will give her a few weeks breathing room before she must embark upon her new reality. It also offers an introduction to Henry Pettigrew, a bachelor in search of a bride. Pettigrew Hall could offer her a future… in someone’s dreams. Abigail is too intelligent to believe her luck will change.

Henry Pettigrew has decided to take a wife, and with his mother’s help, to choose from America’s finest daughters. All he asks is that she be of reasonable intellect and old enough to be sensible… someone scholarly and in her mid-twenties, for example. Yet, out of all the females presented to him during the Christmas season, only one interests him: Abigail Butters. She has his mother’s support, but her history is a mystery. Plus, there is something simply off about her. Never one to shy away from putting answers to his questions, he’s still a little surprised when intrigue leads to something more lasting.
In this clean historical romance set in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, circa 1875, a mother certainly knows what is best for her son. It only remains for him to acknowledge it.

Excerpt

“Henry. You must see…”

“I see. I see very clearly. Now, you must not worry. You have had an upsetting time tonight, but I shall take care of everything, and by tomorrow, it will be as if this night never happened.” He raises his hand and brushes back hair from my face. “You are exceptionally strong and brave, Abigail. I expect nothing less in my future wife, and am gratified to find it in you.” And he waits, a look of mischief playing upon his features.

“You cannot mean…”

“I do.”

“…you wish to marry me, still? Or are you simply being a gentleman and offering to restore my honor with your name?” Too blunt, my question, and yet, I must know.

“I do wish to wed you, and for reasons having nothing to do with honor. I shall ask with greater grace next time, but there will be a next time, Abigail, and I will woo you however you need me to do so until you say yes. The events of tonight have only solidified my desire to have you for a wife. Above all, I value quick wits, and those you possess in spades. I would be a fool to turn away from you simply because that cad sought to take advantage. So, yes, I shall ask you again.”

“But…” I trail off because I do not know what to say. Impossible for him to want me. And yet, my heart beats furiously. I cannot contain the hope spiraling within me. Because this is not mollification. This is a different sort of desire altogether that I see in him now.

“I warn you, I shall not give up, unless you tell me directly that you do not approve my suit. Be prepared.”

“And if I do so say, then you will refrain?”

He nods. “Then, as a gentleman, I shall be forced to refrain from pursuit, though my heart will lie broken and shattered for a long time after your rejection.”

My blood rushes once more. “That is hardly playing fair to tell me such things.”

“It is hardly fair that you are so perfect for me and yet appear unmoved by me. Did I mention that I possess an additional treatise on the giants discovered in the Orient?”

I gape at him. “Are you attempting to bribe me into accepting your suit?”

“Yes.”And I do not know what to say at that, but a flame is lit inside me, and it warms me from the inside, from my toes to the tip of my head. 

Coming 19th November

Concealed in My Heart

A steamy historical romance

by Heather Osborne

A stolen moment at a ball was the only thing that kept Mason Greene sane during the four long years he was away fighting in the American Civil War. Pining for a woman he barely knew, Mason made the fated choice to keep his feelings a secret, unable to pen a single letter to the woman who had so swiftly captured his heart. Yet, upon his return, he was a changed man, battling with lingering demons of horrific battles and lost friends. How could he be someone that a woman would ever love?

Tabitha Moore knew there was something unique about Mason Greene the instant she met him, but years of silence and unanswered letters left her heart cold. Now that he was back from the war, long dormant stirrings bubbled forth after a chance meeting outside the dressmaker. With her friend’s Christmas party approaching, will they rekindle what once was, or is it all destined to remain a cheerful memory?

Excerpt

The crisp wintry air bit at Tabitha’s cheeks as she trailed after her sister. Betsy had immediately spotted her friends and joined them, lapping up whatever gossip she could from her young companions. A vendor rented skates nearby, taking advantage of the growing crowds. Tabitha and Betsy had their own skates, a generous gift from their father. They fastened around their boots, the metal shiny in the low sun.

The skaters swirled around the ice, permission granted to traverse the crystalline surface by the flag hoisted above the Round-House in the middle of the pond. Betsy retrieved her skates from Tabitha and was soon skating off with her friends. After watching for a moment, Tabitha joined in the crowds, gliding around the pond. A smile touched her lips and she closed her eyes for a moment.

“Hey!” A young boy rushed past, and Tabitha was thrown off balance. Crying out, the ice hurled toward her falling body, but something stopped her decent.

“You shouldn’t skate with your eyes closed, Thea.” The warm breath and low voice rumbled near her ear.

Regaining her balance, Tabitha squinted up into the face of the man she thought had abandoned her. The man she had feared dead. So, he wasn’t a ghost the day before.

“Mr. Greene.”

He let out a low chuckle. “And here I was thinking we had gone beyond formalities.”

Tabitha shifted her skates. “As had I.”

Mason’s expression darkened, but before he could speak again, a small figure joined him.

“You promised you wouldn’t skate off without me.” She spotted Tabitha. “Hello, pleased to meet you. Are you friends with my brother?”

The young girl’s voice faded into the background as Tabitha met Mason’s eyes. Her knees began to tremble and she was thankful for the wide skirts.

“Friends? I’m not quite sure, Vi. Perhaps good acquaintances before the war.”

The hardness in his tone caused a lump to form in Tabitha’s throat, which was quickly replaced by a surge of temper. “Perhaps.” She adjusted her attention to the girl. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Greene. Good day.” Before he could say anything further, Tabitha skated away, putting as much distance between her and the source of her heartache.

She scanned the ice for her sister and her friends.

“Tabby!” Amelia came to a stop beside her, a smile falling off her lips at her dear friend’s expression. “Oh, whatever is the matter?”

“Nothing. I’m perfectly well. Maybe a little over exerted?”

Amelia narrowed her eyes suspiciously and glanced around the ice, spotting the dark form of Mason Greene. “Overexerted indeed.”

Tabitha’s composure slipped.

“It was cruel of him to toy with your emotions like that. I’m sorry to say he will be attending my parents’ ball next week. Please though, do not let that stop you from coming.” Amelia looped her arm through Tabitha’s and urged her to skate on. “We shall ignore him and have a most glorious time.”

Smiling at her friend, Tabitha sighed. “Yes. Mason Greene be damned.”

“Tabby!” Giggling, they skated on.

Yes, damn him. She would dance her heart out and refuse any advances from him.

Yet, she was puzzled. How could one evening so long ago and one kiss compel her to him so?

Tabitha sought him out on the ice, and he was staring, fixated on a group of young boys. The girl caught his attention and they skated off.

“Tabby?” Amelia nudged her.

“Coming.” She moved off, trying to ignore the pull in her stomach and the pain in her heart.

From Regency country estates to Victorian New York, featuring a mix of sweet and steamy love stories, enjoy these historical romance novellas about love found during the revels of the festive season.