A Season of Invitations – October’s Releases

A Season of Invitations continues, and this month, we’ve got 3 fabulous invitations for you!

Today sees the release of Snowed in with the Jilted Duke by Alexa Santi, on the 8th we have Devil in Disguise at Christmas by Emma Brady, then on the 29th my invitation will be sent.

In case you missed it, check out last month’s invitation.

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 Unlimited.

Out today!

Snowed in with the Jilted Duke

by Alexa Santi

A steamy historical romance

Pippa Montgomery knows this is all her fault. If she had not kissed her twin sister’s betrothed, Penny never would have run away into a snowstorm. Now Pippa must masquerade as Penny at the Christmas house party where Oliver Dalston, the Duke of Kendal, was to have married her sister. The pretense was Oliver’s idea, but he seems to keep mistaking Pippa for his intended bride in a way that gives her unreasonable hope.

Oliver has felt uneasy about his betrothal ever since the night he kissed a woman he believed to be his intended … but may have been her twin sister instead. Penny’s flight from their wedding means he must pretend Pippa is his betrothed to preserve her sister’s reputation. It becomes more and more difficult to ignore that he and Pippa are far more suited than he and Penny ever were… but the marriage contract signed by his profligate father a decade ago may trap Oliver in a marriage he no longer wants and put Pippa out of his reach forever.

Excerpt

“I think… I think your mother is right,” Oliver said, and Pippa stared at him, betrayed.

He held up one hand. “We must think it through. If my bride is known to have gone missing shortly before the wedding, the scandal will make it to London before the new year. If the news is merely that the bride’s sister became ill and the wedding was postponed until she was better, that’s not interesting enough for the gossipmongers to tattle about. And then we shall have some additional time to straighten everything out.”

She could not help glancing at the corner of the library where he had kissed her the night before. If she agreed to this, she would need to be by Oliver’s side for the rest of the house party, or until Penny returned, whichever came first. Acting as his betrothed. Pretending to be excited for their impending marriage. Perhaps… allowing him a few public shows of affection to sell the masquerade.

Her stomach flip-flopped, and she could not have said if it was fear or excitement that made it do so.

“We do not have to decide now. Your father should be here by this evening,” Mother said brightly. “He will know what to do.”

“I’m afraid not, Mrs. Montgomery,” Oliver said in an apologetic tone. “No one else will be arriving today. The snowstorm has begun.”

Startled, Pippa ran to the library’s window. Indeed, snow was falling in thick flurries, blown across the lawns by strong winds that formed snowbanks against every minor obstacle. The shrubs and benches in the garden were already half-covered, and would likely be fully covered within a few hours.

“But Penny is out there somewhere!”

She turned to Oliver, who crossed to stand next to her. “Never fear. If anyone can locate her and find shelter for the both of them, it’s Hugo.”

Pippa nodded, his nearness and his certainty bringing her a small measure of comfort despite her anxiety for her twin’s safety.

Oliver turned to Mother. “If we are to do this, Mrs. Montgomery, we must keep this secret as closely guarded as possible. No one outside of the three of us can know.”

“Four,” Pippa said. “Sally—our maid—already knows Penny is gone.”

“Can she keep the secret?”

“I asked her to. She has always been discreet.”

“Very well. The four of us, then. And when your father arrives, we shall take his advice.” Oliver held his hand out to Pippa. “Do we have a bargain?”

She hesitated for a long moment. “This is insanity.”

A mordant grin crossed his face. “It is. But I see no other way to avoid a scandal that would ruin all of us.”

She looked to her mother, and then back to Oliver. Could she do it? Could she pretend to be Penny for a week or more? Could she pretend to be Oliver’s betrothed for that long?

Pippa feared both would be far too easy for her to do.

“Very well, your grace.” She put her hand in his and shook on it, ignoring the spark that ran between them even with that simple action. “We have a bargain.”

Coming 8th October

Devil in Disguise at Christmas

by Emma Brady

A steamy historical romance

Stephen Connolly was prepared to tolerate his mother’s matchmaking during her annual Christmas house party. He wasn’t expecting to rescue one of the guests from an attack at his own front door. It came as an even bigger surprise to find the young lady was nothing like the other socialites. There was something about her that he didn’t understand, but felt drawn to.

Alice Copper had come to the Connolly house to beg for the funds that had been promised to the orphanage then taken away. After being denied by their man of business, she had beenn attacked by a stranger. When she was mistaken for a guest invited to the house party, she thought pretending to be one of the elite might give her one last chance to change their mind. While hiding who she really was, Alice began to get to know Stephen more intimately than expected.

The danger to Alice still lingered and the orphans fate was still in danger, but can these two use the magic of Christmas to get past the lies and find true love?

Excerpt

Standing just outside the door to the parlor, he could see that was alone in the room, wearing a blindfold and a smile. It was clear that she did not know the other guests had left the room while they were playing. She had her arms outstretched, swinging in the air hoping to find a mark. Stephen paused, not sure if he should tell her and ruin her joy or let her discover the betrayal on her own. 

“I didn’t realize everyone could be so quiet,” Alice said. “I can barely hear you breathing. You should move around the room. At least make it hard for me to catch you.” 

Stephen cleared his throat, and her head turned in his direction. She started walking towards in his direction but he didn’t move. He just let her close the distance between them. 

“I told you I was good at this game.” 

She said that just as she placed her hands on his upper arms. Then she let them slide up to his shoulders while her lips formed a circle. It had been all women in the game, and he knew he felt nothing like a woman. 

“I believe you have caught me.”

He thought she would step back at the sound of his voice, but she didn’t show any sign of being startled. Alice just stood there, hands on his shoulders, in silence. Stephen reached up to pull the blindfold away from her eyes. 

“It’s you,” she said.

“Are you disappointed?”

“I suppose I’m not.”

Stephen shouldn’t feel pride over that, but he felt himself grinning. 

“I think the others ended the game early. I came in to let you know.” 

Her face pursed in frustration. “I thought they were enjoying my company.” 

“If they didn’t, then it is their loss.” 

“We shouldn’t remain here much longer. I wouldn’t want people to talk about us being alone.”

“They are the reason for it. Let them talk. I have enough influence to protect your reputation.” 

“You want to be alone with me?” 

Stephen reached up and brushed his thumb across her cheek, which was showing signs of her embarrassment. The soft rose coloring looked good on her soft skin and briefly he wondered if it had the same effect on the rest of her body. Blinking rapidly to dismiss such thoughts, he cleared his throat again. 

“So far, you have been the most interesting guest my mother invited.”

“I bet you say that to all the damsels you rescue.” 

He liked she could find humor in the moment and gave a chuckle. She was smiling up at him and he was feeling so warm that without thinking about it he leaned down to kiss her. It was out of character for him to be impulsive, but in that moment, he couldn’t resist. 

He had kissed other women, but not like this. There was no pretence or practiced skill. It felt curious and shy. As if this was the first kiss for her. As beautiful as she was, that was hard to believe, but part of him wanted it to be true. He got lost in the sweet sensation of her lips touching his until he heard footsteps in the hallway. Abruptly Stephen pushed her hard enough to put a few feet between them just before Brandon Donovan and his wife entered the room. 

“There you are,” said Elena, rushing to Alice, who was standing with a foggy expression on her face. “I saw the other ladies in the music room and wondered if they had abandoned you. I’m glad to find that you are unharmed.” 

If someone looked closely at her, they would see the flushed color in her cheeks and the swollen look of her lips, but she appeared otherwise untouched. He wished they had been alone long enough to not be the case. 

“I thought they were being friendly when they asked me to play, but it seems I was meant to be the joke they all laughed about,” said Alice.

“They are simply full of…” Elena struggled to find the right word.

“Jealousy.” Brandon helped his wife. “They are simply jealous that you are a fresh beauty to compete with. You should take it as a compliment that they are acting in such a manner.” 

“I’m not much of a beauty.” Alice cast her eyes downward. 

“You are much more beautiful than you think. Wouldn’t you agree, Stephen?” Brandon asked. 

“Very beautiful.”

She looked up at him, licking her bottom lip in a way that he knew was innocent but still made his body respond. If they had been given more time alone, he would have taught her how to use that tongue to kiss in ways she never knew. 

Coming 29th October

A Christmas Miracle

by Bianca White

A steamy historical romance

Miss Philippa Selverton is given an ultimatum: marry a rich man or become a companion to her aunt. Pippa can no longer be a burden to her impoverished family, and she would prefer to marry rather than become an unpaid servant. The problem is her heart already belongs to a penniless viscount.

After his father’s financial mismanagement, Lord Tristan Camberwick’s estate is failing. Despite the viscount’s best efforts to improve his income, it seems he has no choice but to find a rich wife. Unfortunately, Tristan’s heart only wants Philippa.

An invitation to a Christmas house party should allow Pippa and Tristan to find wealthy spouses. But how can they court a suitable partner when the only one they want stands across the room looking back?

Excerpt

Miss Selverton chuckled, and her lips spread into a wide smile.

He may have regretted coming when he had arrived, but seeing her smile and hearing her soft laughter made the hideous journey, and the money spent, worthwhile.

Miss Selverton asked, “How do things fare on your estate?”

“We continue to drill for coal but have yet to find any. My lands are riddled with more holes than a sea sponge.”

Her deep-brown gaze swirled with concern. “I am sorry to hear that. You were so certain that you would find some.”

“Most of my land is little more than clay. My steward thinks it would be suitable for the brick-making industry, but I am not convinced.”

“It would do no harm to have it tested. If only to be certain.”

“Wise words, as always, Miss Selverton.” He nodded. “I shall write to my steward.” Harrison may wonder at the sudden change of heart, but his brother did not need to know of Miss Selverton’s influence. He would never hear the end of it.

“At least you continue to try to find new ways to resolve your difficulties.” Miss Selverton sighed. “It takes great resilience to do so, and my father has given up.”

A frown marred her brow. If only he could erase it and the worries that caused it. “I do not feel resilient. I vacated my ancestral home because the roof is leaking and now reside in my grandfather’s hunting lodge.”

“I am so sorry. That must be a great discomfort.”

He could not stop his ungentlemanly snort of derision. “Do not pity me, Miss Selverton. It has five bedrooms.”  

“Only five! It must be unbearably cramped.” The frown vanished, and her eyes twinkled.

How he had missed her gentle teasing. At least one woman was not put off by his brooding countenance. If only… but he should not get lost in impossible dreams. Perhaps they both needed a reminder. “That is why I am here, to find myself a rich wife who will solve all my financial difficulties. I take it you are here to do the same.”

“A rich wife would not be the best option for me.” Her lips twitched. “A rich husband, however, would solve my most pressing problem.”

If possible, his already withered heart shrank further, for that husband could never be him. “And what is that?”

“I can no longer be a burden, so I am to find a rich husband by Twelfth Night, or I shall have no choice but to become a companion to my aunt in Bath.”

If she resided in Bath, he would never see her again. “I am sorry to hear that.” He clenched his hand to prevent it from sliding along the polished wood of the pianoforte to caress her fingertips. It would be better if he kept control of his hands in the first place, so he clasped them behind his back.

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.

Don’t miss a single invitation this festive season.