Synopses & Reviews
From New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter comes this seductive tale of a headstrong young lady, a scandalous manuscript, and the iron-willed duke determined to save her from her ruin. and#160;For fans of Mary Balogh, Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn. and#160; When Lady Lydia Alfreton is blackmailed over the shocking contents of a manuscript she once wrote, she must go to the most desperate of measures to raise the money to buy back the ill-considered prose: agreeing to an old wager posed by the arrogant, dangerous Duke of Penthurst. At least Penthurst is a man she wouldnand#8217;t mind fleecingand#151;and sheand#8217;s confident sheand#8217;ll win.
Penthurst long ago concluded Lydia was a woman in search of ruinous adventure, but even he is surprised when she arrives at his house ready to bet her innocence against his ten thousand poundsand#151;a wager he only proposed to warn her off gambling.
When she loses to a simple draw of the cards, Lydia is shocked. Now, her problems are twofold: a blackmailer determined to see her pay and a duke determined to tame her rebellious ways. One misstep and Lydia could find herself ruinedand#151;or bound to the seductive man who would make her his duchess.
Review
"Clever plotting, delicious sensuality, excellent art history elements, and strong, magnetic characters will attract readers to this engaging and beautifully executed romance." --Library Journal
Review
"Richly imbued with a deliciously dry sense of humor and graced with a striking cast of characters, the latest impeccably researched Regency romance by RITA Award winner Hunter is a masterpiece of wit and passion." --Booklist
Review
Praise for the novels of Madeline Hunter "Another stellar Regency-set historical romance that hits all the literary marks. Hunterand#8217;s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit; her characterization is superbly subtle, and the sexual chemistry she cooks up between her deliciously independent heroine and delightfully sexy hero is pure passion."and#8212;Booklist (starred review)
"Intelligent and memorable...As smart and sharp as the best of Regency romances can be.and#160; With its tangy dialogue, Pride and Prejudice themes, bits of mystery and nefarious characters, readers may be reminded of Jane Austen."and#8212;Romantic Times (Top Pick)
and#8220;Hunterand#8217;s books are so addictive.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
and#8220;Hunter's flowery centerpiece will suit every romance table. Highly recommended.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal
Review
Praise for THE ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS: "Blackmailed and faced with embarrassment and the suspicion of treason if the draft of her ill-advised, racy adventure novel is made public, unconventional Lady Lydia Alfreton heads to the gaming tables to raise some cash. Sadly, her gambling plan goes awry, and she is forced to call in an old bet with the Duke of Penthurst and recklessly wager (and lose) her virtue. Although the duke doesnand#8217;t plan to collect, he keeps Lydia guessing. Then Lydiaand#8217;s ill-advised attempt to deal with the blackmailer brings Penthurst to the rescue, compromising them both, and suddenly itand#8217;s marriage, not simple seduction, that lay ahead. VERDICT A rash, adventure-seeking heroine and an honorable, take-charge hero clash splendidly as passions blaze in this complex story that pairs another marvelously singular couple, brings the bad guys to justice, and cleverly ties up the loose ends...and#8212;to the delight of all concerned." --Library Journal
"Fueled by an abundance of subtle wit and potent sensuality, The Accidental Duchess...is another exquisitely crafted love story by one of the romance genreand#8217;s masters." --Booklist
Praise for the novels of Madeline Hunter
"Another stellar Regency-set historical romance that hits all the literary marks. Hunterand#8217;s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit; her characterization is superbly subtle, and the sexual chemistry she cooks up between her deliciously independent heroine and delightfully sexy hero is pure passion."and#8212;Booklist (starred review)
"Intelligent and memorable...As smart and sharp as the best of Regency romances can be.and#160; With its tangy dialogue, Pride and Prejudice themes, bits of mystery and nefarious characters, readers may be reminded of Jane Austen."and#8212;Romantic Times (Top Pick)
and#8220;Hunterand#8217;s books are so addictive.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
and#8220;Hunter's flowery centerpiece will suit every romance table. Highly recommended.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal
Synopsis
As reluctant business partners, Florence Fairbourne's defiance and Darius Stainthorpe's demands make it difficult to manage one of London's most eminent auction houses. But their passionate personalities come to terms in an affair that leave them both senseless--until the devastating truth ebhind their partnership comes to ligh, threatening the love they have just begun to share...
Synopsis
A woman defies expectations including those of an arrogant earl in the first regency romance in New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter's Fairbourne Quartet.
Despite the limits of her sex, Emma Fairbourne intends to run her late father's prestigious London auction house. Of course, she's not addlepated enough to do it openly and scare away her wealthy collectors. Instead, she and her friend concoct a deception, hiring a handsome and charming front man who will doher bidding...
All would have proceeded smoothly if it weren t for the maddening interference of Darius, the arrogant Earl of Southwaite, who was her father s silent partner . Darius has no interest in running an auction house andhe's certainly not interested in allowing the lovely Miss Fairbourne to run it either, her ludicrous scheme notwithstanding.
But headstrong Emma is like no other lady he has ever encountered, refusing to follow his dictates. Holding his temper in check, Darius decides to attack on a different front. There is another way to achieve her surrender, one far more pleasurable for both of them..."
Synopsis
A woman running a prestigious London auction house? Preposterous! But that is exactly what Emma Fairbourne intends to do when her father dies, leaving her the reins of this fabulous enterprise. Of course, she is not addlepated enough to do this openly and scare away her wealthy collectors. So she and her friend concoct a deception, hiring a handsome and charming front man who will do her bidding…
All would have proceeded smoothly—if it weren’t for the maddening interference of Darius, the arrogant Earl of Southwaite, who has been her father’s “silent partner” and now shares ownership of Fairbourne’s. An earl, of course, has no interest in running an auction house—and Darius is certainly not interested in allowing the lovely Miss Fairbourne to run it either, her ludicrous scheme notwithstanding. Clearly the business must be sold.
But the headstrong Emma is like no other lady he has ever encountered, refusing to follow his dictates. Holding his temper in check, Darius decides to attack on a different front. There is another way to achieve her surrender, one far more pleasurable for both of them…
Synopsis
From the New York Times bestselling Madeline Hunter comes this first in a stunning new trilogy about three irresistibly attractive brothers. and#160;This is the story of Gareth, the bastard brother.... For fans of Mary Balogh and Amanda Quick. Gareth Fitzallen is celebrated for four things: his handsome face, his notable charm, his aristocratic connections, and an ability to give the kind of pleasure that has women begging for more. Normally he bestows his talents on experienced, worldly women. But when he heads to Langdonand#8217;s End to restore a property he inheritedand#151;and to investigate a massive art theftand#151;he lays plans to seduce a most unlikely lady.
Eva Russell lives a spinsterand#8217;s life of precarious finances and limited dreams while clinging to her familyand#8217;s old gentry status. She supports herself by copying paintings while she plots to marry her lovely sister to a well-established man. Everyone warns her of Garethand#8217;s reputation, and advises her to lock her sister away. Only it is not her sister Gareth desires. One look, and she knows he is trouble. One kiss, however, proves she is no match for this master of seduction.
Synopsis
A wickedly wonderful new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of His Wicked Reputation
Most women will give him anything he wants. She is not most women
As a well-known barrister and the son of a duke, Ives confines his passionate impulses to discreet affairs with worldly mistresses. A twist of fate, however, has him looking for a new lover right when a fascinating woman shows up in his chambers, asking him to help save her father from the gallows. Unfortunately, he has already been asked to serve as the prosecutor in the case, but that only ensures close encounters with the rarity named Padua Belvoir. And every encounter increases his desire to tutor her in pleasures wicked ways...
Having always been too tall, too willful, and too smart to appeal to men, Padua Belvoir is shocked when Ives shows interest in her. Knowing his penchant for helping the wrongly accused, she had initially thought he might be her fathers best hope for salvation. Instead, he is her worst adversarynot least because every time he looks at her, she is tempted to give him anything he wants
About the Author
Madeline Hunter is a two-time RITA award winner and seven-time finalist, and has twenty-six nationally bestselling historical romances in print, including His Wicked Reputation, The Accidental Duchess, The Counterfeit Mistress, and The Conquest of Lady Cassandra. A member of RWAs Honor Roll, her books have been on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. More than six million copies of her books are in print and her novels have been translated into thirteen languages. She has a PhD in art history, which she teaches at the university level.