This is a collection of short stories that have been published over a particular span of time that I decided to put into one neat little collection. They include; “The Journey Toward Hope” “Love’s Frozen Kiss” “Love Out of the Ashes” “The Magic Shield” “Thistles & War” “Wands at the Ready” “A Bluestocking for Christmas” I hope that you enjoy all of these short tales! From fantasy to contemporary and historical, and mild to steamy, this is definitely a collection for every pallet!

I had so much fun putting together the last Regency amour collection, that I decided to do it again! Enjoy the following stories combining my love of history and romance, and of course, adventure and heart! A Tale of Two Brunettes Duet The Brunette Who Stole His Heart Faith Albright is a devoted ladies’ maid to her mistress, Lady Mercy, but when she’s tasked with taking her place to meet a man who is the lady’s intended, she isn’t sure it’s a wise choice. However, persuasion and loyalty are strong motivators, so she travels to London and encounters a man who is devilishly handsome and charming and sadly… never to be hers. Frederick Bartholomew is a valet who can’t deny his master’s request to step in for him—for just two weeks—while he has one last fling before marriage shackles him for life. While taking on the guise of the Viscount of Westbrook shouldn’t be too difficult, for he’s confident his perfidy won’t be discovered, Freddie meets Westbrook’s bride-to-be and instantly realizes he’s made a grave mistake, for the lady is everything he’s ever wanted… but can never have. In Love With a Charming Brunette Lady Mercy Granville never wanted to marry a man who was chosen for her. Why should she have to suffer a lifetime of unhappiness because of a vow she hadn’t even agreed upon? However, since she knows her duty to her family as a gently bred lady, she acquiesces to the match, but not without vowing to have a bit of fun first. She heads to Brighton to enjoy the last of her freedom, never knowing what awaits her there. Malcolm Grant, Viscount Westbrook, has always found marriage rather distasteful, but since he’s the sole heir, he has no illusions that his mother might cease going on about honoring some long ago pact that was made. He agrees to marry Lady Mercy…just not yet. Bedeviling Lord Coxford Lady Honoria Pratt has allowed her position as the daughter of the Duke of Ollington to rule her life—including her conscience. But when she meets Royce Ainsworth, Baron Coxford, a man who cares nothing for the ton and who is only in London to attend his best friend’s wedding, sparks begin to fly. A Captivating Compromise Miss Garnett Younghusband only wants one thing—and that is to live a contented life with her father and brothers working at their London chandlery. But when her younger siblings take it upon themselves to spend a wild night at Vauxhall, she decides to rein them in, only to find herself caught in a trap of her own making. As a gentleman, Mr. Rafe Pinehurst is honor bound to rescue the damsel in distress as scandal looms.

Welcome to my first love – Regency tales brimming with adventure and heart! It is my pleasure to bring you four romantic stories in a lovely, keepsake collection! “The Scot’s Bairn” One blissful night has certain consequences that just might lead to love. Damaris Honeywell suffers from an unwanted betrothal. Her solution? Ruin her reputation. But one night with a handsome Scotsman leads to certain…complications that can’t be ignored. When Callum Murray, Laird O’Donogue encounters her again, he intends to show her that they are meant to be. “A Lady’s Guide to Marriage” She’s never stopped loving him… Lady Albina Baine, Viscountess Beauley, has lived the past five years in London penning a successful advice column for newly married ladies, when she starts to reflect on her own marriage. She’s never stopped loving her husband, even when he abruptly walked out of her life. But can a union that has withstood so much already, survive the test of time? He’s never stopped loving her… Michael Baine, Viscount Beauley, retired to his country estate, thinking that it was best for his wife. As the years passed, something had waned in their relationship. He’d never been able to properly relay how he’d felt, but the love he still harbored was as strong as ever. But is love enough? “Lord Castleford’s Fortunate Folly” Sometimes fate needs the hand of fortune… Lord Jonathan Castleford wasn’t looking for romance on the road to Cornwall. But a chance encounter with a fortune teller by the name of Madame Zeta would change all that. She tells him about The Path of Life, never knowing that his journey would lead him to a certain woman… And destiny requires a little help. Miss Fanny Grouseman knows that she might never find love in her small village, but she is content. When she meets the infuriating guest of the village squire, everything changes. Not only is she prevailed upon to make sure Lord Castleford doesn’t learn of the town’s rather secret dealings on the coast, but she has to suffer dance lessons with him as her tutor! BONUS Short story - “Four Calling Cards” Edward Castleford, Viscount Rundell, was on the bride hunt. While he has never spurned romance, he has yet to find someone who fills his life with happiness. It isn’t until his father gives him an ultimatum - take a wife or get cut off without a cent – does he have to make a difficult, and rather quick, decision. Miss Sabrina Everhart is the companion of the Countess of Warably, but she feels like more of a servant. When she suddenly starts to receive the attentions of Viscount Rundell, she has to wonder what a plain, penniless lady possibly offer such a handsome bachelor?

Get lost in the holiday season - or anytime during the year - with these enchanting novellas from multi-award winning author, Tabetha Waite! A Promise Beneath the Kissing Bough Cornell Reed is the bastard son of an earl, who was raised as a commoner by his mother, a maid who had been dismissed from service after it was discovered she was carrying an illegitimate child. Because of his modest upbringing, Cornell had never cared to be recognized by his father, Lord Haverton. He is content with his simple life as a cordwainer in London, a skill he’d learned during his years as a sea-faring naval captain. It isn’t until he advertises for an apprentice for the busy Christmas season, does Cornell realize what he’s been missing. Miss Pleasant Hill is a poor, Irish immigrant who moved to London after the death of her cobbler father in Ireland. When she isn’t trying to help raise her three, younger siblings, or toiling as a washerwoman, she assists her ailing stepmother as a seamstress. She always dreamed of something more, but soon realized it was pointless to wish upon stars. However, when she sees the sign in the shopkeeper’s window, she feels it’s the answer to her long-awaited prayers. Pleasant feels that this year, she can finally make a difference and give her family the holiday they had always been denied. But is a Christmas miracle even possible? Twelve Gifts by Christmas When Lady Philomena Wallace, the Countess of Lipscomb, receives a gift from a secret admirer, she has to imagine that it’s a lark. Why would a gentleman court a widow past the first blush of youth? It isn’t until a stranger from her past abruptly returns that she has to make a choice between a mysterious suitor - and a second chance at love. Julian Solomon never forgot Mena, the village girl from his younger days. He left for America to make his fortune, but now he’s back - only to find that he may just have a bit of competition for her affection. Determined to prove how much Mena means to him, Julian may just have to rely on a bit of Christmas spirit to not only win her hand – but her heart as well. Miss Pageant's Christmas Proposal Miss Emary Pageant is a diamond of the first water, one of the most popular debutantes of London society. She could have any man in England that she wanted, but only one appeals to her – the elusive bachelor that everyone is talking about. He would be her ultimate conquest, something to preen about for years to come. The only problem is that he thinks she’s just another empty-headed daughter of a viscount. And try as she might, she can’t convince him otherwise. Thankfully, she has always been quick witted, so she quickly conceives a plan. Donovan Wainwright, Duke of Windwood, is a physically and emotionally battle-scared war hero. He knows his duty to society the way he knew his duty to his country, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to fall prey to the first simpering lady who tries to gain his attention. While he might admit that Emary is appealing, she is far too vain for his tastes and he’s just not interested. It isn’t until Emary boldly offers him a proposal – which he foolishly accepts – that the tide abruptly turns. All at once, the woman Donovan wishes to avoid becomes the one he can’t live without.

Fallon O’Malley is hoping to make a fresh start in Southampton following the recent death of her grandmother. She’s never had any love for the British, but when she has the chance to make a fresh start in England and reconnect with estranged family, she decides to leave her beloved homeland of Ireland. It isn’t until she arrives that she realizes that she might have just made a grave mistake. In a desperate attempt to return where things are familiar, she seeks out the assistance of a known rapscallion… Atticus Clare is a wealthy merchant by day, but by night he dons the guise of the Raven, an Irish sympathizer who assists the rebellion against England. Everything is working for his favor until he meets Fallon. He’s instantly drawn to her, even though he knows it would be dangerous in the extreme to form an attachment. But when unforeseen circumstances draw them closer, he realizes how foolish he’d been to think he could ever resist her allure. As things culminate, Atticus has to make a difficult choice, but nothing he does might save him from certain demise if all his secrets are revealed. Can his love for Fallon truly conquer the forces against them?

Fleur Davies would do anything to protect the last of her family—her twin brother, Flavian. From fighting a duel in secret, to daring to put her virtue up for auction with the intent to clear a gambling debt, she told herself she was prepared to do whatever was necessary to ensure their survival. However, when she finds herself at the mercy of an intimidating man like Mr. Porter, it isn’t fear that courses through her. There is something about those glittering silver eyes that she can’t quite ignore… Drake has lived a life that would make most people cringe. He had been called the Devil with due cause. He never hesitates when it comes to getting what he wants. His past is littered with criminal activity, but he decides to put all that behind him. When he encounters Fleur and her errant brother, he is intrigued. But when she sends him on a merry chase, he finds that he is inexplicably drawn to the raven-haired beauty. For the first time in his life, Drake wants more than revenge. When they suddenly find themselves at the mercy of the London underground, Drake and Fleur have to become unlikely allies to save her brother’s life. But will this fiery attraction be the end of them all?

Lady Calliope is the most carefree and spirited of all the Bevelstroke sisters. With her fiery, copper locks and adventurous nature, she is determined to make a name for herself. In an effort to pursue her dream of independence, she sets out for the coast of Lyme Regis to search for rare fossils. The problem is a particular viscount who is always in her way… Sebastian Ford, Viscount Blakely, has a certain weakness when it comes to redheads and finds Calliope’s flirtatious personality quite irresistible. His sights are set on her, but she thwarts him at every turn, knowing him to be a complete scoundrel. When he arrives at the seaside town under the pretense that his curmudgeon of a grandfather wishes to take the waters for his health, the lady is furious, but it doesn’t take much persuasion for her to succumb to his charms… Unfortunately, their growing happiness is threatened by the Marquess of Abersheem. He doesn’t believe that Calliope is a good match for his grandson, and devises a plan to tempt Sebastian away. Is the passionate relationship Calliope and Sebastian have built strong enough to persevere? Or will they crumble under the first test of adversity?

An independent woman hoping to fulfill a dream. A duke who can’t seem to ignore his attraction to the lady. Together they uncover their heart’s desire. Miss Iona Richards wants one thing in life—to be an independent woman. Her dream is to become a highly reputable landscape architect and create masterpieces that will live on for generations. Thus, she dares to embark on an adventure, leaving her family behind to travel to Burnham-On-Sea where she joins the Seaside Society of Spinsters. The ladies at the boarding house are champions of ladies who wish to eschew the strictures placed upon society and will do their best to help her succeed in her goals. When she is met with opposition from a prospective client, the Duke of Rosewood, she is convinced that if he will just give a woman a chance, she can make his cottage retreat an artistic example of her talents. When she finally gains the opportunity, she has no idea that her heart is the one in danger of change. Thorpe Covington, the Duke of Rosewood, finds more than just Miss Richards’ prints of his gardens to his liking. But he finds that this fierce, gently bred woman is more concerned with digging in the soil than marriage, and at first that seems like an ideal arrangement. But as their attraction begins to develop, he finds himself wanting more from the lady. Knowing that she would never give him anything but one night, he tells himself that is enough. The problem is that he could very well be wrong.

An independent sea captain bent on chasing adventure. A rakish earl hungry for distraction. Together they navigate the tides of scandal and desire. Miss Tassandra Devenport has never had a problem being independent. Raised by her father in Wales, she descends from a line of fishermen. She adores life on the sea and dreams of the day she can sail around the world. With Burnham-On-Sea starting to become a popular retreat, she has discovered a way to earn some extra blunt—by offering daily tours along the Channel. When she’s approached by a gentleman looking to impress a lady by improving his sailing skills, she reluctantly takes him on as her pupil. The problem is that he’s handsome and arrogant and she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. She knows that it would be a disaster to entertain any sort of affair, but when they are forced to engage in a faux betrothal, the heat between them can’t be denied. Fraser Castwell, the Earl of Stanton, has always been a man eager to please. A confirmed rake, he sets out to impress one woman, but finds himself inexplicably drawn to another. Tassy, the captain of the Miss Mercury, is rather intriguing. She eschews ladies’ convention in favor of practicality. He’s never met anyone like her before and the more he is around her, the more he wants to deepen their acquaintance. He’s convinced that once he seduces her, this yearning will come to an end. However, when her reputation is in jeopardy, he is honor bound to endure a fake engagement—the problem is that she doesn’t know he’s an earl. As his heart slowly starts to become attached, he makes the decision to be the man he always yearned to be. But will the lies and deceit be too much to save their love?

Davien Elswood, the Duke of Blackburn, isn’t an ordinary man. Twenty years ago he was cursed with the powers of an aswang, and now he’s forced to fight the beast within. But is it only metaphorical, or in truth? He is a member of the Order of the Friars of St. Francis, a cult where men of high standing perform any number of rituals. Because of these scandalous proceedings, they must protect the truth at all costs – even if it means sacrificing one of their own. Cosette du Bouir is a poor, French orphan who spends her nights toiling as a seamstress in London while calling a dilapidated workhouse home. The only key to her past is a plain, silver locket with the cryptic inscription – To Mine…Be Mine. One fateful evening she meets the duke. He’s fearsome and intimidating, and she prays that she never sees him again. However, this encounter sparks the return of her mysterious blackouts, where a phantom voice calls out to her. Thrown together in the midst of magic and secrets, their paths intersect amid desire and chaos, until it all comes to a dramatic end. But who will be crowned the victor of this miserable fate?