When two strangers--Nell Anslowe and the Earl of Wyndham--take refuge in an abandoned cottage during a summer storm, they, discovered together by Nell's family, are forced into a marriage of convenience to save both of their reputations, which leads to the unexpected. Original.

A chance meeting, a forced marriage, a surprise love in “a walloping good story” from the New York Times–bestselling author (Catherine Coulter). Nell Anslowe and Julian, Earl of Wyndham, are an unlikely couple in every respect. Injured in a riding accident ten years ago, Nell was left with a fiancé who abandoned their engagement and the firm belief that she will never marry. The abrupt end of Julian’s unhappy marriage formed his resolve to remain a bachelor until the end of his days. But as Julian chases down his reckless stepsister, he seeks shelter from a summer storm in a cottage—and finds it occupied by Nell, who has escaped from a fortune-seeking libertine bent on carrying her off to Gretna Green. Discovered together by Nell’s family, the couple’s hasty wedding is the only way to save Nell from scandal. But the polite union each of them expects soon ignites into something much more powerful . . . “Scandal Becomes Her is a delightful romance—altogether a wonderful book.” —Roberta Gellis, bestselling and award-winning author “A scandalously delicious read that left me wanting more!” —Bertrice Small, New York Times–bestselling author “Busbee seamlessly meshes Regency romance with haunting suspense, keeping fans riveted to the end.” —Booklist Exciting Sneak Peek Inside!

This “entertaining mix of gothic romance and suspense is a pleasure to read” from the New York Times–bestselling author of Scandal Becomes Her (Booklist). As guardian to her two young siblings after her parents’ death, Daphne Beaumont struggles to keep the family together. But when Daphne’s brother suddenly inherits a sizable estate from a distant relative, they are able to leave London behind for a prosperous new life in Cornwall. Devoted to her charges, Daphne doesn’t believe marriage is in her future, despite her newfound wealth and striking beauty—until she meets the intriguing Charles Weston . . . A long-buried secret brings Charles to Cornwall, where he encounters the alluring Daphne while walking on the beach. When a sudden rockslide strands the two in a cave, their shared captivity is sure to invite scandal. Charles knows he must act honorably and propose to Daphne—an easy prospect for him considering he has fallen for her. The real challenge now lies in Charles winning Daphne’s heart—and showing her how wonderful love’s spell can be . . . Praise for Shirlee Busbee and Scandal Becomes Her “A delightful romance—altogether a wonderful book.” —Roberta Gellis “A scandalously delicious read that left me wanting more!” —Bertrice Small “One of the best romantic writers of our time.” —Affaire de Coeur “Busbee is back and better than ever!” —Julia Quinn

Julia Bishop has led a very sheltered life. Protected by her family from those who might ridicule her for her secrets, she stays hidden away in the country. But she longs for more, if only for an evening. To kiss a rake in full view of the stable boy. Unchaperoned picnics. Romance. But she knows she’ll never experience any of those things. That is, until a handsome duke with a mysterious past of his own arrives... Duke Jasper DeVere left London to grieve his grandfather’s death privately, away from the prying eyes and gossips of the ton. Seeking solitude at a friend’s country manor, he’s surprised he finds himself drawn to the company of the shy beauty determined to present the epitome of proper behavior. That is, until the mysterious woman makes an indecent proposal... Julia can’t believe what she’s suggested to the duke. Nor that he agrees a distraction is what they both need. But what will happen when Jasper must return to his duties and leave Julia behind? Will the memories of their time together be enough for a lifetime of solitude for either of them? Because Julia can never leave her country haven and a duke can never stay... Each book the Tale of Two Sisters series is STANDALONE: * The Importance of Being Scandalous * A Scandal By Any Other Name

We all relish a good scandal - the larger the figure (governor, judge) and more shocking the particulars (nappies, cigars) - the better. But why do people feel compelled to act out their tangled psychodramas on the national stage, and why do we so enjoy watching them, hurling our condemnations while savouring every lurid detail?With 'pointed daggers of prose' (The New Yorker), Laura Kipnis examines contemporary downfall sagas to lay bare the American psyche: what we desire, what we punish, and what we disavow. She delivers virtuoso analyses of four paradigmatic cases: a lovelorn astronaut, an unhinged judge, a venomous whistleblower, and an over-imaginative memoirist. The motifs are classic - revenge, betrayal, ambition, madness - though the pitfalls are ones we all negotiate daily. After all, every one of us is a potential scandal in the making: failed self-knowledge and colossal self-deception - the necessary ingredients - are our collective plight. In How to Cause a Scandal, bad behaviour is the entry point for a brilliant cultural romp as well as an anti-civics lesson. 'Shove your rules', says scandal, and no doubt every upright citizen, deep within, cheers the transgression-as long as it's someone else's head on the block.

Elizabeth Essex Almost a Scandal Bold, brazen, and beautiful, the Reckless Brides refuse to play by society's rules of courtship. But—come hell or high water—they always get their man... For generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her younger brother refuses to report for duty, Sally Kent slips into a uniform and takes his place—at least until he comes to his senses. Boldly climbing aboard the Audacious, Sally is as able-bodied as any sailor there. But one man is making her feel tantalizingly aware of the full-bodied woman beneath her navy blues... Dedicated to his ship, sworn to his duty—and distractingly gorgeous—Lieutenant David Colyear sees through Sally's charade, and he's furious. But he must admit she's the best midshipman on board—and a woman who tempts him like no other. With his own secrets to hide and his career at stake, Col agrees to keep her on. But can the passion they hide survive the perils of a battle at sea? Soon, their love and devotion will be put to the test...

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it. All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue. But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit . . . and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past. Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

How do we become better people? Initiatives such as New Year's resolutions, vision boards, thirty-day plans, and self-help books often fail to compel us to live differently. We settle for small goals--frugal spending, less yelling at the kids, more time at the gym--but we are called to something far greater. We are created to be holy. Award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson explains that learning to hear the call of holiness requires cultivating a new imagination--one rooted in the act of reading. Learning to read with eyes attuned to the saints who populate great works of literature moves us toward holiness, where God opens up a way of living that extends far beyond what we can conjure for ourselves. Literature has the power to show us what a holy life looks like, and these depictions often scandalize even as they shape our imagination. As such, careful reading becomes a sort of countercultural spiritual discipline. The book includes devotionals, prayers, wisdom from the saints, and more to help individuals and groups cultivate a saintly imagination. Foreword by Lauren F. Winner.

"Busbee is a pleasure to read." --Booklist An Irresistible Danger To save her village and what's left of her family fortune from her wastrel cousin, gently bred Emily Townsend secretly leads a ring of smugglers. With the king's forces and deadly rivals closing in, she has but one last shipment to acquire. But when her men rescue an injured stranger from the sea one stormy night, Emily faces her most formidable--and tempting--adversary ever. For Barnaby, the new Viscount Joslyn, is determined to uncover who tried to kill him the moment he set foot in England. Yet proving to Miss Townsend that he can also be trusted with her deepest secrets is an equally intriguing challenge. Now Barnaby and Emily's boldest gambit rests on unthinkable risk--and surrendering to an undeniable love. . . "Busbee spins a tale unusually well-balanced between its appealing central romance and lively action-adventure." --Publishers Weekly "Busbee is one of the grand dames of historical romance. Longtime readers and new fans will be captivated by her latest Becomes Her story." --RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

A lady’s plan to marry a proper match is threatened by a seductive earl—and her own secret desires—in this sexy Victorian romance. With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage—even if it must be passionless. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein she is seduced by a handsome lord with dark powers. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black—whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book. Isabella tries to resist the mysterious earl. Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb. If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts most . . .