Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them? Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.

Highclere Castle, known as 'the real Downton Abbey' bustles with activity at the best of times, but it is never more alive than at Christmas. Christmas at Highclere is a look behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make the castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. Lady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations. This book also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year. As well as telling the stories of Highclere Christmases past and present, Lady Carnarvon provides recipes, tips and inspiration from her kitchen so that readers can bring a quintessentially British festive spirit to their own home. Lady Carnarvon divulges the secret to perfectly flakey mince pies, the proper way to wrap presents so that you and your guests are guaranteed a Christmas to remember. Lavish, celebratory and utterly enchanting, Christmas at Highclere is celebration of one of the UK's most beloved historic houses and is the perfect gift for any Downton Abbey fan.

A Christmas baby...leads to wedding vows! Grant Rivers, Earl of Allundale, is desperate to get home in time for Christmas. But when he stumbles upon a woman all alone in a tumbledown shack, having a baby out of wedlock, it's his duty to stay and help her. Grant knows all too well the risks of childbirth, and he's seen enough tragedy to last a lifetime. So once he's saved her life, Grant is determined to save Kate's reputation too...if she will consent to marrying a stranger on Christmas Day!

A shunned lady determined to keep her secrets. A new newly minted earl looking for a fresh start. A love gone wrong gains a second chance. A shunned lady determined to keep her secrets. Lady Leventon had been shunned to Scottish wilds of Badenoch for a reason. But she never thought it would be the death of her. That is until her maid and only friend in the world falls deathly ill just days before Christmastide and Karta is determined to make it through a snowstorm for help. She didn’t think it would cost her her life, but as her feet slow in the heavy snow, hope gives out. A new newly minted earl looking for a fresh start. When Domnall Greyford, Earl of Kirkmere, discovers the woman that left him years ago frozen in a snowbank, barely breathing, he does the only thing he can—he carries her to his new home. Never mind that she shattered his heart long ago when she left him without a word, without a note, without a thought. And the last thing he wants is her in his new home, in his new life. A love gone wrong gains a second chance. Karta awakens to find the last man in the world she expected holding onto her frozen bare toes—Domnall. The only man she’d ever dared to love. The same man that had abandoned her years ago. Yet the all-consuming heat between them is unmistakable. She knows full well she needs to deny him, deny the insistent rumbles of lost love fighting for life. For if she doesn’t, he’ll discover the truth of her past and his scorn would be irrevocable. That will not do—she isn’t willing to risk her heart again to the only man able to destroy her—or can she? Join the adventure today! You’ll love The Christmas Countess, the fourth story in the Valor of Vinehill series and a can’t-miss enthralling regency romance by USA Today bestselling author, K.J. Jackson. Note: The novels in the Valor of Vinehill series by K.J. Jackson are each stand-alone stories and can be read individually in any order. These action packed historical romances are set in the Regency and Victorian eras, and do not shy away from scenes with steamy heat, occasional naughty language, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.

A woman discovers her daughter is being raised by a very dashing earl in this Victorian holiday romance by the author of The Christmas Heiress. A Woman with A Past . . . Six years ago, Rebecca Tremaine, the daughter of a vicar, became pregnant by her fiancé. When he died unexpectedly, Rebecca was heartbroken and disgraced. The child was stillborn—or so Rebecca believed. Now, she’s both shocked and jubilant to discover that her relatives arranged for her baby girl, Lily, to be given to a distant family connection—Cameron Sinclair, Earl of Hampton. The widowed earl reluctantly agrees to let Rebecca visit Lily over Christmas at his home in Kent, where she finds that the little girl, while a darling, is alarmingly spoiled . . . and the handsome, confident earl is attractive beyond measure . . . A Love for All Seasons . . . Graceful, tender-hearted, and completely captivating, Rebecca fills Cameron Sinclair’s home with warmth and light. Ther’s no denying that her concern for Lily’s behavior is well-founded. Just as he knows there’s also no denying the ache he feels at the thought of her departure. After his wife’s death three years ago, Cameron was adamant that he could never love another woman. But as the holiday season draws to a close, he can only hope that it is not too late to admit the joy of being proven thoroughly, delightfully wrong . . . Praise for The Christmas Countess “Love, family, and the magic of the holiday season bring two different couples together in Basso’s latest richly emotional and elegantly written Victorian historical romance.” —Booklist

The Earl of Bridgemere is happy to encourage his reputation as a curmudgeonly recluse if it repels the grasping females who usually attend his lavish Christmas parties. Helen Forrest is like a breath of fresh air, uninterested in his wealth and not cowed by his temper. Bridgemere's seasonal duty suddenly becomes a pleasure as he sets about making Helen his countess—by Christmas!

This whimsical collection of twenty cat-approved life lessons for living your purrfect life is accompanied by gorgeous, lushly detailed paintings. Miss Marcella Mink and sixty-seven of her favorite feline friends live happily in her big house by the sea. But there was a time when Miss Mink was not so happy. When Miss Mink created her own business -- a feline-friendly cruise company for cat lovers and their furry companions -- she found she no longer had time or energy for herself or her friends. For advice she turned to her cats, who always seemed so happy, healthy, well-rounded, well-groomed and well-rested. It was not long before the Cat Countess was feeling shipshape again. Collected here are Miss Mink's twenty cat-approved lessons, from the benefits of a good grooming and an afternoon nap to valuable advice on friendship and diet.

Daphne du Maurier award finalist for Best Historical Mystery “This story is full of romance and suspense. . . No one can resist a novel written by Cheryl Bolen. Her writing talents charm all readers. Highly recommended reading! 5 stars!” – Huntress Reviews “Bolen pens a sparkling tale, and readers will adore her feisty heroine, the arrogant, honorable Warwick and a wonderful cast of supporting characters.” – RT Book Reviews * * * Maggie thought she was married to an earl . . . but it seems that her late and unlamented husband lied to her from the day they met. Now—penniless and stranded in London—she has thrown herself on the mercy of the real Lord Warwick. What's a counterfeit countess to do? Edward, the Earl of Warwick, desires only to get rid of the beautiful woman who arrived at his house with no less than fourteen trunks, a younger sister, a maid, and a very large cat. Her preposterous explanation is of no importance—but her late husband held the clue to the identity of England's greatest traitor, a clue the Foreign Service must get at any cost. Edward will have to guard her night and day—but he cannot guard his heart.

Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin—and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land—and the fiery countess—in a war of sweet seduction… Eglantine vowed she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command, even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day—and make her his pagan bride. Each thought Kinbeath the prize most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and the hand of the woman he was born to possess. * * * The 6-book Bride Quest series is two linked trilogies. Begin with book #1 or book #4. 1. The Princess 2. The Damsel 3. The Heiress 4. The Countess 5. The Beauty 6. The Temptress There are also two boxed sets available, The Bride Quest I Boxed Set with books 1-3 and The Bride Quest II Boxed Set with books 4 - 6. * * * scottish medieval romance, medieval romance, widow, second chance at love, highlander, sexy romance, class war, enemies to lovers, scotland, protector, highlander, later in life