In this suspenseful Regency romance, a newlywed widow encounters secrets, suspicion, and a second chance at love. Annabelle, Lady Winsborough, has little time to enjoy married life before her husband Richard is murdered by a highwayman . . . on their wedding day! His last words to her—”Trust only Carlton”—are simple yet mysterious. After all, who is Carlton? The answer is revealed when a man named David Carlton breaks into Annabelle’s lodgings that very night! Surely this man is not to be trusted—even if he is undeniably handsome. As secrets about Richard’s past come to light, and Carlton true identity is revealed, Annabelle is left wondering whether this mysterious man is a deceitful villain . . . or the true love of her life . . .

"Family is everything." A decaying mansion. A feuding family. A dark secret that forces them together and drives them apart. Aubrey Eliot arrives at Ravenswood Hall in the guise of Angelique Coleridge's secretary when in reality, she has been hired to act as a spy. A man claiming to be the heir is living in the house and challenges the ambitions Angelique has for her sons. Aubrey is to spy on Carver Coleridge and report back to her employer. The young widow is stunned when the man she has been hired to expose is in possession of a secret of hers. He has protected her in the past. Now she must protect him. In doing so, she discovers a terrible secret about the Coleridge family that if known, would destroy the dynasty and Carver along with it. --- The Widowed Bride is the prequel to Constance Kent's Ravenswood Hall Series. Set in 1875 Maine, the novella introduces the wealthy and powerful Coleridge family before their fall.

Upon a glorious morning, in the mid-summer of 18—, two equestrian travellers spurred their horses up the ascent of the Eagle’s Flight, the loftiest and most perilous pass of the Alleghanies…FROM THE BOOKS.

When Annabelle is widowed on her wedding day, she has no one to turn to but the mysterious David Carlton. But he is the heir and she cannot help but wonder if he was behind Richard’s death and whether loving him will destroy her as well. "...another exciting Regency from the pen of one of the genres best writers. Her writing style, which is extremely well paced, always manages to bring the characters and setting alive. There is an enchanting heroine, a sensuous hero, and the always delightful Miss Tibbles. While this is a series about the Westcott daughters and their indomitable Governess, Miss Tibbles, each book can and does stand well on its own. But why deprive yourself; buy THE WICKED GROOM, the first book and indulge yourself."--Pat Kersten, RENDEZVOUS * * * * *---Heartland Critiques