Showing results for "The Unexpected" in Historical Fiction

Oliver Hartsell had no idea that when he went to repair Mr. Austin's windows he'd end up proposing to the man's daughter, but that's exactly what happened. He didn't regret it because he’d been secretly in love with Marie for a long time. However, he doubts she feels the same way about him, but he's determined that she will. Yet, life has a way of throwing unexpected surprises.

March 1147. Assassination, espionage, betrayal. King Owain has ridden east to confront King Madog of Powys with the attempt on the life of his son. Rhys, now abbot of St. Kentigern’s monastery, hopes for peace and calls both Madog and Owain to the negotiating table. Peace, however, is the last thing on Madog’s mind. Recalcitrant, self-righteous, and angry, he sees King Owain’s recent weakness as his opportunity and knows that Owain’s own barons are circling like wolves, waiting for the chance to overthrow him.

While most ladies in her world have talents, a singular ability, and hold no other power, Elizabeth is the first female since Niniane, the Lady of the Lake, to wield magic as freely as any male heir. Many would covet her power, which is why her father and his friend forged a magical contract to protect Elizabeth even she comes of marriageable age. Elizabeth, however, has no wish for an arranged marriage, yet could she truly be in as much danger as her father has implied? All she wants is to wander with her white stag, Herne, in Oakham Forest and visit the stone circle in its midst.

Zella Capp has built her life on independence and a carefully guarded secret. When she’s offered the chance to lead an ambitious new publication for Denwall Department Stores, Zella's thrust into the world of Philadelphia’s high society, where reputations can shatter with a mere whisper. As she juggles chaotic production deadlines and dazzling social events, Zella finds herself drawn to Bert Walraven, an executive who prefers numbers to people and whose recent brush with death has left him guarded.

Twelve years ago, Brandon Pearce had to give up the girl he loved, Amelia Howard. Now Amelia is a grown woman with a past she desperately needs to keep hidden in order to save her brother Frederick's reputation. In an effort to avoid blackmail, Frederick needs to place several gentlemen into government positions, and for that, he'll need an ally in Parliament - Pearce.

A third son to an earl, Adam Gillensford knows his only hope of an inheritance is through his great uncle. But when the Will is read, Adam learns most of the wealth has been left to a complete stranger, and a seamstress at that. If he hopes to salvage any kind of funds for himself, he has two choices: adhere to his late uncle’s wishes and assist the new heiress in finding her way, or sabotage her so the courts will find her unfit to inherit. Deciding his course would be easier if the heiress wasn’t so enchanting.

A lass begging to marry him might top the list of "oddest things to happen," but Chief Adam Macquarie is desperate. And no matter how much he hates to do it, he's not above lying to get what he wants. Starting with the fact that he just omitted the truth about the situation back at his home - where there are no women and only a handful of other people. Because he has a secret need for a wife himself, one she won't be too happy about when she finds out.

My father always told me I was too impetuous, but when I see a chance to escape my horrible life—being forced to work on my back for the tavern-keeper who owns my brother's debt—I take it. And some valuables on the way out. Is it any wonder I'm chased into the snowstorm… and right into the single arm of a seven-foot-tall, wounded, and grumpy recluse?

Although Celeste Montgomery was forced into a marriage a year ago, her husband is more often gone than home, and she is living a quiet life. Until Investigator Owen Gregory shows up at her home to tell her some outrageous news: Her husband has been murdered...and he was also a bigamist, making her the third of three wives.

A princess is missing and a peace treaty is on the verge of collapse in this new Veronica Speedwell adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn. January 1889. As the newest member of the Curiosity Club--an elite society of brilliant, intrepid...

Oliver "Knight" Knightly, newly inherited Earl of Stoneleigh, has been summoned home to England after the sudden death of his brother. However, he has no intention of allowing familial obligations to keep him from the life he made for himself as a champion boxer in America. He will see his wayward nieces settled with a capable governess and return to the fame, fortune, and adoring ladies awaiting him.

The Marquess of Greymoor has possessed a great many titles in his life, but there is none he despises more than the one he unexpectedly inherited as a lad. Call him what you like, Grey has never fit the societal mold. Instead, he is unabashedly determined to live by his own set of rules. Which is why, when a mysterious and lovely housekeeper attracts his attention, he makes her the offer of a lifetime: one month of sin with him in return for a tidy fortune.

Miss Euphemia Fleet, on her way to join her dear Felicity and her husband, is still fearing that she may be a burden to them. She meets Baron Balfour on the road, and after an accident to her only gown, finds out that she resembles his dead wife in stature when he offers her a change of clothes. But the shock of seeing Euphemia in the gown brings on an old illness, and she is forced by her kindly nature to stay with him, though his loud voice and blunt conversation terrifies her. Something stirs in Euphemia as they become acquainted....

Lady Isolde Collingwood's future was happily secured until the man she intended to marry threw her over for another woman. Heartbroken and betrayed, she has every intention of running wild across London and setting polite society on its ear. But when she becomes embroiled in a scandal with a wicked earl, there's only one way to solve her latest dilemma if she wants to protect her sisters: marriage.

Grit, determination, and a will of steel have propelled Hudson Stone through life. No case he faced as Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard went unsolved. But nothing could have prepared the implacable investigator for inheriting a dukedom. Even more maddening than his ducal obligations is Lady Elysande Collingwood, the previous Duke of Wycombe’s betrothed. Worst of all, the debts Hudson has been bequeathed along with the title mean he needs to marry an heiress to save his estates from ruin, and the cheerful, dazzling Lady Elysande is the only one he knows.

Had Theo Moreland, the marquess of Raine, killed her brother? And had the treasure the two men sought in South America hastened his descent to an early grave? American journalist Megan Mulcahey has to discover the truth. But to find out, she needs to infiltrate the marquess' household.

Eleanor Claridge had it all. A family that loved her, a secret romance with a handsome soldier, and a beautiful home in the seaside town of Brighton. Although her father did not approve of her suitor, she found no fault in him. With respect to her father's wishes, she paused to examine his character. But it was too late. Abducted and taken to Scotland under the ruse of a happy elopement, Eleanor was forced to marry the wicked man she had once loved. And now she has a chance to escape.

When former lovers Hawker and Mrs. Peabody are paired on a spy mission over the holidays, the pair battle a deadly enemy…and a desire that neither can deny. As they surrender to passion, secrets emerge that could destroy their chance at happiness. Can they work together to vanquish their foes and win the love of a lifetime?

In Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller's compelling tale of duplicity, romance, and redemption, Sophie Broadmoor risks losing wealth and reputation when she's swept off her feet by a dashing stranger. On an 1897 Atlantic crossing, Sophie meets a widower whose promises make her heart sing. But when she finds herself in a compromising situation, she's glad a true gentleman comes to her rescue.

Voiced by multiple narrators, including Cassandra Campbell, the narrator for Gillian Flynn's Dark Places and John Grisham's The Whistler Remember Tuesday Morning by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is a heartfelt story of grief, redemption, and learning to love...