Coming Soon From Julia Justiss . . .
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Watch here for the cover! Will post it as soon as one arrives.
January, 2002 brings
the long awaited release
of Julia's next
Regency historical,
MY LADY'S TRUST.
... Laura “Martin” has lived quietly for two years in a small rural community that believes her to be the widowed niece of a neighbor lady whose herbal remedies provide the chief medical care for the area. During Laura’s slow recovery from a virulent fever that nearly killed her, “Aunt Mary” teaches her the skill, and after that lady’s death, Laura carries on her practice. But her tranquil existence is threatened when the guest of the squire’s son is critically wounded in a hunting accident. Laura cannot bring herself to deny the boy care—even though tending him will bring her into contact with the powerful elder brother who has been summoned to his sibling’s aide.
... Arriving at his brother’s sickbed at midnight, at first Hugh “Beau” Bradsleigh, Earl of Beaulieu, scarcely notices the nondescript female tending Kit. Not until morning does he realize the woman is not the aged crone he initially took her to be. And not until he spies her in her garden, her glorious copper hair drying in the sun, does he realize she’s not only young, but quite attractive. Why, then, does such a lovely widow so studiously avoid being noticed? It’s a puzzle that Beau, an amateur mathematician known to the ton as “The Puzzlebreaker,” and secret government spymaster, cannot help wanting to solve.
... Though she knows concealment is her only defense, still Laura is strongly drawn to the man who can silence an inferior with a glance and yet soothe his fevered brother with a whisper. As they spend time together, she who has lived so long alone finds it increasingly difficult to resist the earl’s offer of friendship—and more. Until the danger of her past returns to threaten her again, and Beau, left by Laura’s silence in total ignorance of the malice from which she fled, must summon all his resources to rescue the mysterious woman who’s stolen his heart.
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... When widowed soldier’s daughter Valeria Mercer Arnold encounters the cat-eyed, tawny-haired half-Irish rogue Teagan Fitzwilliams, guest at a scandalous houseparty in her rural neighborhood, she quickly succumbs to the temptation to allow this unquestioned master of seduction to initiate her into the delights of love—a pleasure of which she’s experienced very little. Teagan, charmed by a lady so very different from the cynical Society matrons who usually pursue him, is only too happy to comply. An orphan raised by his censorious English relations, he’s become a master at playing the rakehell they all claim him to be. An orphan herself, Valeria senses the shy, principled man hiding beneath the rogue’s protective shell.
... And so it is with mingled sorrow and relief that she watches him ride away, believing she will never see him again. But when an unexpected bequest brings her to London, she soon encounters the “Fascinating Fitz”—as well as more proper suitors. Despite her benefactress’s warnings against Teagan, Valeria can’t resist the allure of exploring the city with him. What, then, does she really want—a proper, respectable husband—or this complex, charming vagabond? And can Teagan, whose only experience of affection is the hazy memory of a six-year-old in his dying mother’s embrace, learn to believe in a love that lasts?
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... After Gwennor Southford’s father dies, her cousin Nigel, the new Baron Southford, informs her he’s arranged for her to marry one of his cronies, an older widower. However, the man can’t be expected to house her half-wit brother, who will soon be confined to the attics at Southford where he belongs. As will Gwen, should she have a mind to refuse Nigel’s choice. Her intended, by the way, will be arriving TOMORROW!
... Though she might stomach Nigel’s plan if it meant having a permanent home with Gareth, Gwen knows her gentle, loving brother, his mind frozen at age ten by a riding accident, would die locked away from the woods and fields and animals that are his passions. Knowing she must take action immediately, she slips away and bribes the leader of the gypsy band now camping on Southford land to allow the Southford siblings to travel in his entourage.
... Her goal is reach Bath before her odious cousin can trace them. Once there, surely her mama’s Aunt Kitty will offer them shelter, and surely among the octogenarians who gather to drink the waters, Gwen can find one willing to wed an aging spinster skilled at nursing—and to accept her brother.
... Her plan proceeds flawlessly. To earn their keep along the journey, Gareth helps tend the animals and Gwen helps the gypsy women with the card games that bring in money from the communities the gypsies camp near on their route. Until the night a party of young aristocrats comes to the encampment—and Gilen de Mobry, Viscount St. Abrams, asks the beguiling wench who’s been winning his money at cards to dance for him…
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... Have you ever wished you could re-invent your life? In MY LADY’S CHOICE or THE SEDUCTIVE STRANGER, Caragh Sudley has the frightening—and exhilarating opportunity to do just that!
... Since her mother’s death when she was twelve, Caragh has devoted herself to caring for her permanently grieving father and her beautiful, artistic younger sister Ailis, even taking over the management of the estate after their steward retires.
... That job brought her to the notice of the handsome, charming Quentin Burke, Lord Branson. In his ongoing attempt to repair the financial mess he inherited from his father, Quent bought the profitable farm bordering their land. After a few year’s acquaintance with his competent and easy to deal with—almost as sensible as a man!—neighbor Caragh, he gratefully accepted her offer to occasionally inspect his holding during his periodic absences.
... And so when Quent learns Caragh is to take Ailis to London, he offers to repay her services by providing them escort during the Season. Besides, it’s about time he started looking around for a wife himself. Perhaps Caragh can advise him on this, too.
... But once in the city, it turns out that Ailis, who previously seemed content to follow Caragh’s direction, has vastly different ideas of what she is to accomplish there. After she causes a scandal that insures her permanent disgrace—while mightily embarrassing Caragh—Ailis leaves to pursue her dream of living as an artist.
... Caragh knows the scandal WILL die down, and she herself will not be permanently ostracized. But devastated by her sister’s callous betrayal and not sure what she will do next, Caragh retreats to the country. After focusing for the last fourteen years on the needs of her family, for the first time she asks herself what she really wants to do with her life.
... Does she want a conventional role with a conventional husband, such as what she was trying to arrange for Ailis? Or, following her sister’s lead, should she abandon the socially acceptable role for women by turning her back on the ton, openly running the horsebreeding farm she’s always loved…and seducing Quentin Burke?
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® and T are trademarks of the publisher.
The above editions published by arrangement with
Harlequin Books S.A.
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