The Captains Christmas Family

 

The Captain’s Christmas Family, by Deborah Hale, is a very interesting tale.  After their father’s death, Marian Murray is continuing to care for Cissy and Dolly Radcliffe.  Now their father’s cousin, Captain Gideon Radcliffe has entered the scene as the new owner of the estate.  He soon agrees that the two girls and their governess can stay until Christmas.  However, after that he declares that they will need to find a new home.  The only problem is their guardian is nowhere to be found!

It is fun to see the family dynamics grow, as everyone works together to plan and decorate for the coming holiday.  You soon get the sense that the Captain is feeling more comfortable with his new home and the family that comes with it!

When their guardian finally arrives, you wonder what may change.  Will the Captain simply pass the girls to their guardian, as he returns to his life at sea or will he decide to make a major change and build a new life with his family?

The Gentleman's Bride Search

 

The Gentleman’s Bride Search, by Deborah Hale, tells of Evangeline Fairfax who has been working as governess to the Chase children.  She is ready to move on to work with a foundling charity school; however, Jasper Chase, her current boss, has not found a replacement for Evangeline.  This workaholic father  barely shows up for his five children!

When Jasper’s former mother-in-law and his children’s governess invite eligible women to a gathering in his home, he is not happy with the situation.  He could use a mother for his children; however, Jasper has no desire to marry again!

After several days of this gathering, Jasper realizes he might need to consider marrying again.  Evangeline is not quite sure what to do when Jasper suddenly asks for her help in courting one of these women!

By the final pages of this tale, you wonder whether Jasper will be drawn to one of the women brought into his home or if Evangeline herself will capture his heart!

The Duke’s Marriage Mission

 

The Duke’s Marriage Mission, by Deborah Hale, tells the tale of Leah Shaw moving to Renforth Abbey to teach the Duke’s invalid son.  She does not realize exactly what this latest job would entail!

When Leah meets first Kit, then his father, the Duke, she immediately knows this young boy needs her form of teaching.  His father’s methods were much too rigid.  After the Duke and Leah finally agree to a one year contract, she is excited to try to open up Kit’s world to see and do much more than he had previously known!

It is fun to see how both Kit’s and the Duke’s lives change due to Leah’s presence.  You soon wonder if Leah’s job title will change and if she will stay longer than merely one year!

The Earl’s Honorable Intentions

 

The Earl’s Honorable Intentions, by Deborah Hale, opens with Hannah Fletcher attending the Countess of Hawkesbury’s funeral.  Hannah has been working as a governess for the countess.  She cannot believe that the Countess’s husband, Gavin Romney, the Earl of Hawkhurst, is not even there to pay his final respects.  When he shows up at the last minute, dripping with blood from a war wound, the reason becomes clear!

Even though Hannah is still angry that Gavin missed the final moments with his wife, she dives in to help with caring for this wounded man.  She is focused solely on a promise she made qto the countess.  Also, Hannah grew up in an orphanage and did not want that fate for the children!

While Gavin is recovering, it is fun to see Hannah introduce him to his new baby twins and reunite him with his older son.  Soon you will sense feelings growing between Gavin and Hannah.  Hold tight to see if Gavin will go back to war or decide to stay at home and focus on his family!

The Nobleman's Governess Bride

 

The Nobleman’s Governess Bride, by Deborah Hale, opens with a novella entitled The Viscount Meets His Match.

On the opening pages of this novella, Rebecca Beaton is approached by Viscount Benedict, who has mistaken her for Miss Hermione Leonard, the woman his brother wishes to marry.  Rebecca has been working as Hermione’s governess for years.  However, Rebecca cannot not seem to get a word in to correct him. When she finally states the she will not marry his brother, the Viscount quickly relates this to his brother.  When these brothers finally realize the truth of the situation, the Viscount feels he has been duped by Rebecca!

After the Viscount and Rebecca come to a tentative peace, they both decide to participate in a debate to determine who should move forward with a marriage.  Rebecca’s friend Hermione or the Viscount’s brother.  Things get even more confusing when the Viscount proposes to Rebecca. Hold tight to see what her response will be!

The Nobleman’s Governess Bride continues with the tale The Baron’s Governess Bride.  

Grace Ellerby is trying to procure a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy gentleman, Lord Steadwell.  Rupert Kendrick has three young daughters in need someone to guide their days.  After some negative encounters on past jobs, Grace is currently wearing a disguise to make her look like a much older woman!

After Rupert hires Grace, they immediately travel to his home where she meets his daughters.  Grace is not sure how easy it will be to work with these girls.   They have been through a bit following the death of their mother; however, Grace will put her all into the effort!

It is interesting to watch as Grace slowly achieves acceptance from each of the girls; however, you have no idea what will happen when Rupert learns that she has been hiding her true identity!

 

 

Lassos and Lace

Lassos and Lace, by Jody Hedlund, opens with Emberly McQuiad in a quandary.  Dwight, one of the managers at her family’s Healing Springs Ranch, has turned up sick.  The timing is poor because she has some important international guests are due to arrive.  Emberly keeps trying to focus on her father’s philosophy “People are always the priority”.  However, that is hard to do in moments like this!

With Mr. Milton, the president of Karltenburg World Bank (KWB) set up for a visit, Emberly hopes to make the ranch well-known, not only in the states but also on a worldwide basis.  Due to Dwight being out of commission, Emberly will have to step in to fulfill his duties as personal ambassador herself.  When the representative of KWB shows up at her door, it is not Mr. Milton.  But rather Max Berg, a very handsome young man, who is actually the CEO in disguise!

When Max is addressed as “Your Highness”, Emberly must quickly switch gears.  She now has a secret to keep for another wealthy client.  This is exactly the service her family’s ranch provides.  When Max asks Emberly to act as his personal tour guide for the week, she decides to make a bargain with him.  Max quickly agrees to spread word to his friends and colleagues about the ranch in exchange for Emberly’s time.  She has no idea what is about to take place.  Max is not only a CEO is disguise, but also a Prince needing to marry very soon!

As you watch Emberly attempt to instruct Max on how to win a woman, you wonder if she will be the one who is caught.  You also wonder if the McQuaid legacy of love will capture Max and Emberly in its web.  The situation gets rather spicy when Max and Emberly get stuck in a snowstorm together.  You have no idea what will happen next when Max kneels down before Emberly and proposes.  What will happen after the media gets wind that the Prince is missing.  Most importantly, how will Emberly respond when she learns that Max needed to marry soon or risk losing his chance to be the next king!

You wonder until the last page how this tale will end!

Deadly Currents

 

Deadly Currents is another suspense from Elizabeth Goddard packed with action and an abundance of the unknown.  This tale opens with Cressida Valentine at sea alongside Captain Everett “Salty” Malloy.  She has hired the Captain in an attempt to complete her late father’s research.  However, after only two days, the Captain drops her off at the dock with a simple warning ‘watch your back’.  As Cressida walks along the beach before she turns in for the night, she is suddenly attacked!

As Detective Braden Sanders is driving his motorcycle along the edge of the ocean, he suddenly learns that a woman has washed up on the beach.  When he meets Cressida, he is surprised to learn that she is the woman, his boss and her mother, sent him here to protect.  Very quickly this tale fills up with more questions than answers!

Not only do warm feelings begin to develop between Braden and Cressida, but they also find reasons not to trust each other.  When they both find themselves at sea on a vessel set on retrieving nuclear materials, you have no idea what will happen next.  You will be surprised who they encounter on this rocky ride!