Meredith Bond

Winning isn't everything when love is on the line.Clarissa Ellison is your typical Aries: everything is a competition. So, when she makes her debut into Regency London Society, she determines that in order to "win" the Season, she must get a proposal from the Duke of Drayton. The only problem is that his closest friend, the handsome and thoughtful Lord Uxbridge, is quickly becoming someone she can't live without. Jonathan, Lord Uxbridge, has always been called "Ox" for the obvious reason-he's big. But, as a true Gemini, there are two sides to this man. To the world, he's outgoing, but in private, he relaxes by painting beautiful miniatures. Because his size generally puts fear into the eyes of young ladies, Ox had planned on never marrying. But a large bequest to be given on his wedding day makes him decide otherwise. He sets his mind to winning Miss Buttery-Clements, who can match him for size, but his heart has decided on another-the fascinating and delicate Miss Ellison. The two decide to be just friends, setting aside the advice of their friend and astrological scholar Lady Preston, but the stars-or is it destiny? -will ensure this is a match made in the heavens.

A sweet, tender, romance with a touch of humor by USA Today Best Selling Author, Meredith Bond. At the tender age of fifteen, Emilie Pelham fell for a handsome older man of eighteen who kissed her and then never wrote or sought out her company again. Five years later, Emilie is a happy wallflower who wants nothing to do with men-and especially not one in particular, now the Marquess of Willingham. And yet that is precisely who the matchmaker, hired by her mother, insists is Emilie's soulmate. Well, she would rather see the surprisingly thoughtful nobleman disgraced than marry him. She is formulating a plan to do just that for she is not one to change to her mind once it's made up. Gabriel, the Marquess of Willingham, was a young man ruled by his passions, but he learned his lesson. Now, he keeps a tight rein on his emotions. Since inheriting his father's title, however, his grandmother has insisted he begin looking for a wife. He is happy to marry, just so long as no emotions are stirred. This is not good enough for Gran, though, who hires a matchmaker to find Gabriel's soulmate. When the woman pairs him with the beautiful girl who opened his eyes to the dangers of passion, however, he annoyed when the same feelings try to overpower his newfound control. Neither Emilie nor Gabriel are prepared, however, for the feelings they stir in each other. Neither could have foreseen that a passion sparked years ago could possibly rekindle no matter how hard they fight against. Will hearts be broken a second time or will love prevail? In this cat and mouse game, it's possible they both might lose-or both might win.

Can the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society help a cloistered scientist discover love outside the garden?Cassie Benton would much rather be breeding her beloved roses than dancing through the ballrooms of London. But at twenty-one, she longer has the choice to stay hidden in her garden. Now, Cassie is ready to brush the soil from her skirts and find the perfect husband. Her problem is that her scientific analysis is useless when she has to evaluate her feelings about an outlandish and exasperating gentleman.Tall, blond, and blue-eyed, Archer Fitzwalter has always had to fend off the young ladies. So when he is instead dismissed out of hand by a girl with smudges of dirt on her dress, he takes that as a challenge. Before he knows it, he's doing the most outlandish things to win her affections. Always one to follow his gut, Archer is confused by this young woman, who teaches him that sometimes it's better to stop and think things through.The Ladies' Wagering Whist Society will need to find a way to help Cassie and Archer bridge their differences and allow their love to bloom.

Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help a duke's sister find love where she would least expect it? Lady Margaret refuses to believe she is as beautiful and charming as people say. With a deadline to marry, she knows she needs to rely on her friends' help in putting herself forward. And now she's even seeking out the support of her chaperone's footman. Only through his incredible art can she recognize what she is unable to see in her mirror.Tall, blond, and broad-shouldered, James Douglass, Marquess of Rossburke, has the looks of the perfect footman. This unexpected career path is unfortunately the only way the impoverished Scottish nobleman can find to support his passion for painting - for which London is the only place to be. But how can he now win the heart of his new passion, the lovely and vulnerable Lady Margaret?To make sure that love is well served, the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society have to concoct their most devious plan to convince the footman to show his true hand.

Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help sort out a love quadrangle? It's not that the practical Beatrice Kendrick doesn't trust her mirror twin, the vivacious and flirtatious Isabel. It's just that the rebellious Bel has proven herself all too capable of welcoming the attentions of the wrong sort of man. So to keep Bel from getting into trouble, Bee secretly accompanies her when she makes her debut in Regency London. Can Bee shield her own heart while trying to protect her sister? And can Bel ensure that her quiet sister gets a taste of the joys of London society - and a chance at romance? When the broodingly romantic Edward Conway, nursing a broken heart, meets musically inclined Bel Kendrick, she stirs a passion in him he wasn't sure he could ever feel again after the death of his Italian lover. The strappingly handsome Paul St. Vincent, too, meets the thoughtful and clever woman he thinks is Bel, and she seems to be just the sort of intellectually-minded woman he's looking for. Only sometimes Edward senses that Bel doesn't always remember what they'd discussed the last time they met. And at times she is entirely too giggly for Paul's taste. Both men, however, have decided that Miss Kendrick is the right woman for him. What they don't realize is that they're both right. But it will take a little sleight of hand by the ladies of the Wagering Whist Society to untangle this trick of mirrors.

Can the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society help an extroverted sportswoman and a dedicated scientist solve matters of the heart?Diana Hemshawe is enjoying the perfect life-her first season in Regency society, racing her beloved horse, and the companionship of the ladies of the Wagering Whist Society. When her father has a heart attack, she has to refocus her energies on nursing him back to health. Balancing responsibilities shouldn't be too difficult for someone as resourceful as Diana ... except for the charming and thoughtful doctor who is so very distracting.Andrew, Lord Colburn, used to be passionate about just one thing-pursuing the cutting edge of medical research. Now his excitement in discovering a new cure for his patient's heart disease is warring with his growing fascination with the man's clever and spirited daughter. But can he learn to balance his loyalty to patients with his desire for her?It will take all the guile of the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society to ensure that Andrew and Diana have a sporting chance at love.

Can the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society help a young woman with a dark secret allow light and love into her heart?Lydia Sheffield is always laughing, always joking, always charming, always surrounded by adoring gentlemen. She wants to enjoy the season, and not yield to Regency society's expectation that she quickly marry and have children. She also has a secret lurking within her-one that will keep her from ever taking a risk on love. Lord John Welles has a secret of his own, but Lydia has discovered it. She noticed what no one else did, that this attractive, upstanding gentleman is filching diamonds from unsuspecting ladies. Lydia extracts a price for her silence-a fake engagement to her for the season. John never expected to want to make the arrangement real, nor that Lydia would be so dead-set against it. There's something she's not telling him, and he's determined to find out what it is.Can John discover Lydia's secret in time to save his heart from breaking? He'll need to convince her to take a chance on love, on life... and on him. It will take the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society to help John win his diamond.

Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help an impoverished modiste win the hand of a sought-after Duke?Tina Rowan is beautiful, talented-and wants nothing more than to be free of her past. The illegitimate daughter of a baroness, she is being blackmailed by her own foster-father. She must rely on her flair for designing dresses to earn enough to pay him off. Starting a business dressing the ladies of Regency society isn't easy for a nobody. But Tina has three aces up her sleeve-her own amazing talent, her well-connected biological mother, and the helpful (if meddlesome) support of the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society.The handsome, arrogant Duke of Warwick has grown up schooled in the "proper" way for a nobleman to behave. Rule number one: do not fraternize with people of the lower classes. But when he has to introduce his beloved sister to society, he finds himself completely reliant on the beguiling woman he's hired as his sister's modiste. To his astonishment, he finds himself opening up to her and enjoying her company far, far too much.When Tina discovers the true man behind the ducal title, her heart might very well be lost. But can the duke set aside his fa ade and allow himself to love the only woman who could possibly make him happy? It will take the combined efforts of the Ladies' Wagering Whist Society to see this difficult hand well played.

Do you need to organize your writing? Want some ideas on how to structure your book or develop characters? This workbook is full of great worksheets that will get you moving on that novel you've been wanting to finish/get started on/organize. Some are the same or similar to those found in the textbook version of this book, some are entirely new. All of them will help you write your book.

Thalia Grace has a habit of flaunting Regency society-whether it be racing her horse against ungentlemanly earls or standing up to the arrogant lady patronesses of Almack's. But after a handsome Greek artist comes to visit, she discovers her true calling-to follow in the footsteps of her archaeologist parents. The talented Yiannis Istoriakis is passionate about Greek antiquities-he would do anything to ensure that they are treated with proper respect. But he never expected to become a thief...much less be so fascinated by the spirited woman he needs to become his accomplice. As Thalia and Yiannis suffer through London's social whirl while stealing priceless antiquities, they find that it's their hearts that are in danger of being stolen.

Some plans are made to be broken...Being judge, jury and executioner for the magical Vallen people is Kat Havelock's hereditary duty, but she's desperate to live a normal life. Sometimes even just a few minutes for herself would be amazing. Her plan is to enter Regency society, fall in love, and live happily ever after.Jack the Lad, the notorious smuggler, has a single-minded quest to destroy his wealthy, intolerant father, who drove Jack's late mother to penury and despair. It has taken him ten years, but now the powerful Vallen is finally ready to put his plan into action. When Jack tries to use his magic for revenge, Kat is obliged to stop him. He convinces her to give him another chance, entangling her into his vengeful scheme. Can Jack and Kat carryout their dreams? Or does destiny have a better plan to steer them together through the storm?

A treasure lost...American Sara Whately came to England with a single goal: recover a long-lost family treasure. Her father had long ago renounced his title and abandoned his country, but desperate financial straits call for desperate measures. Gaining access won't be easy. The jewels are hidden on an estate Sara's grandfather lost long ago in an unlucky turn of the cards. And then there's the vexing, villainous, valiant Viscount Reath...A jewel of a woman...Sinclair Stratton, Lord Reath has always gotten everything he wants-money, privilege, and woman. But after ten years in India, he's returned to England, ready to make amends for his youthful follies. He plans to return his ill-gotten estate to its rightful owner, but the man is impossible to find. And despite still being one of the most sought after rakes in town, the bold American beauty he keeps encountering seems to be immune to his charms and dashing good looks.While Sara has promised to not just search for her grandfather's jewels, but make an attempt at fitting into society, it might just be that Viscount Reath is the treasure she actually needs.

A reason to live. It's all Sir Dagonet wants. He's been alive for over a thousand years and there is no end in sight thanks to a "gift" from the great wizard Merlin. But now, thanks to an invitation to the home of the high priestess of the Vallen, he might very well be given this most priceless gift. A life with reason. Kate Cherrington is trapped at her aunt's home with no way out and no future to look forward to-until a knight with an incredible secret comes to visit. Now there is hope for Kate. The possibility of a way forward, of a life of her own. Bridging the gap between what is and what could be might be within their sights, but first, they've got to get past one determined to stop them and who has the power to do so.

Dylan has never been good enough... Neither his foster-brother nor his father have ever thought so. But now, finally, Dylan has a chance to demonstrate what he can do in the most difficult of situations. Dylan is the only descendant of the great Merlin and a member of a magical race known as the Vallen. One of the Children of Avalon, he knows he is strong enough to defeat Lady Nimu . But when Dylan thinks he can take her on on his own, he is quickly shown otherwise. When not even the love of a beautiful and powerful woman is enough, what will it take for Dylan to prove that he is worthy of taking on the greatest threat Britain has ever faced?

LARGE PRINT EDITION Can he lose the disguise... and find himself? St. John Fotheringay-Phipps has nearly forgotten who he truly is. As the dashing, amusing dandy known to all in society as Fungy, he has hidden himself behind a mask of merriment. But he is reminded that there are pleasures beyond society -- when he finds himself feeling responsible for the innocently lovely and fiercely intellectual Rose, the daughter of a famed archaeologist, and her charming, if socially inept, family. Rose Grace knows that she cannot gamble with her future. She has suddenly been thrust into the role of mother to her two young sisters, companion to her brilliant, distracted father --and family savior. She needs to do the right thing -- to forget her own desires and quickly find a wealthy husband before the creditors come beating at their door. Then why is she distracted by the foppishly handsome Fungy, who seems so very irresponsible and pleasure-loving? Surely he's the last person whose advice she should follow