A double award-winning historical romanceAn irrepressible duke, a bookish spinster, a devious murderer … Regency house parties have never been so hazardous!Oliver Dasenby is the most infuriating man Primrose Garland has ever known. He may be her brother’s best friend, but he has an atrocious sense of humor. Eight years in the cavalry hasn’t taught him solemnity, nor has the unexpected inheritance … solemnity, nor has the unexpected inheritance of a dukedom.
But when Oliver inherited his dukedom, it appears that he also inherited a murderer.
Oliver might be dreadfully annoying, but Primrose doesn’t want him dead. She’s going to make certain he survives his inheritance—and the only way to do that is to help him catch the murderer!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I read straight through the night. I kept telling myself that I needed to put it down and get some sleep, but it was so interesting and exciting that I just had to see what happened next. Finally, at 7am, I read the last word and thought ‘Wow, just wow.’”
~ Barbara @ NetGalley
Length: Full-length novel of 85,000 words
Sensuality level: A Regency romance with steamy love scenes
Winner of the 2019 Romance Writers of New Zealand Long Romance of the Year Award
Winner of the 2019 Romance Writers of New Zealand Best Overall Romance of the Year Award
Q & A with the author
How would you describe this series?
It’s Regency England with passion, danger, adventure, humor, romance—and a dash of magic. The stories are emotional, but not sweet. There’s sex, and my heroes do swear at times!
Hang on. Did you say magic?
I did. But don’t worry—the books are first and foremost historical romances. Only a few characters have magic, and it’s a deep, dark secret, and no one else knows.
But … do magic and Regency England go together?
Definitely! Many years ago I read Sorcery and Cecelia (or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, and totally loved it and ever since then I’ve thought that Regency England and magic go very well together.
How would you describe your writing?
Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She’s why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you’ve not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I’ve also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.
What order should I read the series in?
Each book, whether a novel or novella, can be read as a standalone, but many readers prefer to read them in order. And although the series is set in Regency England, a quartet of medieval novellas form the prequel.
The ideal reading order would be:
The Fey Quartet (series prequel)
Maythorn’s Wish
Hazel’s Promise
Ivy’s Choice
Larkspur’s Quest
The Baleful Godmother: Original Series
Unmasking Miss Appleby
Resisting Miss Merryweather
Trusting Miss Trentham
Claiming Mister Kemp
Ruining Miss Wrotham
Discovering Miss Dalrymple
The Baleful Godmother: Garland Cousins Series
Primrose and the Dreadful Duke
Violet and the Bow Street Runner (coming soon)
The Baleful Godmother: Pryor Cousins Series
Octavius and the Perfect Governess
Happy reading!more