Martha Waters – författare

From Martha Waters, the author of the “enchanting” (Entertainment Weekly) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist. In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves. Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.

If you love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, To Marry and to Meddle!'Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun' Emily Henry'Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes' Kirkus Reviews'Meshing the classic Regency theme of defying societal expectations with all the wit and humour of a rom-com . . . a fun romp full of smiles' Publishers Weekly'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' BookPage..............................Marriage isn't always smooth sailing . . . Lady Emily Turner should really be married by now, but with a dowry of her father's debts, her only suitor is the odious owner of her father's favourite gambling house.Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess, but has managed to scandalise polite society with his acting career and the fact that he owns a less than salubrious theatre.Crossing paths at a house party, they discover that a marriage of convenience might benefit them both: Emily can use her society connections to add some respectability to Julian's theatre, while also managing to escape the dubious world of her father.With differing ideas on the roles each will play in their marriage, and an on-the-run actress, a murderous kitten, and some meddlesome friends adding to the complications, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience might be leading to some rather inconvenient feelings...................................Praise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe, out now:'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' Library Journal'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' Booklist, starred review'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' Shelf Awareness'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLucaThe Regency Vows series continues!To Have and to HoaxTo Love and to Loathe

'With a refreshingly acerbic sense of wit Jane Austen might have admired as well as a plot that gives a clever nod to the screwball spooky delights of . . . Northanger Abbey, Waters proves she is in fine literary fettle as she dexterously delivers another sublimely satisfying addition to her completely charming Regency Vows series' Booklist (starred review)If you love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, To Swoon and to Spar!Praise for Martha Waters: 'Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun' Emily Henry'Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes' Kirkus Reviews'Meshing the classic Regency theme of defying societal expectations with all the wit and humour of a rom-com . . . a fun romp full of smiles' Publishers Weekly..............................This is a real marriage of inconvenience.Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, back from his estranged uncle. So, of course, he's thrilled when his uncle announces that he is finally ready to sell . . . but with one major caveat: Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer.When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds Penvale cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate.Back at Trethwick Abbey, irascible Jane soon enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: they will stage a haunting to make Penvale return to London, leaving Jane in Cornwall to do as she pleases. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and, as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband's company so much after all...................................Praise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms To Have and to Hoax, To Love and to Loathe and To Marry and to Meddle, out now:'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' BookPage'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' Library Journal'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' Booklist, starred review'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' Shelf Awareness'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLucaThe Regency Vows series continues!To Have and to HoaxTo Love and to LoatheTo Marry and to MeddleTo Swoon and to Spar

'[E]ffervescent... Sophie is a refreshingly candid protagonist, whose ability to stand up to the duke is evenly matched with the care and concern she has for her sisters. Waters's fans will be sad to see this series end but deeply satisfied by this fetching finale' Publishers WeeklyThe final instalment in the "hilarious and steamy" (PopSugar) Regency Vows series follows the heir to a dukedom and a young widow, once very much in love, as they reunite years later to fake an engagement for the benefit of her sister.They have the best of intentions...and the worst luck in love.West, the Marquess of Weston, and Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, have lately been spending a considerable amount of time together. But West and Sophie are not new acquaintances.In fact, years ago, they were almost engaged, until West's almost fatal curricle accident and his meddling father threw them off course.Now, having recently lost her husband, Sophie has put aside all thoughts of romance. But when her widowed sister, Alexandra, mentions a fondness for an earl, Sophie realises she may be holding her sister back. Alexandra won't move forward until Sophie, too, settles down again, and so Sophie approaches West with a plan. They will announce their engagement and break things off once Alexandra is happily married.It'll be simple. After all, it's not like she is going to fall for West a second time, not when Sophie has sworn not to risk her heart again.Are you up to date with all the Regency Vows books? Don't miss:To Have and to HoaxTo Love and to LoatheTo Marry and to MeddleTo Swoon and to SparTo Woo and to Wed.............Praise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms:'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' BookPage'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' Library Journal'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' Booklist, starred review'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' Shelf Awareness'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLuca

'Christmas Is All Around is everything I want in a Christmas romcom . . . Martha Waters, never stop writing books just for me' SARAH HOGLE'Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and all things Bridget Jones. I loved this book!' JENNY BAYLISS 'Simultaneously a hilarious send-up and a delightful homage to Christmas romances . . . had me laughing, swooning, and rooting for Charlotte' ALISON COCHRUN A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Love, Actually and The Holiday.A little holiday magic can change everything . . .Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a Christmas movie, whose fans won't let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the festive season with her sister.But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her when she visits Eden Priory, one of the filming locations. When she's accidentally left behind, she's forced to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business - and the funds to keep their historic house running - relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows seasons greetings from a certain star would bring in more visitors.Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte's chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time with Graham. Charlotte may not love a Christmas romance . . . but what if she has one of her own?

If you love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, To Have and to Hoax!'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne.................................................The course of true love - or irritation - never did run smooth.Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and married.Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since.Their once-passionate love may have dissolved into cold, detached politeness, but when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse, she races to be by his side - only to discover him alive, well, and baffled by her concern.Outraged, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own to teach her estranged husband a lesson. And so begins an ever-escalating game of manipulation - and a great deal of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought.In this warring marriage, which spouse will be the victor? And will the real prize be winning back the love they each thought they'd lost?.................................................'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance as a young couple battles to win back each other's affection' Shelf Awareness'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed debut is served up with an abundance of cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit' Booklist, starred review'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once. James and Violet are perfectly matched, and you'll love watching the sparks fly as they both infuriate each other and fall in love all over again' Jen DeLucaThe Regency Vows series continues!To Love and to LoatheTo Marry and to Meddle

“Bridgerton fans will like this one.” —Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author The Regency Vows series that is “sure to delight Bridgerton fans” (USA TODAY) returns with this story about a viscount and his irascible new wife who hopes to chase her husband from their shared home so that she can finally get some peace and quiet—only to find that his company is not as onerous as she thought.Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he’s thrilled when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat—Penvale must marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer. When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penvale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Abbey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband’s company all that much. With her trademark “arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another delightful romp for all historical romance fans.

The final installment in the “hilarious and steamy” (PopSugar) Regency Vows series follows the heir to a dukedom and a young widow, once very much in love, as they reunite years later to fake an engagement for the benefit of her sister.West, the Marquess of Weston, and Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, have lately been spending a considerable amount of time together. But West and Sophie are not new acquaintances. In fact, years ago, they had once been nearly engaged until West’s almost fatal curricle accident and his meddling father threw them off course. Now recently widowed, Sophie has put aside all thoughts of romance. But when her widowed sister, Alexandra, mentions a fondness for an earl, Sophie realizes that she may be holding her sister back. Alexandra won’t move forward with an engagement until Sophie, too, settles down again, and so Sophie approaches West with a plan. They will announce their engagement and break things off once Alexandra is happily married. It’ll be simple. After all, it’s not like she is going to fall for West a second time, not when Sophie has sworn not to risk her heart again.

A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective—or location—in this “delightful, hilarious” (Entertainment Weekly) rom-com. Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a modern classic of a holiday movie, and its fans won’t let her move on. When an article reveals that she had nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the five-week countdown to the holidays with her sister. But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her there when she is recognized by a fan while viewing the extraordinary holiday decorations at Eden Priory, a filming location for the movie. Desperate to escape, she accepts a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business—and the funds to keep their historic house running—relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows a visit from a holiday star would bring in more visitors. Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission to paint iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time scouting locations with Graham in “this sweet holiday treat wouldn’t feel out of place on the Hallmark channel” (Publishers Weekly).

From Martha Waters, the author of the “enchanting” (Entertainment Weekly) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist. In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves. Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.

A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective—or location—in this “delightful, hilarious” (Entertainment Weekly) rom-com. Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a modern classic of a holiday movie, and its fans won’t let her move on. When an article reveals that she had nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the five-week countdown to the holidays with her sister. But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her there when she is recognized by a fan while viewing the extraordinary holiday decorations at Eden Priory, a filming location for the movie. Desperate to escape, she accepts a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business—and the funds to keep their historic house running—relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows a visit from a holiday star would bring in more visitors. Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission to paint iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time scouting locations with Graham in “this sweet holiday treat wouldn’t feel out of place on the Hallmark channel” (Publishers Weekly).

From Martha Waters, the author of the ';enchanting' (Entertainment Weekly) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist. In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can't help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves. Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busyor can't be botheredto help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Forda posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie's dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woollywith plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turnGeorgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.

“A whimsical, fantastical romp of a historical romance.” —Emily Krempholtz, USA TODAY bestselling author Chemistry isn’t only for cocktails in this lightly magical, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about the owner of a speakeasy supplying magical drinks and an enforcer of the ban on magic who must team up when potions begin to go awry—from acclaimed author Martha Waters.In an alternate version of 1920s London, vestiges of England’s magical past exist, but the use of magic has been outlawed, leading families still with powers to operate illegal speakeasies for a public still hungry for magic. Vesper Holloway runs her family club, where a dash of spell powder or an enchanted cocktail can add a little extra intrigue to the evening. But when a spate of accidents strikes these establishments, she worries patrons will flee her family’s business. Enter Maxwell Ashbridge, a onetime friend of Vesper’s brother, who has joined the government agency tasked with enforcing the ban, and who has a personal vendetta against the magical elite. But he does not have a vendetta against Vesper; in fact, he finds her rather enticing. He promises immunity for her club if she teams up with him to investigate, which does little to quell the growing chemistry they share. As accidents continue and the fight to repeal the ban gains ground in Parliament, Vesper and Max will have to decide—is the magic between them worth fighting for?

“A laugh out loud Regency romp—if you loved the Bridgertons, you’ll adore To Have and to Hoax!” —Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention—and maybe just win each other back in the process.Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and got married. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since. Their once-passionate love match has been reduced to one of cold, detached politeness. But when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse and rendered unconscious at their country estate, she races to be by his side—only to discover him alive and well at a tavern, and completely unaware of her concern. She’s outraged. He’s confused. And the distance between them has never been more apparent. Wanting to teach her estranged husband a lesson, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own. James quickly sees through it, but he decides to play along in an ever-escalating game of manipulation, featuring actors masquerading as doctors, threats of Swiss sanitariums, faux mistresses—and a lot of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. Will the two be able to overcome four years of hurt or will they continue to deny the spark between them? With charm, wit, and heart in spades, To Have and to Hoax is a fresh and eminently entertaining romantic comedy—perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Julia Quinn.

Named a best romance of the year by Entertainment Weekly Named a most anticipated romance by Oprah Daily, Marie Claire, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, and more! “There was no romance novel more fun this year than this extremely witty enemies-with-benefits confection.” —Entertainment Weekly The author of the “hilarious...joyful, elegant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything—until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp.The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition. After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover. Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts. With Martha Waters’s signature “cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit” (Booklist, starred review), To Love and to Loathe is another clever and delightful historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Evie Dunmore.

“Sure to delight Bridgerton fans.” —USA TODAY The “sweet, sexy, and utterly fun” (Emily Henry, author of People We Meet on Vacation) Regency Vows series continues with a witty, charming, and joyful novel following a seasoned debutante and a rakish theater owner as they navigate a complicated marriage of convenience. Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons now and should have long settled into a suitable marriage. However, due to her father’s large debts, her only suitor is the persistent and odious owner of her father’s favorite gambling house. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. When their lives intersect at a house party, Lord Julian hatches a plan to benefit them both. With a marriage of convenience, Emily will use her society connections to promote the theater to a more respectable clientele and Julian will take her out from under the shadows of her father’s unsavory associates. But they soon realize they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theater. But when a fleeing actress, murderous kitten, and meddlesome friends enter the fray, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings. With “an arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice that rivals the best of the Regency authors” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another fresh romantic comedy that for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.

“Bridgerton fans will like this one.” —Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author The Regency Vows series that is “sure to delight Bridgerton fans” (USA TODAY) returns with this story about a viscount and his irascible new wife who hopes to chase her husband from their shared home so that she can finally get some peace and quiet—only to find that his company is not as onerous as she thought.Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he’s thrilled when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat—Penvale must marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer. When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penvale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Abbey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband’s company all that much. With her trademark “arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another delightful romp for all historical romance fans.

The final installment in the “hilarious and steamy” (PopSugar) Regency Vows series follows the heir to a dukedom and a young widow, once very much in love, as they reunite years later to fake an engagement for the benefit of her sister.West, the Marquess of Weston, and Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, have lately been spending a considerable amount of time together. But West and Sophie are not new acquaintances. In fact, years ago, they had once been nearly engaged until West’s almost fatal curricle accident and his meddling father threw them off course. Now recently widowed, Sophie has put aside all thoughts of romance. But when her widowed sister, Alexandra, mentions a fondness for an earl, Sophie realizes that she may be holding her sister back. Alexandra won’t move forward with an engagement until Sophie, too, settles down again, and so Sophie approaches West with a plan. They will announce their engagement and break things off once Alexandra is happily married. It’ll be simple. After all, it’s not like she is going to fall for West a second time, not when Sophie has sworn not to risk her heart again.

“A laugh out loud Regency romp—if you loved the Bridgertons, you’ll adore To Have and to Hoax!” —Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention—and maybe just win each other back in the process.Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and got married. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since. Their once-passionate love match has been reduced to one of cold, detached politeness. But when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse and rendered unconscious at their country estate, she races to be by his side—only to discover him alive and well at a tavern, and completely unaware of her concern. She’s outraged. He’s confused. And the distance between them has never been more apparent. Wanting to teach her estranged husband a lesson, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own. James quickly sees through it, but he decides to play along in an ever-escalating game of manipulation, featuring actors masquerading as doctors, threats of Swiss sanitariums, faux mistresses—and a lot of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. Will the two be able to overcome four years of hurt or will they continue to deny the spark between them? With charm, wit, and heart in spades, To Have and to Hoax is a fresh and eminently entertaining romantic comedy—perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Julia Quinn.

Named a best romance of the year by Entertainment Weekly Named a most anticipated romance by Oprah Daily, Marie Claire, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, and more! “There was no romance novel more fun this year than this extremely witty enemies-with-benefits confection.” —Entertainment Weekly The author of the “hilarious...joyful, elegant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything—until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp.The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition. After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover. Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts. With Martha Waters’s signature “cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit” (Booklist, starred review), To Love and to Loathe is another clever and delightful historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Evie Dunmore.

“Sure to delight Bridgerton fans.” —USA TODAY The “sweet, sexy, and utterly fun” (Emily Henry, author of People We Meet on Vacation) Regency Vows series continues with a witty, charming, and joyful novel following a seasoned debutante and a rakish theater owner as they navigate a complicated marriage of convenience. Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons now and should have long settled into a suitable marriage. However, due to her father’s large debts, her only suitor is the persistent and odious owner of her father’s favorite gambling house. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. When their lives intersect at a house party, Lord Julian hatches a plan to benefit them both. With a marriage of convenience, Emily will use her society connections to promote the theater to a more respectable clientele and Julian will take her out from under the shadows of her father’s unsavory associates. But they soon realize they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theater. But when a fleeing actress, murderous kitten, and meddlesome friends enter the fray, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings. With “an arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice that rivals the best of the Regency authors” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another fresh romantic comedy that for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.

Sie weiß, dass er weiß, dass sie weiß, dass er es weiß!London 1817: Als Lady Violet Grey und Lord James Audley sich vor fünf Jahren trafen, verliebten sie sich und heirateten Hals über Kopf. Nun sprechen die beiden seit vier Jahren kein Wort mehr miteinander. Aber als Violet die Nachricht erhält, dass James einen Reitunfall hatte, macht sie sich sofort auf den Weg zu ihm. Nur um ihn dann wohlauf anzutreffen, wenn man mal von dem heftigen Kater absieht. Um ihrem Ehemann eine Lektion zu erteilen, täuscht Violet vor, krank zu sein. Soll er sich doch mal Sorgen machen! Doch James durchschaut sie und sinnt auf Rache. Zwischen kleinen und großen Lügen, Verstrickungen und Peinlichkeiten, aber vor allem neu entfachter Leidenschaft merken die beiden schließlich, dass sie sich eventuell gar nicht so sehr hassen, wie sie glauben..."Waters hat einen ausgeprägten Sinn für Humor und eine wunderbar witzige Stimme, die es mit den besten Regency-Autoren aufnehmen kann (siehe: Julia Quinn, sogar Austen selbst) (...) unverhohlen lustig und voll von überdrehter Energie. Es ist Spaß auf höchstem Niveau, den man nur schwer aus der Hand legen kann und der vor seinem eigenen Charme nur so sprüht." — Entertainment Weekly​​"Unwiderstehlich respektlos ... die Reise zum Happy End ist jeden Schritt wert."—Publishers Weekly​​"Das Buch ist ein wunderbarer Zeitvertreib, voll von lächerlichem Spaß und äußerst charmanten Charakteren."  — San Francisco Book Review​"Charmant, klug, sinnlich und voller komödiantischer Situationen ist Wie man einen Lord gewinnt ein Regency-Kampf der Geschlechter, der Gelächter hervorruft und gleichzeitig fesselt." — New York Journal of Books"Wie man einen Lord gewinnt ist ein herrlicher Schlagabtausch, der witzig und rührend zugleich ist. James und Violet passen perfekt zusammen, und man wird es lieben, zu beobachten, wie die Funken sprühen, wenn die beiden sich gegenseitig wütend machen und sich wieder neu verlieben." — Jen DeLuca, Autorin von A History of Us

Die grandios witzige Regency-Reihe von Martha Waters geht weiter!Die junge Witwe Diana, Lady Templeton, und der gutaussehende Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, sind in der Londoner High Society für ihre scharfen Zungen und offenen Flirtereien bekannt. Eines Abends wird aus einem Schlagabtausch eine handfeste Wette: Wenn Jeremy nicht innerhalb eines Jahres heiratet, zahlt Diana ihm 100 Pfund. Doch dann macht Jeremy noch einen anderen Vorschlag: Nachdem seine letzte Eroberung ihn harsch kritisiert hat, ist er verunsichert bezüglich seines Könnens als Liebhaber. Da er weiß, dass Diana kein Blatt vor den Mund nimmt, schlägt er ihr eine kurze Affäre vor. Die will Diana wiederum nutzen, um Jeremy für andere Damen interessant zu machen und ihn so unter die Haube zu bringen. Aber während Jeremy und Diana sich darauf konzentrieren, Wetten zu gewinnen und Gerüchte zu streuen, laufen sie beide Gefahr, ihre eigenen Herzen zu verlieren ...​"Der zweite Teil einer Serie von Julia Quinn-ähnlichen, sinnlichen RomComs." — Kirkus Reviews​"Waters hat einen ausgeprägten Sinn für Humor und eine wunderbar witzige Stimme, die es mit den besten Regency-Autoren aufnehmen kann (siehe: Julia Quinn, sogar Austen selbst) (...) unverhohlen lustig und voll von überdrehter Energie. Es ist Spaß auf höchstem Niveau, den man nur schwer aus der Hand legen kann und der vor seinem eigenen Charme nur so sprüht." — Entertainment Weekly​​"Unwiderstehlich respektlos ... die Reise zum Happy End ist jeden Schritt wert."—Publishers Weekly​​"Das Buch ist ein wunderbarer Zeitvertreib, voll von lächerlichem Spaß und äußerst charmanten Charakteren."  — San Francisco Book Review​"Charmant, klug, sinnlich und voller komödiantischer Situationen ist Wie man einen Lord gewinnt ein Regency-Kampf der Geschlechter, der Gelächter hervorruft und gleichzeitig fesselt." — New York Journal of Books"Wie man einen Lord gewinnt ist ein herrlicher Schlagabtausch, der witzig und rührend zugleich ist. James und Violet passen perfekt zusammen, und man wird es lieben, zu beobachten, wie die Funken sprühen, wenn die beiden sich gegenseitig wütend machen und sich wieder neu verlieben." — Jen DeLuca, Autorin von A History of Us