Set in Regency England from 1803 to 1816, The Duchess of Gracechurch Trilogy celebrates friendship, family and love.
Wed before she was seventeen in a made match to a duke’s heir, heiress Flora Hassard quickly learns that her new husband has very little interest in getting to know his new wife. Supported by her mother-in-law, she creates a happy home for herself and her children while ‘donning the Duchess’ in society where she uses her position and influence in the ton to befriend young wives “whose husbands are, well, distant, shall we say? They are safe in that circle, or as safe as they want to be. The older women keep an eye out for the younger ones, warn them of the worst rakes, that sort of thing; keep them out of harm’s way.” (Perception & Illusion) Flora is content, but her contentment has come at a high price—she has had to turn her back on love.
Books One and Two of the Trilogy tell the stories of two of the brides Flora befriends while in Book Three Flora herself takes the lead.
Note: While Books One and Two can be read in either order, The Duke’s Regret contains spoilers for the first two books and should be read last.
Book One: The Murmur of Masks
Eighteen year-old Olivia, daughter of a naval officer is desperately in need of security and safety,following the sudden death of her mother. Unaware that his affections are elsewhere engaged, she accepts Jack Rembleton's offer of a marriage of convenience, hoping that love will grow between them.
When Olivia meets Luke Fitzmaurice at a ball given by the Duchess of Gracechurch, Luke is instantly smitten but Olivia must accept that she has renounced the joys of girlhood without ever having experienced them.
An unexpected encounter with Luke at a masquerade ten years later leads to a second chance at love. Dare Olivia grasp it? Before she can decide, Napoleon escapes from Elba and Luke joins Wellington's army in Brussels. Will war once again dash Olivia's hopes of happiness?
Reviewers said. “I read it very quickly as the story was very compelling and the characters really came to life and engaged me.” “Depicts both the harsh reality of the battlefield and the pleasures and challenges of society life in England.” “I was hooked from start to finish.”
Read an excerpt from The Murmur of Masks
Book Two: Perception & Illusion
Cast out by her father for refusing the suitor of his choice, Lallie Grey, accepts Hugo Tamrisk’s proposal, confident that he loves her as she loves him. But Hugo’s past throws long shadows as does his recent liaison with Sabina Albright. All too soon the newly-weds are caught up in a comedy of errors that threatens their future happiness.
Lallie begins to wonder if he has regrets and he cannot understand her new reserve. She resolves to find her own sphere, make her own life and is delighted to be welcomed into the circle of the Duchess of Gracechurch. When a perfect storm of confusion and misunderstanding leads to a devastating quarrel with her husband, Lallie feels she has no choice but to leave him. Can Hugo win her back? Will there be a second, real happy end for them?
Award winning author Nicola Cornick said of Perception & Illusion: "it was a real pleasure to read a book so well-rooted in the manners and mores of the period. Your deep knowledge and love of the time shows through but is skilfully woven into the fabric of the story. I also loved your protagonists and the depth you gave to their emotional journeys and to the rest of the characters and story. Bravo! It was a lovely read."
Read an excerpt from Perception & Illusion
Book 3: The Duke’s Regret
A chance meeting with a bereaved father makes Jeffrey, Duke of Gracechurch realise how hollow his own marriage and family life are. Persuaded to marry at a young age, he and his Duchess, Flora, live largely separate lives. Now he is determined to make amends to his wife and children and forge new relationships with them.
But Flora is appalled by his suggestion. Her thoughts already turn to the future, when the children will have gone their own ways. Divorce would be out of the question, she knows, as she would be ruined socially, but a separation might be possible and perhaps even a discreet liaison once pregnancy is no longer a risk.
Can Jeffrey convince his wife of his sincerity and break down the barriers between them? Flora must decide if she will hazard her heart and her hard won tranquility when the prize is an unforeseen happiness.
"Well-researched and strongly recommended." The Historical Novels Review
All three books are available as eBook. and paperback. Am eBook box set of the whole trilogy is also available.
Wed before she was seventeen in a made match to a duke’s heir, heiress Flora Hassard quickly learns that her new husband has very little interest in getting to know his new wife. Supported by her mother-in-law, she creates a happy home for herself and her children while ‘donning the Duchess’ in society where she uses her position and influence in the ton to befriend young wives “whose husbands are, well, distant, shall we say? They are safe in that circle, or as safe as they want to be. The older women keep an eye out for the younger ones, warn them of the worst rakes, that sort of thing; keep them out of harm’s way.” (Perception & Illusion) Flora is content, but her contentment has come at a high price—she has had to turn her back on love.
Books One and Two of the Trilogy tell the stories of two of the brides Flora befriends while in Book Three Flora herself takes the lead.
Note: While Books One and Two can be read in either order, The Duke’s Regret contains spoilers for the first two books and should be read last.
Book One: The Murmur of Masks
Eighteen year-old Olivia, daughter of a naval officer is desperately in need of security and safety,following the sudden death of her mother. Unaware that his affections are elsewhere engaged, she accepts Jack Rembleton's offer of a marriage of convenience, hoping that love will grow between them.
When Olivia meets Luke Fitzmaurice at a ball given by the Duchess of Gracechurch, Luke is instantly smitten but Olivia must accept that she has renounced the joys of girlhood without ever having experienced them.
An unexpected encounter with Luke at a masquerade ten years later leads to a second chance at love. Dare Olivia grasp it? Before she can decide, Napoleon escapes from Elba and Luke joins Wellington's army in Brussels. Will war once again dash Olivia's hopes of happiness?
Reviewers said. “I read it very quickly as the story was very compelling and the characters really came to life and engaged me.” “Depicts both the harsh reality of the battlefield and the pleasures and challenges of society life in England.” “I was hooked from start to finish.”
Read an excerpt from The Murmur of Masks
Book Two: Perception & Illusion
Cast out by her father for refusing the suitor of his choice, Lallie Grey, accepts Hugo Tamrisk’s proposal, confident that he loves her as she loves him. But Hugo’s past throws long shadows as does his recent liaison with Sabina Albright. All too soon the newly-weds are caught up in a comedy of errors that threatens their future happiness.
Lallie begins to wonder if he has regrets and he cannot understand her new reserve. She resolves to find her own sphere, make her own life and is delighted to be welcomed into the circle of the Duchess of Gracechurch. When a perfect storm of confusion and misunderstanding leads to a devastating quarrel with her husband, Lallie feels she has no choice but to leave him. Can Hugo win her back? Will there be a second, real happy end for them?
Award winning author Nicola Cornick said of Perception & Illusion: "it was a real pleasure to read a book so well-rooted in the manners and mores of the period. Your deep knowledge and love of the time shows through but is skilfully woven into the fabric of the story. I also loved your protagonists and the depth you gave to their emotional journeys and to the rest of the characters and story. Bravo! It was a lovely read."
Read an excerpt from Perception & Illusion
Book 3: The Duke’s Regret
A chance meeting with a bereaved father makes Jeffrey, Duke of Gracechurch realise how hollow his own marriage and family life are. Persuaded to marry at a young age, he and his Duchess, Flora, live largely separate lives. Now he is determined to make amends to his wife and children and forge new relationships with them.
But Flora is appalled by his suggestion. Her thoughts already turn to the future, when the children will have gone their own ways. Divorce would be out of the question, she knows, as she would be ruined socially, but a separation might be possible and perhaps even a discreet liaison once pregnancy is no longer a risk.
Can Jeffrey convince his wife of his sincerity and break down the barriers between them? Flora must decide if she will hazard her heart and her hard won tranquility when the prize is an unforeseen happiness.
"Well-researched and strongly recommended." The Historical Novels Review
All three books are available as eBook. and paperback. Am eBook box set of the whole trilogy is also available.
My books are historical fiction. While real people sometimes have walk-on parts, for example Lord Byron and Colonel Colborne in The Murmur of Masks, the characters and their stories are fiction. The main story arc is romantic, but as well as dealing with their own problems characters must also cope with external events and the constraints imposed by society. I am particularly interested in what happens after the first happy end—how life goes on around the protagonists and sometimes catches up with them.
In A Suggestion of Scandal, governess Rosa Fancourt finds her life and future are suddenly at risk when she surprises two lovers in flagrante delicto. Even if she escapes captivity, the mere suggestion of scandal is enough to ruin a lady in her situation. In Sir Julian Loring she finds an unexpected champion but will he stand by her to the end?
Read an excerpt from A Suggestion of Scandal
Read what the Historical Novels Review said about it: A Suggestion of Scandal is a smooth read; providing laughs and gasps in turns. Readers will enjoy the cool-headed Miss Fancourt, while hoping that Sir Julian puts the pieces of the puzzle together quickly! A host of other loveable and detestable characters keep the entertainment moving through the trials, tribulations, and victories of love.
And don't miss my historical, gothick short story, The Zombi of Caisteal Dun. Scotland, 1798. Amabel had not wanted to come to the remote highland keep of Caisteal Dun but her mother had felt it was in her destiny to go there. Mamma was second-sighted but not even she could foresee the fate that awaited her daughter.
Read an excerpt from The Zombi of Caisteal Dun
In A Suggestion of Scandal, governess Rosa Fancourt finds her life and future are suddenly at risk when she surprises two lovers in flagrante delicto. Even if she escapes captivity, the mere suggestion of scandal is enough to ruin a lady in her situation. In Sir Julian Loring she finds an unexpected champion but will he stand by her to the end?
Read an excerpt from A Suggestion of Scandal
Read what the Historical Novels Review said about it: A Suggestion of Scandal is a smooth read; providing laughs and gasps in turns. Readers will enjoy the cool-headed Miss Fancourt, while hoping that Sir Julian puts the pieces of the puzzle together quickly! A host of other loveable and detestable characters keep the entertainment moving through the trials, tribulations, and victories of love.
And don't miss my historical, gothick short story, The Zombi of Caisteal Dun. Scotland, 1798. Amabel had not wanted to come to the remote highland keep of Caisteal Dun but her mother had felt it was in her destiny to go there. Mamma was second-sighted but not even she could foresee the fate that awaited her daughter.
Read an excerpt from The Zombi of Caisteal Dun
