The Ashland Women Series by Eugenia Riley

The powerful, shattering story of a tortured hero and his captive bride . . . A REPUBLIC OF TEXAS ROMANCE! Beautiful young Emilie Barrett is alone and penniless in the wild frontier town of Houston, until David Ashland appears, offering her a position as companion to a young woman who lives at his uncle’s cotton plantation. Half in love with her gallant rescuer, Emilie accepts... moreThe powerful, shattering story of a tortured hero and his captive bride . . . A REPUBLIC OF TEXAS ROMANCE! Beautiful young Emilie Barrett is alone and penniless in the wild frontier town of Houston, until David Ashland appears, offering her a position as companion to a young woman who lives at his uncle’s cotton plantation. Half in love with her gallant rescuer, Emilie accepts. But she arrives at Brazos Bend to find herself instantly pursued by the estate’s mercurial master—David’s tormented uncle, Edgar Ashland. Handsome and arrogant, Edgar is a notorious recluse with a terrible temper. He is also the most masterful, sexy, and compelling man Emilie has ever met—and he seems equally enthralled by her. To Emilie’s horror, Edgar soon maneuvers her into marriage. Emilie finds herself a new bride trapped in a house of secrets with her mysterious bridegroom. Edgar’s passions are as fierce and turbulent as the demons haunting him from his first marriage, and the scars left by the Texas War for Independence. Why did Edgar’s first wife die? And who doesn’t want Emilie to remain in this house? Falling hopelessly in love with her enigmatic husband, Emilie realizes she must tame the beast inside Edgar before the ghosts of his past destroy them both. Brazos Bend Bride is a fiery, tempestuous, and sensual historical romance of approximately 124,000 words. Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, including the classics A Tryst in Time and Bushwhacked Bride. less

TORN LOYALTIES—EMBATTLED HEARTS! She’s a rebellious Southern belle on the loose in Civil War Galveston, and he’s the handsome, masterful Yankee ship captain who’s determined to tame her . . . Bored and thirsting for adventure, beautiful, spoiled Laurel Ashland escapes from a nunnery in Galveston, Texas, with her maid, Fancy... moreTORN LOYALTIES—EMBATTLED HEARTS! She’s a rebellious Southern belle on the loose in Civil War Galveston, and he’s the handsome, masterful Yankee ship captain who’s determined to tame her . . . Bored and thirsting for adventure, beautiful, spoiled Laurel Ashland escapes from a nunnery in Galveston, Texas, with her maid, Fancy. But Laurel charges straight into danger when she and Fancy land in a den of Yankee sailors occupying the island! Their dashing leader, Captain Jacob Lafflin, fires Laurel’s blood even as his arrogant ways pique her ire. How dare the insolent rogue appoint her his personal maid and expect her to sleep in a cramped anteroom just feet from his bed! Laurel vows to become a lady spy for the Confederacy and turn the tables on the maddening Yankee. Jacob Lafflin is fascinated by Laurel but baffled by the obvious lies she has told him. Who is she really and why is she trying to cozy up to him and his men? And why is he having such a devilish time keeping his hands off the sassy, seductive belle? Their battle of wills ignites ever-fiercer passions between them. But as the dramatic Battle of Galveston unfolds, both Jacob and Laurel must choose between loyalty and love. Will Laurel ultimately betray Jacob, or save him and surrender to her heart? Galveston Bride is the fun, adventurous, and tender romance of two star-crossed lovers, set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. At 108,000 words, it is Book 2 in the Ashland Women Series, following Brazos Bend Bride. It is also perfect as a standalone read. Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, including the classics A Tryst in Time and Bushwhacked Bride. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin, and Dorchester. She has numerous romances available in Kindle. EDITORIAL REVIEWS: 4 ½ Stars!! “ . . . defies all the old clichés usually associated with the Civil War. The characters are alive with depth and humor, and the freshness of their romance flows over the reader as effortlessly as the warm Gulf tide.” –Affaire de Coeur 4 Stars!! “Ms. Riley has added a light and refreshing approach to a Civil War story and her readers will thrill to the deep aura of bittersweet romance and sensuality.” –Romantic Times less