Scandalous Miss Brightwells Series by Beverley Oakley

What’s a girl to do when she has no money but must marry well? When her father has died a debtor and her reprobate brother is intent on gambling away what little else remains? When her feather-brained sister risks the family reputation by succumbing to any lure cast her way? Why, her mother, Lady Brightwell, has just the plan! Her intelligent, beautiful daughter is to be sacrificed to a lecherous baron with gout and carbuncles in order to keep the family in the manner to which they’ve... moreWhat’s a girl to do when she has no money but must marry well? When her father has died a debtor and her reprobate brother is intent on gambling away what little else remains? When her feather-brained sister risks the family reputation by succumbing to any lure cast her way? Why, her mother, Lady Brightwell, has just the plan! Her intelligent, beautiful daughter is to be sacrificed to a lecherous baron with gout and carbuncles in order to keep the family in the manner to which they’ve become accustomed. Only, there’s the rub. Lady Brightwell’s daughter Fanny might be intelligent and beautiful. But she’s also rebellious, clever and strong-willed. And when her passionate heart is brought to life by a chance encounter with a dashing viscount, the fact he’s looking for a wealthy bride is of no account. This is the story of Fanny's perilous gamble amidst a London season's offerings of debutantes with far greater address - but far less cunning - for the ultimate prize: dashing, delicious, dazzling Lord Fenton. Sit back and enjoy this racy, Regency romp but do ensure your smelling salts are at hand - because Fanny Brightwell is prepared to risk everything to save herself from a lifetime attending to Great Aunt Seraphina's chilblains or massaging lecherous Lord Slyther’s gargantuan ego – amongst other things. Please note that this is a heavily revised - and far less steamy - version of the original series-starter, Rake's Honour. Rake's Redemption offers readers a better understanding of Fanny's softer side and introduces her sweet and deserving alter-ego, her cousin, Isadora. I hope readers will better sympathise with Fanny's desperation and social-climbing tendencies when they read Rake's Redemption. Book 1: Rake's Honour Book 2: Rogue's Kiss Book 3: Devil's Run Book 4: The Accidental Elopement less

During a long English summer, a foundling home lad and an earl's headstrong niece form an unlikely alliance to protect themselves against a young bully. Twenty years later, that same bully threatens to tear them apart. When Katherine and Jack are unexpectedly reunited many years after their childhood friendship was formed, love blossoms. But Jack is about to depart for the West Indies and, at barely eighteen, each accepts that the future will take them in different directions... moreDuring a long English summer, a foundling home lad and an earl's headstrong niece form an unlikely alliance to protect themselves against a young bully. Twenty years later, that same bully threatens to tear them apart. When Katherine and Jack are unexpectedly reunited many years after their childhood friendship was formed, love blossoms. But Jack is about to depart for the West Indies and, at barely eighteen, each accepts that the future will take them in different directions. Katherine is full of hope she will find love and happiness during the London season, while Jack intends to amass a fortune and return to England on a footing equal to the aristocratic bully who once tormented him. Seven years later, Jack has fulfilled his ambitions, bought a fine estate in Wiltshire, and is returning home. Although betrothed to a beautiful, ambitious heiress, he can't wait to see his old friend and, once back on English soil, immediately seeks out Katherine. However, Katherine is very different from the hopeful girl he left behind. Notorious for the scandal she's courted since she eloped the day of Jack's departure, the newly widowed Katherine keeps Jack at a distance. But Jack knows Katherine better than she knows herself. There must be some hidden reason she's insistent that her Cousin George, the boy who bullied Jack as a child, will be her next husband. Can Jack and Katherine, pledged to others, break through the lies and secrets of the past seven years to discover the shining hopefulness that characterised their childhood alliance, and allow it to blossom into fully-grown love? less

Lizzy Scott can’t wait six years for her inheritance.Heiress to a fortune, the dazzlingly divine Lizzy should be free to make a love match, but her controlling and sadistic guardian, Mrs Hodge, has other plans. She's promised Lizzy to Mr Dalgleish in exchange for a portion of Lizzy's inheritance.While Lizzy knows Mr Dalgleish is only after her money, he's also her best hope to escape the cruelty of Mrs Hodge's household... moreLizzy Scott can’t wait six years for her inheritance.Heiress to a fortune, the dazzlingly divine Lizzy should be free to make a love match, but her controlling and sadistic guardian, Mrs Hodge, has other plans. She's promised Lizzy to Mr Dalgleish in exchange for a portion of Lizzy's inheritance.While Lizzy knows Mr Dalgleish is only after her money, he's also her best hope to escape the cruelty of Mrs Hodge's household.But on her way to meet Mr Dalgleish at Quamby house, Lizzy is rescued by notorious Theodore McAlister, who's been branded a self-seeking fortune hunter following a scandalous incident a year earlier.Lizzy wonders if she can trade one fortune hunter for the other after sparks fly between her and the humorous and enigmatic Theo.But Theodore McAlister is no freer than Lizzy when it comes to making a love match. He's preparing for a secret marriage, contracted six months earlier, that will undoubtedly excite the gossips but should ensure his acceptance into polite society.It looks like Lizzy and Theo are destined for loveless marriages -- that is, unless the scandalous Miss Brightwells can come up with another cunning plot to overcome the twin encumbrances of Theo's hidden past and Lizzy's guardian's designs.Warning: This story contains humour, awkward situations and sizzling encounters. less

1827 ~ A shy seven-year-old’s inventive plan to derail her mother’s fifth wedding causes mayhem at Countess Quamby’s country-house party near Bath.Another matchmaking tale from the Scandalous Miss Brightwells series!Wicked and lively Fanny and Antoinette Brightwell have made spectacular marriages—despite scandals and the treachery of a disappointed suitor determined to besmirch their reputations... more1827 ~ A shy seven-year-old’s inventive plan to derail her mother’s fifth wedding causes mayhem at Countess Quamby’s country-house party near Bath.Another matchmaking tale from the Scandalous Miss Brightwells series!Wicked and lively Fanny and Antoinette Brightwell have made spectacular marriages—despite scandals and the treachery of a disappointed suitor determined to besmirch their reputations.Now it’s their children’s turn to play matchmaker after a deserving, much-married baroness waltzes into their orbit – about to marry the wrong man.Antics abound as three determined youngsters work creatively together to ensure the 5th golden ring that is slipped onto pretty, widowed Baroness Highcliff’s left hand is not from the man she’s due to marry in three weeks.But will it be from the right man? The one she should have married first?This sweet tear-jerker second-chance romance reminds us that young hearts and minds are often wiser than we imagine. Get your copy now! less

Impersonating the cousin of a debutante who is to attend Lady Quamby’s “Instruction in the Art of Graceful Accomplishments”, Tilly finds herself out of her depth when she falls for the man she believes is just the lowly dancing master... moreImpersonating the cousin of a debutante who is to attend Lady Quamby’s “Instruction in the Art of Graceful Accomplishments”, Tilly finds herself out of her depth when she falls for the man she believes is just the lowly dancing master.But when their roles are reversed and Tilly discovers Henry is about to inherit an earldom, can she accept his marriage offer in good conscience?For while Henry is determined that the disparity in their social standing will not prevent their happily-ever-after, Tilly knows something – or someone – who will.The Gypsy and the Gentleman is Book 8 in the Scandalous Miss Brightwell series but can be read as a standalone.If you’re in the mood for a steamy, swapped-identities Cinderella-style Regency romance, one-click now! less