Dominique Eastwick

Excerpt  “She is utterly—amazing.” His face lit with genuine love as he spoke of his mother. Getting back to his feet, he moved to his chair on the other side of the hearth. “Perhaps when you are in town for the season, I can introduce you to her. I think she would enjoy your friendship. She complains about the lack of honorable people within the ton.” “One of the many reasons I stay away. It took very little time for the shine to dull on ton life. But I think I would very much like to meet her.” If he felt Alex and he would run into one another out in society, his family must be part of the ton. His manners and speech spoke to a man who had been well-educated. “I would like that, as well.” She couldn’t remember the last time she had looked forward to parties or balls. Unfortunately, shortly after her marriage, her husband had placed her in his country estate, fearing she would take a lover and try to hoist her bastard off as the earl’s. But, she would never have c...

by Susan Lodge This easy recipe, that serves two, is ideal for Valentine's Day dinner with your special someone. Add a crisp salad, dry white wine, and candles then let romance flow. Photo by tiramisustudio . ROMANTIC RISOTTO 75g (3oz.) butter 1 small onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped 200g (7oz.) Arborio risotto rice 150ml (5 oz.) white wine 75g (3oz.) mushrooms, cleaned and sliced A few sprigs of fresh thyme leaves, stripped from the stalks 500ml (18oz.) fish or chicken stock 1 lemon 100g (4oz.) green string beans, cooked and halved 200g (7oz.) prawns (large shrimp), peeled and cooked 3 - 4 thin slices of salami or chorizo, chopped, for garnish 1 sprig of basil for decoration Melt half the butter in a large saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for about 3-4 minutes over a moderate heat. Stir in the rice and mix well to coat the grains with the onion mixture. Add the wine, mushrooms, and thyme. Stir well.  Let the wi...

Just in time for Valentine’s Day is a new Regency Romance from the incomparable Emma Lane that is destined to be a best seller. A firm believer in love and all things beautiful, Emma has dedicated these two stories to love and lovers everywhere. A Valentine Masquerade Two of Ms. Lane's most interesting characters return in a vignette of mature family romance and affection as Lady Jane discovers the authority of the title, Duchess of Leaver. Romance shimmers with suspicious matchmaking in progress, while a whimsical young viscount creates a hilarious solution to end a perplexing mystery. Into the blissful partnership between Lady Jane and her faux pirate, the Duke of Leaver, an old enemy reappears causing consternation. A Valentine Surprise Love is in the air, mysterious adventures and old friendships abound. Which couple solves the mystery of the stolen treasures and who receives a precious necklace of love? A Valentine house party on a country estate creates entertai...

by Suzanne G. Rogers  Whenever I’m writing Victorian-era English romance, I will often consult Mrs. Beeton’s The Book of Household Management (1861), for ideas on how things were done. Mrs. Isabella Mary Beeton was the Martha Stewart of the age, writing a highly-plagiarized cookery column for "The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine." Her book covers diverse topics such as household duties, dining, kitchens, servants, doctors, and the rearing of children, as well as detailed recipes for everything from soup to nuts. I’ve downloaded the manuscript onto my computer from Project Gutenberg, which makes it available to everyone in all different formats HERE . Since it’s winter, I thought I would share one of Mrs. Beeton’s recipes for Hot Punch, which sounds perfectly delicious and terribly intoxicating. TO MAKE HOT PUNCH INGREDIENTS. —  ½ pint of rum,  ½ pint of brandy,  ¼ lb. of sugar,  1 large lemon,  ½ tspoonful of nutmeg,  1 pint of bo...

IN THE NAVY They never eat a Bean Soup as good as the one Regency Romance and Cozy Mystery author Emma Lane prepares. Emma brings us a delicious and easy recipe for a hearty soup sure to keep you warm. The kitchen is all yours, Emma!   Navy Bean Soup 2 strips bacon 1 med, onion, chopped 3 cups water 1 med. white potato, peeled and cubed 1 can navy or great northern beans, drained 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped fine (optional) Sauté' onion and bacon until onion is pearly-colored and bacon is crisp. Crumble bacon and add both to pot. Stir in water, beans, potato, and garlic. Simmer for at least an hour. Stir occasionally. Do not add more water before serving. Top the serving with a spoonful of grated cheese or a dollop of sour cream. Serve with a pear salad and a loaf of French bread or hard rolls. Pear Salad l can pears halves or slices, drained lettuce dollop of sour cream sprinkle of nutmeg Assemble on individual salad plates. Chill until ready to ...

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD Lachlan Sinclair cannot escape his accursed heritage in his Highlands homeland. Somewhat resigned to the fate that destroyed his ancestors, he is prepared to live his life without an heir, without a wife―without love. But when he meets the woman of his dreams in the flesh, the bewitching lass makes him want to throw away his cursed, restrained existence…and unleash the highlander within… Lana Dounreay has only seen the Duke of Caithness in her dreams as a wild, rugged man, while in reality, his life has been cramped by curses and cravats. He may have forgone his kilt and lost his brogue, but Lana knows that the heart of a true Scotsman beats within his broad, muscular chest. But what plans does the mysterious, passionate Lachlan have in mind for her―and can she convince him that love is stronger than all else? Lachlan threw back his covers and set his feet on the floor. He had to wait until he stopped shaking to stand, and even ...

RAFFLECOPTER CODE a Rafflecopter giveaway Rafflecopter link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Yzk2MmUzZjZmNDFkYTA5OThmOWQyN2MxNGVkNzU4OjE3/? Hannah and the Highlander by Sabrina York First in a brand-new series about the bold, brawny men of the Scottish Highlands--and the lovely lasses who bring them to their knees… Coming September 1st Highlanders are her weakness. Hannah Dounreay has no time for suitors who only seem interested in her family's land, which she manages as well as any man. If she marries, she wants to be loved for the educated, independent woman she is. But when a strong, silent--and spectacularly handsome--Highlander saves her from a violent attack, her heart is stirred. Who is this man? And if he asks for Hannah's hand, will she be able to resist him? Love is the most powerful weapon of all. Alexander Lochlannach, Laird of Dunnet, has no time to lose. The Highlands are in an uproar as clans battle for land--w...

Can a family be cursed to never enjoy happily-ever-after love affairs? Cerise DeLand tells all in THE STANHOPE CHALLENGE, box set, 99 cents! Cerise DeLand brings you the story of the Stanhope family whose members for centuries have not enjoyed any happily-ever-after love affairs!   Here’s a nibble of new cherry: Copyright, 2014 Cerise DeLand. All rights reserved. London, January 1809   It is a truth, universally accepted, that a politician in want of the premiership must also be in want of a wife. Felice knew that was her new husband’s justification for marrying her so quickly. “A reason as good as my own,” she told herself as she combed her hair back from her face and fluffed the ruffled bodice of her wedding dress. She pursed her lips, wondering how Adam really kissed a woman. How he kissed his mistresses. After the ceremony minutes ago, he had merely brushed her mouth with his. She’d always thought her lips worth more than a peck—and she was determ...