Hello, friends! I'm delighted to be part of the Her Country Gentleman Blog Tour!
Her Country Gentleman is an anthology of three Georgian novellas. It is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection from Mirror Press.
Today, I have an excerpt to share with you from Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey. I hope you enjoy it!
ADVANCE PRAISE
“I have no hesitation in giving five stars collectively to this book. Great writing. Outstanding characters and each story is very compelling and different.”— Ken Reynolds, Goodreads
“This book is authored by three very talented authors, Sian Bessey, Sarah Eden, and Rebecca Connolly. I will admit upfront that these are three of my favorite authors so my expectations were high and they did not disappoint. This book is a truly wonderful read that I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
“I enjoyed the premise of each book - high society lady going to the country. But each heroine found their own adventure as they learned to live a different type of life than they were used to. Each hero was engaging. And of course, I loved their HEAs”— Caleen Picket, Goodreads
Her Country Gentleman
Timeless Georgian Collection (Book 1)
by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, & Rebecca Connolly
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London.
“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.
“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?
“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press — a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.
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Excerpt
Spring at Tribbley Hall, by Sian Ann Bessey
London, 1784
Chapter 1
Grandmama made her stunning announcement at the breakfast table. Charlotte’s father had just finished the last sausage on his plate. Across from him, her mother and sister, Margery, were reviewing their long list of appointments for the day. Charlotte was nibbling on her toast, hoping she might have enough time before she finished it to conjure up a worthy excuse to stay at home rather than join them in yet another shopping expedition for Margery’s trousseau.
“I am going to the country,” Grandmama said. “Norfolk, to be precise. If you would be so good as to make a carriage available, Edward, I should like to leave tomorrow.”
The elderly lady would not have garnered a more stunned reaction had she told her family that she was visiting the moon.
Charlotte’s mother was the first to recover.
“To Norfolk?” She set her teacup in its saucer, the slight rattle of the china a fitting reflection of her obvious shock. “Tomorrow?”
“That’s right. And if she is willing, I should very much like Charlotte to accompany me.”
Charlotte’s heart leapt. Had she heard correctly? Not only had Grandmama formulated her own plan of escape from the prenuptial madness that currently surrounded them, she had engineered one for Charlotte also.
Her mother’s expression moved from stunned to aghast. “But we have Margery’s wedding in a month.”
“I am aware,” Grandmama said dryly.
Charlotte bit her lip to hide her smile. The entire house had been turned on its end in preparation for Margery’s upcoming marriage to Viscount Rothsey. Indeed, for the last few weeks, breakfast had been the solitary hour of calm before the whirlwind of daily premarital activities resumed.
“My good friend, Lady Cheston, has written to invite me to visit. Her home is located not more than five minutes from the coast. Given all the chimney smoke hanging over London these past few weeks, I believe the sea air will do me good.”
“I have no doubt you are right, Mother.” Charlotte’s father had taken one look at his wife’s face and had obviously determined that he had best enter the fray. “But there is the matter of Margery’s wedding.”
Grandmama released a frustrated breath. “I have no intention of missing my own granddaughter’s wedding, but I hardly think my presence is needed here before then. Nor Charlotte’s either, come to that. Constance already has things well in hand, and I would hazard a guess that Margery will fare perfectly well without her old grandmother’s and younger sister’s advice. Is that not so, Margery?”
Margery blinked, clearly unprepared for the question. She turned to Charlotte.
“Would you like to go, Lottie?”
Charlotte hesitated. She loved her sister, but an opportunity to be by the sea did not present itself often. Their family’s small country manor was in landlocked Leicestershire, and unlike most of their friends and acquaintances who divided their time evenly between the country and the city, her family rarely spent time away from London. Her father’s business demanded that he be in Town more often than not, and since her mother preferred the hustle and bustle of London over the slower pace of village life, she opted to stay with him.
“If Grandmama is sure that we will be back to see you marry your viscount, and you feel that you can manage without me until then,” she said, “I believe I would.”
Grandmama’s gratified smile was instant, and Margery gave her an understanding nod.
“I daresay choosing linens is not a terribly exciting endeavor when one will never see them again no matter which are chosen.”
Charlotte laughed. “You forget, Margery. I intend to visit you in your new home often, and I shall pay particular attention to the towels you have out.”
“As will everyone else,” their mother warned. “Such things say a great deal about the mistress of a house.”
“I believe that with your expert guidance, I shall not go awry, Mother,” Margery said.
“Well, be that as it may,” their mother said with a sniff, “Charlotte would learn a great deal by coming with us. It will surely not be long before she is choosing her own linens.”
Charlotte was all too aware of their mother’s desire to marry her two daughters off in quick succession, but as she had sighed with relief when every eligible gentleman who had come to call on her this Season left the house, she sincerely hoped that matrimony was not in her immediate future.
Pages 1-3
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About the Authors
Sian Ann Bessey
Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of
Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.
Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
Sarah M. Eden
Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs.
Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.
Rebecca Connolly
Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.
She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.
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Congratulations to Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly on the release of your new book! It's a beautiful cover and I'm looking forward to reading the stories!
Many thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose PR for organizing and including me on the tour!
So friends, what are your thoughts? Which story has piqued your interest the most, or do they all sound fabulous to you?
Thanks for sharing the excerpt, Candy. All three of these authors really hit a home run for me. I am looking forward to the next Timeless Regency anthology, To Kiss a Wallflower in June.
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