Candice Hern has released some of her classic Regency backlist in digital format. There's a free short story, and the complete list of Kindle titles can be seen here. Miss Lacey's Last Fling was originally published in 2001 and is a much-loved classic Regency. It's currently .99c.
(This is such bad news for me, all this backlist publishing, because I love classic Regencies like whoa.)
Miss Rosalind Lacey has spent all her 26 years in the country, quietly managing the lives of her widowed father and five younger siblings. When she learns she has contracted the illness that killed her mother, she decides to spend her last few months doing all the things she's never had the time or opportunity to experience. With the help of her worldly and notorious aunt, the simple country miss is transformed into a dashing Town sophisticate who cuts a wide and wild swath through London Society.
Since she won't be around to face the consequences of her behavior, Miss Lacey does and says exactly what she pleases, even becoming involved with the infamous rake, Max Davenant. It is an exciting and heady time for the one-time country mouse, until she receives a fateful letter bearing news that turns her glittering new world upside down.
The ballrooms and gaiety of the London Season form a backdrop for this sparkling tale of a young woman who hasn't lived enough, and a man who's lived too much.
Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Kobo | iBooks
Secrets of a Proper Countess is .99c for a limited time, and is all about masquerades and mistaken identity.
Lady Isobel Maitland cannot afford to be caught doing anything even remotely scandalous, or she risks losing everything she holds dear. But one night, in a dark garden at a masquerade ball, Isobel gives in to temptation and lets an innocent flirtation with the notorious Marquess of Blackwood turn into passion.
The Marquess is no stranger to seduction or intrigue, and his rake's reputation disguises a deadly mission. When his mystery lover flees before he can learn her name, he knows he must find her.
But all clues lead toward the prim and dowdy Isobel Maitland. It appears the lady has secrets of her own, secrets that Blackwood would dearly love to uncover . . .
Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Kobo | iBooks
How to Deceive a Duke is .99c for a limited time.
When her stubborn sister runs off the night before her arranged marriage, Meg Lyntonhardly hesitates before donning the wedding veil and walking down the aisle herself. It's the only way to save her family from sure destitution. By the time her wealthy groom discovers he has married the wrong sister, it will be too late to annul their vows. And too late for Meg to escape her wifely duty to a man reputed to be a devil in battle and the bedroom . . .
A bride is the last thing Nicholas Hartley, Duke of Temberlay, wants. Then he sees Meg and realizes that his wedding night will be a great pleasure indeed.
But aside from the agreeable business of begetting an heir, Temberlay will never change his wicked ways for a wedding vow—until he discovers Meg's deception, and decides to teach the scheming beauty how to be a proper duchess, kiss by devastating kiss . . .
I am so completely delighted that the old Signet regencies are being published in ebook format! I own MANY of these books and have reread them with great enjoyment through the years. It is always a marvel to me how these authors managed the squeeze lovely, complex stories into such a low page count. Miss Lacey’s Last Fling is a wonderful story and I would highly recommend it at .99 – be warned, it will only whet your appetite for more!
I love that story set up where she thinks she is dying and has nothing to lose. The Blue Castle and the Ladies of Missalonghi are my favorites. Glad I have another one to read!
I hope Cindy Holbrook jumps on the backlist publishing bandwagon one of these days. My copy of Lord Sayer’s Ghost is losing pages, and A Rake’s Reform isn’t far behind.
If Miss Lacey is anything like The Blue Castle, I have to try it. I wore out my first copy of that one years ago, and I’m well on my way to wearing out my second copy!
Hey, is that Nicole Kidman on the second cover?!
I loved Miss Lacey’s Last Fling. More rereleases from Miss Hern please. More!
OMG – Miss Lacey’s Last Fling is simply delightful!
I downloaded it on seeing it here – thinking it’s only 99c – and have inhaled this story. It is a charming tale. I’m off to check out the rest of the books on offer by this author!
(Sarah I hope you somehow get a commission from all the books I buy due to SBTB sales and reviews.)
poo bum geographic restrictions. greedy publishers. these are all over AUD3.99.
@Tam B – I second that. I just bought and read MLLF today and it’s adorable. I had a routine doctor’s visit today and it was the perfect waiting room read.