To Kiss a Wallflower
by Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, and Anneka R. Walker
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION
To Kiss
a Wallflower is the nineteenth book in the Timeless Regency Collection, a
bestselling anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three
novellas from acclaimed historical romance authors whose stories reveal that eventually,
all wallflowers will have their chance at love...this is where it begins.
“The Wallflower’s Dance,” by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it
bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum
up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when
anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is
the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true
but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask
her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay
close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life
changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be
insincere?
“Letters to a Wallflower,” by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water
by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled
gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares
Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen
takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her
aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire
to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of
her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London
scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or
lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.
“To Marry a Wallflower,” by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an
unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father
attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is
sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden,
Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before
their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to
learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the
process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor.
When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord
Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met.
Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He
wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the
quiet woman would sneak into his heart.
ABOUT
THE SERIES
Since
2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Collection, a
curated anthology 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.
ADVANCE PRAISE
·
“5 STARS - I loved the unique twists that each
author used in their stories and how they tied them into the theme.”— Julie
Carpenter, Goodreads
·
“What a great set of stories! If you have read
any of these three authors you know you are in for a treat. If you aren’t
familiar with them, prepare to add their names to your list of favorites.”— Shauna
Jones, Goodreads
·
“I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these
novellas. They were lighthearted, fun, and took me away from my worries for a
while.”— A Bookish Romantic, Goodreads
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS
Letters
to a Wallflower
by
Heather B. Moore
Chapter 1
London, 1817
Miss Ellen Young was tired of being called beautiful.
As she gazed into the gilt-framed mirror,
wrinkling her pert nose, pursing her rosebud lips, and narrowing her lake-blue
eyes, she scowled at her reflection. Perhaps if she held this facial expression
for an hour, a wrinkle would result. Or perhaps if the rain would stop for an
afternoon, she could traipse through gardens and earn a few freckles.
“There you are, dearest,” Mother said,
coming into the bedroom. “Why, Ellen, you’re not even dressed for the ball.
Cousin Dinah is downstairs, ready and waiting. What will I tell her?”
Without turning, Ellen said, “Tell her
she’s ready an hour early, and that I’ll be ready on time.”
Her mother sighed her usual sigh. In a couple
decades, Ellen would probably resemble her tawny-haired mother, with gentle
lines about her eyes and lips.
“Now be sure to tell Sally to add plenty
of curls to your hair. Curls are most becoming on you.”
Ellen hid a grimace. “Of course.”
Her mother’s gaze was full of affection
and admiration, which should make Ellen feel guilty. But it didn’t. Stepping
forward, Mother smoothed a hand over the sleeve of Ellen’s day dress. “The Society
papers were right. You are the diamond of the Season, dearest. I only
wish I had the funds to buy you the latest fashions from Paris—”
“You’ve spent enough on my gowns,” Ellen
cut in. “I don’t need extra frills or more luxurious fabrics.”
Mother tutted. “You’re right. You’re
stunning without them, and you’ll have a marquess, or an earl, or even a baron
proposing to you in no time.”
“Not all men of the ton are
desirable, Mother,” Ellen cut in with a firm voice. “In fact, most of them are
rakes—is that what you wish for my future? A cold marriage bed after I’ve delivered
the requisite heir and a spare?”
“Ellen Constance Young! I did not raise
you to speak of such vulgar matters!”
Ellen felt a little contrite, but only
just. “I apologize.”
“Now,” her mother said, her tremulous
voice taking on a new calm. “You must listen carefully to my advice, since I
will not be attending tonight.” She brought a handkerchief to her mouth and
coughed delicately.
Everything about Mother was delicate, even
when she was ill.
“There will be many eligible gentlemen
there, and Cousin Dinah knows who’s who. Don’t accept dance invitations from
any men beneath your station.”
“Of course not,” Ellen murmured.
“I will send Sally in,” Mother said.
“Expect her shortly. Make sure that she takes extra care with your hairdo
tonight by adding in the orange blossoms that Aunt Margaret went to all that
trouble to send for. They’ll set you apart from the other young misses, and
you’ll earn compliments in the Society pages again.”
Ellen nodded, as if she lived and breathed
mentions in the Society pages.
This was par for the course—the typical
admonitions Mother had been giving her all Season. Thankfully, the Season was
half over, and Ellen was happily counting down.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to
marry—unlike Cousin Dinah, who was thirty-one and a declared spinster. Having a
wealthy husband certainly would have its perks, but did Ellen have to be on
display to secure a husband? Parade in front of the hostess and the eligible
bachelors, as if she were at a horse auction?
She couldn’t think of one sincere
conversation she’d ever been a part of at a social function this Season. It was
all gossip, judgement, and speculation: who was dancing with who; who was
wearing the most fashionable dress; who had obviously eaten too many sweets the
week before.
Would all the henpecking end with
marriage?
No.
Married women were criticized even more: who
was with child; who drove the nicest carriage; who had the invitation to dine
with royalty; who had produced an heir; who was hosting the best event of the Season.
Instead of going to ball after ball, Ellen
would prefer to tend to her small garden of flowers and herbs—the one that widowed
Aunt Margaret allowed her to fully plant and care for by herself on the back
terrace of her London townhome. It had become Ellen’s solace, her sanity while
she and her mother spent the Season here. Ellen’s father had passed away a few
years before and left them a widow’s cottage, but the estate had gone to the
nearest male relative.
Jen
Geigle Johnson is an award-winning
author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and
LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance, Jen Geigle Johnson has more
stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her
passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young
teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane
Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
She loves to
share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency
England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are
much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Heather B.
Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning
author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west
coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad
including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of
Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an
author, is passionate about historical research.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Anneka
R. Walker is an award-winning author raised by a
librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of
books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor's degree
in English and history. When she isn't dreaming up a happy ending for a story,
she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.
WEBSITE | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
| GOODREADS
