Once Again a Bride February 2013

Pushed by her dying father into a marriage with one of his friends, Charlotte Rutherford Wylde finds herself bound to an old man who disdains and ignores her. Miserable, furious, she determines to take drastic action, but before she can confront him, her husband is murdered in the dark London streets. From the moment Charlotte hears this upsetting news, she is subject to shock after shock. Her dead husband has spent the fortune she brought him, leaving her nearly penniless. His will reflects his obsession with the artifacts of ancient Rome, turning her home into a museum. And most astonishing of all, he had an entire family that he never mentioned.

The fashionable Wyldes are as surprised to hear of Charlotte's existence as she is of theirs. To the charismatic Alec she is, at first, just another obligation in his overburdened life. He has to grapple with his dead relative's shady business dealings, an attempted robbery, and a suspicious Bow Street Runner. But it's not long before Alec realizes that there is nothing he would rather do than cherish the entrancing Widow Wylde.

Reviews

...a near-perfect example of everything that makes this genre an escapist joy to read -- Publishers Weekly

A bit of gothic suspense, a double love story and the right touches of humor and sensuality add up to this delightfully fast-paced read about second chances and love’s redeeming power. -- RT Book Reviews

Ashford spices up the plot with an intriguing thread of mystery while at the same time realistically tempering the story with details about the social and political unrest of the time. -- Booklist

Well-rendered, relatable characters, superb writing, an excellent sense of time and place, and gentle wit make this a romance that shouldn’t be missed. -- Library Journal

This is a not to miss and highly recommended historical regency romance that follows a dark trail of murder and suspense. If you like a bit of thrill with your romance then you'll definitely want to try this one. Night Owl Romance

Ms. Ashford has written a superbly crafted story with elements of political unrest, some gothic suspense and an interesting romance. Fresh Fiction

Bride to Be

The daughter of free spirits who routinely outraged the haut ton, Emily Crane longed for a less scandalous life. Now she's the toast of society -- and she couldn't find it more tedious. Until, in the midst of yet another ball, she suddenly comes face to face with the darkly sensual stranger she once rescued from footpads. When danger seems to dog him at every turn, Emily is determined to unmask his foe. Now her London season promises to be infinitely more exciting.

A former pink of the ton returned from the wilds of South America, Lord Richard Sheldon has only contempt for tiresome London chits. But the dauntless Emily Crane ignites a passion like no other woman has, and he finds himself stunningly intrigued. When the two become embroiled in a budding scandal of their own, they are forced into an engagement...and they soon discover a most powerful attraction -- a desire more dangerous than any killer...

Reviews

The humor flows, the characters sparkle, and the enjoyment is abundant. --Rendevous

...a fast-paced story and Ms. Ashford is adept at adding humor and madcap characters to the story of a man searching for the true meaning of his life --Romantic Times

Reader comments

Jane Ashford has written her best book yet with Bride to Be. Her writing improves with every novel she publishes, and I hope to see -- and read, of course -- many more of her novels in the years to come. Nat B.

Her latest tale, BRIDE TO BE, is an interesting mixing of a Regency romance with mystery elements, an exotic combination that will occupy readers from start to finish. Harriet Klausner

Charmed and Dangerous

The spy who loved her...

Gavin Graham works alone, trusts no one, and never, ever gives his heart. But the spy may have met his match in an ex-governess. Laura Devane has been handpicked to fulfill an important mission: distracting him from the deceptive charms of a Russian countess. Once, years ago, she defiantly rejected his marriage proposal. Now she meets his cool mockery and sensual advances with a maddening self-possession. And she plunges headlong into a perilous investigation that leaves him fearing for her safety. Clearly the woman is a menace--to international peace and to his peace of mind. For Laura's passion for intrigue matches his own, and her touch leaves him stunningly aroused, tempting him to join her in a life of dangerous desires....

Reviews

...has a certain charm, intrigue, humor and just the right touch of danger --Romantic Times

Picture the beauty and grit of Vienna in The Third Man, but push it back 130 years. The well-written mystery of Sophie and the espionage-laden story line are filled with suspense. --Romance Reviews

[Jane Ashford's] romances are bewitching, filled with those elements that delight a reader, good story, intrigue and dynamic tension. --Romance Communications

Readers comments

Jane Ashford writes some of the most interesting, complex and satisfying historical romances around. To each her own, but if you like a little edge to your romance reading, try Jane Ashford. Jessie Saunders

a wonderful escape novel Nat B.

The Bargain

It's more than ridiculous, it's damned embarrassing and inconvenient...for a scientist with his reputation to be called in to get rid of a ghost. But when the Prince Regent summons Lord Alan Gresham to London to solve the mystery of a haunting, he has no choice. At least the task shouldn't take much time. He will uncover the perpetrators of the hoax and then return with speed to his experiments. Or so Gresham thinks, until he finds his calm, logical investigation disrupted by a maddeningly forthright beauty.

Ariel Harding has her own reasons for wanting to catch the ghost. Yet when she slips into Carlton House uninvited, she never dreams she'll end up locked in a closet with an arrogant, opinionated, yet undeniably attractive scientist...or that she'll wind up making a perilous bargain with the very same man. They agree to exchange information--and nothing more. But neither plans on the most confounding of scientific occurrences: the breathless chemistry of desire.

Reviews

charmingly written, by a deft hand --Romantic Times

Reading an Ashford novel borders on the euphoric as it tosses delight upon delight! ... A creative and inventive vehicle with a refreshing look at London's Carlton House set. --Romance Communications

...a scintillating Regency adventure filled with supernatural happenings and dark and dangerous action. ...the storyline is immensely enjoyable --Affaire de Coeur

If, as I do, you love historicals set in the Regency era, filled with great wit, funny family relations, and a beta hero to die for, you will simply want to devour this book. --Romance Reader

Readers comments

humorous, romantic, great read Annette Rachlin

a charmer that I have reread a number of times M. Allegra

The Marriage Wager

It was scandalous, to wager one's reputation on a hand of cards. But Lady Emma Tarrant felt she had no choice. She had watched her husband gamble his life away, and when she saw another young man losing heavily, she was determined to save him from a similar fate. So she challenged the scoundrel who held his debts to the one thing she knew he could never refuse: another game.

After eight years of war, Lord Colin Wareham had returned home a changed man...still handsome, still wealthy, but weary, impatient, restless. Then a furious beauty with pale gilt hair dared to accost him, and Wareham found himself suddenly intrigued -- and aroused. So he named his stakes: a loss and he'd surrender the debts. A win, and the lady must surrender herself.

Reviews

Nominated for Best Regency Historical Romance by RT in 1997.

Exceptional characters and beautifully crafted historical details ensure a delightful read for Judith McNaught and Mary Balogh fans.
--Publishers Weekly

...lively, well-written Regency romance sparkles with wonderful dialogue, witty scenes and just the right touch of humor, adventure and repartee. --Romantic Times

A riveting, emotional romance that will garner a place of prominence on anyone's keeper shelf. --Rendevous

I think you're really going to enjoy The Marriage Wager. It is one of the finest marriage of convenience stories I've read… --All About Romance

Readers comments

For all the reasons that we read books like these, I loved this book. Margaret

well written and very engaging Sarah1989