Lord deVigne orchestrated Delsie's marriage to his widowed brother-in-law so that the man could die in peace. So schoolteacher Delsie inherited Grayshott's house, his fortune and his daughter—as well as some very incompetent servants. And there were some very strange goings-on about her new home. Lord deVigne thought he could order Delsie's life—and she was having none of it! Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett Coventry

The Berkeley Brigade (Lord Luten, Corinne deCoventry, Coffen Pattle and Sir Reginald Prance) have come to Byron's Newstead Abbey to celebrate Christmas. But Pattle finds a long-buried body on the estate's island and the Brigade is intrigued. Suspects aplenty: the odd local vicar, the mysterious Vulch and his missing wife, Sir William and Lady Richardson who arrived in the neighborhood before expected-and rumored ghosts at the Abbey. [7th of the Berkeley Brigade Mysteries] Regency Mystery by Joan Smith; originally published by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

Romance/Historical Fiction. 54010 words long.

Dame Durden lives in the past, and she intends her daughter to follow in her footsteps. So Edith is pushed into an engagement with the Saxon-blooded minister, Dr. Thorne, who may not be all he appears. The wild and newly elevated duke, Helver Saymore, is Edith's own choice, but there are powerful arguments against him--including his own lack of coming to the sticking point. Regency Romance by Joan Smith

Davinia Blythe had lost her young husband suddenly. So she went to his family home, Blythe Wyngate, and was originally welcomed. Until it became known that she was pregnant, with the possible heir if her child was a boy. Then she was pushed off the windmill stairs. Who could have done it but Homer, who had assumed he was the heir and taken charge of Wyngate? Victorian Romantic Suspense by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett Crest

Loretta Lawson is already a little apprehensive about spending a hot, muggy weekend alone in New York City at her friend Toni's apartment. And it seems her fears are confirmed when she receives a series of mysterious and threatening phone calls. What's more, as she explores the exciting, unfamiliar city, she has the uneasy impression that someone is watching her, perhaps even following her. Is Loretta the target of these unnerving attentions or are they aimed at Toni?Loretta begins to think that she cannot trust her own judgment; the one person who might lend a hand—her ex-husband, journalist John Tracey, also in New York on a story—has too many problems of his own to help. In the end, Loretta must face the terrifying events that unfold alone. . . .

Fresh, witty and exciting, A Masculine Ending marks the début of a sparkling new detective-story writer

Diana Beecham’s only use for her neighbor Lord Harrup was to get him to provide a job for her brother Ronald. So she picked up the “documents” Harrup sought, only to have them stolen. Seems Harrup, seeking a high government position, was being blackmailed by his former mistress. Undeterred by a little setback—or a little housebreaking—Diana pursued where her heart led. Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett Crest

Loretta Lawson, English professor and sometime sleuth, is looking forward to a quiet Christmas, putting the finishing touches on her Edith Wharton biography and spending quality time with her new beau, Robert. And then Sandra calls. A member of Loretta's disbanded women's group, she's in desperate need of a place to stay over the holidays, and what can Loretta do but let her sleep on the foldout couch for a few days.Unfortunately, a few days turns into a bit more, and Loretta begins to feel persecuted in her own flat. Still, when Sandra vanishes without a word right around New Year's, Loretta grows worried. Making a few calls, tracking down their old group, Loretta finds herself crawling about Sandra's strange private life, uncovering sordid truths that might have something to do with her mysterious and troubling disappearance. . . ."Establishes Smith as the star of the younger generation." -- London Evening StandardFrom Publishers WeeklyFeminist scholar Loretta Lawson learns of a difficult former colleague's death in a car crash and finds some startling evidence after she pursues the case. The "abrupt resolution, poorly prepared as well as unexpected, may disappoint," said PW. "Yet Smith's narrative strengths are also in full evidence: Loretta . . . is literate, credible, likable and excellent company." Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From the Inside FlapLoretta Lawson, English professor and sometime sleuth, is looking forward to a quiet Christmas, putting the finishing touches on her Edith Wharton biography and spending quality time with her new beau, Robert. And then Sandra calls. A member of Loretta's disbanded women's group, she's in desperate need of a place to stay over the holidays, and what can Loretta do but let her sleep on the foldout couch for a few days.Unfortunately, a few days turns into a bit more, and Loretta begins to feel persecuted in her own flat. Still, when Sandra vanishes without a word right around New Year's, Loretta grows worried. Making a few calls, tracking down their old group, Loretta finds herself crawling about Sandra's strange private life, uncovering sordid truths that might have something to do with her mysterious and troubling disappearance. . . ."Establishes Smith as the star of the younger generation." -- London Evening Standard

The Berkeley Brigade undertakes an investigation for Mrs. Ballard, Lady deCoventry’s chaperone. Mrs. Ballard’s whist group played for pennies, but one of its members had been murdered. Not the Brigade’s usual challenge perhaps, until someone else is killed—and suspicion falls on several parties. So Lord Luten, Corinne deCoventry, Sir Reginald Prance, and Coffen Pattle, together with Lord Byron and Black, Lady deCoventry’s butler, seek out the truth. 8th Berkeley Brigade Mystery. Regency Mystery by Joan Smith; originally published by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

Lizzie Warwick was now a do-gooder who had mistaken Lord Carbury's flirtation for the real thing five years ago. Now she solicited his help for his cousin Tommy, who had been accused of stealing a ruby necklace. Lizzie knew he hadn't done it and knew who had. But Carbury was confused by the change in her, and her newly adventurous, if dumbfounding, spirit. Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

When Prince George was just eight weeks old, the Evening Standard declared him to be 'the most influential person in London'. He couldn't even walk, let alone talk. Yet one day he could become head of state, whether we like it or not. Joan Smith argues that it has become nearly impossible to question the existence of the monarchy. Articulate republicans are drowned out while the supercharged PR and media machines ask only who designed Kate's dresses. Smith topples the arguments for having a monarchy, one by one. The royals don't provide a boost for tourism, and their deliberately opaque accounting conceals the truth about the huge burden they place on the public purse. And she exposes darker truths. These symbols of so-called impartiality have hidden power and influence. Not only does Charles regularly lobby government ministers but – far from the sycophantic reporting of Kate's baby bump – the royals have dined with despots with blood on their hands. Are these...

April, 1986: American airplanes stationed in Britain attack Libya. Civilian casualties are heavy; world opinion is outraged. University lecturer Loretta Lawson is staying in the country for a few days' rest. But she is soon pitchforked into an alarming world of vigilante attacks, peace protesters, domestic violence and international intrigue - a criss-cross trail of mystery with a startling and fearful conclusion.

Amy Talbot enjoys doing watercolors of plants, but when her brother discovers a body in the water meadow she is dismayed. There are several strangers around Chilton Abbas, and Mr. Renshaw with his bamboozling tales of India, seems a rather suspect one. His interest in Amy (with her large dowry) also seems suspect. But she finds herself attracted to him, nonetheless... Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett Crest

Some issues remain unresolved between Prudence Mallow and Lord Dammler of Imprudent Lady. Is he indeed a rake and immoral hedonist? Is she a prudish, intolerant stick-in-the-mud? His play is a roaring success—but so is her “anonymous” book mocking the folly of London society—and him. Who induced Uncle Clarence to set up an atelier with Dammler’s former mistress as model? Perhaps these lovers are too different to make a lasting pair… Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett