Ellie Thomas
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Christopher Holloway lives a comfortable existence in 18th century Bristol as the son of a wealthy merchant. Until, when on a night out with some aristocratic companions, he is set upon by thieves.
His friends don't come to his rescue, but he is led to safety by a stranger, a working-class man of colour, Edmund Lowe. Although now physically safe, Kit's sense of danger lingers due to his growing feelings for Edmund. Their mutual attraction forces...
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Christian Maxwell is used to being alone. A delicate and over-imaginative young man, he's abandoned to his own devices and company in his family's Wiltshire country home. When his aunt, concerned for his well-being, insists he accompany her to the Welsh Borders for a country house party in the autumn of 1816, Christian is resigned to being surrounded by people for the duration.
One particular guest, Sam Gillespie, is a handsome amateur scientist...
3) The Way Home
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Sequel to A Festive Gathering at Chelsea
In the winter of 1817, Drury Lane Theatre actor Henry Kent, otherwise known as Harry Smith, ventures into deepest Essex to meet the parents of his French musician lover Luc Gerrard.
Harry isn't sure what to expect away from the familiar bustle of London, apart from being bored witless in the countryside. He's never come across a couple of French aristocrats at close quarters. But Harry is nothing if resourceful...
4) Stage Struck
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As a humble scribe living out a humdrum existence in the City of London in Elizabethan times, Stephen finds his escape across the river amongst the crowds of the teeming theatres where he is transported by the spectacle.
But poetry isn't everything. When a young Welsh actor called Ioan catches his eye, he's tempted to overcome his shyness and make his acquaintance. Is Stephen out of his depth in this colourful world with its undertones of danger?...
5) The Misfit
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Sequel to Gentlemen's Agreement
At the start of 1816, Luc Gerrard is summoned home to rural Essex from his sanctuary in the West Indies due to a dangerous downturn in his mother's health. When she recovers, Luc is determined to pick up his musical employment in London's theatres, concert halls and ballrooms.
He receives support and even friendship from a surprising source, the circle of gentlemen who spirited him away from certain arrest due to...
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In 1805, Charles Denham's comfortable life in Regency London with his long-term partner Avery Mallory is disrupted by the sudden death of his father. As the heir to a modest country estate in Gloucestershire, Charles returns home to care for his bereaved family and take up his new responsibilities.
Overwhelmed with grief, rather than leaning on Avery, Charles becomes fixed on the idea of taking a wife for reasons of family duty alone. With this plan...
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A life of set routine is the norm for Raymond Smith. Now in his mid-thirties, a fleeting wartime romance far behind him, he is an exemplary clerk at a London insurance firm where he's perceived as dry and conventional.
But Raymond has a secret. Every month or so, he visits Charlie's, one of the more understated bars in Soho's flowering gay scene in the 1930s. There, he seeks relief with strangers to get him through the next few weeks.
On one of...
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Sequel to Lucky John
After years of exile during Commonwealth rule following the English Civil Wars, Owen Montgomery is home to stay in his Monmouthshire with John, the rescued kitchen lad who has become the light of Owen's life.
Owen has enjoyed eighteen months of peace since his tenure as an official envoy on behalf of King Charles II. In the autumn of 1661, Owen is torn from his comfortable life by a summons from his brother Lewis, a courtier...
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Sequel to The Spice of Life
In the spring of 1573, Gregory Fletcher is a happy man, set to move into the spice shop on London's Ludgate Hill with his true love Jehan Zanini, who he spared from being condemned as a thief the year before.
But Gregory's kind inclinations to help others in need tend to thwart the couple from fulfilling their dreams as Gregory delays living with Jehan to assist his adoptive family in a crisis.
Then William Anstell,...
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Kenneth Taylor has bright plans for a future as an engineer. In the summer of 1957, as soon as he returns home to Bristol from two years of National Service in the Royal Signals, a furious row with his dad means he's thrown out of the house, and his prospects are in jeopardy.
He finds lodgings in the hilltop, bomb-damaged suburb of Kingsdown, determined to be independent and juggling night school with his humdrum day job. He soon meets Gino, the...
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Joshua Jones is in London to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. As a young black man from a modest background, he works hard to pay for his painting classes, both as a fencing master's assistant, then as a waiter in an exclusive gaming club, which his uncle manages.
During the London Season when the club as at its busiest, the last thing Joshua expects is to find romance. But when, mesmerizing older man Frank Bartlett is determined to seduce...
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Adrian Lethbridge temporarily exchanges his quiet country home in leafy Dorset for fashionable Regency Cheltenham to support his aunt as she introduces her three daughters into polite society. As he is fond of his younger cousins, Adrian is happy to escort them and even bestow advice on fashion and manners as they attract new friends and admirers. But the last thing he expects is to make a match of his own.
When he meets handsome Captain Guy Ransome...
13) Queer Relations
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Sequel to Twelve Letters
In the autumn of 1814, the Honourable Percy Havilland is generally content with his sheltered existence in London's exclusive Mayfair. As a society beau, renowned for his fair and youthful beauty and an object of desire to other well-born gentlemen, Percy is slightly miffed his personal life is not running as seamlessly as he might wish.
His good-natured lover from the spring season, Jo Everett, has inexplicably lost interest,...
14) A Lasting Vow
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Sequel to A Christmas Engagement
By the spring of 1806 in rural England, Charles Denham's happiness should be complete. He has reconciled with his best friend and long-term lover Avery after a breach caused by Charles' grief at the sudden death of his father, which left Charles shouldering family responsibilities.
Avery has made allowances for Charles' misguided actions, and their relationship is back on an even keel. But Charles can't forgive himself...
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Former British Army Lieutenant Adam Merryweather survived the Western Front of WWI and has slowly recovered from his injuries. But can he heal from a broken heart? Torn between family duty and personal happiness, he sacrificed his love for Alf and has never ceased to regret it in the two years since the war ended. Adam is slowly putting his empty life back together, working for the family firm in the city centre of Bristol and trying to stop his mother's...
16) May Wedding
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Sequel to Gentlemen's Agreement
Some of the gentlemen who meet weekly for supper at The Golden Lion in London's St. James' are preoccupied with the prospect of matrimony.
The Honourable Percy Havilland is at full organisational pelt for his sister's triumphant society marriage, ably backed by his friends. His frequent stress-induced outbursts are endured by his ever-patient lover, Nathan.
Percy has mixed feelings about the upcoming nuptials, the...
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At twenty years of age, Gregory Fletcher is content with his life, biding his time as a serving lad for kindly, wealthy relatives in Elizabethan London. Sometimes he wishes for a spark of excitement in his staid existence. The occasional glimpse of Jehan Zanini, the handsome apprentice of a local merchant, adds spice to his dreams.
Out of the blue, Jehan is accused of stealing from an aristocratic customer. Gregory fears he may never see him again...
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In late 18th century England, when Matthew Lewis accidentally accepts an invitation to a festive country house party, he vows to stay only as long as is polite. However, not only is there a heavy snowfall to detain him but also, the guests are expected to take part in a recital of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Christmas Day.
If amateur theatricals are not enough to contend with, the unexpected presence of his former lover Crispin Marley is sent to...
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Sequel to May Wedding
In early December of 1817, shortly before the ton retires to the countryside for the winter, Percy Havilland decides to hold an informal Yuletide afternoon party for his companions and family.
Within the unconventional social array of guests are Percy's closest friends, the four couples consisting of gentlemen and working men who meet for supper each Thursday evening at The Golden Lion tavern.
Percy's aims are supported by...
20) One Summer Night
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In 1801, Martin Dunne spends his days as a hardworking clerk at the War Office in London's Whitehall. One summer evening, after a drink in a Fleet Street tavern, he has an unexpected passionate encounter with a seducer who haunts his dreams.
But when they accidentally meet at a society function, the alluring stranger not only turns out to be the son of one of Martin's superiors but also betrothed to a trusting young lady.
Martin's hopes are dashed...