EFFINGTON FAMILY SERIES di VICTORIA ALEXANDRE

di Naan

The Wedding Bargain - Patto di nozze (1999): Pandora Effington e Maximillian Wells. Maximillian Wells, the Earl of Trent, couldn't believe his ears-or his eyes. Before him stood beautiful, unattainable Pandora Effington, the town's most scandalous beauty, and the fiery heiress was making him a most tantalizing offer.

The Husband List - Marito in Prova (2000): Gillian Marley e Richard Shelton. An Unexpected Husband

Against her better judgment, Lady Gillian Marley needs to find herself a husband-and quickly. To claim her uncle's unexpected bequest she must marry by her next birthday, which leaves only two months to find a malleable mate. Topping her list of eligible candidates is the honorable Earl of Shelbrooke, yet one look at the very handsome but enigmatic nobleman and Gillian knows that cajoling him into a marriage of convenience will be hardly convenient at all.

A Marriage of Inconvenience

Far from immune to Gillian's entrancing charms, the last thing Richard Shelton is about to bind himself into is a chaste marriage. Though the inheritance is more than and tempting, Richard knows the lady herself is the real prize and isn't about to allow Gillian to deny the burning fervor that sparks between them. Now he has only two months to convince her to be his wife in full ... before his mysterious secret is revealed and their lives explode irrevocably into scandal.

The Marriage Lesson - Lezioni per giovani sposi (2001): Marianne Shelton e Thomas Effington: Here's a regency romp by the author of The Husband List. Lady Marianne Shelton feels that "The Absolutely True Adventures of a Country Miss in London" is an excellent title for the work she hopes to have published as a newspaper serial. Unfortunately, her account of a perfectly proper visit to the Tower of London was too tame to satisfy her editor. When Lady Marianne is given one more chance, she's determined not to fail. She'd be at an utter loss if it weren't for Thomas Effington. The dashing Marquess of Hemsley has been blackmailed into offering hospitality to Marianne, her two sisters, and their chaperone for their London Season. While he claims distaste for the whole enterprise, the midnight kiss he steals from Marianne makes an excellent first chapter for her adventures. But Marianne's plans for a literary career and Thomas's plans to find a husband for the most troublesome of the Shelton sisters are thrown into confusion, when their scandalous "marriage lesson" turns into a lesson in love.

The Prince's Bride - La Sposa del Principe (2001): Jocelyn Effington e Beaumont (appare Prince Alexei). Even at the tender age of ten, Lady Jocelyn knew what she wanted -- to be a princess. And since she wasn't born one, she knew she'd have to marry a prince to become one. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of princes in England early in the 19th century (George III had a large family), none of them seem interested in marrying her. But Jocelyn thinks that is just as well, since she doesn't just want a king's son; she wants a young, handsome prince with his own country and a nice castle. Eight years later, it seems her dream might actually come true. Prince Alexei Frederick Berthold Ruprecht Pruzinsky of the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia, a handsome, charming, wealthy prince with a small but adequate principality (by this point, Jocelyn is willing to take on a castle in less than perfect condition), is in London for the Season, and he's clearly interested in Jocelyn. But Jocelyn soon finds her path to the throne has many obstacles, including intrigue, abduction, and the infuriating Viscount Beaumont, who has his own secret agenda and seems determined to keep Jocelyn from fulfilling her royal dreams...even if it means marrying her himself. The Prince's Bride is a fun, witty adventure -- and, best of all, true love wins.

Her Highness, My Wife - Sua altezza, mia moglie (2002): Matthew Wenston e Tatiana Pruzinsky principessa di Avalonia. Women never said no to the dashing Lord Matthew Weston and he never said no to them. But this was the first time he found one tempting enough to impetuously say "I do." Was it any wonder he awoke to discover her gone? And when Matthew learned the enchanting creature he'd married was of royal blood - and would abandon their marriage bed without a second thought - he vowed to put her out of his life forever.

But even a princess makes mistakes. And now Tatiana's back, asking for the kind of help only he can give her. But is his assistance all she wants or are there secrets the willful royal is keeping from him? Matthew may well lend her his hand but he'll never again give her his heart. Still, he's determined to tame the green-eyed beauty and change her from a perfect princess to his passionate bride.

Love with the Proper Husband (2003): Gwendolyn Townsend e Marcus Holcroft (amico di Berclay). Distressed over the current widespread disinterest inmatrimony among their eminently marriageable offspring, the formidable matriarchs of the ton have taken matters into their own meddling hands with the formation of The Ladies' Society for the Betterment of the Future of Britain. Their first challenge: the Earl of Pennington.

Miss Gwendolyn Townsend has seen her late father's estate go to a distant cousin she can't abide ... leaving her well-educated, able to make a perfect curtsy -- and penniless. So imagine her shock when it's discovered that a match had been arranged between herself and Marcus Holcroft, the Earl of Pennington -- one of the most eligible members of London society. Marcus constantly leaves her breathless and confused ... and though she's hesitant to marry a man she's just met, in the end she has no choice. But she makes some conditions first ...

Marcus cannot believe that the bride who has been foisted upon him is insisting on rules to their wedding ... and bedding! He's a man who has never had to tempt any woman into his arms. But even more surprising is that Gwendolyn is clearly hiding something -- and it shocks him to think that their exquisite kisses -- followed by his lessons in passionate lovemaking -- wouldn'tbe enough to make his wife tell him her every secret. After all, he's promised to be a proper husband -- isn?t it fair to also expect a proper wife?

The Lady in Question - Mai più Sola (2003): Delia Effington e St. Stevens. Identical twins, sensible Delia and mischievous Cassandra Effington were the most delicious debutantes to ever waltz across a London ballroom. They looked alike in every way...but no one ever expected Delia to be the one to get into trouble...

How did this young lady's reputation become so questionable?

Once she was lovely, respectable Miss Delia Effington, but an impulsive decision -- and subsequent disaster -- forces Delia to retire from society. Until one night, desperate for diversion, she attends a ball as her twin sister and finds herself dancing in the strong arms of the dashing Viscount St. Stephens.

Delia believes she has never met this man who arouses her passions, yet he seems somehow familiar. For Delia doesn't know that St. Stephens, an agent for the Crown, has been in her home, protecting her under the disguise of her butler. What will happen when this lady discovers the truth about the man she has come to love?

The Pursuit of Marriage - I Giochi del Destino (2004): Cassandra Effington e Lord Reginald Berclay (amico di Holcroft). Still unwed at 24, outspoken Cassie Effington has strict standards for her suitors, and she's well aware that the polished charm of handsome rakes like Lord Berkley often disguises a lack of substance. But when Cassie undertakes the refurbishment of Berkley's townhouse, sparks fly between the two, and Berkley realizes he'll have to prove to her that there's more to him than just his good looks and glib manner. Alexander's newest Regency-era romance (after The Lady in Question) is pleasantly written and brimming with fun screwball elements such as a wager between Berkley and Cassie to find the other's perfect spouse, but it falls short on tension and depth of character. Cassie's fear that a charming rake could lure her into scandal holds her back from trusting Berkley, but why she's bent her life around this fear is never explained persuasively, making her resistance seem more stubborn than sensible. After Cassie dismisses this fear, inevitability descends, leading to a sluggish second half. Rigid in her opinions and unhappy when proven wrong, Cassie can be unsympathetic. Although Berkley declares he wants a bride with spirit, readers will wonder why he's chosen one who is so headstrong and mistrustful.

A Visit from Sir Nicholas (2004): Elizabeth Effington e Nicholas Collingsworth. Everyone knows that an Effington always gets her way ... but this time it's not going to be easy!

Lady Elizabeth Effington simply could not suitably feel the joy of the Christmas season. Ten years had passed since she had boldly declared her love for Sir Nicholas Collingsworth. He rebuffed her and set out to seek his fortunes, while Elizabeth was left a woman scorned. Now, she discovers in horror that the inheritance she's managed beautifully was never hers to control. No, power over her finances lay in the hands of the last man she ever wants to see again: Nicholas!

But running Elizabeth's life isn't part of Nick's plans. He's intrigued when he discovers that the frivolous and flighty girl he once knew has turned into a beautiful and capable woman. Nick vows to woo -- and win -- her, and while she seems unmoved by his fervent seduction, he swears he will not rest until she accepts that most precious gift of all -- the gift of love.

When We Meet Again (2005): Pamela Effington e Alexei Pruzinsky principe di Avalonia. Pamela is a mystery Alexei is determined to solve ...

Prince Alexei of Avalonia is a master at the art of seduction, but when a mysterious young woman he meets at a masked ball spends the night in his bed, he finds he is touched in ways he cannot forget. Still, he wonders if she was real or a dream spun of moonlight.

Alexei might well be a temptation Pamela cannot resist ...

And Miss Pamela Effington is no dream. Certainly, succumbing to the prince's seduction was madness. Now she's come to her senses and is thankful their paths will never cross again. Even if they do, he had never truly seen her face.

But they are both in for the shock of their lives. For back in London, determined to lead a blameless life, Pamela finds Alexei occupying her home -- a townhouse she's only recently inherited -- and he refuses to leave. A feigned courtship seems an excellent idea, and soon the mystery and temptation begin all over again.

Let It Be Love (2005): Jonathon Effington e Fiona Fairchild. When New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander created the Effingtons, she introduced an irresistible clan. Now, meet her most unforgettable hero yet ...

Dashing Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, has had more than one lady willingly fall into his arms. But he's so delicious none has ever complained at their inevitable parting. And while Jonathon's no stranger to passion of the flesh, his heart has remained untouched. Until now ...

At each Christmas Ball, Jonathon selects a delectable lady to share the pleasures of the evening -- after all, it's a holiday tradition! But he is shocked to discover that his choice is replaced by an enchanting stranger who surprises him with a proposal of marriage. Beautiful Fiona Fairchild is desperate -- only a wedding will save her sisters and her inheritance. But Jonathon has no interest in marriage, and what starts as a shocking proposal turns into a scandalous proposition that might ruin them both ...