Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday with me

Somerset, England, 1808. Elfrida Hapgood keeps her eyes on the prize. Born to a penniless squire, she’s determined to follow common sense and marry an upstanding and steadfast gentleman. So when her brother-in-law’s handsomely rakish sibling attempts to woo her, she rigidly ignores the flutter in her chest.

Frederick Tierney enjoys a flippant and frivolous life. But when he needs to escape a vengeful former mistress, the lovely older sister to his sibling’s bride strikes him as an apt solution. Yet despite his efforts, he’s shocked to discover the oh-so-proper lady is impervious to his charms.

In spite of herself, Elfrida begins to like the well-dressed man-about-town until an unsavory encounter reignites her doubts. And when Frederick realizes he has truly fallen for the alluring woman, he struggles to prove there’s more to him than his reputation.

Will this unlikely pair take a chance at forever?

She’s working two jobs to get through college. He’s the golden boy who doesn’t know the meaning of struggle.

One fateful night at the family’s restaurant, Lissie Cheng accidentally serves a dish containing shellfish paste to an allergic customer, running afoul of the wealthy Lin family and wonder boy Preston in particular. Preston Lin, star swimmer and Stanford Ph.D. student, who is as handsome as he is self-righteous. When his response to the incident threatens the family livelihood, Lissie must scramble to outwit him. If only he didn’t keep popping up in her life, so she could despise him in peace!

Preston’s life hasn’t always been picture-perfect. Before Lissie came on the scene, he worked hard not only at school and at swimming, but also at burying a few things he’d rather forget. But that girl–! The past isn’t the only thing she’s stirring up.

In this sparkling contemporary riff on Austen’s classic, the beloved story gets a fresh spin. Who will prevail over Lissie’s heart? Her pride or Preston Lin?

Somerset, England, 1808. Alice Hapgood is obsessed with studying flora and fauna. With upper-class standards taking a dim view of a lady dirtying her hands, the science-minded woman wears boys’ clothing to pursue her passion. And when an assistant position for a handsome member of the Royal Society crops up, she impulsively dons her disguise and risks ruin.

Joseph Tierney has no desire to join the clergy. Going against his family’s wishes to become a researcher of the natural world, he takes on a bright young man to help with his latest assignment. And while the brilliant scientist is frustrated that the locals only see him as a candidate for marriage, he grows closer and closer with his enthusiastic aide.

As the work under her charming mentor unexpectedly sparks her feminine side, Alice longs to open up to him as her true self. But Joseph suddenly finds himself caught in a jealous triangle not of his making that threatens his career, standing, and freedom.

Will this unlikely team’s greatest discovery be happily ever after?

The Naturalist is the engaging first book in The Hapgoods of Bramleigh clean Regency romance series. If you like clever-but-impetuous heroines, dedicated heroes, and humorous romps, you’ll adore Christina Dudley’s delightful tale.