Title: To Kiss a Wallflower
Series: Timeless Regency Collection (Book 19)
Authors: Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, & Anneka R. Walker
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Mirror Press (June 21, 2022)
Length: (305) pages
Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-1952611261
Tour Dates: June 20 – July 1, 2022
To Kiss a Wallflower is the nineteenth book in the Timeless Regency Collection, a bestselling anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from acclaimed historical romance authors whose stories reveal that eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.
“The Wallflower’s Dance,” by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?
“Letters to a Wallflower,” by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.
“To Marry a Wallflower,” by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Since 2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Collection, a curated anthology of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.
“5 STARS - I loved the unique twists that each author used in their stories and how they tied them into the theme.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads
“What a great set of stories! If you have read any of these three authors you know you are in for a treat. If you aren’t familiar with them, prepare to add their names to your list of favorites.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
“I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these novellas. They were lighthearted, fun, and took me away from my worries for a while.”— A Bookish Romantic, Goodreads
To Marry a Wallflower
by Anneka R. Walker
Dedication
To the shy ones: may the right love make you brave.
Chapter 1
London, England, 1804
Luke had never intended to go to a gentleman’s club and leave with a note of betrothal. Perhaps he should have left for Banbury as soon as the session of parliament had ended, but the lonely, empty walls of Newcliff Manor did not entice him home. Instead, he met his friend and neighbor, Lord Crawford, at White’s for a drink. The club neared capacity, but they managed to secure a table in the back. Crawford had just begun to update Luke about his family, particularly his new wife, and his brother and sister, when a ruckus sounded near the door.
Crawford turned in his seat. “What is it now? A bet gone bad?”
Luke was nearly a head taller so it was easier for him to identify the source of the problem, and in doing so he recognized one of the men. “Some dandy is having a row with my father’s friend Mr. Winters.” He hadn’t seen Mr. Winters since Father’s funeral nearly four years ago. Guilt pricked his conscience. He should have sought the man sooner, if only to thank him. Mr. Winters had stayed with Luke the entirety of that dark night after his father’s death and held Luke while he cried like a baby. That humble, broken moment was seared in his memory, as was the selfless friendship Mr. Winters had offered him. After all this time, Luke had no excuse for not calling on him and paying his gratitude.
“The dandy is Mr. Parker III.” Crawford shook his head and his dark hair fell across his forehead. He swiped it to the side once more. “He might be well connected, but I question his membership here. If there was ever a hotheaded, obnoxious, ridiculous man, it is him. If you care for this Mr. Winters and want to rescue him before Mr. Parker verbally skewers him, I will gladly be your second.”
Luke had only been friends with Crawford for two years, ever since Luke bought a summerhouse in Banbury near the earl’s castle. They had become fast friends, and Luke had developed a great respect for Crawford’s wisdom and opinion. “I don’t know Mr. Winters as well as I ought to, but my father held him in high esteem. If this Mr. Parker is as bad as you say, then it is my duty to assist him.”
Luke had never been one to jump into a fray, but this was his chance to return the service Mr. Winters had paid him. He pulled himself to his feet and marched to the front of the room. Crawford was quick to follow. By the time they weaved around a few other tables and reached Mr. Winters’s side, two footmen were already escorting Mr. Parker from the room. Mr. Parker argued every step, but somehow the footmen managed to wrestle him away.
“What seems to be the problem?” Luke asked Mr. Winters.
Mr. Winters ran his hand over his nearly bald head and ruffled some of the black hair above his ears. “Lord Templeton, I am relieved to see you. You must help me.”
Luke’s title felt odd coming from Mr. Winters’s lips, as if no time at all had lapsed since his father’s death. A dozen pairs of eyes fell on them, and he pushed away the melancholy thoughts from his past. “Come sit down at our table, and we can talk more privately.” He motioned Mr. Winters to the back of the room. Soon they were seated again, with Mr. Winters across from Luke and Crawford.
“I’m at my wits’ end,” Mr. Winters said, collapsing back against his seat. “My daughter has refused Mr. Parker’s hand in marriage, and who could blame her? He is mean-spirited, and he would crush her delicate soul. No one ever prepares you for this part of being a father.” He took out his handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and mopped up a few beads of sweat that were forming on his brow.
“I am sure things will blow over,” Luke assured him. Though he had no experience with this sort of thing, it felt like the right thing to say.
Jen Geigle Johnson
An award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance, Jen Geigle Johnson has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
She loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Heather B. Moore
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Anneka R. Walker
Anneka Walker is an award-winning author raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor's degree in English and history. When she isn't dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.
WEBSITE | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
