WHAT A GIRL WANTS

To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things: a tough exterior and a love of books. Now, she’s realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping the wealthy families who summer at the shore will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy—and help pay for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation. It’s a foolproof plan…until a handsome earl strides into her office.

WHAT AN EARL NEEDS

Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s already been expelled from two London schools, but Blade is determined to enroll her at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of his hair. If only he can convince the buttoned-up—and unexpectedly intriguing—headmistress to take a risk.

LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL

Blade makes an offer that’s impossible for Hazel to refuse, but she has one condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s more to Hazel than meticulous lessons. Their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…

Hazel Lively has had to prove herself many times in her life, now she’s opened her school for young ladies and trying to appeal to the upper crust. She needs more enrollment as she’s just getting by.

Gabriel Beckett the Earl of Bladenton, aka Blade, has a problem. His teenaged niece, Kitty Beckett, his ward, has been expelled from another boarding school and he hasn’t been successful finding another.

Hazel doesn’t need a problem student, she needs her school to be beyond reproach or she’ll lose students, not gain them. However, when Blade offers to pay all of Kitty’s expenses plus three times the normal tuition, she really has to pause. She agrees but only if he visits at least once a fortnight.

Of course, Lord Bladenton isn’t going to be coerced into spending time with his niece. As he’s taking his leave it becomes apparent that Kitty is not in the waiting room, neither is she on the street outside.

An interesting rescue has the Earl agreeing to Hazel’s terms and the enrollment of Kitty in Bellehaven Academy.

The teaching methods are as unique as the headmistress and the students are from both end of societies spectrum.

Then there is the attraction between Blade and Hazel that grows with each visit with Kitty, although they both try to ignore it.

A truly enjoyable read with lots of fun antics and romance.

5 Contented Purrs for Anna!

Anna Bennett

Anna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided historicals (with their balls, dukes, and gowns) were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags—and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.

Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.