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Cheryl Bolen
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Lady by Chance (Historical Regency Romance) (House of Haverstock Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Cheryl Bolen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 4,420 ratings
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Cheryl Bolen has done it again with another sparkling Regency romance. . .I highly recommend it. – Happily Ever After

Anna de Mouchet has the stuff of which Regency heroines are made – the right stuff, that is! – In Print

***

Manipulated into a marriage of convenience to prove their patriotism, Anna and Charles, the Marquess of Haverstock, question each other's loyalties. But there's no question that Anna's silken touch has bewitched the powerful lord who has become her husband, and no question that she craves every moment in his arms.

EXCERPT:

Her eyes widened for a hint of a second, then she moved to the edge of the bed, blew out the candle, and began to unbutton her gown.

"I want the candle lighted," he said harshly. "I am your husband, and I want to see what I'm getting." He scooped up the candle, strolled to the fireplace, and relit the wick from the flames. Walking slowly back to her bed, he watched her lift the gown over her head, then clutch the coverlet to hide her breasts, her face flaming.

He set the candle on the marble top of her bedside table and leaned over her, lifting her chin with his finger. "I cannot believe the former Miss De Mouchet blushes over the prospect of displaying her lovely body."

"It is just. . ." Anna whispered, "I did not know this act was performed . . .without clothing?"

His laughter shook the room. "Yes, my dear, we shall perform the act totally naked. I pity your former lovers if they were denied the pleasure of your entire body." His hand moved from her chin, down the slope of her chest, where he flicked off the covering and cupped a full breast while his thumb plied her nipple.

"There have been no lovers, my lord," she said in a shaky voice.

He removed his hand and met her bewildered gaze. "Do you mean to tell me you're a virgin?"

All he saw were her huge, brown eyes staring at him like a frightened doe as she nodded.

"So you say. There are ways a man can tell if a woman has been with a man."

She lifted her chin and spoke in a voice now devoid of shakiness. "I'm very happy to learn that. Then I will be exonerated of at least one odious deed."

"Oh, but my dear," he said, sitting beside her on the bed and stroking her breast, "there is nothing at all odious about the deed."
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    House of Haverstock
  2. Print length
    288 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    May 24, 2011
  6. File size
    1549 KB
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  1. Better it would be to be a rock or tree and never feel the pangs of love for thee.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0052HKTSE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper & Appleton (May 24, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 24, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1549 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 4,420 ratings

About the author

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Cheryl Bolen

Cheryl Bolen

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Cheryl Bolen is the New York Times, USA Today best-selling author of more than three dozen Regency-set historical romance novels. Her books have placed in several writing contests, including the Daphne du Maurier, and have been translated into eight languages. She was named Notable New Author in 1999, and in 2006 she won the Holt Medallion (Honoring Outstanding Literary Talent) for Best Short Historical Novel. In 2012 she won Best Historical in the International Digital Awards for eBooks published the prior year, and one of her 2011 novellas won Best Historical Novella. Two of her books have been finalists for the RONE Award for Best Regency Historical. Her books have become Barnes & Noble bestsellers, and she's been an Amazon All Star Author multiple times.

Many of her readers love her many marriage of convenience stories. Her lighter books have been compared to Georgette Heyer and Julia Quinn, and her more emotional reads (where the heroine has many obstacles before her happy ending) have been compared to Mary Balogh.

A former journalist who admits to a fascination with dead Englishwomen, she has been a contributor to The Regency Plume, The Regency Reader, and The Quizzing Glass. Many of her articles can found on her website, www.CherylBolen.com, and more recent ones on her blog, www.CherylsRegencyRamblings.wordpress.com. Readers are welcomed at both places.

Cheryl holds a dual degree in English and journalism from the University of Texas, and she earned a master's degree from the University of Houston. She and her professor husband are the parents of two sons, one who is an attorney, and the other a journalist. Her favorite things to do are watching the UT Longhorns, traveling to England, and reading about dead English women.

In addition to many stand-alone novels, Cheryl currently has eight historical series for sale on Amazon.com, and one contemporary romantic suspense series:

THE BERESFORD ADVENTURES

Lady Mary's Dangerous Encounter (2021)

My Lord Protector (2021)

With a Little Help from My Lord (2021)

Rescued by a Rake (2023)

Vindicated by a Viscount (2023)

Defended by a Duke (2023)

BRIDES OF BATH SERIES (set in Regency England)

The Bride Wore Blue (Kensington, 2002)

With His Ring (Kensington, 2002)

A Fallen Woman (Kensington, 2002) (retitled The Bride's Secret in 2011)

An Improper Proposal (Kensington, 2004) (retitled To Take This Lord, 2011)

Love in the Library, (Harper & Appleton, 2014)

A Christmas in Bath (Harper & Appleton, 2014)

Once Upon a Time in Bath (October 2020)

The Wallflower's Christmas Wish (2022)

The Brides of Bath 1-6 Boxed Set

CHERYL BOLEN REGENCIES: A Mystery and a Match

With His Lady's Assistance 2011)

A Most Discreet Inquiry (2012)

A Theft Before Christmas (2013)

An Egyptian Affair (2015)

Regent Mysteries Boxed Set (2014)

BRAZEN BRIDES SERIES (set in Regency England)

Counterfeit Countess (Kensington, 2005)

The Wedding Bargain

A Proposal of Marriage

Oh What a (Wedding) Night - April 2016

Miss Hastings' Excellent London Adventure - May 2017

A Birmingham Family Christmas - October 2017

Brazen Brides boxed set (2017)

HOUSE OF HAVERSTOCK

A Lady by Chance (Kensington, 2000; Harper & Appleton, 2011)

Duchess by Mistake (Harper & Appleton, April 2015)

Countess by Coincidence (Harper & Appleton, July 2015))

Ex-Spinster by Christmas (Harper & Appleton, Nov. 2016)

House of Haverstock Boxed Set (2017)

Countess by Christmas (2021)

LORDS OF ETON

The Portrait of Lady Wycliff (2018)

The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane (2018)

Last Duke Standing (2019)

Lords of Eton Boxed Set (2019)

One Room at the Inn (2020 Christmas novella)

THE DECEIVED SERIES

A Duke Deceived (1998)

His Lady Deceived (2019 Christmas novella)

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE SEQUELS

Miss Darcy's New Companion (2016)

Miss Darcy's Secret Love (2016)

The Liberation of Miss de Bourgh (2016)

Pride and Prejudice Sequels: 3 Jane Austen Inspired Novellas

TEXAS HEROINES IN PERIL (contemporary romantic suspense)

Protecting Britannia (2012)

Capitol Offense (2012)

A Cry in the Night (2012)

Murder at Veranda House (2012)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
4,420 global ratings
What a delightful book!
5 Stars
What a delightful book!
I enjoyed every page of this lovely book. I fell in love with the main characters -- you will, too!
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Top reviews from the United States

Belinda Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner by Cheryl Bolen
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2021
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I loved the dynamics between the H/h in the story. Charles and Anna are both conflicted, each thinking the other is a traitor to the crown. They are truly in love though, and that is why this tale works. The extraneous characters are delightful. Although we do not see much of Charles’ sisters, they add comic relief when the story gets too intense. There is intrigue, which also keeps the story interesting. This is a great novel that engages the reader from the first page!
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RoloPoloBookBlog
4.0 out of 5 stars Book #1: House of Haverstock
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2015
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A Lady by Chance by Cheryl Bolen
Book #1: House of Haverstock
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

The House of Haverstock series is my first experience with the writings of Cheryl Bolen and I firmly believe I started at the right place!

Anna de Mouchet is, according to the gossip, a wealthy whore just like her mother before her. If everyone knew the truth of the matter, Anna’s reputation would be much, much better than it is and she wouldn’t have spent her meager 18 years virtually alone and shunned by society. Though she knows her life will be a disappointment to her dearly departed mother, Anna is content to be alone with her charity work. Content is very different from happy but with her reputation, Anna really has no other option.

When Sir Henry Vinson approaches Anna with a proposition of the gravest nature, she agrees to his scheme. No matter what her heritage says, Anna is a true Englishwoman and no one could ever doubt her loyalty. According to Sir Henry, there is a traitor among his colleagues at the Foreign Office and with Anna’s help they can trap the man and bring justice to the Crown. As a true and loyal patriot, Anna is willing to help in any way she can and so she agrees to trick Charles, the Marquess of Haverstock into marrying her. With some sleight of hand, a lot of liquor and some careful negotiation, Anna quickly finds herself bound to the Marquess and the Marchioness of Haverstock.

Charles Upton, Marquess of Haverstock never saw himself a married man. At 32, he is devoted to his work, his family and, the occasional mistress. Without doubt, Anna de Mouchet manipulated him into marrying her but for what reason, Charles is unsure. What he knows about his wife he can fit into a thimble but he quickly realizes, Anna is far more than she appears to be and damn if he doesn’t want to know more about her. It takes Anna very little time to fit in with his sisters (not so much his mother!) and his best friend, Morgie Morgan but Charles is wary by nature and treads lightly where Anna is concerned. He wants to trust his wife and the more he gets to know her, the more enraptured he is by her.

For Anna’s part, she just can’t figure out how Sir Henry thinks Charles is a spy as his every action speaks to true patriotism. Anna is torn between her mission with Sir Henry and her growing affection for Charles. As the days move forward, Anna’s loyalties become divided and she does everything possible to do the right thing by both her husband and her country. As fate would have it, Anna has unwittingly become involved in a terrible situation that will eventually involve murder, true espionage and kidnapping. Through every horrible moment and event, Charles and Anna are led to believe that the other is a traitor and not to be trusted. Given the circumstances of their marriage, each makes one blunder after the other creating an even greater mess that has national as well as personal implications.

The Bottom Line: I rather enjoyed A Lady by Chance with its historical setting, its interesting characters and, plot that is not all that complicated but intriguing and fun nonetheless. Anna is a pure delight with a heart of gold and only the best of intentions. Unfortunately, Anna gets sucked into a devious man’s plot and no matter how hard she tries to extricate herself from the situation, it only gets worse. At every turn, Anna enlists the help of Morgie and her sister-in-law, Lydia (both incredibly interesting characters!) and between the three, they scheme and plot to salvage a miserable situation. Charles, the Marquess of Haverstock is such a stodgy old man for being only 32 years old. His work is vitally important to him and before Anna, he never thought anything would be more important than his work. He makes mistakes with Anna at every turn but in the end, he proves himself to be a true and loyal husband and no traitor to either his wife or his country.
The plot of A Lady by Chance is not at all hard to follow or overly complicated but it did keep me interested from start to finish. You can see very early on who the true traitor is but it doesn’t really matter. Bolen creates a whole series of obstacles and issues for her characters that keep the plot moving along and gaining speed as the end grows ever nearer. The plot is further enhanced with the help of a large, easily distinguishable and, generally enjoyable cast of characters. In all, A Lady by Chance is a fine regency romance and I am already on to book two, Duchess by Mistake!
3 people found this helpful
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Charlene Whitehouse
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
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A fantastic read. Well written with a hint of mystery and intrigue. A strong willed woman who
meets her match. I highly recommend this book.
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Cynthia L. Bogner
3.0 out of 5 stars Close but no cigar
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
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The hero was a complete ass. Granted, he WAS coerced into marriage, but once the reader was arm twisted into believing he didn’t really mind after all, we were treated with a husband who never once gave his wife the benefit of the doubt and who used emotional abuse to punish her. Not once did he communicate what he was angry with her about except when he practically called her a whore for talking alone with an old family friend. Sure that friend was a bad guy, but no one knew it at that point.

I liked Anna even though she was easily manipulated. She was also a doormat to her husband and her mother-in-law. She was very generous and loving, but a little naive for the type of heroine that inspires me.

I liked Morgie and Lydia the best. And Kate was appalling. I didn’t understand how her betrothal, marriage and bad behavior added to the story. It was just kind of a distasteful morsel thrown out there like old leftovers fed to the dogs; gobbled up but not fit for human consumption.

Bottom line is that there were some good plot elements, but the reliance on misunderstandings and juvenile vindictiveness was too much. It overpowered the intrigue and the romance.
6 people found this helpful
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Mb4pax
4.0 out of 5 stars Happily satisfied
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016
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I read the third in this series "Countess by Coincidence" first and felt compelled to look for the first in the series. Glad for it. Quite a mystery and quite a bumpy start to a relationship. French and English spies, the Foreign Office, nasty intrigue and a heap of misunderstandings had me racing through to the end of this engaging story. Several times throughout the book I would exclaim quietly, "If they only had telephones!" How silly is that? In this second Cheryl Bolen book I've read, I am now a true believer in her ability to draw me into the story, become involved with the characters, and close the book feeling well entertained. Ms. Bolen has a knack with dialogue, and I find it appears true to the time and place. No apparent anachronisms jarring me out of the tale. I have purchased the second in this series "Duchess by Mistake" and plan to take a leisurely afternoon to enjoy meeting new characters and old friends within its confines.
7 people found this helpful
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Danielle Carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of cruelty and love
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
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This story is very in depth and our hero is a cruel man. Forced to marry to get the money his friend lost, Charles’s mood varies from hot passion to cold anger. Anna never knows where she is with her husband. The girl is naive and is played by a dangerous French agent. The one thing about Anna is her loyal heart. When she realizes she is in love with her husband, she endeavors to find out the truth whether her husband is a traitor to the crown. The characters are well written and only one is stereotyped which is the mother in law. This story carries a suspenseful climax and a man who realizes the true character of his wife. This story put me on an emotional rollercoaster as I read through Anna and Charles relationship.
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Top reviews from other countries

SP
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! A new author for me and so happy to have found this book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2024
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Such a great story! Loved the story... Great characters and a nasty villain as well.
Definitely the first book but not the last one. Cannot wait to read the rest of the books of this collection.
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QueenB
5.0 out of 5 stars Lady By Chance is fun to read
Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2019
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I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romances and who likes to see the underdog victorious. Even though the villan of the story was obvious from early on I still found that I couldn't stop reading to find out how or if he'd be caught. I do wish that the book was longer because I really enjoyed reading it.
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sandra douglas
5.0 out of 5 stars Lady by Chance
Reviewed in Australia on June 22, 2019
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This book by Cheryl Bolen captures the adventure and excitement of the time when the aristocratic lifestyle in England carried strong boundaries. Love eventually conquers these boundaries but not until spies and the troubles in France are interwoven in this complex but very enjoyable story.
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GYG
4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2021
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The story is quite interesting and the characters were full of loyalty for England. There is romance in this book it is clean and sweet. There was something missing for me.
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pthompson
4.0 out of 5 stars A lady by chance
Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
My enjoyment in reading this book rates 4 star
The leading character shows a great deal of courage, loyalty and skill which affords her a chance to elevate her status and satisfy her need for revenge against the Earl of Haverstock. However she finds herself involved in a plot which may destroy her plans.
The intrigue and danger makes it a must read.
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