Mary Lancaster Books In Order

Publication Order of Blackhaven Brides Books

Publication Order of Crime & Passion Books

Publication Order of The Duel Books

Publication Order of Gentlemen of Pleasure Books

Publication Order of Husband Dilemma Books

Publication Order of The Imperial Season Books

Publication Order of Last Flame of Alba Books

Publication Order of Pleasure Garden Books

Publication Order of Season of Scandal Books

Publication Order of Unmarriageable Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of De Wolfe Pack Connected World Books

Publication Order of The Lyon's Den Connected World Books

Publication Order of The Marriage Maker Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Mary Lancaster is a Scottish USA Today bestselling historical romance and fiction book author. She lives in Scotland with her husband and a small dog with a big personality. She fell in love reading historical fiction books, which she would later relish blending with adventure and romance in her own books. Some of Mary Lancaster’s books feature true historical characters such as medieval English outlaws, Hungarian revolutionaries, and a family of the rebellious royal Scots.

The Deserted Heart is the first book in the Unmarriageable series by Mary Lancaster. We are introduced to Charlotte Maybury, a woman who used to be in the background. She is sandwiched in age between her two sisters, and her stammering and history of weakness make her a burden to her family. On the other hand, her two sisters, Henrietta and Thomasina, are set to marry to improve their family’s financial crises, and it’s not like they have a much better up hand. Charlotte sees herself as unmarriageable.

But while performing one of her many family duties- bringing her younger siblings from school- Charlotte discovers a deserted inn, an intriguing mystery, and a mysterious man. The school isn’t far from Mayburry’s home, but a sudden thick fog forces the family to stop at the local inn for the night rather than drive through the thick fog and drive off a cliff. They discover that the inn is open but entirely deserted, with signs that the family that resided in the inn left abruptly. Soon another visitor comes knocking; it’s Mr. Alexander. Charlotte immediately has to stop feeding her younger brothers and their elderly nurse to play maid to Alexander with the food left behind by the innkeepers.

Her ploy is swiftly uncovered, and Mr. Alexander decides to join the Maybury family to have dinner, being captivated by them (and their hyperactive puppy, Spring) and, in turn, charming them. Later in the evening, an incident occurs when several men, one armed with a revolver, raid the inn. Their intentions are uncertain, but with some justification, Charlotte and Mr. Alexander conclude that their arrival is linked to the disappearance of the innkeepers. When Charlotte hears a disturbance in the middle of the night and investigates, she discovers a somewhat drunk Mr. Alexander in the basement, and they indulge in some mild flirting. The next day’s parting is bittersweet for both sides, but the two are reunited later. It turns out that “Mr. Alexander” is Alexander, Duke of Alvan, and he arrives at Charlotte’s residence soon after she returns; he is due to visit Charlotte’s sister Thomasina.

Thomasina and Alex met during the London season, and the Mayburys are optimistic that he will propose to her. Charlotte and Alex had stronger chemistry than Thomasina despite Charlotte’s efforts to remain out of the way and avoid attention. Alex appears natural and content when walking with Charlotte, her brothers, and the irrepressible Spring, but he is more distant and rigid in the living room with the rest of the family. Charlotte naturally wonders about this apparent personality contradiction.

Alex had a lonely childhood; following the loss of his parents, he was taken from his siblings and fostered in relative solitude by his uncles as befitting a duke. He has created coping techniques to deal with the anguish he experiences in his forced duty. Charlotte has likewise been pushed into a role, although she first appears more at ease with it. Most of her life has been spent away from home because of her father’s diplomatic assignments. She was absent from regular family events due to an undisclosed sickness, and when she recovered, she assumed the position of the family caregiver. Charlotte is reputedly self-conscious about her stammer and some persistent physical weakness from her illness (she mentions at one point having been “lame”).

Mary Lancaster has woven an intriguing novel that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Will Alexander and Charlotte find their happily ever after with each other? What secrets are they hiding, and how will these secrets play out in the end?
Pursued by the Rake is the first book in the Season of Scandal series, and true to Mary Lancaster’s words, it certainly kicks off the series with a bang. The text contains witty banter, humor, villains, misconstrued reputations, and intrigue. There is plenty of joy, laughter, and shenanigans as Hazel and Joe fall, tumble, and tilt hastily toward love. Hazel Curwen, with no relatives in England and on her journey to seek refuge with her retired governess, misses the public bus and has no remaining resources. Sir Joseph Sayle, one of the Princess’s past lovers, shows arrives, and despite Hazel’s view of him as a dissolute and immoral rake, she is compelled to seek his aid.

As Hazel arrives to begin her most recent shift as the Princess of Wales’ ladies-in-waiting, she finds a large number of visitors drinking and eating but no sign of the Princess. In the company of the other three ladies, Hazel hides in the Princess’ sitting room, believing their charge is in her bedroom. When they realize they have been left behind, unchaperoned, at an actual orgy, they know they must return home, or at least to a good location, to save their reputations.

Hazel intends to visit her former governess in Essex, but she misses the stagecoach and encounters Sir Joseph Sayle, one of the Princess’ lovers and a known rake. Despite his notoriety, Hazel trusts him, and they go together to Essex, where they meet Sprigg’s children and stop a would-be highwayman. Meanwhile, they are being pursued by the evil Lord Barden, who harbors a grudge against Hazel due to their prior interactions. He would do whatever to make her his and disgrace her in the eyes of the ton. Are they capable of stopping him and overcoming their developing attraction? A lot is going on from the start, reputations ruined, and intense love bonds formed. If you enjoy reading historical romance books, Mary Lancaster’s books should be on your priority list.