The Secret Crusaders Series by Melanie Rose Clarke

Ignore powerful dukes who sabotage your plans.Welcome to book 1 in the debut series, The Secret Crusaders, from the talented Melanie Rose Clarke!Priscilla Livingston has dedicated her life to social causes, fighting to right the cruel injustices the world ignores. Under the guise of a lord, she sends messages to Edmund Hawkins, the powerful Duke of Bradenton. He doesn’t know his informant is a lady, even as he investigates to uncover her identity... moreIgnore powerful dukes who sabotage your plans.Welcome to book 1 in the debut series, The Secret Crusaders, from the talented Melanie Rose Clarke!Priscilla Livingston has dedicated her life to social causes, fighting to right the cruel injustices the world ignores. Under the guise of a lord, she sends messages to Edmund Hawkins, the powerful Duke of Bradenton. He doesn’t know his informant is a lady, even as he investigates to uncover her identity. When her father demands she find a husband, she cannot choose Edmund, who would demand total surrender. But when he catches her spying, she may not have a choice. Edmund is intrigued by the beautiful lady caught snooping through a dangerous lord’s home. Lady Priscilla may act the perfect duke’s daughter, but fiery mystery burns beneath the flawless façade. He sees the passion she cannot hide, the spirited woman who would make the perfect duchess. He will discover her every secret. Then, he will make her his. less

As a member of the Distinguished Ladies of Purpose, Lady Emma Sinclair strives to help those less fortunate, even as others disregard her ideas as fanciful nonsense. That is, until she accidentally starts a rumor she is betrothed to Philip Fitzgerald, the powerful but absent Earl of Peyton. As society celebrates her victory in capturing the elusive lord, she enjoys new influence. Everything goes perfectly, until... The earl returns. Philip is shocked to arrive home to an unexpected betrothal... moreAs a member of the Distinguished Ladies of Purpose, Lady Emma Sinclair strives to help those less fortunate, even as others disregard her ideas as fanciful nonsense. That is, until she accidentally starts a rumor she is betrothed to Philip Fitzgerald, the powerful but absent Earl of Peyton. As society celebrates her victory in capturing the elusive lord, she enjoys new influence. Everything goes perfectly, until... The earl returns. Philip is shocked to arrive home to an unexpected betrothal. He doesn’t know Lady Emma’s motives or goals, yet the intelligent lady intrigues him. He will continue the ruse, chasing her secrets, even as he continues his own clandestine work. He saves people while in disguise, setting London aflame.As everyone guesses the identity of the mysterious masked rescuer, Emma and Philip delve closer and closer to the truth, and each other. When secrets are revealed, will a pretend betrothal become real? less

A Winter Regency NovellaAnything can happen when they're trapped in a Winter Wonderland. The first time Sarah met Damien Charles, the Earl of Rourke, she poured an entire bowl of fruit punch on him.That was the moment he knew she would be his countess.Only, the spirited beauty is not interested in marrying, and her guardian is inclined to let her have her way. Yet, if she "accidentally" became trapped at Damien's country estate during the winter snow, he would have time to convince her... moreA Winter Regency NovellaAnything can happen when they're trapped in a Winter Wonderland. The first time Sarah met Damien Charles, the Earl of Rourke, she poured an entire bowl of fruit punch on him.That was the moment he knew she would be his countess.Only, the spirited beauty is not interested in marrying, and her guardian is inclined to let her have her way. Yet, if she "accidentally" became trapped at Damien's country estate during the winter snow, he would have time to convince her.Sarah never imagined living the life of a lady, and she certainly never imagined surrendering her independence to a lord, no matter how charming he is. Yet, with every walk in the glistening lane... Every snowman they build... Every dream by the fire... Anything is possible in this winter wonderland. (Note: This story was first published as part of the Dragonblade Publishing Boxed set Star of Light, November 2021) less

When a Scottish duke targets her brother, Sophia will do anything to protect her family, including kidnapping the powerful lord. What happens when the duke kidnaps her instead?Welcome to book 3 in the bestselling series The Secret Crusaders from the talented Melanie Rose Clarke!Social justice crusader Sophia Hawkins will do anything to protect her family... moreWhen a Scottish duke targets her brother, Sophia will do anything to protect her family, including kidnapping the powerful lord. What happens when the duke kidnaps her instead?Welcome to book 3 in the bestselling series The Secret Crusaders from the talented Melanie Rose Clarke!Social justice crusader Sophia Hawkins will do anything to protect her family. When Kenneth Macleod, the new Duke of Foxworth, forges a feud against her brother, she doesn’t care how powerful he is – or that neither man wants her involvement. If he won’t abandon his revenge, she’ll take matters into her own hands.Perhaps a little kidnapping is in order.Kenneth would much rather be in Scotland, the gorgeous country of his mother’s ancestors, than in prim and proper England. Only the father he never knew leaves him a title, wealth, lands and the responsibility to care for it all. It’s the life he never wanted, and there’s one man to blame: the Duke of Bradenton. Now he will exact his revenge. Only something lovely, vibrant and entirely delectable stops him.Lady Sophia is everything he wants in a woman, and the only woman he can’t have. She is beautiful, brave and brilliant, and the more she defends her brother, the more he wants her. Yet how can he forgo his revenge? He is a man accustomed to getting what he wants.Perhaps it’s time for a little kidnapping of his own. less

How to blackmail a dukeConduct a discreet investigation.Search for incriminating information.Do not kiss him (again).In London’s elite community, Lady Hannah Breckenridge strives to improve the lives of those around her. As soon as she comes of age, she will depart London, exploring and changing the world. She resists her parents’ efforts to match her, only Michael Colborne, the powerful Duke of Crawford, isn’t so easily deterred.Perhaps a little blackmail is in order... moreHow to blackmail a dukeConduct a discreet investigation.Search for incriminating information.Do not kiss him (again).In London’s elite community, Lady Hannah Breckenridge strives to improve the lives of those around her. As soon as she comes of age, she will depart London, exploring and changing the world. She resists her parents’ efforts to match her, only Michael Colborne, the powerful Duke of Crawford, isn’t so easily deterred.Perhaps a little blackmail is in order.Michael is shocked when Lady Hannah attempts to blackmail him. The beautiful woman mistakenly believes he is harboring a mistress, yet he is actually protecting his sister. That is not the only secret he keeps. If Hannah knew he made an agreement with her father for them to wed, she would be furious. With stolen kisses and ever-deepening feelings, the spirited woman soon delves just a little too close to the truth.He may use a little blackmail of his own. less