Margins
The Scandalous Spinsters book cover 1
The Scandalous Spinsters book cover 2
The Scandalous Spinsters book cover 3
The Scandalous Spinsters
Series · 8 books · 2012-2022

Books in series

The Trouble with Being Wicked book cover
#1

The Trouble with Being Wicked

2012

HE PUT HER ON A PEDESTAL When Celeste Gray arrives in the sleepy village of Brixcombe-on-the-Bay, she thinks she’s one step closer to leaving her notorious past behind. She even suspects the deliciously handsome—if somewhat stuffy—viscount next door is developing a tendre for her. That is, until the day Ashlin Lancester learns she’s not the unassuming spinster she’s pretending to be. NOW SHE HAS FARTHER TO FALL After a decade of proving he is nothing like his profligate father, Ash is horrified to have given his heart to a Cyprian. He launches a campaign to prove his attraction is nothing more than a sordid reaction he can’t control. But he soon learns that unlike his father, he can’t find comfort in the arms of just any woman. He needs Celeste. When he takes her as his mistress, he’s still not satisfied, and the many late nights in her arms only make him want more…
The Problem with Seduction book cover
#2

The Problem with Seduction

2013

AN OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSITION Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. Preferably one who won’t be too picky about the morality of her proposition, or his reputation. Lord Constantine Alexander can’t afford another trip to debtors’ prison, which makes him the perfect candidate. She doesn’t expect him to have a heart of gold, or to hold up his end of the bargain—particularly when his high-in-the-instep family gets involved. Nor does she expect to find him irresistible, because while she needs a man, she doesn't particularly want one. A WICKED BARGAIN When a beautiful courtesan offers to satisfy his creditors, Con leaps at the opportunity. Never mind his mother and brothers are suspicious of his newfound fortune—being with Elizabeth is intoxicating enough to wipe any thought of scruples away. He soon realizes it’s not just his future he’s been gambling, but his future family. How can he convince London’s premier courtesan he’s more than a callow rake?
A Game of Persuasion book cover
#2.5

A Game of Persuasion

2015

Publisher's Note: This story is continued in the full-length novel The Art of Ruining a Rake, and is intended as bonus content or as an introduction to the Scandalous Spinsters Series. A NIGHT SHE'LL NEVER FORGET… Miss Lucy Lancester has loved her brother’s best friend, Roman Alexander, for as long as she can remember. So devotedly, she’s vowed never to marry anyone else. But her beloved libertine is hardly aware of her existence, and not the least deserving of her affection. Deciding her cause is lost, she makes plans to open a girls’ school in Bath. There’s just one thing she needs to do before she confirms her spinsterhood forever: spend one blissful night in Roman’s arms. But her handsome rogue isn’t ready to have the tables turned. It will take more than a coquettish smile to turn his head. She must play a game…of persuasion.
The Art of Ruining a Rake book cover
#3

The Art of Ruining a Rake

2015

HE WANTS HER... Practiced rake Roman Alexander never meant to seduce his best friend's sister. He certainly never intends to do it again. The handsome scoundrel has never felt more compelled to be a better man. But the damage has been done, for his buttoned-up spinster refuses to marry a bounder like him—and maddeningly, she doesn't seem to like him. Nevertheless, he can't seem to forget her, or her passionate response to his kisses. How much danger could there be in one more try? SHE WANTS REVENGE Practical headmistress Lucy Lancester naively believes her charming rogue has moved on to his next conquest, leaving her free to cherish their one night together for the rest of her bluestocking days. Until the afternoon he arrives at her school intent on proving their one night together wasn't enough—and this time, the scandal can't be contained. Well, two can play at that. How hard can it be to ruin a rake?
The Enchanting of an Earl book cover
#3.5

The Enchanting of an Earl

2013

Alternate cover edition can be found here For Love… The second of five impoverished sisters, Miss Elinor Conley knows her dream of becoming a lady is farfetched. When an unmarried gentleman happens by her brother's smithy, it is up to her to act quickly—and rashly—to secure his interest. But Grantham Wendell, Lord Chelford, isn't in the market for anything more than a new horseshoe. What's a bachelor to do when an innocent miss turns up at his annual bacchanalia? He ought to make her leave, but his Twelfth Night party just became more entertaining...
The Danger in Daring a Lady book cover
#4

The Danger in Daring a Lady

2016

A WAGER HE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE Devil-may-care rogue Lord Darius Alexander can’t resist a wager. When a game of cards is suggested at the remote inn where he’s stopped for the night, he antes up his family’s savings, certain his Town bronze will give him the advantage. He never expects to lose his fortune to the irritatingly confident, uncommonly beautiful hoyden daring to play with the men. …Nor does he expect to lose his heart. A WOMAN HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO WIN Caitlin Hart is known for her good sense. When a ridiculous reprobate tosses his savings onto the gaming table, she doesn’t hesitate to divest him of it. But Lord Dare won’t accept defeat like a gentleman. He suggests a compromise, and before long the handsome scoundrel is working back his losses on her small farm. But her neatly plowed fields might be too close for her heart’s content, for soon she finds herself wondering if she can dare him to stay forever when the last of his coin is tucked safely into his pocket.
The Wooing of a Wayward Rogue book cover
#5

The Wooing of a Wayward Rogue

2021

For money... There comes a time in every spinster's life when she accepts there is no white knight riding to her rescue. When Miss Georgiana Conley's infamous, wealthy aunt offers to make her an heiress in exchange for her company, Georgiana is relieved she will no longer burden her impoverished family. But though her scandalous aunt has retired to the country, she's not quite as lonely as she's led Georgiana to believe. She has a beau. Stephan Laurent, Lord de Winter, is handsome, charming, and suspiciously devoted to a woman twice his age. He must have designs on Georgiana's inheritance. Though she immediately vows to chase the silver-tongued fortune hunter away, she soon questions whether she is protecting her aunt, her inheritance...or her heart.
The Luring of a Lovely Lady book cover
#6

The Luring of a Lovely Lady

2022

ASIN B08VV7WKDD moved to the more recent edition FOR ADVENTURE… Wide-eyed ingenue Miss Abigail Conley isn’t as naive about love as she pretends. Since meeting the beautiful but jaded Lady Cassandra Laurent at a midnight salon, she’s thought of little other than trying to turn the lady’s head. Opening her heart to another woman is a risk she’s willing to take, but Cass is still reeling from an unrequited love of her own. A spur-of-the moment opportunity takes them on a journey across England. Will love be their destination?

Author

Emma Locke
Emma Locke
Author · 9 books

Emma Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author of smart, sensual Regency romances. Her current books make up the Scandalous Spinsters series, a double trilogy featuring three courtesans and three country hoydens who marry into the notorious Alexander family. She is also an engineer living in the Pacific Northwest, where she loves hiking with her dog, hot yoga and riding out the annual 330 days of rain. You can Like Emma on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorEmmaLocke, follow her on Twitter @EmmaLocke_ or check out her books and appearances at www.emmalocke.com.

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The Scandalous Spinsters