Four Hundred

Set in New York City's Gilded Age, Joanna Shupe's first book in her Four Hundred series features an English beauty with a wicked scheme to win the man she loves, and the American scoundrel who ruins her best laid plans... Lady Honora Parker must get engaged as soon as possible, and only a particular type of man will do. Nora seeks a mate so abhorrent, so completely unacceptable, that her father will reject the match-leaving her free to marry the artist she loves. Who then is the most appalling man in Manhattan? The wealthy, devilishly handsome financier, Julius Hatcher, of course... Julius is intrigued by Nora's ruse and decides to play along. But to Nora's horror, Julius transforms himself into the perfect fiancé, charming the very people she hoped he would offend. It seems Julius has a secret plan all his own-one that will solve a dark mystery from his past, and perhaps turn him into the kind of man Nora could truly love.

They call her Lady Unlucky... With three dead fiances, Lady Eva Hyde has positively no luck when it comes to love. She sets sail for New York City, determined that nothing will deter her dream of becoming an architect, certainly not an unexpected passionate shipboard encounter with a mysterious stranger. But Eva's misfortune strikes once more when she discovers that the stranger who swept her off her feet is none other than her new employer. Or is it Lady Irresistible? Phillip Mansfield reluctantly agrees to let the fiery Lady Eva oversee his luxury hotel project while vowing to keep their relationship strictly professional. Yet Eva is more capable-and more alluring-than Phillip first thought, and he cannot keep from drawing up a plan of his own to seduce her. When a series of onsite accidents makes it clear someone wants Lady Unlucky to earn her nickname, Phillip discovers he's willing to do anything to protect her-even if it requires a scandalous deal...

Joanna Shupe returns to New York City's Gilded Age, where fortunes and reputations are gained and lost with ease-and love can blossom from the most unlikely charade. With the fate of her disgraced family resting on her shoulders, Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York City from London to quickly secure a wealthy husband. But when her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina turns to her reclusive neighbor, a darkly handsome and utterly compelling inventor, for help. Oliver Hawkes reluctantly agrees to a platonic marriage . . . with his own condition: The marriage must end after one year. Not only does Oliver face challenges that are certain to make life as his wife difficult, but more importantly, he refuses to be distracted from his life's work-the development of a revolutionary device that could transform thousands of lives, including his own. Much to his surprise, his bride is more beguiling than he imagined. When temptation burns hot between them, they realize they must overcome their own secrets and doubts, and every effort to undermine their marriage, because one year can never be enough.