Sandra's Book Club: Blog Tour: THE MARRIAGE LIST by Ella Quinn

The Marriage List

(The Worthington Brides)

by Ella Quinn

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GENRE: Historical Romance

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BLURB:

By popular demand, USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn returns Regency England’s beloved extended family, The Worthingtons, for the first in a sparkling new spin-off series! Determined to tame the marriage market on their own terms and make advantageous love matches, three confident sisters draw up a list of qualities they expect their new beaus to meet. But as they are about to discover, people are hardly ever perfect and the road to love is far more thrilling and interesting than they could ever have imagined…

As part of a large, rambunctious family, Lady Eleanor Carpenter has gained some knowledge of what makes a successful marriage. She’s even compiled a list of essential qualifications in a potential husband. John, the Marquis of Montagu, seems of good character (check), with money enough to support a family (check). But what of the many other requirements on her list?

Montagu, meanwhile, believes the key to a comfortable life lies in marrying someone quiet and docile. Yet the one lady who captivates him could hardly be more different to what he envisioned. Lady Eleanor is as opinionated as she is lovely, determined to improve working conditions for coal miners, even at risk to her own safety.

From evenings at Almack’s to carriage rides in Hyde Park, this Season will contain many pleasures—and a few surprises that compel both John and Eleanor to rethink their expectations. For one thing is certain: love will not be defined by any list . . .

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Excerpt One:

John, the Marquis of Montagu, had noticed the three young ladies headed for the gate, and his gaze lingered on the one riding closest to him. She had a fine seat. Perhaps he should add that to his requirements for a wife. Since he’d arrived in Town, he had found himself distracted by the problems at home. Fortunately, it was still early, and the Season had not yet begun. He had to find a wife. His mother and sister would nag him until he did. And it was his duty. If only there was an easy way to go about it. Perhaps he’d meet some gentlemen who were looking for likely husbands for their daughters and John could arrange a match. Of course, the lady would have to agree. He didn’t want a wife who didn’t want him.

“We need to discover a way to meet them,” Giffard, the recently elevated Marquis of St. Albans, heir to the Duke of Cleveland, said.

“If they’re making their come outs, we will not be able to avoid it.” John had already decided what he wanted in a spouse. Someone who was not interested in politics, or causes, or charities. A lady who would not bother him about what he should do. He’d be happy if she read nothing but novels and knew only polite conversation. In other words, someone the exact opposite of his mother and his twin sister. An arranged match was looking better and better.

“I need a lady who will be acceptable to my father.” Giff scowled. “Excellent bloodlines are important. She must also be intelligent and not afraid to stand up to him. He detests cowards.”

“I’m surprised he did not make a match for you.” John’s mother had tried that with his sister to no avail and had suggested she provide him a list of names. Of course Aurelia’s godmother had helped her stand her ground until she’d found Lytton and married him. John had been lucky that the lady his father had wanted him to wed eloped with another man before they married. But that was four years ago. He’d been the head of the family for over three years, and it was time to take a wife.

Take a wife. It was his mantra until he completed his task.

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GUEST POST

Hello everyone! Thank you, Sandra, for having me on your blog.

I was asked what makes my books different from others of my genre. There are a number of things. My books deal with families in a way other historical romances really don’t. They are more like something you’d read in an historical fiction sage. Some authors will bring family members back briefly, but in my books they all have fairly substantial roles to play. Whether it’s giving advice, and a lot of that goes on. Trying to solve the hero’s or heroine’s problems without the hero or heroine knowing about it or colluding with a family member of the other party to bring the hero and heroine together. Even the younger children and the Great Danes play a roll. For example in The Marriage List younger members of the family let the youngest Great Dane loose as a potential suitor enters the house to see if he likes large house dogs. In another scene a five year old makes sure the hero knows there are mandatory family gatherings. While one brother-in-law wagers with another brother-in-law how long it will take the hero to come up to scratch. This makes for a lot of characters. In other words, very much like families of the era used to behave. I am also a stickler for historical fact. That incudes not only the dress of the time, but also mannerisms, titles, food, transportation, laws, even what building materials were used in houses to name a few things. My romances are also comedies which is pretty easy considering all of Polite Society’s rules governing young ladies. I had one reader tell me she fell off her couch laughing. I do, at time, deal with serious subjects, but I write them with a very light hand. My world is generally Regency England, and although my characters are on the liberal side of the Whigs, they adhere, mostly, to the strictures and mores of the time. If they color outside the lines, they are very careful to keep it within the main family.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side (political science professor and lawyer). Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of almost forty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, a Great Dane named Lilibet, and a cat named Winnie. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on sailboat for three years. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. She expects to be back on the boat in 2022.

Ella loves when readers connect with her.

Author Contact and Social Media:

Website: https://www.ellaquinnauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7044274.Ella_Quinn

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-quinn

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ella-Quinn/e/B00CAE0FSQ

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-List-Worthington-Brides/dp/142015446X

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