Spotlight & Giveaway: Remember Me by Mary Balogh

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Mary Balogh’s new release: Remember Me

Can Lady Philippa Ware forgive the man who once shattered all her youthful dreams? Discover the passionate and heartwarming new novel on the redemptive power of love from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.

 
Philippa, elder daughter of the Earl of Stratton, grew up eagerly anticipating a glittering debut and a brilliant marriage. Then her brother caught their father out in a clandestine affair and denounced him publicly. The whole family was disgraced, and Philippa’s hopes grew dim, then were fully shattered when she overheard the dashing, handsome Marquess of Roath viciously insult her upon learning of her father’s identity. Only years later does Philippa find the courage to go to London at last to meet the ton. She is an instant success and enjoys a close friendship with the granddaughter of a duke. Only one man can spoil everything for her, but surely he will not be in London this year.

The Duke of Wilby is nearing death and has tasked his grandson and heir, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, with marrying and producing a son before it is too late. Lucas, who usually shuns London, goes there early in the Season in the hope of finding an eligible bride before his grandparents come and find one for him. He is instantly attracted to his sister’s new friend, until that young lady asks a simple question: “Remember me?” And suddenly he does remember her, as well as the reason why the daughter of the Earl of Stratton is the one woman he can never marry—even if his heart tells him she is the only woman he wants.

Unfortunately for Philippa and Lucas, the autocratic duke and his duchess have other ideas and believe them to be perfect for each other. They will simply not take no for an answer. Telling Philippa the full truth is the hardest thing Lucas has ever faced, and the discovery of it will change them both before they discover the healing power of love.

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Remember Me 

[Lucas] hugged his sister warmly but gently so he would not accidentally hurt her, joked with her a little, asked her how she did, and in the same breath asked to be introduced to the lady beside her. She was even more breathtakingly lovely when seen close up. Her eyes were indeed blue and fringed with lashes several shades darker than her hair. He did not even try to hide his admiration as he gazed at her. It was unusual for him, though. He usually behaved in a reserved manner with women he did not know. Partly it was due to an annoying sort of shyness—what if they did not like him? Mostly, though, it was out of an awareness of his eligibility as a matrimonial prize. So why was he not exercising his usual caution now? Could this be that foolishness known as love at first sight?
The thought amused him as Jenny introduced them, and he smiled down at Lady Philippa Ware and extended a hand for hers instead of acknowledging her, as he normally would have done, with a polite bow.
“This is a great pleasure, Lady Philippa,” he said.
As indeed it was in more ways than one. If she was Lady Philippa, she must be the daughter of a peer and therefore surely within the very exacting range of eligibility requirements his grandparents had set for him. She was not married—he had glanced at her left hand, which was bare of rings. If he was very fortunate, she was not betrothed either or involved in any sort of romantic attachment. It might be almost too much to hope for, though. She was stunning.
She gazed at him wide-eyed and smiling as she set her hand in his, though surely she looked a little pale and the smile almost forced. Was she as shy as he was at heart? It was an endearing possibility. Her hand was soft and smooth-skinned. Unmistakably feminine. He released it reluctantly, having rejected the idea of raising it to his lips. That would be just too much.
“I trust you are enjoying yourself?” he said. “I see the food is being brought in and the guests are beginning to take their places. It seems I timed my arrival perfectly. Jenny, may I—?”
But before he could offer either to carry her to a chair at one of the tables or fetch her wheeled chair, which would be more comfortable for her, his aunt appeared beside him.
“Luc!” she cried, drawing him into a warm hug. “What an absolutely splendid surprise. We were not expecting you for a while yet.”
“I am sorry to have arrived unexpectedly at your party, Aunt Kitty,” he said, hugging her back. “I hope I have not thrown your numbers out of balance. I shall leave immediately if I have and sulk in my room for the rest of the day. Unless I can smuggle a few pastries out with me, that is.”
“Absurd boy,” she said, laughing. “I am delighted you did not feel obliged to hide somewhere until everyone had left. I wish you had appeared a little sooner, however, before it was time to sit down to tea. I would have taken you about to show you off to all my guests. I do not suppose you know many of them at all, do you? Let me at least introduce you to the dearest friend of my heedless youth.” She turned to the woman in blue with whom she had been arm in arm when he saw her earlier. “My nephew, Lucas, Marquess of Roath, Clarissa. The Countess of Stratton, Luc.”
He was already in the act of making her a bow, smiling as he did so. He somehow completed the action, though something inside him froze. That name! He felt a slight buzzing in his head.
“Ma’am,” he said.
“Make that the dowager countess, if you please,” she said, smiling at him in return. “My daughter-in-law has been the countess since she married my son before Christmas. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Roath.”
He smiled and nodded, but his mind was still frozen in shock.
“I see you have already met Clarissa’s daughter, Luc,” his aunt said. “I do hope you are enjoying yourself, Pippa.”

Excerpted from Remember Me by Mary Balogh Copyright © 2023 by Mary Balogh. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Excerpt. ©Mary Balogh. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 
 

Giveaway: 1 Finished copy of REMEMBER ME by Mary Balogh (U.S. only, 18+)

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Meet the Author:

Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series.

Author website: marybalogh.com
Buy links: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691124/remember-me-by-mary-balogh/