Dear Reader,

In Traitor's Kiss and Lover's Kiss, it's my pleasure to introduce you to the Pennistan family. Handsome, passionate and independent, the Pennistans are a close family, facing an uncertain future with optimism and courage. These Regency-set novels are the first two books in a series about the Duke of Meryon, the eldest Pennistan, and his brothers and sister.

To make this series even more irresistible Bantam Books has decided to launch both Traitor's Kiss and Lover's Kiss bound together in one volume—two complete novels for the price of one. This great offer comes at the perfect time, when all of us are looking for bargains.

The Pennistan family has been part of the English aristocracy for hundreds of years. Their family home, Pennford Castle, so beautifully illustrated on the cover, is set in the stunning countryside of Derbyshire. In 1815 when the series begins, England is on the verge of great social and economic change. Embroiled in that change the Pennistans are prepared for anything, but the love that challenges each of them alters their world, their lives and their hearts as surely as the Industrial Revolution changes England.

Lord Gabriel Pennistan is the youngest of the duke's brothers. In Traitor's Kiss Gabriel is in a French prison, lost to friends and family for two years with the guillotine the only certainty in his future.

Certain, that is, until a woman, dressed as a nun, inexplicably wearing perfume, comes to his cell and tells him she has is there to aid his escape. As Gabriel becomes ensnared in the life and heart of his enigmatic rescuer, Charlotte Parnell, he finds himself obsessed with her. Who is she? Who is paying her to see him to England? Before he can find the answers Charlotte disappears.

Lover's Kiss opens in the woods of the Peak District on a cold spring day when Michael Garrett comes upon a naked woman near death. Michael saves her life and tries to gain her trust, but when he finds out who she is, he realizes that he will have to return her to Pennford Castle, the very place he wants nothing to do with. If Michael and Olivia thought the drama would end there, they find out how wrong they are after their first kiss.

Book Three is in the works: the Duke of Meryon's life has been as conventional as Elena Verano's has been unconventional. As they fall in love they both face changes that challenge them and the world in which they live. You can check my website (MaryBlayney.com) for more information on it and the other books I have written, as well as upcoming events.

For me the writing process is not complete until the book is read and discussed. Let me know what you think of Traitor's Kiss and Lover's Kiss.

Happy Holidays,

Mary Blayney