Martha Waters: To Swoon and to Spar [2023] paperback

'With a refreshingly acerbic sense of wit Jane Austen might have admired as well as a plot that gives a clever nod to the screwball spooky delights of . . . Northanger Abbey, Waters proves she is in fine literary fettle as she dexterously delivers another sublimely satisfying addition to her completely charming Regency Vows series' Booklist (starred review)

If you love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, To Swoon and to Spar!

Praise for Martha Waters:

'Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun' Emily Henry

'Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes' Kirkus Reviews

'Meshing the classic Regency theme of defying societal expectations with all the wit and humour of a rom-com . . . a fun romp full of smiles' Publishers Weekly
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This is a real marriage of inconvenience.

Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, back from his estranged uncle. So, of course, he's thrilled when his uncle announces that he is finally ready to sell . . . but with one major caveat: Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer.

When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds Penvale cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate.

Back at Trethwick Abbey, irascible Jane soon enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: they will stage a haunting to make Penvale return to London, leaving Jane in Cornwall to do as she pleases.
But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and, as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband's company so much after all.
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Praise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms To Have and to Hoax, To Love and to Loathe and To Marry and to Meddle, out now:

'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' BookPage

'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' Library Journal

'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein

'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle

'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne

'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig

'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review

'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' Booklist, starred review

'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' Shelf Awareness

'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn

'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLuca

The Regency Vows series continues!
To Have and to Hoax
To Love and to Loathe
To Marry and to Meddle
To Swoon and to Spar