{"product_id":"the-duchess-contract-samantha-larsen-9798272029058","title":"The Duchess Contract: The Scandalous Stringhams","description":"Miss Selina Stubbs signs the contract of her life with her father-her perfumes in every major shop in London, in exchange for marrying the reluctant son of the Duke of Hampford. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLord Theophilus, the courtesy Marquess of Cheswick, has no desire to wed the daughter of a London merchant. He wishes to go to Africa and study the animals there. But his father, the Duke of Hampford, desperately needs her dowry. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter the wedding, Selina gets to know Theophilus and learns of his care for wounded animals. Together they plan a daring rescue of a lion from the Tower of London. Selina decides to make a new bargain...this time for love. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePRAISE FOR SAMANTHA HASTINGS\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Last Word\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA Junior Library Guild Selection \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Witty, spirited, and utterly swoon-worthy. ... Filled with fierce feminism, impeccable period detail, and a charming romance that's sure to stay with readers long after the last word.\"―Addie Thorley, author of\u003ci\u003e An Affair of Poisons\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Great voice. Unique premise. ... And who can resist a plucky heroine who is determined to help write an unfinished romance novel by her favorite author!\" ―B.R. Myers, author of\u003ci\u003e Rogue Princess\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Hastings' debut is a charming period piece with all the romance and scornful nods to high society any Austen fan will love. Lucinda moves beyond the cliché of being a young woman who chafes at the restrictions of a sexist world, as she's elevated by her true passions―numbers and accounting. \u003ci\u003eThe Last Word\u003c\/i\u003e is the perfect read for anyone who wants to spend a few hours in Victorian England in the company of a girl who understands that the entire country is being led by a Queen.\"\u003ci\u003e ―Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Refreshing ... Lucinda, a young Victorian woman with a modern sensibility well ahead of her time, has plenty of pluck and determination. Hastings' breezy prose and crafty plotting will leave readers racing to uncover her own last installment.\"\u003ci\u003e ―BookPage\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Invention of Sophie Carter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA Junior Library Guild Selection \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"I loved reading about the bond between these sisters. The romances were super cute.\" ―Tricia Levenseller, author of\u003ci\u003e Daughter of the Pirate King and The Shadows Between Us\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A delightful read and just what I needed right now. Readers are sure to be as smitten with the Carter sisters as their suitors are by the end of this utterly charming novel. Highly recommended.\" ―\u003ci\u003eMiss Print\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Hilarious, with many laugh-out-loud moments as the twins try to dupe everyone into thinking they're the same person. ... It has the exact right amount of balance.\"\u003ci\u003e ―Allisa White Books\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Royal Christmas Quandary\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A delightful, romantic romp of a book-perfect for readers who like their holiday romance to come with a sprinkling of royal glamour.\" -Rosalyn Eves, author of\u003ci\u003e Blood Rose Rebellion\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A delightful foray into the Victorian era, \u003ci\u003eA Royal Christmas Quandary\u003c\/i\u003e will charm readers from page one. With endearing characters, a sweet romance, and fascinating details about Queen Victoria and the royal family, this story is sure to become a new Christmas favorite.\" -Joanna Barker, author of\u003ci\u003e Otherwise Engaged\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"An exciting and romantic romp through Victorian England. ... A delicious blend of history, humor, and romance.\" -Esther Hatch, author of\u003ci\u003e A Proper Scandal\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Girl with the Golden Eyes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This was an intriguing murder mystery, all the more fascinating because it's inspired by some real figures from history. Definitely recommend for those wanting a cozy mystery grounded in the Victorian era-with a dash of romance, as well.\"-Sam Taylor, author of \u003ci\u003eWe Are the Fire\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Samantha Larsen,Samantha Hastings\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798272029058\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/29\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 94\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.26lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.23d","brand":"Samantha Larsen","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48437594292479,"sku":"9798272029058","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_3586f6ca-77fb-457e-8675-f5451339e086.jpg?v=1777162793","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-duchess-contract-samantha-larsen-9798272029058","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}