{"title":"Books by Martha Waters","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781035405411","title":"To Swoon and to Spar","description":"\u003cp\u003e'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 . . . \u003ci\u003eNorthanger Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e, Waters proves she is in fine literary fettle as she dexterously delivers another sublimely satisfying addition to her completely charming Regency Vows series' \u003ci\u003eB\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eooklist\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you love Julia Quinn's \u003ci\u003eBridgerton\u003c\/i\u003e, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, \u003ci\u003eTo Swoon and to Spar\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for Martha Waters: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun' Emily Henry\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes' \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'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' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e..............................\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a real marriage of \u003c\/i\u003ein\u003ci\u003econvenience.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  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.  \u003cbr\u003e  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.\u003cbr\u003e..................................\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax,\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eTo Love and to Loathe \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTo Marry and to Meddle\u003c\/i\u003e, out now:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' \u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e!' Lauren Willig\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' \u003ci\u003eBooklist, starred review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is an authentic romantic comedy . . .  This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' \u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLuca\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Regency Vows series continues!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Love and to Loathe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Marry and to Meddle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Swoon and to Spar\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43128834556082,"sku":"9781035405411","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781035405411.jpg?v=1786017327"},{"product_id":"9781472296177","title":"To Marry and to Meddle","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you love Julia Quinn's \u003ci\u003eBridgerton\u003c\/i\u003e, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, \u003ci\u003eTo Marry and to Meddle\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun' Emily Henry\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes' \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'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' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' \u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e..............................\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMarriage isn't always smooth sailing . . . \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Lady Emily Turner should really be married by now, but with a dowry of her father's debts, her only suitor is the odious owner of her father's favourite gambling house.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess, but has managed to scandalise polite society with his acting career and the fact that he owns a less than salubrious theatre.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Crossing paths at a house party, they discover that a marriage of convenience might benefit them both: Emily can use her society connections to add some respectability to Julian's theatre, while also managing to escape the dubious world of her father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  With differing ideas on the roles each will play in their marriage, and an on-the-run actress, a murderous kitten, and some meddlesome friends adding to the complications, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience might be leading to some rather \u003ci\u003einconvenient\u003c\/i\u003e feelings.\u003cbr\u003e..................................\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTo Love and to Loathe\u003c\/i\u003e, out now:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e!' Lauren Willig\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' \u003ci\u003eBooklist, starred review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is an authentic romantic comedy . . .  This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance' \u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLuca\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Regency Vows series continues!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Love and to Loathe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43204459102386,"sku":"9781472296177","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472296177_7b8530cd-2e48-4c0d-b555-efd881863b04.jpg?v=1786020894"},{"product_id":"9781035405435","title":"To Woo and to Wed","description":"\u003cp\u003e'[E]ffervescent... Sophie is a refreshingly candid protagonist, whose ability to stand up to the duke is evenly matched with the care and concern she has for her sisters. Waters's fans will be sad to see this series end but deeply satisfied by this fetching finale' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe final instalment in the \"hilarious and steamy\" (PopSugar) \u003ci\u003eRegency Vows\u003c\/i\u003e series follows the heir to a dukedom and a young widow, once very much in love, as they reunite years later to fake an engagement for the benefit of her sister.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThey have the best of intentions...and the worst luck in love.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWest, the Marquess of Weston, and Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, have lately been spending a considerable amount of time together. But West and Sophie are not new acquaintances.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn fact, years ago, they were almost engaged, until West's almost fatal curricle accident and his meddling father threw them off course.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, having recently lost her husband, Sophie has put aside all thoughts of romance. But when her widowed sister, Alexandra, mentions a fondness for an earl, Sophie realises she may be holding her sister back. Alexandra won't move forward until Sophie, too, settles down again, and so Sophie approaches West with a plan. They will announce their engagement and break things off once Alexandra is happily married.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt'll be simple. After all, it's not like she is going to fall for West a second time, not when Sophie has sworn not to risk her heart again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAre you up to date with all the Regency Vows books? Don't miss:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003cbr\u003eTo Love and to Loathe\u003cbr\u003eTo Marry and to Meddle\u003cbr\u003eTo Swoon and to Spar\u003cbr\u003eTo Woo and to Wed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e.............\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for Martha Waters' ingenious rom-coms:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Waters' prose harkens back to Georgette Heyer, but Emily and Julian's individual journeys of learning to like their authentic selves are timeless' BookPage\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A worthy addition to the trend for historical romantic comedies and highly recommended for fans of Evie Dunmore' Library Journal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Packed with saucy banter and delightful period details, this Regency rom-com is completely charming' Hannah Orenstein\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Pure fun on every page' Sarah Hogle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed' Booklist, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once' Jen DeLuca\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43717847974066,"sku":"9781035405435","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781035405435_47bdb0c4-3f32-4700-82c9-01df35c794fb.jpg?v=1786017328"},{"product_id":"9781472275011","title":"To Have and to Hoax","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you love Julia Quinn's \u003ci\u003eBridgerton\u003c\/i\u003e, you won't want to miss Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eHoax\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes . . . this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A Regency author to watch. The sexual tension in this delightful debut was off-the-charts!' Lauren Layne\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e.................................................\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe course of true love - or irritation - never did run smooth.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFive years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and married.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Their once-passionate love may have dissolved into cold, detached politeness, but when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse, she races to be by his side - only to discover him alive, well, and baffled by her concern.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Outraged, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own to teach her estranged husband a lesson. And so begins an ever-escalating game of manipulation - and a great deal of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e  In this warring marriage, which spouse will be the victor? \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd will the real prize be winning back the love they each thought they'd lost?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e.................................................\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A laugh-out-loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore \u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e!' Lauren Willig\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is an authentic romantic comedy . . . This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance as a young couple battles to win back each other's affection' \u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed debut is served up with an abundance of cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit' \u003ci\u003eBooklist, starred review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Endlessly charming . . . absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eTo Have and to Hoax\u003c\/i\u003e is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once. James and Violet are perfectly matched, and you'll love watching the sparks fly as they both infuriate each other and fall in love all over again' Jen DeLuca\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Regency Vows series continues!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Love and to Loathe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTo Marry and to Meddle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301138641269,"sku":"9781472275011","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472275011_79eebf4e-c5ef-40a3-8650-0a3d7b7a62bb.jpg?v=1786020556"},{"product_id":"9781668069578","title":"And Then There Was The One","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom Martha Waters, the author of the “enchanting” (\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAlong with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368119906677,"sku":"9781668069578","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781668069578.jpg?v=1786024170"},{"product_id":"spellstruck","title":"Spellstruck","description":"“A whimsical, fantastical romp of a historical romance.” —Emily Krempholtz, USA TODAY bestselling author Chemistry isn’t only for cocktails in this lightly magical, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about the owner of a speakeasy supplying magical drinks and an enforcer of the ban on magic who must team up when potions begin to go awry—from acclaimed author Martha Waters.   In an alternate version of 1920s London, vestiges of England’s magical past exist, but the use of magic has been outlawed, leading families still with powers to operate illegal speakeasies for a public still hungry for magic. Vesper Holloway runs her family club, where a dash of spell powder or an enchanted cocktail can add a little extra intrigue to the evening. But when a spate of accidents strikes these establishments, she worries patrons will flee her family’s business.    Enter Maxwell Ashbridge, a onetime friend of Vesper’s brother, who has joined the government agency tasked with enforcing the ban, and who has a personal vendetta against the magical elite. But he does not have a vendetta against Vesper; in fact, he finds her rather enticing. He promises immunity for her club if she teams up with him to investigate, which does little to quell the growing chemistry they share. As accidents continue and the fight to repeal the ban gains ground in Parliament, Vesper and Max will have to decide—is the magic between them worth fighting for?","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57507755852149,"sku":"9781668215241","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781668215241.jpg?v=1787042896"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-martha-waters.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}