A thing of beauty

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Jo Beverley

YOU'VE NEVER MET A HEROINE LIKE LADY ANNE PECKWORTH. The sheltered daughter of a duke, she has always been a perfect lady, even when jilted. Twice. Now, however, she's angry, and she's angry at the single most reckless, most irresponsible, most irresistible man she's ever known ... YOU'VE NEVER MET A HERO LIKE RACE DE VERE. Far below Anne's station in life, he has invaded her orderly world like a pirate, tempting her to the edge and beyond. He leads her into impropriety, into wickedness, and then into the most dangerous step of all --- the adventure that could win or lose her everything in one hazardous night ...

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Marion Chesney

The delightful Miss Hannah Pym returns to the English countryside in search of adventure and romance in distress. With her infallible wisdom and charming demeanor she corn steer even the most misguided of hearts back on course! No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage mart! When the coach founders near Baddell Castle, and the dashing Marquess of Frenton comes to the rescue, Miss Pym decides to give fate a hand! Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances toward Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!

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Joan Aiken

Some of them belonged to the elegance and intrigue of Mansfield Park... others could not stay away Mary -- the charming, duplicitous lady, determined to defy her fatal illness and to find a match for her bachelor brother... Henry -- the ever-fickle suitor, soon to be outfoxed at his own game... Tom -- the handsome, profligate gentleman whom love may soon civilize... Susan -- the poor cousin who must brave the obstacles of class and convention to win the man she has always loved, and the prize of Mansfield Park... Inspired by Jane Austen's beloved masterpiece Mansfield Park, Joan Aiken has written a brilliant novel of love and manners, status and social sham, and the gentle scheming of unforgettable characters.

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adapted from her novel by Jeanette Winterson

This is the story of Jeanette, adopted and brought up by her mother as one of God's elect. Zealous and passionate, she seems destined for life as a missionary, but then she falls for one of her converts. At sixteen, Jeanette decides to leave the church, her home and her family, for the young woman she loves.