Category: Emmi West

Dear reader,

“Duchess Out Of Nowhere” is live!

I am so proud, happy, and relieved that everything went smoothly with the release, and you can read the book if you haven’t already.

Usually at this point, I tell you what the book is about.

Today, that’s particularly difficult for me because I just want to talk to you about the Duke of Blackburrow. About why he’s the Duke I unconditionally love, and most of all, I want to discuss the ending with you. I want to know if you liked it, if you swooned as much as I did, and what you think about it overall. I want to tell you how much courage it took me to write the ending the way it is and why it had to be that way.

Unfortunately, as obvious reasons, that’s not possible right now, or it would be a major spoiler.

sigh

So, what’s “Duchess Out Of Nowhere” about?

Henrietta Bellinger receives an invitation to her friend’s wedding. She travels to the deepest moors of Yorkshire, to the estate of the man she despises deeply. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to avoid him entirely because Richard Montgomery, the Duke of Blackburrow, is the older brother of the groom.

But when Henrietta arrives, there’s no sign of the bridal couple. All she finds is the wedding gown, lonely and abandoned on the bed.

Henrietta can’t resist. Before she knows it, she’s slipped into the precious gown… and is caught red-handed.

By the Nightmare Duke himself.

It’s not just embarrassing.

It’s a catastrophe of epic proportions.

But it gets worse. The Duke finds himself in an uncomfortable situation. Blackburrow Hall is full of high-born guests, and if there’s one thing he can’t stand, it’s a stain on the family honour.

Without further ado, the sinister Duke demands that Henrietta walk to the altar with him, in place of the runaway couple…

Guess how long it takes before London’s coldest Duke has a wife.

And how much longer before he regrets underestimating her.

In “Duchess Out Of Nowhere,” you get a Regency romantic comedy with everything you could want: two strong characters engaging in fiery verbal battles, lots of wit, the dark charm of a grumpy Duke, and of course, plenty of romance and a good dose of passion.

And now, please, everyone read the book so you can tell me how you find the ENDING. maniacal giggling

“Duchess Out Of Nowhere” is available on Amazon.

Best wishes,
Emmi West

Dear reader,

In three days, my new book, “Duchess Out Of Nowhere,” will be released.

This Tuesday, Miss Henrietta Bellinger takes centre stage. Or rather, she enters her friend’s bedchamber and finds a wedding gown lying lonely and abandoned on the bed.

The bride has fled. The groom has vanished.

It seems a pity to leave such silk and lace unattended.

One cannot be expected to ignore it entirely, of course.

And perhaps to try it on.

For a moment. A very small moment.

So she slips into silk and lace and turns toward the mirror for one indulgent look.

A mistake.

He stands in the doorway, watching.

The Nightmare Duke.

Also known as the Duke of Blackburrow.

The very man Henrietta despises has just found in her the perfect solution to a scandal.

There will be a wedding.

And he will make the wallflower his Duchess.

No one is more surprised than Henrietta herself when she accepts his grumpy, matter-of-fact, and decidedly unromantic proposal (which scarcely qualifies as a proposal at all).

But a ruined lady with neither fortune nor prospects cannot afford to be particular.

And when, half an hour later, she is the Duchess of Blackburrow, she has only one thing left to make clear to her gloomy new husband.

She cannot have children.

Which is rather unfortunate, since the duke seems determined to try every single night.

Is it really only three days until the book is released? I think I need to distract myself so I don’t get too nervous. I’d better continue writing the next story right away. It’s about a certain lady who enlists the help of a grumpy duke to… but I’ll tell you another time. giggle

Duchess Out Of Nowhere is available on Amazon.

Don’t wait too long. The special launch price is ending soon.

With love,
Emmi West

My new book tells the story of the penniless Miss Henrietta Ballinger. She has travelled deep into the Yorkshire moors to attend the wedding of her dear friend. 

Yet upon her arrival, there is no sign of the bride anywhere.

When Henrietta enters the bedchamber of her eloped friend, she discovers something left behind.

A bridal gown, abandoned on the bed.

What would you have done in her place? Would you, too, have given in to temptation and slipped into that beautiful dress?

Unfortunately, she’s discovered by the last man she ever wished to see her in it. 

The Duke of Blackburrow, a man she thoroughly detests.

To him, the solution is obvious. 

A scandal must be avoided. A wedding must take place. And if the original bride has fled, then Henrietta will do very nicely indeed.

No one is more shocked than Henrietta herself when she accepts his gruff, practical, and decidedly unromantic proposal (if it can even be called that). But as a ruined young woman without fortune, she has little choice. Less than half an hour later, she is the Duchess of Blackburrow and married to a man who is as grim as he is determined.

There’s only one thing she must make very clear to her dark and irritable husband: She cannot give him children, not now, not ever, even if he insists on visiting her bedchamber every night. Yes, every single night…

Is it truly still three months until publication? April 28 feels an age away. I fear I must distract myself, or my impatience may get the better of me. giggle

You can preorder “Duchess Out Of Nowhere” now at a special pre-release price on Amazon.

The curtain opens, and the Duchess takes the stage. My new Regency romance “Seven Days a Duchess” is now live.

The supposedly dead Duke of Comerford requires a wife. And quickly.

By tomorrow noon, to be precise.

Blame it on his father’s ridiculous will. A Duchess is required before the estates can pass into his hands.

Miss Marian has only come to plead with the surly Duke for an extension on her father’s mountainous debts. Perfect for him. If she becomes his Duchess, he’ll happily annul her father’s promissory note.

What he doesn’t know is that she has loathed him since childhood – and that she has no intention of enduring the role of Duchess for more than seven days – precisely the time she needs to put her escape plan into action.

The Duke may be a monster, but he is a man of his word. He is determined to visit her bedchamber, night after night… until she provides him with a son and heir.

Available on Amazon: Seven Days a Duchess

And for all audiobook lovers: “Seven Days A Duchess” is already available on many major retailers, including Audible.

With Seven Days a Duchess you’ll get a romantic Regency romantic comedy, along with plenty of crackling chemistry and passion between the Duke and his Duchess. Expect to smile often. And to wipe a little sweat from your brow now and then, because things get seriously hot…

Only seven days to go until “Seven Days A Duchess” is released.

As always, I’m nervous and fidgety, but thanks to your reactions and your wonderful feedback, I’m a little calmer than usual before a release.

The first reviews of this very long book have already come in, and they are absolutely heart-warming. I had tears in my eyes more than once (or twice… or three, four times), and just as often my feet itched to break into a happy dance.

Today, however, it’s not about what happens in the story, but about my seven favourite characters that I’d like to introduce to you.

Morgan Beauchamp, Duke of Comerford
The Duke. Need I say more? He’s taciturn. Gruff. Grumpy. A man of action. Breathtakingly handsome. Strong as seven men and… no, forgive me. I got carried away, as I always do when it comes to him. Something you’ll soon get to experience for yourself delighted giggle.
First line in the book: “What are you doing on my land, girl?”

Miss Marian Holloway
She’s a true optimist and sees the good in everyone (except, of course, in the dreadful Monster Duke). She’s talkative… I mean, eloquent, quick-witted – very much so, otherwise she’d never have come up with the brilliant idea of how to escape the Duke’s clutches after seven days.
First line in the book: “For you, still Miss Holloway!”

Countess Brunhild Sachsen-Coburg-Saalfeld (Aunt Brunhild)
The Duke’s German aunt always looks as though she’s been caught in seven days of rain, unless the subject is her beloved Ludwig, the fat pug. Some (namely the Duke) would call her spiteful. Others (namely herself) think she’s simply a misunderstood woman who speaks nothing but the truth.
First line in the book: “I… I… Morgan, my boy, you’re alive!”

Mr. Edward St Aubyn (Eddie)
Marian’s best friend is an incurable romantic who firmly believes in the power of love. He’d happily pack up his things and move to Paris.
First line in the book: “Are you sure the Duke is even at home?”

Sir Osmond
For Marian’s father, everyday life is a book with seven seals. He owns the house called “Safe Harbour.” He has no idea that his beloved daughter will settle his debts by marrying the odious Duke of Comerford.
First line in the book: “Make sure you bring my child home before nightfall, do you hear?”

The Commodore (a cheeky parrot)
He is utterly convinced he has sailed the seven seas and speaks exactly as he pleases.
First line in the book: “Handsome fellow! Real heartthrob!”

Mrs. North
The captain’s widow lives with Sir Osmond and Miss Marian in “Safe Harbour.” She dreams of soaring higher than cloud nine one day.
First line in the book: “Good morning, dear.”

And now just one last thing before I go.

Seven Days A Duchess releases November 18, 2025.

The official launch of my Twelve O’Clock in London series is just around the corner. “Seven Days Duchess” is set to be released on November 18th and takes place in House Number 7 at the distinguished St James’s Square, a location you may already know from my other books.

Let me give you a quick glimpse of the story.

Morgan Beauchamp, the Duke of Comerford, returns to London after two years away to take up his rightful place in society following his father’s death. But instead of order and stability, he is faced with the utterly absurd terms of the late Duke’s will. Morgan must be married within twenty-four hours and produce an heir within a year, or else every penny and all personal possessions will pass to – ta-da-da-daaaah – his cantankerous German aunt, Brunhild.

A duchess is needed. Quickly.

And that’s when the real fun starts.

When Miss Marian Holloway appears on his doorstep begging for more time to settle her family’s debts, the Duke doesn’t hesitate. He is more than willing to show mercy, provided Miss Holloway marries him tomorrow.

But Marian is not the sort of woman to meekly accept the role of an arrogant Duke’s obedient bride. She is talkative, clever, quick-witted – enough so to come up with a glorious plan to escape the Duke’s clutches after seven days.

Yet in seven days (and seven nights, oh, those nights!) a great deal can happen.

Release date: November 18th 2025.

“Seven Days a Duchess” (Amazon paid link) is a slow-burn Regency romantic comedy with explicit scenes. It is a complete standalone with a guaranteed happy ending.

TROPES:

Marriage of Convenience
Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic
Smart Heroine
“Deal with the Devil”
Tall Dark and Intimidating
Beauty and the Beast Vibes
Forced Proximity (for at least seven scorching nights)
Consummation Clause
Heir Pressure 
Steamy Historical Romance