Category Archives: Wicked Worthingtons

Historical Romance, Wicked Worthingtons

ON BENDED KNEE – Wicked Worthingtons #6

ON BENDED KNEE - Wicked Worthingtons #6

ON BENDED KNEE – Wicked Worthingtons #6

– Buy On Bended Knee here! –

I’m incredibly proud to introduce my new novel! The wildly unconventional Worthington clan is at a loss when it comes to silent, war-shadowed Lysander. Only former military nurse, widow Gemma Oakes can see the real man trapped within his darkness.

From New York Times bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes Book 6 of The Wicked Worthingtons Series. At last! The story of healing the war-torn heart of Lysander Worthington! read more

Celeste the Writer, Wicked Worthingtons

“Wicked Worthingtons” Under the Covers – Book 5 – Wedded Bliss

Wedded Bliss
To celebrate of the release of Wicked Worthingtons Book 6, here is a look back at Book 5 – Wedded Bliss – under the covers… This book was such fun to write. The recurrent thought I had while writing Wedded Bliss was that all the plans we make amount to nothing once our hearts get involved. Determined Bliss Worthington has spent her life trying to be perfect, planning everything out to the last detail. She believes she desires order and predictability. High-born bastard Morgan Pryce believes that he desires nothing but adventure and the freedom to pursue his own destiny. It was obvious to me that they were perfect for each other from the first page, but Bliss and Morgan took a lot of convincing! I decided it was my job to makes sure that none of their plans came to pass! ☺ Order your copy Read the reviews! “A little bit of everything—humor, secrets, betrayals, misunderstandings, sexual tension, breathtaking romance—adds up to a completely delightful read.” — Kirkus Reviews (★ starred review) “This installment is packed with hilarious hijinks, excellent twists, and a sparkling tension between Bliss and Morgan. New and returning readers alike will eagerly anticipate the next of the Worthingtons’ matrimonial endeavors.” — Publishers Weekly (★ starred review) “Bradley delivers a lively romance full of bright wit, charming dialogue, memorable characters and plenty of romance – just the read you want when you need a laugh-out-loud moment and a deep sigh.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “WEDDED BLISS is brilliant! It sparkles just like champagne!” — Romance Junkies Read more reviews here! Awards for Wedded Bliss   Kirkus Starred Review   Publishers Weekly Starred Review   RT Book Reviews Editor’s Top Pick From the New York Times bestselling author of I Thee Wed comes a Wicked Worthingtons novel of a love that will not be denied… As a ship’s captain, highborn bastard Morgan Pryce has spent his life sailing away from England. The last thing he needs is a wife. But when he fears that his titled half brother, Neville, is about to be snared by a gold digger, Morgan aims to protect Neville by tricking the lovely crook into marrying him first. He knows he can’t allow himself to believe a word she says. If only she weren’t so convincing…. Determined beauty Bliss Worthington is not terribly fond of finding another man waiting for her at the altar—after all, no one tricks a Worthington and gets away with it. Somehow she must persuade her dangerously handsome new husband to grant her an annulment, because her heart is set on his brother. Soon the newlyweds must deal with a secret but mutual attraction. Morgan finds himself oddly devastated by her tenderness and braveness. When Neville shows up to rescue her from a loveless marriage, she will have to quickly decide which man is the right one for her….

The Wicked Worthingtons     Siblings with big hearts and bad reputations!

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

Wicked Worthingtons   |    Runaway Brides   |    Heiress Brides   |    Royal Four   |    Liar’s Club   |    Courtesans   |    Holiday   |   Others read more

Celeste the Writer, Wicked Worthingtons

“Wicked Worthingtons” Under the Covers – Book 4 – I Thee Wed

I Thee Wed
In celebration of the release of Wicked Worthingtons Book 6, here is a look back at Book 4 – I Thee Wed – under the covers… While I was plotting I Thee Wed, I realized that my favorite moments were the moments of discovery. Orion makes a scientific breakthrough, but it pales beside the discovery of his humanity. Francesca discovers that she is not as alone in the world as she believed. And of course, Attie discovers a new way to blow stuff up! ☺ My “geeks in love” book became something more for me, something I didn’t expect. I discovered that there were many people out there who got this story and understood these characters. This made me feel understood as well! Order your copy Read the reviews! “This hugely fun novel is charming and delightful the whole way through.” — Publishers Weekly (★ starred review) “I Thee Wed has all the charming vivacity, scintillating wit, and incendiary sensuality of the previous books in Bradley’s incomparable, Regency-set Wicked Worthington series, making it a don’t miss for anyone who cherishes superbly written historical romances.” — Booklist (★ starred review) “Brimming over with humor and charm, this book is complete with characters that leap off the pages, sensuality, laugh-out-loud-funny dialogue and an ending that will make you sigh. What more can you want?” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “This book was so much fun, I want to eat it.” — Smart Bitches, Trashy Books Read more reviews here! Awards for I Thee Wed   RT Award Nominee – Historical Love & Laughter Nominee   Booklist Starred Review   Publishers Weekly Starred Review   RT Book Reviews Editor’s Top Pick <!--   New York Times Bestseller   USA Today Bestseller --> From the New York Times bestselling author of With This Ring comes a Wicked Worthingtons novel of love that defies reason… Intelligent and driven, Orion Worthington aspired to be like his mentor, the acclaimed scientist Sir Geoffrey Blayne. Logically, Sir Geoffrey’s daughter would be Orion’s perfect match. So why can’t he keep his mind off the unruly girl who works in Sir Geoffrey’s lab? Orphaned fire-cracker Francesca Penrose hopes that London is modern enough to accept her brilliant mind despite her womanhood. But she can’t help noticing Orion’s mind…or his body. So they decide to run an experiment: if they give in to their passions, their attraction will simply fizzle out, with no impact on their hearts…right?

The Wicked Worthingtons     Siblings with big hearts and bad reputations!

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

Wicked Worthingtons   |    Runaway Brides   |    Heiress Brides   |    Royal Four   |    Liar’s Club   |    Courtesans   |    Holiday   |   Others read more

Celeste the Writer, Wicked Worthingtons

“Wicked Worthingtons” Under the Covers – Book 3 – With This Ring

With This Ring
Celebrating of the release of Wicked Worthingtons Book 6, here is a look back at Book 3 – With This Ring – under the covers… In With This Ring, the biggest surprise was Elektra. It can be difficult to write beautiful heroines. Often we don’t want to like the girl who has it all. Elektra definitely has it all—along with all the pressure that goes with it! A great match may be her family’s last chance to be saved from total ruin. Elektra determinedly uses her beauty as her only weapon against Worthington poverty and notoriety. When I included her in previous books, I had no idea she was so brave! Order your copy Read the reviews! “a laugh-out-loud funny novel from Celeste Bradley.” — Harlequin Junkie “With This Ring is a charming and very romantic story with lots of laughs along the way.” — Fresh Fiction “This wonderfully eccentric family brings mayhem and madness to new heights.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) Read more reviews here! Awards for With This Ring   RT Book Reviews Editor’s Top Pick From bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes With This Ring, a delightful tale about the lengths one woman will go to marry-at all costs… The Rules of Engagement Elektra Worthington is the lovely middle daughter of the eccentric, impoverished Worthington family. Her beauty means nothing to her except as her currency to return the Worthington name to its former glory of status, riches, and dominance in the ballrooms of Regency England. To this end, she will stop at nothing-even if she must kidnap a rich lord in the process. If this lucky gentleman is just returning from a long absence and knows nothing of the Worthington reputation, well, a girl shouldn’t look a gift lord in the mouth…right? The Price of Passion Lord Aaron Arbogast, returning to England after a decade-old scandal-of which he was not truly guilty, but instead took the blame out of loyalty to a good friend-is the last of his line. He will someday become the Earl of Arbodean and inherit the estate…if, that is, he can prove to his ailing grandfather that he is a reformed man. Falling for a woman like Miss Worthington could cost him everything. But his desire for her? Priceless…

The Wicked Worthingtons     Siblings with big hearts and bad reputations!

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

Wicked Worthingtons   |    Runaway Brides   |    Heiress Brides   |    Royal Four   |    Liar’s Club   |    Courtesans   |    Holiday   |   Others read more

Celeste the Writer, Wicked Worthingtons

“Wicked Worthingtons” Under the Covers – Book 2 – And Then Comes Marriage

And Then Comes Marriage
To celebrate of the release of Wicked Worthingtons Book 6, here is a look back at Book 2 – And Then Comes Marriage – under the covers… I write mostly quirky, self-assured heroines. Miranda was different for me. She is an ordinary woman, rather shy and repressed, who finds herself falling for not one but two outrageous, notorious men. Writing Miranda made me feel a bit vulnerable. I’ve always been shy and have always admired outgoing people. While this gave me insight into Miranda’s character, I ended up putting my own insecurities into the book for the world to read. I had to decide not to worry about it. In the end, I loved Miranda! Order your copy Read the reviews! “Bradley is at her best. The funny, charming romance, with its highly sensual edge, is a sure winner.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “The book is a signature Celeste Bradley novel with her wit and engaging writing style. Her characters and settings come to life on the page.” —Night Owl Reviews (top pick) “In her typical mad-literary-genius fashion, Bradley cleverly concocts the second installment in her Regency-set Worthington series, and the end result is one of the most wonderfully original and wildly entertaining romances of the year. Written with a effervescent sense of wit and richly imbued with a surfeit of steamy sensuality, And Then Comes Marriage is too good to miss.” —Booklist “a witty, sexy historical romance that I couldn’t get enough of.” — Romance Junkies Read more reviews here! Awards for And Then Comes Marriage   RT Award Nominee – Innovative Historical Romance Nominee   RT Book Reviews Editor’s Top Pick From New York Times bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes And Then Comes Marriage, a story of romantic intrigue with a sensual edge … After years of being a quiet, dutiful wife, the recently widowed Mrs. Miranda Talbot is finally free to do as she pleases. As an attractive woman of independent means at a time when few women are, Miranda is suddenly turning heads all around London. When she meets the dashing Mr. Castor Worthington, she is swept away by his passion. Is he too good to be true? Little does Miranda know that there is more to Castor than meets the eye. In fact, he’s a twin. Castor’s brother, also a confirmed bachelor, takes his romantic pursuits-and rivals-very seriously. When Castor discovers Miranda is being courted by his own twin, his competitive nature takes over. Who will be the one to win Miranda’s hand and heart? The race to say I do is about to begin…

The Wicked Worthingtons     Siblings with big hearts and bad reputations!

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

Wicked Worthingtons   |    Runaway Brides   |    Heiress Brides   |    Royal Four   |    Liar’s Club   |    Courtesans   |    Holiday   |   Others read more

Celeste the Writer, Wicked Worthingtons

“Wicked Worthingtons” Under the Covers – Book 1 – When She Said I Do

When She Said I Do
In celebration of the release of Wicked Worthingtons Book 6, here is a look back at Book 1 – When She Said I Do – under the covers… So many people have been waiting for a story about Ren Porter, the damaged and reclusive spy from several Liar’s Club stories — but no one more then I have! Ren has been on my mind for so long. How to bring him back from the edge after all he’s been through? Then when I imagined the outrageous and unrestrained Worthington family, I realized that only one of that undeniably expressive clan could get through the layers of wariness and lost faith that surrounded Ren. I could not have hoped for a better match than quirky Calliope Worthington! Order your copy Read the reviews! “Brimming with her signature depth of emotion, delightful characters and perfect pacing, this sexy love story tugs on the heartstrings and makes you smile.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “Celeste Bradley writes a great novel. You begin to feel for the characters from the beginning of When She Said I Do. I will definitely add Celeste to my favorite author list!” — Fresh Fiction “this book was full of everything I require in an entertaining historical romance!” — Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews Read more reviews here! Awards for When She Said I Do  RT Award Winner – Sensual Historical Romance Award Winner  RT Book Reviews Editor’s Top Pick From New York Times bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes When She Said I Do, the first Wicked Worthingtons novel… Angel’s Sin Caught in a rainstorm, Miss Calliope Worthington takes shelter in a seemingly abandoned mansion. But when she finds a string of pearls in a dusty chest, she is caught red-handed by the house’s reclusive owner—Mr. Ren Porter—a fiery demon of a man who demands that Callie pay for the necklace…with her innocence. Devil’s Bargain When he first lays eyes on the beautiful trespasser, Ren mistakes her for an angel. But when he realizes Callie is a thief, he strikes a bargain she cannot refuse. She must take his hand in marriage and pay him back in full: one night of passion for each stolen pearl. But when Callie surrenders to his desires—night after wicked night—he awakens something deep inside of her. Something powerful and passionate. Like a fairy tale come true, the monster she married has become the man she loves…when she said I do.

The Wicked Worthingtons     Siblings with big hearts and bad reputations!

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

Wicked Worthingtons   |    Runaway Brides   |    Heiress Brides   |    Royal Four   |    Liar’s Club   |    Courtesans   |    Holiday   |   Others read more

Historical Romance, Regency Life, Wicked Worthingtons

Five Reasons You Do Not Want to be a Regency Lady!

I recently did a fun little piece for BookPage.com. They asked me for a peek behind the curtain, a historical romance writer’s perspective on the real Regency. I’m so fascinated by this era and I’ve learned a lot about it. There are a few things I’ve learned that I wish I unknow, believe me! The marvelous escapist fantasy that I want to provide in my books (the one where dukes are young and handsome and totally into marrying a girl from a notorious family like Bliss Worthington!<3) would not benefit from too much gritty reality!

Five Reasons You Do Not Want to be a Regency Lady on BookPage.com!

Man-Candy Break!

via GIPHY

For some more fun insights into Regency life, you might enjoy a look into one of my favorite sources!

Celeste the Artist, Celeste the Writer, characters, location sketch, Regency Life, Wicked Worthingtons

Where Bliss Worthington Grew Up

When a character introduces herself, sometimes it can be difficult for the writer to understand why this person is the way they are. We try to uncover her life, her background, her parents, whether or not she has a pet, what is her favorite color–and why is it her favorite color?

Environment can play a factor. When I realized who Bliss really is (spoiler deleted!) I knew that she would have been placed in with a foster mother so that she would have as normal and mundane a childhood as possible. A cottage in a distant shire, watched over by a woman of solid common sense like Mrs. Dalyrymple.

Old Dally. I named her after one of my favorite literary characters of all time, Old Golly, the common-sense nanny from Harriet the Spy.

I thought Old Dally must be some sort of retired nanny or governess to the stars. She had seen first-hand how children of the rich and titled could be spoiled beyond saving. I saw her as someone who would take her charge somewhere clean and safe, a fresh start in a life filled with wholesome work and simple pleasures. I think life in Old Dally’s cottage must have been a comfortable sort of simplicity. Bliss never lacked for food or education. I believe Old Dally adored her, but she wasn’t the sort of woman to show affection except perhaps in the way she protected Bliss from the excesses of her parents (spoiler deleted!).

This explains so much about Bliss. She always looks perfectly in fashion, but she treats it more like a job than something that actually interests her. She is unimpressed by wealth, and undismayed by scarcity. Old Dally’s practical training comes in handy when Morgan Pryce tries to shock his new bride with the humbleness of his home!

While researching Old Dally’s cottage in Shropshire, I found this book useful. I love this series by Trevor Yorke!

Wicked Worthingtons, writing

What inspires me.

Every month, I choose a classic quote for whatever I face at that time. In May, my mind was on how long I could continue to be creative in my present genre. I began my journey in Regency romance in 1999! I have always tried to be consistent because I believe that my identity as a writer of humorous, action-packed sexy romance is a sort of promise to my readers. “I, Celeste Bradley, will continue to deliver books of the same kind and quality that I have done in the past, so that you always know what you are going to read.”

Like McDonalds.

Except that I’m a person, not a corporation. I might go through many things in a year, much less nearly two decades! How can I possibly remain consistently Celeste Bradley when I often don’t feel a bit like the same person who started writing my first book?

What if I falter? What if one day I just can’t do it? What if my writing changes without me realizing it and I disappoint everyone who has been so loyal and kind to me all these years?

Locking myself into that past place seemed so drastic–and essentially impossible. Then I realized that quitting altogether would also be drastic (and quite possibly impossible!). I love what I do. I love my characters–oh, those naughty Worthingtons!–and I love creating new and different visions of my Regency romance world.

The fact is, I can’t remain the same. But it occurred to me that my readers are people too. People who change and grow every day, who might go years without reading one of my books, or might binge an entire series in a week. We are all just being human, and I truly believe that most people are really trying to do their best.

So here is my new promise. I will do my best. I will write humorous, adventurous sexy Regency romance–as the writer and woman that I am RIGHT NOW. It might be that I worry for no reason and that I will be able to write stories that you will all enjoy. Or some people may fall away. Some new people may join in.

I love what I do. I love it even more now that I have come to understand that, just like Lewis Carrol’s Alice, “I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”

Weren’t we all?