A Season for Second Chances: A Hearts Through History Autumn Anthology

by Dawn Ireland, Leslie Vollard, Jaylee Austin

A Season for Second When autumn chills the air, only an old flame can warm the heart.Revel in historical romance short stories spanning over nine-hundred years from Medieval India through '60s USA. New debuts join best-selling authors in these seventeen autumn-themed romance short stories featuring strong female heroines and a second-chance romance trope.Jayashree Gopal–"Whispers of Love" (S. India, 1010) When a gifted surgeon steps through time and into the heart of a Chola warrior, she learns that love can span centuries—but fate demands a price.Leslie Vollard–"Ten Things I Loathe About You" (England, 1100) The best-laid schemes can go awry.Alex Andersen–"Two Hearts, Both Divided" (London, 1534) When religious discord throughout 16th century England comes between them, can Arabella and Edward find their way back to each other?B.L. Lucas–"Desire, Darkness, and Devotion" (England, 1592) Three mages bound by love, betrayal, and their pursuit of a supernatural killer. Will they find a second chance at love, or will death separate them forever?Cynthia Anne Hurt–"Timber" (The Carolinas, 1702) Carpenter Neil Balsam returns to Charles Town for his annual pilgrimage to the orphanage, while seeking his lady love. Business owner Mable Ashe agrees to play matchmaker for him, while struggling to keep her shipyard afloat. Will they receive a second chance together when others stand in their way?L. Blanton–"Persuaded to Love" (London, 1780) Julia Mannering, widowed Countess of Haverwood, is done with men; Ford Neville, Lord Mabry, has yet to find a woman to put up with his lack of social acumen—when they bump into each other, everything changes.Dawn Ireland–"Until You" (England, 1785) How can a woman know when she’s in love with, and not just lusting after, the handsomest man she’s ever met?Lea Hollis–"The Light of Zaragoza" (Spain, 1808) A fiery female insurgent and a widowed nurse find love until irreconcilable ideals separate them as war escalates. When they reunite at an autumn festival six years later, does enough heat remain to rekindle their romance?Ann Peterson–"A Promise Kept" (England, 1815) A marriage forged by promise and shattered by guilt. A homecoming fraught with regret but made for second chances.Addie Bealer–"A Moment at the Mop Fair" (England, 1816) Money couldn’t buy happiness, but it did purchase a one-way ticket out of the country. What happens when he comes back?Aimee Moineaux–"Sea Change" (England, 1831) In 1831, a cowardly sea captain reunites at a shooting party with the woman he abandoned ten years before.Natasha Wilco–"Memento Mori, Memento Vivere" (London, 1850) Two ghosts and one too many suitors has Viola Glenning in quite the dangerous bind.Joan Koster–"A Harvest Dance" (US Civil War, 1863) Can a wounded Civil War soldier learn to love again?&

841 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

“Once Upon a Time” are four of Dawn’s favorite words. Her love of story became a love of romance when she read Georgette Heyer’s, Devil’s Cub. It inspired her to write stories with strong characters that discover love is never easy, but always worthwhile.

Dawn’s written several award-winning novels set in Georgian England – an era filled with rules and intrigue. Her characters often defy “Society” as they pursue love, run away, pursue, run away – well, you get the idea.

Then again, she might write romance in order to do the research. What other profession encourages you to sit in the audience at Harlequin’s Male Model search, and take notes, or just sigh?

Dawn lives in a Victorian home in Upstate New York with her husband and very independent cats. When she’s not writing, she’s singing, gardening, learning to play the harp or wood carving. If you’d like to learn more about Dawn and her novels, go to her website at www.dawn-ireland.com

Reviews

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/24/25
WHISPERS OF LOVE by Jayasharee Gopal
Thanjavur, South India, 1010 CE

This is a beautiful story that travels through time from 1010 CE to present day. Paru is in medical school but also time jumps to points in history that need some help. She has a special ring that she uses to travel. She meets Anirudh, who is a soldier and guard for a prince. They keep meeting over the course of many years, but she always returns to present day. There's always more she needs to accomplish at home first. Eventually she needs to decide where does she really belong, in the present with her career, or in the past with Anirudh?

It's a quiet story but full of yearning and trying to straddle two different lives across time.