A Breach Of Promise

In a sensational breach-of-promise suit, two wealthy social climbers are suing on behalf of their beautiful daughter, Zillah. The defendant is Zillah’s alleged fiancé, brilliant young architect Killian Melville, who adamantly declares that he will not, cannot, marry her. Utterly baffled by his client’s refusal, Melville’s counsel, Sir Oliver Rathbone, turns to his old comrades in crime—William Monk and nurse Hester Latterly. But even as they scout London for clues, the case suddenly and tragically ends, in an outcome that no one—except a ruthless murderer—could have foreseen.

Broken hearts. Broken promises. Deadly consequences. In glitzy Lake Tahoe, couples break up every day. But few are as successful as Lindy and Mike Markov, who built a $200-million business together--before Mike took up with a younger woman. Now he's claiming he doesn't owe Lindy a dime since they never married. Attorney Nina Reilly, struggling to make a living in her one-woman office and raise a young son alone, agrees to take Lindy's case. Nina knows winning is a long shot, even with a brilliant jury consultant and a palimony expert on her side. It's the kind of case--full of passion and explosive secrets--that could make a fortune for a young lawyer. Or drive someone to commit murder--for love, money . . . or the right verdict. New York Times bestselling author Perri O'Shaughnessy has created a wonderfully unique and unpredictable character in Nina Reilly, a tough, tenderhearted attorney and single mother who has been hailed by critics as "one of the most interesting heroines in legal thrillers today" (the San Jose Mercury News).

A look back through the history of women who were about to be married only to be left at the altar—and left with no choice but to take their revenge. A wedding day is supposed to be the happiest, most special and blessed event in a bride’s life. And most of the time, it is. But sometimes, it is not. In this fun, fascinating look at betrothals that went bust before anyone even said “I do,” the authors have collected the true stories of what happened when the groom suddenly decided “I don’t.” From the 1780s right up to the 1970s, jilted women (and the occasional crushed suitor) employed a range of tactics to bring false lovers to book. Here is a full wedding party of cases in which women found very different kinds of happy endings, such as Mary Elizabeth Smith who forged evidence of a courtship to entrap an Earl, Catherine Kempsall who shot the man who denied their engagement, Gladys Knowles who was awarded a record £10,000 in damages by a jury in 1890, and Daisy Mons who discreetly negotiated a £50,000 settlement from a nobleman. Based on original research, this social history of breach of promise shows that when men behaved badly, hell had no fury like a woman scorned.

How far will a father go to get back his only daughter? And how will he survive in a legal system that crushes those who can't afford to fight back?Mark Gillen has the storybook life other men dream of, complete with a beautiful wife and an adoring five-year-old daughter. Then his wife announces she’s leaving him. And taking their daughter with her. The other man is a famous film director with unlimited funds and the keys to stardom and wealth for Paula. How can Mark begin to compete? But the most bitter blow comes when he is kept from seeing his daughter because of false charges . . . and a legal system ill-suited for finding the truth.Forged in the darkest valley Mark has ever walked through, his faith in God may ultimately cost him everything in the eyes of the family law system. But it is the one thing that can keep him sane—and give him the strength to fight against all odds for what matters most.

‘Bardell v. Pickwick’ is an episode from Charles Dickens’ classic novel, ‘The Pickwick Papers’. Reminiscent of a John Grisham novel, this work by Charles Dickens is packed full of broken marriage promises, legal documents, clever police sergeants, and a trial by jury. Our hero is accused of breaching the promise of marriage and is taken to trial where the honourable Mr. Justice Stareleigh presides at the City of London courtroom. Is he innocent or will he be proven guilty? Let the trial begin in one of ‘The Pickwick Papers’ most popular episodes. So popular, in fact, it was often dramatized or read aloud as living room entertainment. Regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is best known for creating some of the world’s best known fictional characters who feature in his most popular novels, including The Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist’, Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens’ timeless novels and short stories are still widely read today and many have been adapted into countless TV programmes and films including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’, and 'A Christmas Carol' which well known worldwide and is a huge favourite movie for families to watch together at Christmas time.

The death of Jack Dowie leaves his estate in debt and his sister, Kate, as sole heir. To save the estate and prevent Jack's best friend, Rory, from being forced out of his sheepfarm in the grounds, Kate must finally ditch her husband and admit her feelings for Rory.

In Irish history, marriage was of huge significance to women and men for social, emotional, and economic reasons. Married women had greater status than unmarried women. The most acceptable way to form families was through marriage and, as in all time periods, both men and women desired children. Economic stability - though not necessarily guaranteed by marriage - was an inducement to marriage for many women, especially in a society where paid employment opportunities for them were limited. A breach of promise to marry is a fundamental break of a promise - by either a man or woman - to carry through a marriage. However, as this book shows, breach of promise cases were not always straightforward. Exploring the history of breach of promise cases in Ireland allows an insight into courtship rituals. It reveals the significance of monetary considerations in marriage settlements and the value that was placed on women's - and men's - reputations. (Series: Maynooth Studies in Local History - Number 96)

Essays addressing a variety of issues in the theory and practice of contract law.