I'm really late to the game on this one, but I haven't written a query letter before and really want to get some help. I wrote this fairly quickly to meet the deadline, so I apologize for any errors. Thank you so much to anyone who takes a look at this. I appreciate any help.

Dear BiffHardCheese,

Miss Elizabeth Brecklin has always put her family first. When her uncle forced them out after her father’s death, she pushed past her genteel upbringing and worked to keep her family from starving. When she finally gets a Season at the advanced age of twenty-three, she stands back to let her younger sister shine. And when a lord ruins her in front of the ton and disappears, she will do anything to repair the family reputation, even if that means accepting a duke’s vague offer of employment.

Simon Burwell, the Duke of Fallbrook, has never been comfortable around women. But when he is called to London to help out an old friend he goes, under the condition that no one know who he is. All of that gets thrown out the window when his friend kisses a woman at a party and runs off. The only way to save her reputation, and that of her sister, is to get her out of London and to find the lord that embroiled her in scandal. He offers her employment, not once realizing that she is not the kind of woman he is used to dealing with. And as they discover passion in each other, they care less and less about finding the lord who did her wrong.

A LORD PROTECTS is historical romance set in Regency England complete at 75,166 words. This is the first novel of a planned 5, but can stand alone. I have no publishing credits, but am an avid reader of the genre.

If you would like any additional information, please contact me at [email address] or [phone number]. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Stryl

[The reason I mentioned the novel being a part of a series is due to my target publisher (Avon) specifically asking for information on if the novel is part of a series or not.]