Best of
Regency-Romance

1997

Captain Jack's Woman


Stephanie Laurens - 1997
    He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the “lad” leader of a rival gang with frightening ease and his “punishment” with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters.Suddenly Kit finds she’s only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies . . . little knowing what dangerous forces she’s unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom . . . and bind her to him with a ring, a promise . . . and ties of devotion and desire.

With This Ring


Carla Kelly - 1997
    This outrageously impudent officer kept deplorable company in dismal surroundings beyond the boundaries of polite society. Even worse, he was shamelessly, sinfully penniless.To keep him company would ruin Lydia's already slim chances in the marriage mart. To listen to the shocking proposal he made to her would spell ruin to her good name. To run away with him in a mockery of marriage on a honeymoon journey through the wilds of England was the ultimate folly for a young lady whose family demanded she wed both wisely and well. Could Lydia say "I do" and accept the Major for better or for worse, or would she risk losing the only man who had ever captured her heart?

Indiscreet


Mary Balogh - 1997
    In the country visiting his twin brother, Rex longed for a little diversion. But Catherine Winters was a lady of virtue, and she roundly rejected his improper proposal to become his mistress. Since the handsome lord would not be daunted, Catherine fought the feelings he aroused—feelings that brought to life a past she had sought to escape. One kiss could bring her to ruin. But temptation proved a worthy foe—and Catherine could not ignore the beating of her treacherous heart...

The Temporary Wife


Mary Balogh - 1997
    The arrogant aristocrat makes it painfully clear what he wants from her. Will Charity agree to be the wife he needs to enrage the father he hates? Of course. Will Charity then depart from his life in return for the money she and her family desperately need? Of course. Is Earheart as heartless as he is handsome and as remorseless as he is rich? Of course.It is only when Charity enters into this mockery of a marriage that she discovers that things are not as simple as they seemed at first. For when the libertine lord takes her in his arms, it is not only their contract that threatens to be broken, but her heart as well....

Lady Rogue


Suzanne Enoch - 1997
    I've always wanted to be a writer. One day, during a slow afternoon at my day job, I thought: What would I write? Inspiration struck . . . an earl who fell in love with a spy!And thus Lady Rogue was born.Christine "Kit" Brantley is masquerading as a boy because her mission is to spy on Alexander Cale, the Earl of Everton. It doesn't take long for Alex to see through her disguise. Who would mistake this enchanting, albeit cheeky, chit for a lad? Alex is determined to discover the real reason Kit is in London, but as he's dragged into one escapade after another, he finds himself succumbing to her charm and spirit. I love this book, and I love the new package. In my mind it's a depiction of the first time Kit puts on a ball gown, and the way Alex Cale feels when he first sees her as a lady . . . Ah, me, now I'm getting sentimental.Enjoy!Suzanne EnochP.S. Oh, and Lady Rogue also marks the debut of Mr. Francis Henning, who's made an appearance in every historical I've written since.

The Marquess


Patricia Rice - 1997
    But lurking in the secret passages of his crumbling manor house is a courageous and exceedingly annoying young woman in terrible danger.The self-sufficient daughter of a soldier, Dillian Whitnell guards her injured cousin in isolated Arinmede manor after an attempt on both their lives. Dillian hadn’t expected the new marquess to notice her, but his stubborn refusal to believe she’s a ghost turns into a hide-and-seek game that leads to increasingly close encounters. A game where irritation turns to intrigue, and intrigue to a forbidden passion as the real villain emerges from the past.

Camilla's Fate


Judith A. Lansdowne - 1997
    So she could scarce explain her sudden sweet tendre for...a highwaymen! The handsome blackguard robbed her coach, left her with a kiss, and absconded with her very heart! As for Jason Fate, thief by trade, he could not forget the lady who looked like an angel. When they finally met again at a London soiree, Jason was impersonating the newly discovered heir to a dukedom in an absolutely dastardly scheme that would make the most seasoned gentleman quake in his boots. Camilla's duty was to denounce him. But she simply could not. Alas, she loved him! And soon Camilla's mission to transform an unregenerate scoundrel into a fine gentleman would take her where ladies feared to tread -- from the dazzling heights of the aristocracy to the darkest depths of a city...where saving Jason could be her ruin -- or most improper, impossible, and irresistible Fate.

The Earl of Rayne's Ward


Anne Ashley - 1997
    How dare he return seven years after leaving her to join the army and expect her to bend to his will. He was as overbearing, arrogant and authoritarian as ever, and she vowed to ignore him. But this was a goal that might prove impossible now that she was forced to stay at Rayne Park, Drum's residence, while her relatives traveled abroad without her. As her guardian, Drum might think he could control her behaviour, but that didn't mean that the handsome rogue had the right to steal her heart!

Once Upon A Christmas


Nancy Lawrence - 1997
    Matrimony is not for her--until she meets a handsome devil who becomes the real-life model for the hero of her book.

The Hidden Jewel


Violet Ivanescu - 1997
    Original.

The Misguided Matchmaker


Nadine Miller - 1997
    He had the riches to buy her a title, and he had carefully chosen and cold-bloodedly purchased the perfect mate for her, the eminently suitable, thoroughly decent, and unfortunately impoverished Lord Garth Rand. But when Garth's criminally handsome, dangerously charming, illegitimate half-brother Tristan came to fetch Madelaine back to England from France, her father's flawlessly laid plans began to go astray. Tristan did not try to deceive her. He made it clear he had known many women and was no stranger to scandal, and that he lived by his wits without wealth. It was easy for Madelaine to see how wrong it would be to give her heart to him -- and yet so hard not to do what felt so right.....

Scarlet Lady


Marlene Suson - 1997
    Resolved to avoid such romantic entanglements, he is not, however, free of responsibility, having been appointed guardian to his half-sister. And it is that duty that brings him face-to-face with Miss Georgina Penford. LADY OF ENLIGHTENMENTThe daughter of two radical thinkers, Georgina has sworn off marriage to maintain her freedom. She is quick to take up a cause, and Ravenstone's sister is an impressionable young woman who needs her help. How dare the earl keep the child locked away in boarding school learning nothing more than how to submit to the inequity of marriage? Yet, coming face-to-face with the arrogant cad who makes her blood boil, she's stunned to feel her heart racing with irresistible desire. And, even as the sparks fly, Justin is discovering that this dazzling beauty with a brain has barged into his life, taken possession of his heart, and ignited the fires of a passion that will be answered only by a love like he's never known.

The Errant Bride (Scarlet)


Stacy Brown - 1997
    "Are you mad?" Karina gasped--his arrogance was beyond comprehension! "Do you honestly believe you can make me happy?" But Karina realized that on some level she was intrigued by his offer, and the memory of his kisses and the feel of his hands had not faded.

A Whisper of Violets


Linda Madl - 1997
    John is the darling of London. Naturally, everyone expects her to shun Nicholas Derrington, Earl of Seacombe, a man branded as a French spy. But Nicholas may possess a rare musical score Dorian has been searching for, and the headstrong beauty is willing to enter into a dangerous liaison amid the glittering country estates of the aristocracy to get what she wants...A Gentleman Out Of FavorA false charge of treason has blackened Nicholas' family name and personal honor. To clear himself, he must find the mysterious turncoat, whose identity is tied to a note written on a missing piece of music. Dorian St. John's overtures arouse his suspicions, and he decides to use her to gain entry back into high society, where the real traitor hides...A Scandalous PassionSoon Dorian and Nicholas are swept up in a crescendo of risig desire, where daring to trust could mean their downfall...or bring the fulfillment of their dreams...

Christmas Kittens


Lynn Collum - 1997
    Lansdowne.

Ravensdene's Bride


Julia Byrne - 1997
    Every unmarried lady in the vicinity is hunting him. A solution presents itself in the delectable form of Miss Sarah Lynley, who couldn’t care less about his wealth and title. But not only is Sarah’s uncle at the top of his list of suspects, Sarah has problems of her own.A traumatic event when she was fourteen set Sarah’s mind against marriage, but her beloved uncle’s health is fragile and he’s fretting about her future. Ravensdene’s offer of a marriage in name only seems the perfect solution to both their problems. The only trouble is, he’s big, powerful, and dangerous; everything she fears in a man. But there’s a greater danger stalking her that will put both their lives at risk.Can Nick and Sarah banish the ghosts from their pasts and learn to love again before it’s too late?

The Would-be Witch


Rita Boucher - 1997
    Because she carries the heritage of the Merlin, her family demands she marry among those who share his supernatural blood, but no mage will willingly wed a woman without magical powers. When the cards predict that a wedding is possible, Miranda agrees to brave the social whirl of a London Season.Adam, Lord Brand, has dedicated himself to unmasking London's legions of frauds who fleece the gullible by claiming to traffic in the mystical world. Miranda poses an intriguing conundrum. Unlike most charlatans, she claims no powers of her own, seeks no financial gain, but she truly believes that magic exists. Adam is determined to prove that her faith in enchantment is a misbegotten fairy tale. But as the skeptic lord finds himself falling under Miranda's spell, he begins to acknowledge that there might very well be forces that transcend his understanding and that love is the greatest power of them all.