Book picks similar to
Desires Of Lady Elise by Rachel Ann Smith


historical-romance
novella
historical
novella-short-story

The Countess and the Rake: A Super Hot Historical Romance


Georgette Brown - 2018
    She is married to the unfaithful Earl of Lowry and scorned by her in-laws for being an awkward and uninspiring . Her only outlet and glimpse of carnal pleasure is as the impervious Lady Athena at Madam Botreaux's Ballroom of Pleasures.  Back from years of exile after a scandalous duel, Phineas Barclay, a notorious rake and seducer of women, becomes instantly intrigued by the Lady Athena on a visit to the Ballroom of Pleasures. He provokes her into taking him as her prospective lover with the intention of seducing the icy mistress and uncovering her true identity. As the Countess of Lowry, Gertie wants nothing to do with Phineas Barclay -- a debaucher at best, and a murderer at worst. So why does she find herself hot and flustered in his presence? Phineas Barclay finds himself strangely drawn to the Countess, but every step forward with her seems to be followed by a step backward with the Lady Athena. So which woman will he choose to conquer?

A Study in Scandal


Robyn DeHart - 2006
    Now the game is afoot in earnest—and Amelia nearly swoons to discover the detective assigned to "assist" her is a handsome, brilliant, and breathtaking investigator who might as well be a young Sherlock Holmes himself!Inspector Colin Brindley has no interest in encouraging a meddling beauty who imagines herself Watson to his Holmes. But Amelia is as sharp-witted and brave as she is lovely—and in their wild hunt for an elusive thief, Colin's heart may end up being the precious object that's gotten truly purloined.

The Viscount’s Mistress


Claire DuLac - 2016
    To save his family from financial ruin, he needs the help of his closest childhood friend, Violette. They must work together so he can gain the hand of her wealthy but spoiled heiress cousin and make a mutually beneficial marriage—a sound business arrangement for them both. In return for her help, Lawrence offers Violette the one thing she covets most—freedom. With his help, she can leave England and her cruel family behind. But there is a vital flaw in this near-perfect plan. Violette Pélet de Castelmarou is secretly in love with Lawrence and has hidden it for years. Yet now she finds herself feeding him lines and coaching him through sticky social situations in order to win over her cousin. But when emotions get involved, hearts become inextricably entangled. When the time comes, will Lawrence be able to say goodbye to Violette or will he compromise her virtue and make her his forever? If he cannot have her for his wife, then he’ll make her his mistress…

The Lady Always Wins


Courtney Milan - 2012
    As a child, Ginny was his best friend and comrade-in-arms. As a young lady, she became his sweetheart. But when his parents discovered their growing affection, they threatened to cut Simon off without a penny if he married her. And when Simon planned an elopement, Ginny refused: She wasn’t going to marry a poor man. Ever.Until someone loses a fortune.In the seven years since they last saw one another, Ginny has been married and then widowed. Simon has built an empire as a railway financier. When they meet again, there’s still that same delicious, playful attraction between them. But only Simon knows how tenuous his second chance really is. Everyone believes that Simon is wealthy. In truth, his company has been taken over by a hostile competitor and he is ruined. He knows from bitter experience that Ginny won’t marry a poor man. And so he has three days until the news becomes public—three days to seduce, woo, and marry the woman he cannot forget, or risk losing her…and this time, for good.

Enchanting the Earl


Kathy L. Wheeler - 2021
    The lights are too hot, the corsets too tight. It’s enough to make one faint.Thorne Gray, the earl of Kimpton, has no interest in debutantes, but what the devil is he supposed to do when one swoons at his feet? He catches her before she hits the floor, of course. An intriguing performance to be sure.But a scheming and powerful aunt, determined to see her niece settled before her death, threatens Lorelei’s opportunity to enchant the man of her choosing.

As He Bids


Olivia Rigal - 2014
    Applying for a summer internship at an upscale auction house just because she has a mad crush on one of the bosses, may be Career Fail 101 for Hannah Cohen.Certainly, she is heading that way when she spends her first week focusing more on the way Bruce Nelson’s mouth shapes his words than their actual meaning.Novelette

Lyon's Prey


Anna St. Claire - 2020
    unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.Haunted by his wife’s death, he vowed to never marry again...until he meets her! Evan Prescott, the fifth Earl of Clarendon lost his wife during the birth of their child. Broken, Evan seeks solace in the Lyon’s Den, a world of drink, cards, and excess—where wins and losses are easier to navigate than responsibilities. Overconfident and in his cups, he makes a bet that will change his life. Still mourning the loss of her father and elder brother… Lady Charlotte Grisham saves her young brother from the path of a speeding carriage. In a fit of pique, she throws propriety to the wind and storms up the steps of the owner’s London townhouse—and meets the man that upends her world.The stars align when his high stakes bet and her lapse in judgement give the Black Widow of Whitehall the perfect opportunity to spin her web of hearts, while untold danger lurks a step behind. Can a marriage of convenience give rise to love in time to avoid deadly disaster? (Note: This is an introductory novella to the Rakes of Mayhem Series - The Earl of Excess, Book One, coming soon!)

Breaking the Rules


Ruth Ann Nordin - 2020
    She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal. Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr. Morris' attention, and now he’s looking for someone else to marry. Determined to get him back, she hatches a plan to make him fall in love with her again. And doing so will require her to start breaking some rules. Hurt by Miss Lowell’s rejection, Mr. Roger Morris is seeking out another lady to court. But after endless social engagements, it starts to become clear to him that no one can take her place. Whether he likes it or not, he is doomed to love her. She is the perfect lady for him. But the last thing he wants to do is give in, especially when she creates a scandal that forces him to marry her. This might just be a match made in hell. Or maybe, quite possibly, heaven…as long as Lilly can figure out a way to make things right.

Kisses and Rogues: Four Regency Stories


Anthea Lawson - 2012
    but she never suspects how delicious each kiss will be.MAID FOR SCANDALMiss Anna Harcourt disguises herself as a maid to be near the man she think she loves, but little does she know how far this charade will lead her ... or how close to scandal.THE PIANO TUTOR Encouraged by her scandalous friend to take a lover, Lady Diana Waverly finds that the new piano tutor is more than he seems - especially when it comes to passion.TO WED THE EARLMiss Miranda Price detests her neighbor Edward Havens, the rakish Earl of Edgerton--but when he catches her breaking into his library at midnight, secrets are revealed that will change the course of their lives... forever.

The Reluctant Duke


Christine Donovan - 2012
    Society is pulling them apart. She can't become his wife and won't become his mistress.The last thing wounded veteran Major Thomas Marshal wanted was a title. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But duty has a way of pulling a man into things he doesn’t want and away from the things he needs.The only thing Miss Guinevere Harding needs is a safe place to hide. A job as the downstairs maid at Brookshire is the perfect refuge from a frightening past. Or at least it was until the arrival of the new Duke.

A Bittersweet Moment


Vanessa Riley - 2018
     Ewan Fitzwilliam needs his life to change. Unwilling to follow in the footsteps of his abusive father, he gathered the strength to break free. Saving a young flower picker from troubles upon his father's estate may prove the opportunity he needs to become a man of honor. Theodosia wants a better life, and she intends to build a flower business that caters to the perfumers in Town, but can she trust a rich man's son to teach her better diction to impress potential clients? Or will she learn a different lesson, succumbing to the dangerous attraction she feels for the tortured playwright? A prequel short story to The Bittersweet Bride

Dancing with Desire: a Series Starter Collection


Nancy YeagerSuzanna Medeiros - 2022
    Jackson

Heart of Fragile Stars


Cynthia Wright - 2015
    Heartbroken Antonia Varyshkova, who has lost her parents and her home in a St. Petersburg fire, stops in London en route to a new life with her brother in America. When her arrogant ship’s captain, Tobias Ormond, insists that she attend a ball with him, Antonia reluctantly agrees. The instant connection between Jean-Philippe and Antonia is soul-deep, but it seems that there cannot be a future for them. She sails off to America and he returns to his pirate’s life at sea … until an ancient Roman sword which may be cursed forces Beauvisage to chase down the very ship carrying the woman he loves. Set sail on the high seas of 1749 and hold on tight for a love story you’ll never forget! HEART OF FRAGILE STARS is a Beauvisage Family novella & a prequel to the Rakes & Rebels series. Approximately 110 pages in length, it originally appeared as part of the WITH DREAMS ONLY OF YOU collection. "Rakes & Rebels" combines the intertwining Raveneau and Beauvisage family novels into one captivating 9-book series! 0 - HEART OF FRAGILE STARS: a novella (Jean-Philippe & Antonia) 1 - SILVER STORM (Andre & Devon) 2 - CAROLINE (Alec & Caro) 3 - TOUCH THE SUN (Lion & Meagan) 4 - SPRING FIRES (Nicholai & Lisette) 5 - SMUGGLER'S MOON (Sebastian & Julia) 6 - SURRENDER THE STARS (Ryan & Lindsay) 7 - HER DANGEROUS VISCOUNT (Grey & Natalya) 8 - HIS RECKLESS BARGAIN (Nathan & Adrienne) 9 - TEMPEST (Adam & Cathy)

Waiting for Us


Mari Carr - 2014
    Happily ever after? Not so much. Evan and Annie are deeply in love, but that hasn’t stopped tension from creating cracks in their relationship. Determined not to fail his wife, Evan takes action before those cracks become craters, damaging their marriage irreparably. Over the Fourth of July weekend, he’ll reignite Annie’s passion with his own brand of fireworks.Stand back and watch the sparks fly. *Break out the fireworks and get ready to kick off your summer with this HOT new collection of stories. Sparks Fly is part of the Red Hot and BOOM! multi-author series (stands alone for reading enjoyment) Sparks Fly is a 12K word short story.

Before the Kiss


Jayne Fresina - 2014
    In the sleepy village of Hawcombe Prior, the five young ladies of the Book Club Belles Society are looking for their own leading men. When handsome, mysterious Darius Wainwright strolls into town, the Book Club Belles are instantly smitten with his brooding good looks and prideful demeanor. It's as if he walked out of the pages of their favorite new novel, a scandalous romance called Pride and Prejudice. But Miss Justina Penny has a secret – she's met this arrogant, brooding bachelor before. In Bath. The town, not the tub. Although, she was naked...