Book picks similar to
How to Marry a Rake in Ten Days: A Victorian Christmas Story by Samantha Holt
historical-romance
christmas
historical
novella
Lady of Mystery
Ellie St. Clair - 2019
Raised to believe the world is open to her, Lady Phoebe Winters reads periodicals and newspapers with growing upset. Everything within her world is shaped by a man’s point of view. Why must women stand idly by, being told what to do and how to do it? It seems to be accepted within their society — until she decides to do something about. Using her inheritance, she begins a small publication, written by women, for women. It’s a risk, but one for which she is willing to sacrifice. He’s intent on stopping her... Jeffrey Worthington, the Marquess of Berkley, has held a position of responsibility since the death of his father at a young age. He is a man who enjoys the constancy of life. Despite the fact that his four sisters and younger brother are forever demanding his time and attention, his maintains order and control of all other aspects of life. As they grow closer, secrets become harder to keep... The Women’s Weekly begins to cause a stir among women of the nobility, and the peerage determines it must be shut down before it causes consequences from which they could never recover. Jeffrey is tasked with finding the perpetrator and halting production of the publication. He reluctantly agrees, despite the fact that it will detract from his attempt to court the lovely Lady Phoebe, and causes growing controversy between the two of them. When he finally determines the publication’s owner, what will he put first — love or duty?
A Midnight Clear
Chasity Bowlin - 2019
Reunited after decades with her long-lost son, everything should have been perfect. Yet it wasn’t. Without the constant grief, she became aware of how empty her life was. Hoping that spending the Christmas holidays with her son and his new bride would improve her outlook, Sarah met an ill fate once more. With her carriage broken down in a snowstorm, she sets out on foot to reach the family home, not realizing just how treacherous the conditions are. Bransen Middlethorpe is also at loose ends. Since his brother’s untimely but mostly welcomed demise, it’s been his job to look after the estates… and his brother’s widow. To say that Sarah had resented his interference was to put it mildly. But with his nephew returned, looking after the estates and after her, are no longer his purview—that is until he encounters Sarah braving blizzard like conditions. Furious with her and terrified at what might have happened had he not found her; they are forced to take shelter for the night in his small cottage on the family estate. While they are trapped by a blanket of snow and ice, they are forced to face the truth. There is far more between them than simply shared history. In such an intimate setting, they have no choice but to acknowledge the desire they both feel… and the love they’ve been denying for decades.
To Catch A Spinster
Megan Bryce - 2012
She has her studies and her duties, what need does she have of a husband? With five sisters married she knows the reality does not live up to the promise, and does not need to personally experiment with the state to know she would be ill-suited to it. However, she finds herself envious of at least one aspect of marriage. But to experience the physical side of marriage, one doesn't need a husband, all one needs is the right man...Nathaniel Jenkins knows his duty. Marry a young girl from a respectable family and father an heir, no matter how cold the endless parade of suitable girls leaves him. But a shocking proposal from a scholarly spinster leaves him wondering if unsuitable is just what he's looking for. Can he convince his spinster that marriage is the greatest experiment of all?
Stone Devil Duke
K.J. Jackson - 2014
To protect her family, to protect herself, she is determined to find the men before they find her.
The last thing she wanted was an entanglement with a duke that threatens her very survival...
Hardened long ago, the last thing the Duke of Dunway wanted was an entanglement with a chit of the ton. But in the flash of a pistol, his fate is altered as he finds himself honor-bound to protect Lady Augustine from, of all things, herself.
The Laird's Yuletide Bride
Emma Prince - 2018
Two enemy clans. A Yuletide wedding to warm the heart. Adelaide burns with embarrassment to find herself at the Yule feast of her former intended. After he married another, she was set aside, the discarded fiancée. To make matters worse, she is caught under the mistletoe—alone. Fillan MacVale, Laird of an enemy clan, comes to her rescue, offering a kiss to soothe her pride. But when her father catches them, Adelaide and Fillan are forced into a swift marriage. Now Adelaide fears she is the unwanted bride yet again. Fillan is determined to atone for his father’s sins and forge a new peace with his neighbors. But after a fateful kiss that leads to a hasty marriage alliance, Fillan is convinced he’s saddling Adelaide with a life of hardship and humiliation. Born with a clubfoot, Fillan doesn’t believe himself worthy of love—or the bonny daughter of his clan’s enemy. Can Yuletide heal their wounded hearts and bring their clans together? This novella-length Scottish historical romance is holiday-themed, but can be enjoyed any time of the year. Pick up your copy today!
The Protector's Promise
Cecelia Mecca - 2018
**
Court and Marion have been pitted against each other by fate—can love twist them back together?
The ProtectorSir William (“Court”) keenly feels his lack of status as a seneschal, running a castle that belongs to Kenshire. When one of the king’s regents offers to grant him both land and a title in exchange for storming a strategic castle in the borderlands, he quickly accepts. But before he can lead the attack, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the enchanted fairy pools in Scotland, from which he takes a powerful stone. Though he knows naught about the stone’s legend, he senses it will help him. There’s one problem: the stone has an assigned protector who will do anything to retrieve it—and Court will find she’s not so easy to deny. The PromiseMarion has spent her life preparing to do her duty as the Stone of Scotland’s protector. She pledges to take it from the Englishman who’s stolen it, but he’s not at all what she expected. She certainly didn’t consider the possibility that she might fall in love with the handsome, confounding man. The Protector's Promise is the seventh book in a historical romance series set in 13th century Northumbria along the Anglo-Scottish border. If you like being transported to a time of knights and castles with steamy romance and strong female heroines, you’ll love the seventh installment of the Border Series.
A Twisted Little Christmas
Annalise Delaney - 2017
But when the merriment takes a bizarre twist, he retreats by himself to call it a night... Until his attention is captured by a teary-eyed Santa in a very short skirt.Holly's quest to find herself again ends in a disastrous Christmas date, leaving her discouraged and alone in a town far from home. But when her date returns, angry and violent, she's rescued by a gorgeous stranger--the kind of guy she once would have pursued. But that was before.Seeking cheer but preferring anonymity, they embark on an innocent game playing the roles of old friends catching up. Without encumbrances, honest conversations uncover hidden desires. Sparks fly, directing them to an outcome they hadn't expected and shouldn't pursue. But will it thrust them into each other's arms or leave them longing for what could have been?AUTHORS ADVISORY: While this romance is sweet, it's on the spicy side. If you like your romance STEAMY, your men HOT, and your sex DIRTY... this is for you.
Exes & Ho Ho Hos
Pippa Grant - 2018
And it was the worst mistake of my life.So when she shows up to play Santa for my daughter’s preschool Christmas party, you’re damn right I’m going to try to get her back.Except Kaitlyn Holly’s lost all of her Christmas cheer. Which means it’s my job to help her get it back. No matter what it takes.Exes and Ho Ho Hos is a short, sexy, standalone Christmas romance told in alternating first person, complete with reindeer, a Santa brawl, and a little mishap on the most iconic skating rink in New York City. It stands alone and has a merrily ever after.
Dancing with the Duke
Suzanna Medeiros - 2012
But that plan falls into tatters when his mother sponsors his sister's friend and enlists him to dance with her at Almack's. The beautiful vixen he meets that night bears little resemblance to the shy, gangly girl who used to follow him around. Now, instead of avoiding Charlotte, he finds himself frustrated when she seems to notice everyone but him.
The Duke's Marriage of Convenience
Fiona Miers - 2020
This spirited tomboy would rather care for her horses than tend to a husband—even if her betrothed is a dashing Duke. But to save her family, Raven accepts the dull life of a Duchess, and the societal expectations that will surely crush her soul. Her handsome fiancé, with his extravagant stables and shared love of horses, takes her by surprise. And so does the attraction she feels with every whispered word and flammable touch. This once reluctant bride soon yearns for more than a marriage of convenience.Andrew Seymour, Duke of Somerset, is resigned to his fate… he will marry for duty, rather than love. Since the crushing blow of his parents’ deaths, guilt has driven Drew’s every decision. A quiet loveless marriage is all he deserves. But his fiancé is no simpering society Miss. With a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, she has him bewitched and bewildered. Raven’s joy for life pulls him out of the cold, dark shadows of regret, ready to embrace life again. But Drew’s stubborn streak turns Raven’s passion to anger. And the engagement is broken—along with his heart.Drew is determined to win back the only woman he’s ever loved… before it’s too late. Can Raven forgive Drew and give him a second chance?
Miss Compton's Christmas Romance
Sophie Barnes - 2018
But as their journey progresses she enters an unexpected partnership with him and realizes that things aren't what they seem. Because Mr. Dalton is not only tempting. He may in fact be precisely what she needs.When Philip believes his travel companion requires protection, he immediately steps in to help by pretending to be her husband. For although the last thing he wants is to form an attachment, Philip is irrevocably drawn to the stunning red-head. And as they become better acquainted and their paths increasingly intertwined, he must decide if risking heartache again is worth the chance of finding true love.
An Invitation to Scandal
Kelly Boyce - 2013
Miss Abigail Laytham is a lady on a mission, determined to see the man responsible for her beloved uncle’s death pay. But revenge has its price, and with scandal courting her every step, can the headstrong beauty find the satisfaction she craves, or will she find something else entirely at the hands of her former beau, Viscount Roxton. The Sins & Scandals Series While there are those who spend their time in modest pursuits, upholding propriety befitting the lords and ladies of the ton, it would seem that for others scandal is just a sin away… THE SINS & SCANDALS SERIES #1 AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL #2 A SCANDALOUS PASSION #3 A SINFUL TEMPTATION #4 THE LADY'S SINFUL SECRET #5 SURRENDER TO SCANDAL #6 A SINNER NO MORE #7 THE SWEETEST SIN (Aug 9, 2016) #8 A MOST SCANDALOUS CHRISTMAS (Dec 2016) #9 A HINT OF SCANDAL (Spring 2017) #10 SINS OF A SOLDIER (TBD)
Secrets of Midnight
Miriam Minger - 1995
Instead, he finds himself banished to the English countryside of Cornwall, forced by the decrees of his father's will to run his family's tin mines and find a country bride. The very last thing the handsome lord needs is a local lass sticking her nose into his affairs, but that seems to be exactly what the parson's daughter, Corisande Easton, had in mind.
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...
Entertaining Angels
M.J. Logue - 2016
Winter, 1660. Retired from the Army after twenty years of service, Major Thankful Russell's whole life till now has been made up of war and intelligence. And now in peacetime, he suspects no more war and, on current showing, precious little intelligence. The idea of spending Christmas surrounded by drunkenness and debauchery at His Majesty's court is more than he can bear - and so he begs leave, to spend a quiet family Christmas at home. The problem is, he doesn't have a family. And nor, with his scarred face and his shyness, does he ever expect to have one. But when an accident of fate returns him to the only place he's ever called home, it's down to his old commanding officer's daughter to teach him that not everyone sets so high a value on the outer wrapping of the most precious gift of all....