Book picks similar to
Daring Deceptions by Patricia Coleman
regency
can-t-find
arranged-marriage
suspension-of-disbelief
Ian's Bride
Hildie McQueen - 2019
The bloodline of Robert the Bruce runs through her veins... Ian Murray has a secret reason to why he will never marry. Duty to the Laird is his sole purpose until a woman in need reveals the protector within. An unexpected revelation turns Sorcha Hay’s life upside down. When a man she’s never liked comes to her rescue, it’s hard to tell who is more shocked Sorcha or the warrior. Sometimes fate can change the course of one’s life in the blink of an eye.
Surrendered to the Lust of the Duke
Ava MacAdams - 2020
Rescued from the workhouse by a kind Duke, his charity school is the only home she knows. Until the day his son, the man she loves, announces his intention to shut it down.David Wearwood, the Duke of Lentingdale, could never live up to his father’s expectations. Now returned from his travels to attend his funeral, he stumbles upon Teresa. In the place of the little girl stands a woman he seems unable to control himself around.In a desperate attempt to save the only home she’s ever known, Teresa mingles with the wrong crowd. Abominable agendas born in the slums of London decades ago, that not even David can protect her from. Attending a disastrous ball leads them to a peculiar clue: a pink handkerchief. The one Teresa has been seeing in her nightmares...
Falling for the Lonesome Cowboy
Lorelei Brogan - 2019
With courage and strength, she managed to escape and start over under the care of a kind livery couple. Even though she changed her life for the better, the trauma never left her broken heart. Then Clay Donnelly literally fell off his horse unconscious at her gate and she had to act fast and save his life. Could the man she helped be the one to make her world complete? Or would the scars in her soul stop her from ever finding true love and happiness? Clay Donnelly arrives at a beautiful woman's door after having ridden over the mountains and across the desert to escape pursuit. After a false alarm, he had to abandon his post at the ranch he was working on as a cowboy to help his brother. After realizing that the call for help was a trap, he decided to make a run for it to avoid being blamed and found himself at Jess's door. Can he convince the charming woman who helped mend his wounds that he can be the one to mend hers? Or will her tortured past become an obstacle between them? They both found love when they least expected it, but they have to fight their demons to let it blossom. Can Clay make Jess see that he is the one who deserves her trust? Will Jess let go of her trauma and succumb to this unprecedented feeling?
Mail Order Moments (A Brides of Beckham Novel)
Cissie Patterson - 2017
Could becoming a mail order bride be her answer for a new life? One letter touches her heart. Seattle is far enough away—she hopes. Simon Farmer has spent three years reliving what happened in his past. Could he have done anything to change what occurred? His mother, Harriett, convinces him a mail order bride is what he needs to move on. Will his plea inspire the right woman to marry him? Set in Kirsten Osbourne's world of Beckham, Harriett, Simon’s mother, and Elizabeth, Ida’s sister, reunite as they help a survivor and a heartbroken lawyer find a future together, while the past tries to drive them apart.
Summons to the Chateau D'Arc
Kay Cornelius - 2005
She finds herself falling for the attractive estate manager, who carries secrets of his own. As the tension grows more unbearable, Ellen will have to risk everything she holds dear to discover the secrets that lurk in the shadows of the Chateau D'Arc.
The Way to His Lonely Heart
Aurora Hanson - 2020
When Hank Collins enters her life with an appealing business proposal, she realizes that she has never truly known home outside of her town’s limits. Being rather skeptical, at first, she declines the offer but when her family is in great need of money, she sees no other choice but to take it. Surrounded by people she does not trust and being away from her family, how will she handle the challenges coming ahead? Could a relationship that started as a professional one, be developed into something deeper and more meaningful?Hank Collins has been down on his luck facing tragedy after tragedy, and now, his family legacy is nearly in shambles. Hank will meet Lauren under very peculiar circumstances, but he is soon to realize that she and her amazing cooking skills are all that he needs. When Lauren joins the ranch, her cooking fills the souls of Hank and his men, while it gives him strength and inspiration for even greater things. How far is he willing to go in order to claim his happiness with Lauren? When a misunderstanding nearly destroys their connection, will he manage to prove his feelings and true intentions to her?Their paths entwine more than either of them expected, but the struggles of running a ranch might just tear them apart. When success comes knocking, will they make the decision their heart truly desires or will they suppress their feelings driven by selfishness? ?s their love meant to last or will it be demolished at the first sign of trouble and disagreement?
It's a Duke's Life: Sequel to 'Don't flatter yourself' - A P&P Variation (The Denton Connection Book 3)
Sydney Salier - 2020
That is what every matchmaker thought about Alistair, even before he became the Duke of Denton. He spent years avoiding compromising situations and unwanted marriages, often with the help of his identical twin brother Robert. Then he met Charlotte Lucas, best friend of his newly married cousin, Lady Elizabeth Darcy. Charlotte Lucas is a reluctant spinster. But is she reluctant to be a spinster or is she reluctant to be a duchess? There is only one way to find out… Sequel to 'Don't flatter yourself' - A Pride & Prejudice Variation
United Under the Western Sky
Grace Clemens - 2020
Just a week after her meeting with the local matchmaker, Annie is on a train riding across the country to meet her future husband, sight unseen. Unfortunately, when she arrives, Annie isn't met by the kind farmer she'd been expecting but by the brooding and rough former bounty hunter, Josiah. Although a bit overwhelmed at first, Annie feels the spark between them and decides to embrace the unknown. But is she truly ready to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she'd find?Bounty hunter Josiah Bright has been on the road for as long as he can remember. When he stumbles upon a young, orphaned girl, though, his life will change forever. Determined to find out what happened to the girl's mother, Josiah decides to stay in town for a while, helping the local sheriff get to the bottom of the case. As the days turn to weeks, it seems like he's going to be spending more time in Jackson than he'd originally intended. With a new house, a new job, and a daughter, there's only one thing he is missing; a wife. The empty place in his heart will be filled by the kind and sweet Annie, who will instantly diminish all of his concerns and brighten his days. Can he soften his sharp edges, giving love a chance before it is lost once and for all?Neither Josiah nor Annie are sure that they will warm up to each other at first. However, with a young girl to care for and a house to run, the ice is quickly broken. Both are thrown into a way of life they had never dreamed of, but without even realizing it, they will soon get lost in unique, unexpected emotions. When a new threat appears, will the couple be strong enough to stay true to their new feelings?"United Under the Western Sky" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
A Summons From Yorkshire
Ava Stone - 2011
She has been in love with Viscount Heathfield since she was in leading strings. Unfortunately, it's been almost that long since she's laid eyes on her brother's old friend and vice versa. Tired of waiting for him to remember her, Emma pens a holiday invitation (in her brother's hand) to Heathfield and waits as patiently as she is able for her one true love to arrive. * Heath isn't quite certain what to make of the very strange summons he received, but his curiosity is most definitely piqued. He heads north to Danby Castle, only to find that his very orderly life is about to be turned upside down.In Aileen Fish's The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation, Lady Harriet Thornhill knows the summons from her grandfather means he’s decided whom she must marry. Determined that she’d only marry a man of her choosing, she stows away in her friend’s father’s carriage, only to find herself alone with young Archibald Napier,Viscount Morley. * Morley’s plans for a quiet Christmas vanish when he discovers the sweet young lady hiding under the blankets in his carriage. As she claims an acquaintance with his sister, he feels duty-bound to see her safely back to her family.* A broken carriage wheel leaves them stranded, and Harriet’s reputation is at stake. Morley’s not ready to take a wife, until he’s told he wouldn’t be a suitable husband for her. With memories of her sweet, tempting kiss filling his thoughts, he prepares to fight for the hand of the woman he believes he could love.In Julie Johnstone's Gift of Seduction, the day Andrew Whitton, Earl of Hardwick chooses his fortune over the woman he loves, Drew discovers that money makes for a cold bed partner. Now, no matter how far he runs, the memory of his betrayal haunts him, and there’s not enough liquor to dull the past or diminish his disgust. * Charlotte Milne trusted in happily ever after until her knight turned out to be wearing rusty armor. Drew, the scoundrel, seduced her, though she very much enjoyed the seduction by the man she’s loved since childhood. Left scandalously ruined, Char flees her home intent upon forgetting Drew and proving her worth. * Separated by disloyalty and pain, each struggle to bury the memories of the other until a mandatory summons from the Duke of Danby sets them on a path of collision to Danby Castle. With the tides of irrevocable change rising, Drew must find a way to show Char that even the most selfish of rakes can be redeemed by love before the woman of his heart becomes the wife of another.
Guilty Pleasures of a Bluestocking
Olivia Bennet - 2019
She is his new beginning.
After her sister’s untimely passing, Deborah Wilds is ready to marry the Duke of Tarsington in her place. Despite the circumstances, she can't help the flare of excitement in her belly at the thought of marrying the man she's been secretly in love with for years. Though plagued by his intended's sudden death, Leonard Fletcher, Duke of Tarsington, resolves to do his duty and honor his parents' agreement by marrying Edith's younger sister. He never imagined that the younger Miss Wilds would be so easy to fall in love with. Deborah's world shifts on its axis when she discovers her sister’s diary. But there's only one problem: important pages with events leading up to her death appear to have been violently torn and taken… Determined to discover what really happened to Edith, Leonard and Deborah unwittingly put themselves in grave danger. First, come the letters, then comes the handkerchief. And then Deborah walks in an old house, never to walk out again... *If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Guilty Pleasures of a Bluestocking is the novel for you. This is Olivia's 11th novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
Mirror
Janessa Burt - 2015
At least that hasn’t changed. Two - Impossibly, time can be bent, shaped, and altered. Jumping centuries breaks laws, and I’m living the consequences—good and bad. Three - My future is undeniably cemented in the past. He lives in yesterday, but I want him to be part of my tomorrow. Four - Some things lost are not lost forever. Sometimes they’re only misplaced. Five - Evil is not confined by time. And this evil has traveled to find me. One week ago, I didn’t know time could move backwards. One week ago, I didn’t know anything existed behind the glass of the mirror. One week ago, I didn’t know—couldn’t know—that when I finally found light, I unwillingly welcomed darkness.
The Christmas Ruse
Jennie Goutet - 2019
Her dear friend, Miss Lavinia Dresden, has also come to stay. Nicholas is on his guard, but it’s hard to resist Miss Dresden’s luminous eyes—or her need for a savior. Lavinia Dresden is prepared to sacrifice her future happiness. Her father has arranged her betrothal to a wealthy but notorious baron to save himself from ruinous debt. Lavinia knows her fate will be sealed at the Cothill Christmas ball, but she never considered the cost of her sacrifice until the dashing Lord Cranleigh came into her life. With only five days remaining until Christmas, the question is not whether Nicholas wants to save Miss Dresden—but whether he is able.
The Secret Plan of Dazzling Ladies
Aria Norton - 2020
Juliana is stubborn, adventurous and deeply in love with a Lord who has a questionable reputation. Emmeline is quiet in nature and shier than her fun-loving sister. When they discover that their parents are planning to marry Juliana to an eligible and affable son of a Duke she has no interest in, they concoct a plan to secretly take each other's place. With Emmeline having misgivings about the subterfuge, and navigating her unexpected feelings for this kind hearted newcomer, will the sisters manage to find love and avoid the trouble they've caused?Lord Cale has recently returned to his stepfather's estate to acquire more responsibilities after completing his education. He has known the twin daughters of the Earl of Baxter his entire life and has fallen deeply in love with Lady Juliana. However, due to his family's troubling reputation preventing him from being able to court her, he leaves determined to clear the family name. When he eventually returns vindicated and seeks out Juliana, how will he handle his dismay at thinking Juliana is already happy with another Lord? Will the two Lords come to an understanding about each other's place in the twins' lives or will the strong feelings involved render this impossible?With every passing day Emmeline's and Juliana's lives become increasingly complicated and intertwined and the pretense more difficult to keep up. However, the foggier the truth becomes, the clearer their growing feelings emerge. After all this time and the endless lies, will they manage to untangle this mess without hurting the men they care for, or have they taken this ruse too far? Will both sisters finally get the happily ever after that they long for?"The Secret Plan of Dazzling Ladies" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Courting A Sinful Stranger
Emily Honeyfield - 2021
Sarah yearns for so much more, secretly lusting for an enthralling adventure... When she attends a masquerade ball, she is allured by the raven-haired seductive stranger, who whispers shockingly tempting things into her ear, without revealing his identity. She knows all this is far from how a lady should behave, but she finds this game of seduction simply irresistible. After all, what hope can a respectable young lady have in finding any kind of tantalizing excitement? While trying to unveil this captivating masquerader's identity, will she indulge in an adventure of inappropriate promises and lustful desire?Arthur Colton, the Viscount Nordarken, is a bored gentleman, ready to risk it all for the sake of pleasure. While visiting his father in the district, he is on the hunt for a rousing distraction. Sadly, not even one of the eligible young ladies sparks his interest after the whirlwind of excitement that London was. Little did he know that everything was about to change with the announcement of a masquerade ball and the appearance of an enticing dark-eyed beauty into his dangerous path. Being used to always getting what he wants, he comes up with a wicked plan, to make her succumb to his sinful passion. How far is he willing to go in order to conquer her fiery heart?Against all odds, their lives and their feelings get tangled and challenge everything they have ever known. That is when a game of false identities and flaming desire begins... A game that must end soon, or it could otherwise lead to their destruction. For Sarah it is being in the midst of a scandal and losing her gracious place in society. For Arthur it is being targeted and risking turning into a social pariah. Will an arising old scandal threaten their affair to its very core? Will their untamed passion for one another be enough to thrive, in spite of all the hardships or will they drift apart after all?