Book picks similar to
The Duke's Shadow by Louise Charles


historical-romance
historical-fiction
victorian
historical

The Last Day of Forever (Catahoula #1)


Lane Casteix - 2015
    Bewildered and afraid, she finds comfort in an unexpected new relationship.In a family caught in the throes of lies, infidelity, death, and eventually the Civil War, Ethan is struggling with changes in his own life, and with his faith. In 1856 he is just beginning his last summer of adolescence at Catahoula Plantation before going off to school at the Virginia Military Institute. Falling in love was not part of his plans—until Rachel came into his life.Spirited and daring, she is unlike any woman he has ever known. He didn’t expect she would turn his world upside down like she does, nor did he anticipate how strongly his father would react to how they feel about each other, or the extremes to which he will go to keep them apart.

Intentions of the Earl


Rose Gordon - 2011
    The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him. With no other means for an income, the impoverished Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, makes an agreement that will put a definite end to his eight year poverty streak. But, in order to gain his fortune he must do only one simple thing: ruin an innocent young lady’s reputation enough to make her flee to America.Brooke Banks isn’t interested in marriage, or so she thinks. She came to London to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. Widely known for her tendency to flout the rules, she suspects nothing when a handsome stranger appears on her doorstep. Thirteen days, a handful of kisses and one scandalous situation later, Andrew and Brooke will have to choose to stick to their original plans, or decide if a life together is worth the risk. ***This is a full-length novel, approx. 100,000 words.

The Daughters of Allamont Hall Collection


Mary Kingswood - 2017
     Amy is a shy, timid soul, browbeaten by her domineering father until she’s terrified to do or say anything without his approval. When he dies suddenly, his will leaves large dowries for his six daughters, but only if they marry in the proper order, the eldest first. Amy must now find herself a husband, and soon, so her younger sisters can marry in their turn. There are several possible suitors, but will any of them come up to scratch? And how will Amy choose without her father to guide her? Belle is the plain one of the six Allamont sisters, happy with her books. With Amy betrothed, now Belle must find a husband. Reluctant to parade herself at balls and card parties, she intends to accept the offer of her cousin, James, a pragmatic but loveless choice on both sides. But fate and poetry and the gentle tendrils of friendship combine to overturn her careful plans. Connie’s older sisters have managed to find husbands, but now it’s her turn and she’s not sure she wants to marry at all. Having only just escaped her late father’s restrictive regime, she’s reluctant to surrender her freedom to another man just yet. If only she could find one who would fall so adoringly in love that he would do anything for her. Books 1-3 of the 6-book series The Daughters of Allamont Hall. Each book is a complete story with a HEA, but read them all to find out all the secrets of Allamont Hall!

The Duke's Temptation


Addie Jo Ryleigh - 2015
    A Runner. An Earl. Three men, each born into different circumstances. Each fighting to overcome their own adversity. All striving to change their past. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Wesbrook, desires any birthright other than being the son of a hideous man. Unfortunately, Gabe knows the exact moment he became like his father—a night that has haunted him for seven years. Resigned to his future, he is unprepared when his illegitimate—and more importantly unbeknown—young daughter appears on his London doorstep. With no one to care for her but him. Lady Elizabeth Blakely has loved only one man—her brother’s longtime friend, Gabe St. James. Not even his rakish and, oftentimes, wicked behavior dissuades her. Yet it all seems hopeless as he continues to overlook the woman she has become. When Elizabeth learns Gabe is in need of assistance with his daughter, she seizes the opportunity. Gabe, less than thrilled with the situation—mostly due to his fierce desire for his best friend’s sister—has no option but to concede. Besides, a more sinister threat lurks; someone is blackmailing Gabe with his darkest secret. Through it all, Gabe vows to resist Elizabeth, no matter how tempting. Sometimes it’s better to surrender . . .

Three Abductions and an Earl


Tessa Candle - 2017
    Now an encoretante whose family has lost a fortune, Lydia discovers that the beau monde is hard on a nouveau riche social climber, particularly one who is no longer riche and only wants to climb trees. Lydia must stave off the effrontery of rakes and conniving competitors long enough to make a good match, or else incur society's scorn by earning her own money. Falling for the unattainable Lord Aldley is a distraction she cannot afford. But they share such an enchanted history, how can her heart resist?The tragically virtuous Earl of Aldley is tired of ambitious families hurling debutantes at his head, but cannot hide in France forever. He returns to London to seek out the mysterious tree-climbing girl who once saved him from a scheming chit, and finds more than he bargained for. Abductions, seductions, trickery and injury all endanger Lydia, but Lord Aldley's heart is imperiled beyond rescue. He has only just found her; will he lose her forever to his enemy, his best friend, or his own dangerous mistake?Three Abductions and an Earl is a full length novel and the first book in Tessa Candle's Parvenues and Paramours series.

Wicked Temptations: Five Seductively Enticing Historical Romances


Erica Ridley - 2016
    Enjoy these five full-length romances set against the backgrounds of ancient Rome and Britannia, Regency England, the exotic beauty of Tunisia in the Victorian era, and the danger of Jack the Ripper’s Victorian London. From NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley — The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, Book one of the Dukes of War series. When disaster strikes and Lord Benedict Sheffield’s family’s annual Christmas ball is canceled, Lady Amelia Pembroke steps in to save the day. Suddenly Lord Sheffield is up to his cravat with tinsel... and tumbling head over heels in love. From USA Today bestselling and RITA-nominated author Anthea Lawson — Fortune’s Flower, Book one of the Passport to Romance series Miss Lily Strathmore is on her last grand adventure abroad before marrying a proper (and boring) viscount. James Huntington is searching for his grandfather's lost journals to regain the family fortune. When James and Lily are thrown together on a botanical expedition in the wilds of Tunisia they find themselves losing their hearts as they race to keep their enemies from bringing all their dreams crashing down. From Bestselling author and Gold & Bronze Medals winner in the International Book Awards and IPPY contests Monica Burns — Obsession Book one of the Reckless Rockwoods series Sebastian Rockwood, Earl of Melton, offers Helen Rivenall safe harbor from a terrifying past if she’ll participate in a harmless charade. As head of the Rockwood family, a dark secret has taught Sebastian to value control above all else. But as their charade progresses, control gives way to sinful pleasures. Set against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper’s London, two damaged souls struggle to find each other. From Bestselling author and Holt Medallion nominee Katy Madison — The Wedding Duel, Book one of the Dueling Pistols series It was meant to be a duel like any other. Instead, Keene Davies finds himself married to Sophie Farthing, a hoyden. High-spirited and with a penchant for disaster, Sophie’s determined to teach her husband that honor begins with the heart, not the handle of a pistol, and that passion should go hand in glove with love. From Award-winning author Sandra Schwab – Eagle’s Honor: Banished, Book one of the Eagle’s Honor series A forbidden love tested by the intrigues of the Roman Empire. When Centurion Marcus Florius Corvus is entrapped in a scheme designed to destroy him, he cannot help risking everything for Lia, the woman he’s given his heart to, even if it means banishment to one of the most dangerous places in the empire: the northern frontier of Britannia.

The Last Earl


Lara Blunte - 2020
    A mysterious nobleman who is the last of his name. A passion that will not conform to the rules of society.Willful, rich and clever, Lady Catherine Lytton believes she is in full control of her destiny after she inherits a large fortune.However, the return of Lord Adrian Stowe to England will turn her world on its head.He is the last Earl of Halford, and has been missing for years after the gruesome murder of his family; he is also different from any man she has ever met. She does not expect to feel such a strong attraction to him, or to finally lose head and heart to a man with grim secrets.When he leaves for Constantinople on a mysterious quest, she must follow, embarking on a journey of change that will lead her to understand the meaning of true love.

A Change of Fortune


Jen Turano - 2012
    Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiancé, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London. Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society—all the female ones, at least—are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone. Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence. When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

Mail Order Brides of Texas


Kathleen Ball - 2017
    Enjoy the happiness, love and sorrows of the brides to be and of course there is mystery and mayhem sprinkled in! Cinder's BrideWinner of the 2015 Diamond Lear Award for Best Historical Romance and Rone Award Finalist Shannon McMurphy travels to Asherville, Texas as a mail order bride expecting to marry a rancher. Instead, her intended is a saloonkeeper. Her refusal to marry enrages John Hardy and he slices her cheek with a knife so no other man would want her. She runs into the street and no one helps her until blond, blue-eyed Cinders rescues her. Sexy, rancher Cinders saves Shannon and offers her a job. To protect her reputation he must marry her. They both agree it’s a marriage of convenience. He admires her spunk and willingness to learn everything about surviving the Texas frontier. He waits for her to ask to go home but she never does. They learn a lot about each other through, stolen horses, Indian troubles, a cattle drive and the busybodies of the town. Their attraction for each other grows, but can they learn to trust enough to love? Keegan’s Bride Keegan Quinn watches the passengers disembark wondering where his mail order bride is. All he sees is a woman with a husband and child. Upon approaching the young woman, he discovers she is his bride, and she has a daughter she never mentioned. As they cross the street, the little girl screams for her daddy and points to the man who accompanied them on the stage. Rancher Keegan Quinn is furious. The married woman swindled him into paying passage for her and her child. It was fool hardy to think a mail order bride would want him. He rides out of town as fast as he can, vowing never to look back. It’s a loco dream to think he can have a family while constantly looking over his shoulder. Addy has no idea why Peg calls the new sheriff daddy. It cost her, Keegan, the man she hoped to make a life with. She has many secrets, but the sheriff is not one of them. She needs Keegan to keep her safe from her past in Boston. Once he learns the truth, he’ll send her back, but it’s a chance she’s willing to take.Shane’s Bride Rescued from Indians, Cecily McGuinness suffers from horrendous nightmare; ones that have her running from her lodging into the woods. She’ll never be normal again and most of the townspeople look at her with disdain. All she ever wanted was a family and a place to call home. Sheriff Shane O'Connor is tired of tracking Cecily down each time she takes flight. Finally he makes her an offer to keep his house and help turn it into a farm. Her past doesn’t taint her in his eyes. In fact he finds himself very attracted to her but keeps his distance. She’d suffered enough at the hands of Long Nose. Amid cheating gamblers, old friends who unexpectedly show up and a fire, a closeness develops between them. Cecily believes she isn’t fit to be a wife anymore. Can Shane convince her heart and soul that she is indeed worthy of a great love? Tramps Bride Handsome Cowboy Tramp Hart left his home and friends over a year ago. He's finally back to make amends and take his place on the ranch. That is until he walks into the house he designed and finds a woman living there. He needs a plan to get her out so he can move in. Mail Order Bride Ilene Duffy traveled from New York City to Asherville, Texas only to find out her marriage contract was no longer valid. Rancher Cinders and his wife Shannon offer her an empty house on their land. Ilene has no intentions of getting married.Poor Boy’s Christmas Poor Boy finally comes home. He’s no longer the waif we grew to love; he is very much a man now.

Rejecting the Rogue


Riley Cole - 2017
    And the worst heartbreakers.Philomena Sweet, Victorian London's finest safecracker, knows it better than most. The worst rogue of them all, dashing jewel thief Spencer Crane, smashed hers long ago. And now he's back, fleeing danger from their past. Danger he won't survive without her help.She'd love to refuse. She'd kill to stab him with her parasol. But she can't leave him for dead.Spencer Crane would sooner steal costume jewelry than ask talented, wickedly bright Meena Sweet for help. He's well aware she'd rather dice him into small pieces. He might even deserve it. But revenge stalks them both. He needs her artistry. She needs his skills.Neither needs the desire that sparks to life between them.While they dodge criminals, carriages, and the occasional flying cabbage, who will protect these two notorious thieves from each other?—Meet The Restitution League—Thieves, rogues, and well-armed adventuresses, the crew of the Restitution League fights injustice while wrestling with love and desire—and the occasional throwing knife—one romance at a time.And there's tea.

The Story of a Baron


Linda Rae Sande - 2014
    As a peer of the realm, he’s not allowed to work, but if he’s able to earn money from a book he’s written – anonymously, of course - no one will be the wiser. A dowry would be easier, but then he would have to find a woman willing to marry a baron. While her brother, the Earl of Everly, is away on one of his lengthy expeditions, Lady Evangeline is left behind in London to spend her days creating exquisite embroideries and reading books. She's about to buy 'The Story of a Baron' at The Temple of Muses when Lord Sommers suddenly appears. He’s intent on buying the very same book, but there's only the one copy. Desperate to discover what changes his publisher might have made to his story – without letting on he’s the author – Jeffrey suggests they read it together. Evangeline's sterling reputation could use a bit of scandal, she decides, and so she agrees to Lord Sommer's proposal. As the two read 'The Story a Baron', Evangeline realizes some of the characters and settings are just a bit too familiar. And a bit too close to home. Was she the inspiration for the baron’s secret love, a bold, brash woman whose reputation is in tatters? With her own reputation suddenly in question, Evangeline finds her life imitating art. How can the book have a happy ending when she wishes she’d never purchased 'The Story of a Baron'?

The Wicked Wager


Anya Wylde - 2012
    A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke’s gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.Alas, he underestimates the duke’s intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate—never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes … a tad complicated.

Bleddyn Hall


Amanda L.V. Shalaby - 2015
    After a whirlwind romance during the London Season, Lady Isabel Sutton finds herself quickly engaged to the handsome Lord Tresham  Bleddyn, Earl of Dancy.  When his father passes away suddenly, however, his period of mourning delays their marriage and ruins the season for Tresham’s  younger, twin sisters, Annalise and Rosamund.After the girls invite Isabel to their Yorkshire home, Bleddyn  Hall, Tresham  seems an entirely different man than the one she fell in love with in London.  Not only that, but all is not well within the walls of Bleddyn  Hall. The house’s dark secrets lead to murder, mystery, and a gruesome discovery.Was Isabel’s happy future with Tresham  nothing more than an illusion?  What is more, will she survive her stay at Bleddyn Hall?

Loving the Hawke


Lana Williams - 2016
    Mostly. Determined to claim more meaning for her life than seeing her younger sisters married, she seeks a purpose. She finds what she's looking for when she happens upon a book describing seven curses that plague London. Nathaniel Hawke is attempting to adjust to civilian life after retiring from the military, but his injured leg and memories of his time in the service prevent an easy transition. On his long walks during London's darkest hours, Nathaniel is appalled by what he sees taking place on the dirty streets and alleyways. He is determined to take action. Coming upon a proper, if rebellious, lady in the desolate area both intrigues and frustrates him.Nathaniel's disregard for his personal safety infuriates Lettie even as her heart is touched by his determination to aid the city's neglected children.As the two wounded souls stumble upon each other time and again in slums and ballrooms, they realize they fight a common cause--and share an unbridled passion.Will the curse they fight be their downfall? Or will love win the day?

Unlaced


Kristina Cook - 2004
    Instead, she’s caught up in a whirlwind of balls, marriage proposals, and ton intrigues. Worse, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her sponsors’ maddening neighbor, Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville. The handsome, arrogant, sometimes infuriating Mandeville stokes a passionate fire within her that won’t be denied, no matter the consequence.Deep, emotional scars secretly plague Henry, Lord Mandeville. As a result, he’s avoided romantic entanglements at all costs. Only, now he needs a wife—someone from a wealthy, powerful family to further his political aspirations. Instead, he finds himself all but obsessed with the beautiful but unconventional Lucy Abbington—a woman whose passions and wit stir desires he’d rather ignore. And yet…she might just be the one woman who can heal his wounded heart.Lucy and Henry’s heads say no, but their hearts say yes. Will they find themselves undone by love?