Book picks similar to
The Painted Lady by Barbara Metzger
historical-romance
romance
regency
historical
The Rules of Gentility
Janet Mullany - 2007
As to the former, so far two lords, a viscount, and a mad poet have fallen far short of her expectations. But she is about to meet Inigo Linsley, an unshaven, wickedly handsome man with a scandalous secret. He's nothing she ever dreamed she'd want—why then can she not stop thinking about how he looks in his breeches?A delightful marriage of Pride and Prejudice with Bridget Jones's Diary, Janet Mullany's The Rules of Gentility transports us to the days before designer shoes, apple martinis, and speed dating—when great bonnets, punch at Almack's, and the marriage mart were in fashion—and captivates us with a winsome heroine who learns that some rules in society are made to be broken.
The Bar Sinister
Sheila Simonson - 1986
The pretty young widow had immediately agreed to take them in despite her family's objections. Nevermind how odd it was that their father wasn't leaving them with his own family. Captain Richard Falk, one of the rudest gentlemen Emily had ever had the misfortune to encounter, obviously knew his own mind and far be it from Emily to question his motives. That he was also undeniably attractive, she coolly ignored. All in all, it was a very good thing he would be absent more often than present... AN ARROGANT CAPTAIN Captain Falk did not have much patience with silly, missish women. So he was rather pleasantly surprised by Emily Foster's good sense and refreshingly forthright manner. That his thoughts dwelled on her was of course due to his concern for his children and not to her pair of fine blue eyes or the way she laughed at him so charmingly. Or perhaps he was concerned that the mysterious circumstances that had forced him to entrust his children to her care would put her in danger—and he would not be there to protect her...
The Wrong Brother
Bree Wolf
One lady. And a heart torn in two.ISABELLA CARRINGTON has always favoured her mind over her heart.Meeting Charles Dashwood, she quickly decides that he is the one for her. After all, he has all the qualities she appreciates in a man; he is kind, honest, and most of all dependable.However, in the very moment, Isabella whispers her 'I do', her eyes catch the glimpse of another man. A man whose eyes look unnervingly familiar, and yet, stir a longing within her heart and soul she has never known.Just as she gives her hand to Charles Dashwood, her heart is stolen by none other than her husband's notorious twin, ROBERT DASHWOOD, VISCOUNT NORWOOD.When mind and heart do not go hand in hand, can there be a happily ever after?This tale by a USA TODAY bestselling author shows that the heart wants what the heart wants…even at the most inconvenient of times.If you like bittersweet stories about a love so abrupt and unexpected that it unhinges your whole world and leaves you reeling, then you’ll love this instalment of Bree Wolf’s emotionally charged Forbidden Love Novella Series. Download THE WRONG BROTHER for FREE, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading spot and start this swoon worthy romance now!A Forbidden Love Novella Series#1 The Wrong Brother#2 A Brilliant Rose#3 The Forgotten Wife#4 An Unwelcome Proposal#5 Rules to Be Broken#6 Hearts to Be MendedTo Follow:#7 Winning her Hand#8 Conquering her HeartLove's Second Chance Series#1 Forgotten & Remembered - The Duke's Late Wife (Rosabel & Graham)#2 Cursed & Cherished - The Duke's Wilful Wife (Anna & Edmond)#3 Despised & Desired - The Marquess' Passionate Wife (Ellie & Frederick)#4 Abandoned & Protected - The Marquis' Tenacious Wife (Henrietta & Connor)#5 Ruined & Redeemed - The Earl's Fallen Wife (Charlotte & Sebastian)#6 Betrayed & Blessed - The Viscount's Shrewd Wife (Beth & Tristan)#7 Deceived & Honoured - The Baron’s Vexing Wife (Madeline & Derek)More to follow:#8 Sacrificed & Reclaimed - The Soldier's Daring Widow (Meagan & Edward) (Bonus Novella)
A Regency Christmas Feast
Mary Balogh - 1996
MARY BALOGH tells of lost love found when a betrayed beauty and a jealous lord learn how hard it is to resist each other. SANDRA HEATH stirs up embers of a past passion between a dashing sea captain and a mysterious governess with heartwarming results. EDITH LAYTON leads a divinely handsome, strangely bedeviled duke by his taste buds to a woman he does not suspect he hungers for. BARBARA METZGER sets a beautiful young widow free to break all the rules and come out a winner at last in the marriage game.PATRICIA RICE weaves a glowing tale about a woman who must decide whether to defy her ferocious father and take a second chance at love. Rich and heady with the spirit of the season, this Yuletide treasury satisfies your appetite for the very best.
The Byram Succession: A Regency Romance
Mira Stables - 1978
Albertine 'Tina' Newton knows her worth. The most beautiful girl of the Season, she knew she was born to grace a nobler establishment. And she has her sights set on the perfect husband: Lord Skirlaugh, the heir to the Duke of Byram. Scarred, disillusioned, and cynical, Skirlaugh must nonetheless marry to ensure the succession. He neither expected nor desired love; just a well-bred conformable wife with a reasonable dowry. Tina is certain that there is no one to outshine her. But when her cousin Thea inherits a fortune, she also becomes a contender for Skirlaugh's attention. Then, after meeting on a roadside when both stopped to aid a young man with a badly injured horse, it seems that Thea and Skirlaugh have more potential than Tina thinks... But which aspiring débutante will please his critical taste? Mira Stables is the author of many historical fiction novels, including The Swynden Necklace and Golden Barrier.
Her Caprice
Keira Dominguez - 2019
Her parents are the only ones who know, and now, seven years later, they are forced to put on a sham for Beatrice's late first Season. The plan, make Beatrice as mousy and ill-clothed as possible so no suitor would consider her. Then they can all escape back to their country home in Dorset to keep the terrible secret safe. But the unthinkable happens... Beatrice meets a man who gives her hope of a normal life, and Beatrice dares to love with horrible consequences.Captain Henry Gracechurch has resigned his commission after living through the horrors and waste of war. Recently returned from Spain, he is cajoled by his formidable godmother to make an appearance at one of her famous balls. When he sees a young woman abandoned on the dance floor, honour commands him to save the day. Nothing could have prepared him for meeting the person who is a balm to his soul and gives wings to his heart. But winning Beatrice Thornton will take every ounce of courage he has, and this is a war he will win, no matter the cost.
Bewitching
Jill Barnett - 1993
It hardly mattered that her Scottish bloodline was shrouded in mystery. But Alec's heated desire turned ice-cold when he discovered that this winsome lady was, in fact, a witch --- whose powers of white magic were not always perfectly under control ...Too late, Joy knew she was desperately in love and that nothing could stop the course of their destiny --- the scandal threatening to destroy her and the passion that held them both spellbound in a forbidden, irresistible match.
The Three Disgraces Series
Elena Greene - 2014
The Incorrigible Lady Catherine ~ Lady Catherine Harcourt, daughter of a duke, tries to escape her cold, repressive family by eloping with a rake. She is exiled to her aunts’ cottage in the Lake District, where she meets Philip Woodmere, a gentleman farmer as kind as he is ruggedly attractive. She is drawn to Philip’s strength and warms to his lively family, but a secret from her past threatens their chance for happiness. The Redwyck Charm ~ Marcus Redwyck, Earl of Amberley, reluctantly agrees to wed an heiress in order to save his estate. But his equally reluctant bride, Juliana Hutton, runs away and masquerades as an opera dancer. When they meet, passion leads them to the edge of scandal. Even when all is revealed, it will take all of Marcus’s resolution and the fabled Redwyck charm to win the spirited Juliana’s heart. Saving Lord Verwood ~ Penelope Talcott distrusts Lord Verwood, a notorious rake who’s meddled in the lives of her friends. But she accidentally saves his life and becomes entangled in his affairs. Someone is trying to kill Verwood. Despite herself, Pen is impelled to help. Scandal forces them to marry and return to his estate in Cornwall, where Pen must solve the mystery of the tortured man she has come to love. Reviews: The Incorrigible Lady Catherine “The story gives fresh new twists to traditional Regency plotlines and introduces a well-drawn cast of characters, three of whom cry out for their own tales to be told—the notorious Lord Verwood and Catherine’s two school friends . . . Elena Greene is a talented writer to watch for when looking for a pleasurable, meaty Regency romance.” – Jane Bowers, in Romance Reviews Today The Redwyck Charm “I consider The Redwyck Charm one of the best Regencies I’ve read in the past few months. Elena Greene is a reliable author who delivers the kind of story Regency readers love.” – Barbara Hume, for Rakehell Saving Lord Verwood “Elena Greene writes an intriguing tale of hope, love and joy. In this clever story of just who rescues whom, the political intrigue and developing passion between the main characters neatly blend together to make a highly pleasurable read.” – Romantic Times (4 and 1/2 stars)
Miss Frazer's Adventure
Debbie Raleigh - 2005
Now I’m thrilled to have them made available once more, as fresh and adventurous as ever…
To avoid the taint of her mother’s scandalous reputation, Miss Kate Frazer stifles her naturally high spirits to become a model of propriety. But when she is rewarded with a suitor who cares only for her dowry—and leaves her waiting at the altar on her wedding day—Kate determines that she will live as she chooses. Her first adventure will be a trip to London under an assumed name to enjoy the city’s delights. And woe to anyone who stands in her way—particularly her fiancé… Lucius Calfield wasn’t looking forward to wedlock with the tediously suitable Kate Frazer. Still, he is chagrined when a violent storm makes him late for the ceremony. But embarrassment turns to astonishment when he finds that his fiancée has vanished entirely! And that is the least of the surprises his unaccountably changed—and unexpectedly irresistible bride—has in store…
I’ve fallen in love with these timeless books all over again, and believe that you will too.
Alexandra Ivy
Bite Me, Your Grace
Brooklyn Ann - 2013
To save his reputation, Ian enlists aspiring authoress Angelica Winthrop without realizing she has hidden plans of her own.Angelica Winthrop's life goal is to ruin her reputation, avoid marriage, and become a gothic authoress like her idol, Mary Shelley. To find inspiration for her new story, she breaks into the home of Ian Ashton, Duke of Burnrath, not knowing she will be coming up against the Lord Vampire of London. Romance sparks and reputations are at stake. But who knows the real difference between fact and fiction?
A Delightful Arrangement
Cecilia Gray - 2011
He has always protected his former neighbor and childhood companion, and now that she is of marriageable age, he will give her what she needs most - a real home where she is welcome and wanted.Unfortunately for him....she is done with being dutiful.After years of being an obedient daughter to a hateful father, Francesca jumps into her first Season. Francesca is ready to dance every dance, flirt with every bachelor and snatch what she wants most - a man she loves who will make her swoon.Unfortunately for her...he now sees making her swoon as his duty, too.And Phillip takes his duties very seriously.* * *Don't miss The Gentlemen Next Door series, because sometimes a lady in need of love need look no further than next door. The Gentlemen Next Door Series are historical regency romance novellas.
The Rake
Suzanne Enoch - 2002
The plan is simple: She will use every seductive wile she knows to win Dare's heart...and then break it. But his smoldering gaze once again tempts Georgiana to give in to desire ― and when he astonishes her with a marriage proposal, she wonders: Is he playing yet another game...or could it truly be love this time?
Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Jane Charles - 2014
After Patrick is attacked in the forest and tossed into a river, he is surprised to wake at the country estate where the lovely Miss Laura Chetwey is mourning the loss of her brother. Even more surprising, she seems to be the only person who can see or hear him, which should make his mission easy to complete… if only he could remember the message he is supposed to deliver. Laura’s brother has been missing for four months and she has come to believe he perished at sea. Taking refuge at her uncle’s estate, she tries to escape her grief by immersing herself in the imaginary world of fiction by penning a horrid novel. But the line between reality and make-believe becomes hard to distinguish when a handsome ghost arrives at Torrington Abbey to protect her and steals her heart in the process. Trapped between the span of life and death, Patrick fears he will vanish forever once he remembers the news of Laura's brother. Will they ever have a chance to be together, or is the opportunity for love lost to them forever?
Flame and Ember
M.A. Nichols - 2018
After years of searching, he finally found love. Unfortunately, she wed another, and now, it’s time to settle for someone with whom he can share his life. Love is no longer an option for a man whose heart is irrevocably broken.Mina Ashbrook longs to marry for love but knows she’s too old, too plump, and too plain to catch a gentleman’s eye. And a marriage of convenience is better than being a spinster sister living off her brother’s charity. Simon may not love her now, but Mina knows there’s hope—if she can convince him that love comes in many forms.Will Mina find a way to heal Simon’s heart? Or will the shadows of the past keep them from finding happiness together?
Though part of the Regency Love series, each book is a standalone sweet romance and can be read in any order.
The Marriage List
Dorothy McFalls - 2005
Humble tenant May Sheffers meets none of these, so why does his heart beat madly at the sight of her?