Book picks similar to
The Study of a Rake by Kathleen Ayers
historical-romance
historical
novella
novellas
The Ice Duchess
Tracy Sumner - 2020
But a scandalous Christmas wager fashioned by Georgiana’s childhood obsession changes everything.The demanding duke needs a bride...Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess.Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past…but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?If you adore sexy Dukes, feisty Duchesses, and a steamy second-chance romance set in the magnificent Regency era, The Ice Duchess is the historical for you!*This book was previously published in the
A Scandalous Christmas
anthology.*
The Awakening of Ivy Leavold
Sierra Simone - 2015
Handsome and possessive, it’s not long before Ivy falls for him. But Mr. Markham has dark secrets, secrets that may put Ivy in danger...I am afraid...As Ivy unravels the mystery surrounding her cousin’s death, she falls deeper and deeper in love with Julian, who opens her body and her mind to his indomitable will. But even as he draws pleasure and desire from her night after night, Ivy can’t shake the feeling that their passionate affair may end in violence…And I'm completely his.***The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is the first book in the Markham Hall Trilogy. It is 40,000 words. ***For Mature Audiences only**
Fallen from Grace
M.J. Putney - 2011
Putney.Allarde, a gorgeous, wealthy noble, has hidden his true nature. In "Fallen from Grace," delve into Allarde's diary and read about his life at the exclusive school Eton, the discovery of his magic, and his sudden fall from grace. Will Allarde be disinherited from his family estate? How will he survive life at the dreary Lackland Abbey—the reform school for children with shameful magical abilities? But soon Allarde discovers an exciting secret within the grounds of Lackland.Also included is a preview of M.J. Putney's novel Dark Mirror.
Grace
Beverley Watts - 2021
A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness.....Grievously wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nicholas Sinclair was only recently returned to Blackmore after receiving news of his estranged father’s unexpected death. After an absence of twenty years, the new Duke was well aware it was his duty to marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible. However, tormented by recurring nightmares after his horrific experiences during the battle, Nicholas had no taste to brave the ton’s marriage mart in search of a docile obedient wife.…..Never in his wildest dreams did Reverend Shackleford envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the newly appointed Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it a bit in describing Grace as respectful, meek or dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all….
The Valentine's Curse
Jodi Thomas - 2018
. . As a Yankee in Texas two years after the Civil War, cowboy Broderick Monroe is given the jobs no one else wants to do—including keeping company with the cursed Widow Allen at the annual Valentine’s Day dance thrown by his boss’s wife. After losing two husbands to the war, Valerie Allen has become a local pariah. Rumor has it that if a man touches her, he’ll be dead by morning. But Brody believes in curses about as much as he believes in love. One secret embrace in the moonlight leads Valerie to think she has found a kindred spirit, but fate—and the curse—aren’t done with her yet . . . Originally published in Be My Texas Valentine
Engaged in Sin
Sharon Page - 2011
Anne understands the wicked games she must play to survive—she has perfected her silky voice, practiced her feathery caress—but has she sufficiently mastered the art of seduction to become the mistress of the notorious Duke of March, Devon Audley? War has left him a recluse, but Anne is penniless, alone, and needs a powerful gentleman’s protection. Anne has learned how to pleasure a man, yet when this sinfully handsome duke insists that intimate delights must be a two-way street, Anne cannot deny his sensual promise.Anne’s delicate hands hold a healing touch, but it’s her gentle kindness that opens the duke’s eyes to the beauty around him and to a family who need him. Still, Anne is a mystery, and Devon intends to spend endless hours uncovering her secrets. When he finds out the terrible truth about the devious plot to brand her a villainess and endanger her life, saving Anne becomes his salvation. She has shown Devon how to live and love again. Now he will prove the power of his passion.
The Duchess
Danielle Steel - 2017
Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express.
How to Capture a Countess
Karen Hawkins - 2012
But even she isn’t prepared for fiery Rose Balfour.At seventeen, Rose fell wildly in love with Lord Alton Sinclair, known as Lord Sin for his wicked ways. Stung by his indifference, the starry-eyed girl tried to win an illicit kiss, but then panicked and pushed the notorious rakehell into a fountain. Leaving Lord Sin floating among the lily pads to the mocking laughter of his peers, Rose escaped back to the obscurity of the Scottish countryside.Six years later, Sin convinces his aunt, the Duchess of Roxburghe, to invite Rose to her annual house party, where he plans to get revenge by making Rose the laughingstock of polite society. To his astonishment, he finds she has become an alluring woman who threatens to turn the tables on his nefarious plans. Thus Sin and Rose begin an epic battle of the sexes that becomes more passionate at every turn. Eventually, one will have to surrender . . . but to vengeance? Or to love’s deepest passion?
The Unexpected Duchess
Valerie Bowman - 2014
Lucy will hide behind the hedgerow and tell Cass just what to say to discourage the duke…but it turns out that he’s made of sterner stuff than either of them anticipated. And Lucy is shocked to discover that tangling with the tenacious man is the most fun she’s had in ages.Kisses Are the Best WeaponLord Derek Hunt made a promise to his dying friend to marry the demure Cassandra, and for a man who wants nothing more than peace and quiet after the horrors of war, she’ll make the perfect bride. If only the impudent Miss Upton will let him court the girl! Doing battle is the last thing on his mind, but bantering with Lucy behind the bushes is too tempting to resist. And the spoils of this war just may be true love…
A Question of Duty
Jayne Davis - 2021
Over the course of the Atlantic voyage, he finds himself taken with Miss Clara Harper.Mrs Harper is set on finding husbands for her daughters—but that is not what Clara wants. Doing the bidding of a husband does not appeal in the least; not when there is a world out there she wants to discover. But after spending time with Jack, her feelings on the matter change.There is, of course, a problem. Jack is the second son of the Earl of Marstone and Clara is a merchant’s niece. For one of his background, marrying into trade just isn’t done. Both must move on. Clara busies herself with her new life in London. Jack tries to push his feelings aside. But neither can forget the other.To Jack’s dismay, his brother has arranged a suitable marriage for him in his absence—one that will advance his family’s status and prestige. His duty to the family demands he accept this union, but he cannot dismiss Clara from his heart and mind. Will he refuse his duty and marry for love?A Question of Duty is a prequel novella to the Marstone Series, taking place seventeen years before Sauce for the Gander (Book 1). While it’s perfect for fans of the series, it can also be read as a standalone story.
Promise Me
Dee Julian - 2012
When the boy’s heartless mother abandons him, Leah finds herself nearing a disastrous scandal. To make matters worse, her fiancé’s older brother returns to England demanding answers she swore never to divulge. As soon as the Duke of Chase meets the woman his deceased brother had intended to wed, he is unexpectedly captivated by the lady’s beauty, but he quickly suspects she is hiding a secret, making him more determined than ever to seek the truth behind his brother’s fatal accident. Will Leah break her promise and confide in the only man who can keep her safe?
Duke of Decadence
Violetta Rand - 2020
If there were guitars to be smashed in hotel rooms, these gentlemen would have been at the forefront. Groupies? Yes. Bad behavior? Absolutely. But in the end, love rules the day and the soul is satisfied. Indulge in unexpected stories and unexpected adventure in the first, the best, and the only LORDS OF HEDONISM series... Alonzo, the Duke of Pridegate, is handsome, wealthy, and hedonistic to a fault. Gifted with the voice of a siren that can inflame the tamest of London debutantes, he has just returned to London after a year-long tour. Although he spent a considerable amount of time in the beds of beautiful ladies, he longs for the familiar and sedate — and perhaps even a woman of his very own. Lady Julia Castle, the only child of the Duke of Hampstead, has no interest in overbearing, spoiled lords—especially ones who pretend to be famous and greatly desired. She’s a dedicated intellectual with ambitions to become a respected philanthropist, so when Alonzo Farrington runs into her at a book shop and claims to be a duke, she immediately doubts him. What man of the ton would act as he does? When he invites her to a private performance, she reluctantly accepts only to discover that he is indeed a duke and a famous Verdi baritone. Unimpressed by his fame, Julia admits to herself that any woman would be thrilled to be seduced by such a man and with her father pressuring her to marry—Julia is now desperate to find a husband she can tolerate. Could Alonzo be that husband even though he goes against everything she's fought so hard to resist? It may be a decision that costs her greatly, for once she and the duke are alone, she's at his mercy. Or, so he believes... A Lord of Hedonism may have met his match. Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Lords of Hedonism
Book 1 - Duke of Decadence Book 2 - Earl of Excess Book 3 - Prince of Pleasure
Effie
Kit Morgan - 2017
These riches to rags shorts prove that love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that money does not always make the man. But as our debutantes know, it sure helps! Effie Stout is in her third season and beginning to worry if she’ll ever find a husband. But just when she sets her sights on a good prospect, the unthinkable happens. Her family falls into ruin. Forced to become amail-order bride by her step mother, Effie does her best to live like the other half and not get her or her would be groom killed in the process. Forrest Lang agonized over whether or not to send away for a mail-order bride and when she arrives, he soon discovers he should’ve left well enough alone. The woman is a disaster! How can he come to depend on a woman who can’t even peel a potato? Problem is, he married her. Now what? Find out in this fun romp full of humor, faith and love.
Just Perfect
JoMarie DeGioia - 2013
William Chesterton, the Earl of Chester, might be the perfect gentleman, but his feelings for Constance Bridgewater are anything but gentlemanly.Constance Bridgewater, the daughter of the late Earl of Bridgewater, might be the perfect lady, but her feelings for the Earl of Chester are anything but ladylike.They both know that if they were together, everything would be just perfect.So what is keeping them apart?
Ballgowns & Butterflies
Kelley Armstrong - 2021
For Bronwyn Dale, it is the stuff of dreams. Fancy-dress balls, quirky small-town traditions, even that classic one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingle bells. There’s just the tiny problem of the Butterfly Effect. How does a time-traveler make a difference without disrupting the future forever?Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book