Book picks similar to
Golden Barrier by Mira Stables


historical-romance
favourite-re-reads
regency-secular-traditional
19th-century

Miss Prim


Jane Myers Perrine - 2005
    Because of her age, refined nature, and strict moral code she is considered to be "Miss Prim."Louisa's guarded existence is disrupted when she accepts an invitation from her sister. She believes that she is simply helping her sister and brother-in-law by watching the children during their travels. However, upon her arrival she meets William, Viscount Woodstone, and an adventure beyond her wildest imagination begins. Starting with the questionable heritage of a baby in her care, she decides to join Woodstone's secret quest to outwit French spies and thwart their evil plan.Despite all Louisa's beliefs, this refined gentlewoman careens around the back roads of England in an ancient cart, poses as a countrywoman, and even saves Woodstone's life.Once the adventure ends, Louisa is concerned that her "Miss Prim" image is shattered, and hopes that Woodstone feels the same emotions for her that she has developed for him.

The Master of Grex


Joan Wolf - 2018
    Who is this rich, gorgeous mystery man? Lady Anne Saxton, daughter of the Earl of Grex, is about to find out. He makes an offer to marry her. But Anne wants to know - does he want her, or does he want the great estate that comes with her? Does he only want to be the Master of Grex?

The Master of Liversedge


Alice Chetwynd Ley - 1966
     The mill seems to be his only interest in life and his young step-sister Caroline is the only person able to bring a smile to his face. But Liversedge Mill is in trouble as the Luddite rebellion sweepings through the north. Workers are conspiring to smash machines and terrorise their masters. Mary Lister, Caroline’s new governess, arrives on a night of violence and death. Having been forced by the snowy track to travel the last part of her journey in a small farm waggon, crouched under a tarpaulin, Mary is confronted by uproar. The Luddites somehow discover that the wagon in which Mary was a passenger was carrying shearing frames — and they are out to smash the lot … Shaken and confused Mary finally reaches the Mill. Confronted by her haughty employer, Mary is determined not to let William’s over-bearing nature ruin her spirits. During the stormy weeks that follow her arrival, Mary is torn between her sympathy for the poor and downtrodden of the rebellion and her unwilling admiration for the inimitable Master of Liversedge. Who will she side with? Her head or her heart. The Master of Liversedge is a gripping historical romance from a master story-teller. Alice Chetwynd Ley (1913 - 2004) was a British writer of romance novels. She was the sixth elected Chairman (1971–1973) of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was named honour life member. Her other titles include ‘The Guinea Stamp’, ‘The Georgian Rake’ and ‘The Jewelled Snuff Box’. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.

Smugglers' Summer


Carola Dunn - 1987
    But to Octavia Gray, her plumpish, rather plain cousin, just to able to leave her busy home, where the hum of political discourse dominates all conversations, and see the countryside for the first time, is an adventure.At Cotehele are only Tavy's languid aunt, her sullen cousin, and Julia's once-rejected suitor whose next proposal her parents hope will be accepted. Julia has no time for the engaging (and wealthy) Sir Tristram Deanbridge, however. To her cousin's half-listening ears, Julia must eternally sing the praises of her beloved. The young man, a gentleman without means, is a political radical whose essays, if not his actions, are fiery. An odd choice, indeed, for a diehard Tory's butterfly daughter, but who can predict where a heart might light?Octavia, summoned to be company for Julia, doesn't have an easy task. Julia wants her sympathy and her help in furthering the forbidden romance with James. Sir Tristram looks to her for reassurance that his chances are still alive. And Octavia finds to her distress that --- dare we tell? --- she herself has a growing romantic interest in the delightful Sir Tristram, although he, alas, is smitten by the uncaring Julia.In spite of all this, there are more adventures for Octavia than merely a change of scene. Before she even reaches the estate, she witnesses a smuggling raid and meets a smuggler himself, once more intriguing than ominous. Shortly after her arrival, Julia's maid transforms her appearance quite astonishingly, and the stay continues to provide a series of exciting adventures and misadventures that the most city-weary young women could wish for. There are searches by the King's men, a fall into the sea (and rescue by the combined efforts of a group of smugglers and a pod of dolphins), secret rooms and passageways, a wounded fugitive to be hidden and nursed, and even a visit by a glittering party of the ton. And although it appears at times that there is no way for true love to win out, do not despair, dear reader. Read on with hope.

Bless Thine Inheritance


Sophia Holloway - 2018
    A near fatal riding accident has left her with a pronounced limp which means she cannot even make a good curtsey, let alone dance. There can be no expectation of marriage, but her Mama makes one last effort, not least to avoid her cousin inheriting a considerable sum from their grandfather’s will. She draws up a list of guests for a country house sojourn, picking only young ladies she feels will not be rivals, and some potential suitors. Among the well-bred gentlemen is Lord Levedale, sent by his reprobate father to restore the family fortunes by wooing an heiress, a beauty tarnished by her family background in trade. When he meets Celia he sees her, not the limp, but even as his heart draws him to her, he is held back by his duty to his family name. Sophia Holloway’s graceful Bless Thine Inheritance is about who people are, not how they look. The book’s sharp and witty social observation and elegant verbal duelling weave together two love stories, a guest from Hell, a meddling mama and a grandmama who would give Downton Abbey’s Dowager Lady Grantham a run for her money. Praise for Sophia Holloway... "The Devil You Know is an immensely satisfying read. Everyone loves a Georgian rake and Sophia’s hero doesn’t disappoint. Lord Ledbury’s as naughty as they come – enough George Wickham to set the pulse racing, with a civilising measure of Mr Darcy’s nobility to ensure you fall in love for all the right reasons" - Annie Holder, author of Against All Odds Sophia Holloway describes herself as a ‘wordsmith’ who is only really happy when writing. She read Modern History at Oxford and her factual book on the Royal Marines in the First World War, From Trench and Turret, was published in 2006. Among her published fiction is The Devil You Know, another Classic Regency. She also writes mediaeval murder mysteries under another pen name.

My Lord the Spy - A Regency Romance


Audrey Harrison - 2016
    He is rampaging over London, enjoying everything that a young man with a fortune could wish for. Clara Baker is compelled to try and protect her brother, no matter what the cost is to herself or her reputation. She made a promise to her dying mother and nothing is going to divert her from her mission. Edmund Ainscough, Earl of Chertsey is a man with a reputation. His welcome in the seedier side of society makes him the perfect target for those in authority who want to know who is loyal to the King. Three people thrown together find their worlds, values and feelings can all be changed in an instant. All will face their deepest fears in this novel of love and betrayal.

The Northern Lady


Anna Jacobs - 2010
    Brought up in the Northern town of Bardsley, she wants nothing to do with polite society.But Cassandra forms a close relationship with her gentle cousin Susannah, a victim of her mother's pushy, ambitious nature. Susannah, petrified of marrying the charming, wealthy Simeon Giffard, enlists Cassie's help. It is, after all, Cassie for whom Simeon holds a torch, and he appears set on winning the heart of this strong-willed Northern lady… From bestseller Anna Jacobs, this emotional historical saga is perfect for fans of Kitty Neale, Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

Christmas at Malton Manor


Pam Lecky - 2017
     Kate Hamilton is companion to the dullest and meanest woman in England, but she is looking forward to going home for Christmas and her sister Mary’s wedding. When her employer refuses to release her, Colonel Robert Woodgate comes to the rescue. Robert now owns Malton Manor, Kate’s old home in the village of Malton. Recently returned from the Boer War and recovering from his injuries, Robert has been reclusive and morose. Clashing several times over his plans and sweeping changes in the village, their relationship has always been tempestuous. But when Kate returns to Malton, she discovers her sister’s wedding is to take place at Malton Manor and everyone is convinced the Colonel has an ulterior motive. Can Kate resist the lure of her old home and the memories it holds? And does she have the courage to break down Robert’s defences to find happiness at last?

Cecilia or Too Tall To Love


G.L. Robinson - 2020
    But she can’t touch her small inheritance until she is twenty-five, so she has to live temporarily with her aunt and uncle. But they don’t want her. To get her married off, they invent a fortune she doesn’t have and she is besieged by fortune hunters. Enter Lord Thomas Allenby, a handsome, fashionable fribble, who has his own reasons for wanting to escape the marriage mart. He persuades her to announce a faux betrothal, but it doesn’t work out quite how Cecilia expects. Against the background of early nineteenth century London, with its fashionable Mayfair mansions, East End slums and the development of public education, this Regency Romance is the story of how one woman seeks to improve the lives of impoverished girls by opening a school for them. The effect on her own life is beyond her wildest imaginings.

A Spinster for a Spy: Book 1: Lily - Clean Regency Romance (A Duke's Daughters: The Elbury Bouquet)


Arietta Richmond - 2019
     ***** FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED ***** Lady Lily Gardenbrook, eldest daughter of the Duke of Elbury, is perilously close to being a spinster. After three Seasons, she still hasn’t accepted a suitor – but not for lack of candidates. Lady Lily has a secret – a secret which would lead to scandal, should it ever be revealed. A secret which relates to the thing which matters most in her life. She hopes for love, yet a husband would never want her, if that secret was known – to marry would mean losing everything. Trent Weatherton, Marquess of Canterford, serves the Crown as a gentleman spy, always monitoring those of the ton for anything untoward. He has never been one to socialise much, but his role requires it of him. Convinced that marriage and spying could never make a good mix, he is unprepared for his reaction to Lady Lily Gardenbrook, which makes him question every assumption. But when Trent’s men discover that secret correspondence travels in and out of Lady Lily’s family residence, he must investigate – for what if the woman he is coming to care for is a threat to the Crown? Can Trent discover what is really happening, before he loses his chance at love? Can Lily overcome her fears, and allow the possibility that love might not steal what is most important to her? Will they each discover that the other is not at all what they seemed, in the best possible way? Or will the chance for love be lost, and Lily be doomed to life as a spinster? Read the whole series ! A Spinster for a Spy (Lily) A Vixen for a Viscount (Hyacinth) (coming soon) A Bluestocking for a Baron (Rose) (coming soon) A Diamond for a Duke (Camellia) (coming soon) A Minx for a Merchant (Primrose) (coming soon) An Enchantress for an Earl (Violet) (coming soon) A Maiden for a Marquess (Iris) (coming soon) A Heart for an Heir (Thorne) (coming soon) If you love great Regency romance, you'll love these !

Curricle & Chaise


Lizzie Church - 2012
    Even this might have proved tolerable. After all, Lydia was an independent sort of a girl, more than capable of holding her own against importunate tradesmen, and more than happy to bring her younger sister up on her own.It would not do, however. The state in which Lydia discovered the family affairs made independent existence quite out of the question. In spite of all her best efforts, within a few months of her mama’s death, and scarcely out of full mourning, it became apparent to her that there was nothing to be done but to acknowledge the inevitable and appeal to her relations for help….It is 1810. Lydia, now penniless, is forced to seek a home with an aunt and uncle who have no interest in her whatsoever. But there are plenty of others with an interest in her – including the handsome but selfish son of the family – her cousin Charles - and two elegant brothers who live nearby.Each, in his own way, poses an intriguing challenge to her. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.

A Season for the Heart


Elizabeth Chater - 1982
    The fantastic notions and romantic heroes contained in those books are the only thing that distracts her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.

Wife Errant


Joan Smith - 1992
    Now Mrs. Marchant was attending parties with Lord James and there were whispers of divorce. Tess approached Lady Revel to get her son’s help in warning their cousin Lord James off. Lord Revel thought Tess a shrew and Tess thought him a rake…perfect.

A Most Suitable Duchess


Patricia Bray - 2001
    His brother, Reginald, suggests an advertisement in the papers, something Marcus refuses to consider—until a wine-fueled evening when he pens one in jest. Now, in a horrible mix-up, the ad has been printed and Marcus is mortified. At all of twenty-one years, Penelope's spinsterhood seems confirmed; she'll never find a man she can marry. But her half-brother thinks otherwise, and without her knowledge, he answers the Duke of Torringford's advertisement for a wife and signs her name to it. When an announcement of her upcoming wedding to the Duke appears in the papers, Penelope knows she must take her place as his wife, or her honor will be ruined. But it will be a marriage in name only, that she's sure of; until the handsome good looks and warm smile of her new husband make her heart pound in a most unsettling way...

The Diamond Key


Barbara Metzger - 2003
    But after three Seasons she is still unwed. Then a trip to a London modiste ends with Torrie trapped in a deadly blaze, and she vows that if she lives she'll marry the next man who asks, be he a fop, a tool, or a fortune hunter.Exiled from Society, Wynn, Viscount Ingall, has braved barren wildernesses and sailed the seven seas. Yet he faces trepidation such as he has never known after lie saves a damsel in distress from a burning building and she insists on becoming his bride. Even though Wynn believes he's the worst man Torrie could ever love, he soon finds that once the flame sparks. there's no putting out the fire.