Book picks similar to
Their Marriage of Inconvenience (Harlequin Historical) by Sophia James
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historical-romance
marriage-of-convenience
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Once Upon a Page
Jessie Clever - 2022
Ten years ago, Penelope Paiget promised she’d wait for Samuel Black. But ten years ago, she was only a genteel impoverished paid companion, forced into service after her father’s death revealed his insurmountable debts. Now she’s a successful novelist, posing as secretary to the Earl of Wickshire to hide her identity. The most dangerous thing a gentleman can possess is a past. Ten years ago, Samuel Black chose to go his own path instead of upholding his family’s legacy as spies. But now having fought for the formation of the Metropolitan Police Force, echoes of his past and his true origins remind him just how unworthy he is to call himself detective inspector. Let alone Penelope Paiget’s husband. But when a dead body appears in the Earl of Wickshire’s drawing room, they have no choice but to trust each other with their secrets if they are to find the killer before it’s too late. The Shadowing London series begins at the conclusion of the Spy Series Short Stories.
The Reluctant Bride
Claire Firth - 2013
She has been sold to the highest bidder so that she may produce an heir for the devilishly handsome and arrogant Earl and she is outraged. How can she have any respect or feelings for a man whose reputation is that of a complete wastrel and philanderer? She resolves to resist him at all costs yet Sophia is totally unprepared for the exquisite pleasure she experiences from her husband’s wicked hands as he introduces her to a world of sexual delight she had no idea existed. For Ralph, when his cousin had suggested he take a wife to heal the rift in his family, it had seemed the perfect solution to his problems. However, he hadn’t counted on choosing someone as spiritedly passionate as Sophia and something inside of him reacts to her in a way that disconcerts him. What started out as a necessary chore soon becomes an exciting challenge as he determines to do what he does best - seduce his young wife and put an end to the estrangement that exists between them. But why is Sophia’s good opinion becoming increasingly important to him? And why does he feel the compulsive need to convince her that he is not the unsavoury character she believes him to be?
Hearts Awakening
Delia Parr - 2010
But Jackson Smith quickly realizes that Ellie's presence may solve his own problems--both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.When a marriage of convenience is offered, Ellie is initially humiliated. Though she is past the age most women marry, she has more pride than to agree to his outlandish suggestion. Yet what options does she have? To marry would mean a home and stability. So despite the rumors circling Jackson and his first wife, Ellie accepts this unlikely proposal...
Forever Your Earl
Eva Leigh - 2015
And readers of her successful gossip rag live for the exploits of her favorite subject: Daniel Balfour, the notorious Earl of Ashford. So when the earl himself marches into her office one day and invites her to experience his illicit pursuits firsthand, Eleanor is stunned. Gambling hells, phaeton races, masquerades…What more could a scandal writer want than a secret look into the life of this devilishly handsome rake?Daniel has secrets and if The Hawk’s Eye gets wind of them, a man’s life could be at stake. And what better way to distract a gossip than by feeding her the scandal she desperately craves? But Daniel never expected the sharp mind and biting wit of the beautiful writer, and their desire for each other threatens even his best laid plans.But when Eleanor learns the truth of his deception, Daniel will do anything to prove a romance between a commoner and an earl could really last forever.
About a Rogue
Caroline Linden - 2020
James, notorious rake. Defiantly she helps Cathy elope with her true love, and takes her sister’s place at the altar.It’s not even the match that was made…Perched on the lowest branch of his family tree, Max has relied on charm and cunning to survive. But an unexpected stroke of luck gives him an outside chance at a dukedom—and which Tate sister he weds hardly seems to matter. But could it be the perfect match? Married or not, Bianca is determined to protect her family’s prosperous ceramics business, even when Max shows an affinity for it—not to mention a dangerous ability to intrigue and tempt Bianca herself. And when Max realizes how beautiful and intelligent and desirable Bianca is, he’ll have to prove he’s no rogue, but the passionately devoted husband she craves…
Claimed by the Viscount
Anya Cade - 2021
Between balls, soirees, and musicales she’s having almost as much fun as her sister. There’s just one fly in the ointment; the rakish Viscount Thornton, who seems determined to tempt her into his bed.But she didn’t count on her brother not being able to stay away from the card tables and losing everything but the clothes on his back. Forced into an impossible situation, she’ll do anything to avoid the scandal… even agree to the viscount’s decadent proposal.A month is long enough to get her out of his system. Surely…Luke, Viscount Thornton, is known for his rakish ways and his love of widows. However, the beautiful Lady Pembrooke is not the kind to fall into his bed, mores the pity. When her arrogant pup of a brother challenges him at cards and loses everything, Luke sees a way to make the lady his at last. For a month at least…However, the feeling she stirs in him is not what he expected. When forces plot to come between them, will he let her slip through his fingers, or will he fight for the woman he loves?
A Savage Betrayal
Lynne Graham - 1995
But the story didn't end there: four years later, Mina and Cesare were reunited, and he discovered that she had kept the consequences of their one night of passion to herself. Could there ever be a happy ending, now that Cesare had discovered Mina's betrayal? For Cesare, perhaps: he proposed, and Mina discovered that his offer of marriage was just a savage charade, designed to give their daughter a name and allow him to pursue his revenge at leisure?THIS TIME, FOREVER
Ask Me to Marry You
Heather Blanton - 2016
Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first. Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men. Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand? When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out. To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall
Sarah E. Ladd - 2019
Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.
Duchess in Love
Eloisa James - 2002
Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.A LADY IN THE MIDDLENow, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London ... living on the edge of scandal --- desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.A DUCHESS IN LOVEFinally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love --- with his own wife!
Gentleman of Her Dreams
Jen Turano - 2012
Hamilton Beckett, the catch of the season. The only problem? She's never actually met Hamilton. Fortunately, one of her oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Henry St. James—who has returned to New York after a two-year absence—does know Hamilton. Much to Henry's chagrin, Charlotte immediately ropes him into helping her meet Hamilton. However, none of her plans to catch Hamilton's eye go as she expected, and she is even more confused when her old feelings for Henry begin to resurrect themselves. In the midst of the mayhem Charlotte always seems to cause, she wonders if the gentleman of her dreams might be an entirely different man than she thought.
An Inconvenient Match
Susanna Malcolm - 2019
Difficult. Rich. …Is the discourteous manner in which the Earl of Ashland would describe his new wife. In dire financial straits, Ash has sacrificed himself at the altar in order to salvage his lofty family name, grudgingly uniting himself to the wealthy tradeswoman with steel in her spine and ice in her veins. He can’t imagine he’ll ever find anything to admire about her, until a glimpse of the simmering heat beneath her cool façade arouses an undeniable attraction. Indolent. Irresponsible. Drunk. …Is precisely how Honora Botham would label her new husband. Marrying the handsome earl elevated her to a long-coveted status, allowing her to achieve her beloved grandmother’s dreams for the family’s ascent into the nobility. Eager to finally experience the sensual pleasures of marriage, Honora enters into matrimony willingly. But while she’s always admired Ashland’s looks, she can find little to approve of in his indulgent avoidance of responsibility. His indolence and her ambition make for a volatile union, and yet… Mutual desire grows stronger, but is it enough to overcome the discord between them?
These Old Shades / Sprig Muslin / Sylvester / The Corinthian / The Convenient Marriage
Georgette Heyer - 1977
Hilarious comedy, fast moving drama, romance spiced with wit and charm - Miss Heyer combines all this with the period conversation and manners she knows to perfection.These five books will give hours of entertainment and lasting pleasure.
The Earl's Reluctant Bride
Karen Lynne - 2019
She thought evil step-mothers were only in fairy tales, but she was wrong.
James, the Earl of Malmesbury, convinces Susan to become his pretend betrothed to throw off an evil pursuer, but when she captures his heart, can he persuade his reluctant bride to say yes, forever?
“But what about you, James?” Susan replied. “Now that my fortune has turned, we can stop this engagement. This is no longer fair to you; things have gotten out of hand.”Susan’s breath caught as he moved in closer with steel in his eyes. Before she could think, his lips came down to claim her mouth in a kiss so intoxicating, she felt it through the breadth of her body. He pulled back just as quickly, leaving her breathless…She watched in a stupor as, his retreating figure left the room…She raised her finger to her lips, his words echoing in her head. She had given him a chance to be free, but he did not take it.
Escape with a Clean and Wholesome Historical Regency Romance for some seriously sweet romance with plenty of twists. Each book can be read as a stand-a-lone, always a sweet and happy ending.Clean, sweet without losing the heat romance!
Brides of Somerset:The Earl’s Reluctant Bride book oneCourting Eliza book two
Until the Day Breaks
Paula Scott - 2016
After sailing around Cape Horn, and barely surviving the perilous journey, devout Protestant Rachel Tyler, arrives in California just in time for her father’s wedding and the unfolding of the Bear Flag Revolt. Though already engaged to marry a minister in Massachusetts, Rachel’s ambitious father arranges her betrothal to Roman Vasquez, a blue-blooded Catholic son of the gente de razón, the ruling class of California. Roman, a proud, Spanish soldier is ready to fight and die for his homeland. As the Yankee rebels raise their bear flag in Sonoma square, the last thing Roman wants is an arranged marriage to the American daughter of his enemy Joshua Tyler. But his Uncle Pedro, the Patrón of the family, has other plans. Neither Rachel nor Roman desire this unlikely engagement that assaults their religious beliefs, but they cannot escape the passion flaming between them as war looms on the horizon and bitter rivals rise up to destroy them amid the breathtaking backdrop of the last days of the Californios. Until the Day Breaks is the first book in the sweeping saga of California Rising, a tale of love, intrigue, and destiny, where passionate men and women lay the foundation of the Golden State with their very lives.