Book picks similar to
These Golden Pleasures by Valerie Sherwood


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The Taming


Aleen Malcolm - 1979
    With the pure, unspoiled spirit of a child and the ripening womanhood of a temptress, she was an irresistible challenge to every man who met her....AS STRONG AND PROUD AS THE SCOTTISH COAST...was Alex -- the dashing son of a highland warrior; tormented by a tragic past, he had vowed to live only for today. Until that windswept night when the emerald-eyed, fiery-spirited Cameron charged into his world atop a rearing black stallion....Together they crossed the Scottish isle from the raw, sea-worn cliffs and endless moors to the lavish mirrored halls of Edinburgh's high society. Together they plunged toward the inevitable moment that would rule their lives forever -- and carry their hearts to the rapturous brink of...THE TAMINGThe immortal tale of a man and a woman who dared to share a dangerous love, a reckless destiny.

Speak Easy


Melanie Harlow - 2013
    in one week.Suddenly she’s thrust into an intoxicating underworld of greed, lust, lies, and betrayal.Enzo DiFiore is the son of the mobster holding her father hostage, but his sexy screen idol looks and dangerous charm leave her breathless. When the forbidden spark between them refuses to burn out, she tries to use their powerful chemistry to buy more time. And irritatingly handsome childhood pal Joey Lupo has the street smarts Tiny needs to make a quick ten grand, but he’s got his own agenda where gang rivalries are concerned.Deciding whom to trust isn't easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.Temptation is everywhere. And anything goes.**Due to mature material, this New Adult historical is recommended for ages 17+.**

Always and Forever


L.A. Fiore - 2012
    When she stumbles onto a forgotten castle in the middle of the English countryside, she is determined to learn all that she can about the place. Never in Quinn's wildest dreams could she imagine her quest for answers would lead her into the adventure that awaits her. After an encounter with an old woman speaking of magic and the sighting of a handsome ghost who haunts the castle grounds, Quinn finds herself pulled back into the past to the time when the castle was inhabited. Quinn will learn that it isn't by chance that she was the one to find that which was lost. She will learn first hand how the link to the past impacts the path of the future, and she will discover a love that not even the passing of time can diminish.

Edin's Embrace


Nadine Crenshaw - 1989
    And when the svelte young beauty found herself in the grip of her betrothed's killer, Edin vowed one day she'd give the devilish invader his due. But as she hardened her heart against him, the gorgeous captive's body couldn't shut out his nearness. His broad chest heated her, his strong hands molded her...and Edin was soon longing for the ruthless raider from the North to show her his uncivilized kind of love! HIGH-BORN SAXONEver since his father had been murdered by a British bedthrall, fierce Thoryn Kirkynson had sworn vengeance on all the English dogs. The accursed land was for pillaging, its men meant for hard labor, and its women for illicit pleasures. Yet even as the bearded Nordic chieftain swung his axe in slaughter, he could not staunch the rush of tender feelings that flooded him when he saw the enemy princess. Loathing himself for his father's weakness, Thoryn sought not only to dominate his captive...he yearned for her whispers of love and endless hours of ecstasy in Edin's Embrace.

Thief of Hearts


Teresa Medeiros - 1994
    Ruthless and mocking, tender and virile, the notorious pirate awakened all Lucy's passionate longings, then abandoned her with nothing but a kiss...A Pirate's PrizeNow safely at home, the alluring waif is tormented by treacherous memories—and by the presence of Gerard Claremont, her mysterious new bodyguard. Everything about him, from his forbidding size to his impertinent manner, sparks her defiance. And even when Gerard's smile turns seductive, no one can make her forget Doom. Yet only when Lucy's path crosses the captain's once more, will she learn who is on a voyage of retribution, and who is out to steal her heart...

Suddenly You


Lisa Kleypas - 2000
    When he appeared at her door, she believed he was her gift to herself, hired for one night of passion. Unforgettably handsome, irresistibly virile, he tempted her in ways she never thought possible, but something stopped him from completely fulfilling her dream.Jack Devlin's determination to possess Amanda became greater when she discovered his true identity. But gently bred Amanda craved respectability more than she admitted, while Jack, the cast-off son of a nobleman and London's most notorious businessman, refused to live by society's rules. Yet when fate conspired for them to marry, their worlds collided with a passionate force neither had expected... but both soon craved.

Wildfire


Norah Hess - 1989
    but beautiful, golden-haired Serena Bain faced the future boldly as the wagon trains rolled out. Ahead lay countless dangers. But all the perils in the world wouldn't change her bitter resentment of the darkly handsome Yankee wagon master, Josh Quade. BORN LOVERS Soon, however, her heart betrayed her will. And Serena could not resist her own mounting desire for the rough trapper from Michigan. His strong, rippling buckskin-clad body set her senses on fire. But pride and fate tore them apart as the wagon trains rolled west. Until one night, in the soft, secret darkness of a bordello, Serena and Josh unleashed their wildest passions and opened their souls to the sweetest raptures of love...

Uncommon Vows


Mary Jo Putney - 1991
    Standing in the royal forest, her falcon perched on her arm, she boldly claimed to be a Welsh commoner, not a noble Norman. Lord Adrian beheld in wonder her raven-black hair and defiant blue eyes, heard her lies, and felt a dark, primeval passion rob him of all reason.In one irrevocable move of fate, he ordered this fair beauty locked in his castle’s tower, vowing to entice her into surrendering her kisses with lips as hungry as his own. Never to give in, to die if she must, was Meriel’s vow ... until one rash moment of impetuousness swept them both up in the royal battles of kings ... and into a dangerous intrigue of sweet caresses ... and fiery, all-consuming love.

Pirate in My Arms


Danelle Harmon - 1992
    In innocence, young Maria Hallett teases him, taunts him...and surrenders to a scorching seduction that leaves her in disgrace as his ship sails. But Sam cannot forget Maria--his golden-haired angel, a haunting beauty whose awakened sensual passion has seared his very soul with tormented longing. When he returns it is to claim her, to sweep her into his pirate's world--on a perilous voyage of daring dreams and dangerous desires...and a confrontation with a love that thunders with the raging passion of the stormy sea.

Just Imagine


Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 1984
    Disguised as a boy, she's come to New York City to kill Baron Cain, the man who stands between her and Risen Glory, the South Carolina home she loves. But unknown to Kit, the Yankee war hero is more than her bitterest enemy—he's also her guardian. And he'll be a lot harder to kill than she's figured on . . .Believing that Kit's a boy, Cain offers the grubby rapscallion a job in his stable. But he has no idea what he's in for, and it's not long before the hero of Missionary Ridge discovers the truth. His scamp of a stable boy is a strong-willed, violet-eyed beauty who's hell-bent on driving him crazy.Two hard-headed, passionate people . . . Two stubborn opponents with tender souls . . . Sometimes wars of the heart can only be won through the sweetest of surrenders.This book is an updated version of the original title, Risen Glory.

Viking Warrior


Connie Mason - 2008
    But when he laid eyes on Reyna the Dane all he could see was a woman of extraordinary beauty, with flowing hair the color of moonlight and the body any Valkyrie would envy. She was his thrall, gifted to him by his brother to warm his bed. Could the beautiful healer also ease the fire burning in his heart? She Would Never Forget Stolen from her home by wild Norsemen, Reyna would always remember the face of the barbarian who's destroyed her life. When she first caught sight of her new master, she though he was the very man she'd vowed to hate forever. But Wulf's golden body and seductive kisses awoke very different feelings within her. As one deliciously long Northern light blended into another, she realized he was no longer her enemy but her beloved... Viking Warrior

Crimson Kiss


Trisha Baker - 2001
    That was hard to accomplish being a vampire. Just going into college in 1944 as a young adult, she met Lord Simon Baldevar who entranced her into his bloodlust life. Lord Baldevar, Simon, then becoming her Master, took Meghann into his dark realms of lust and destruction. For 13 years her pride could not adjust to this torture and possession. She leaves her Master on the roof, impaled and forced to meet his death with the sunlight.Decades later, Alcuin, Meghann's mentor and a different bloodline of vampires from the Black Plague Age, tells her that Baldevar has survived. Simon Baldevar was not expecting his estranged consort to be so strong; to have learned from Alcuin more than Simon ever meant to teach her. Along with Jimmy, Meghann's companion of six years, and Charles, her dearest blood friend, Meghann and Alcuin vow and plan to hunt down and kill the Master of her past and life blood of her being.The second book in this trilogy is Crimson Night and the third book is Crimson Shadows.

Lily


Patricia Gaffney - 1991
    Lily Trehearne had been born a lady, but now she resigned herself to a life of backbreaking drudgery, inescapable poverty . . . and unquestioning obedience to the lord of the manor.The MasterTormented and brooding, Devon Darkwell threatened Lily's safety almost as much as he thrilled her senses. From the moment he caught her swimming nude in the moonlight, his compelling masculinity held her spellbound. But each step he took toward claiming her body brought him closer to learning the terrible secrets of her soul. In his arms she would know tempestuous passion, bitter despair, and a soaring joy that would humble them both before the power of love.

Still Beating


Jennifer Hartmann - 2020
    This book contains subject matter that may be sensitive for some readers, including rape, as well as strong language and explicit sex. 18+ only. Please read responsibly. When Cora attends her sister’s birthday party, she expects at most a hangover or a walk of shame. She doesn’t anticipate a stolen wallet, leaving her stranded and dependent on Dean—her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side. And she really doesn’t anticipate waking up in shackles in a madman’s basement.To make matters worse, Dean shares the space in his own set of chains.After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.But Cora and Dean have no idea their abductor has a plan for them. A plan that will alter the course of their relationship, blur the line between hate and love, and shackle them together with far more than just chains.

Passion


Lisa Valdez - 2005
    But amidst the crowds of London's Crystal Palace, Passion finds herself discreetly, yet insistently, pursued by a sensual gentleman who awakens her long-supressed desires. After a loveless marriage of restrained propriety, Passion abandons herself to true bliss for the first time.Intoxicated by his encounter with the beautiful stranger, Mark Randolph Hawkmore, Earl of Langley, cannot wait to see her again. As a series of rapturous rendezvous follows, he and his mystery lover find something rare and wonderful blossoming between them. But a blackmail scheme against the Earl threatens to destroy everything. As a scandal brews, each will have to choose between duty and desire...their love for their families—and their love for each other.