Book picks similar to
Making Merry by Erica Ridley


historical-romance
christmas
romance
historical-fiction

Once Upon a Kiss Gone Horribly Wrong


Bree Wolf - 2020
    Will they dare reach for more?She is his oldest friend, and he is hers.Until a mistletoe kiss......goes horribly wrong.England 1801: MISS ANNE THATCHER ought to choose a husband. That, however, is easier said than done for no man of her acquaintance manages to capture her attention, her interest, her heart. The only man she has ever loved is Tobias Hawke, her childhood friend who has always been like an older brother to her, troublesome but loyal.Anne cannot think of him without remembering how he used to hide frogs in her bed when they were children. He is her friend, not a suitor, and yet, lately, whenever she finds herself looking into those chocolate-brown eyes of his, Anne cannot help but wonder......what if he kissed her?TOBIAS HAWKE, brother to Viscount Barrington, no longer sees the little girl he once knew when he looks at his childhood friend Anne Thatcher. To him, she’s no longer Little Annie, and the thought that she might still think of him as Little Toby disturbs him greatly. Yes, she is his confidante, his friend, the one woman who knows him like no other, but......what if he kissed her?Neither one of them dares to risk the friendship that connected them since childhood...until Christmas arrives, and they find themselves pushed under a sprig of mistletoe.What if?This is the prequel to the Whickertons in Love series and was previously published in the holiday anthology, Mistletoe & Mayhem.

All I Want


Lynsay Sands - 2012
    Easily done if her father would stop gambling away what little is left of their fortune. But when Pru arrives at London's most notorious gaming hell to haul her father home, she marches right into its wickedly handsome and utterly infuriating proprietor, Lord Stockton—who has no intention of letting a lady into his establishment. With that wicked man in her way, Pru knows she's going to need nothing short of a miracle to make her Christmas wish come true.

King of Libertines


Pam Godwin - 2020
    It doesn’t spoil the main story.

Mistletoe and the Marquess


Wendy Vella - 2016
    Determined to have one last night of freedom before marrying a man she detests; Jemma attends a Christmas Masquerade Ball. When a handsome highwayman awakens something inside her, with stolen kisses and whispered promises, she flees, vowing to forget about the man who touched her soul. From the moment the Marquess of Harrington sees the Grecian Goddess enter the ball, he wants her. Harry is not usually one for irrational impulses - indeed his life does not allow for that - but this woman makes him lose all reason. Her touch ignites a fire inside him, and her kisses sear his soul. When she runs from him he is determined to find her and finally unmask the woman who has captured his heart.

Tycoon


Joanna Shupe - 2016
    He's certain she's a swindler who's only after his money, but he's never met a woman so passionate and sure of herself. Disarmed, he invites her to spend the journey to St. Louis in his private car—perhaps against his better judgment. Clara Dawson has long known how to take care of herself, but the savvy shop girl is at a loss when she witnesses—and becomes entangled in—a terrible crime. Desperation propels her into a stranger's arms at the train station, but she hadn't expected Ted to offer her the protection she so badly needs—nor did she expect their chemistry to develop more steam than the engine of the train. He's everything she never thought she could have, and she's everything he didn't know he wanted. But as her secrets begin to unfurl, their fledgling romance could be in danger of derailing before they arrive at the next station.

The Gift of a Christmas Scandal: Regency Romance


Arietta Richmond - 2018
     *****FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED***** Alexander Fortescue, the Duke of Southolton, is trapped – before he reached his majority, whilst he was on the continent, his father signed a contract, binding him to marry Lady Phyllida, who was then a child. Now she is grown, and Alex is Duke – but despite his disinterest in her, the contract seems unbreakable. Lady Selina Brancourt has yet to meet a man she finds truly appealing – although she has been keen to look. Her father, unhappy that she is yet unwed, pushes her towards a match with an older man, for business reasons. A man she finds utterly distasteful. When they meet at a houseparty arranged by the Duke’s mother, their common plight draws them together – but soon their attraction leads to stolen kisses, and more. When faced with a future apart, there seems only one solution – the gift of a Christmas scandal. Can the Duke bring himself to take the dishonourable path, to free himself? Will Selina cast all propriety to the winds, and do what is necessary to wed the only man she has ever wanted? Or will the demands of duty steal their chance at love?

A Winter Scandal


Candace Camp - 2011
    . . . When plain and proper Thea Bainbridge stumbles upon a baby in the manger of her church’s nativity, she is understandably shocked. Discovering a brooch bearing the insignia of Gabriel, Lord Morecombe, hidden among the child’s clothing, she is certain the dissolute rake is to blame. Incensed, Thea sets out to reproach the arrogant lord—only to find herself utterly swept away. Gabriel is intrigued by the vivacity in Thea’s flashing gray eyes when she accuses him of fathering the orphan, even as he adamantly maintains his innocence. The brooch is one he remembers all too well, however, and Gabriel is determined to find the mother of the missing child. As the mystery around the baby deepens, Gabriel is continually thrown together with Thea—and finds himself growing more entranced every day. Even with whispers of winter scandal swirling around them, they cannot deny the longing in their hearts. A longing which promises the best gift of all: a shelter from the storm . . . in each other’s arms.

Christmas Kisses


Cynthia A. Clement - 2014
    When he finally comes home to celebrate the holidays it’s to introduce his fiancée to his family.Will the Christmas season give them a second chance at happiness? Or will honor demand they separate forever?

To Catch A Spinster


Megan Bryce - 2012
    She has her studies and her duties, what need does she have of a husband? With five sisters married she knows the reality does not live up to the promise, and does not need to personally experiment with the state to know she would be ill-suited to it. However, she finds herself envious of at least one aspect of marriage. But to experience the physical side of marriage, one doesn't need a husband, all one needs is the right man...Nathaniel Jenkins knows his duty. Marry a young girl from a respectable family and father an heir, no matter how cold the endless parade of suitable girls leaves him. But a shocking proposal from a scholarly spinster leaves him wondering if unsuitable is just what he's looking for. Can he convince his spinster that marriage is the greatest experiment of all?

The Rebel


Julianne MacLean - 2011
    She is Elizabeth Curtis, a beautiful Englishwoman who wears the scarlet uniform of an English soldier and wields a sword like a seasoned fighter on the battlefield.Enemies meet, and passions collide...in THE REBELThe Rebel is a short story of 7000 words (approximately 28 pages). It first appeared in print in the MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE, edited by Trisha Telep

Sweet Home Highland Christmas


May McGoldrick - 2017
    After the death of her father, Freya is willing to do anything to prove she's capable of being Ella's guardian, even if if means marrying for security instead of love.Recently retired from the military, Captain Gregory Pennington wants nothing more than to make it home in time for Christmas. When his brother hears of his plans to return to the family estate for the holidays, he asks Penn to escort some travelers to the bordering estate.When Freya and Penn meet their chemistry is instant. Once they realize he's their escort for the journey, there's no escaping their attraction. But Penn has plans that do not include a wife and child. And Freya has responsibilities as Ella's guardian, no matter her growing discontent with her upcoming marriage. With Ella conspiring to get them together, Penn and Freya might just experience a little magic during the holidays.

Snow and Mistletoe


Jen Geigle Johnson - 2020
    Mr. Easton will never ask.Except Julian must find a wife by Christmas or his brother Edmund will choose one for him.And Dosie finds she just might need that proposal after all, not only during her first season, but her first ball.Can they make a marriage between them? A marriage of convenience?Enjoy a romance full of regency wit and romantic quandries reminiscent of Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer. Get your copy now.For all fans of our usual Regency House Party series, this book will not be a part of a joint author series. It will now become part of a series of books celebrating the Easton family and their eventual marriages, each surrounding the events of a house party set at Christmas time. Please enjoy the first of these.

Have You Any Rogues?


Elizabeth Boyle - 2013
    Every stray glance, every chance encounter threatens to reveal the secret passion that keeps drawing them together.But finally after years of flirting with disaster, Crispin and Henrietta find themselves locked in a wine cellar, and now there is no denying the love and loyalties that have lured them and torn them apart time and time again. Will this one last chance, this tempting night of desire be the one that ignites a fire that will never be extinguished, no matter the price?

One Candlelit Christmas


Julia Justiss - 2008
    But for Merry, finding true love will take a miracle.... The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows Before Carleton Tillotson left Nell, the rebellious rake broke her heart. Now he is back, just in time for Christmas, and Nell can't hide her secret any longer - Carleton's the father of her son! Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin Julia Fairchild has loved Iain MacLerie forever - but the boy she once knew is now a hardened and aloof man. Amid the festivities and warm cheer of yuletide, can Julia melt Iain's guard and ignite the spark that continues to burn between them...?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Scandal


Stacy Reid - 2020
    Will a wicked night of passion on a winter's night lead to the greatest love? Or only to betrayal?Wicked Deeds on a Winter Night was previously published in the Seduced under the Mistletoe Anthology.MISCHIEF AND MISTLETOEGood intentions, a devilish viscount, and wicked misdeeds pave the road to matchmaking!Miss Callisto Middleton desires to see her mother happy, and that means using the right amount of mischief to encourage two lovers to see what is right before them!Unfortunately, Graham, Viscount Sherbrooke is just as determined to rescue his father from supposed scheming ladies who wants to marry into his wealthy family!First it started with a kiss, dancing under the stars....and then more kisses! Even knowing the charming rake has no serious intentions Callie finds herself unable to stop thinking about him, or his kisses.Heartbreak is certain if she follows her desires. If only he weren't so irresistible . . .Mischief and Mistletoe was previously published in the 'Once upon a Christmas wedding Anthology'.LETTERS TO EMILYTwo years have passed since Lady Emily’s beloved Maxwell went to fight in the war. With only letters and one hot night of loving to keep her warm on the coldest of nights, she tries to embrace the future after learning of his death at the Third battle of Picardy. One way to forge forward is to marry his twin brother, Marcellus Alexander Wynwood, The Marquis of Blackthorn, a man she does not love, but one who rouses dark needs in her.Marcellus wanted Emily from the first moment he saw her two years ago, but had watched from a distance as his brother Max charmed her into falling hopelessly in love with him. In her state of grief over Max, Marcellus ensures her needs are met, breaking down her barriers, tormenting her with wicked erotic loving as he slowly binds her to him.Despite this, he fears he will lose her once it is revealed that her beloved Maxwell lives. Marcellus prays Emily can surrender to his needs and soul deep desires.