Book picks similar to
La Bellezza by Susan Fanetti


historical-romance
historical
mafia
historical-fiction

Queen of Diamonds


Natalie Bennett - 2018
    His partner. His whore.His mind games. Her morals.The road to hell...Well, there is no road to hell.I already live there.I was forced to partake in a rigged game of seduction, manipulation, and murder.Mateo Remmington is my formidable opponent.He makes the devil look like a saint.He’s immoral.He's ruthless.He's a goddamn king. King of a clandestine empire who sits on a throne covered in innocents’ blood.I’ve become his obsession.He’s becoming my deadly addiction.And if I make one wrong move he’ll end my life.

Gypsy Brothers: The Complete Series


Lili St. Germain - 2015
    As the leader of the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club, he was guilty of many things. But he died for a crime that he didn’t commit, framed by an enemy within who then stole his club and everything he had ever worked to protect.Including my innocence.When Dornan Ross framed my father, he set into motion a series of events that could never be undone. My father was murdered by Dornan Ross and his sons when I was fifteen years old.Before my father died, Dornan Ross and his sons stole my innocence, branded my skin and in doing so, ensured that their lives would be prematurely cut short. That they would suffer.I’ve just turned twenty-one, and I’m out for blood. I'm out for revenge.But I didn't expect to fall for Jase, the youngest brother in the club.I didn't expect that he would turn my world upside down, yank my heart out of my chest and ride away into the sunset with it.Now, I'm faced with an impossible choice - Jase, or avenging my fathers death?This bundle contains all books in the Gypsy Brothers series. The reading order for the series is:SEVEN SONSSIX BROTHERSFIVE MILESFOUR SCORETHREE YEARSTWO ROADSONE LOVEALTERNATE (bonus novella)ZERO HOUR

The Locksmith's Daughter


Karen Brooks - 2016
    She has apprenticed with her father since childhood, and there is no lock too elaborate for her to crack. After scandal destroys her reputation, Mallory has returned to her father's home and lives almost as a recluse, ignoring the whispers and gossip of their neighbors. But Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's spymaster and a frequent client of Mallory's father, draws her into his world of danger and deception. For the locksmith's daughter is not only good at cracking locks, she also has a talent for codes, spycraft, and intrigue. With Mallory by Sir Francis’s side, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery.But Mallory's loyalty wavers when she witnesses the brutal and bloody public execution of three Jesuit priests and realizes the human cost of her espionage. And later, when she discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she is forced to choose between her country and her heart.Once Sir Francis's greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat—and there is only one way the Queen’s master spy deals with his enemies…

The Loyal Heart


Merry Farmer - 2011
    Several problems. Her childhood love, Ethan, has returned home from the Crusades, but he’s more interested in winning his land back than wooing her. She has to rescue a pair of nuns who are being held prisoner in Derby Castle’s tower by the sadistic Sheriff Buxton. And to top it all off, she’s developing scandalous feelings for Buxton’s lackey, the dark and devilish Crispin. Faced with all that what’s a girl to do but don her disguise as the Derbywood Bandit and take matters into her own hands?Sir Crispin is at his wit’s end. Not only does he have his hands full keeping Buxton from killing half the shire, now his arch nemesis, the Derbywood Bandit, has joined forces with his old rival Ethan. And that’s nothing compared to the burning torch he carries for his ex-fiancé, Lady Aubrey. He would do anything to win Aubrey’s love …… until he suspects that there could be a closer connection between Aubrey and the Derbywood Bandit than anyone knows.

The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman


Abby Ayles - 2017
    As her friends and cousins find their happily every afters, she dreams of the day her own handsome husband will meet her at the end of the aisle. Finally, her parents, who have been hesitant due to her immaturity and rebelliousness, agree to let her see some suitors. Antoinette is immediately won over by Duke Alexander Godwin, a man who has it all. He is handsome, incredibly wealthy, a Duke, and one of the bravest, wittiest, most charming men she has ever met. Every minute by his side feels like she is being swept up in a fairytale romance about princes and princesses. And yet, her parents keep her options open with other suitors. Antoinette is at first unsure why they are not locking down Duke Godwin as soon as possible, but as time goes by she begins to realize that, however, dreamy Duke Godwin is, they have very little real chemistry. In fact, of all her suitors, one seems to shine brighter than the rest... But is he the right man for her? In the midst of Christmas celebrations, the return and near loss of a dear childhood friend, a threat to her family's wealth, and her sister's marriage hitting a seemingly insurmountable hurdle, Antoinette feels pressured to make her choice. And deep down, she knows that the choice she most wants to make is one that would break her parents' hearts. But choosing the wrong suitor would break hers. "The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman" is a historical regency romance novel of approximately 90,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Pages: 340 Get This Book FREE With Kindle Unlimited! Enjoy!

Forever Mine


Monica Burns - 2014
    With an endearing cast of characters this multiple award-winner is sure to earn a place on the keeper shelf. ✱ ✱ CAVEAT EMPTOR ✱ ✱ Please note that if you hated A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, it is quite likely you *will not* like this book.If you believe men in the 1800s didn't use foul language, you *will not* like this book. See disclaimer below.Thrown back to the year 1897, Victoria Ashton is mistaken for, and forced to impersonate, the spiteful, unfaithful Countess of Guildford, who's been missing for three weeks. Despite Victoria's attempts to convince the earl she's not his wife, her double's infidelity and lies make it difficult, especially when Victoria falls in love with a man who loathes her. Nicholas Thornhill, Earl of Guildford, is plagued with rumors he murdered his missing wife. When she unexpectedly reappears, he scoffs at her latest in a long string of lies. But the changes in Victoria make him to alter his opinion as he forges a bond with her that crosses the boundaries of time. NOTE: This book is a 125,000 words. For readers who do not enjoy sex scenes, there is 3.75% (16 pgs out of 443) of sexual content in this book. The F-word occurs 34 times in this 443 page book or 1% of the entire book.Men as a general rule have used the F-word long before the Victorian era, which this book is set in. The difference between the men in the past & men of today is that they didn't use the word in the company of women. The author chose to use the F-word because it fits a male reaction to frustration and anger. It is a visceral word with a guttural sound that projects the emotion of outrage in a harsh and visceral manner. Say it out loud with force. Men are sometimes crass & crude with other men. In contrast to the use of the F-word the author refuses to use the word sh*t as it evokes an image of filth and bodily waste. Please factor this information into your buying decision. If you are uncomfortable with these numbers, it is doubtful you will enjoy the read. For readers of time travel romance who enjoyed OUTLANDER and A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR.... “Forever Mine is the best time travel romance I've ever read, rivaling Jude Deveraux for intensity and chemistry between the hero and heroine.” — Lucy Monroe, USAToday bestselling author "With Forever Mine, Monica Burns delivers another gorgeous and deeply emotional story with a smart, strong-willed heroine and a tortured and oh-so-sexy hero." -- Vanessa Kelly. Bestselling author of historical romance "Monica Burns has once again gotten me to read and love a historical romance! Forever Mine is a phenomenally written story of a love that surpasses the barriers of time. At the end I cried ugly, gut-wrenching tears which I rarely do. The emotional last few chapters bled through my Kindle and directly into my soul. Monica Burns has written something truly magical. Forever Mine surpassed my expectations by miles and then kept on going." -- Nikki Brandyberry, Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind This book is like the center of an Oreo, the best part of the cookie. Monica Burns has captured true [time travel] romance and woven it into a time travel/reincarnation tale. The characters are so well developed and true. -- Joann Ferrara Maggio Reader Review "FOREVER MINE is a time travel romance to place on your keeper shelf where you store all your favorite time travel romances, Regency, Victorian,

Hook


Elisabeth Grace - 2016
    Men coveted the very idea of me. Escort. Call girl. Prostitute. Hooker. Whore.I'd heard it all. Done it all. Over the years I'd felt a lot of things about my occupation...but not regret--never regret. I had my reasons for doing what I did and nothing and no one had ever made me question them.UNTIL MARCO VALENTI.He'd changed me and I'd naively fed into the fairy tale.But Marco wasn't my Prince Charming. He had secrets of his own. Secrets that would eventually rip away everything I held dear.

Lev


Belle Aurora - 2015
    Having been told his entire life that he can't process or understand emotion, he considers it a big deal.When Mina Harris gets caught red-handed with a wallet that isn't hers, she falls apart. She's tired, lonely and hasn't eaten in days.Lev offers her an ultimatum... A nice warm bed, a hot meal and a job, or the cops.Mina takes her chances with Lev. After all, a person with nothing has nothing left to lose.***This book enters the world of the extended Leokov family which are introduced in Friend-Zoned, however, is unrelated...

Kiss Me in the Dark


Aleatha RomigParker S. Huntington - 2020
    We’re hoping to introduce new readers to our world and also give our loyal readers a chance to get lost in the stories they love with these bonus scenes. It’s only a taste, just three chapters each…but it’s enough for you to get addicted and want more. It includes: Monica James—Bad Saint; bonus content is the first chapter of the upcoming release The Devil’s Crown—All the Pretty Things Trilogy spin-off. Aleatha Romig—Unconventional; bonus content is the prologue, an outside prospective on this stalker romance. Amo Jones—In Fury Lies Mischief; bonus content: Eli’s Transition. Callie Hart—Deviant; bonus content is a brand-new short story featuring Zeth and some of the original Blood and Roses crew. Cora Reilly—Luca Vitiello; bonus content is the prologue and first chapter of the upcoming standalone Fragile Longing—an age-gap arranged marriage romance.Giana Darling––Enthralled; bonus content is a new chapter from hero Alexander Davenport’s POV. K Webster—This is War, Baby; bonus content is a new thrilling “training” chapter in the villainous Gabe’s POV with Baylee. Lili St. Germain—Vicious Prince; bonus content is the first chapters of the upcoming release Vengeful Queen—Book two in the Violent Kingdom Trilogy.S.M. Soto—Deception and Chaos; bonus content is a never-before-seen chapter written from Creed’s POV. Parker S. Huntington—Devious Lies; bonus content is a never-before-seen email from Nash to Emery. Willow Winters—A Kiss to Tell; bonus content is a never-before-seen chapter. So come, sit, and enjoy a taste of the darkness…you just may like it. This anthology was hatched because dark romances and their creators have a stigma associated with them. Yes, we like coloring outside of the lines, and no, we don’t write your run-of-the-mill stories, but that shouldn’t devalue our art. Nor should it be grounds for it to be censored.

A Lady's Touch of Sin


Lucy Langton - 2020
    What awaits her is her Aunt Margaret, a tittering woman with an earnest responsibility to find Marta a match, against her wishes. While the blue-eyed beauty desperately tries to escape from her future misery, a very dashing man shows up in her life, but, to her misfortune, he is not the one her Aunt has chosen for her. But when her Aunt insists so much on a particular engagement with a Duke, should she just give up to the tantalizing stranger she just met or should she fight to satisfy the burning passion she holds for him?Baldwin Terrence is a successful businessman and the future heir to his ducal estate. When his best friend's cousin comes unexpectedly to visit, he finds himself surprisingly stricken by her stunning eyes, and the connection between them is electrifying. Her beauty is irresistible and tests his willpower at every turn. She's everything Baldwin is not: a spitfire, compassionate, apt to dream and gossip and live loudly and grandly. Of course, she catches the eye of nearly every important member of society, including the dastardly Duke, Lewis Remington. The only thing he knows is that he is determined to possess her, at any cost. Will he convince her that the haven she's longed for all her life may be lying in his arms?Thus begins a tale of lust and heartache, full of passionate moments. But soon their burning promises are all they have left. Caught between her past and her future, Marta must decide whether she's willing to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she would find. But in the end, is the choice actually hers to make? Torn between her Aunt's will and what she desires, she has to choose between the man who sets her heart on fire and the one she despises. But can this undeniable desire between them really be buried? Will their love prove strong enough to shatter every obstacle in their way?

The Other Alcott


Elise Hooper - 2017
    But while everyone cheers on Jo March, based on Louisa herself, Amy March is often the least favorite sister. Now, it’s time to learn the truth about the real “Amy”, Louisa’s sister, May.Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.Life for the Alcott family has never been easy, so when Louisa’s Little Women is published, its success eases the financial burdens they’d faced for so many years. Everyone agrees the novel is charming, but May is struck to the core by the portrayal of selfish, spoiled “Amy March.” Is this what her beloved sister really thinks of her?So May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman. From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much more than merely The Other Alcott.

Magnate


Joanna Shupe - 2016
    The men of the Knickerbocker Club know this more than anyone else. But for one millionaire, the business of love is not what he expected…Born in the slums of Five Points, Emmett Cavanaugh climbed his way to the top of a booming steel empire and now holds court in an opulent Fifth Avenue mansion. His rise in stations, however, has done little to elevate his taste in women. He loathes the city’s “high society” types, but a rebellious and beautiful blue-blood just might change all that.Elizabeth Sloane’s mind is filled with more than the latest parlor room gossip. Lizzie can play the Stock Exchange as deftly as New York’s most accomplished brokers—but she needs a man to put her skills to use. Emmett reluctantly agrees when the stunning socialite asks him to back her trades and split the profits. But love and business make strange bedfellows, and as their fragile partnership begins to crack, they’ll discover a passion more frenzied than the trading room floor…

Dangerous


Nora Ash - 2016
    Heartbreaker. Husband…? Blaine I hurt, break and kill for a living. The Family point, I deliver. But this time, they ask too much. This time, they want me to marry the one woman who knows my secret. She has reason to hate me, I know, but I'll take her, I'll break her, and I'll make her mine. That's the only way I can keep my secret. Mira When I ran away eight years ago, I thought I’d escaped the underworld I'd always known. I made a life for myself. I thought I was free. Then my past came knocking at my door. Now I’m marrying the son of London’s biggest crime family. A man who hates me as much as I hate him. He’s ruthless, brutal, and dangerous—everything I’ve always feared. He's taken away the life I built, he's taken my freedom. And now, I fear he's taken my sanity, too. How else could I have ended up pregnant with his baby? **Dangerous is a full-length romance novel with a guaranteed HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger!**

Under a Dancing Star


Laura Wood - 2019
    But she longs for so much more - for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance.When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancée, a whole world is opened up to Bea - a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance?With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love...A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds - but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end - but for Bea, this might be just the beginning.

Revenge


Dana Delamar - 2012
    And I want Kate Andretti with a fire that burns me to ash.Carlo Andretti wants Kate too… and my fortune, my estate, my empire. Most of all, he wants my death. Just as I want his.The vendetta between our families is old and deep. Only one of us can win, and only one of us can have Kate. Carlo believes that he can take what’s mine, that he can break me and make me crawl.But I’m Enrico Lucchesi.And a Lucchesi always gets what he wants.KATE ANDRETTIMy mother always said my impulsiveness would get me into trouble. She was right. Marrying a man I barely knew, letting him take me to Italy… not my best decisions.Especially when I now know what the “family business” really is.I want out of this life, and I want out of Italy. But the only person willing to help me escape the Andrettis is Enrico Lucchesi. And he wants me to stay in this world that I can’t bear to be part of.The vows these men take talk about “blood and honor.”But I know what this life is: it’s blood and danger. It’s blood and death.And I’m not ready to be a Mafia don’s wife.