Book picks similar to
How to Build the Perfect Rake by Kate Harper
romance
historical-romance
historical-fiction
regency
Lord Worthing's Wallflower
Michelle Morrison - 2016
This is her third London Season and her father has declared it will be her last. If she doesn’t find a husband this year, she can simply retire with him to the country where she can continue as his housekeeper. Juliette would like nothing better than to find a husband and start a family. There’s only one problem: she is simply invisible to the men of London society. She’s never mastered the art of small talk or mindless flirting, and she lacks the golden beauty and musical laughter of her best friend and society’s reigning debutante, Eleanor. It doesn’t help that she would rather discuss a scandalous novel rather than the weather or a gentleman’s new horse. Then there’s her unfortunate sense of humor which seems to shoot right over the heads of the men she does meet.Jacob Wilding, Baron Worthing, had not thought to marry in the near future. He is not against the institution, rather, he is loathe to settle for one of the indistinguishable young misses that populate London society, for wit and intellect do not seem to be prerequisites for a young lady’s debut into the ton. His father, worried that Jacob is simply not looking hard enough, uses his own failing health to…encourage his son to settle quickly. Jacob’s father pushes him toward Lady Eleanor Chalcroft and loath to disappoint his sire, Jacob sets out to court her, only to discover that he is more interested in her wallflower friend, Juliette Aston.
Claiming the Duchess
Sherry Thomas - 2014
James Kingston and her faithful correspondent Miss Julia Kirkland, whom Clarissa has never met.Now both Mr. Kingston and Miss Kirkland are due to arrive at Clarissa’s house—and Clarissa is about to find out that nothing of either is as she has been led to believe…A story of longings--and longings fulfilled.
Duels & Deception
Cindy Anstey - 2017
She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father's choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going according to plan.Until Lydia—and Robert along with her—is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won't hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert's help, Lydia strives to keep her family's good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants…
Secrets of a Wedding Night
Valerie Bowman - 2012
When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night,” knowing it will find its way into his intended’s innocent hands…How to Seduce a WidowDevon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon’s new fiancée cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it’s his former fiancée Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be…
Ashes on the Moor
Sarah M. Eden - 2018
Raised with the high-class Victorian values and ideals of a sophisticated upbringing, she is unprepared for the poverty she finds in the gritty factory town of Smeatley, where the locals speak with a hard-to-understand Yorkshire accent and struggle to thrive with few resources or opportunities. Though she has no training as a teacher, she must prove herself successful before her grandfather will release her substantial inheritance to her and allow her to be reunited with her younger sister, the last remaining member of her family after a fever claimed the lives of her parents and brothers. Evangeline's sudden change in circumstances is complicated when her aunt—a woman who values class distinctions more than her family relationships—forbids her from acknowledging any connection to her or to her grandfather, Mr. Farr—the man who owns nearly the entire town. For the first time in her life, Evangeline is truly alone. Heartbroken, she turns to the one person in town who has shown her kindness—an Irish brick mason, Dermot, and his son, Ronan. Despite the difference in their classes and backgrounds, Evangeline and Dermot become friends, due in part to her ability to connect with Ronan, whose behavior requires special attention. The boy is uncomfortable around strangers and rarely even speaks to the other children in town. He often fixates on details other people ignore, and he adheres to specific, self-made rules that give his life order and structure; for example, Dermot's coat must be hung on a specific peg next to the door. Evangeline attempts to prove herself a worthy teacher and earn the respect of her hard-to-understand students. Determined to find a way to introduce them to "proper English" while still honoring their unique language and culture, she enlists the help of a local family to write down familiar stories in the Yorkshire vernacular. Because of her efforts, the students and their families warm to Evangeline and she continues to look for ways to give the children a chance to become more than factory workers in the local cotton mill. When the town learns of her upper-class status, Evangeline must work twice as hard to win back their trust--especially Dermot's. In the end, Evangeline and Dermot discover that, even though they come from different social spheres, together they can overcome social prejudices, make a positive difference in the lives of even the humblest people, and enjoy the strength that comes when two hearts find each other.Ashes on the Moor is the inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying.
Danse de la Folie
Sherwood Smith - 2012
Tarval. Tarval’s sister, Lady Kitty, is determined to write a dramatic Gothic to save her brother’s mortgaged estate-if she can reach London. Clarissa’s much-pursued cousin, Mr. Philip Devereaux, is inexplicably intrigued by Lady Kitty, who is doing her best to encourage the match between him and Clarissa, except that Clarissa is now betrothed to . . . Lord Wilburfolde.And so the madness of changing partners begins in the dance of love.
A Lady's Fairytale Come True
Abigail Agar - 2019
She grew up uncertain of the existence of true love and has always wondered if she would ever meet her own Prince Charming. But everything changed when a wealthy heiress mysteriously calls her to her mansion with a unique request... Will Olivia give a chance to the old Lady’s impolite grandson and let him show her his real self? Or will she be discouraged by their differences?Nathaniel Norton is a young Earl, who is more interested in studying medicine than marrying a girl of good family and class. Especially after the loss of his beloved father, any plan to pursue love is aborted. When he hears his grandmother’s plan to unite him in courtship with a young woman he has never heard of, he will not sit by. But what if that lady turns out to be different from all the others he had met before?Olivia and Nathaniel will have a chance to approach each other and start feeling beautiful things they never thought they would. But when a long-kept secret is revealed, will their emotions be strong enough to handle it? Or will their class differences eventually stand in their way?"A Lady's Fairytale Come True" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell
Samantha James - 2007
A man of intense passions, he resolved to deny his emotions and desires forever, taking refuge in the wilds of the moorlands and shutting himself off from the world. But on one extraordinary night, on a rare trip to London, the unthinkable occurs. An intoxicatingly beautiful stranger stirs the sensuous hunger he has sworn to resist. Simon Blackwell believed that no woman could tempt him. No woman . . . save Annabel McBride. Annabel knows nothing of Simon's secret pain. But one irresistible kiss plunges her into marriage with a man she scarcely knows, a man who hides a shattered past. She can feel the blistering heat of the fire that smolders within this exquisitely handsome man, making her yearn for much more than the union in name only he has promised her. But Simon dares not love again—for fragile love can be lost in an instant. And now Annabel must find a way to open his heart to the most glorious risk of all . . .
Poetic Justice
Alicia Rasley - 1994
She must wed, with her pompous uncle's approval, before her next birthday or lose her legacy--the most valuable book collection in all England! Worse, she will forfeit the secret contents of the trunk locked in the family vault. So Jessica concocts an audacious plan. It may be scandalous. It may be ruinous. Or it might work.There isn't a more eligible suitor in all the land than John Dryden. Passing himself off as an importer of rare books, the ex-privateer and dashing rogue is all too happy to accept Jessica's unconventional proposal. It's a plot worthy of Will Shakespeare himself.. and just as likely to go awry. For Dryden hasn't been called a bastard simply because of his birth. The wickedly seductive Jessica has something he wants, and it isn't merely a dusty old chest. It's the key to her heart!
One Night in London
Caroline Linden - 2011
. . and pure passion. Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case . . . if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart. Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . . and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.
The Earl Next Door
Amanda Grange - 2001
Tenth Anniversary EditionNote: This book was originally published under the title of Anything But A GentlemanMarianne is delighted when the empty estate next door is rented by an earl, but she soon finds that Luke, Lord Ravensford is anything but a gentleman! And yet with his dark hair and his dangerous air, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him, despite the rumours that he has ruined her missing brother. When the secret of Kit's disappearance is exposed, she finds herself drawn into an adventure which will test her love to the limits and reveal hidden depths to Luke and his profound feelings for her . . .Amanda Grange: Humour, adventure and romance, with a guaranteed happy ending.Reviews for Amanda Grange:"Believable dialogue and lively characters ... nice touches of humour, too." - Historical Novels Review"Hits the Regency tone and language on the head." - Library Journal"Well written, clean romance. 4 1/2 stars!" - Amazon review"Amanda Grange writes from the heart . . . Highly recommended" - A Romance Review