Book picks similar to
The Secret by Elizabeth A. Lance
novella
christmas
historical-romance
masquerade
Ann's Valley
Cayt Lawson - 2019
Even if it meant striking a deal with the surly, and devilishly handsome, mountain man to do it. More lives than just her own depended upon it…
She was the type he swore never to fall for again…He was a complication she could ill afford…Together they will discover love is worth the risk, no matter the cost…Lady Ann Dunneroy finds herself in a desperate situation and her search for the man responsible leads her on a perilous journey to the American West. Relying solely on her wit and resourcefulness to survive, she strikes a deal with a rugged mountain man by the name of Grayson Stone. The more time Ann spends with Grayson, the less certain she is of the original mission she embarked upon. Determined to do what is right, Ann must make a difficult decision; one that may break her heart and perhaps cost her very life as well as the lives of those she loves most…Grayson Stone is the leader of the wagon train and it’s his job to ensure everyone arrives safely; a duty made aggravatingly more challenging when he agrees to escort a reckless, young woman along the way. A hard man, as rugged and imposing as the mountains he calls home, Grayson wants only to live a peaceful life of solitude. But something about the tenacious Lady Ann makes him yearn for more…
A story of love and loss on the Santa Fe Trail! Follow the hoyden daughter of an earl, from the ballrooms of London to America’s wild frontier; where she must choose between her heart and her honor.
Excerpt from Ann’s Valley:
“Nothing has changed.” Grayson’s words were direct and curt. Ann stiffened, feeling her anger with him return, “I hadn’t been under the impression they had.”“Do not confront me again on the matter. I will not change my mind. No woman or child allowed on the trail unless accompanied by a guardian. Is that understood?”“Perfectly.” She leveled him with her most imperious stare. Then added impertinently, “And do you own the trail, then?”His jaw clenched in irritable fashion, fastening her with a menacing glower, “Don’t even think about following on your own.”“You can’t stop me.”
Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess
Olivia Bennet - 2019
When a striking young man suddenly lands on their doorstep, she is immediately enticed.An obscure aggressor is out for his blood and Edward Godwin is running for his life. Waking up after a fierce attack, he finds himself in an unfamiliar manor. Unable to recall that he is, in fact, the Duke of Summerhill, he finds work there as a stable boy.With his life threatened by the minute and his family looking for him, all clues lead to a mysterious woman who claims to be Edward’s secret lover...but that is only part of the riddle.Forgotten but never undone, an olden mistake returns from the grave to torment them, making Lydia and Edward realize they are on borrowed time.*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess is the novel for you. This is Olivia's debut novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
His Lady to Protect
Justine Covington - 2020
Her trust… When Nate promises to protect his best friend’s little sister from her traitorous uncle, he knows it’s the least he can do to atone for his past sins. And if a marriage of convenience is the most efficient way to guarantee her safety? So be it. He’s ready for anything…except how quickly his lovely new bride would steal his heart… Susannah never intended to marry the man who led her brother to his death. The fact that she once loved him? Irrelevant. She just can’t allow herself to trust him again. But it’s not long before she starts to wonder if there’s more to Nate than meets the eye. What if he’s not the villain she assumed he was? And if that’s the case…can her poor, beleaguered heart survive another inevitable fall? Nate and Susannah have much to overcome if they have any hope of finding their way to happily ever after. But what if trust is simply a luxury neither can afford? Buy His Lady to Protect to read the first in an exciting new series centered around six friends from Eton and set in the infamous Regency period.
Rory (The Rakehells of Rochester Book 3)
J.A. Templeton - 2017
When he awakens, he’s delighted to discovery Shannon O’Connor, a stunning maid, caring for him. Aroused and intrigued by the mysterious woman, Rory is determined to find out her secrets. But first, he plans to thoroughly seduce her with the most scorching, irresistible passion. Shannon O’Connor is on the run after her parents perish in a fire meant to wipe out her entire family. The only way Shannon can survive is to work as a servant in the home of wealthy English aristocrats. When her employer’s brother, a notorious rakehell is brought to the home with a bullet wound, it is Shannon’s responsibility to care for him. Just as she becomes comfortable in her position as nursemaid to the charming rogue, the person who killed her parents arrives ready to finish the job he started. NOTE: THE RAKEHELLS OF ROCHESTER is a steamy historical romance series intended for mature readers over the age of 18.
A Christmas Ball To Remember: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
Sally Forbes - 2021
Seven Christmas Kisses
Jillian Eaton - 2021
All hope seems lost…until one afternoon fate steps in and Sarah learns that sometimes, with a little magic, winter wishes can come true.A Rake in WinterNo one is more shocked than Lady Emma herself when she drinks a bit too much wine…and wakes up in bed beside Lord William Prescott, England’s most notorious rake! Emma wants to forget the entire night ever happened, but Will isn’t about to let her go that easily...Risqué ResolutionDue to a clause in her father’s will, Lily has until Christmas to find a husband. Having yet to find a single man she would ever consider marrying after six failed seasons, she fears all hope is lost… until she meets the mysterious, insufferable, and oh so handsome Captain James Rigby.Natalie’s Christmas RogueLord Benjamin Hawthorne has never met a woman he couldn’t charm…until Natalie Rigby. The sad-eyed beauty wants nothing to do with him, or any man for that matter. But at the Christmas Eve Ball, anything is possible. Even falling in love…Marquess Under the MistletoeEvery single Appleton sister has met her husband at their parent’s annual Christmas ball. Every sister except for Honora, that is. When sparks unexpectedly begin to fly with a devilishly charming marquess, will she be the first in her family to break tradition…or follow in her sister’s footsteps and run towards the nearest mistletoe?The Christmas WidowKnown as “Mad Lady Bea” by the townspeople of Blooming Glen, Lady Beatrice Tumbley has not left her estate since the tragic death of her husband on Christmas Eve. Terrified of the outside world, she lives in complete seclusion, determined never to fall in love again. Until one cold, snowy night, when a handsome stranger comes knocking at her door…The Winter DuchessAs cold winds howl outside the manor, inside of it a duke’s frozen heart is finally starting to melt as he finds himself falling for the one woman he was never supposed to love…his wife. But can she love him in return?
Publisher’s Note: These novellas range from sweet to spicy and have been previously published individually. This is the first time they’re being offered in one must-read collection!
The Marauder
Tessa Bowen - 2015
The spoiled sovereign expects a night of torment and shame. Instead, her unlikely bedfellow introduces her to a world of carnal delights. Prince Taran, dreaded leader of the savage Picts, approaches. He plans to pluck Guendolen’s prized maidenhead. Once she carries his heir he will claim her father’s throne. King Cedric hatches a frantic scheme. His daughter must lie with one of their own. Better a Briton babe growing in her womb than a Pictish one. With every last man fighting on the battlefield, there is only one lad who is available for such a task; and that is Phalen, her childhood nemesis. Mysterious as he is defiant, the adopted son of the village blacksmith has little interest in Guendolen’s beauty and considers the overindulged “jewel of the kingdom” to be a royal pain in the rear. Sparks fly each time they meet. On the fated night, Guendolen does her best to obstruct Phalen from carrying out his orders, but what starts out as an act of duty soon turns into an evening of passion. Our hero and heroine reunite two years later. She, having given birth to his son; and he, having returned from battle—now a formidable warrior. Under constant pressure from her father to marry, Guendolen agrees to wed the father of her bastard child, whose touch she still wears like a brand. The elusive Phalen continues to rile the Princess with his taunting gaze, denying her the attention she craves in and out of the bedchamber. Will she ever be able to win the favor of this dark and brooding man?
Highlander's Fateful Ride: A Steamy Scottish Medieval Historical Romance
Emilia C. Dunbar - 2020
Intriguing Lord Adelaide (Northcott Kinship)
Wendy May Andrews - 2021
If only she could learn how to navigate society from one of her treasured textbooks. In the midst of her embarrassment, Amelia completely loses her senses and lies about a promised dance. Lucian is her brother’s friend. Surely, he will take pity on her, even if he has never looked twice.As the heir to the Earl of Everleigh, Lucian, Viscount Adelaide, cannot enlist as a soldier as he’d truly like to do. Instead, he secretly serves as an agent for the Home Office. To hide his true intentions, he must masquerade as a lazy gadabout. Discouraging the debutantes is another side benefit of the lie.Unfortunately, Amelia’s own mistruth jeopardizes Lucian’s mission and puts her in grave danger. His friendship with her brother is the only thing that prevents him from throttling her. It’s also one of the many reasons he cannot possibly have feelings for her.Intriguing Lord Adelaide is a sweet/clean Regency romance with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed happy ending.
Christmas In Wichita Falls
Cyndi Raye - 2017
If her dead husband hadn't gone and died on her she wouldn't be in this situation. Now she finds herself the victim of a train robbery near Wichita Falls. Everything is riding on her getting to California by the end of the year. Will she get there in time to save her sisters from becoming victims of the Mercy Train? David Morgan vows never to marry after the woman he loved betrayed him for the town banker. He had enough of fake women until Holly comes along and changes everything. How can he show her she belongs in Wichita Falls before time runs out? Enjoy this delightful clean and wholesome western and pioneer romance and visit with many of the other brides from Wichita Falls.
Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
Emma Linfield - 2019
In the service of the Hadley family since birth, she’s been in love with Frederick, the Duke of Chescrown’s son, all her life. But years of rejection and unrequited love have taken their toll and when a charming new servant arrives at the manor, Josephine is determined to leave the past behind. Frederick Hadley, Marquess of Pentford, is a man who carries his title with pride. Determined to uphold the family’s spotless reputation, he renounces his feelings for Josephine, invoking the social gap between them. However, anonymous letters addressed to his mother threaten to shatter that pristine image. Amidst a wild goose chase to get answers before the culprit acts on their threats, Frederick risks losing not only Josephine but also his very own birthright.
Ella
Samantha Evans - 2019
King Breen, Liam's father, and Cullen, Liam's brother, believe that true honor is achieved once they slay a dragon. Liam believes that dragons are majestic and do not deserve to die. King Breen, Liam’s father, brings Liam along on an expedition to slay a dragon. On one of the nights of the expedition, Liam rescued a dragon’s egg. Liam decides to care for it, and it hatches on Liam’s birthday. Tragedy strikes, which leads to Liam having to leave Derzeli, and Liam goes on the run with the help of Ella the dragon. Ella helps him escape, and runs to a barren wasteland where he saw himself to becoming a hermit for the rest of his life. But due to an event happening with the help of a new friend, and a childhood friend he has no choice but to return home. Having to make the decision to run away from his destiny, or embrace it, the destiny of a king.
All Around the Ton
Elizabeth Boyce - 2016
But prim and proper behavior isn't always so easy when hearts are involved. From the ballrooms to the gaming hells, these five Regency couples are turning the ton on its ear with their scandals and secrets.
Once an Heiress
Well-known rogue Ethan Helling is over his ears in gambling debts and must marry a fortune. Enter Lily Bachman with the largest dowry the haute ton has seen in years and zero interest in marriage. But when the seducer becomes the seduced, Lily and Ethan are forced into a hasty union. Now, to gain her fortune, Ethan must find a way to make his unwilling bride happy.
Once Upon a Scandal
Caught in a scandal of her father's making, Jane is an outcast in the society that once prized her refinement. Can Lord Benjamin Marworth, whose reputation as a rake conceals his role as a spy for the Crown, save both England and Jane by faking her death and reincarnating her as a French cousin who can ferret out the stolen war secrets he needs? It's a proposition steeped in scandal if they're caught - but love just might be worth the risk.
Merry's Wonderful Christmas Gift
The winter holidays used to be Miss Merry Damonson's favorite time of year. Until her almost-fiance Edward Everton abandoned her two days before Christmas. Now he's returned to their country village, but is it too late to reignite old flames? A holiday ball might just offer these unlucky lovers a second chance.
The Glass Orchid
Determined to take charge of her own fate, orphan Adel Beaumont pursues the only means to an independent life available to her: become a courtesan to wealthy and powerful men. Twenty-one-year-old Rhys Camden is his father's answer to increasing the family's social standing to match their newfound wealth. When Adel and Rhys's lives entwine, they vow to defy society and family and risk everything to be together. But they soon learn how dangerous that defiance can be.
How to Wed an Earl
To inherit the family coffers, Lucas, Earl of Ravenstone, must claim a fiancée who will no doubt be thrilled at the prospect of finally being able to use his name and become his countess. But Penelope Maitland has already been using Lucas's name - to fend off her stepfamily's creditors. Lucas finds that in order to keep his fortune, he will have to lose his heart to a woman who is tired of waiting for him.Sensuality Level: Sensual
The Christmas Bargain
Sarita Leone - 2010
Lord James Whitman is well aware of what others say about him. He has heard his name whispered behind closed doors and learned of his character being maligned without cause. But after his unearned reputation causes Iris to decline his marriage proposal, he is determined to show her the truth and win her love! Without her grandfather's guidance, Iris must decide whether to trust the London gossips or the tune of her own heart. Could she possibly love a man who is as horrid as some say he is? Or should she trust her instincts and what the duke tells her to be true? All Iris knows for sure is that Christmas day grows closer with each passing minute!