Book picks similar to
The Mystery Kiss by Judith A. Lansdowne
romance
regency
historical-romance
regency-romance
Miss Adeline's Match
Joanna Barker - 2019
But when her closest friend, Charity Edgeworth, breaks off her arranged marriage without explanation, even Adeline's superior skills are put to the test. Charity's father banishes the two young women to the country, sending Adeline with a charge to find Charity a husband or suffer dire consequences. As Adeline takes on the role of reluctant matchmaker, she discovers more than one obstacle in her path. Not only does Charity prefer escaping in books to socializing, but Adeline soon finds her own attentions distracted by the standoffish—and irritatingly handsome—Mr. Evan Whitfield. Amidst an eventful foxhunt and the unexpected arrival of Charity's former betrothed, Adeline simply doesn't have time for a battle of wits with Evan. But the two are continually drawn together until Adeline begins to question her tightly guarded convictions about love and marriage. However, when secrets are revealed and truths made known, Adeline must face her most fearsome obstacle yet: herself.
When A Lady Misbehaves
Michelle Marcos - 2007
By blackmailing the gentlemen named in the Madame's private diaries, April can escape a life of drudgery--as long as she avoids the hangman's noose. All goes swimmingly until she crosses paths with Lord Blackheath, the most powerful judge in England. His wicked gaze suggests he is torn between exposing April and seducing her--and April is only too pleased to oblige. A SCANDALOUS EMBRACEBlackheath has no doubt that the alluring firebrand could cripple his family's finances and reputation with the bat of an eyelash. And yet…April outshines every dull Society belle he's ever known, and nothing compares to the sensual bliss they share. But trusting this scheming Miss could cost him everything. Will he ever be able to welcome her into his home--and his heart?
Curricle & Chaise
Lizzie Church - 2012
Even this might have proved tolerable. After all, Lydia was an independent sort of a girl, more than capable of holding her own against importunate tradesmen, and more than happy to bring her younger sister up on her own.It would not do, however. The state in which Lydia discovered the family affairs made independent existence quite out of the question. In spite of all her best efforts, within a few months of her mama’s death, and scarcely out of full mourning, it became apparent to her that there was nothing to be done but to acknowledge the inevitable and appeal to her relations for help….It is 1810. Lydia, now penniless, is forced to seek a home with an aunt and uncle who have no interest in her whatsoever. But there are plenty of others with an interest in her – including the handsome but selfish son of the family – her cousin Charles - and two elegant brothers who live nearby.Each, in his own way, poses an intriguing challenge to her. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.
Ransome's Honor
Kaye Dacus - 2009
They go their separate ways—she returns to her family’s Caribbean plantation, and he returns to the Royal Navy. Now, twelve years later, Julia is about to receive a substantial inheritance, including her beloved plantation. When unscrupulous relatives try to gain the inheritance by forcing her into a marriage, she turns to the only eligible man to whom her father, Admiral Sir Edward Witherington, will not object—his most trusted captain and the man who broke Julia’s heart, William Ransome. Julia offers William her thirty-thousand-pound dowry to feign marriage for one year, but then something she never imagined happens: She starts to fall in love with him again. Can two people overcome their hurt, reconcile their conflicting desires, and find a way to be happy together? Duty and honor, faith and love are intertwined in this intriguing tale from the Regency era.
The Viscount's Tempting Minx
Erica Ridley - 2014
Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her! When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.
Summer Campaign
Carla Kelly - 1989
Surely her husband-to-be, the right Reverend Andrew Littletree, would not condone her leaving the safety of home for the perils that this place posed for so lovely and desirable a young lady. Surely tongues would wag about what she was doing with so eminently attractive and intriguingly unattached a gentleman as the major. But Onyx's worry was not what her fiancé would think or what the world would say. Rather it was what she would do if Jack Beresford took her in his arms…
Penelope
Anya Wylde - 2013
The dowager, no less, has invited her for a season in London, where she will attempt to catch a husband.Thus begins our heroine’s tale as she attempts to tackle the London season with all her rustic finesse. Unfortunately, her rustic finesse turns out to be as delicate as a fat bear trying to rip apart a honeycomb infested with buzzing bees.What follows is a series of misadventures, love affairs, moonlit balls, fancy clothes, fake moustaches, highwaymen, sneering beauties, pickpockets, and the wrath of a devilishly handsome duke.
Lakeshire Park
Megan Walker - 2020
With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.
Rosemary's Glove
Shirley Raye Redmond - 2009
But when Rosemary's widowed mother confides that she plans to marry Mr. Nevin at the end of the Season and wants to see her daughter promptly and properly wed, Rosemary realizes she must force the reluctant earl's hand.She convinces her childhood friend, Broderick Loren--a handsome amateur botanist--to agree to a 'temporary engagement.' When the announcement appears in the Gazette, no one is more surprised than the conceited Lord Beverly. Rosemary soon finds herself consumed by conflicting emotions. Will she cry off her engagement to Broderick and throw herself into Lord Beverley's arms, or will she realize she loves Broderick with all her heart?
Moonlight Mist
Laura London - 1979
For surely her newly wed husband Justin Melbrooke must believe her an accomplice in the infamous scheme that had made her his wife. Was he not the prize catch of London, this handsome celebrated young poet-Lord? Schoolgirl she might be, but she had heard the stories of the titled ladies who had given more than the hearts to this aristocratic rake. Indeed, they were wed less than a week and already the stunning Lady Silvia, Justin's mistress, was installed at nearby Crant Castle.Well, she would show him she was no conniving society miss. Trapped into marriage he might have been, but she was resolved, though her heart might break, that he should be free ....
The Duke Suggests a Scandal
Gemma Blackwood - 2017
Six years ago he thought himself doomed to misery, ordered into a marriage for money by his profligate father. The space of the past year has found him first fatherless, then a wealthy widower, and finally the unexpected heir to the Dukedom of Westbourne. If only good fortune were contagious! Nothing could be more devastating than the news that his old friend, Catherine Sharp, is about to agree to an unwanted betrothal. A penniless gentleman’s daughter, Catherine aims to give up her own freedom to secure better prospects for her sister. Harry must engineer the scandal of the season to overturn her engagement. Surely a Duke will serve better than any other for Catherine’s marriage of convenience? A scandal is one matter. The heart is quite another. In order to wed her, Harry must convince his childhood sweetheart that their marriage will not be a match of convenience, but love.
The Unofficial Suitor
Charlotte Louise Dolan - 1992
Lady Cassiopeia is on the auction block in the marriage mart. And her only escape is into the greedy hands of scandalous Richard Hawke, a handsome rake who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Original Regency Romance.
A Stolen Kiss
M.A. Nichols - 2020
A forced engagement. Can it become something more?Lily Kingsley accepts that she is destined to be a spinster—but not until she gets her first kiss. And she knows the perfect gentleman to enlist. Unfortunately, she kisses the wrong one and ends up in the arms of an overbearing and exceptionally frustrating merchant.When busybodies catch them in their illicit embrace, an engagement is the only solution, but Lily doesn’t want a fiancé who’s only doing his duty. And she certainly doesn’t want a gentleman far too used to getting his own way. She simply must make him see how ill-suited they are.But why is the fellow so determined to see their engagement through?Jack Hatcher hates surprises, but when a beguiling lady mistakes him for someone else and launches herself into his arms, he discovers not all surprises are bad. Marriage was not in Jack’s plans, but Lily stirs something inside him he never expected to feel.But with his fiancé desperate to break with him and a new enemy working to woo Lily away, Jack discovers force of will won’t keep her by his side. Can he find a way to win her heart before it’s lost forever?
The Victorian Love series is a spin-off series that follows the children of the heroes and heroines of the Regency Love Series. Each book in both series is a standalone sweet historical romance and can be read in any order.
Surrender the Past
Elizabeth Johns - 2014
Six years later, with war at their doorstep, Elinor Abbott is forced to return to her land of birth and a life amongst the aristocracy she abhors. A return to England also means facing the man who brutally attacked her as an adolescent. Viscount Easton came to the United States at the behest of His Majesty’s Army, for his last assignment. He was sent home early due to an injury and must face his new destiny as the heir to an earldom. An unexpected encounter with the unrefined beauty links Easton and Elinor together in society, and he must decide whether to save Elinor’s reputation or hold on to bachelorhood. Can Elinor navigate the perils of coming out in aristocratic England and still retain her sense of identity? Can Easton help her overcome her aversion to men? Or will her past keep her from facing her future?
Behind the Baron's Mask: A Clean Regency Romance
Penny Fairbanks - 2019
Henry Neil, Baron of Neil, wants to spend all his days writing. After sharing a romantic dance at a masquerade, will fate bring them back together? Cecilia is entering her third Season, refusing to give up the hope that her true love is still out there. Emboldened by her mask, Cecilia puts on a spectacular pianoforte performance at an illustrious masquerade. She is whisked away to the dance floor by the most incredible man she’s ever met—a fellow passionate artist. Unfortunately, he slips out of reach before she can learn his name. Instead, she must accompany the cold and aloof Lord Neil through London as his best friend courts her sister. Henry just wants to stay at home writing his beloved adventure novels. But when his best friend drags him to the annual welcome masquerade, Henry dances with an incredibly talented pianoforte player. She surprises him with her artistic insights, but they part without exchanging identities. And much to Henry’s dismay, his friend decides to court a beautiful young lady—and asks Henry to accompany them with her older sister, Miss Cecilia Richards. Can Cecilia and Henry learn that they have far more in common than they think? Will they realize that they could be each other’s missing pieces?