Book picks similar to
The Gift by Victoria Vale


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The Courtesan Duchess


Joanna Shupe - 2015
    1. Learn the most intimate secrets of London’s leading courtesan.2. Pretend to be a courtesan yourself, using the name Juliet Leighton.3. Travel to Venice and locate said husband.4. Seduce husband, conceive an heir, and voilà, your future is secure!For Julia, the Duchess of Colton, such a ruse promises to be foolproof. After all, her husband has not bothered to lay eyes on her in eight years, since their hasty wedding day when she was only sixteen. But what begins as a tempestuous flirtation escalates into full-blown passion—and the feeling is mutual. Could the man the Courtesan Duchess married actually turn out to be the love of her life?

Midwinter Magic


Stella Riley - 2020
    and perhaps a gate-crasher or two. There will be wassailers and kissing-boughs; music, dancing and romance; laughter and some tears. Above all, expect the unexpected because at Christmas anything can happen.So accept your invitation for what promises to be the most talked-of house-party of 1778... and is also a last Huzzah to the Rockliffe series.

The Wicked Wallflower


Maya Rodale - 2013
    As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade.A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring.London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity—among other things—of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers…being perfectly scandalous together.

Dearest Malachi Keogh


N.R. Walker - 2021
    That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget.The only problem is, Christmas at a mail distribution centre is the busiest time of the year. It just might take the whole team to make it happen.Dearest Malachi Keogh is a 13,000-word short story.

The Devil Wears Kilts


Suzanne Enoch - 2013
    But he's about to find out that satin has its appeal, especially when it covers the curves of Miss Lady Charlotte Hanover—whose tongue is as sharp as her skin is soft…Lady Charlotte Hanover has had her fill of hot-headed men, having lost her fiancé in an utterly unnecessary duel. When did brawn ever triumph over brains? And yet there is something solid and appealing about the brash Highlander who's as dangerous in the ballroom as in battle. Sometimes bigger really is better…

Nate


Tijan - 2021
    He was also the person who could destroy my world with a single decision. I walked into that bar looking for him. He saw me. I saw him. The chemistry sizzled between us, but no. I hated Nate Monson. I hated him with everything in me, even though my body did not. It didn’t matter. Nothing I wanted mattered. He thought I wanted to get laid.What I wanted was for him to disappear. But first, I had to tell him that he had a daughter. ** Nate is an enemies-to-lovers 97k standalone.

Adored


Lexi Blake - 2015
    In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.A woman who always gets what she wantsLaurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.A killer lurking in the shadowsWhen an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

The Promise in a Kiss


Stephanie Laurens - 2001
    So when a man literally falls at Helena's feet as she's walking through the courtyard one moonlit Christmas Eve, the pretty, young comtesse d'Lisle knows he's up to no good. He's clearly a bit dangerous... and obviously caught in the middle of a clandestine rendezvous. Why else would he have risked his neck and jumped out of a window into the snow?It's wrong, it's outlandish . . . and it's the most utterly romantic gesture she's ever seen. So when the good sisters rush up, demanding to know ifshe has seen a man on the grounds, Helena ignores the years of strict upbringing that insist she reveal his presence. To lie would be a sin, but 'no one can be good all the time. As a reward for her silence, the stranger takes her in his arms and enticingly, unforgettably kisses her—and then departs, leaving a lingering if unspoken promise of all that might be, should fate decree that they meet again. Although Helena doesn't know it, her wild Englishman is Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives, a nobleman who will prove to be her destiny.Seven years later, Helena has been transformed from a pretty schoolgirl to an aristocratic beauty. Her sparkling wit has made her sought after by London's hostesses; her considerable dowry has made winning her hand the aim of many a gentleman . . . but she is deadeningly aware of how boring so many ofthese gentlemen are.Her manipulative guardian has unexpectedly allowed her to find a husband of her own choosing, and she has no intention of marrying any man who tries to tame her. There must be someone perfect for her . . . someone who can live up to the promise ofthat long-ago kiss.Then, at a ball, fate strikes. Once again, it is the Christmas season, and across the crowded room Helena stands transfixed . . . for there is the man whose kiss she has never forgotten, the man of her memory whom no other has ever been able to supplant. Her wild, mysterious Englishman, Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives.One look, and he's determined to reclaim her . . . .

Simple Gifts: Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure


Jude Deveraux - 1998
    "Change of Heart," set in modern-day Colorado, is the touching story of a clever twelve-year-old who plays matchmaker for his bighearted, impractical mother.Judith McNaught This celebrated author magically portrays Regency London in "Miracles," the enchanting tale of a world-weary lord -- and an outrageous proposal. In "Double Exposure," a determined young woman arrives to photograph a magnificent wedding at a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, and manages to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.

The Handfasting


Glynnis Campbell - 2015
    Ysenda of Rivenloch never intended to be a counterfeit bride, and when she begins to fall in love with her handsome husband, she becomes trapped in her own deception. Only true love and a Yuletide wish can set things straight and grant them a happily ever after. Book Details The novella connecting The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch series to the Knights of de Ware series Originally released as part of the collection, "Highland Wishes" This novella is a shorter book about one-third the size of a full-length novel R-rated for sensual passages More Historical Romances by Glynnis CampbellThe Knights of de WareMY CHAMPIONMY WARRIORMY HEROThe Warrior Maids of RivenlochTHE SHIPWRECK (a novella)LADY DANGERCAPTIVE HEARTKNIGHT'S PRIZEMedieval OutlawsDANGER'S KISSPASSION'S EXILEScottish LassesTHE OUTCAST (a novella)MacFARLAND'S LASSMacADAM'S LASSCalifornia LegendsNATIVE GOLDNATIVE WOLFAbout Glynnis CampbellGlynnis Campbell is a USA Today bestselling author of swashbuckling action-adventure historical romances set in Scotland, England, and the American West, with over a dozen books published in six languages. She has won awards in the Orange Rose, Hearts through History, and Book Buyers Best contests and was a double finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA Awards. Her books appear in several multi-author boxed sets with such esteemed talents as Bella Andre, Marie Force, Tanya Anne Crosby, Lauren Royal, Kathryn Le Veque, Eliza Knight, and Claire Delacroix. Writing from her California home, she loves playing medieval matchmaker and transporting readers to a place where the bold heroes have endearing flaws, the women are stronger than they look, the land is lush and untamed, and chivalry is alive and well!From Glynnis...I love writing "stories to keep you up all night"!Keep in touch...Visit me at glynnis.netFriend me at facebook.com/GlynnisCampbellFollow me at twitter.com/GlynnisCampbellShare with me at pinterest.com/GlynnisCampbell

Defiance


Cherise Sinclair - 2018
    And then turns deadly The death threat is only the beginning…because the letter isn’t a hoax. Z walks out of his office into a barrage of bullets. He can take being shot at, but when the second shot splinters the empty child-seat in his car, he’s shaken to the core. The horror of what would have happened if his little girl had been there spurs him to action.Master Z is a Dom, a husband, a father—every instinct drives him to protect those under his care. When the police can’t catch his stalker, he must take matters into his own hands. He must keep danger far from those he loves. Secrecy and distance is the key. The funeral in Alaska is the perfect location, especially since Z won’t be alone. The survivalist’s sons have grown into men with lethal skills. With their help, he can trap the shooter and keep his family safe.As long as his impetuous and all-too-observant wife, Jessica, doesn’t discover he’s using himself as bait.Defiance is not only a wonderful addition to the beloved Masters of the Shadowlands series, but you also get to meet the sons from the upcoming Sons of the Survivalist series.

The Beast of Beswick


Amalie Howard - 2019
    With a ruined face like his, it's hard to like much about the world. Especially smart-mouthed harpies—with lips better suited to kissing than speaking—who brave his castle with indecent proposals.But Lady Astrid Everleigh will stop at nothing to see her younger sister safe from a notorious scoundrel, even if it means offering herself up on a silver platter to the forbidding Beast of Beswick himself. And by offer, she means what no highborn lady of sound and sensible mind would ever dream of—a tender of marriage with her as his bride.

Out of the Ashes


Hailey Turner - 2018
     Staff Sergeant Alexei Dvorkin is still healing from his brief stint as a prisoner of war. While his physical wounds have mended, the emotional scars left behind are slow to disappear. Eager to prove his resilience in the face of lingering trauma, Alexei is determined to complete his first mission in three months and get back into the field—but he’s not forging ahead without his lover. Nightmares will always linger. Agent Sean Delaney’s recovery from trauma is more slow going than he would like, but he pushes through in order to return to active duty and not be left behind. But every decision he makes leaves him feeling like he’s gone two steps forward and one step back when it comes to Alexei. The guilt Sean feels from what they both endured still colors his interactions with the man he loves. Trying to overcome it is difficult and exhausting, making Sean question his place in Alexei’s heart. Holding on is the hardest thing to do. The ties between Alexei and Sean were frayed by the enemy’s hand. Mending what’s been broken between them will require a depth of honesty neither man is ready to face just yet. But if they don’t, they risk losing a future together neither wants to let go. Out of the Ashes is a 28,000 word novella that follows directly after In the Blood in my Metahuman Files series and builds off of events in that book. It is recommended that you read In the Blood first before reading Out of the Ashes. There are explicit intimate scenes that are not suitable for readers under the age of 18 within the novella.

A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift


Jennifer Ashley - 2012
    The Mackenzies gather for a clan Christmas and Hogmanay in Scotland. In the chaos of preparations for the celebration--the first of Hart and Eleanor's married life--one of Ian's Ming bowls gets broken, and the family scrambles to save the day. Daniel busily runs a betting ring for everything from the hour Eleanor's baby will arrive, to whether Mac's former-pugilist valet can win a boxing match. Ian begins a new obsession, and Beth fears that the loss of one of his precious bowls has made him withdraw once more into his private world.

Hidden Fires


Laura Jordan - 1982
    Instead, the matriarch makes Lauren a scandalous offer to marry her son in name only. Lauren has strong feelings for him but are they strong enough?