Book picks similar to
Her Wicked White by Tammy Andresen
historical-romance
historical
romance
dukes
Lady of Desire
Darcy Burke - 2014
Their discovery of a rare manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors-if it's worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could solve their woes. Only, the irresistible desire she feels toward her partner is neither expected nor wanted. Rhys Bowen can't believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain's leading antiquaries, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father's shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience...and the captivating woman he's sworn to help.
Designs on a Duke
Ellie St. Clair - 2020
As a common woman, she will never be able to pursue her passion and become an architect as well -- at least, not under her own name. When her father slowly begins to lose his sensibilities and falls into debt, Rebecca becomes far more than a secretary, but rather the designer. No one, however, can ever learn the truth. He is duke only in name...No one was pleased when Valentine St. Vincent was shockingly named the Duke of Wyndham -- least of all Valentine himself. He made a career and a name for himself through the use of his fists, but all it led to was his brother’s death. Now determined to become the man his family always wanted him by fulfilling his brother’s destiny, Valentine is caught between two identities. A relationship that can never be...When Valentine hires Rebecca’s father, she must complete the work commissioned to them. But as she spends more and more time at Wyndham House and the Duke’s country manor, she finds herself hopelessly falling for a man she can never have. For the Duke of Wyndham must marry a woman of the ton for her dowry and respectability -- two things Rebecca can never provide.Will Rebecca and Val resign themselves to the lives chosen for them, or those they were born to live?
An Invitation to Scandal
Kelly Boyce - 2013
Miss Abigail Laytham is a lady on a mission, determined to see the man responsible for her beloved uncle’s death pay. But revenge has its price, and with scandal courting her every step, can the headstrong beauty find the satisfaction she craves, or will she find something else entirely at the hands of her former beau, Viscount Roxton. The Sins & Scandals Series While there are those who spend their time in modest pursuits, upholding propriety befitting the lords and ladies of the ton, it would seem that for others scandal is just a sin away… THE SINS & SCANDALS SERIES #1 AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL #2 A SCANDALOUS PASSION #3 A SINFUL TEMPTATION #4 THE LADY'S SINFUL SECRET #5 SURRENDER TO SCANDAL #6 A SINNER NO MORE #7 THE SWEETEST SIN (Aug 9, 2016) #8 A MOST SCANDALOUS CHRISTMAS (Dec 2016) #9 A HINT OF SCANDAL (Spring 2017) #10 SINS OF A SOLDIER (TBD)
The Soul of a Storme
Sandra Sookoo - 2021
Unable to join the fight against Napoleon due to the declining health and subsequent death of his father, his rotten mood worsened when his two brothers survived the war with life-changing injuries. Ashamed, Drew retreats to his country estate in Derbyshire to spare them his ire. Why the devil was he not worth more than his title?Miss Sarah Copeland is a poor relation. In exchange for room and board, she’s become the governess to her great-uncle’s two rambunctious offspring. It was better than being tossed in the street, but only just. Freedom and imagination are found in playing a flute, especially since dreams of her future died long ago. When she meets her handsome, growling neighbor, she believes she’s finally found her purpose. After all, didn’t music soothe the savage beast?While Drew battles with his guilt and anxiety, he finds safety and solace in Sarah’s company. As they enter into a surprising marriage of convenience, the earl’s temper slowly begins to improve, as does her outlook. But while an unexpected romance blooms over the summer weeks, responsibility to the title rears its ugly head, and his temper flares anew, threatening to tear apart everything they’ve built.
Only patience, trust, and love will see them through to a happy ending.
Duke of Madness
Jennifer Monroe - 2021
A woman looking for love. And a romance of two opposites that definitely attract.After watching his parents’ marriage collapse, Matthew Colburn, 5th duke of Elmhurst, has outright dismissed the notion of love. After all, if he is destined to become as mad as his father had been why make any prospective bride suffer? Delving into work to avoid the reality of his future, Matthew focuses on an ever-growing empire, all due to the luck he gleans from a family heirloom – a simple gold pocket watch.Miss Julia Wallace does not believe in luck, nor any other such absurdities. Fate and personal strength drive what happens in life. Unless one considers her father, who is determined to choose her husband whether love is included or not.When a reclusive man known as the Duke of Madness comes to her school, Julia is immediately taken by his handsomeness. And when she foolishly collides into his broad chest, he does more than take her breath away — until he accuses her of theft.Matthew is horrified to learn the very trinket that gives him such wonderful good fortune is missing. He has no doubt that the beautiful young woman used her alluring smile to distract him while picking his pocket. With an important upcoming party and his lucky watch missing, Matthew is at a loss as to what to do. The headmistress of the school insists her pupil is no thief, but rather a woman with a great deal of luck in her own right. Julia will accompany him to the party as a replacement for his missing watch — as his new lucky charm.As the two become better acquainted Julia sees not a duke who is on the verge of madness but rather a man who is lost. And Matthew begins to believe love may have a place in his life after all – though he cannot help but think that it may take more than just luck to bring them together.
A Governess of Great Talents
Emily E.K. Murdoch - 2021
Murdoch!When the nobility and gentility of England are at their wits end, they send a discrete note to Miss Vivienne Clarke’s Governess Bureau. Only accepting the very best clients, their governesses are coveted by minor royalty, with every governess following three rules:1. You must have an impeccable record.2. You must bring a special skill to the table.3. You must never fall in love…Book 1, A Governess of Great Talents
When a governess of great talents is required, there is only one place the nobility of England go: The Governess Bureau.
It was why Miss Meredith Hubert had worked so hard to gain her place there. Finishing with the Earl of Marnmouth's children, she is about to be given her next assignment—a Duke called Alfred Carmichael with a political campaign to win and a half-brother who needs controlling.Archibald is but eight years old, but already threatens to ruin the family's reputation as Alfred, the Duke, tries to maintain it. They have to be spotless as the election looms.But Meredith has a secret to hide, and she's not the only one. Maids sent away in secret, items missing from the house, there is more than one mystery at Rochdale Abbey. When a Duke falls in love with a governess, there's only one way this can end—in scandal.
As Alfred Carmichael tries desperately to regain his family's honor in Parliament and fight his desire of Meredith, how will Meredith's Great Talents ensure a happily ever after for them all?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
Wish Upon a Duke
J.R. Salisbury - 2020
Yet when the earl dies and her husband disappears at sea, Savannah’s life is upended. Bringing her young son to England to meet her shrewish mother-in-law is only the beginning of her trials. The dowager countess has asked a duke to assist in the new earl’s education—a man whose power and position could define the course of Savannah’s life. Proud and stubborn, Savannah refuses to be intimidated. And yet neither can she resist the attraction that catches fire between them.Reformed rakehell Gabriel Armstrong, Duke of Clevedon, has no room in his life for a woman. Especially an American commoner, the widow of his childhood friend. Beautiful and bold, Savannah nevertheless captivates his imagination. Unlike her English counterparts, she speaks her mind and demands to be heard. Something that does not endear her to the dowager countess, yet which Gabriel finds fascinating. Troubles follow her from America, however. Her husband’s business was in debt, his money invested in illicit trade, and his ship was not the first to be lost at sea.Rumors abound that Savannah’s husband is still alive. Forces are at work to deny her son his title. And when an interloper arrives demanding repayment or revenge, the life of Savannah’s young son is in jeopardy. Savannah and Gabriel must work together to escape the shadows that could blot out the light of their future.
Kissing the Enemy
Leighann Dobbs - 2016
As the plain looking older sister, she's practically invisible at social events. Never mind that she has no experience as a spy or that the codebook rests in the possession of one of the most powerful men in England. Freddie has no choice-she's desperate to save her young sister from the lecherous intentions of their guardian and recovering the book is her only option. Tristan Graylocke has never been able to measure up to his brother, the Duke of Tenwick. But being second best has its advantages. No one pressures him to get married and produce an heir, leaving him to carouse at will-an activity that lends itself perfectly to the brothers’ secret lives as spies. When an alluring enemy spy shows up at the house party planned specifically for the purposes of passing along a code book, Tristan finds himself drawn under her spell. Freddie seems innocent and inexperienced. Is her innocence is a clever guise, or is she being coerced by someone? Tristan and Freddie soon find themselves engaged in a seductive game of cat and mouse where each will do what they must for their country, especially if it involves kissing the enemy.
Mending the Duke's Pride
C.H. Admirand - 2021
Unless he meets his saving grace in the form of a bespectacled bluestocking...
Jared Malcolm Lippincott, the Sixth Duke of Wyndmere, has restored the family fortune. Will his plans to restore the family name mend his pride? An unknown enemy from the past will stop at nothing to ruin him.Lady Persephone does not wish to marry, cleverly donning the guise of a bespectacled bluestocking to discourage offers of marriage. Fate has other plans the night she falls into the duke’s arms, captivated by the sparkle in his brilliant blue eyes. Society is all agog speculating if the two are more than just strangers.Restoring the family name is not as important as protecting Lady Persephone, who is now in his enemy's crosshairs. A marriage of convenience binds the duke and his lady together, but duty is soon overshadowed by desire.
Will love triumph in this sweet tale of love and second chances?
Last Dance in London
Sydney Jane Baily - 2021
Too bad for him, clever and impossibly desirable Julia Sudbury shows up in his bedroom.Like a shadow, Julia slips from Mayfair's ballrooms into the nobility's private chambers where nothing is more appealing than a spare piece of jewelry. Earrings, necklaces, and cravat pins, oh my!With Julia's bad behavior tarnishing his reputation in ways he'd never imagined, Jasper goes on the run to escape the brutal gossips shredding his family name.It's enough to make a cocky rake wish he were safely married! Who will tame whom?
To Capture a Duke's Heart
Jennifer McNare - 2016
And with one treacherous act… Gabriel Ashcroft, the sixth Duke of Ainsworth and the eldest of the three brothers infamously dubbed "The Ashcroft Angels" by their throng of female admirers, had long been considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, much to his never-ending consternation. As such, he’d spent years eschewing the pursuits of the ton’s marriage-minded debutantes and eluding their countless attempts to lure him to the altar. Thus, no one was more surprised than him when he found himself utterly entranced by an innocent young beauty on the verge of her debut, one who affected him as no other woman had before. But when the Earl of Beckford’s eighteen-year-old daughter mysteriously turned up in his bed one morning, he realized that the young lady who'd garnered his interest wasn’t nearly as innocent as she appeared. When Lady Penelope Houghton awoke in the Duke of Ainsworth’s bed, she hadn’t the slightest notion as to how she'd gotten there. Unfortunately, however, the man lying next to her, the sinfully handsome lord who’d captivated her with his beguiling charm and mesmerizing smile, was now convinced that she was nothing more than a duplicitous schemer who’d set out to trap him into marriage. Honor-bound to marry the conniving vixen, Gabriel vowed to keep his new bride at arm’s length; but much to his annoyance he soon discovered that some things are easier said than done. Determined to earn her husband’s trust and break through the invisible barrier that he’d erected between them, Penny would risk her heart time and again to prove her innocence as well as her love to the man she adored. But would it be enough…
Engaging The Enemy
Heather Boyd - 2012
A widow and mother, Mercy is lonely and floundering to keep the estate afloat. When she discovers the existence of Leopold Randall, her husband’s estranged cousin, Mercy immediately offers to help him locate his missing siblings if he helps her return the estate to order.Leopold has returned to Hampshire for only one purpose—to learn the fate of his missing siblings. Unfortunately, the current duchess is clueless and out of her depth. Her struggle tugs at Leopold’s sense of duty and her bold nature tempts him unbearably. When Leopold discovers their lives are forever entwined, he vows to protect Mercy and her innocent son.
The Reluctant Duke
Christine Donovan - 2012
Society is pulling them apart. She can't become his wife and won't become his mistress.The last thing wounded veteran Major Thomas Marshal wanted was a title. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But duty has a way of pulling a man into things he doesn’t want and away from the things he needs.The only thing Miss Guinevere Harding needs is a safe place to hide. A job as the downstairs maid at Brookshire is the perfect refuge from a frightening past. Or at least it was until the arrival of the new Duke.
The Heart of an Earl
K.J. Jackson - 2020
Ripped from her family years ago by a pirate captain, Lady Julianna knows a thing or two about surviving. But she’s grasping at the last threads of staying alive after the captain dies and leaves her at the mercy of the pirate crew. She hides his death—as the second the crew of the Red Dragon discovers the captain is dead, survival will be the least of her worries. But the ruse can only work for so long. Just when her hope is nearly lost, their ship is attacked and she spies a way out. A way out in the form of one tall, strong sailor that just may be her salvation—or her biggest mistake. A long lost earl determined to stay adrift. Desmond Phillips gave up any hope of living a normal life years ago when his wife and unborn baby died. Losing himself among the crew of a privateering ship, all in England gave him up for dead—just as he and his shattered heart preferred it. Two lost souls meet. In the midst of a battle at sea, a sprite of a woman drops onto Des, begging for his help. He saves her and inherits the duty to bring her home safely. As the journey to deliver Lady Julianna home to England unfolds, these two lost souls find unlikely kindred spirits in each other, and the cold, broken shards of Des’s heart begin to heal. But the curse of an ancient box haunts their every move—their very lives. If they manage to break the curse of the Box of Draupnir, they may just be rewarded with an undying love. Note: The novels in the Box of Draupnir series by K.J. Jackson are each stand-alone stories and can be read individually in any order. These historical romances are set in the Regency and Victorian eras, and do not shy away from scenes with steamy heat, occasional naughty language, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.
Daring the Duke
Charlie Lane - 2021
Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments draining their dowries, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.The Duke of Collingford needs a wife, but not just any one will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead. Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him embrace chaos. Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts?