Book picks similar to
Susanna's Secret by Joyce Alec
historical-romance
mystery
historical-fiction
regency
A Lord's Bet of Desire
Meghan Sloan - 2020
While working at the house of Norman Pembroke, the Duke of Bancroft, she has always dreamt of advancing her life from a humble maid to that of a governess. Despite knowing that this opportunity may never appear, her love for reading is enough to keep the dream alive. But little did she know that fate would bring an unforeseen twist that would make this dream a tangible reality... When Edward, the endearingly attractive brother of the Duke, comes to visit, the last thing she expected was to end up under his roof and away from the only place she's ever known. Laura will inevitably find herself seduced by his ravishing beauty, but will she allow herself to finally surrender to her burning desire for him?Edward Pembroke has always been the opposite of his brother. Being warm and dutiful himself, he was against his brother's love for gambling that was dwindling the Pembroke fortune every day. When he finally decides to confront him about his wayward habit, they both end up engaging in a fateful night of gambling, and Edward wins the prize of taking anything he wants with him. Without a second thought, he chooses Laura, as her fiery nature lightens a spark inside him. Once they move to his house, he can't help but be mesmerised by her every move, willing to do whatever it takes to possess her. Will he manage to turn this promising desire into an everlasting love?Laura and Edward's attraction is impossible to deny, but their evident class differences are threatening their undeniable lust. The more time they spend together, the more they lose their hearts and bodies to one another. Will their passionate connection prove strong enough to shatter the insurmountable obstacles? Or will their heated affair go down in flames before it even sets them on fire?"A Lord's Bet of Desire" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
The Countess and the Rake: A Super Hot Historical Romance
Georgette Brown - 2018
She is married to the unfaithful Earl of Lowry and scorned by her in-laws for being an awkward and uninspiring . Her only outlet and glimpse of carnal pleasure is as the impervious Lady Athena at Madam Botreaux's Ballroom of Pleasures.
Back from years of exile after a scandalous duel, Phineas Barclay, a notorious rake and seducer of women, becomes instantly intrigued by the Lady Athena on a visit to the Ballroom of Pleasures. He provokes her into taking him as her prospective lover with the intention of seducing the icy mistress and uncovering her true identity.
As the Countess of Lowry, Gertie wants nothing to do with Phineas Barclay -- a debaucher at best, and a murderer at worst. So why does she find herself hot and flustered in his presence?
Phineas Barclay finds himself strangely drawn to the Countess, but every step forward with her seems to be followed by a step backward with the Lady Athena. So which woman will he choose to conquer?
Escaping the Duke
Melanie Rose Clarke - 2021
Under the guise of a lord, she sends messages to Edmund Hawkins, the powerful Duke of Bradenton. He doesn’t know his informant is a lady, even as he investigates to uncover her identity. When her father demands she find a husband, she cannot choose Edmund, who would demand total surrender.
But when he catches her spying, she may not have a choice.
Edmund is intrigued by the beautiful lady caught snooping through a dangerous lord’s home. Lady Priscilla may act the perfect duke’s daughter, but fiery mystery burns beneath the flawless façade. He sees the passion she cannot hide, the spirited woman who would make the perfect duchess. He will discover her every secret.
Then, he will make her his.
Tristan
Elizabeth Rose - 2020
unless she is the key to finding a lost treasure.
Tristan Fisher and his brothers leave their father's fishing boat and return to a life of piracy, longing for the adventure and riches they once knew. With dwindling supplies and a restless crew, fate finally smiles on them when a storm at sea leaves behind flotsam. However, it is more than just boxes and barrels of supplies they find. Tristan and his brothers fish an old woman out of the water who claims to not only know the whereabouts of a treasure map, but who also says she is their long lost grandmother!Scottish lass, Gavina Drummond's life is turned upside down with one tragedy after another. Now, disguised as a boy and with a treasure map secretly and unwillingly inked on to her back, she finds herself as cabin boy and musician to a dark and dangerous pirate named Tristan. He's not really what she expects and is surprised when he protects her from his cutthroat crew. The handsome man wins her trust and gains her interest.Gavina needs nothing short of a king's treasure to pay back her father's steep gambling debts and to buy back her brother's freedom. Desperate to find the English king's stolen treasure, her only problem is that she can't see the map to read it. With time running out, it is crucial she finds someone to help her soon.Tristan seems the likely choice, since searching for treasure is a trait of his kind. But if Gavina confides in him, she'll have to show him the map. And in order to do that, she'll have to disrobe.Will a dark-hearted pirate discover he's unknowingly brought a woman on board who is also the key to finding his coveted treasure? Or is it not a treasure of silver and gold that he truly desires the most after all?
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff
Cheryl Bolen - 2018
Only one item remains elusive: the Gainsborough portrait of his beloved mother. And the impossibly young, stunningly beautiful widow Louisa Phillips holds the key to finding it. If only he can persuade her to help him . . .
Devilish Debutantes Part One: Three Book Bundle: Hell Hath No Fury, Hell in a Handbasket, Hell Hath Frozen Over
Annabelle Anders - 2021
Thomas Findlay, a wealthy industrialist, knows she has not.
Lost with a Lord
Emily E.K. Murdoch - 2018
But in all his thirty years, he has never met anyone quite like the fiery Italian Miss Florence Capria. After a riot forces them to take shelter for the night in an intimate small room, can Lord George ignore the growing passion Miss Capria is igniting in his once cold heart? Will being lost with a lord change Florence's destiny forever? This is the first in a series of eight Ravishing Regencies.
Claiming the Heart of a Duke
Arietta Richmond - 2016
Hunter Barrington, Duke of Melton, returned from war a changed man. Grieving his lost love, now the holder of a title that he had never thought to inherit, and expected to marry at the earliest opportunity, what he needed most was someone who could see him, simply as himself. Lady Nerissa Loughbridge, the second daughter, always outshone by her beautiful sister, perpetually reproved for her hoydenish ways. What she needed most was someone who could see her, just for herself, who might allow that her dreams had value, simply because she wished them. Then one day, in the winter woods, they met.... But a few magical weeks of delightful friendship were swept away by the hectic London Season, as Lady Nerissa’s transformation from ordinary, to the Incomparable of the Season, brought a flock of suitors, and the Duke’s new title made him the catch of the year. Can they find their way back to each other, through all their hearts’ confusion? Can Lady Nerissa thaw a heart frozen in grief, and claim it for her own?
Enchanting the Earl
Kathy L. Wheeler - 2021
The lights are too hot, the corsets too tight. It’s enough to make one faint.Thorne Gray, the earl of Kimpton, has no interest in debutantes, but what the devil is he supposed to do when one swoons at his feet? He catches her before she hits the floor, of course. An intriguing performance to be sure.But a scheming and powerful aunt, determined to see her niece settled before her death, threatens Lorelei’s opportunity to enchant the man of her choosing.
Proper Attire
Danielle Thorne - 2014
Attacked by pirates and desired by island natives, the only person she can trust is John Smith -- if that's her rescuer's true name. Reaching her uncle's station in English Harbor, Julia must find a way to face her feelings and deal with her traitorous family, a dashing new suitor, and the guardian angel, John Smith, who has no qualms sporting counterfeit names and less than what is proper attire.
The Waylaid Heart
Holly Newman - 1990
Suspecting the culprit traveled in society circles, she diverts attention from eavesdropping and prying with constant and tiresome complaints of illness.But nothing is as it seems...Sir James Branstoke sees straight through Cecilia's feigned fragility. Intrigued by her odd behavior, he believes she has secrets—secrets that could lead to her demise. So, the hunter follows the huntress through society, never imagining that what has started as a chance inquiry could lead to a surprising love greater than either had ever known.But will the cost of uncovering a murderer be too high? Can Cecilia and James reveal the culprit so love can blossom in the end?
The Mistress of Trevelyan
Jennifer St. Giles - 2004
It has long been whispered that Trevelyan Manor hides dark secrets and sinister deeds -- including the murder of Benedict's wife. But Ann refuses to pay heed to spiteful rumor.As she grows to cherish her young charges, Ann also finds herself powerfully drawn to the handsome Benedict, whose passionate persuasion introduces her to a new world of sensual pleasures. But even while falling in love with the master of Trevelyan, Ann wonders if his attentions are intended to blind her to the secrets of the past -- and if Benedict holds he key to her destiny...or her destruction.
Somewhat Scandalous
Pearl Darling - 2016
In fact she has a theory about almost everything. Rescued from the dreary confines of Hope Sands by the powerful Lord Henry Anglethorpe, and launched onto the ton as his sister’s companion, Agatha is determined to make use of her new found freedom by letting loose her scientific tendencies. But Henry makes it clear he does not want the attention Agatha’s scandalous activities bring. As spymaster for the British government, he has been charged with tracking down the latest foreign agent to infiltrate London. However when the War Office also command him to take a bride, he finds he has only one lady in mind. As Agatha hides from the results that her latest experiments have brought, Henry pursues her from one scandalous event to another. But before he can pounce, it becomes explosively clear that his future bride’s affections are engaged elsewhere, and she may not be all she claimed to be… Somewhat Scandalous is a fast paced romantic mystery set against the back drop of the dazzling Regency era. It can be read standalone, or as part of the ongoing Brambridge Novels mystery series.
A Most Eligible Rake of a Duke
Harriet Caves - 2021
Even if that means literally throwing herself at the Duke and risking her own ruination.No man is arguably more broken and debauched than Timothy Burton, the Duke of Marfront. But, according to his father’s will, he needs to wed and produce an heir. Only, he never sleeps with the same woman twice.When Diana finds herself bound to the same man she wanted to frame, she starts discovering not only his tender, guarded heart, but the big secret surrounding his mother’s death. For, she is about to follow her cold trail...
The Unwanted Heiress
Amy Corwin - 2008
Too many women have sought—and failed—to catch him. However, Charlotte is more interested in dead pharaohs than English dukes.Unfortunately, a debutante seeking to entrap Nathaniel gets murdered, and his reputation as a misogynist makes him a suspect. On impulse, Charlotte comes to his aid, not realizing that her actions may place her in danger, too.Both are unaware that a highwayman interested in rich heiresses is following Charlotte, and that another debutante lies dead in Nathaniel’s carriage.Some nights just don’t go as planned.