Book picks similar to
His Forbidden Touch by Linda O'Brien


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Never a Lawman


Rachel Bird - 2018
    Since then, guilt and regret have made him impervious to love. But when he rescues a family of would-be homesteaders attacked by the notorious Deckom gang, one of the sisters shines a light on his cold, locked-down heart.The last thing Brady deserves is happiness, and he fights his unwelcome feelings for Belle. Which is fine with her, since she'll never let herself care for another lawman—even one as wonderful as Brady.Heat level 3/5: contains some violence, minor cursing, and not-so-minor kissing.

Blackhaven Brides


Mary Lancaster - 2019
    This series is set in a newly fashionable spa town on the beautiful Cumbrian coast, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society turn local life upside down. Passion, mystery, and scandal continue to follow the citizens of this wealthy enclave, now with an entire new group of social misfits. Regency Historical Romance has never been so adventurous - or so exciting! This set includes: The Wicked Marquis - The lady meets her match... and he's completely ineligible. The Wicked Governess - Can a governess teach a damaged hero? The Wicked Spy - Can her enemy melt her cold heart? The Wicked Gypsy - An old Blackhaven tragedy merges with a new quarrel. Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Books in the Blackhaven Series: The Wicked Baron The Wicked Lady The Wicked Rebel The Wicked Husband The Wicked Marquis The Wicked Governess The Wicked Spy The Wicked Gypsy The Wicked Wife Blackhaven Brides set, Books 1 - 4 Blackhaven Brides set, Books 5 - 8

Second Chances


Lynn Coppersmith - 2020
    Two years after becoming a widow, Naomi Tisdale is determined to make a new life for herself in Oregon. She is not interested in marriage. In fact, she really just wants to be left alone. But when she meets her new neighbor, she is no longer interested in solitude, and she's determined to gain more than just his friendship.Aidan McKenzie knows immediately that Naomi is the woman he wants for a wife. With her beauty, charm, intelligence and willingness to work hard, she embodies everything he has been searching for. But scars from her first marriage remain, and Aidan wonders whether he can convince her to take a second chance on love.Publisher's Note: This historical western romance contains steamy, graphic scenes and a theme of power exchange.

The Bride Prize


Emma Prince - 2016
    In order to earn a spot on his Jarl’s voyage, he must compete against his fellow Northmen in games of strength and skill. But when he learns that the prize for winning the competition is the hand of the dark-haired beauty he met only days ago, will he be forced to choose between his dreams and his heart? Eyva wants nothing more than to train as a shieldmaiden, but her parents refuse, hoping to yoke her to their Northland farm forever. When they put her up as the bride prize for their village’s festivities, she fears she will never escape the fate of a grueling life on her parents’ farm. But Tarr’s longing gaze and soft kisses just might give her the courage to fight for herself—and for their budding love. *This is a novella in the Viking Lore series and features all the beloved characters from Enthralled, Shieldmaiden’s Revenge, and Desire’s Hostage. Although it is meant to take place between Shieldmaiden’s Revenge (Book 2) and Desire’s Hostage (Book 3), it can be read as a stand-alone novella. **This novella was originally published in the Sirens of the Northern Seas collection in January, 2016.

The Duke’s Scandalous Bluestocking: Historical Regency Romance


Lorena Owen - 2021
    His rakish lifestyle has provided him with every pleasure possible, but now it’s time to settle down. To find his future duchess, he decides to hold a secret dinner party. But the ladies have an impossible task; leave their homes unchaperoned. Certainly from those brave enough to attend, he will find a woman worthy of his attention.Alice Egerton is a helpless romantic. Reading her books and keeping a low profile is her cup of tea. But when her sister decides to leave their house unchaperoned, she is ready to do anything to prevent her ruination.This roguish duke is definitely one to stay away from.Surprisingly, the only lady who catches Henry’s attention is neither a debutante, nor a diamond of the first water, but a bluestocking hiding inside his library, making fun of his eccentric way of choosing a bride.As the only woman who has ever resisted his charm, he decides that he should win her. What a task it would be to unplug the wallflower…He set her body on fire, she burned his rakish past…

The Earl's Reluctant Bride


Karen Lynne - 2019
    She thought evil step-mothers were only in fairy tales, but she was wrong. James, the Earl of Malmesbury, convinces Susan to become his pretend betrothed to throw off an evil pursuer, but when she captures his heart, can he persuade his reluctant bride to say yes, forever? “But what about you, James?” Susan replied. “Now that my fortune has turned, we can stop this engagement. This is no longer fair to you; things have gotten out of hand.”Susan’s breath caught as he moved in closer with steel in his eyes. Before she could think, his lips came down to claim her mouth in a kiss so intoxicating, she felt it through the breadth of her body. He pulled back just as quickly, leaving her breathless…She watched in a stupor as, his retreating figure left the room…She raised her finger to her lips, his words echoing in her head. She had given him a chance to be free, but he did not take it. Escape with a Clean and Wholesome Historical Regency Romance for some seriously sweet romance with plenty of twists. Each book can be read as a stand-a-lone, always a sweet and happy ending.Clean, sweet without losing the heat romance!  Brides of Somerset:The Earl’s Reluctant Bride book oneCourting Eliza book two

Celtic Spirit (Celtic Storm Series)


Ria Cantrell - 2014
    All he knew was the pain and suffering he had caused…and the pain he now felt from the fateful fall from the tree limb that now lay splintered beneath him. As certain death was about to befall him, he was granted a chance of redemption. Somehow, he was deemed worthy of a second chance but it would come with a price. The price would plunge him into a world between the living and the dead, where isolation was his only companion. Isolation and time….Those were things he would have an abundance of to ponder the misdeeds he had wrought throughout his life. Old hatreds of the past prevented Derek from opening the path of redemption. Love would be the only thing to save his soul from the endless years spent not quite a man; not quite a ghost. His punishment was severe and an ancient curse prevented him from satisfying his human needs in every sense. He knew want; he knew loneliness. Only in the Tower, protected by the Guardians of the past, could he claim his humanity. The tower held the key to unlock Derek Campbell from the prison of his soul and of his heart. Kiera Callum was running from a failed relationship and a career with a sadistic and abusive boss. The Highlands of Scotland seemed like just the balm to soothe her battered spirit. She never dreamed that taking the menial job as a tour guide would afford her to actually live in the main quarters of Castle Campbell. She also could not imagine that the Keep came complete with a 700 year old spirit. It seemed Kiera ran from many things in her life when the going got tougher. One of those things was her ability to sense the spirits of those who had gone before. She had denied that gift her entire life because it marked her as a freak. Only now there was nowhere to run. Kiera had to finally face everything she had run from in order to help the trapped soul of a medieval man whose presence was the most vital thing she had ever encountered. She would have to learn to trust in the things that could not be explained. Things are not always as they appear… Could love end his torment? Would Kiera be able to open her heart enough to release him from the prison of isolation? Would her love be strong enough to let him go? Celtic Spirit spans six and half centuries where the past and present collide. Love can bridge time and space. Love is eternal.

The Lady and The Earl


Diedre Clark - 2012
    Allana is a lady, but not of the traditional sense. She is wild and independent, not following the conventional character of a well-bred lady. She believes the Earl will never want one such as her. But Lord Lucas Hoffman does. Can Allana bring her heart to love Lord Hoffman, or has her infatuation with the Earl ruined her ability to love another?Declan Cunningham, the Earl of Westbrook, is not looking for marriage. But when Lord Marcus Tananguard offers him a coveted piece of land, he cannot refuse. The catch? He must marry Tananguard’s daughter. True, the woman is beautiful, but where does her heart lie? Can Declan claim it, or is it already too late?

Dorothy's War


Ruth Hamilton - 2005
    Her escape is achieved just before the disastrous advent of Hitler, and there is further tragedy to come.Follow her through childhood and adolescence, then on into her twenties when, finally made whole, she wins her own battle for freedom, for love and for her own place in the world.

Full Circle


Irina Shapiro - 2011
    As Rebecca lives through Lily’s joys and heartbreaks, she gets drawn deeper and deeper into Lily’s world. Who is Lily, and what is her connection to Rebecca? Are these dreams a product of her imagination, or are they memories of another life? Unable to suppress her need for answers any longer, Rebecca travels to London to search for clues, and as she delves into the past, she finds her own unexpected future.

When Love is Meant to Be: A Historical Western Romance Book


Ellen Knightley - 2020
    The stunning revelation that her father abandoned his own wife and child fills her mind with questions. Hoping to shed light on the mysterious circumstances that lead to this, she travels to the small town of Macon, Arizona. Seeking answers about her true origins, she is blindsided by the immediate attraction she feels towards the handsome local sheriff. As more clues are uncovered and she is reunited with people from a past she never knew, will Amelia also find a miraculous future with this kind and charming man?Luke Johnson isn't sure he is meant to ever love again. After losing his wife at a young age, he spends his days helping the people in Macon as their sheriff. Born and raised in the area, he knows everyone around and has their respect. When an enigmatic and witty young woman arrives in town asking questions, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her. While he struggles to overcome his grief over his past, will he allow himself to give in to the hope these exciting new feelings bring and learn to love again?As Luke and Amelia try to figure out their place in each other's life, they are unaware that trouble is brewing in town. While they try to come to terms with their developing feelings, there are forces at work that would destroy their chance at happiness and threaten Amelia's life. Will Luke be able to save her in time and bring the culprits to justice? With friends and unlikely allies in their corner, will Luke and Amelia's love stand the test and conquer all?"When Love is Meant to Be" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Coming Home


Jennifer Vander Klipp - 2019
    And avoid Seth Blake. Becca dreads seeing her girlhood crush to whom she confessed her love before she went off to college. Embarrassed by her childish behavior, she can only hope Seth has forgotten and will see her as a woman. She plans to return to school as soon as possible and make a life for herself. Rumors of ghosts, accidents at the camp, and overheard conversations convince Becca that her brother’s death was no accident. Despite evidence that she’s the next target, she puts her own feelings and college aside to stay and uncover the truth. Seth is happy to see Becca, but as a grown woman she’s a stranger to him, stirring up feelings he can’t identify. When he finds a piece of evidence implicating him in Thomas’s death, he struggles with helping Becca find answers while keeping her from learning he could have prevented it. As the stakes get higher, Seth must keep both of them alive long enough to offer a future to this grown woman he’s fallen in love with.

An Old Love's Shadow


Abby Gray - 1999
    She’s on a charitable mission, by damn, and that rowdy cantina next door is drowning out her gospel singing. The clash with the sexy-as-hell man who runs the cantina hits with enough force to burn down the small Mexican town. What happens in Mexico… Is supposed to stay in Mexico but Hunter can’t get that blonde with the ice blue eyes out of his mind when he goes home to Texas. Finding her isn’t the problem. Convincing her that he’s interested—well, that’s another story. Mercy tried to get over Hunter, especially when she found out about his past. She had two choices: move on or give him one more chance because no other man should have to live in an old love’s shadow. If you liked Carolyn Brown’s books, Love Is, Trouble in Paradise, The Wager or The Yard Rose, you will love An Old Love’s Shadow.

Kitty's Deputy


Tonya VanWinkle - 2018
    On her own for the first time, will she find the place where she belongs? Being a bounty hunter was all Milo thought he could ever be. Baggage from his past keeps him from the one thing his heart desires; a family. Will Kitty and Milo find common ground? Will the law bring them together or will their pasts and fears keep them apart?

The Passionate Princess: A Historical Romance (The Princess Series #1)


Sundari Venkatraman - 2021
    And they were in love...Princess Hemangini is mesmerised by Prince Devendra when she falls into his arms while rushing across the royal gardens.The Prince of Indrapuri is amazed that the Princess of Mahendrapuri is even more beautiful and graceful than what the visiting bards sang in praise of her.Their mutual attraction blooms into love and they decide to get married. Tying the knot is easy, but consummating the marriage is another matter altogether.As their love and passion draw them towards each other, Devendra’s mother, Queen Kanchana Devi, keeps throwing obstacles in the path of the lovers; sometimes in the name of rituals and sometimes inflicting doubts in their minds; doing her best to keep them apart.As the frustrated bride and groom tolerate the intervening time with impatience, something happens to shake up Hemangini; something that makes her refuse to let her husband touch her.What will the proud prince have to do to make his princess fall into his arms once again?Read this historical romance from India to find out if the passionate princess finds happiness with her prince or not.