Book picks similar to
This Loving Torment by Valerie Sherwood
historical-romance
romance
bodice-ripper
historical-fiction
Taken By the Duke
Jess Michaels - 2013
Lady Ava Windbury prays the feud will someday end, to no avail. One dreadful night, her brother accidentally causes the death of Christian Rothcastle’s sister, a tragedy that leaves both men maimed. Consumed by grief, Christian makes a grim decision. He will kidnap Lady Ava so that her family will feel the pain of loss as keenly as he feels the loss of his own sister. But once he has Ava in his clutches, desire takes unexpected hold. Even more surprising, she willingly surrenders to his every sexual whim—after haggling over the terms of giving up her virginity. Too late, he realizes she is using her body for peace, not war. But just as their affair of revenges turns into an affair of the heart, the past rears its ugly head to take matters into its own hands…Product Warnings: This book contains scenes of erotic seduction, sexual revenge and the healing power of love.
Love and War
Patricia Hagan - 1978
Nathan Collins, the Rebel, who dreamed of making Katherine his wife, but would never accept her craving for a life of her own.Travis Coltrane, the Yankee, who could make her wild with fury one moment, and delirious with passion the next.And Katherine Wright was wrenched from her home, ravished at will, abducted again and again...but the real battle was raging where no one could see it - for even the turbulent tides of war couldn't extinguish the sweet-hot fire within.
Sea Star: Private Life of Anne Bonny
Pamela Jekel - 1983
Reprint. AB. PW.
The Bargain Bride
Barbara Metzger - 2009
Since then, thirteen years have passed, and as her betrothed has been sowing his wild oats, Penny has grown up, grown impatient, and grown resentful. In fact, she’s vowed never to marry the man who blighted her life and destroyed her dreams. Viscount Westfield is prepared—happily—to return the money that Penny’s father paid to secure the betrothal. It would appear that everyone is in agreement. But one look at Penny and Westfield knows he can never, ever let her go…
Three Nights of Sin
Anne Mallory - 2008
No one would help her save him from the gallows—no one but Gabriel Noble. In exchange for taking the case, Gabriel requests three favors from the desperate young beauty, and Marietta has no other choice but to make a deal with the sinfully handsome devil.Three nights of pleasure...Searching for clues in the rough underbelly of London, Marietta must masquerade as a shamelessly wanton wench—much to Gabriel's delight. But Marietta swears to herself that her passionate moans are just for show. She could never fall in love with such a maddening, arrogant, seductive stranger . . . could she? Three nights of sin...Night after night, she satisfies his wicked cravings. But soon Gabriel wants more from Marietta than just three nights of sin—and even a sordid secret in his past won't prevent him from trying to possess her forever.
The Black Rose
Christina Skye - 1991
Men toasted him, women whispered his name like a prayer. Deserted and deceived, exquisite Tess Leighton, emerald-eyed temptress, would do anything to save her family estate-even masquerade as the Fox himself....A challenge to the Viscount RavenhurstScarred by war, betrayed in love, Dane St. Pierre returned from Trafalgar determined to wreak vengeance on Tess, the reckless, willful woman who had turned his heart to ashes yet still haunted his fevered dreams. Now he alone knew her dangerous secret and swore she'd pay the price...A summons to danger and adventure.In a storm of treachery and high treason, they would be swept into battle on enemy seas. From the rugged Sussex coast to the wave-swept isles of Brittany, a tender torment of remembered passion bound them, plunging them into a danger beyond imagining, a desire beyond restraining...into the dark, rapturous secrets of...BLACK ROSE
The Captive
Parris Afton Bonds - 1993
“I, afraid of a Lowland traitoress, who in the bargain, I might remind you, is my captive and in chains? You jest, mistress!” “Then kiss me.” “Nae.” Ranald stood, gazing down at her, his dark eyes musing. “Should I teach ye the rudiments of lovemaking, do ye still think ye can make me love ye?” “I will yet do it.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his hard mouth. When he did not respond, Enya moved back a step and stared at him with an unnamed fear. “’Tis your blood that runs cold.” “Then heat it. Tonight. I tire of empty promises.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The mighty Kincairns, once a powerful Highland clan, were now rebels out to destroy the conquering British invaders. Ranald Kincairn, new chieftain of the rebels vowed to revenge the murder of his brothers and his sister’s ruination. And in the depth of night, he stole the virgin bride of his cunning and ruthless foe with the intent to breed her with Scots bairns and then destroy her soul. But he had not counted on the firebrand that was his enemy’s bride, Enya of the Afton House. Before the laird could bring low the prisoner of his hatred, Enya vowed she would have him bowing down as her captive. Her captive of love.
The Christmas Knight
Michele Sinclair - 2010
And their troubles are compounded when a fearsome knight arrives on the king's orders to take Hunswick as his own—and the youngest de Breton daughter as his wife. Is A Man She’s Never MetBronwyn would never let her little sister be forced to marry a man as rough and wild as the new lord is whispered to be. Yet someone must form an alliance with him, or all of Hunswick will be at risk. So she steps forward, pretending to be her own sister. And A Love She Never ExpectedBut the new lord is not so easily fooled. He knows Bronwyn is not the woman he has promised to marry. And yet, no matter how duty-bound he may be, there is no resisting the golden-haired beauty who so fearlessly gives herself to him...and awakens a passion unlike any he's ever known.
Separate Beds
LaVyrle Spencer - 1985
It seemed like a page out of a fairy tale. But everything about it–from the formal vows to the magnificent reception–was a lie, Catherine had reluctantly agreed to Clay's "marriage of convenience"...and the only thing that could threaten their arrangement was the unexpected arrival of love.
Talk of the Ton
Eloisa James - 2005
In the salons of the Ton, no tidbit is more delicious than a rumor of amour--the more outrageous the better. Rakes and rogues, ladies of high station and low morals are choice fodder for the gossips of society. Now, four of today's most popular Regency authors titillate the Ton with tales of how untoward talk can fan the flames of passion.Eloisa James - A Proper EnglishwomanBetrothed since they were children, Gilbert Baring-Gould, Earl of Kerr, and the Honorable Emma Loudan are not quite what one would call a perfect match. The whole Ton knows him to be a complete rakehell, hardly the ideal spouse for a lady.When he horrifies the Ton by announcing that he won't go through with the marriage until Emma is carrying his child--or did he say that she was already carrying a child?--the gossips (and Emma) go wild.Obviously she should hand this Beelzebub his ring back directly. But curiosity, and a strong wish to teach her brazen-faced fiancé some manners, demand that she beat him at his own game.So she does.It's the story of a reluctant bridegroom (engaged since childhood, and hasn't seen his fiancée in years), a bride who's losing her patience, and a wild night in which the said bridegroom meets a wicked, delicious Frenchwoman... or is she?Julia London - The Vicar's WidowDarien, Lord Montgomery, has always had a thing for the vicar's wife. He is convinced she is the loveliest creature on earth, and even managed a passionate kiss with her one time during a party. When her husband dies, Darien is ready to court her as soon as she throws off mourning. However, a young miss making her debut wants Darien for herself. She decides to spread two rumors. The first is that Darien is on the verge of offering for her, and the second is that Mrs. Beckett (the vicar's widow) is loose with her morals. Both rumors spread like wildfire, with sad consequences for Mrs. Beckett and Darien.Rebecca Hagan Lee - Clearly a Couple (Free Fellows League #4.5)This novella ties in with her Free Fellows series.Jonathan Manners, Earl of Barclay, plans to return home to London after picking up a package for one of his Free Fellows colleagues. When Jonathan is nearly killed by a murderous Turk with a scimitar, he discovers that the "package" is Lady India Burton, a noblewoman who was kidnapped by Barbary pirates and spent the last six years as part of a sultan's harem. She's recently been ransomed and needs an escort to London. As Jonathan and India talk (and work on thwarting her horrible keeper) they quickly fall for each other. India shares details about her amazing and difficult life, and Jonathan knows he's in love with her.Jacqueline Navin - Miss Jenny Alt's First KissJenny Alt is a poor relation who tends to fade into the background while her more flashy cousin steals the spotlight. Jenny eschewed a season of her own for several years, but finally goes to London with her aunt when her cousin Cassandra makes her comeout. Jenny has spoiled Cassandra for years, giving in to her every whim. Now the group is taken by surprise when the aunt's distant cousin Miles comes to town. He needs help finding a new wife and asks for her guidance. There is almost an immediate spark between Miles and Jenny, but Cassandra wants him for herself and starts unkind rumors about Jenny. Jenny tries to give Miles up and even discourages his advances, but--well, you can guess how that goes.
Swept Away by a Kiss
Katharine Ashe - 2010
Only one seductive detail threatens his victory: the scandalous beauty imprisoned with him, Lady Valerie Monroe. Temptation has never been so intoxicating or so forbidden, for Steven is disguised as a French priest. If they make it off the ship alive, to protect her from his enemies he must never see her again ...AN UNDENIABLE LOVEBack in England, and under the ton's scrutiny for a reckless past she hasn't escaped, Valerie dreams of the breathtaking "man of the cloth" with whom she shared her greatest adventure. Then he reappears in society under his true identity, Viscount Ashford, but, despite the danger, their consuming passion cannot be denied. Now standing in the way of their desire are Valerie's wounded heart, Steven's lone destiny, and a villain who will stop at nothing to crush them both.
Midnight Blue
Dorothy Garlock - 1989
Leaving her finishing school behind, Mara Shannon McCall comes back to Wyoming, determined to reclaim the ranch that was her father's legacy.
Tara's Song
Barbara Ferry Johnson - 1978
Wedded against her will to the pagan chieftain, Rorik, Tara slowly overcomes her fear as Rorick introduces her to the joy of passionate love.
Savage Ecstasy
Janelle Taylor - 1982
It was like lightning, the first time they looked into each other's eyes: Gray Eagle, the captured Indian brave, and Alisha, the beautiful young settler. As the proud Oglala warrior was being tortured by his white captors, only Alsiha seemed to notice he was a human being - handsome and strong, and one who took her breath away.But if Alisha could have read Gray Eagle's thoughts she would have been even more disturbed...Because from the moment he saw her, the Indian knew he had to possess the fair-skinned one - and his life would not be complete until he had made her his slave!
The Villain
Victoria Vale - 2018
A heartless villain… Lady Daphne Fairchild braves the journey from London to the wilds of Scotland alone with one purpose in mind: confront the man who purposely and methodically set out to ruin the men of her family. But what he demands in exchange for answers will thrust Daphne into a world of mystery, hatred, and lust. An indecent proposal… Thirty days and nights in the bed of the Earl of Hartmoor … this is the price she must pay to learn the truth of the dark lord’s vendetta against her family. Yet, when she accepts the offer, Daphne never expects to find that nothing is what she thought it was, and the truth proves far harder to stomach than she ever imagined. A cruel desire that holds her captive… Even as he uses her to exact his final revenge against her family, Daphne cannot deny the way her body reacts to his touch, the way her soul seems to become more intertwined with his by the day. Despite the ruin he has made of her life, she cannot escape that the threads of deceit, desire, and pain have tied them together irrevocably. With her fate now in his hands, she is uncertain whether he will turn out to be the hero who steals her heart, or the villain who destroys her soul. ***WARNING: This is not your average love story ... containing elements of dubious consent and an antihero so twisted and wicked you can't help but fall in love with the dark side.***