Book picks similar to
Merry Misrule by Ellie St. Clair
historical-romance
christmas
romance-historical
dnf
Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough
Josi S. Kilpack - 2021
Meet Me under the Kissing Boughby Josi S. KilpackDeborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.Healing Hearts for the Holidaysby Anneka R. WalkerJulia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor—including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after. A Christmas Correspondenceby Sarah L. McConkieIn this novella inspired by the timeless tale, A Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Caroline Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.
The Christmas Countess
K.J. Jackson - 2019
A newly minted earl looking for a fresh start. A love gone wrong gains a second chance.A shunned lady determined to keep her secrets.Lady Leventon had been shunned to the Scottish wilds of Badenoch for a reason. But she never thought it would be the death of her. That is until her maid and only friend in the world falls deathly ill just days before Christmastide and Karta is determined to make it through a snowstorm for help. She didn’t think it would cost her her life, but as her feet slow in the heavy snow, hope gives out.A newly minted earl looking for a fresh start.When Domnall Greyford, Earl of Kirkmere, discovers the woman that left him years ago frozen in a snowbank, barely breathing, he does the only thing he can—he carries her to his new home. Never mind that she shattered his heart long ago when she left him without a word, without a note, without a thought. And the last thing he wants is her in his new home, in his new life.A love gone wrong gains a second chance.Karta awakens to find the last man in the world she expected holding onto her frozen bare toes—Domnall. The only man she’d ever dared to love. The same man that had abandoned her years ago. Yet the all-consuming heat between them is unmistakable.She knows full well she needs to deny him, deny the insistent rumbles of lost love fighting for life. For if she doesn’t, he’ll discover the truth of her past and his scorn would be irrevocable. That will not do—she isn’t willing to risk her heart again to the only man able to destroy her—or can she?The Christmas Countess is a revised and expanded version of the story that was previously published in the October 2019 multi-author anthology, Once Upon a Christmas Wedding.
What Happens At Christmas
Victoria Alexander - 2012
Given the nature of the hostess’s eccentric relatives ,they will be played by a troupe of actors hired to impersonate a proper Victorian family. What a clever way to fool the prince! And gate-crashing, distractingly handsome first loves like Grayson Elliott are most unwelcome. But nothing about Camille’s charade goes as planned. Tonight, at Millworth Manor, games will be played, motives will be revealed, the masks will come off, and hearts will be lost—and won—in the most romantic, magical season of all.
It Happened One Christmas: Christmas Eve Proposal\The Viscount's Christmas Kiss\Wallflower, Widow...Wife!
Carla Kelly - 2015
Can she forgive the viscount in time for a stolen kiss under the mistletoe? WALLFLOWER, WIDOW…WIFE! by Ann Lethbridge Penniless widow Cassandra Norton faces Christmas on the run with her two stepdaughters, until Adam Royston sweeps her off her feet and into his country estate!
Once Upon a Christmas Eve
Elizabeth Hoyt - 2017
The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday - and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met....Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.
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?
A Christmas Promise
Mary Balogh - 1992
Lord Randolph Falloden, on the brink of ruin, could not resist the lure of cold cash, despite his passionate alliances with several other desirable maidens. And though her heart belonged to the handsome, if humble, Mr. Wilfred Ellis, Eleanor would never deny her father's wishes. Thus the match was made--with love not part of the bargain--for the arrogant earl and the coal merchant's proud daughter. But in this season of unexpected gifts, a most remarkable surprise was in store for them both....
Sleepless in Staffordshire
Celeste Bradley - 2017
He throws them into the river by night, never knowing they are being found and read by spirited vicar’s ward Bernadette Goodrich! A Christmas Ball brings the two together in a plot by a mischievous little brother and an interfering butler! By turns heartfelt and hilarious, Sleepless in Staffordshire is a charming Regency romance take on the romantic Nora Ephron film "Sleepless in Seattle" starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
The Taming of a Wicked Rogue
Samantha Holt - 2020
Now, with the tightening of a noose, it’s changed again, but she needs to make amends for what her father did.Which means returning, secretly, to the place where he did the most damage.And to the residence of one Lord Leonard Moncrieff—the only man she’s ever loved.She’s certain she won’t see him again, though. Nicknamed a Lord of Scandal Row, it’s clear to her, he’s no longer the boy she knew, and never returns home. The last thing she needs it to be distracted by a man deemed one of the most attractive men in London. Unfortunately for Rebecca, Leo has been practically banished from London under the orders of his mother thanks to a scandal that, for once, had nothing to do with him. Now he has to spend his days playing the country gent and trying to avoid the female of the species.It will be harder than he expected, given a sudden influx of young ladies to the area. He might be a rogue, but he has no desire to upset his delicate mother and will, albeit begrudgingly, play the dutiful son. He can avoid a few pretty faces, surely?At least, until he discovers the beautiful Rebecca hiding in the stables. She’s in need of help, and he cannot resist, despite the fact she once shattered his young heart. The pull between them is as strong as ever but anything between them is impossible. Or is it?
All Things Merry and Bright: A Very Special Christmas Tale Collection
Kathryn Le Veque - 2018
Familiar faces, familiar families. Join characters you ALREADY KNOW AND LOVE in a collection of very special never-before-published Christmas stories.Welcome to the tales you’ve been wishing for in this assemblage of tiny Christmas stories by some of your favorite authors. From the snow-covered fields of Medieval England, to the wind-blown Highlands of Scotland, and on to the merrily decked halls of Regency England, enjoy these satisfying little tales as you become part of your favorite characters’ holiday world. The collection includes: A de Russe Christmas Miracle by Kathryn Le VequeThe de Russe family learns the true meaning of a Christmas miracle when an angel walks among them. The Holly and The Ivy by Tanya Anne CrosbyJoin the MacKinnon clan for a magical reunion that brings old friends and new together for a Yule not to be forgotten.A Dukes of War Christmas by Erica RidleyThe Duke of Ravenwood and his family host a house party to reunite with old friends for the holiday.Mariote’s Christmas Wish by Suzan TisdaleMariote from Stealing Moirra’s Heart has her own very special Christmas season. A Very Special Gift by Eliza KnightThe Sutherlands are back with A Very Special Gift in this extended epilogue of Bella and Niall's story. A Very Brethren Christmas by Barbara DevlinAdmiral Mark Douglas is a career naval man who just wants to get home in time to spend Christmas with his family. A Rivenloch Christmas by Glynnis CampbellSpend the holidays in Scotland with the Warrior Maids of Rivenloch.Enjoy this limited edition set as Kathryn, Tanya Anne, Erica, Suzan, Eliza, Barbara, and Glynnis wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays!
Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Goose
Stephanie Laurens - 2017
Three years after being widowed, Therese, Lady Osbaldestone finally settles into her dower property of Hartington Manor in the village of Little Moseley in Hampshire. She is in two minds as to whether life in the small village will generate sufficient interest to keep her amused over the months when she is not in London or visiting friends around the country. But she will see. It’s December, 1810, and Therese is looking forward to her usual Christmas with her family at Winslow Abbey, her youngest daughter, Celia’s home. But then a carriage rolls up and disgorges Celia’s three oldest children. Their father has contracted mumps, and their mother has sent the three—Jamie, George, and Lottie—to spend this Christmas with their grandmama in Little Moseley. Therese has never had to manage small children, not even her own. She assumes the children will keep themselves amused, but quickly learns that what amuses three inquisitive, curious, and confident youngsters isn’t compatible with village peace. Just when it seems she will have to set her mind to inventing something, she and the children learn that with only twelve days to go before Christmas, the village flock of geese has vanished. Every household in the village is now missing the centerpiece of their Christmas feast. But how could an entire flock go missing without the slightest trace? The children are as mystified and as curious as Therese—and she seizes on the mystery as the perfect distraction for the three children as well as herself. But while searching for the geese, she and her three helpers stumble on two locals who, it is clear, are in dire need of assistance in sorting out their lives. Never one to shy from a little matchmaking, Therese undertakes to guide Miss Eugenia Fitzgibbon into the arms of the determinedly reclusive Lord Longfellow. To her considerable surprise, she discovers that her grandchildren have inherited skills and talents from both her late husband as well as herself. And with all the customary village events held in the lead up to Christmas, she and her three helpers have opportunities galore in which to subtly nudge and steer. Yet while their matchmaking appears to be succeeding, neither they nor anyone else have found so much as a feather from the village’s geese. Larceny is ruled out; a flock of that size could not have been taken from the area without someone noticing. So where could the birds be? And with the days passing and Christmas inexorably approaching, will they find the blasted birds in time? First in series. A novel of 60,000 words. A Christmas tale of romance and geese.
Storm & Shelter: A Bluestocking Belles Collection with Friends
Bluestocking BellesSherry Ewing - 2021
The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.A Kiss by the Sea by Grace BurrowesHe's not really a blacksmith, and she's not really an heiress... Can they forge a happily-ever-after anyway?Thaddeus Pennrith finds a way to recover from multiple griefs when he accepts the blacksmith's post at Fenwick on Sea. Village life gives him a sense of belonging that Polite Society never could, though he must resume his aristocratic responsibilities soon. Along comes Lady Sarah Weatherby, refugee from an engagement gone badly awry, and Thaddeus is faced with both a compelling reason to reveal his titled antecedents, and a longing to keep them forever hidden...An Improbable Hero by Mary LancasterA runaway heiress, a mysterious stranger.When Letty's ship founders in a violent storm, she forges a rare bond with her rescuer.Simon is a troubled man on a final, deadly mission—until the spirited yet soothing Letty makes him question everything. Hiding in plain sight among the refugees at The Queen's Barque, Simon is more than capable of protecting them both. But when the floods recede, can either of them say goodbye?The Comtesse of Midnight by Alina K. FieldA Scottish Earl on a quest for the elusive Comtesse de Fontenay rescues a French lady smuggler from the surf during a devastating storm, and takes shelter with her. As the stormy night drags on, he suspects his companion knows the woman he's seeking, the one who holds the secret to his identity. When she admits she is, in fact, the Comtesse Fontenay, just not the one he's seeking, she dashes all his hopes—and promises him new ones.Lord Stanton's Shocking Seaside Honeymoon by Cerise DeLandShe is so wrong for him.Miss Josephine Meadows is so young. In love with life. His accountant in his work for Whitehall. Her father's heir to his trading company—and his espionage network.Lord Stanton cannot resist marrying her. But to ensure Wellington defeats Napoleon, they must save one of Josephine's agents.Far from home, amid a horrific storm, Stanton discovers that his new bride loves him dearly.Can he truly be so right for her?And she for him?The Tender Flood by Caroline WarfieldZach Newell knows Patience Abney is far above his touch. But he has been enchanted by her since she raced out of the storm and into The Queen's Barque with a wagon full of small boys, puppies, and a bag of books. When the two of them make their way across the flooded marsh to her badly damaged school in search of a missing boy, attraction deepens. She risks scandal; he risks his heart.A Dream Come True by Jude KnightThe tempest that batters Barnaby Somerville's village is the latest but not the least of his challenges.Vicar to a remote parish, he stretches his tiny stipend to adopt his orphaned niece and nephew and his time to offer medical care as well as spiritual. A wife is a dream he cannot afford.But the storm sweeps into his life a surprising temptation—a charming young woman who lavishes her gentle care upon his wards—and him.God knows, he will forever be richer for having known her, even if he must let her go.Wait for Me by Rue AllynEnemies by nature—Esmeralda Crobbin, aka the pirate Irish Red, and Captain, Lord Brandon Gilroy have met before.Fate trumps nature—When a fierce storm creates a chance encounter and forced proximity, Brandon learns the pirate is a woman of serious honor and responsibility. Esmeralda discovers the captain is more than a uniform stuffed with rules and regulations. Both love the sea with boundless passion, but can they love each other?Before I Found You by Sherry EwingA quest for a title. An encounter with a stranger. Will she choose love?Miss Miranda de Courtenay has only one goal in life: to find a rich husband who can change her status from Miss to My Lady.Captain Jasper Rousseau has no plans to become infatuated during a chance encounter at a ball.Their connection is hard to dismiss, despite Miranda's quest for a title at all cost. What if the cost includes love?
To Tame the Lyon
Sky Purington - 2021
unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.Can a woman and her daughter heal the broken heart of a grieving man? Or will ghosts of old keep him forever distanced?When her rake of a husband promises her to another before he dies, Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, has no choice but to seek out matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the protection of another marriage. More so, she must trick her childhood love, Isaac, into a union, not just for her sake, but his. At one time, he had been there for her, so she's determined to return the favor and see him free of his self-destructive ways.Having suffered more loss than most, Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquess of Durham, frequents the Lyon's Den to drown his grief in liquor. Or so he leads others to believe. In truth, he's keeping tabs on his lost love, Clara. So, imagine his surprise, when she tricks him into a marriage contract to avoid the results of a pre-duel agreement. Naturally, he will protect her, but marrying her is another story. It might come at too high a risk to his wounded heart.
Will Isaac and Clara be able to find their way back to each other and deal with the madman who might be on his way? Find out as the past merges with the present in a tale of regret, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
The Earl's Wagered Bride
Cerise DeLand - 2018
A house. A home! One they can call their own. After their father gambled away their dowries and drank away the family reputation, the three young women have lived with their Aunt Gertrude. While that lady’s generosity is most kind, her charity chafes their pride. This Christmas at their aunt’s house party, Marjorie plans to employ the one talent she learned well from her notorious papa. She’ll gamble at cards and dice against every wealthy guest—and win. But she encounters one big problem. The man she’s craved all her life appears on Aunt’s threshold and challenges her. Tested by combat, he’s bolder. Dashing. A distraction. And suddenly too charming to resist.A gentleman weighs the odds.Griffith Harlinger, the war-weary fourth earl of Marsden, returns home from his duties in Paris with the Duke of Wellington to celebrate the joys of the Season. At urgent request of his step-mama, he must stop her niece Marjorie from creating a scandal by fleecing her house guests! Griff’s thrilled to engage the one woman who’s tormented him and beguiled him all his life. So he makes Marjorie a bet she can’t refuse: he’ll play her for enough money to buy the house she wants.But can he let her win if he loves her too much to let her go?And who really wins when both want what’s best for those they love?If you love swoon-worthy historical romance, starring endearing heroes, sassy heroines and a house full of rogues and cardsharps, this book is for you! Buy THE EARL’s WAGERED BRIDE to attend this Christmas house party!
A Roguish Christmas: A Holiday Romance Collection (Steamy Regency Romances)
Georgette Brown - 2020
For him to consider approving marriage between his ward and her son, she must agree to surrender herself to him for three nights of passion.TEMPTING A MARQUESS FOR CHRISTMASThe Marquess of Alastair has doubled the dowry he is providing Miss Abbott because the sooner she is married, the sooner she is out of his care — and his fantasies.To Mildred Abbott’s dismay, her dowry is now attracting numerous unwanted suitors, and she has no interest in marrying. What she wants is an encore of her night at the Château Follet, where Alastair once fulfilled her most decadent desires.A ROGUISH CHRISTMAS WISHIn this steamy second chance romance, a husband betrayed ventures into the bordello where his estranged wife has been reduced to work. But will his intentions to satiate his burning desires backfire and ruin Christmas?