Book picks similar to
Dangerous Illusions by Barbara A. Masci


historical
womens-fiction
romance-all
audible-read

Forget Me Not


Miralee Ferrell - 2014
    Now, at the age of twenty-four, she regrets that decision. What will Seth think of her, when they encounter one another hundreds of miles from home? Will the man she cared for understand the direction her life has taken and love her in spite of her choices? Pastor Seth Russell has never completely forgotten the girl he once courted. When she shows up in his new home of Baker City, all those feelings return. But why is she sneaking around town late at night? Even more important, will she reject him and break his heart again, or can God heal the breach between them? Forget Me Not is part of the historical romance, Love Blossoms in Oregon series, published by David C Cook. This book can stand alone, but is better enjoyed when reading the series and getting acquainted with the full cast of characters from the Love Blossoms in Oregon series.

The Missing Bride


Tish Davis - 2015
    She prays God will help her escape and His answer comes in the form of a mail order bride ad. It takes careful planning, but Lily escapes Edgar and travels to Colorado, leaving her life behind – or so she hopes. Lee Anders is smitten by his new wife. She’s strong yet kindhearted and beautiful. Yet he knows she keeps many secrets. How can they build a life together with so many shadows haunting them from her past? Will his love be enough to keep her in this wild and sometimes uncivilized place, or will she return to the comforts she left behind? Books in the Christian Brides Historical Series: The Missing Bride The Unlikely Bride The Bartered Bride The Defiant Bride - coming soon!

Waiting on the Billionaire


Jenna Brandt - 2018
     Bryce Montgomery is Manahattan Magazine’s #1 most eligible bachelor—but he’s not thrilled about it. He was talked into doing an interview by a self-serving friend and ended up at the top of the list, drawing all sorts of unwanted attention. Jaded by a failed engagement, all he wants to do is focus on growing his business, Titan Enterprises, but when he has a chance encounter with a woman at a restaurant, he is instantly intrigued by her. Lana Collins moved to New York to pursue her dreams of being an actor, but it sure doesn’t pay the bills. To support herself, she waits tables at The Spot, a posh restaurant on the upper westside of Manhattan. She is taken by surprise when she accidentally bumps into a handsome stranger while headed to work. Come to find out, he’s a billionaire, but she’s not interested and pushes him out of her mind. That is, until a couple days later when he ends up being seated in her section and he turns out to be her boss. Though Bryce and Lana are from completely different worlds, their connection is undeniable. Despite his friends, her job, and their pasts, can they find a way to make a relationship work? From international bestselling author, Jenna Brandt, enjoy a clean billionaire romance filled with epic romantic moments, faith-inspiring characters, lots of laughs, and even a few twists.

Avalanche


Gayla K. Hiss - 2017
    After Chase confides that he believes the fugitive who killed his partner may be hiding out in the area, Jenny is skeptical at first. But when her peaceful town is besieged with a sudden crime spree, she realizes Chase's theory may be true. As the manhunt advances to the rugged backcountry of North Cascades National Park, Jenny is confronted with her past mistakes. But she soon discovers the greatest threat of all is losing her heart to Chase, who is obsessed with capturing the fugitive at all costs. Risking everything to help Chase find the man who could kill them both, Jenny's faith is put to the test. Like an avalanche waiting to happen, their path is fraught with danger. Will the enemy get away with murder? Will Jenny and Chase reach freedom and safety, or be buried alive? They must tread carefully. One step in the wrong direction could mean the difference between life and death.

Searching for Sara


Nona Mae King - 2004
    But being born of a single mother in London's working class, she could only dream. Then, scrawled in hasty intensity, Sara receives an invitation to America. Drawn to the possibility of a new beginning, she follows God's whisper and steps forward into the unknown. But more awaits than the realization of her dreams.Sara's benefactor is handsome widower Christopher Lake, a philanthropist dedicated to helping the less fortunate redefine their future. Though devastated by the loss of his wife, he dedicates himself to her last request: To provide Sara the means for a brighter future.Sara's gift of art inspires Christopher's sponsorship, and he is determined to protect her gentle heart while propelling her into artistic society. Even if he must press her forward beyond her shy nature. But when a local paper weaves tales of a romantic entanglement, Sara is stricken by the stark reality of a growing devotion. Caught in the whirlwind of debuts and dinner parties with prospective patrons, she has fallen in love with the one man she cannot attain.Can a servant girl hope to bless such a noble man to happiness?

The Love of a Rake


Linda Rae Sande - 2015
     At the age of thirty-five, Randall Roderick, Marquess of Reading, decides it's time to trade in his life as the ‘Rake of Reading' for the life of a married man. Trouble is, his reputation precedes him, and he's not particularly attracted to the milk water misses who make up the eligible ladies of the ton.  His counterpart, Charles Goodwin, Earl of Wakefield, is only twenty-five and enjoys his life as a rake far too much to consider marriage. A visiting prostitute may change his mind on the matter, though, if only because he wants to do the right thing. When the Earl of Norwick's skittish cousin, Constance, meets Randall in the park, she's intrigued by the gentleman she thinks is merely a well-to-do cit with a fascination for horse racing, but she's only in London to find out what's become of her inheritance. She's determined to return to her home and horses in Sussex to live the life of an independent woman.  Her counterpart, Eleanor Merriweather, is in London for her come-out with a dream to marry her perfect knight, but having been duped by a brothel's madame upon her arrival, she suddenly finds herself completely and thoroughly ruined. When the lives of these four are suddenly upended by their chance meetings, the events of two nights and two days will prove that it takes a bit of horse sense to get on the right track in “The Love of a Rake”.

Reluctant to Wed: Arranged Marriage Series, Book 1


Anneliese Dalaba - 2017
    He has arranged a marriage for his granddaughter with the Earl of Devonport. Emma secretly hopes a marriage to this stranger will lead to love. To honor his father, Devon reluctantly agrees to marry Emma, but determines to keep her at arm's length. A marriage of convenience is satisfactory to the earl who wants no emotional ties. He needs an heir, but he refuses to bow to the whims and demands of a wife. He would prefer simply to provide a home and a generous allowance for her, but continue to enjoy his freedom. Emma’s straightforward and unpretentious manner draws Devon’s admiration. He can’t stop thinking about her. Unfortunately, long-held fears are not easily overcome. Devon’s tender care of Emma and his charm cause her to fall in love with him, but she’s afraid of being in love alone. Can a mutual love develop and grow in this arranged marriage? When doubts begin to assail in Emma, she must learn to trust God even if it means letting go of her dreams.

Sunset in the Mists - The Dark Draws the Curtain (The Evynsford Chronicles #1)


Julianne T. Grey - 2018
    First the dead ship rolled into the dock, then fog swallowed the community and then the disappearances occurred. One child vanished from her bed before sunrise. Then twin brothers did not return from their chores. As the cries for the local watchmen to do something – anything – grew, so did the number of abducted children. By the time the local watchmen called to Preston for professional constables, there were more children missing than accounted for in the panicked township. When Inspector Arthur Eldermann arrives in the mist-choked community, not a single child under the age of thirteen but older than three remains, and there are no witnesses, no bodies and no clues as to why. The Inspector, a lapsed clergyman of cold demeanor and sneering wit, has his work cut out for him among the surly and insular townsfolk. His one ray of hope lies in Miss Regina Hollferd, governess of the rural schoolhouse, whose dedication and knowledge may hold the key to the disappearance of so many of her students. Her zeal and diligence begin to touch something in Inspector Eldermann long left to the dark, and he finds himself enthralled and repelled in equal measure by the soft-spoken yet potent woman. He will need all the help he can get, as things are moving in the mists around Evynsford, and the great wheels of a dark, terrible engine have already been set in motion. Can daring, wit and rekindled faith find the stolen children and perhaps even forestall the shadow looming ever closer?

Brothers of Belle Fourche: Books 1-3


Kari Trumbo - 2018
     Teach Me to Love Izzy Lawson has taken her last abuse. When her husband dies, she has a choice to make: go home and face the family who made her stay with the beast, or head to Belle Fourche to the only friend she has left. The reserve she's worked so hard to build crumbles in the verdant rolling hills, and in the arms of a man so different from her husband. Conrad Oleson can't read, and it's shamed him for longer than he can remember. When another teacher shows up on his front step, he's sure his brother is meddling again. But when Izzy reveals her painful past, he can't stay away. And if learning to read brings him closer to her, he'll do about anything for her. Including, teaching her how to love. What the Heart Holds Arnold's first love died in the Cheyenne river. He’s sure he’s had his one love. To guard his heart, he wants nothing to do with women. No one could ever compare to his Lynellen. He will work hard, be respectful, and never forget. Stephenia is the new teacher in Belle Fourche when she almost meets her Maker. Arnold saved her life, and maybe her heart. She’s avoided relationships her whole life, afraid of the pain of loss. When she finally gives up on him, he has to choose between the love he’s lost and the one who found him. Deep Longing of the Soul Eli Oleson killed a man. Never mind that he did it to save the lives of others, it’s eaten his soul to shreds. Nothing matters. When he injures himself breaking a horse, he has little reason to recover, except for the feisty English nurse who keeps pestering him. Anne Hammond is a skilled nurse, trained in curing the sick and treating the wounded, but some wounds don't heal as easily. She's seen war and heartache and left England for the American west to forget the images that haunt her. When a cowboy, broken in more ways than she can see, winds up on her examining table, will she be skilled enough to assist in his healing? Or will his wounds only open the ones she thought she'd left behind? Don't miss these sweet, western, cowboy romances bringing love from loss.

The Christmas Hims


Heather Henle - 2017
     Easier said than done, especially when everyone in town believes she’s the reason for the divorce between her and town Golden Boy, Lance. Two years after her divorce, and with a push from her best friend Marcus, she’s taken the plunge into the dating pool. Rachel gets more than she can handle when every date is almost too good to be true, or so it seems. Now she must choose her perfect match, between him, him, him, him and him. The Christmas Hims is a light-hearted, clean holiday romance that will make you believe that true love does exist, especially at Christmas.

A Snowy White Christmas


Josie Riviera - 2015
    The once successful LA swimsuit model returns to her small upstate New York town to buy back the foreclosed trailer she once called home. Her menagerie of rescue animals travel with her.She doesn’t expect to see her former high school sweetheart, the athletic, ever-popular, and decisive Fernando Brandt.Sparks fly when she realizes that the teenage hockey star is now a successful Realtor who is also interested in her dilapidated trailer for reasons of his own.But can she resist the handsome, charismatic Prince Charming a second time?And can she surrender her insecurities and accept the true gift of Christmas, finally feeling worthy of unconditional love?