Book picks similar to
Loving Sands, Deadly Sands by Charlotte Keppel
gothic
vintage
open-library
gothic-romance
A Bride for the Viscount's Cold Son
Audrey Ashwood - 2019
An unexpected fortune. Can she overcome her humble beginnings to find true love? Regency London. Lavinia Talridge is heartbroken. After the premature death of her mother, young Lavinia is left destitute, with no money and no family. Until, in a twist of fate, she discovers that she is wealthy. Before she can believe her new life of privilege is true, Lavinia has an arranged marriage to a handsome gentleman and a chance at love. But when the Viscount’s son acts coldly towards her, Lavinia assumes her lower-class background is to blame. Afraid to go through with the potentially joyless marriage, can the young woman find a lifetime worth of love? A classical Regency Romance with a dash of suspense. If you like authentic women, romantic moments, and surprising fortunes, then you’ll love this delightful love story.
Shades of Twilight
Linda Howard - 1996
But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams -- until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death. After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job....
Whisper His Name
Elizabeth Thornton - 1999
But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.
The Mark of Merlin
Anne McCaffrey - 1971
But now her loneliness is terrible--for her officer father met a mysterious death on a foreign battlefield, and Carla has been sent to live in her new guardian's New England mansion . . . a remote, snowbound place where she finds she isn't really wanted. Together with her dog, Merlin, Carla must make a new start and face demons within and without--for her father's killer is now on her trail, too! A thrilling novel of romantic suspense by one of the world's favorite storytellers.
Brody's Bride
Kathleen Lawless - 2019
Laura broke his heart ten years earlier. Now she’s back, and right in the cross-hairs of his sworn enemy. Laura never stopped loving Brody. And when she learns of his unscrupulous rival’s plan to take his home, she can’t stay away. Even though he rebuffs her help, she is determined to make amends for the past. Can Brody save the ranch, keep its secrets, extract vengeance and protect Laura? All without losing his heart to her all over again? BRODY’S BRIDE is Book 1 in the sweet western historical series, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers by critically-acclaimed author, Kathleen Lawless. If you like cowboys, secrets, and intrigue in the old west, don’t miss this series. Each book can be read as stand-alone with no cliffhangers. No explicit sex.
A Light Amongst Shadows
Kelley York - 2018
Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher.The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts... James is the only one who believes him.James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows others have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up.Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James’s determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding... Especially if it means keeping William and himself from becoming the next victims.
The Next Together
Lauren James - 2015
Each time, their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. Spanning the Crimean War, the Siege of Carlisle and the near-future of 2019 and 2039 they find themselves sacrificing their lives to save the world. But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different...A powerful and epic debut novel for teenagers about time-travel, fate and the timelessness of first love. The Next Together is told through a mixture of regular prose, diary entries, letters, "original" historical documents, news reports and internet articles.
The Duke
Gaelen Foley - 2000
Even if it means jeopardizing his reputation by engaging in a scandalous affair with London's most provocative courtesan—the desirable but aloof Belinda Hamilton.Bel has used her intelligence and wit to charm the city's titled gentlemen, while struggling to put the pieces of her life back together. She needs a protector, so she accepts Hawk's invitation to become his mistress in name only. He asks nothing of her body, but seeks her help in snaring the same man who shattered her virtue. Together they tempt the unforgiving wrath of society—until their risky charade turns into a dangerous attraction, and Bel must make a devastating decision that could ruin her last chance at love. . . .
The Houseparty
Anne Stuart - 1985
Why, his icy blue eyes made Elizabeth's heart flutter at their very first meeting. No doubt about it, the rumors were right: this stony-faced soldier, Michael Fraser, was a traitor, a spy, a scurrilous French agent. Yet her hapless cousin had invited him for the weekend! What mad mischief might this cur cook up in the course of a three-day houseparty full of distinguished guests? Now Elizabeth is surely scandalized, for she hears that this stealthy spy has been querying the servants about her. Her own brother is off on a secret mission against Bonaparte--that must be the reason for Michael's monstrous attentions. If only his gaze weren't so penetrating, his voice so hypnotic, his kiss so treasonously sweet. She never imagined a French agent could be this dangerous!
The Girl in the Mask
Marie-Louise Jensen - 2012
Forced by her father to give up everything she loves, Sophia is ordered to make a new life in Bath. By day, she is trapped in the social whirl of balls and masquerades. By night, she secretly swaps her ball gowns for breeches, and turns to highway robbery to get her revenge ...When one man begins to take a keen interest in her, Sophia must keep her distance, or risk unmasking her secret life.
His Forgotten Bride
Aydra Richards - 2020
Since then she has found a place for herself in the world working as a housekeeper, but when circumstances compel her to seek out a new post, she finds herself unwittingly accepting a position within the household of the man who destroyed her life. And, to her shock, he doesn’t seem to remember her at all. Gabriel Newsom has spent the last seven years pretending there’s nothing wrong with him. Plagued by migraines—a remnant of the accident that stole years of his life from him—he spends the majority of his time avoiding society, lest his condition be discovered. He cannot bear the seething jealousy he holds for people who are whole and unburdened by the loss of self he has suffered. When his father confesses that within those missing years he might have been married, he is shaken anew. Somewhere out in the world is a woman whom he unwillingly abandoned, a woman he had once loved. And he doesn’t even know her name. His new housekeeper is perhaps the only person in his life who is unflinching in the face of his temper, unwilling to leave him to wallow in his misery. Like a guardian angel she watches over him, expects better of him, and against all odds he finds himself comforted by her presence and seeking her approval. He entrusts to her his secrets, never knowing that Claire has secrets of her own…
Dream Island
Josie Litton - 2002
But now the country of her dreams has become a symbol of her worst nightmare. Nine months ago her brother embarked on a dangerous journey to find the mythic land-and Joanna never heard from him again. Believing he is being held captive in Akora, she is compelled to devise a desperate plan to find him....The son of an English lord and an Akoran princess, Lord Alex Darcourt has spent months in England on a secret mission. Now he has set sail back to the land of his youth-and to an unknown fate in a nation fraught with unrest. But Alex's discovery of a secret stowaway has thrown his voyage into turmoil. A bold, honey-haired beauty, Joanna has no idea of the danger she's placed herself in. As Alex's ship enters its home port, he hopes he can protect her in a world where she is unwelcome. But his greatest challenge proves to be protecting Joanna from his own smoldering desire-a forbidden passion that could put both their lives in jeopardy.
Sins of Midnight
Kimberly Logan - 2006
SINS OF MIDNIGHTMy unladylike association with the Bow Street Runners has made me fair game for London's loose-tongued rumormongers, but I, Lady Jillian Daventry, promise to behave --- at least until my sister's coming-out season has concluded. But my vow will not keep me from solving the mystery that overshadows my life --- nor, I reluctantly admit, will it keep my heart from racing madly in the presence of Connor Monroe.I cannot ignore Connor's request for assistance in solving a mystery of his own. But the hungry fire of his gaze and the heat of his touch suggest the irresistibly handsome rogue wants so much more ... I know I'm entering dangerous ground, but I'm tempted by his sinful kiss.
Wolfsgate
Cat Porter - 2014
Years later, his step-cousin Justine finds him alive and drug-addicted, and against his family’s wishes, boldly brings him home to reclaim his inheritance.Dark surprises disturb Brandon at every turn—a ruined property, a traitorous, bitter family, his fiancée married to his rival. And Justine, the shy, quiet girl he grew up with is no longer a little girl, but an alluring and determined young woman. Can he trust her or is she a part of the intricate web of lies and half-truths?As they work together to salvage what’s left of Wolfsgate and their place in society, age-old jealousies and shadowy secrets threaten at every turn, but irresistible passions run wild and prove even more powerful.Justine is his wife, after all.Justine and Brandon have been bound in a marriage forced upon them by their family for their own deceitful purposes. But the deep, loyal bond that grows between husband and wife isn’t part of their enemies’ plan.In fact, it could destroy their plan.No one counted on Brandon and Justine falling in love.Not even Brandon and Justine.>> Please Note: This book has been re-edited & re-formatted in July 2020 since the book's release in 2014 <<"Sexy, dark, and suspenseful...Definitely not your mother's historical romance!" - Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
The Stanforth Secrets
Jo Beverley - 1989
Back from the war, Justin Delamere, cousin of her husband she has always admired, hopes to finally woo his love. But is she guilty of treason-and murder?