Book picks similar to
Embers of Anger by Anna St. Claire


historical-romance
historical
google-drive
virginal-heroine

A Gentleman's Promise


Penny Hampson - 2021
    A husband is the last thing she needs. Can a quest for a killer teach them that they are both wrong?Emma Smythe and her brother arrive at Easterby Hall to discover that a handsome stranger has laid claim to their ancestral home and the family title. Have her relatives been murdered, and is her brother next? Determined to find the answers, she has no option but to trust the gentleman who insists that he will help. But danger appears in many guises, and for a woman intent on remaining single, her intriguing protector may prove the biggest threat of all.The attempts on Richard Lacey’s life begin when he inherits a title and a rundown estate. A coincidence? He’s not so sure. Problems multiply with the unexpected arrival of Jamie and Emma Smythe. Long thought dead, they too are potential targets. Richard thinks he wants a docile, obedient wife, but will the task of keeping headstrong Emma safe from danger change his mind?Embroiled in a sinister mystery, can Richard and Emma work together to catch a killer? And will this dangerous quest teach them that what they both wish to avoid is exactly what they need?Filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and faultless period detail, this slow-burn romance is a must-read for lovers of classic Regency fiction.

The Lady and the Miner


Lisa Torquay - 2021
    Here on Earth, it's no different.Amelia Bolton belongs to one of the richest families in England, one who made its fortune in coal. Her brother, Joseph, aims at having access to parliament and is pressuring Amelia to marry a nobleman who has a seat in it. She knows her duties to the family; she does. But there's one man who won't leave her mind and, sadly, her heart. Daniel, the miner who lives just down the village, is as distant from her world as the planet, Saturn, is from Earth. She must force herself to leave her girlish fancies aside and become the titled lady of the ton her brother wishes her to be. It will tear her apart, but she has no choice.Daniel Hill was born in this mine and lost all his family to it. He has no illusions about the fact that he'll die in it, too. But every time he catches sight of Miss Bolton, he dies a different death: That of knowing she's not for the likes of him. He can't dream of laying his coal-soot covered hands on her delicate person, though the thought throws him in a torturous hell. He'll do his best to keep away from her, even if it sends him to an early grave.

The Grand Masquerade


Amanda Hughes - 2014
    It is a life built on secrets, lust, and lies, and Sydnee Sauveterre is at the center of the charade. Used as a source of income at a stand on the Natchez Trace, she escapes at a young age to start a new life in Louisiana. Gifted with visions and a knowledge of Hoodoo, Sydnee must find her way through the quagmire of danger and deceit that is 19th Century New Orleans. She bans together with four friends to create an illusion within the elegant, high society of the Louisiana Creole. It is a risky charade meant to fulfill all of their secret desires, and Sydnee gambles everything, including love, to lead this double life. Will she survive the grand masquerade? "Once again Amanda Hughes splashes the pages with gritty adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th and 19th Century. Her page-turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take wild rides through dramatic and dazzling periods of history."

Steele


Savannah May - 2017
    This is no home for me - not after what I’ve seen. Not without the girl I thought would always be here waiting for me. My best friend, the girl I grew up with. It was only ever me, her and my dog, Rod. And then our two families joined and imploded. My girl was gone and I went away. And all I could think of in all that time was that I’d always wanted more of her. What if I’d told her? What if I’d moved her out of the friend zone? Too late now. I’m back and she wouldn’t even recognize the strapping broken man with secret desires. I don’t believe in second chances - until I see her again. Scherri I can't believe it's really him. He's so huge. And gorgeous. And all alpha male. And I have to stop thinking of him like that. I have to remember he’s some sort of stepbrother now. He hasn't forgiven me for leaving. And so much has happened since then. But I can't stop the forbidden fantasy. Or thinking of that delicious kiss, my first. Before I knew what a kiss like that means. Now I'm ready. So ready. And I want Steele to truly be my first. In every way. I want to luxuriate in his arms and I want him to show me how. And then his army buddy shows up and I want a whole new experience. One I shouldn't want. One that's way off limits. So filthy good. Only Steele can give me everything I need. Steele is a 40,000 word standalone novella with a very happy ending. Get ready to wring out your panties because this second chance romance features military themes and some hot menage scenes directed at totally pleasuring the girl.

Moonlight and Mischief


Rhonda Woodward - 2004
    Ensconced at his estate against her wishes, Mariah finds herself drawn to the handsome devil, but wonders if she can truly trust him with her heart.

The Italian's Forbidden Virgin


Carol Marinelli - 2021
    She’s his mentor’s daughter, and her drama-queen reputation precedes her. But when he offers her comfort one dark night, he’s shocked to discover she’s a virgin. Perhaps he’s been wrong about her all along…Each electrifying moment with Gian leaves Ariana craving more, yet her red-hot Romano temper keeps getting in the way. For while she’s all fire, cool Gian won’t let any emotion get the better of him. A balance must be struck, before he walks away…for good!From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Those Notorious RomanosBook 1: Italy’s Most Scandalous VirginBook 2: The Italian’s Forbidden Virgin

Until You


Jennifer McNare - 2012
    Having grown coldhearted and cynical, as well as older and wiser, he has vowed to never again allow another woman to affect him emotionally, for he has learned his lessons and learned them well. So, when the breathtakingly lovely Ashleigh St. John suddenly and unexpectedly enters his life, as well as his home, he is determined to keep the alluring interloper at an emotional and physical distance. Unfortunately, he quickly discovers that some things are easier said than done.Reckless and daring, Ashleigh St. John is an unconventional young lady with the heart of a hopeless romantic. When she meets Nicholas Leighton she knows she has met the man of her dreams, but unfortunately, the man of her dreams seems bound and determined to keep her at a distance, hiding behind a self-erected wall of cool detachment and calculated indifference. Willing to do almost anything to break through the intractable barriers that guard his heart, she will willingly surrender her innocence, and time and again risk her ravaged heart to ultimately win his trust, and more importantly, his love.Original Publication Date: 6/1/2012Please note that the previous title of this novel was Forever and Always.**

Portrait of Love


Abby Ayles - 2018
     The Duke of Cardinal, Stephen William Colbourn sets out to find a painting dear to his mother’s heart. He has searched far and wide for the beautiful work of art, eventually finding it in the home of the highly esteemed Duke of Norrend. When he visits Norrend to price the painting he wishes to purchase, he encounters something even more valuable. Lady Annabelle is the beautiful and intelligent daughter of the the Duke of Norrend. She is cheerful, charismatic and a very accomplished lady of her age. She is absolutely dazzled when one day, a most unexpected Duke steals her thoughts and heart. They are most enchanted by each other from the moment they meet and it seems like they are made for each other. But what happens when Joanna, Lady Annabelle’s close friend accuses the Duke of making inappropriate advances at her? Will his reputation be completely destroyed and sent away from Norrend? And what happens when the painting the Duke wishes to purchase suddenly disappears? Will their new love withstand the obstacles that repeatedly come up between them? Find out now! "Portrait of Love" is a clean and sweet historical regency romance novel of approximately 85,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Enjoy!

Bewitched


Barbara Cartland - 1975
    He raced his horses up the drive to his country estate with such speed he couldn't swerve to avoid the girl in the path of his carriage.Greatly relieved she was still alive, the Marquis carried the beautiful girl up to one of his guest bedrooms. When she recovered consciousness the next morning, Ruckley discovered that his emergency houseguest was a gypsy.His unfortunate accident could turn out to be a stroke of luck: only the day before at his London club, the Marquis had bet he could pass off a common girl as a lady of quality.The enchanting, intelligent gypsy was perfect for the impersonation. What an easy way to win a thousand pounds! But the Marquis hadn't wagered on falling madly in love with his pretty imposter.

Heart of Gold (Hearts of the West #1)


Kate Marie Clark - 2018
    The only problem— a man is after her and will do whatever it takes to rob her of the fortune. Desperate to preserve her life and inheritance, Charlotte travels to Crooked Creek, Colorado in search of her uncle, the only man she believes can help her. Instead, Charlotte finds a young deputy in her uncle’s place, a man with uncommonly upright morals and lovely blue eyes… When Deputy Everett Myers first encounters Old Jez’s niece, he determines she’s nothing but trouble. But for the right price, Everett agrees to act as Charlotte’s protector. His only problem—Charlotte keeps getting in the way and complicating an already dangerous situation. Worst of all, Everett finds himself falling for her dark eyes and unmatched determination...

To Have and To Trust (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 1)


Allie Palomino - 2014
    On his deathbed, her father appointed her laird, and with that came the responsibility of freeing her clan from Alistair's cruelty. In her fervor to escape her cousin, who is hell-bent on marrying her to solidify his control of the clan, Andie stumbles upon Riley, a boy he kidnapped. As happenstance would have it, Riley’s father was one of her clan's allies. While her father told her not to go to him, Andie decides to return his son and gain his help. Gavin Maitland is a cynic as much as he is a bastard, and he's furious that his son was kidnapped. Hardened by the betrayal of his dead wife, and haunted by curses and prophesies, Gavin doesn't trust anyone, much less women. When he sees Andie approach with his son, he mistakenly believes she kidnapped him. Even after he learns she played no part in his son’s kidnapping or the machinations against his clan, he cannot fully trust her. Gavin agrees, however, to help her fight for her clan, but only after he finishes aiding his other allies. As one catastrophe after another befalls, delaying aid to the McBrides, Andie and Gavin find themselves in a whirlwind attraction and affair that blossoms into love. Their journey to be with one another is wrought with deception, mistrust, and uncertainty, and when they are at last together, the Curse of the Dark Wolf threatens to take Gavin’s newfound happiness and Andie’s life. Even if Andie survives the curse, regaining control of her clan and escaping Alistair may cost her more than she thought she’d ever have to sacrifice. To Have and To Trust is a historical romance novel with paranormal elements, set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The Heart of a Highlander…where the only thing fiercer than a warrior’s battle cry, is the way that he loves…

Dream Time


Parris Afton Bonds - 1993
    For Nan Briscoll, exiled there as a convict, Australia was her nightmare. But she vowed to survive for one reason only ~ revenge against the man who had sealed her fate . . . even as her body continued to yearn for his touch. For Amaris Wilmot, Australia was her Dream Time. And an ex-convict named Sin was her nightmare ~ because she loved him and couldn’t have him.

Undone by the Earl


Elizabeth Rue - 2018
    Former hellion Adrian Sinclair is ready to prove he's a changed man. He vows to fulfill his duties as the new Earl of Wareton, which includes choosing a wealthy, suitable wife. When he takes charge of his cousin's home, his first priority is marrying off his cousin's troublesome stepsister. However, the more time he spends with the unconventional beauty, the harder it is to deny his attraction to her. While she's anything but suitable, she's everything he wants.She didn't want to be alone...But she had no choice. Anna Colbrook would rather everyone think she's content to be a spinster than have them know the truth. Unfortunately, Adrian seems determined to uncover the real reason she remains unmarried, and his powers of persuasion—namely his kisses in the moonlight—awaken Anna's long-denied dreams of love. But when a scandalous deception is revealed, she begins to doubt Adrian's honor. Worse, the secret puts Anna in grave danger, one even Adrian might not be able to save her from.

No Rest for the Wicked


Cora Lee - 2020
    By day, he practices law at the Four Courts and gives reading lessons to the local children. By night he’s the man in the mask, prowling the streets of The Liberties defending the people—his people—from those who would prey upon them. But when his estranged wife appears on his doorstep with a summons from Sir Arthur Wellesley, both of Michael’s worlds are turned upside down. What will happen to The Liberties if he obeys Sir Arthur’s command to meet in Cork? Can he even trust the woman who married then left him five years ago?As a spy for Sir Arthur Wellesley, Joanna Pearson Devlin has executed this same mission flawlessly many times before: locate the subject, transport him safely, and present him to her employer. When Sir Arthur sends her out one more time to bring in her estranged husband, Joanna knows this mission will be anything except flawless. But Napoleon’s agents are everywhere, and Michael is an important part of the team Sir Arthur is assembling to stop them. For the sake of her country, Joanna heads to Dublin even as her discomfort grows. Will she be able to put aside her uncertainties and convince her husband to join the fight? Can they learn to work together again if he agrees?

Never Play with a Rakish Duke


Emily Honeyfield - 2020
    What she wishes for is a gentleman of staid propriety, who can take care of her and provide her with a life full of love and passion. But, when a devilish Duke puts in an offer for her hand in marriage, she is forced to reconsider her position entirely. The prospect fills Isabella with horror as the rumours of the Duke's wicked past run wild; rumours that have been the fodder of society gossip for years...How can her father just hand her over to such a rake? When she gets to know his real self, will she be able to lay aside her doubts for a chance at love?Jasper Blackbourne's life turned upside down when his childhood best friend and his mother died one after the other. With his life shattered into a million pieces, he took these losses to heart and has never been the same ever since. No matter how hard his father tried, he could barely manage to keep public opinion in his favor. Jasper knows he has no choice but to give up his life as a bachelor and settle for something less than a passionate affair. But when he finds out he is about to marry a very seductive young Lady, he finds himself trapped in a painful dilemma. Could this fiery Lady be the salvation he has been looking for? Or will he be condemned to live in pain forever?As Isabella gets to discover the most magnetic man she has ever met, she is petrified that her heart could be fooled. Even though he makes her blood run like fire whenever he touches her, it takes time to see his old ways slowly turning into love and affection. Can she ever hope to win his trust, along with his heart? Or are they doomed to a life of perpetual longing?