Book picks similar to
Frail by Susanna Ives


romance
victorian
historical
fic-historical

The Viking's Bride


Jessica Knight - 2019
    But there’s nothing he won’t do to have me.I was forced to marry a ruthless Viking Warlord.Now, I’m carrying his twins. Grim is big, fierce, and handsome beyond words.But he's a killer, feared by all.I can’t believe my father would force me to marry this barbarian.Could a man like that ever love anyone, let alone me?We’re from two different worlds.Being with him in fantasy is far different than reality.A happy marriage seems impossible.So, I ran. But he found me, put me over his shoulder.And brought me back to be his bride.I hate how his gruffness makes my body yearn.I hate how his touch drives me wild.But what if there's more to him than a broken and vicious warrior? Could I get the happily ever after I've dreamed off?Or will I always be his captive bride?

Miss Quinn's Quandary


Shirley Marks - 2007
    After the day-long journey, the only place for the weary travelers to sleep is the barn of an over-booked inn with only a single vacancy. Larissa, who has no intention of sleeping on a pile of straw, steps forward, claiming to be newly wed to Sir Randall Trent, baronet and unwitting accomplice in Larissa's scheme for adventure, in order to claim the last empty room. Convinced they will never see one another again and that no one will be the wiser about their little white lie, Larissa and Sir Randall part ways, though not before Sir Randall can bestow upon Larissa a passionate kiss that sends her reeling. Both are surprised to be thrown together again so soon in London for the Season. When their secret is discovered, Larissa and Sir Randall are forced to band together in the face of a crime spree in which Sir Randall is implicated. Life is about to offer Larissa an adventure unlike any she had ever imagined.

Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor


Sarah L. McConkie - 2018
    Davenport, proposes to someone else. Heartbroken, Miss Harrison's sure she'll never love again, and to distract herself, she sets out to rescue a fallen young woman. Little does she know that her journey will reveal more than she expected about her friends, her seemingly perfect life, and her own heart.

Verity


Brenda Jagger - 1980
    She was a woman of 26 when she fell in love.Verity knew well why her handsome, womanizing cousin Joel Barforth wed her. She was heiress to a great Yorkshire weaving mill, and her husband lusted for wealth as keenly as he lusted for her.In return, Joel gave her all a nineteenth-century wife could expect -- a fine home, servants, children, even a growing knowledge of sensual pleasure. Then Verity met a man as different from Joel as day from night -- Crispin Aycliffe, bitter foe of all that her husband represented -- and in his arms she surrendered to the overwhelming, terrifying force of love.

CHASE THE SUN


Rosanne Bittner - 1995
    He joins the army purposely to fight Indians – any Indians. Iris Gray is a colonel’s daughter, who joins her father in America’s Northwest Territory and tries to bring peace between settlers and the Nez Perce Nation. Circumstances bring Iris and Zack together in a memorable love story as Iris struggles to help Zack find peace in his own heart. An unlikely friendship forms between these two and a Nez Perce warrior, Strong Runner, and his wife, Morning Star, teaching all four characters about cultural tolerance. CHASE THE SUN is the true story of the last flight of the Nez Perce to Canada in 1876, and a stunning depiction of the reasons for war and misunderstandings in a land deeply torn by its own unstoppable growth. A memorable tale of real history, abiding love, and a Nation’s unique struggle through tragedy and triumph.

One Wore Blue / One Wore Gray / One Road West


Heather Graham - 1995
    One Wore Blue: Kiernan Miller & Jesser Cameron. And One Wore Gray: Jesse's brother, Daniel Cameron & and the romance with Callie Michaelson. And One Road West introduces Christa, sister to Jessse and Daniel and her romance with Colonel Jeremy McCauley.

Immigrant Bride


Jean Dunstan - 2021
    Devastated, Sophia, a naïve farm girl, is forced to marry a young man named Domenic and leave for the United States. As part of a large Italian exodus heading to the United States looking for a better life, Sophia must adjust to being in a strange country and build a life as a young immigrant bride in New York City. Can Sophia overcome her fears and learn to build a life for herself and the ones she loves when fate steps in and steals her happiness away once more? And will she be strong enough to move forward when destiny hands her a new adventure?

Plum Pudding & Poison: A Harriet Honeywood Christmas Novella


Kate Harper - 2017
    She wants cheerful fires, snow-filled landscapes and pleasant company, all of which seems entirely possible. But her dreams of a perfect Christmas are thrown into chaos with the arrival of Sylvia Morwell, a girl who is universally disliked by everybody who knows her. Unfortunately, that includes most of Harry's guests and suddenly, the atmosphere could could be cut with a knife! As uncomfortable as this may be, things take a turn for the worst when her unwelcome house guest is murdered, done to death with a poisoned plum pie. Once again Harry, Aubrey, Charlie and Darcy must delve deep to discover the killer that lurks in their midst. And they must move fast before Harry's Christmas is entirely ruined!

Bachelors of Bond Street


Shana Galen - 2019
    Now, meet the bachelors who've made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?How to Brew a Perfect Kiss by Shana GalenRaeni Sawyer is penniless and alone in a foreign country. When she finds a job at a coffee shop on Bond Street, she hopes it's the beginning of a new life.Thomas Gaines is intrigued by his new server—until she spills coffee all over him. Despite her clumsiness, he sees her potential to be more. But will Raeni's dangerous past ruin their bright future?Love by the Letters by Janna MacGregorBespectacled booklover and bluestocking Miss Portia Bellingham delivers a love letter on her sister's behalf, but there's a problem—she gives it to the wrong man, a dashing and handsome bookseller, Mr. Gabriel St. Aulyn.Wary of love, Gabriel can't help but be enchanted by Portia, his newest customer who always seems to be looking for something—but when Gabriel finds Portia's love letter, he knows she's the woman he's been waiting for all his life.But when the mistake is revealed, can Portia and Gabriel trust fate and open their hearts to each other?A Second Chance for Love by Minerva SpencerJustin Taylor is rich beyond his wildest dreams, and he has everything he's ever wanted—everything except revenge against the man and woman who wrecked his life a decade earlier.When Oona Parker—one of the two people responsible for years of misery—suddenly reappears in his life, Juss knows fate has brought them together for a reason.But is fate giving him an opportunity for vengeance—or a second chance at love?

Nathan's Montana Bride


Maya Stirling - 2014
    Montana 1886 Abigail Long had promised to become Nathan Grantly’s mail order bride. But she had changed her mind at the last minute. The tragedy that had struck had made it unthinkable that she go to Montana and start a new life with a man she hadn’t even met. Tall, handsome Nathan Grantly wasn’t the kind of rancher to take no for an answer. The widower had a prosperous ranch to run and he needed a wife to bring up his young daughter. So Nathan did what came naturally. He came to claim his wife. Will Abby be able to resist Nathan and the lure of her new life in Montana? And what will Nathan do when he finds out the real reason Abby was reluctant to become his wife, and what it means for their future together? Can Abby fulfil her dreams in the wilds of Montana? This is the first in a new series of sweet historical romances, Montana Ranchers Brides.

Scandalous/ Irresistible


Karen Robards - 2001
    The family's riches will pass to the next male heir -- a distant cousin -- and the Banning sisters are doomed unless Gabby thinks fast. Which she does. Pretending that Marcus is still alive, Gabby arranges beautiful Claire's London season. She'll keep up the pretense just long enough for Claire to marry a fabulously wealthy nobleman. But when a handsome gentleman arrives at the door and claims to be Marcus, Gabby's plan backfires. For if she exposes this mysterious stranger's deceit, she exposes her own. Bound by secrets and lies, Gabby and the roguish adventurer strike sparks off each other -- and soon London society is abuzz over the scandalous pair of "siblings" who appear to be falling in love.... With this beautifully rendered romance, bestselling author Karen Robards begins a sweeping series about three unforgettable sisters poised to take the ton by storm.

Band of Angels


Julia Gregson - 2004
    But Catherine is consumed by a longing to escape the monotony of village life and runs away to London with Deio’s help. Alone in the unfamiliar city, Catherine secures a position in Florence Nightingale’s home for sick governesses. As the nation is gripped by reports of war in the Crimea, Catherine volunteers as a nurse—and her life changes beyond all recognition. Arriving in Scutari, she is immediately thrown into a living nightmare. Amid the madness and chaos, Catherine is forced to grow up quickly, learning the hardest lessons of love and war.

The Lady Detective


Ava January - 2021
    beware!How does a wealthy widow avoid the marriage market in 1890s London?If you're Lady Theodosia Fortescue-Brown, you hide behind outrageously bad clothing and glasses you don't need.After the disappearance of her husband, Theodosia can't imagine giving up her freedom to marry again and relishes her role as detective to the ladies of the upper echelons of society.When a priceless necklace on loan from the Royal family is stolen, Theodosia must work with the scandalous Lord Montague to recover it before the theft is discovered.But somewhere between setting a brothel on fire, being knocked out in a cemetery in the middle of the night, and narrowly avoiding death via Scotch egg, Theodosia and William fall in love...

An Audacious Spitfire


Carré White - 2013
    On her eighteenth birthday, she receives a letter from her deceased mother, detailing her shocking parentage. She learns that her father's name is Gerry Quinn. Armed with a small inheritance, Bridget escapes from St. Joseph's Orphan Home with her trusted ten-year-old sidekick, Sawyer Brown. Together they embark on a wild and unpredictable journey that will lead Bridget straight into the arms of Jesse Owen, who is eager to help her find her father, although his motives are questionable. When the dust settles, a family will be reunited, a couple will be torn apart, and a surprise ending will turn everything on its head, again.This is the first book in the "Arizona Brides Series", which follows the lives of four plucky young ladies, who find themselves on wild and crazy adventures in the Arizona Territory.

The Warlord


Elizabeth Elliott - 1995
    Fierce and fearless, Kenric of Montague had never admitted defeat, and now he demanded Tess's loyalty--and her surrender. But how could she give herself to a man who pledged to keep her safe but stirred her most dangerous passions?Beautiful and Innocent...Scarred by war and the dark secret of his birth, Kenric of Montague had no wish for a wife... until he beheld Tess of Remmington, the magnificent woman pledged to be his bride. Yet even as he gave in to his aching hunger to possess her, he vowed that Tess would never tame his savage heart. But when a treacherous plot threatens to part them, Kenric will find himself drawing his sword--and risking his life--to save the only woman who could capture his soul...