Book picks similar to
Portrait of Love by Abby Ayles


historical-romance
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stand-alone-story

Private Affairs of a Wicked Duke


Henrietta Harding - 2020
    As their hunt for an appropriate suitor begins, Abigail starts one of her own: to find a man of ill reputation in order to darken society’s opinion of her long enough to escape marital bliss. The dashing man she chooses couldn’t be worse in society’s eyes, but he has several secrets up his sleeves, ones Abigail cannot possibly prepare herself for. But as the two grow closer, and her father has found an otherwise delightful, intelligent suitor, time is of the essence. Will Abigail ruin her reputation and abandon the idea of marriage forever? Or will she find a way to unite with her true love, despite her volatility toward the entire sanctity of marriage and his terrible reputation?Even though Seth Nicholson is a Duke, society has long-since turned its back on him. Gossip, rumors and scandals swirl around his name, and his father has demanded he take a step back from his raucous party days in order to clean up his image. It is within this timeframe that he encounters the gorgeous, red-haired spitfire, Abigail George, whilst on a ride across the moors. Abigail is the most bull-headed, beautiful creature Seth has ever met, but it’s only when their conversation goes deeper that he recognizes she’s trying to set him up…When their arrangement becomes so deep and passionate that threatens to make him lose his mind, will he decide to dance on the wild side and let his fate in her hands?Slowly, over the span of sizzling summer weeks, they find common ground with one another and begin an impossible but yet so passionate affair within the empty walls of his estate. Will they lose their hearts in the most reckless caprice of their life, or will they discover the most scandalous pleasure they’ve ever known?

A Stubborn Bride For The Stoic Rancher


Evelyn Boyett - 2020
    A stoic rancher. And a heartbreaking history that just won’t stay in the past.Jasper is a rancher through and through, a bachelor who is tough as nails, loyal, and hardworking. But when his brother and sister-in-law are killed after being ambushed by a gang, Jasper has to take in his niece, Daisy, while also coping with his own grief—or, rather, ignoring it.Realizing he needs help balancing his life and raising Daisy, he decides to take on a mail-order bride. When Georgia arrives, he’s overwhelmed by his intelligent and beautiful new wife. At the same time, he’s terrified of losing her or having her see him as weak, so he keeps his distance.Georgia is frustrated by Jasper’s lack of emotion and inability to open up. She wonders if she’ll ever feel like she’s in a real marriage. Maybe it was a terrible mistake for her to leave her family and come out west to get married.But when the gang behind the ambush comes back to town, both Georgia and Jasper will be forced to confront their pasts. Will facing their trauma bring them closer together or ruin their marriage forever?If you like fast-paced clean romance and action-packed stories, you won't be able to put down this addictive Novel by Evelyn Boyett."A Stubborn Bride For The Stoic Rancher" is a stand-alone Western Historical Romance Novel of approximately 500 pages.

A Bachelor She Loves to Hate


Emily Honeyfield - 2020
    The single bright spot in her desperation comes in the form of a mysterious man who shows up at her door one dark, stormy night and offers her the housekeeper position at his estate. With most of her fortune gone, and bankruptcy hanging over her head, she has to act fast and accept his help. However, upon arriving at his estate, she will realise it is full of dark secrets. While trying hopelessly to bring them to light, an inexplicable desire for her seductive employer will grow in Tabitha's heart. Will she be able to discover Oliver's secrets without upsetting their blossoming affair?Oliver Penderghast has been a bachelor ever since his wife died. Being a vigorous man, who loves to travel all around the continent, he has been named the Spymaster by the very King. Trapped between his hurtful past and lonely future, he is constantly trying to find balance in his turbulent life. When the newly hired housekeeper discovers an abandoned wing in his mysterious estate and hidden passageways that allow people to slip in and out of rooms undetected, hints of a past life come to light... When deep buried secrets come to surface, he must decide if it is worth risking it all for the most attractive Lady in town. Trouble is, once he's tasted her fiery passion, he wants it all...Can he defy everything to be with the woman who conquered his heart and mind?The past always has a way of raising its ugly head and bringing havoc and heartache upon the unsuspecting... Will Oliver manage to fall for Tabitha as madly as she has for him? Or will the skeletons in Oliver's closet overpower the undeniable love and passion that could have grown between them?"A Bachelor She Loves to Hate" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

What the Duke is Hiding


Edith Byrd - 2021
    And so, he is given a job working the vineyards, despite the secrecy surrounding his fate and his past…Johnathan Bashford is grateful for the opportunity to hide in the small property of the Tillmans. A Duke he may be, but lately, the attempts of his life have been more frequent, and laying low is his only option…But in an unexpected twist of fate, Johnathan and Madeleine will turn out to be each other’s perfect match. The only thing standing in their way are the secrets of his past, and when those come to the surface it may be too late for them both…Johnathan and Madeleine might not get a chance to untangle this mess, as those on the hunt for the lost Duke have finally caught his scent and they are closing in…And this time they are determined to finish what they started.*If you like engaging characters, heart- wrenching twists and turns, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “What the Duke is Hiding”!

A Soulmate for the Distant Earl


Aria Norton - 2020
    Refusing to keep her sharp tongue tamed, she's not interested in a suitor that can't keep up with her dynamic nature. Perhaps she should reserve her wit solely for the pompous Earl of Seymour for he surely deserves it. Well, that would be easy if he didn't look so dashing... Could she really be falling this fast for a man she used to despise?Francis Blackmore, Earl of Seymour, enjoys his unmarried state, but having to deal with his childhood nemesis and her constant challenging attitude is not as entertaining. Caroline has been the bane of his existence for longer than he cares to count, so how could her breathtaking beauty suddenly be taking him by surprise? It would certainly be easier to avoid her if his sister wasn't getting married to Caroline's brother! Or at least, that's what he says to himself, unwilling to admit how being with her has become the most unexpected joy of his life...When a threat promises to ruin the wedding of their betrothed siblings, Caroline and Francis begrudgingly form an alliance to help them. They soon realise that spending time together is unavoidable, but so are the confusing and self-consuming feelings that arise between them. When they join forces for the greater good, sparks will fly... but if some of them catch on fire, their hearts might be at stake! Can they really set their long-held grievances aside, or will their stubborn nature ruin everything? Will their love manage to conquer their lifelong established pride?"A Soulmate for the Distant Earl" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Tales Ablaze of a Sinless Lady


Ava MacAdams - 2020
    And while her only way out is to marry above her station, true love is what she desires. Until she is caught in a compromising situation.When Leonard Whitfield, the Marquess of Cunningham, is caught alone with Lady Juliet while being betrothed to another, the scandal rocks London. However, the fire she ignites inside him makes the prospect of salvaging her honor all the more intoxicating.After a terrible accident costs Leonard his memory, Juliet is determined to help him remember the passion they shared. However, a single letter plants the seeds of doubt in his mind and threatens their very own lives: a sinister letter that promises death written in Juliet’s own hand...

A Masquerade of Pride and Love


Leah Conolly - 2021
    But when she starts talking about women’s rights, most of them find the urge to flee…When she meets a mysterious, open-minded man at a masquerade, she knows he is the only one for her, but in a cruel twist of fate, the night ends and they have not revealed their identities…Desperate to find her one true match, Susanna has to try-covertly to locate her intriguing Hades, and fend off potential suitors her mother throws her way at the same time. Especially that irritating Duke of Sussex…But what she doesn’t know is that the Duke himself has no interest in her, as he, too, is in search of the enchanting woman that stole his heart in a single conversation: his strong-willed Persephone…

Montana Mail Order Brides Box Set: Books 7 - 9


Linda Bridey - 2014
    Books 7 - 9 in the series that critics describe as “a wonderful blend of hope, humor, passion, romance, and forgiveness.” Westward Dreams When Hannah Fairbanks answers an advertisement for a mail-order-bride, she thinks she’s found the man with whom she’ll spend the rest of her life. Instead she finds that her prospective husband, Clive Laramie, has lied to her about everything he told her in the letters they exchanged. Now stranded in Dawson, Hannah decides to make the best of her situation. Unexpectedly she meets Owl a local Lakota brave who instantly captivates Hannah with his dark exotic looks and kindness. Owl ignites a passion in Hannah that she didn’t know existed. Owl has never been attracted to a white woman before, but when he saves Hannah from a disastrous fall in the mud, all of that changes. It only takes one look in her beautiful amber eyes for a connection to be made between them. The proud Lakota brave can’t get Hannah out of his mind and begins wooing her. Amid racial bias and societal conflict, an unlikely romance develops between them. Their relationship is put to the test by a horrible event that creates a terrible divide in the citizens of Dawson. Owl makes a decision that will endanger any future the couple could have together. Can they rise above bigotry and heartache to catch the dream of love they desperately desire? Westward Holiday Rebecca Walker has been plunged from the pinnacle of high society into a life of poverty and shame. Her reputation in Savannah, Georgia has been irreversibly tarnished. Forced into menial labor, she dreams of escaping the cruel fate that has befallen her. Rebecca never dreamed she’d answer a mail-order-bride advertisement, but it seems like her best option for creating a better life for herself. Jake Henderson owns the saloon in Dawson, Montana. Running the Watering Hole has been his life’s work, but it doesn’t keep him from being lonely. With no serious prospects for marriage available, Jake resorts to putting out an ad for a bride. Surely there has to be someone out there for him. Dawson isn’t what Rebecca had bargained for when she answered Jake’s ad. Neither is Jake or the Watering Hole. The handsome bar owner captivates her from the beginning, but Rebecca has a lot to learn about the way of life in Dawson. Jake isn’t sure that Rebecca is going to be able to adjust to the rowdy atmosphere of the Watering Hole, but her beauty and her gifted musical ability casts a spell on him. As Christmas nears, they’ll have to learn to compromise and listen to each other or be trapped in a loveless marriage. In the season of joy and good will, can they find it their hearts to let go of their pride and reach out to one another again? Westward Sunrise Abby Porter is energetic and vivacious. She dreams of finding the perfect man, but knows she won’t find him in Wabasha, Minnesota. Upon answering an ad for a mail order bride, she starts corresponding with a man she deems perfect for her. Elliot Bradbury owns the general store in Dawson, Montana, and it captivated by Abby’s unique letters. He finds her charming, amusing, and impulsive. She’s just what he’s been looking for to help ease his loneliness. When they meet they instantly form a strong connection full of passion and romance. Things are perfect until another man enters the picture and a major conflict within Dawson threatens to drive them apart. Can their perfect romance endure outside influence or will it be shattered and their love lost?

The Marquess in Her Bed


Olivia Bennet - 2019
    Never particularly interested in marriage, her life takes an exciting turn the moment a new client sets foot in the shop. Nicholas Lymington, Marquess of Clive, is every lady’s dream: young, handsome and...eligible. Complying with his mother’s request to help her choose furniture for their mansion, he finds himself hopeless at the sight of the carpenter's beautiful daughter. Drawn to each other, the fiery attraction between them grows by the minute… Ηowever, not everyone is on their side and even old debts must be paid. When Cecilia gets kidnapped, Nicholas has just a few hours to save not only the woman he loves but also himself, from an enemy that seems almost intangible...and ready to crush them both. *If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then The Marquess in Her Bed is the novel for you. This is Olivia's 7th novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.

A Lord's Bet of Desire


Meghan Sloan - 2020
    While working at the house of Norman Pembroke, the Duke of Bancroft, she has always dreamt of advancing her life from a humble maid to that of a governess. Despite knowing that this opportunity may never appear, her love for reading is enough to keep the dream alive. But little did she know that fate would bring an unforeseen twist that would make this dream a tangible reality... When Edward, the endearingly attractive brother of the Duke, comes to visit, the last thing she expected was to end up under his roof and away from the only place she's ever known. Laura will inevitably find herself seduced by his ravishing beauty, but will she allow herself to finally surrender to her burning desire for him?Edward Pembroke has always been the opposite of his brother. Being warm and dutiful himself, he was against his brother's love for gambling that was dwindling the Pembroke fortune every day. When he finally decides to confront him about his wayward habit, they both end up engaging in a fateful night of gambling, and Edward wins the prize of taking anything he wants with him. Without a second thought, he chooses Laura, as her fiery nature lightens a spark inside him. Once they move to his house, he can't help but be mesmerised by her every move, willing to do whatever it takes to possess her. Will he manage to turn this promising desire into an everlasting love?Laura and Edward's attraction is impossible to deny, but their evident class differences are threatening their undeniable lust. The more time they spend together, the more they lose their hearts and bodies to one another. Will their passionate connection prove strong enough to shatter the insurmountable obstacles? Or will their heated affair go down in flames before it even sets them on fire?"A Lord's Bet of Desire" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

In Love with the Rogue: Historical Regency Romance


Lisa Campell - 2021
    

Dukes of War (Books 1-2): Historical Romance Collection


Erica Ridley - 2020
    Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!The Earl's Defiant WallflowerOliver York returns from war to find his father dead, his finances in arrears, and himself the new Earl of Carlisle. If he doesn't marry an heiress—and fast!—he and his tenants are going to be pitching tents down by the Thames. He definitely shouldn't be trading kisses with a penniless debutante... no matter how captivating she is!

Romancing the Emotional Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Book


Sally Forbes - 2020
    She has had two failed London Seasons and is nearing spinster age. When she hears of her father’s plans for her to marry the Viscount of Halsbrook she fears that she will spend the rest of her days consigned to a loveless marriage. A chance encounter with two unruly children causes Anne to cross paths with their handsome father. Will, she finally find love, or will the dark figure lurking in the shadows threaten her last chance of happiness?Duncan Wentworth, The Duke of Brondesbury, tragically lost his wife three years ago. He lives a reclusive life in the countryside with his twins Chloe and Marcus. When his mother asks him to spend Christmastide in London with his family, an unexpected run-in with Anne and their blossoming romance that follows leave him wondering if it’s time to finally let go of his past.Will they be able to overcome the forces pulling them apart and find love during this Christmas season?

Daring Deeds of a Forbidden Duchess


Violet Hamers - 2020
    But yet, she wants more... For Miss Isabel Chenieux, the thought of attending London Season is nearly too much to bear. Ward of the Duke of Ventury after the tragic loss of her parents, she is torn between apprehension and a forbidden yearning for his affection.The passing of his parents leaves David Thorough not only with the title of Duke but also a ward. And, as he quickly finds out, she gains a dangerously bewitching hold of him.But the night is the time for shadows and Isabel's unknown past is rife with them.A note delivered by a stranger is followed by Isabel's disappearance. And David has but a single old letter to help him find Isabel and guide him on the right trail. A trail that leads to a conspiracy twenty years in the making...

Sinful Pleasures


Kristi Jun - 2018
    Giles, she cursed the day she let a man dictate her life...Amelia Knight was given the chance to start anew in Scotland to live with her wealthy grandmother but not without a price. She must never reveal her past to anyone and must marry for a title to have access to her very large inheritance. To secure a husband, she heads to the glamourous Regency London with a plan to ensure her independence and risks everything she vowed never to do: fall in love.Born to privilege, he is forced back to London to remedy the family debt and shame and to fulfill a deathbed promise to his beloved brother...Emotionally scarred and devastatingly handsome, Richard, the Earl Blackthorn, saw the horrors of a broken marriage first-hand. He has no plan to marry or remain in London. When an heiress devises a plan that will ensure their freedom from marriage in two years and pay off his inherited debt, he agrees to marry. Until an unknown threat forces him to face the one question he isn’t willing to consider and open his heart to new possibilities.