Book picks similar to
Lacey by Norah Hess


historical-romance
romance
historical
marriage-of-convenience

A Rancher of Convenience


Regina Scott - 2016
    And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage… Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

Love on a Dime


Cara Lynn James - 2010
    Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

MacLaren's Bride


Debra Dier - 1997
    Meg Drummond wanted nothing to do with love—not when she'd seen her own parents' marriage fall apart. And though she'd promised to marry an Englishman to spite her father, she had yet to find someone to win her stubborn heart. No one excited her senses until Alec MacLaren charged back into her life, unexpectedly awakening her deep-seated passions with his wicked Highland ways.Alec kidnapped and married her out of loyalty to her father, but once he felt her tantalizing body against him, he ached to savor all of her. He knew he needed to break through the wall of ice around her heart, gain her trust, and awaken her desire to truly make her...MacLaren's Bride.

Defying the Dashing Duke


Ella Edon - 2020
    When the gentleman of her dreams is issued to wed her older sister, Charlotte is truly devastated. Getting caught with him in a compromising position may be a devious way to prevent their marriage, but surely it was all an accident. Or was it not?With a preference for blondes, Kenneth Blackmore, Duke of Rutherford, could have any lady he wanted begging on her knees. Many a woman has cried for him, but only a plain-looking brunette that Kenneth truly cared for. Even if that meant staying away from her forever…Now intended for a loveless union with Charlotte’s sister, Kenneth no longer has to fear for his family’s curse. But when fate’s wicked games condemn him to marry Charlotte instead, he must soon find a way to break the spell.For being in love with his wife can be very dangerous…A scandal brought them together, another one will tear them apart…"Defying the Dashing Duke" is a Historical Regency romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

A Wild Yearning


Penelope Williamson - 1990
    Answering an advertisement for a mail-order bride, she headed north -- toward a remote Maine settlement, an uncertain destiny and a wedding with a stranger. But Ty Savitch was leading her up-country. A handsome doctor raised by Indians, he possessed a fiery untamed spirit and blood that ran hot with desires he could barely contain. With one searing kiss Ty carried the lovely Boston spitfire to ecstasy's heights. But a glorious passion suddenly born could never grow. For Delia had promised her future forever to another man....

Cooper's Wife


Jillian Hart - 1999
    Cooper's Wife by Jillian Hart released on Sep 24, 1999 is available now for purchase.

The Abduction of Julia


Karen Hawkins - 2000
    So when he accidentally snatches her instead of her lovely, scheming cousin for an elopement to Gretna Green, Julia leaps at the chance to make her passionate dreams come true.Alec's in no position to quibble: if he doesn't marry by midnight and live scandal-free for a year, he loses his inheritance. At least marriage with do-gooder Julia will guarantee his fortune. But as his plain brown wren transforms herself into an elegant swan, Alec suddenly can't stay away from his last-minute wife--and when he kisses her, the inheritance is the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, scandal can occur from the best of intentions...and Julia is never short of good intentions!

The Christmas Bargain,


Shanna Hatfield - 2012
    Calling in a long overdue loan, Luke finds himself reluctantly accepting a bargain in lieu of payment from the shiftless farmer who barters his daughter to settle his debt.Philamena Booth is both mortified and relieved when her father sends her off with the banker as payment of his debt. Held captive on the farm by her father since the death of her mother more than a decade earlier, Philamena is grateful to leave. If only it had been someone other than the handsome and charismatic Luke Granger riding in to rescue her. Ready to uphold her end of the bargain as Luke’s cook and housekeeper, Philamena is prepared for the hard work ahead. What she isn’t prepared for is being forced to marry Luke as part of this crazy Christmas bargain.

Matthew


Emma Lang - 2012
    . .and died for. To the eight Graham siblings, no matter how much hard work or hard love it takes, life is unthinkable without. . .In the wake of his parents' murder, Matthew Graham must take the reins at the Circle Eight. He also needs to find a wife in just thirty days, or risk losing it all. Plain but practical, Hannah Foley seems the perfect bride for him. . .until after the wedding night. Their marriage may make all the sense in the world, but neither one anticipates the jealousies that will result, the treacherous danger they're walking into, or the wildfire of attraction that will sweep over them, changing their lives forever. . . Praise for Emma Lang and her novels: "A sweet and sensual Western in which the heroine discovers her inner strength with the help of a delightfully sexy hero." --Angela Knight, New York Times bestselling author"With a fresh voice and engaging characters, Emma Lang's Restless Heart kept me reading late into the night." --Tina Leonard, bestselling author

Beast


Judith Ivory - 1997
    Rumor has it her intended is a hideous cad—a grim prospect that propels her into a passionate, reckless affair with a compelling stranger she never sees in the light of day.The BeastThough scarred by a childhood illness, Charles d'Harcourt has successfully wooed Europe's most sophisticated beauties. For a lark, he contrived to travel incognito on his own fiancée's ship—and seduce the young chit in utter darkness. But the rake's prank backfired. It was he who was smitten—while the hot-tempered Lulu, now his wife, loves only her shipboard lover, unaware it was d'Harcourt all the time! And Charles will never have her heart—unless he can open her eyes to the prince who hides within.

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.

Twenty-One Trees


Linda Cousine - 2016
    Savannah May Holladay and her best friend from childhood, James “Birdy” Johnson, harbor many dark secrets. Birdy also has an undying love for Savannah that spans over two decades. Unfortunately for him, Savannah is a wealthy debutante engaged to the town’s most eligible bachelor—and Birdy is a truck driver. But after a nasty incident, Savannah wakes up in a hospital bed and can’t remember one thing about the past seven years—not her marriage to Birdy instead of her boyfriend, and especially not the birth of their four children. In what feels like an instant, she’s lost her perfect life and become an impoverished housewife. Savannah must struggle through her memory loss to recover some kind of love for her husband and children. Will Birdy’s unwavering devotion be enough to carry her through and bring back her lost years? Or could Birdy’s own secrets make matters even worse? Wealth, poverty, love, loss, and amnesia create a challenging road for Savannah May Holladay. Find out how she traverses these obstacles and unearths the hidden bonds with her childhood friend in Twenty-One Trees. Review "What would it be like to wake up and not remember the last seven years of your life? I can't even imagine! Not knowing my kids or my husband... Just thinking about it breaks my heart, especially because the last few years of my life have been the best. The love between Savannah and Birdy in this story is so sweet, even though they overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. The characters in Twenty-One Trees are so realistic. You will feel as if you know them personally and keep on turning pages just to find out what happens to them next. This is a love story like no other, in which true love conquers all. Another great novel by Linda Cousine!" -Ashley Emma, bestselling author of Fearless Author and Undercover Amish

Cora's Pride


Peggy L. Henderson - 2016
    Betrayed more than once by men she thought she could trust, she’s learned to rely only on herself. As the oldest of four siblings, she feels responsible for leading her family safely on the Oregon Trail for a new start. Nathaniel Wilder is no stranger to the hardships and dangers of the wilderness. Raised with his brothers by a trapper in the remote mountains, he left behind the mistakes he’s made in the past. He’s been called reckless and irresponsible, but won’t hesitate to help someone in need. A foolhardy mishap puts Nathaniel in the direct path of a stubborn, yet beautiful woman with fire in her eyes. Despite her refusal of help, he is determined to prove she can depend on him. When her pride puts her and her family in peril, Cora accepts that she can’t do it on her own. If misgivings can turn to trust, or even love, both Cora and Nathaniel could come out stronger in the end. ***Content Warning: This book contains mild language, mild violence, kissing, and physical initmacy with minimal description. Heat Level: 2-3 (on a scale of 1-5), PG/PG13.

Once and Always


Judith McNaught - 1987
    Bewildered by his arrogance yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she senses the painful memories that smolder in his eyes. When he gathers her at last into his arms, arousing a sweet, insistent hunger, they wed and are embraced by fierce, consuming joy -- free from the past's cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of anguish, Victoria discovers the treachery at the heart of their love . . . a love she had dreamed would triumph not just once, but always.

Chelynne


Robyn Carr - 1980
    Quickly she comes to adore her dashing husband, the future Earl of Bryant... yet he spurns her love, so haunting are the shadows of his turbulent past.Chelynne vows to kindle his silent passion, risking her reputation, even her life. Now the Earl must tell her of the secret that has kept him from her bed--or risk the loss of his Chelynne forever!