Book picks similar to
The Drayton Legacy by Rona Randall
historical-romance
historical-fiction
ebook
historical
The River: A Christopher Radcliff Short Story
A.D. Swanston - 2018
. . Cambridge on the morning of a day in April, the year of Our Lord 1569.And Christopher Radcliff, Doctor of Civil Laws at Pembroke Hall and recruiter of clever young men to the service of the Earl of Leicester, is amongst a crowd of excited townsfolk and university scholars gathered on a field to watch a game of foot ball. It is to be played between the apprentices of the town and pupils of the colleges and it is hoped it will reconcile differences between town and gown. Bets are placed, wagers made. On the field long-standing animosities surface and violence breaks out but not before the college team is victorious, thanks to the skill of a Pembroke Hall man, John Groom.Later that day, Radcliff is summoned to the senior tutor’s rooms. It transpires that John Groom has been locked up on a serious charge of assault – he’d nearly caused a cobbler’s apprentice to drown. If found guilty, Groom would be expelled from college and face imprisonment. But Christopher smells a rat. He believes the charge to be the fabrication of someone with a serious grudge against the young man, and yet it does seem as if Groom is hiding something. Enlisting the help of his friend Edward Allington and his wife Katherine, Dr Radcliff knows the truth lies somewhere within the infamous den that is Slegge’s gaming house…
Windmera-Desperation
Claudy Conn - 2018
Godwin goes to the cliffs of Cornwall and there sees Heather Martin.Forbidden love.Sara, Godwin's wife was not going to be set aside and so it begins. An epic tale of friendship, betrayal, passion and wickedness.
Marblestone Mansion Book 1
Marti Talbott - 2011
Later, he sold the mine, became one of the wealthiest men in Colorado and built Marblestone Mansion on a bluff overlooking Colorado Springs. His hopes were high when he sent for his wife, but something was amiss - his wife was not what she pretended to be.Coming soon - Watch for book 10 and see how this series ends.
Duke of Decadence
Violetta Rand - 2020
If there were guitars to be smashed in hotel rooms, these gentlemen would have been at the forefront. Groupies? Yes. Bad behavior? Absolutely. But in the end, love rules the day and the soul is satisfied. Indulge in unexpected stories and unexpected adventure in the first, the best, and the only LORDS OF HEDONISM series... Alonzo, the Duke of Pridegate, is handsome, wealthy, and hedonistic to a fault. Gifted with the voice of a siren that can inflame the tamest of London debutantes, he has just returned to London after a year-long tour. Although he spent a considerable amount of time in the beds of beautiful ladies, he longs for the familiar and sedate — and perhaps even a woman of his very own. Lady Julia Castle, the only child of the Duke of Hampstead, has no interest in overbearing, spoiled lords—especially ones who pretend to be famous and greatly desired. She’s a dedicated intellectual with ambitions to become a respected philanthropist, so when Alonzo Farrington runs into her at a book shop and claims to be a duke, she immediately doubts him. What man of the ton would act as he does? When he invites her to a private performance, she reluctantly accepts only to discover that he is indeed a duke and a famous Verdi baritone. Unimpressed by his fame, Julia admits to herself that any woman would be thrilled to be seduced by such a man and with her father pressuring her to marry—Julia is now desperate to find a husband she can tolerate. Could Alonzo be that husband even though he goes against everything she's fought so hard to resist? It may be a decision that costs her greatly, for once she and the duke are alone, she's at his mercy. Or, so he believes... A Lord of Hedonism may have met his match. Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Lords of Hedonism
Book 1 - Duke of Decadence Book 2 - Earl of Excess Book 3 - Prince of Pleasure
Betrothed
Elsa Holland - 2019
Fourteen years later the Petroski brothers arrived in London setting it alight with their breathtaking presence, bone melting accents and heart fluttering masculinity; eligible women were all interested in their availability. And yet the Prince’s betrothed, Miss Georgina Franklin, was yet to receive a visit.
Stolen Kisses from the Viscount
Alanna Lucas - 2019
Fearful of fortune hunters, she makes a list of acceptable gentlemen to marry. However, one dance with Lord Leybourne, a notorious rake, and she’s throwing the list out the carriage window. His compassionate eyes combined with a seductive smile and enticing kisses awaken a passion that threatens her common sense. Can she open her heart to a rake she thought she couldn’t trust?No stranger to scandal, Patrick, Viscount Leybourne, is determined to save his family from ruin whatever the cost, even marrying an heiress he doesn’t love. But Miss Redgrave proves to be no ordinary heiress, tempting his every thought as an unexpected desire and need to protect threatens his plans. Will past heartaches and a devastating wager destroy their future or will true love’s kiss triumph? Previously released in the Once Upon a True Love's Kiss limited edition box set.
The Rake Enraptured
Amelia Hart - 2014
Yet Julia will have nothing to do with him. A stern governess, morally upright but with a heart of fire, she craves him beyond anything yet will fight him, and battle her own nature, until passion makes her weak.
Celtic Tempest
Ria Cantrell - 2013
In Fourteenth Century England, landless knights are forced to obey the ruthless monarch without question. Sir Andrew Brandham, knight of the Realm and captain of the Elite Guard of Ragnorsen Keep is called to do just that. When his best friend, Sir Erik Ragnorsen is commanded to nullify his marriage to the beautiful Rhianna Du Montefort because they have yet to produce an heir, Sir Andrew accompanies him to do battle with the will of the king. Erik is being forced to marry the daughter of a Scottish Laird in order to form a tenuous Peace between the Highlanders and England. The idea of divorcing his beloved wife to marry a loathsome Scot is beyond Erik’s vow of obedience and honor. He is imprisoned for his impulsive disobedience and Drew is left to form a scheme to save his friend. When he sees the Scottish lass who has been chosen for Sir Erik, he is instantly drawn to her and while his plan unfolds to aid Erik, Drew forms a friendship with Bronwyn, daughter of the Laird and High Chief of the Clan MacCollum.
Bronwyn MacCollum was raised in the Highlands, where the past is steeped in traditions of the “Old Ways”. A long time ago, Bronwyn had a vision of her intended, but realizing he was an Englishman, she vowed to change her destiny. The English were always the enemies of her people and she would not bring danger to her beloved clan. Only, she becomes a pawn in the sadistic game of the King of England and Robert the Bruce and is being forced to marry an English knight after all. Upon seeing the man she is betrothed to, she knew her vision had been false because he looked nothing like the man who had invaded her dreams since childhood. With vehement disregard for the king’s decree, she declares her hatred for Sir Erik Ragnorsen and would rather risk war than to marry him. Only, when she meets Sir Erik’s personal guard, Bronwyn realizes that sometimes you cannot fight what is destined from the start. Sir Andrew Brandham was familiar; more than familiar. He was the man of her visions and nothing she could do could make her deny it.
Bronwyn and Drew are filled with distrust and betrayal seeps into both of their hearts. They suffer through many storms that batter their hearts and souls like rocks at the edge of the tempestuous sea. Can their love survive the lies and heartache they are each guilty of? Can Bronwyn escape the Destiny and the pull of the Old Ways and create a path without Drew or will love help them both to embrace the course Destiny has chosen?
The Inconvenient Duchess
Christine Merrill - 2006
And I'm more tired and hungry than I have ever been in my life. Please let me come home.Compromised and wedded on the same day, Lady Miranda was fast finding married life not to her taste. A decaying manor and a secretive husband were hardly the stuff of girlish dreams. Yet every time she looked at dark, brooding Marcus Radwell, Duke of Haughleigh, she felt inexplicably compelled—and determined—to make their marriage real!
A Rebellious Lady to Love
Aurora Hanson - 2019
Behaving more like a man rather than like a lady, Willie has given her father a headache with her rebellious, unusual conduct. However, she will soon have to face the ugly truth and deal with an unwanted arranged marriage. Will this be enough to break her spirit and transform her into a model wife? Will she ever be able to forgive her father and trust men again?Boyd Ingram has just returned home from war and has too many hurdles to overcome. Getting married to Willie seems like the only solution, although he knows that this relationship is nothing more than a business arrangement. To his surprise, Willie manages to rock his boat with her nerve and stubbornness. Will Boyd be able to handle Willie's personality or is this marriage doomed to fail? Are the effects of fighting in the war so strong that they could determine the rest of his life?Their marriage is built on mistrust and resentment. However, they will soon discover what family is all about. As the dangerous cut-throat west life closes in around them, they'll have to lean on each other and trust their love if they want to survive. When secrets come out and threaten something Willie treasures above all else, will Boyd be able to protect her? Will they wake up to what they mean to each other before it is too late?"A Rebellious Lady to Love" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Conquered
Morganna Mayfair - 2013
When they are unable to fend off the invading army, the leader of their enemies claims Christiana was promised to him as his wife, along with her home and her family's lands. Betrothed to another, she fights him, but finds herself married quickly.Roland joined William of Normandy for the potential to become a land owner. A second son, he knows the only way he will ever own anything is by joining forces with the powerful ruler. He's told there are three sister witches defending their home and the oldest is his promised bride. Both Christiana and Roland are used to being in charge. Will the sisters be able to fight off the coming evil to fulfill their destiny? Is it possible for two headstrong people from different cultures to find a way to live as husband and wife?
Ambersley
Amy Atwell - 2011
A duke who doubts his legitimacy. Will secrets destroy their love?Traumatized by a blaze that killed her parents, young Johanna remembers nothing of her privileged past and remains ignorant of the dangers that surround her. She grows up among the servants, where she develops a sense of purpose that helps her survive the betrayal that unmasks her true identity. Once she is forced to take her proper place in Regency society as the highly sought heiress to the Ambersley fortune, she must defy the relatives who would make her a pawn in their struggle for power.When Derek Vaughan inherits the dukedom. his dubious parentage makes it a sacrilege to accept. But touched by the ravaged estate and its destitute staff, he braves a society that once shunned him while he rebuilds Ambersley and guards it from his stepmother's bankrupting clutches. He intends to grant the title to his half-brother when the boy comes of age, but Derek's plans go awry from the moment the gardener's apprentice—once his trusted young friend—is revealed to be not only an heiress of beauty and spirit, but the one woman who may finally capture his heart.
His Impetuous Debutante
Jane Charles - 2011
It isn’t that she is against marriage and if her situation were different, she would welcome the opportunity for love and children. It is just not practical. Unfortunately, her older brother is smothering any chances she has of actually enjoying the season out of fear her impetuous nature will land her in predicaments more ruinous than the physical mishaps she had suffered at home.Taylor Qualls, the Earl of Sandlin, is forced once again to face his own obligations this season. He has a year and a half to find a suitable bride and produce the heir as dictated in his grandfather’s will. Nobody needs to tell him that Lady Phoebe is the last woman on earth he should marry. After all, given his own track record with wives and Lady Phoebe’s penchant for mishaps, she wouldn’t survive a month as his bride.
The Substitute Heiress
Juliane Karlis - 2019
Anna Bond sails to Jamaica with her new mistress, the timid heiress Arabella. Everything Anna has ever dreamed of in her orphaned life—family, fortune, status—and handsome suitors!—will soon be Arabella’s. Anna chafes at the thought of living the rest of her life as a lady’s maid, but when a twist of fate puts Anna in the heiress’s place, she discovers that dreams aren’t always as sweet as they seem! Will Anna be able to tell Arabella’s arrogant Grandfather the truth about who she is? More importantly, can she admit to herself that her dreams have changed, thanks to a certain tall young first mate with sea-green eyes? This sweet and clean historical Regency romance will keep you entertained and leave you satisfied with a delightful happily-ever-after!
The Chieftain's Choice
Elaine Manders - 2019
She is the daughter of a notorious traitor who decimated the clan during a post-Jacobite uprising. Having grown up lonely and unloved, she’s astonished when the dying and much revered chieftain of Clan Carmichael chooses her to wed his younger son. She’s perplexed when the older son and heir, Gavin Carmichael, arrives to claim her as his bride. Hasn’t her beautiful cousin, Vanora, the heiress of Gilmour Hall, boasted since girlhood she will marry Gavin to enjoin their bordering lands? Gavin expects nothing more from his arranged marriage to Alana than a compliant wife who will produce the future heir and an escape from her malicious, deceitful cousin. He underestimates Vanora’s schemes, however. Trouble erupts between the Carmichael and Gilmour clans. With rumors swirling of tainted blood and witchcraft, Alana becomes a prisoner in her own home. Attacks on his wife stir Gavin’s protective nature, and his feelings quickly turn to love. But it will take a higher power to save Alana from the evil hidden behind the walls of Gilmour Hall.