Book picks similar to
Flames of Desire by Vanessa Royall


historical-romance
bodice-ripper
dell
historical

Notorious


Minerva Spencer - 2020
    Drusilla Clare is full of opinions about why a woman shouldn't marry. But that doesn't stop the rush of desire she feels each time her best friend's brother, notorious rake Gabriel Marlington, crosses her path. So imagine her dismay when she finds herself in the clutches of a scoundrel, only to be rescued by Gabriel himself. And when Gabriel's heartless—and heart-pounding—proposal comes, it's enough to make Dru's formidable resolve crumble... ...is a smitten husband. She's sharp-tongued, exasperating—and due to one careless moment—about to become his wife. Still, something about Drusilla has Gabriel intrigued. First there's the delicious flush of her skin every time she delivers a barb—and then the surprisingly sensual feel of her in his arms. Gabriel even finds himself challenged by her unusual philosophies. And when he discovers a clandestine rival for Dru's affection, his temperature flares even hotter. But the real threat to their happiness is one neither of the newlyweds sees coming. If they're to save their future—and their very lives—they'll need to trust in each other and their growing love.

The Fairy Tale Bride


Kelly McClymer - 2000
    But when her brother's love match is thwarted by the impossibly proper Duke of Kerstone, Miranda sets off to convince the duke to champion her brother's cause for love. Unfortunately, he is too proper to consider love a suitable reason for marriage, and too proper not to marry Miranda when they find themselves compromised. Now, Miranda has a second chance for happily-ever-after, if she can uncover her new husband's darkest secret.

My Highland Spy


Victoria Roberts - 2014
    And he most definitely will not appear in Edinburgh to pay homage to a liege who has no respect for Scotland. So he does what any laird would do—he lies to the king. The last thing Ruairi expects is a beautiful English governess to appear on his doorstep.But this lady spy might make him...Lady Ravenna Walsingham is a seasoned spy who is sent to the savage Highlands to uncover a nefarious plot against the Crown. Playing the part of an English governess—a job easier said than done—she infiltrates the home of Laird Sutherland, a suspected conspirator.If she doesn't betray him firstRavenna soon discovers that the only real threat Sutherland poses is to her heart. But will the proud Highland laird ever forgive her when he discovers the woman he loves is an English spy?

Her Wicked Ways


Darcy Burke - 2012
    By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she's further tempted by the home's owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way.HE WAS HER DOWNFALLDesperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can't forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved-until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways-even if it ruins them both.

John Yancey


Morris Fenris - 2014
    John Yancey, Pinkerton agent. Right now John has been hired by Noah Harper to locate a thieving half-sister. According to Noah, Cecelia Powell made off with part of his inheritance after their father died unexpectedly in a carriage accident, and Noah wants it back. John’s acceptance of the case takes him from her connection with an exclusive boarding school in Switzerland to a Boston madam’s bawdy house to the 1860 gold fields of California. San Francisco, to be exact. But all is not as it seems. For one thing, pretty Miss Powell doesn’t fit anyone’s image of a criminal. For another, she is apparently living far too respectable a life, as owner and headmistress of an Academy for Girls. Just how much of what Noah has claimed is actually true? Still, delving into the young woman’s background reveals that she was, indeed, born in a bordello; and she has become the owner, whether legally or not, of controlling interest in a gold mining conglomerate. Further investigation finds that she is sharing residence with an older man, Gabriel Finnegan, while at the same time becoming betrothed to one of the city’s pillars of society, insipid and ineffectual Josiah Kingsley. Josiah is neither too insipid nor ineffectual, however, to demand complete financial and emotional control over his vacillating bride-to-be upon their marriage. The lady herself is proving to be an enigma. Finished with what he can, John sends his report, per arrangement, to Noah Harper via Pony Express. San Francisco’s attractions beckon, and he is able to explore the area, getting acquainted with townspeople and businesses. Nice enough, he decides. Maybe he’ll relocate here, settle down, start his own agency. Meanwhile, he has dealt with any complications arising from the Powell case and considers it closed. Until Noah Harper unexpectedly shows up, armed with all of John’s information and spoiling for a fight. That’s when the complications really begin. ***** Taking the High Road is a series of 10 books detailing the adventures and exploits of the Yancey Brothers.

Untamed


Elizabeth Lowell - 1993
    But Lady Margaret of Blackthorne cannot yield to the bold Norman invader.The beloved daughter of a sacred tribe of Celtic mystics, she fears an ancient curse that could bring further turmoil to her battle-scarred land...and sorrow to her marriage bed. With a word, the lady could turn her wedding into war.But there awaits in the noble knight's embrace a promise of passion unbound— and a love that neither violence nor treachery can tear asunder, a love both invincible and.

Fortune's Flower


Anthea Lawson - 2008
    One last adventure abroad with her botanist uncle and his family, and then she will do as her parents bid and wed the proper (and boring) viscount her mother has selected as Lily's ideal husband.James Huntington is on a mission. Retrieve his grandfather's lost journals from the wilds of Tunisia, and win the estate and fortune he so desperately needs. This quest will be the making of him--or his ruin.Thrown together on a botanical expedition, James and Lily's attraction is immediate, and impossible. Despite every reason to keep their distance, the two find themselves inexorably drawn together as they race to reach a hidden valley before their enemies can bring all their dreams crashing down.      *Formerly published as PASSIONATE by Kensington Books

The Wild One


Danelle Harmon - 1997
    When he takes a bullet for boldly thwarting a stagecoach robbery, he is stunned to discover that the beautiful young woman he has heroically rescued, Juliet Paige, is his deceased brother’s American fiancée, accompanied by her infant daughter. Despite his brother the duke's refusal to acknowledge Juliet, Gareth is determined to do right by the courageous woman who crossed an ocean to give her baby her rightful name. But Juliet is wary of marrying this black sheep aristocrat, even while she is hopelessly charmed by the dashing devil. Never has she met anyone who embraces life so thoroughly, who makes her laugh, who loves her so well. And, even when it seems the odds are against them, Juliet has absolute faith that Gareth will go beyond the call of duty, risking his life itself to give her and her daughter a home — and a love that will last a lifetime.

Master of the Highlands


Veronica Wolff - 2008
    Lily Hamlin has finally realized that her life isn't as perfect as she once thought. Making a pilgrimage to Scotland, a land she's only heard about in lullabies, Lily hopes that she can find her place again. But while exploring the Highlands, she discovers an overgrown maze and a strange stone map--and lands in the Lochaber of 1654.Ewen, Chief of the Clan Cameron, is a busy man who must figure out how to save his people from the brutal redcoats and has time for little else. Having sired an heir, the widowed Ewen has no need--or room--for another romance. Then into his life drops a saucy lass with a peculiar accent and no regard for his title. Drawn to each other despite their differences, they both realize that they don't want Lily to go back to her own time. But with battles brewing between the Camerons, the redcoats, and a rival clan, staying could mean putting both their lives in danger...

In Bed with the Devil


Lorraine Heath - 2008
    A proper young lady risks more than her reputation when consorting with the roguishly handsome Lucian Langdon, but Lady Catherine Mabry believes she has no choice. To protect those she loves, she would do anything—even strike a bargain with the devil himself.Lucian desires respectability and a wife above all else, but the woman of his choosing lacks the social graces to be accepted by the aristocracy. Catherine can help Lucian gain everything he wants. But what she asks for in exchange will put their very lives in jeopardy. When danger closes in, Catherine discovers a man of immense passion and he discovers a woman of immeasurable courage. As secrets from his dark past are revealed, Lucian begins to question everything he knows to be true, including the yearnings of his own heart.

Pride of the Clan


Anna Markland - 2015
    She undertakes a perilous journey across the Scottish Highlands seeking the protection of the man she was betrothed to as a child; a nobleman she hasn’t seen for eight years. Shocked to discover his role in the assassination of a king has implicated her in his plot to take the throne, she finds herself in dire need of a champion. Rheade Robertson is duty bound to aid his older brother, the clan chieftain, in his sworn quest to capture the assassins of King James Stewart. Protecting Margaret from persecution will mean defying his brother. Can he bring the murderers to justice and save an innocent woman from the executioner’s axe? Or will family rivalry and a vengeful queen destroy his hopes for a future with the courageous lass he loves?

Boulder Brides Box Set


Natalie Dean - 2018
     18 heartwarming mail-order bride stories that are full of fun, romance, adventure, and thought-provoking inspiration, AND stay true to the time period of the 1860’s and 70’s. Featured Series: Boulder Brides The Teacher’s Bride, Book 1 A strong-willed young bride attempts to make her way into a reluctant teacher’s heart. When she sees he’s not interested, she questions whether she should stay in Boulder, or make her way further west on the next wagon train out. Will he have a change of heart once he finds out she’s leaving? The Independent Bride, Book 2 Hannah's got a fierce independent streak, but that doesn't mean she's immune to love. She thinks Jeremy, a wealthy rancher, is everything she wants in a man... until she meets the brother of her best friend; a young and carefree missionary carpenter who has decided to settle in Boulder. Who will be charming enough to win Hannah’s heart? The wealthy rancher or the down to earth missionary carpenter? The Perfect Bride, Book 3 Though Lucy is a New York girl, she’s far from prim and proper. When she agrees to marry the son of a wealthy cattle rancher out west, her parents convince her she needs to become a more refined lady to win his heart. Zack’s friends tell him that ladies from New York prefer to marry proper men and if he wants to win her heart he needs to become a gentleman. How long can the two of them keep these charades up? And will they still feel the same about each other once their true passions are revealed? The Indian’s Bride, Book 4 Elsa’s fed up with a medical career that’s going nowhere, and no marriage prospects on the horizon. When the Women’s Society gets a letter from a missionary correspondence out west looking for a bride for an indigenous man, she surprisingly jumps at the opportunity. Elsa’s become inspired by a sense of missionary duty – and the chance to marry a Native man. BUT…challenges arise daily as Elsa tries desperately to understand her prospective Ute mate. She wants to get to know the community and it’s needs, but he has other ideas in mind. Will a bad mining accident help them realize they have more in common than they thought? The Civil War Bride, Book 5 Bethany journeyed out West to get away from the war-torn South. Now she faces more danger than she ever thought possible… When Bethany steps off the stagecoach in Boulder, instead of getting married right away, she decides to help out at an orphanage. Good thing she made other arrangements…now she’s got two handsome cowboy suitors visiting her at the shelter. Jason and Max. Not only is Bethany’s heart filled with compassion for the Ute babies in her care, she’s also falling head over hills in love with one of the cowboys. Will Bethany find the courage she needs to face the danger that lies ahead? And will she have a change of heart about fighting when it comes to protecting the ones she loves? Also included in this Mail Order Bride Compilation are the following short stories by Natalie Dean and Grace Weston: &lt

Love & Redemption


Suzanne D. Williams - 2013
    A poor Irish boy living in post-Civil War New York, the events of one horrible night send him running-far south to unsettled Florida and an unplanned marriage with a girl he doesn’t know. Now, he must protect her from the lust and greed of evil men and figure out how to make their escape. Will the dangers and perils they face tear their marriage apart? Or will he finally find true love and redemption?View the book trailer and get a taste for the first three books in this series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHJqR2...