Book picks similar to
Splendor by Catherine Hart


historical-romance
historical
romance
pirates

The Runaway Duke


Julie Anne Long - 2004
    She's wretched at embroidery, pitiful at the pianoforte, and entirely too informed about the human body, courtesy of her father's scientific journals. And now she's been compromised by a dandy she despises! When her parents arrange a hasty marriage, there is only one man she can turn to for help. Rescued!No one knows that Irish groom Connor Riordan is the fifth Duke of Dunbrooke, "killed" in action at Waterloo, and he wants it to stay that way. But a true gentleman never turns away a damsel in distress. Soon Connor and Rebecca dash away—only to be pursued by bumbling highwaymen, a scheming duchess, and Rebecca's fiancé. Ravished! Being with the beautiful and desirable Rebecca jeopardizes Connor's secret every day—and tests his willpower every night. For if ever there was a reason to bring the Duke of Dunbrooke back from the dead, it would be to make Miss Tremaine his Duchess!

Captain Jack's Woman


Stephanie Laurens - 1997
    He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the “lad” leader of a rival gang with frightening ease and his “punishment” with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters.Suddenly Kit finds she’s only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies . . . little knowing what dangerous forces she’s unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom . . . and bind her to him with a ring, a promise . . . and ties of devotion and desire.

Magic Embrace


Jennifer Horsman - 1989
    Tracking down the worthless wench, Garrett stole her aboard his vessel, planning to ruin her reputation and use her brutally. But as the enraged male rudely kissed her lips and roughly felt her curves, he was transformed by her innocent response. Cursing himself for caring, Black Garrett relentlessly pleasured his captive ... and swore she'd feel the lash of his fury the following night!HYPNOTIZED BY A CADBewildered and betrayed, sable-haired Juliet Stoddard had no idea why the terrifying buccaneer had kidnapped her, promising punishment worse than death. Although she had no experience with men, he seemed convinced she was a brazen hussy, and ignored her pleas for mercy. Then the blue-eyed beauty felt Black Garrett's hands where no one had ever touched before, and she nearly swooned with fear ... and desire. Hating the scoundrel, and herself even more, Juliet was powerless to escape this devil's sensual trance and wrest free of his Magic Embrace.

Once More, Miranda


Jennifer Wilde - 1983
    Never a hero as sexy and masculine as Cameron Gordon. Meet Miranda James. As a ragged pickpocket, she stole the Londoners' money. As a celebrated novelist, she stole their hearts. But only one man could capture Miranda's love...

Because of Miss Bridgerton


Julia Quinn - 2016
    The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...Or not.There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...

Until Tomorrow


Jill Marie Landis - 1994
    She’s nothing but a backwoods girl with sky-blue eyes living on a Kansas homestead, making rag dolls . . . and dreaming of a better life. Desperate to find someone to share his burden, Dake uses his sweet-as-molasses drawl to coax Cara into leaving everything behind and joining him on his journey. As Dake and Cara travel to a place they both hope to call home, Cara dares to dream it’s not just the child who needs her tender touch . . . but the man.Jill Marie Landis is the New York Times bestselling author and seven-time Romance Writers of American Finalist for the RITA Award. Long known for her historical romances, Jill Marie Landis also now writes The Tiki Goddess Mysteries (set on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, where she lives with her husband, actor Steve Landis).

Capture My Heart


Bobbi Smith - 1992
    His kidnapping as a child by Barbary pirates changed the course of his life. Now Serad is master of the seas, accustomed to possessing whatever--or whomever--strikes his fancy. . ..He Stole Her Freedom. . .When Serad boards the vessel La Mouette to loot for treasure, he discovers a cargo more precious than any trinket: the heiress Victoria Lawrence. A raven-haired, emerald-eyed beauty, Victoria captivates Serad as no woman ever has before. But the fiery young lady doesn't seem to understand that she is now a captive, expected to honor her new master's wishes and desires without question. . .But He Must Win Her HeartWhen Victoria set sail from India, she expected the voyage to deliver her into the arms of her betrothed--not a heartless gang of pirates. Now captured, she refuses to bow to any man, even one as commanding as Serad. Sharing his cabin, Victoria can barely resist her overwhelming attraction for her captor. But if she gives in to her desires, Victoria knows Serad will accept nothing less than her total surrender. . .

Master of Seduction


Kinley MacGregor - 2000
    But the dashing brigand may have met his match in the fiery beauty who has vowed to bring him to justice . . .A fearless, flame-haired enchantress, Lorelei Dupree believes she has a duty to her fiancé and to the city of Charleston to help end the reign of the notorious Black Jack. But when the bold pirate eludes her carefully set trap, she suddenly finds herself the prisoner of the irresistible criminal they call "Master of Seduction." Once trapped in Jack's intoxicating gaze, Lorelei feels herself falling under the handsome rogue's sensuous spell. And now the terror of the high seas faces the one peril he never anticipated—for though he has stolen so many hearts, he never dreamed he'd meet a woman who could so effortlessly conquer his own.

One Good Gentleman


Summer Hanford - 2017
    . . which must she abandon? Emilia Glasbarr doesn’t want to be a country miss with a yard full of geese and a scant handful of neighbors. She wants the music, theatre and art found in Scotland’s capital city. She’s sunk her every resource into finishing school to find a city-dwelling husband. Unfortunately, the only man interested wants her for a far less savory purpose. The first four Marriage Maker Romances A Lady of Worth The Marriage Maker A Lady By Chance How to Catch an Heiress The other Rules of Refinement Romances Redemption of a Marquess Shameless A Marriage of Necessity

Desire of the Heart


Barbara Cartland - 1954
    When Cornelia arrived to take her place in London society she was dressed in dowdy country clothing and hiding awkwardly behind glasses.Immediately, the beautiful Lily Bedlington knew that her husband's niece posed no threat to her intentions and began to weave the plan that would make the young Duke hers alone.Heartbroken and desperate, Cornelia created another identity for herself - that of the intriguing coquette Desiree - and vanished from London.With that one reckless deception Cornelia risked everything to win the Duke's love...

The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk


Sally Malcolm - 2015
    Daughter of a Pirate King and the youngest captain in her father’s fleet, she lives on the island of Ile Saint Anne, where pirates roam free and liberty reigns. Zachary Hazard, captain of the Gypsy Hawk, hasn’t been seen on Ile Saint Anne for six years but his reputation precedes him. To Zach, liberty is the open water and he has little time for the land-bound pirate island. But when he hears that Amelia’s people could be in danger, he has no choice but to return. And what begins then is a desperate fight for freedom and a legend in the making … A swashbuckling pirate adventure. Pirates of the Caribbean for adults with a sizzling romance at the heart! Previously published by the author as Beyond the Far Horizon. Revised, edited and published by Choc Lit February 2015.

The Captain's Daughter


Leah Fleming - 2011
    But when the 'unsinkable' Titanic hits an iceberg one cold dark night, May's dreams are instantly shattered. Jumping from the sinking ship at the last minute, May loses sight of Joe and Ellen. Distraught, she is pulled into a lifeboat. Minutes later, the real-life Captain Smith swims to the lifeboat and hands May a baby swaddled in blankets. Beside herself, and in virtual darkness, May believes the baby to be Ellen. This rescue is witnessed by fellow survivor, Celeste Parkes, married to an American industrialist who is on her way back to Ohio after her mother's funeral. In horror, they both watch the death throes of the mighty ship; May traumatised, knowing her husband has drowned, Celeste wishing her bully of a husband had been on board and out of her life. As the dawn comes up, and the two women are rescued by the Carpathia, a friendship is formed, one which is destined to transcend the Atlantic and social differences between them and last a lifetime. Then May makes a shocking discovery and a split-second decision which will change the lives of so many.

The Wicked Beginning


Lauren Smith - 2020
    A wicked duke and his four friends plot the abduction of an innocent debutante out of revenge.Have you ever wondered how the League of Rogues came to be? What events led to the adventure that started it all? This is your exclusive inside peek into the world of the beloved bad boys of the League shortly before their lives are changed forever.*Note: This is a short prequel that ends on a cliffhanger which has a happy ending in the full story Wicked Designs.

Eden's Promise


Cassie Edwards - 1989
    Reissue.

The Windflower


Laura London - 1984
    No one has a good time on a pirate ship. No one, that is, but the pirates. Yet there she was, Merry Wilding - kidnapped in error, taken from a ship bound from New York to England, spirited away in a barrel and swept aboard the infamous Black Joke....There she was, trembling with pleasure in the arms of her achingly handsome, sensationally sensual, golden-haired captor - Devon. From the storm-tossed Atlantic to the languid waters of the Gulf Stream, from a smuggler's den to a gilded mansion, Merry struggled to escape...to escape the prison of her own reckless passions, the bondage of sweet, bold desire...