Book picks similar to
The Petticoat Letters by Kelly Lyman


historical-romance
historical-fiction
american-revolution
18th-century

A Matter of Marriage


Ann Collins - 2013
    She must marry within six months of his death or lose her livelihood and beloved home, the 400-room Hotel Grand Victoria on the shores of San Diego’s Coronado Island. Julia is determined to manage the hotel even though her bold choice raises eyebrows. Finding no way around the stipulation, she begins her search for a husband, unaware that someone in her midst wants her out of the hotel forever. Dead.Alex MacLean, an emotionally and physically scarred drifter with secrets, arrives at the storybook-style Hotel Grand Victoria in answer to an advertisement for carpenters. A job offer for the position of husband is not what he had in mind. However, he can’t resist appointing himself protector of the hotel’s beautiful owner when an attempt is made on her life. His attraction to Julia grows quickly, but Alex wants love and a family, not a marriage of convenience. Not only that, Julia doesn’t know about his past, and Alex wants to keep it that way. This sensual historical romance novel has approximately 76,000 words and is about 309 pages in length.

Genie’s Scandalous Spinster’s Society


Charlotte Stone - 2017
    Lady Genevieve 'Genie' Toft's heart has always beat for one gentleman in particular.  . The Duke of Valdeston.  . Determined to finally win his love, she and her Spinster Sisters set out to trap the elusive duke.A scheme that might involve the occasional ax and willingness do whatever it takes to woo him.But her plans and heart are shattered in a single moment that leaves Genie lost and wondering if the gleam she'd seen in the duke's eyes was ever there.Francis Cullip is a man who's not been left with many choices in life, which includes marrying the woman he wants.Forced to keep his adoration for Genie to himself, he's more determined than ever to break free of the darkness that's kept them apart.But playing with fire could risk lives and the happiness of everyone they know.But some passions can't stay tamed forever.  .What is Genie willing to give up to be with the man she loves?Which path will Francis choose, the safer route or the one that could lead to joy?Page Count: around 330 pages

The Queen's Dollmaker


Christine Trent - 2009
    This seemingly innocent exchange puts Claudette’s life in danger when she is lured to Paris under false pretenses. Money and jewels are being smuggled in dolls destined for the Queen, and have now been discovered by the fledgling revolutionary French government…

Mail Order Grace


Charlotte Dearing - 2018
    With a little luck and a lot of prayer, the scarred and solitary cowboy hoped to both run his ranch and raise a baby girl. As if that wasn’t enough… His late brother had a mail-order-bride on the way. From the start, Matt wanted to send Grace O’Brian straight back to Boston where the lovely but troublesome redhead belonged. But Grace stayed in Magnolia nonetheless. Despite the uneasy circumstances, she vowed she would stay and care for the baby. No matter what. He never thought his traumatized niece would bond so strongly with Grace. He never imagined that Grace, the pretty, innocent girl with a fragile smile, would make him yearn for a wife and family of his own. And he certainly never anticipated he’d want a future with the stubborn, impossible girl he’s tried his darnedest to run off. Matt Bentley never dared dream for anything at all. Not until Grace arrived in Magnolia…

Born of Persuasion


Jessica Dotta - 2013
    Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

The Snow Gypsy


Lindsay Jayne Ashford - 2019
    Eight years ago, her brother disappeared while fighting alongside Gypsy partisans in Spain. From his letters, Rose has just two clues to his whereabouts—his descriptions of the spectacular south slopes of the Sierra Nevada and his love for a woman who was carrying his child.In Spain, it has been eight years since Lola Aragon’s family was massacred. Eight years since she rescued a newborn girl from the arms of her dying mother and ran for her life. She has always believed that nothing could make her return…until a plea for help comes from a desperate stranger.Now, Rose, Lola, and the child set out on a journey from the wild marshes of the Camargue to the dazzling peaks of Spain’s ancient mountain communities. As they come face-to-face with war’s darkest truths, their lives will be changed forever by memories, secrets, and friendships.

Gawen's Claim


Stella Knight - 2019
    and right into the arms of a dashing Highlander...Lila Fletcher is determined to prove the strength of her magical time traveling ability to herself, her family, and her coven. But when she travels back in time to fourteenth century Scotland to contend with a malevolent foe, she must also battle an all-consuming desire for a dashing Highland laird...After losing his family to illness, Gawen MacRaild has turned his back on love. Yet his obligation to duty conflicts with his growing desire to claim the bonnie time traveling lass for his own...As Lila and Gawen work together to destroy a dark enemy intent on altering time, they struggle against their pull of mutual love and desire, while their powerful foe—and time itself—threatens their future...If you're a fan of Scottish time travel, handsome highlanders, strong heroines, romance, and magical adventure, you'll love Gawen's Claim, the first book of the Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles series.

A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking


Lucinda Nelson - 2019
    Now it’s time for him to save hers… Charlene Ellington is the daughter of a well-known and respected doctor in the area of Bath. Going to the woods to collect some herbs for her father’s work, she encounters the young Lord Eric Cumberland who was bitten by a venomous snake. Brave Charlene drags him immediately to her house and her father saves his life. The young Lord promised Charlene to repay the debt whenever Charlene needed his help. And he sealed that promise with a kiss. Her first one and not forgotten by both of them. Years after Charlene’s father is accused of poisoning a member of the peerage and he is sentenced to death. A devious Marquess blackmails her that if she betroths to him, he will clear her father’s name. Charlene decides to ask Eric’s help who is now an eligible and very wealthy Duke with a lot of power due to his father’s connections. But Charlene Ellington’s name is already dragged in the mud with the serious allegations against her father and Eric’s family doesn’t want him to associate with her. Besides the real murderer lurks in the shadows… Eric feels his passion for her grow as he is trying to help her case. But so is the passion of the devilish Marquess for her… Between schemes, life threatening and dangerous poisons will they find their place in the sun? *If you like thrilling characters, steamy and unexpected twists, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking!” Get “A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking” and let the breathtaking story of Charlene and Eric unravel today!

The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II


Susan Higginbotham - 2005
    But before long, Eleanor realizes that her beloved Uncle Edward is not the mighty ruler his kingdom-or his queen-expected.Hugh's unbridled ambition and his intimate relationship with Edward arouse widespread resentment, even as Eleanor remains fiercely loyal to her husband and to her king. However, her allegiance may cost her dearly.From the battlefield to the bedchamber and through hope and despair, treachery and fidelity, The Traitor's Wife is a tale of an extraordinary woman living in an extraordinary time.

The Hamilton Affair


Elizabeth Cobbs - 2016
    Croix. He went to America to pursue his education. Along the way he became one of the American Revolution’s most dashing—and unlikely—heroes. Adored by Washington, hated by Jefferson, Hamilton was a lightning rod: the most controversial leader of the American Revolution.She was the well-to-do daughter of one of New York’s most exalted families—feisty, adventurous, and loyal to a fault. When she met Alexander, she fell head over heels. She pursued him despite his illegitimacy, and loved him despite his infidelity. In 1816 (two centuries ago), she shamed Congress into supporting his seven orphaned children. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton started New York’s first orphanage. The only “founding mother” to truly embrace public service, she raised 160 children in addition to her own.With its flawless writing, brilliantly drawn characters, and epic scope, The Hamilton Affair will take its place among the greatest novels of American history.

Blackberry & Wild Rose


Sonia Velton - 2019
    Sara is not convinced being a maid is better than being a whore, but the chance to escape her grasping ‘madam’ is too good to refuse. Inside the Thorels’ tall house in Spitalfields, where the strange cadence of the looms fills the attic, the two women forge an uneasy relationship. The physical intimacies of washing and dressing belie the reality: Sara despises her mistress’s blindness to the hypocrisy of her household, while Esther is too wrapped up in her own secrets to see Sara as anything more than another charitable cause.It is silk that has Esther so distracted. For years she has painted her own designs, dreaming that one day her husband will weave them into reality. When he laughs at her ambition, she strikes up a relationship with one of the journeyman weavers in her attic who teaches her to weave and unwittingly sets in motion events that will change the fate of the whole Thorel household.

The Rose and The Thorn


Mischelle Creager - 2015
    He didn’t trust himself.The death of Sarah Greer’s husband granted her two things—freedom from his abuse and his large estate.  In hopes of freeing her younger brother from their controlling grandfather, the pair travels to the new mining town of Central City, only Sarah finds herself caught up in scheme that forces her to marry again.The last thing widower Mac MacPherson wants is a marriage of convenience. Haunted by the past, the only reason he left his family’s Colorado ranch is to hunt down the last man to see his wife alive. But when he finds himself hitched to Sarah, he can’t ignore the woman who gets under his skin—or the sparks that fly when they’re together. Can Sarah and Mac put the past behind them and find a future together?This edgy historical romance is Book 1 in the MacPherson Brides series.Book 2: The Scar and The StarBook 3: The Hawk and The Eagle

Valiant Chaos (Haus von d'Aurilliac)


Kathryn Le Veque - 2014
    - Brogan d'Aurilliac is a master sergeant in the infantry of Edward IV. The son of a Germanic knight, he came to England at his father's death and worked his way up through the ranks of the infantry to become the king's highest ranking soldier. Brogan is a very large man with power and skill, but uneducated due to his family's immigrant social standing. He meets our heroine by chance, a member of the mighty de Nevilles, the most powerful ruling family in England. The Lady Avalyn du Brant's uncle is the all-powerful Richard Neville, "The Kingmaker." Although Brogan knows she is out of his league, he is nonetheless taken by her. Avalyn, too, is intrigued by the big soldier with the heavy accent and menacing presence. What starts out as pity for the man turns to something else and her uncle, used to meddling in people's lives, seeks to separate his niece from Brogan by betrothing her to a powerful but foolish baron. Yet Avalyn is intelligent; she takes charge of the situation and, like a great chess match, seeks to beat her uncle at his own game. Brogan, the man that enemy and ally alike call "The Monster" in battle, offers support and affection such as Avalyn has never known in this story of reversal of roles. She is the 'smart and cunning' one in this battle to save her relationship with Brogan from her uncle's destruction.

Daffodils


Alex Martin - 2013
    Jem Phipps has always loved Katy. His proposal of marriage rescues her from scandal but after tragedy strikes, Jem becomes a reluctant soldier on the battlefields of The First World War, leaving Katy behind, restless and alone. Lionel White, the local curate, has just returned from India bringing a dash of colour to the small village and offers Katy a window on the wider world. Only when Katy joins up as a WAAC girl does she finally break free from the stifling class-ridden hierarchies that bind her but the brutality of 20th-century global war brings home the price she has paid for her search. Through the horrors of WW1, she discovers only love brings freedom. In essence, Daffodils is a love story, whose tender heart is almost torn apart through this tumultuous time. COMPLETELY REVISED EDITION

The Noble Hearts Box Set


Callie Hutton - 2019
    He’s looking forward to grandbabies and the company of Lady Crampton, the woman who acted as chaperone and companion to his daughters the past four years—and stole his heart in the meantime. Except she is moving out of his house!Thus begins Lord Pomeroy’s quest to convince Lady Selina to marry him so they can celebrate their own happy ending. In time, Lady Selina’s twin daughters, Lady Phoebe and Lady Prudence will confront their own romantic mishaps and adventures on the way to wedded bliss. Read their stories in this Regency romance boxed set overflowing with heat, heart and humor.The Noble Hearts Series Box Set Books 4-6 includes:For the Love of the LadyFor the Love of the DukeFor the Love of the Gentleman