Book picks similar to
A Country Affair by Patricia Wynn


regency
romance
historical-romance
science

The Unusual Story of the Silent Duchess


Emma Linfield - 2018
    On just such a dark night, a mysterious voiceless girl arrives at the doorstep of the powerful Duke of Rutland, Neil Arnold. Thanks to her, his gloomy soul will see its first sunny days after a very long time. Her silence, though, hides secrets, and whatever evil force made her run for her life that dreadful stormy night is coming after her... The Duke, while still trying to find his way back to happiness, will have to find the strength to protect not only the mysterious stranger that stole his heart but also his innocent daughter. He can't afford to lose the ones he loves for the second time. But the danger is resting closer than he thinks as no one can be trusted.

The Unexpected Earl


Philippa Jane Keyworth - 2012
    With her heart still hurting and, more importantly, her pride, Julia must chaperone her younger sister, fend off fortune hunters, orchestrate a fake engagement, and halt an elopement--all whilst keeping the man who jilted her at arm's length. But what Julia doesn't know is that this time, the Earl has no intention of disappearing, and this time, he has more than an explanation to offer....

The Dauntless Miss Wingrave


Amanda Scott - 1989
    LORD Miss Emily Wingrave thought she knew exactly what she was getting into when she set out to defy the Earl of Meriden. She was well aware that Meriden was as willful as he was wealthy and as arrogant as he was attractive.For her part, Emily was as brave as she was beautiful and as firm of purpose as she was tender in years. She vowed she would stop the infuriating earl from playing the tyrant over her sister's impoverished family and trying to play havoc with her heart.But when she engaged the maddening Meriden in a tug-of-war of wits and wills, she found he had strengths he had kept under wraps--and she had a weakness that was hard to conceal....

Second Chances


Tess St. John - 2011
    When she learns her father is scheming to marry her off, only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake. After losing his wife, Lord Harold Drake vowed never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever. SECOND CHANCES is Book 1 in the Chances Are Series. Each book stands alone, but might be more enjoyable read in sequence.

The Jilted Earl


Kelly Anne Bruce - 2016
    It wasn't that she didn't want a husband, she just hated the crowds and false joy of the parties. And then when she finally met a man she knew she could love, he was quickly taken by another. She knew she was unremarkable compared to the other young women in society, but she still managed some hope that she would marry for love. Nicholas of Meadcaster was only an earl. This was the second strike against him at the moment. The first was that he had been quite ill - to the point of near death - and he was still recovering. His brother encouraged him to go to London to find a suitable wife. A wife who would care for him should his illness return. Nicholas makes some poor choices and Isabella is forgotten. When his choices haunt him, will Nicholas look for a new path or wallow in misery? Will Isabella find the courage to be bold and claim the man she is falling in love with?

The Society Catch


Louise Allen - 2004
    But all her hard effort to improve herself comes to nothing when it looks as if Giles is about to propose--to someone else!Deciding that bad behaviour is infinitely more attractive than perfection, Joanna flees her shocked family. Giles is hot on her trail, determined to catch her and bring her safely home. But will he be as determined to make her his bride?

Once Bitten, Twice Shy


Christina Courtenay - 2010
    At a ball, they make the acquaintance of the Templeton sisters, twins Serena and Ianthe. While his nephew is dazzled by the beautiful but scheming Serena, Jason is surprised to find himself attracted to the bookish Ianthe. Following his first wife's death, Jason was dubbed 'Lord Wicked' by the gossips, but despite this, he and Ianthe embark on a whirlwind romance, much to the dismay of his grasping relatives.

Lady Dearing's Masquerade


Elena Greene - 2005
    Length: about 80,000 words (260 pages). Sensuality: includes sex scenes.Finally free after a desperately unhappy marriage, widowed Lady Dearing goes to a masquerade. She thinks it’s just a lark, but matters turn serious when she kisses a costumed stranger who protected her from a drunken lout. Word leaks out, scandal escalates and she becomes the ton’s most infamous widow. Shunned by society, she retreats to her country estate. Having no children of her own, she finds joy in caring for children she’s taken in from London’s Foundling Hospital. But every night, she is haunted by the memory of the gallant stranger, whose seductive voice and gentle touch awakened desires she’d thought long dead. Two years later, Sir Jeremy Fairhill still hungers for the lady from the masquerade. She felt like his match, more than his saintly deceased wife, more than any of the respectable ladies his friends urge him to marry. Failing to find her, he throws his energies into the cause of the Foundling Hospital, where he serves on the Board of Governors. Hearing that a notorious woman has some of the foundlings in her charge, he is impelled to investigate. He has no idea that she is the lady he seeks, but soon his sense of honor is at odds with his dangerous passion for the elusive, alluring Lady Dearing.Reviews:"Lady Dearing's Masquerade could have been a dark, depressing story considering its many tragedies: orphaned foundlings, throwaway babies, malicious gossip, years of abuse. But it's a tribute to Elena Greene that the story is poignant, and the admirable way in which Jeremy and Livvy deal with their trials endears them to readers and will have you rooting for them to unite."-- Romantic Times Bookclub (4 and 1/2 stars, TOP PICK)"Lady Dearing's Masquerade is a delightful Regency romance. The characters of this remarkable tale sparkle with sensitivity, wit, humor, and a genuine quality that will make them stand out in readers' minds long after the last page is turned... The passion and romance of this wonderful story are heartwarming and a pleasure to read. The characters shine with genuine emotions and believable dialogue. Secondary characters are an essential element to the story and an insight into Livvy's and Jeremy's personalities. For a story that is sure to stoke the romantic fires burning in every Regency fan, be sure not to miss Lady Dearing's Masquerade." -- Edith Morrison, for Romance Reviews Today"This was a very well written novel, with great characters and a terrific (and plausible) plot... I'll definitely be looking for more books by Elena Greene." -- Lynn Lamy, for Rakehell"This is a SuperRegency from Signet, which means it has a greater page count and more sensuality than your basic Regency, both of which Elena Greene puts to good use in Lady Dearing's Masquerade... this was a terrific read, and I recommend it."-- Cheryl Sneed, for All About Romance

The Murmur of Masks: Love and Heartbreak in Regency England


Catherine Kullmann - 2017
    Desperately in need of security and safety, a distraught Olivia accepts Jack Rembleton's offer of a marriage of convenience, hoping that love will grow between them. She does not know that Jack's affections are elsewhere engaged. Ten years later, Olivia has made the best of her situation. She loves her children and has found her place in the ton. An unexpected encounter at a masquerade with the intriguing Luke Fitzmaurice leads to a second chance at love. Dare she grasp it? Before she can decide, Napoleon escapes from Elba and Luke joins Wellington's army in Brussels. Will war once again dash Olivia's hopes of happiness? A thrilling and touching story about love and war-an eternal triangle with a difference. Shortlisted for Best Novel, Carousel Aware Prize (CAP Awards) 2017.

Her Proper Scoundrel


A.M. Westerling - 2012
    When she discovers the job is no longer available, Josceline vows she will do anything to avoid returning to her previously dismal life - even if it means coercing the ruthless Captain Sharrington into providing her with employment. Spurned by a father he never knew and sent off to sea at a very young age, Christopher Sharrington leaves a promising naval career determined to make his own mark on society as owner of a shipping enterprise. The only problem is, hiring the alluring Lady Woodsby as governess for children he doesn’t even have, is definitely not part of his future plans.Josceline soon realizes Christopher is under the mistaken impression her social connections will help him attain his dream. Will he cast her out when he determines she is more a hindrance than a help? And what of the devastating secret he harbors? Will it destroy any chance they have of building a future together?

Falling for Chloe


Diane Farr - 2000
    But Gil's mother happily sees more to their bond than either yet realizes. And when the two innocents are caught in a deceptively compromising situation, she wastes no time in using it to her advantage -- and theirs....Soon enough, the pair find themselves no less than engaged -- and no less than panicked at the very idea. But in a case of mother knows best, what seems a tender trap may free two stubborn hearts....

Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society


Charlotte Stone - 2017
    Calvin Lockwood has always been attracted to Alice.He'll do what he must to earn Alice's trust again even:1- if it means hunting down murderers,2- war with his family and friends,3- and confronting his past even though he'd rather not. . And... it will not even matter when the Spinster Society, a group of pretty young women who've sworn off men, gets a hold of Alice and declares her one of their own.How does a man convince a woman to open her heart once again? Perhaps it will only take a kiss...Perhaps it will take more. Seduction has never been sweeter and spinsterhood never more complex. . Page Count: around 330 pages

Amy


Mary Kingswood - 2016
    When he dies suddenly, his will leaves large dowries for his six daughters, but only if they marry in the proper order, the eldest first. Amy must now find herself a husband, and soon, so her younger sisters can marry in their turn. There are several possible suitors, but will any of them come up to scratch? And how will Amy choose without her father to guide her?Mr Ambleside has been waiting for Amy for years, his suit rejected by her father. Now he has his opportunity, and he’s determined to win her. But first he has to see off his rivals, and if he manages that, he has to overcome her reluctance to defy her father’s wishes. But he’s a very tenacious man…

The Mysterious Heir


Edith Layton - 1984
    No one could guess she had been forced to take a position in trade—or that she had come to the Earl of Auden’s estate to entice him into naming her dismayingly disagreeable cousin Anthony heir to a fortune that she then could share.But Elizabeth had stiff competition for the Earl’s imperious favor…from the schemingly seductive Lady Isabel Courtney and her odious little boy, Owen…from the implacably upright Richard Courtney and his unfortunate honesty…and from the memory of the Earl’s first wife, who had made him despise women who deceived.Elizabeth knew she could never reveal the truth to the Earl—even when she forgot about gaining his fortune and began losing her heart….

Sweet Bargain


Kate Moore - 1993
    Her carefree days of family fun and fishing must come to an end. It is her duty to assure the future prosperity of her large and close-knit family by making a good marriage. To add to her gloom, she is chased from her favorite spot on the river by the handsome and high-handed Nicholas Seymour, who apparently thinks he can buy the beautiful Bel Shaw as well as property. The outrageous bargain he proposes is a dozen kisses for the fish the Shaws have "stolen" from his land.But claiming the first kiss has staggering consequences--for Nick, who cannot resist another--and for Bel, whose passionate response will lead to discovery, scandal, ruin ... and the sweetest bargain of all.