Book picks similar to
Born in Deception by Cate Melville


historical-romance
medieval
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The Protector


Becca St. John - 2013
    He vows to protect her as he leads them through a maze of deception. They call her a witch, so she must hide the best that she is, a healer, or risk burning at the stake. But there are many ways to mend wounds, especially those deeper and more dangerous than of the flesh.

To Trust a Viscount


Rose Pearson - 2021
    Having fought against Napoleon's forces, he makes his way to London with a task still to complete. The Duke of Abernyte must be found and a message relayed—but Daniel cannot find him. When he meets the beautiful Miss Graham, cousin to the Duke, he begins to grow suspicious of her, certain that she is hiding something from him. Miss Sarah Graham knows the Duke is involved in important matters for the King, but she must also remain silent. Her fears grow when Viscount Harrogate continues to pursue her, quite certain that his evident admiration of her is nothing but a ruse. When things become even more entangled, Sarah must make a choice. Will her fears continue to push her away from the Viscount? Or will she dare to trust him—not only with the truth but with her own heart?

Diana Sensational Spinster's Society


Charlotte Stone - 2018
     As a ballerina, she's used to the admiration she receives from her fans, but Frank's gaze leaves her breathless. It's no wonder that while she searches for the villain who left her with hidden scars, she also searches for a way to Frank's heart. Dr. Frank Lockwood understands the workings of the human mind more than many. But when he's pulled into a game by a madman who hunts the streets of London, he's surprised to discover the prize at the end. A dancer who is capable of stopping his heart on sight. Diana Banns. Circumstances, however, force him to keep their relationship professional. It is only as the danger reheats that Frank finds it hard to resist his little dancer and everything she offers. They'll work together to discover the identity of their enemy and the truth about themselves. Will the good doctor ever see Diana for the woman she is? And what dangers await once the curtains close? Page Count: around 450 pages

The Lady of Mercia's Daughter


M.J. Porter - 2017
    Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians and daughter of Alfred the Great, is dead.Ælfwynn, the niece of Edward, king of Wessex, has been bequeathed her mother’s power and status by the men of the Mercian witan but knows she is vulnerable to the North of her kingdom, exposed still to the retreating world of the Viking Raiders from her mother’s generation.With her Mercian allies: her cousin Athelstan, Ealdorman Æthelfrith and his sons, Archbishop Plegmund and her band of trusted female warriors, she must act decisively to subvert the threat from the Viking Rognavaldr, grandson of the infamous Viking, Ivarr of Dublin, as he turns his gaze toward the desolate lands of Northern England, with the jewel of York, seemingly his intended prize.Inexplicably she is also exposed to the South, where her Cousin and Uncle eyes her position covetously, their ambitions clear to see.This is the unknown story of Ælfwynn, the daughter of the Lady of the Mercians and the startling events of late 918 when family loyalty and betrayal marched hand in hand across lands only recently reclaimed by the Mercians. When kingdoms could be won or lost through treachery and fidelity and when there was little love, and even less honesty, and the words of a sword were wont to be heard far more loudly than those of a king or churchman, noble lady’s daughter or Viking rogue.

The Banished Highlander


Keira Montclair - 2019
    Buried secrets. A love like no other. Ruari Cameron considers himself a failure. His brother, Aedan, became chieftain of the Camerons upon their sire’s death, but Ruari was too young to serve as his second. Now, at eight and twenty summers, he still has no defined position within the clan. He has no children, either, and his marriage ended so horribly he refuses to consider marrying again. Determined to prove himself once and for all, he pours himself into the goal of becoming Aedan’s second—until he meets a young lass for whom he’ll risk everything. When Juliana meets Ruari, she’s instantly attracted to him, but she knows it’s not to be. She has two choices for the future—become a nun, like her sister, or marry the powerful older suitor her sire favors. She wants neither choice, but no one has asked her for her opinion. No one except for Ruari. The Highlander makes her dream of another life, one in which she can have love and bairns, but her family's secrets tug her away from him. Although pursuing a novice might cost Ruari the position he covets, he cannot stay away from Juliana. But will their forbidden love cost them both everything they hold dear?

The Rebellious Bride


Everly West - 2019
    She wants to be important and to help people. But her meddling mama, one of the members of The Ladies Club of Laramie, discovers that the territorial governor and his single, eligible son is coming to town, she plans a ball and plots ways to marry Kelly off. Brandon Masterson is a humble sheep rancher just outside of Laramie, and in a territory where cattle is king, he is a laughingstock. Brandon is responsible for his four younger sisters, though, and is determined to make his unusual ranch a success. If only the beautiful and mischievous Kelly would stop trying to give his family charity. When Kelly and Brandon meet, sparks fly, just in time for Valentine’s Day. But can Brandon open his heart to love? And will Kelly’s parents accept her rebellious choice for a suitor? This is a sweet, clean, wholesome historical western romance.

A Deal with the Rakish Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel


Sally Vixen - 2021
    A shameless, foxy spinster, who is terrified of the prospect of marriage. But there is one thing she absolutely must achieve this Season: find a suitable gentleman for her younger sister. And keep her away from rakes.The gossip columns are wrong. Isaac Brown, the Duke of Gouldsmith, is not looking to get married. Infamous for his rakish ways, the secret to his heart lies in his past—a past no one can ever know. After he asks Eleanor for a dance, he never expected to make a devilish deal with her: pretend to be courting to escape gossip.Eleanor knows rakes are only trouble. Trouble she must stay away from, if she wants to salvage her already damaged reputation. But as her lips touch Isaac's, her hatred turns into a blossoming love with no salvation...*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then A Deal with the Rakish Duke is the novel for you.Get "A Deal with the Rakish Duke" today to discover Sally's splendid new story and find out how to get the 2nd free part of the series!

Guilty Pleasures of a Bluestocking


Olivia Bennet - 2019
    She is his new beginning. After her sister’s untimely passing, Deborah Wilds is ready to marry the Duke of Tarsington in her place. Despite the circumstances, she can't help the flare of excitement in her belly at the thought of marrying the man she's been secretly in love with for years. Though plagued by his intended's sudden death, Leonard Fletcher, Duke of Tarsington, resolves to do his duty and honor his parents' agreement by marrying Edith's younger sister. He never imagined that the younger Miss Wilds would be so easy to fall in love with. Deborah's world shifts on its axis when she discovers her sister’s diary. But there's only one problem: important pages with events leading up to her death appear to have been violently torn and taken… Determined to discover what really happened to Edith, Leonard and Deborah unwittingly put themselves in grave danger. First, come the letters, then comes the handkerchief. And then Deborah walks in an old house, never to walk out again... *If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Guilty Pleasures of a Bluestocking is the novel for you. This is Olivia's 11th novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.

Highland Betrayal


Anna Markland - 2017
    Hannah Kincaid is a Royalist spy who spirits away Scotland's crown jewels from under Cromwell's nose. Is it love that blossoms between them, or a deadly game of cat-and-mouse?

The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady


Henrietta Harding - 2020
    They call her the "Widow Drake", because she is lonely and grieving, but there is much more around this mysterious widow. She carries secrets buried deep about her marriage that nobody should ever find out! For Susannah, the first glimpse of the tall, handsome master of horses will kindle something deep inside her, something that she never thought she would feel again. But with wounds from the past still bleeding, how can she ever hope to open her heart, and love again?When Jasper Stone arrives at The Willows, to tame the new colt the Widow Drake has purchased, he mistakenly thinks there is nothing exciting about his new assignment. He has been drifting through the country, trying to clear his mind from the painful events that forced him to leave home many months ago...But the Widow Drake is not the middle aged virago Jasper is anticipating. She is a young, beautiful woman; a passionate woman that might be dangerous. How can he hope to keep the fortress he has built around his heart intact?Jasper is not alone in trying to attract the beautiful Widow Drake. A man from her past holds the key to the painful secrets of her past, as well as threatens her very future. As Jasper and Susannah grow closer, she knows she is being drawn to him, as irresistibly as a moth to fire. Can she find the courage to open her heart, even if danger swirls all around her once again?"The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Partners in Justice and Love


Lorelei Brogan - 2019
    Her life in Baltimore has always been a quiet one until she suddenly discovers that her brother has found himself arrested. Sara has no other option than to travel immediately to Kansas so as to attend his trial. After witnessing him being sentenced to a 5-year prison-time for a crime he could never commit, she decides it's her duty to take action. To her surprise, she is not the only one to rush in, willing to do anything to help him... Will the handsome former Bounty Hunter, who offers to join her mission, eventually lead them to the solution they desperately crave?Logan Payne has spent most of his teenage years trying to protect his sister and mother from his abusive father. As an adult man, he has promised to stay away from trouble and leave his life as a Bounty Hunter behind. But when his brother-in-law is trapped in a controversial trial, he has no other choice but to jump in and help him gain his freedom back. Sara, the prisoner's beautiful sister, will be his valuable partner to this plan. When emotions he had never experienced before start rising to the surface, will he manage to straighten things out and capture her heart, just like she captivated his?While Sara and Logan's hearts are growing closer, misunderstood motives and a well-kept secret are about to leave the heroes in a state of confusion and pain. Can they really prove Sara's brother's innocence? Or will the crime spree take a dangerous turn for the worse?

A Relentless Love for the Shattered Lady


Leah Conolly - 2020
    A trapped Marquess. A relentless love to bind their hearts forever…When Eleanor Baker learned she might never walk again she thought her chances for a happy future had truly disappeared forever. . If not for her sister’s constant care and support, she would have succumbed to utter misery.But when a handsome officer entered her life and saw past all her wounds, a small glimmer of hope started to shine in her heart once again. .Colonel Samuel Jacobs, smitten with the lovely Eleanor, cannot wait to start a life with her. But a series of unfortunate events will ruin the perfectly laid out plan he had in mind, as he will be saddled with a title he never wanted…Fighting with rumors, social expectation and their own deepest fears, their love will surely be put to the test, until one thing is clear to them both: staying away from each other is impossible…

The Tycoon's Twin Trouble (Southern Beaus)


Layla Valentine - 2021
    

Lady Adalyn: A Reverse Harem Risqué Regency


Sahara Kelly - 2019
    For the first time in my life, I felt a gentleman’s hands assisting me in removing my clothing. Yes, I shall surely be condemned to an eternity of agony for such a transgression, but I had no one else to ask. Giles brought hot water to my chamber and found me struggling with the tapes of my gown. He was all that was proper and polite, and had me unlaced in a trice, which was very helpful. My blushes must have added their own warmth to the room, but given his kindness and his attentions to me, I was not unduly overset. Lady Adalyn Wilkerson’s Diary, Wolfbridge Manor, January 1817 A birthday, a marriage and a funeral—twenty-year-old Adalyn has experienced them all in the space of a fortnight. The widowed Lady Wilkerson is lost, homeless and helpless as she stands next to her late husband’s grave, until an elegant gentleman introduces himself as her new butler, takes her to Wolfbridge Manor—and her life changes forever. She finds herself mistress of a tidy estate, run by the most amazing men she’s ever set eyes on. Their attentions teach her about loyalty, affection, caring and devotion, and stimulate the dawning of her sensuality. Unfortunately, not even her skilled and loving gentlemen can keep trouble from the door, and Adalyn is going to need all the courage she possesses to protect Wolfbridge and its residents. But protect them she will, if it takes every ounce of her strength. Others might have hesitated, but the men of Wolfbridge have taught her well – she isn’t just a mere cypher in a bonnet, she is their Lady Adalyn. This is the first novel in The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor. The story will continue in Book 2.

POISONED CHALICE: Mabel de Belleme Normandy's Wicked Lady (Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies Book 8)


J.P. Reedman - 2021