Book picks similar to
Lila's Dance by Jill Metcalf


romance
class-differences
nothing-exceptional
historical-american

Storms Gather Between Us


Clare Flynn - 2019
    Since escaping his family’s notoriety in Australia Will Kidd has spent a decade sailing the seas, never looking back. Content to live the life of a wanderer, everything changes in a single moment when he comes face to face with a ghost from his past on a cloudy beach in Liverpool.The daughter of an abusive zealot, every step of Hannah Dawson's life has been laid out for her... until she meets Will by chance and is set on a new path. Their love is forbidden and forces on all sides divide them, but their bond is undeniable. Now, they will have to fight against all the odds to escape the chains of their histories and find their way back to one another. A compelling tale of family secrets and love against the odds, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy and Gill Paul. Praise for Storms Gather Between Us 'Another great book by Clare Flynn’ Reader Review‘A really gripping and moving pre WWII story’ Reader Review‘I would recommend this book without hesitation’ Reader Review‘Very descriptive, immersive and well written. This book is guaranteed to make you turn each and every page.’ Reader Review‘I was totally gripped from the first page’ Reader Review

The Angel of Time


Michael Stewart - 2014
    After George's encounter with Violet - a sweet old lady dying with cancer - and the sinister ghostly soldier who accompanied her, he suddenly finds himself back in war torn France in 1918, fighting for his life. Wounded, but finally managing to escape the horrors of Flanders, George faces an arduous and hair raising journey through France, England and Scotland before he finally arrives home. He discovers that he is in fact married to the younger Violet, whom he has never met, and falls madly in love with her. Happy at last, George then finds their whole existence is threatened again by a sinister figure intent on killing them both. Why was George transported from 1984 to war torn Flanders in March 1918?Who is the ghostly figure following George?Who wants him dead and why?A romantic, time travelling, historical drama with a real twist. Filled with accurate accounts of life in the trenches on the Western Front in 1918, you will be saddened, horrified and thrilled in equal measures as you share George's amazing adventures. If you like romance, if you like accurate historical drama, if you like time travel and if you are interested in the events of the First World War, this is a ‘must-read’ for you.

Suddenly a Bride


Cynthia Thomason - 1999
    A devastating tornado destroys Abigail Chadwick's homestead and kills her beloved father, leaving her with grief, five orphans, and the challenge of rebuilding her farm alone. She wasn't prepared for the miracle that showed up on her doorstep in the handsome form of Sam Kelly, a stranger who was just passing through. When he decides to stay and help her, Abby discovers that Sam's gentle kindness might mend more than just tattered buildings. But what about the mystery that surrounds his past? Can she really believe he'll stay?Homespun Hearts is a story about faith, family, and believing in miracles, set in America's heartland by award-winning author, Cynthia Thomason. Homespun Hearts was awarded the National Readers' Choice Award for best long historical romance.

A Midwife Crisis


Lisa Cooke - 2009
    Due to her family's meddling, an Appalachian midwife finds herself with three eager fiances, but it's the new doctor in town who makes her pulse race."

Love's Destiny


Elizabeth Meyette - 2012
    Emily, just 17, has decided that she is fully capable of taking care of herself and sets out to prove that to her new guardian.Emily’s one chance to remain in London is to marry, but when the opportunity arises, she knows she would rather follow Jonathon across an ocean to a land in upheaval than to stay safely in London.But Jonathon’s involvement in patriot activity against England disturbs—and threatens—Emily, a loyal subject of the king. The colonial rebellion is the backdrop for misunderstanding, fear, mistrust, and danger. Will love’s destiny ensure that Emily and Jonathon stay together, even in the face of death?Sensuality Level: Sensual

Bought And Paid For (Part One)


Paige North - 2019
     He has everything—cars, women, a billion-dollar company, and a rumored sex tape that was hurriedly scrubbed from the web faster than you can swipe right. Now Grayson’s PR people want an image makeover for their buttoned-up client, and I’ve been hired to act like the girl next door who’s tamed the wild beast. He’s a total bastard, but I’ll take his arrogant, belittling attitude if it gets me the money I desperately need to save my family. What I don’t count on is Grayson Royal turning me into the exact opposite of the nice girl I’ve been hired to play. He looks at me like he wants to devour me, kisses me until I’m dizzy, and uses his mouth on me until I scream his name. The worst part is, I like it. I like being who Grayson Royal has bought and paid for. I just don’t know how I’m going to pick up the pieces after he destroys the perfect life we’ve created. Because even though the romance might be fake, the heartbreak will be real…

Christmas in the Duke's Arms


Julie Johnstone - 2021
    Her father is dying, and her cousin is trying to force her into marriage in order to obtain her inheritance. Desperate, she seeks out the Duke of Westhaven, a widower who gossip says needs a wealthy wife immediately to save his family from ruin. She offers him a bargain: his name and protection for her money, with an assurance that she has no interest in the emotionally skittish rake’s affection. And it’s the truth. Though she did secretly hold a tendre for the man once, she wisely quashed it when she discovered he was not a noble knight in shining armor but an undeniable, uncaring rogue.Nic would rather drink poison than marry again. Yet, he’s suddenly in the untenable position of needing to wed to protect his sister’s future. So when a virtual stranger crashes the dinner party where he’s seeking a bride who wants as little to do with him as he does with her, and the woman offers a marriage with no attachments, he eagerly accepts. It’s the perfect solution for a man who believes love is for fools. They’ll wed and live their separate lives.But when a surprising stipulation to Sophia’s inheritance comes to light, the disenchanted duke and determined lady are forced to spend more time together than planned. And what started as a calculated match between a retired dreamer and a jaded rogue may end up being the very thing that brings them the love they lost faith they’d ever find.

For a Mother's Sins


Diane Allen - 2013
    Among them are three very different women – tough widow Molly, honest and God-fearing Mary Pratt, and Helen Parker, downtrodden by her husband and seeking a better life. When tragedy strikes, the lives of the three women are bound together, and each is forced to confront the secrets and calamities that threaten to tear their families apart.

Plum Pudding & Poison: A Harriet Honeywood Christmas Novella


Kate Harper - 2017
    She wants cheerful fires, snow-filled landscapes and pleasant company, all of which seems entirely possible. But her dreams of a perfect Christmas are thrown into chaos with the arrival of Sylvia Morwell, a girl who is universally disliked by everybody who knows her. Unfortunately, that includes most of Harry's guests and suddenly, the atmosphere could could be cut with a knife! As uncomfortable as this may be, things take a turn for the worst when her unwelcome house guest is murdered, done to death with a poisoned plum pie. Once again Harry, Aubrey, Charlie and Darcy must delve deep to discover the killer that lurks in their midst. And they must move fast before Harry's Christmas is entirely ruined!

Forced Into Marriage (Pioneer Series Book 4)


Ruth Ann Nordin - 2017
    A pregnant survivor. Can they turn an unwanted marriage… into love? Wyoming, 1866. Brandon Herman wants to drink away his heartache. Divorced, disgraced, and out of work, the last thing he wants to do is marry again. When he’s strong-armed into marrying a Crow Indian woman, he only thinks of running away… until he learns his bride-to-be is nine months pregnant… Lokni doesn’t trust her pale-skinned husband. After all, his kind raided her tribe, killed her loved ones, and stole her freedom. If it weren’t for the contractions, she would've already left her intoxicated groom. But until the baby is born, Lokni must bide her time and plan her escape… As the unlikely couple embarks across the untamed West, Brandon’s support helps their friendship to blossom. They start to realize that it’s more than the baby that draws them together. But on the trail to a brighter future, not everybody they meet is interested in their happily ever after… Forced into Marriage is a historical western romance set in a more realistic Wild West. If you like spirited characters, journeys of exploration, and the healing power of family, then you’ll love Ruth Ann Nordin’s stirring tale. Buy Forced into Marriage to set a course for romance today! PLEASE NOTE: Forced into Marriage is book 4 in the Pioneer Series. Book 1: Wagon Trail Bride Book 2: The Marriage Agreement Book 3: Groom for Hire Book 4: Forced into Marriage

A Stubborn Bride For The Stoic Rancher


Evelyn Boyett - 2020
    A stoic rancher. And a heartbreaking history that just won’t stay in the past.Jasper is a rancher through and through, a bachelor who is tough as nails, loyal, and hardworking. But when his brother and sister-in-law are killed after being ambushed by a gang, Jasper has to take in his niece, Daisy, while also coping with his own grief—or, rather, ignoring it.Realizing he needs help balancing his life and raising Daisy, he decides to take on a mail-order bride. When Georgia arrives, he’s overwhelmed by his intelligent and beautiful new wife. At the same time, he’s terrified of losing her or having her see him as weak, so he keeps his distance.Georgia is frustrated by Jasper’s lack of emotion and inability to open up. She wonders if she’ll ever feel like she’s in a real marriage. Maybe it was a terrible mistake for her to leave her family and come out west to get married.But when the gang behind the ambush comes back to town, both Georgia and Jasper will be forced to confront their pasts. Will facing their trauma bring them closer together or ruin their marriage forever?If you like fast-paced clean romance and action-packed stories, you won't be able to put down this addictive Novel by Evelyn Boyett."A Stubborn Bride For The Stoic Rancher" is a stand-alone Western Historical Romance Novel of approximately 500 pages.

Hanna The Helper (Twin Creek's Rain Ranch Romance Book 1)


Katie Wyatt - 2020
    

Highlander's Immoral Deal


Maddie MacKenna - 2021
    But when it comes to saving her family’s estate, there is nothing she’s not willing to do. Even if that means offering her soul to a fiend on a silver platter.His rogue years are well behind him, yet nobody trusts the newly appointed Laird of Cord, Ragnall McAvoy. In order to inherit his father’s wealth and help his clan, he must first marry. So, when a woman he once knew comes looking desperately for a husband to save her family, he proposes a deal: get married, but not fall in love.Struggling to stick to the deal and not give in to their feelings, Adriana and Ragnall fight not only each other but their own selves as well. But Ragnall’s past has remained dormant for too long. And now it’s ready to come back and claim what it rightfully owns: Ragnall.

Love Comes To Clover Cove


Maggie Finn - 2019
     Being posted from Manhattan to the Emerald Isle should be bliss for heartbroken New York executive Kate O’Riordan, but Kate’s job is to persuade the little village of Clover Cove to allow her employer to build an energy plant in their picture-perfect harbour. Her mission brings her into conflict with handsome innkeeper Connor James, a man who makes Kate’s heart do backflips, but who is hiding his own secret heartache. Kate’s romantic life is further complicated by the attentions of wealthy Lord Balcon and then there’s the matter of her ex-boyfriend, ambitious oil executive David. In an inspirational story of new beginnings, Kate must find the courage to place her faith in love if she is to save the village - and find a new place to call home. Love Comes To Clover Cove is the first book in an uplifting new series of romance, friendships and family, set on the beautiful west coast of Ireland, perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Nancy Thayer and Jenny Colgan.

The Coffin Maker


Christine Sterling - 2018
    Living under the overprotective and overbearing nature of her mother, Charlotte Daniels, made it easy to keep her distance from the townsfolk of Silverpines apart from a few close acquaintances. However, when Tess finds a man sleeping in her deceased father’s studio, it sets in motion a series of events that she is not prepared for. The town needs assistance burying the bodies from the aftermath of the double-earthquakes and the new stranger challenges Tess to assist her community. As she steps in to help, she realizes that there are many secrets her mother has been keeping from her, including the mystery of how her father died. Dawson Elliot was in Silverpines for one reason only: to find the man who murdered his wife and unborn child. Helping a small community get back on its feet wasn’t in his plans. But the weather had other ideas, so he decides to put some long-retired carpentry skills to use, building coffins to bury the dead. Working side by side with Tess will he find healing and love again? As Tess uncovers the secrets of her past, what will happen when she finds out the biggest secret of all? What is the secret Dawson is hiding? With every coffin he builds can he heal his heart and possibly open it to love again?