We’re firmly into autumn now and these historical authors deliver some wonderful stories to read with a hot cup of tea or cocoa.
A Prize Worth Fighting For (Thieves of Desire Book 3) by Ellie St. Clair
When she fell into his arms, it was love at first sight.
A man who read books, who noticed a wallflower like her, who rescued her from an oncoming horse with ease? He seemed too good to be true. One fixed boxing match later proved he was just that.
Damien Hondros knows his role. He is the protector of the Hondros family, one of the most notorious in London. His role is to be the enforcer, the fighter, the man who speaks with his fist. But his role is at war with his true nature, as that of a peacemaker, of a man who would rather spend his afternoon in a reading room than a boxing ring.
One woman seems to understand that. Which is probably why Damien finds himself drawn to Grace Mulberry. And while Grace knows that the fighter is all wrong for her, she can’t help her attraction to the other side of Damien, the gentle soul that only she seems to see. As a woman who has spent her life in the shadows, she is astonished that he not only notices her but pursues her. There must be a reason for it.
The clash between their families points to a forbidden love between them until Damien’s brother asks him to learn more about the Mulberry family business. Damien is unable to deny the request, but fears the day when secrets are revealed and trust betrayed — unless their love is strong enough to prevail.
Rose and the Rogue (Wallflowers of Wildwood Book 2) by Elizabeth Cole
Is it really so bad to be ruined?
When a cruel prank leaves the blind Rosalind Blake ripe for humiliation on a ballroom dance floor, she is rescued by an infamous rogue. Soon the innocent wallflower is seduced by the charm of Adrian Calwell, the scandal-chased Baron of Norbury, who is much more than he seems.
Adrian’s only goal in rescuing Rose was to thwart another man’s heartless trick. But Rose proves to be well worth it, and Adrian is impressed by the unusual young lady. Unfortunately, his reputation as a scoundrel makes it unlikely he’ll never be allowed near her again. Not that Adrian has ever let what’s “allowed” stop him for long.
When rumors begin to swirl about Rose’s own reputation and threaten her whole future, Adrian takes matters into his own hands to find the source and defend her honor. It will take all of Adrian’s ingenuity and all of Rose’s daring to find the truth and prove to the world that there is a way for a rose and rogue to be together.
Get Your Copy!Captured by the Earl (The Secret Crusaders Book 2) by Melanie Rose Clarke
As a member of the Distinguished Ladies of Purpose, Lady Emma Sinclair strives to help those less fortunate, even as others disregard her ideas as fanciful nonsense. That is, until she accidentally starts a rumor she is betrothed to Philip Fitzgerald, the powerful but absent Earl of Peyton. As society celebrates her victory in capturing the elusive lord, she enjoys new influence. Everything goes perfectly, until…
The earl returns.
Philip is shocked to arrive home to an unexpected betrothal. He doesn’t know Lady Emma’s motives or goals, yet the intelligent lady intrigues him. He will continue the ruse, chasing her secrets, even as he continues his own clandestine work. He saves people while in disguise, setting London aflame.
As everyone guesses the identity of the mysterious masked rescuer, Emma and Philip delve closer and closer to the truth, and each other.
When secrets are revealed, will a pretend betrothal become real?
Get Your Copy!The Brazen Bluestocking (The Duchess Society Book 1) by Tracy Summer
In this Regency romance by award-winning author Tracy Sumner, a willful bluestocking matches wits with a devilish scoundrel she never expected to desire with every beat of her heart.
A defiant society outcast.
A forbidding rogue who doesn’t believe in love.
And a passionate wager.
Daughter of an earl, Lady Hildegard Templeton hasn’t conformed to what society expects from a woman of her station. Industrious and unique, she’s created an emboldened organization for women on the cusp of marriage, The Duchess Society. Called a bluestocking to her face and worse behind closed salon doors, she vows to marry for love. And nothing but. Although the emotion has never shown itself to her. Until she meets him.
Bastard son of a viscount and king of London’s sordid streets, Tobias Streeter has spent a lifetime building his empire, and he needs the Duchess Society to find a suitable wife. An asset to expand his worth in society’s eyes. But he vows his search will have nothing to do with love and everything to do with vengeance. Until he meets her.
Soon, Tobias and Hildy’s plans are in turmoil as they choose between expectation, passion, and love.
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Once Upon a Devastatingly Sweet Kiss (The Whickertons in Love Book 4) by Bree Wolf
In this opposites-attract Regency romance by USA Today bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author BREE WOLF, an untamed lady and a proper duke are put to the test when they fall in love against all odds.
An untamed lady.
A proper duke.
And a love that goes against all the rules.
England 1803: LADY HARRIET BEAUMONT, daughter to the Earl of Whickerton, is a free spirit, always has been. She does as she pleases, determined to ignore society’s etiquette and demands, determined to remain unwed. Her heart tends to go out to those who have been mistreated, and over the course of a most eventful and somewhat scandalous life, Harriet – or “Harry”! – has nursed countless animals back to health.
A rabbit by the name of Sir Lancelot.
A talking parrot called King Arthur… or Biscuit as he insists.
A toad dubbed Prince Charming.
Most recently, however, a rather unusual creature crossed her path. He walks on two legs and speaks in complete sentences. His name?
The Duke of Clements.
Or as Harriet renamed him, Sweet Jack.
BRADLEY JACKSON, the DUKE OF CLEMENTS, lives a life of order and predictability… at least until he stumbles across a most unusual woman out in the woods. How she comes to be there – unaccompanied, mind you! – he does not know nor care; all he knows is that he needs to rid himself of her as fast as possible. After all, with one glance, Bradley can tell that this woman spells trouble.
Unfortunately, Lady Harriet is not so easily set aside, her insistence on seeking him out more than simply puzzling to Bradley. Instead of assisting his aunt in choosing his future duchess, Bradley suddenly finds his days occupied by a most troublesome hellion. No matter what he does, the lady simply will not stay away… and before long, Bradley is shocked to realize that he no longer wishes she would.
Could she possibly be the one? The woman meant to be his duchess? As shocking as that thought is, the more disturbing one is that Lady Harriet has sworn never to marry. What is a duke to do when he finds his heart stolen by the one woman in all of England who will not have him?
Get Your Copy!The Defiant Daughter (The Ashmead Heirs Book 2) by Caroline Warfield
Madelyn assumed marriage as an old man’s ornament would be better than life with her abusive mother. She was wrong.
Now the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, she wrestles with ugly memories and cultivates a simple life. She is content. At least, she was until her half-brother returned to Ashmead bringing a friend with knowing eyes and coal black hair to capture her thoughts.
Colonel Brynn Morgan’s days as an engineer in his father’s coal mines in Wales are long behind him. With peace come at last and Napoleon gone, he makes a life for himself analyzing the reports about military and naval facilities worldwide for a shadowy government department. What income he has is committed elsewhere. He has nothing to offer a wife, much less a dowager duchess.
More lies between the duchess and the man she wants than money and class. They have personal demons to slay.
Get Your Copy!Wild Lily: Those Notorious Americans, Book 1 by Cerise DeLand
An American heiress with a fortune—and no desire to wed for a drafty castle—or a cold, indifferent husband.
A marquess with a dim view of marriage, debts—and a conscience that won’t let him wed for money.
Lily Hanniford is an American heiress with beauty, wits–and the unique desire to wed for more than a drafty castle and a loveless marriage.
The Marquess of Chelton needs money. A lot of it. Not an affair. Especially not with the delightful American who believes wedded bliss should include such ridiculous ideas as laughter—and love.
But they both desire what they should not want—each other. Too bad, passion has prices. And both Lily and Chelton are caught. Is the cost of love too high a price to pay for Chelton? And is the cost of surrender too dear a price to pay for Lily?
Get Your Copy!Masks of Desire: A Second Chance Romance (The Gardner Girls) by Fenna Edgewood
Childhood sweethearts become forbidden lovers in this Shakespearean-esque second chance romance where secrets and lies throw two opposing families into turmoil.
Romeo and Juliet meet Henry and Caroline…
Caroline Gardner has always had her very own white knight. Her childhood sweetheart, Henry Gardner, is handsome, kind, and passionately in love with her. Or so she believes, until one day she is told everything she knows about Henry is a lie. In an instant, their long-time engagement is broken and Caroline’s world is shattered.
Henry Gardner has been told that the girl he’s loved all his life has cruelly betrayed him. But no matter what she may have done, his love for her will not dim. The only problem? She’s about to marry someone else.
Less than twenty-four hours until he’ll lose her for good…
Stealing an earl’s bride on the eve of her wedding might be an insurmountable challenge for some men, but Henry is determined to make sure Caroline knows that forever is a promise he means to keep. Even if doing so comes at a perilous price.
One boy. One girl. One future they must fight for together.
Her one true love may have returned, but after all he’s put her through, Caroline has no intention of falling back into his arms. But when she stumbles onto a terrible family secret, Caroline must make a leap of faith and put her heart in the hands of the one man she swore she’d never trust again.
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