Category: Historical Romance

What Happens in the Ballroom by Sabrina Jeffries

Posted March 29, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, Kensington Books, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

A young military widow, Eliza Pierce is enjoying both freedom and financial success as part of Elegant Occasions. When her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, hires Elegant Occasions to help another young widow of an officer become part of high society, Eliza wonders why. Is the woman a relative? Or is she the earl’s mistress and her adorable toddler his child? If so, why does he take Eliza in his arms every chance he gets . . .

Foxstead’s family situation makes it difficult for him to marry, so his visceral attraction to his best friend’s widow is an unwelcome complication. Burdened by family secrets and those of his commanding officer, he’s determined to do his duty even when it means being around Eliza every day. But how can he resist when the fetching Eliza keeps tempting him to break his own rules? For if he dares to expose the truth, will she ever forgive him? Or will she banish him from her life forever . . .

Titles in the Designing Debutantes series include — A Duke for Diana —♥— What Happens in the Ballroom —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

The Boxing Baroness by Minerva Spencer

Posted March 23, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, Kensington Books, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Magnetic and educated, Marianne Simpson has the manner of a lady and the looks of a lover, not a fighter. Neither of which explains her occupation as a boxer in her uncle’s circus, Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre. Nonetheless, when St. John Powell, the exquisitely handsome Duke of Staunton, begins turning up at her shows, she finds herself dangerously distracted by the powerful peer’s mysterious presence. With her safety at stake, Marianne’s days in the ring are numbered. But how long can she fight her attraction to the man the ton calls Lord Flawless?

St. John Powell doesn’t just want Marianne Simpson; he needs her … to rescue his brother, who is being held for ransom by a treasonous English baron—the man all of Britain knows as the Rake of Rakes. No matter how little Marianne wants to see her duplicitous ex-lover, the man responsible for the humiliating nickname of the Boxing Baroness, St. John must convince her. Even if it means climbing into the ring with the beautiful boxer and taking everything she’s got . . .

Titles in the Wicked Women of Whitechapel series include— The Boxing Baroness —♥— The Dueling Duchess —♥— The Cutthroat Countess —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

Yours Truly, The Duke by Amelia Grey

Posted March 20, 2023 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, St. Martin's Press / 0 Comments

Fredericka Hale needs a husband and fast. She’s been caring for her deceased sister’s three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn’t know—much less love, but she’ll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He’ll help her, and in return, they’ll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.

At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn’t marry by week’s end, he’ll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt’s solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London, so he’s free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke’s door, Wyatt can’t deny he’s always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give in to the fiery passion growing between them?

Titles in the Say I Do series include — Yours Truly, The Duke —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries

Posted March 15, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, Kensington Books, Owned, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Self-made civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse has unexpectedly inherited the dukedom of Grenwood. But he has a secret that could ruin his family. Hoping to save his timid sister from that fate, he seeks to marry her off to a respectable, protective gentleman. With the London Season imminent, Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to orchestrate her debut. Yet Lady Diana Harper, a spirited fashion expert, proves more than he bargained for. Suddenly, Geoffrey’s sister is emerging from her shell, and he is beleaguered with social invitations and gossip! Worse, Diana is attempting to transform him into a presentable duke—when all he really wants is to make her his own . . .

Diana doesn’t know what to make of the handsome, disheveled duke. The man bristles at the very idea that his fashion faux pas might spoil his sister’s chances. Yet Geoffrey’s stubbornness simply inspires Diana to ruffle his feathers—by setting him on a course of self-improvement. Although there’s something endearing, even irresistible about his flaws, can a man who hates the ton tolerate a woman who makes her living catering to them? Little does either know that they have more in common than they suspect—and that two can create a society all their own …

Titles in the Designing Debutantes series include — A Duke for Diana —♥— What Happens in the Ballroom —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard

Posted March 13, 2023 by Marsha in Author ARC, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Sourcebooks Casablanca / 2 Comments

This lady won’t let a savvy duke sway her from her mission.

The Duke of Thornbury, a retired agent of the Crown, has never lost a target. In a flirty game of cat and mouse, a spy must keep his enemy close in order to unravel the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

Lady Bronwyn Chase is far from the paragon of society that her mother expects her to be.

Which is why she’s on her brother’s passenger liner bound for America with a secret packet of letters that could get her into trouble. Serious trouble—the kind that a duke’s sister shouldn’t be in, the kind that puts spymaster Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, on her trail.

But as the duke gets closer to Bronwyn and the secrets she’s keeping, he’ll have to decide between the mysterious woman who calls to him or his allegiance to the Crown.

Titles in the Daring Dukes series include — The Princess Stakes —♥— Rules for Heiresses —♥— The Duke in Question —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

The Governess Diaries by Chasity Bowlin

Posted March 9, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Love lost and found…

As a girl, Euphemia Darrow had fallen desperately in love with the younger son of the Duke of Clarenden, Nicholas Montford. But he broke her heart with a cold dismissal before he left to join the army. Rather than pine for him, Effie found another purpose for her life. Forfeiting the notions of having a husband and children of her own, she poured her heart and soul into the Darrow School—her creation. It was a place for girls like herself… the illegitimate and often forgotten children of noblemen. She would rear those girls, teach them to fend for themselves, to retain their dignity and independence in a world of men.

Years later, fate brings Nicholas back into her life. Now the only surviving son, he is the heir to the dukedom, he’s also a master spy, working to protect the crown from threats foreign and domestic. Unable to resist the beautiful girl who has now grown into a remarkable and fascinating woman, Nicholas finds himself once more under Effie’s spell. All his efforts to protect her from his father’s wrath by ending their association have failed. But his father is now on his deathbed, and freedom lies ahead—freedom to finally pursue the life he’s always dreamed of… a life with Effie.

But the course of true love can never run smoothly. Confronted with evidence that Nicholas has done the unforgivable—fathering a child, Alexandra, and abandoning her to the horrors of the workhouse—Effie rejects him. When the scheming of his enemies places him at death’s door, Effie must accept that her feelings for him, despite her hurt, are as deep as ever. But Nicholas’ enemies will do whatever it takes to destroy him and anyone who is close to him.

With Effie and Alexandra in danger, he must move heaven and earth to keep them all safe… and to prove that he is worthy of her.

Titles in The Hellion Club series include — A Rogue to Remember —♥— Barefoot in Hyde Park —♥— Making Spirits Bright (Novella) —♥— What Happens in Piccadilly —♥— Sleepless in Southampton —♥— When an Earl Loves a Governess —♥— All I Want for Christmas (Novella) —♥— The Duke’s Magnificent Obsession —♥— The Governess Diaries —♥— A Dangerous Passion —♥— The Lady Confesses —♥— Has Anybody Seen My Earl? —♥— A Scandal on Park Lane —♥— Strangers on a Train —♥— All About Emily —♥— A Hellion Without A Cause —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

The Last Party at Silverton Hall by Rachel Burton

Posted March 8, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, NetGalley, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

A gripping and heartbreaking tale of family, duty, and the secrets we keep from those we love most.

Two women. Two centuries. A life-changing night…

1952: Vivien and Max collide in the thick London smog. Within a few years, their whirlwind romance sees them living a quiet life on the Norfolk coast, blissfully happy with their beautiful daughter – at least, that’s how it appears…

2019: Isobel is hoping for a fresh start when she inherits her beloved grandmother Vivien’s house in Silverton Bay. But when she discovers an old photograph of Vivien at one of the infamous parties held at Silverton Hall in the 1950s, Isobel is forced to question how well she really knew her grandmother. Silverton Hall is a place Vivien swore she never went and never would – but why would she lie? And what other secrets was she keeping?

Together with an old friend, Isobel searches for answers. But is she prepared for the truth?

NetGalley ARC

A Gentleman Ought to Know by Jane Ashford

Posted March 8, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Sourcebooks Casablanca / 0 Comments

Charlotte Deeping needs something to keep her occupied now that she’s back home after her first London season. She misses solving local intrigues with her school friends, but they’ve all gone off and gotten married.

Then Laurence Lindley, the Marquess of Glendarvon, comes for a visit and drops a mystery right into her lap.

When Charlotte’s brother makes her promise not to interrogate the marquess, she agrees.

But that only means she’ll have to find subtler ways to learn about the mysterious marquess and his past. The more time they spend together, the closer Charlotte gets to finding answers and to Laurence.

That is until Charlotte’s digging rouses an old vendetta, and Laurence has to delve into his own history to help the young lady he’s come to love.

Titles in The Duke’s Estates series include — The Duke Who Loved Me —♥— Earl on the Run —♥— Blame It on The Earl —♥— A Gentleman Ought to Know —♥— The Duke’s Best Friend —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

The Gunslinger’s Guide to Avoiding Matrimony by Michelle McLean

Posted February 8, 2023 by Marsha in Entangled Publishing, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Romantic Comedy (Rom-Com), Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, desperate-to-retire gunslinger Adam Brady has exactly two rules. And one of them is never, ever get married. So he’ll be danged when his dreams of permanently avoiding the bounty hunter on his tail in Desolation, the only town where notorious men like him can find respite, come with one helluva string attached. The town has a new rule: gunslingers welcome—if they get a job…or marry.

Without realizing it, Adam stumbles into a big town wedding and accidentally marries Nora Schumacher, a sassy-mouthed mountain of a woman with legs as long as his wanted poster. So what’s a gunslinger to do but get himself unhitched and find a job. Any job. Except Adam keeps getting fired, one odd circumstance after another. And he’s running out of options.

Desolation was supposed to be his safe haven. Except, he’s not only running from his past but from the irresistible woman he married. And worse, he’s finding that he rather likes the enticing, if damnably independent, wife of his. But some men just aren’t the marrying kind. Only, if he leaves, his own life won’t be worth living. If he stays, he puts the lives of his newfound family and the woman he loves on the line. So much for Desolation being the answer to all his problems.

Titles in the Gunslinger series (standalone) include — Hitched to the Gunslinger —♥— The Gunslinger’s Guide to Avoiding Matrimony —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

One Duke Down by Anna Bennett

Posted January 23, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, St. Martin's Press / 0 Comments

A FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTER
Miss Poppy Summers is determined to keep her family’s fishing business afloat. Her poor widowed father has fallen ill, and her foolhardy brother has moved to London, leaving her precious little time to read or pursue her own dreams. But she’ll do anything for her family, so she cheerfully spends mornings in her rowboat, casting her nets. The very last thing Poppy expects or wants to find tangled in them is a dangerously attractive man. Especially one with a head wound—who’s convinced he’s a duke.

AND A DUKE OUT OF WATER
Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, but he’s having the devil of a time convincing his fiery-haired rescuer of that fact. The truth is he came to the seaside resort of Bellehaven Bay to escape his life in London. Unfortunately, someone in Bellehaven wants to kill him—and he intends to find out who. He implores Poppy to tend to his injuries and hide him on her beach, reasoning it will be easier to find his attacker if that man assumes Keane is already dead. She wants no part of the scheme but can’t refuse the generous sum he offers in exchange for food and shelter while he recovers. It’s a mutually beneficial business arrangement…nothing more.

ARE ABOUT TO MAKE WAVES
Under Poppy’s care, Keane regains his strength—and a sense of purpose. As they work together to solve the puzzle of his would-be murderer, he’s dazzled by her rapier wit and adventurous spirit; she’s intrigued by his mysterious air and protective streak. Though Poppy’s past gives her every reason to mistrust someone like Keane, the seawalls around her heart crumble in the storm of their passion. But when clues hint at the prime suspect in Keane’s attempted murder, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie. Torn between the world she’s always known and the one she’s always dreamed of, she’ll need true love for a shot at her fairytale ending.

Titles in the Rogues to Lovers series include – Girls Before Earls —♥— One Duke Down —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake

Posted January 14, 2023 by Marsha in Debut Title, Entangled Publishing, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Sexual Content, Standalone / 0 Comments

Miss Julia Beaumont has exactly one night to find herself a husband…

The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do—rich, poor, even a reasonably well-groomed walrus. But all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke.

Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss—scandal be damned. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.

And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him. After all, the lady needs a husband, and this roguish duke will certainly do. It’s simply a matter of making him the perfect scandalous offer…

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Standalone (debut)