• Book cover of The Duke Alone
    Best Historical Romance Books

    The Duke Alone by Christi Caldwell

    For an abandoned lady and a reclusive duke, the winter season brings a swirl of romance—and danger.

    Lady Myrtle McQuoid has always felt a little forgotten, and this season is no exception. When her boisterous family vacates their London townhouse for the country, Myrtle finds she’s been left behind. But she just needs to stay warm, keep her belly full, and distract herself until her relatives realize their mistake and turn back to collect her. Surely that won’t take long. Brooding widower Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, has shut himself off from the world. He craves blessed solitude—a loyal dog, a silent house, and his own company are all he requires. Certainly not the nonstop chattering of the joyful, opinionated young woman next door. But with a potential threat lurking in the winter shadows, Myrtle may need to pluck up the nerve to approach the reclusive duke. And Val is not one to turn his back on a vulnerable lady. Amid the silent nights of London, beneath a blanket of snow, could the light of a new, warm love be kindling? The author’s messages in her novels:

    “I believe there are so many messages contained within the pages of a book. As an author, I want my readers to find whatever message they may within a book. Sometimes, I’ll receive emails or read reviews about something they came away with from the story and I’ll say ‘hmm, I didn’t necessarily think of that…’ and I love that words are meaningful and special to us all in different ways.”

    Christi Caldwell

     

     

  • Book cover of Romance Me Viscount
    Best Historical Romance Books

    Romance Me, Viscount by Kate Archer

    One Fanciful Lady and One Fed Up Lord.

    Lady Beatrice Bennington, the eldest of five daughters of the Earl of Westmont, is poised to take her place among the ton. The Benningtons are on their way to Portland Place and Beatrice is coming prepared. Her dear aunt, Miss Eloise Mayton, a lady who has raised them since their mother’s passing, has been exceedingly helpful in directing her efforts. Beatrice has composed a well-considered list of requirements for any would-be suitor. He must have the courage of Beowulf, the strength of Hercules, the derring-do of Robin Hood, as gallant as Sir Gawain, the depth of feelings of Shakespeare, and the stalwart heart of Henry the Fifth. He must be violently in love, tearing his hair out, and challenging other suitors to a duel. He might even threaten to do a violence to himself. Though, Beatrice would prefer only threats to do a violence to himself. She is not unreasonable. Matthew Lawson, Viscount Van Doren, is the Bennington’s closest neighbor. And, as far as he can see, the closest person approximating any sort of rationality and sense. He has spent years attempting to counter Miss Mayton’s wild ideas and bizarre stories of romance. It has been a losing battle and now he follows the Benningtons to Town. All he can do at this point is be prepared to pick Beatrice up when she is knocked down by her own wrong-headed ideas. At least, that’s what he thought he would be doing. As it turns out, Beatrice is surrounded by hopeful lotharios, including a particular duke. Matthew is certain they are all after Beatrice’s dowry and, therefore, they must all be driven off. Beatrice Bennington is set on finding herself a lovesick lunatic, and she just might get one. The author’s favorite types of characters to write:

    “My favorite characters, which I think I do a lot of, are victims of their own human foibles. In A Very Fine Muddle series, the books are filled with these people… The daughters of the series are all so approving of one another that none of them ever know what they’re bad at… With the family’s constant and enthusiastic approval, all the sisters cannot help but be rather confident in their genius.”

    Kate Archer

     

     

  • Book cover of Grace
    Best Historical Romance Books

    Grace by Beverley Watts

    In this Regency romantic comedy series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it…

    Reverend Augustus Shackleford’s mission in life (aside from ensuring the collection box was suitably full every Sunday) was to secure advantageous marriages for each of his eight daughters. A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness. Grievously wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nicholas Sinclair was only recently returned to Blackmore after receiving news of his estranged father’s unexpected death. After an absence of twenty years, the new Duke was well aware it was his duty to marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible. However, tormented by recurring nightmares after his horrific experiences during the battle, Nicholas had no taste to brave the ton’s marriage mart in search of a docile obedient wife. Never in his wildest dreams did Reverend Shackleford envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the new Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it a bit in describing Grace as respectful, meek or dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all. A 5 star review:

    “Although this book is sad and moving at times, it is also hilariously funny. Grace and Nicholas’ story is charming even if the path to true love is filled with potholes! Augustus has me in stitches as he really doesn’t get his part in what goes wrong. His curate, Percy, well and truly has a cross to bear! Really enjoyable!.”

    Shirley Hamlod–Goodreads

     

     

  • Book cover of The Pirate's Desire
    Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Best Historical Romance Books

    The Pirate’s Desire by Jennette Green

    Seventeen-year-old Lady Lucinda wants her freedom back. But an orphaned young woman has no property rights in regency England; indeed, she has few rights at all. . .

    After Lucinda’s father is killed in action, he leaves her under the guardianship of a former pirate, the devastatingly handsome Captain Riel Montclair. Riel is a barbaric rogue, however, as he demonstrates the very first evening he arrives. Montclair clearly has a will of iron, which frustrates Lucinda beyond measure. Even more distressing, once Riel signs the legal papers with the solicitor, he will not only dictate her choice of a husband, but he’ll financially control her centuries old estate, Ravensbrook, too. Neither idea sits well with Lucinda, who has ruled her own life for the past two years. Is Montclair planning to plunder Ravensbrook for his own personal gain? Additionally, Lucinda overhears him telling his disreputable-looking first mate that if the British Navy becomes suspicious of his past, he will lose his ship. What dastardly secret is he hiding? How could her tender-hearted father have come to trust such a dangerous man? Lucinda must protect Ravensbrook, and her future, at all costs. But how far is she willing to go to get Riel out of her life, and ensure her freedom? A note from the author:

    “In the Pirate’s Desire, Riel does not believe he is worthy of love. By the end, does Lucy change his mind? … I love to write stories that show we are each worthy to be loved and cherished, just the way we are. “

    Jennette Green

     

     

  • Book cover of It had to be a Duke
    Best Historical Romance Books

    It Had to be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

    A sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…

    Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood? Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé! One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy. The author inspiration for the series:

    “The family is led by parents who were part of a theater troop, and I guess it kind of goes back to the playwriting days where I wanted the mom and the dad to be really colorful characters. Then I started thinking about who their kids would be and just the Liars Club just sort of came to me. Then I thought, ‘Well I’m gonna name the kids after the virtues that the parents didn’t really possess.’”

    Vivienne Lorret