Welcome to Historically Yours where I am sharing some of my top Historical Romance picks for the second half of April and the first half of May. This list is long because it combines a month’s worth of new releases worth noting.
First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn (4/21)
[Rokesby series #4, a Bridgerton prequel] [Excerpt]
Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t against the idea of marriage. She’d just thought she’d have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she’s abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he’s close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time — or interest — to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton — his literal girl-next-door — is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she’d say no. Georgie doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends…or could they?
Gone with the Rogue by Amelia Grey (4/28)
[First Comes Love series #2] [Excerpt]
The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life — but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.
Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half a dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide-open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn as his son. But she won’t take his hand. How can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?
The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham (4/28)
[Society of Sirens series #1]
Seraphina Arden’s passions include equality, amorous affairs, and wild wine-soaked nights. To raise funds for her cause, she’s set to publish explosive memoirs exposing the powerful man who ruined her. Her ideals are her purpose, her friends are her family and her paramours are forbidden to linger in the morning.
Adam Anderson is a wholesome, handsome, widowed Scottish architect, with two young children, a business to protect and an aversion to scandal. He could never, ever afford to fall for Seraphina. But her indecent proposal — one month, no strings, no future — proves too tempting for a man who strains to keep his passions buried with the losses of his past.
What began as a fling soon forces them to confront painful secrets — and yearnings they thought they’d never have again. But when Seraphina discovers Adam’s future depends on the man she’s about to destroy, she must decide what to protect…her desire for justice or her heart.
The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan (4/28)
[Rogue Files series #6]
Charlotte Langley has always been the prudent middle sister, so her family is not surprised when she makes the safe choice and agrees to wed her childhood sweetheart. But when she finds herself under the weather and drinks a “healing” tonic, the potion provokes the most maddening desire…for someone other than her betrothed.
Kingston’s rakehell ways are going to destroy him, and he’s vowed to change. His stepbrother’s remote estate is just the place for a reformed rogue to hide. The last thing he wants is to be surrounded by society, but when he gets stuck alone with a wallflower who is already betrothed…and she astonishes him with a fiery kiss, he forgets all about hiding.
Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter (4/28)
[A Duke’s Heiress series #1]
Minerva Hepplewhite has learned the hard way how to take care of herself. When an intruder breaks into her home, she doesn’t swoon or simper. Instead she wallops the rogue over the head and ties him up — only to realize that he is Chase Radnor, a gentleman, a grandson of a lord and a man who makes it his business to investigate suspicious matters. Now he’s insisting that Minerva has inherited a fortune from his uncle, a wealthy duke. Only one thing could surprise her more — her sudden attraction to this exasperating man.
Chase can’t decide whether Minerva is a wronged woman or a femme fatale. Either way, he’s intrigued. Maddeningly, with her unexpected inheritance, she has set up a discreet detective business to rival Chase’s own. She may be the perfect person to help him uncover the truth about his uncle’s demise.
Felice by Kathleen Bittner Roth (4/28)
[Bayou Bad Boys series #1]
When beautiful shipping heiress Felicité Marielle Christiane Andrews finally returns to New Orleans after two years abroad, she does not expect to come face to face with the man she cannot forget — or to find him more captivating than ever. Now she must remind herself that she:
Lives a fabulous life in England
Is engaged to marry a fine man of nobility
Cannot allow the wicked Cajun back into her life…
Charismatic René Thibodeaux, illegitimate son of a voodoo witch, has worked hard to rise above his poverty-stricken bayou youth. He’s put his thieving and womanizing days behind him and earned a high-ranking position at Felice’s father’s company. Seeing her again intensifies his longing for her — and his deep remorse for his past foolishness. But despite his success, he must remind himself:
He is unworthy of Felice in every way
She is forbidden fruit
He will do anything to win her — even risk his life…
A Duke Too Far by Jane Ashford (4/28)
[The Way to a Lords Heart series #4]
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is mourning the loss of his sister Delia, but the work of keeping his family’s deteriorating estate afloat is never done. When Miss Ada Grandison, a close friend of his sister, arrives with a mysterious letter that she claims holds the secret to saving the family home, Peter is skeptical to say the least. Ada is eager to do whatever she can to help the Rathbones because of her close friendship with Delia. She brings clues that Delia had claimed would change everything for the family and that lead Ada and Peter on a hunt to unravel the past.
The Mysterious Miss Fairchild by Sarah Mallory (5/1)
[Excerpt]
Natalya Fairchild can’t help but be drawn to Tristan Quintrell, Lord Dalmorren, with his effortless charisma, even if he’s not her intended bridegroom. Tristan is an eligible society catch…whereas Natalya’s unknown heritage could label her ruined. As Tristan helps Natalya investigate her mysterious past, she starts to hope the truth of her conception won’t destroy her prospects…of a life with Tristan!
Their Marriage of Inconvenience by Sophia James (5/1)
[Excerpt]
For Adelia Worthington, only marrying railway magnate Simeon Morgan will secure her family’s home. In return, she’ll give Simeon a place in society. A marriage is the last thing either wants, especially when it’s clear this self-made man thinks she’s a pampered heiress! But what’s even more inconvenient than their marriage is that the sparks of fury that fly between them are igniting a simmering desire that won’t be ignored.
The Temptations of Lord Tintagel by Bronwyn Scott (5/1)
[The Cornish Dukes series #3]
Inigo’s best friend’s life was cut brutally short by his association with the lovely Audevere Brenley and her father. Now Inigo seeks justice. But never did he dream that his greatest ally would be Audevere herself. What begins as business is branded with passion as Inigo rediscovers the intrepid, determined woman he thought he knew. His most dangerous revelation? His own feelings for her.
His Runaway Lady by Joanna Johnson (5/1)
Shunned by society because of his parentage, half-Roma blacksmith Fell Barden lives a simple life alone in the forest until his peace is disturbed by an injured runaway lady. Fleeing a forced marriage, Sophia Somerlock needs his help. Caring for the intriguing miss, Fell feels an intense connection to her. The obvious solution is to save her by marrying her himself…but that would mean returning to the ton that rejected him.
Stages of the Heart by Jo Goodman (5/5)
[Excerpt]
Experience has taught Laurel to be wary of men who pass through Morrison Station. But newcomer McCall Landry isn’t just any gunslinger. He seems to genuinely care for Laurel, and with his rugged good looks and mysterious past, he could be the one man to finally tempt her off track… Laurel Morrison took Call by surprise. Charmed by her clever wit and fierce loyalty, he finds himself falling hard. Now all he has to do is convince her he means to stay–in her bed, in her life, and in her heart.
Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack (5/5)
[Mayfield Family series #3]
Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over, and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.
Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an alley.
When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry had once shown her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on a rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.
How to Catch an Errant Earl by Amy Rose Bennett (4/28)
[The Disreputable Debutantes series #2]
After being expelled from a young ladies’ academy, it seems Miss Arabella Jardine will never find a well-connected husband. Not that she minds. A bluestocking at heart, she’d rather bury her nose in a medical text than marry. When Arabella is forced to accompany her family on a Grand Tour in Switzerland, she unexpectedly encounters the irresistible rakehell-in-exile, Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale. Arabella soon realizes the only thing worse than getting married to a charismatic but unrepentant rake would be to fall in love with him.
Dubbed the Errant Earl by the ton, Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald is no stranger to scandal. However, when Gabriel is caught in flagrante delicto with the utterly delectable Arabella Jardine, he’s obliged to offer for her hand. He’ll endeavor to do the right thing even though he’s not a prize catch. He’ll certainly never let Arabella get close enough to discover the demons of his dark past. Indeed, there is one particular demon out to destroy Gabriel by exposing a long-buried family secret.
