Welcome to Historically Yours where I share some of my top Historical Romance picks for the second half of February.
Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas (2/18)
[The Ravenels series #6]
Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough that he can satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything — or anyone — is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife — and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love — the one thing he can’t give.
Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win.
When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants — or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride: Never underestimate a Ravenel.
Promised by Leah Garriott (2/18)
Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.
There’s only one problem: His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match — to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage — to Lord Williams.
Under no conditions will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt.
For the Sake of a Scottish Rake by Anna Bradley (2/18)
[Besotted Scots series #3]
After a sheltered upbringing, Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe is finally embarking on her first season, eager to experience everything she’s missed. When Lucy realizes that her uncle plans to quickly marry her off in exchange for a slice of her fortune, she begs a favor of a new acquaintance, Ciaran Ramsey. If Lucy remains single until she turns twenty-one, she — and her money — will be out of her uncle’s power. All the charming Scot needs to do is woo her for six weeks, and then jilt her.
The Ramseys don’t need the scandal of a false engagement attached to their name. But Lucy’s older suitor is both distasteful and dangerous, and Ciaran can’t allow his lovely friend to be forced to marry such a man. And besides, the more time Ciaran spends with his new “betrothed,” the more their ruse begins to feel very much like the real thing.
Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor (2/25)
[The Cavensham Heiresses series #6] [Excerpt]
Her first marriage was an epic fail. Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves which is helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry — that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.
Devan Farris is charming vicar, a reputed rake and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian. He has reluctantly arrived in town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs. He’s not one to tread on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after? But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation — even though he has never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside — a good, true soul looking for its other half.
His Secret Mistress by Cathy Maxwell (2/25)
[A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series]
At the Logical Men’s Society — an exclusive bachelor’s club — brandy flows like water, bawdy stories abound, and a gentleman tempted to marry is always persuaded to reconsider.
Brandon Balfour made the mistake of trusting his heart to the exquisite, strong-willed actress, Kate Addison, with whom he shared one intimate night before fate intervened. Now a decade later, Brandon is a leading member of the Logical Men’s Society — for no woman since Kate has managed to captivate him.
To Kate, the memory of that night still burns strongly, because it was followed by a stunning betrayal. A chance encounter may have brought Brandon back into her life, but that doesn’t mean Kate will ever forgive him. She’s vowed to make him pay — even as she realizes the promises of the young love they once shared are still etched upon her heart.
Engaged to the Earl by Lisa Berne (2/25)
[Penhallow Dynasty series #4]
Christopher Beck comes striding into a glamorous London drawing-room and cannot believe his eyes. The last time he’d seen Gwendolyn Penhallow, she was a dreamy, strong-willed girl with a wild imagination, and now she’s a beautiful and beguiling young lady…who’s engaged to Society’s darling the Earl of Westenbury. Christopher had fled England to seek adventure elsewhere. Has he found it here too — the most delightful adventure of his life?
Gwendolyn is sure she’s betrothed to the most wonderful man in the world. But then, shockingly, Christopher Beck shows up. Nobody has heard from him in years — and not only is he very much alive, he’s also sinfully attractive, blithely unconventional and disturbingly fun to be with. Which wouldn’t be a problem, except for the fact that she’s, well, promised to another. And just what on earth is she going to do about that?
Every Bit a Rogue by Adrienne Basso (2/25)
[The Ellinghams series #4]
Jon Burwell, Viscount Kendall, knows what the gossips say about him. They claim he’s been a dejected, half-mad recluse ever since he was jilted at the altar. The simple truth is that Jon has thrown all the passion he once had for his fiancée into his latest mechanical invention. But his single-minded existence has lately been shattered by repeated encounters with Miss Emma Ellingham, his neighbor’s intriguing sister-in-law.
Painting and sketching have been Emma’s consolation since her own secret heartbreak. When she stumbles upon the viscount’s workshop, his machine revives her artistic imagination. The gentleman himself is even more fascinating — and deeply seductive. When Jon is accused of a crime, Emma risks her good name for his sake. But though the threat of scandal compels them to wed, only courage can overcome their pasts, and allow desire to transform into love.
The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries (2/25)
[Duke Dynasty series #2]
Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore.
With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her — or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist.
An Inconvenient Duke by Anna Harrington (2/25)
[Lords of the Armory series #1]
Marcus Braddock, former general and newly appointed Duke of Hampton, is back from war. Now, not only is he surrounded by the utterly unbearable ton, he’s mourning the death of his beloved sister, Elise. Marcus believes his sister’s death wasn’t an accident, and he’s determined to learn the truth — starting with Danielle Williams, his sister’s beautiful best friend.
Danielle is keeping deadly secrets of her own. She has dedicated her life to a charity that helps abused women — the same charity Elise was working for the night she died. When Danielle’s work puts her life in danger, Marcus comes to her rescue. But Danielle may not be the one in need of rescuing.
