Historical Romance
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The Gladiator’s Goddess by Amy Hearst
Nardine desires two things: her freedom and a baby, in that order. When she discovers she is pregnant to a gladiator recently killed in the arena, she decides to run away, but she needs help. Enter Abedi, an African gladiator who flirts with her almost from the start. But Abedi is injured, so she looks first at other gladiators to help her in her escape plan. Abedi discovers this, and is there to support her when the master of the ludus finds her out. Together, they plot to get away so the two of them and the baby can find a life of freedom.
Sonetos del Amor y susContrarios by Mariana Lidia Torres Perez
In Spanish, the pain of letting go, the lense through which this author filters her soul to later pour it over these poems, is called “desamor” (loosely, “unlove”). Mariana Torres’ “Sonetosdel Amor y susContrarios” is both witty and playful, painful and passionate. “Unlove” is one of the hazards of loving. These remarkable poems, one of its fortunate byproducts.
The Moloch Caper by Victor Pilgrim
In a time set some where in the future of an alternate Earth. A detective of Israelite blood finds himself embroiled in several cases that lead him and his Orthodox Jewish tinkerer friend down a road that will end with the confrontation of an ancient enemy of the Jews long forgotten.
Let’s Misbehave by Rae Summers
Passion simmers from the moment wild child and dedicated Flapper Gabrielle meets staid aristocrat Sebastian. When she discovers the adventurous spirit beneath his serious demeanour, she seduces him into a last fling before he settles for a loveless marriage.
His is a life of duty and tradition, hers is a pursuit of freedom and pleasure, so this can never be more than a brief affair.
But as the Twenties roar to their conclusion, will Gabrielle survive falling in love with the one man she cannot have? And will Sebastian be able to settle for less than the woman he loves?
RT Book Reviews: “Let’s Misbehave is a romp through 1920s England that is sure to delight.”
Diary of a Wildflower by Ruth White
Award-winning children’s book author, Ruth White, bases her first novel for adults on her own mother’s early years in the Virginia mountains. Emerging from a heartbreaking childhood, Lorelei leaves Starr Mountain. Coming of age in the roaring twenties, she is dazzled by the carefree world of flappers and bobbed hair, the Charleston and the IT girl, Prohibition, and the notorious speakeasies. Most important she finds men who are handsome, well-bred, well-educated, and reek of old money. As a mere wildflower, she doubts she can ever compete with the exotic orchids in this new world. But after a visit back home she comes to realize her own power, which will help her break the cycle of hopelessness among the women of her family.
As a kid you loved Belle Prater’s Boy. As a teen you loved Weeping Willow. Now, as an adult, you will love Diary of a Wildflower.
The Gladiator’s Girl by Amy Hearst
Rue, a slave girl in an ancient Roman ludus, has been searching for love all her life. Her mistress often gives her to victorious gladiators for pleasure at their school as a reward for competence in the arena.But Rue has only experienced cruelty in the bedroom until she meets Ducius,a muscled and handsome gladiator who relishes their couplings and,more important, Rue’s wilting spirit. He treats her gently and nurtures her.But the shadow of death haunts them whenever Ducius sets foot upon the sands of the arena, and Rue is certain she will never escape the bonds of slavery. Can they find happiness together?
Of Moths and Butterflies by V.R. Christensen
Archer Hamilton is a collector of rare and beautiful insects. Gina Shaw is a servant in his house. Out of place in so low a position, she becomes a source of fascination. A girl with a blighted past, Gina has lowered herself in order to find escape from her family and their scheming designs. All she wants is the freedom to live her life as she would wish. All her aunts want is the money she has inherited. An arranged marriage might turn out profitable for more parties than one. Mr. Hamilton is about to make the acquisition of a lifetime. But will the price be worth it?
My Knightly Dreams by Brittany Jo James
Now eligible for courtship, many men hope to be the lucky groom selected to marry the Duke and Duchess of Crawley’s beautiful daughter, Farren Montbassen. Farren only considers one man acceptable- a notorious knight enjoying a carefree life with little interest in the prospect of marriage. Sir Patton Caswell cannot help but be intrigued by the beauty and grace of the spirited young woman. Everything seems to be falling into place until a rejected suitor and his father decide to take matters of Farren’s marriage into their own hands.
The forthcoming Marquess of Farnborough, Bayard Norshire, plans to scare Farren into marriage by giving her an ultimatum- marriage, or the death of her family. By kidnapping the Duke and Duchess of Crawley, Bayard thinks he holds their young daughter’s future in his hands. Sent to the rescue by King Edward III, Patton takes Farren on a journey of a lifetime to save the Duke and Duchess before Farren is forced into marriage with the despicable young Marquess.
At Least I’m Pretty by Brittany Jo James
Prince Dimitrie seems to have tough luck waiting for him around every corner. His most recent problems, a dangerous clan of gypsies threatening his life and his father presenting an ultimatum that he must marry within thirty days or lose his crown to his vehement sister, completely exasperate the young man. However, things appear to turn around when he unexpectedly meets a beautiful and seemingly eligible bride in a neighboring village. The fascinating and mysterious young woman steals his heart but with his history of bad breaks he cannot help but wonder if the captivating beauty is too good to be true.
Emerald Baillie is growing weary in her ploy to intimidate the supercilious Prince of Moldavia into releasing her imprisoned brothers. The stunning Duchess of Little Egypt confidently leads her life as gypsy royalty but trying to guide a large group of wayward menaces and keep them out of trouble proves tiresome, even for the poised young woman. With all the pressure resting on her shoulders she panics more and more each day. Fortunately for Emerald, Prince Dimitrie unintentionally makes her search for revenge against him much easier. However, sticking to her mischievous plan by abandoning all emotion and guilt is not as simple when her heart becomes involved.
Winter Fire by Kathy Fischer-Brown
When Ethan Caine pulled the unconscious woman from the half-frozen creek, he had no idea that his world was about to explode. Dressed in quilled doeskin of Iroquois design, she stirred up dark secrets from his past. At the same time, she was everything he desired. But she was more Indian than white, and on the run for murder. He needed to know the truth. He needed to find it within himself to trust her.
Banished by the Seneca Indians who had adopted and raised her, ostracized by the whites in the settlement, Zara Grey wanted only to be accepted. “Ethancaine” treated her with kindness and concern. It was easy to trust him. But her Indian ways disturbed him, and in her heart she would always be Seneca.
“Kathy Fischer-Brown weaves a tale of intrigue set to a backdrop of history and romance. The story moves along, keeps you interested right up to the end, and the love story between Zara and Ethan is tender and heartwarming. The author does an excellent job of weaving in the cultures clashing against each other, the unfounded prejudices of societies that don’t understand each other, while still keeping the focus on the romance. This is a touching story, the characters are vivid, the history is accurate, and the details really give the story a sense of place.”
— The Romance Studio
