Regency romances are a subgenre of romance novels set during the period of the British Regency (1811-1820) or early 19th century. Enterprising authors have, however, managed to make it stretch from roughly 1800 to the 1830s until Queen Victoria comes along in 1837 and ruins the Regency party.
Regency Faerie Tales Series, Book 1
Half a Soul
Olivia Atwater
It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul. Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment—an unfortunate condition that leaves her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season—but when Elias Wilder, the strange, handsome, and utterly ill-mannered Lord Sorcier, discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into peculiar and dangerous faerie affairs. If her reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all high society, then she and her family may yet reclaim their normal place in the world. But the longer Dora spends with Elias, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love even with only half a soul.
Read More View in CatalogThe Secret of Pembrooke Park
Julie Klassen
Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister. Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play... The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure. This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house. Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past. As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?
Read More View in CatalogWestcott Series, Book 8
Someone to Cherish
Mary Balogh
Mrs Tavernor has always firmly believed it is not. When Harry Westcott lost the title Earl of Riverdale after the discovery of his father's bigamy, he shipped off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, where he was near-fatally wounded. After a harrowing recovery, the once cheery, light-hearted boy has become a reclusive, somber man. Though Harry insists he enjoys the solitude, he does wonder sometimes if he is lonely. Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, dreams of taking a lover. Her marriage to Reverend Isaiah Tavernor was one of service and obedience, and she has secretly enjoyed her freedom since his death. She doesn't want to shackle herself to another man in marriage, but sometimes, she wonders if she is lonely.? Both are unwilling to face the truth until they find themselves alone together one night, and Lydia surprises even herself with a simple question: 'Are you ever lonely?' Harry's answer leads them down a path neither could ever have imagined.
Read More View in CatalogRavenels Series, Book 2
Marrying Winterborne
Lisa Kleypas
A ruthless tycoon Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better . . . A sheltered beauty Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys's determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen's gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys's enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable . . . the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss.
Read More View in CatalogArabella
Georgette Heyer
Arabella's one little while lie has spread through the ton like wildfire... Arabella Tallant, modest daughter of a country clergyman, is on her way to her first London Season when her carriage breaks down outside the estate of the wealthy and bored Mr. Robert Beaumaris. Beau assumes she's simply another young lady throwing herself in his path, which goads the impetuous Arabella into pretending she's an heiress. Much to Arabella's dismay, rather than being brutally set-down, as she intended, Beaumaris is deeply amused. He counters by launching her into high society, which Arabella would enjoy very much if it wasn't for the fortune hunters. Arabella's unpredictable and innocent ways force Beaumaris to start helping others, including a stray dog, an unfortunate urchin, and eventually Arabella's reckless young brother. Along the way, Arabella and Beaumaris become more and more intrigued with each other—which neither will admit, of course, until under extreme duress.
Read More View in CatalogSmythe-Smith Quartet Series, Book 1
Just Like Heaven
Julia Quinn
Honoria Smythe-Smith is: A) a really bad violinist B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child C) not in love with her older brother's best friend D) all of the above Marcus Holroyd is: A) the Earl of Chatteris B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles C) not in love with his best friend's younger sister D) all of the above Together they: A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake B) survive a deadly fever and the world's worst musical performance C) fall quite desperately in love It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . . D) all of the above
Read More View in CatalogRegency Vows Series, Book 1
To Have and to Hoax
Martha Waters
The course of true love - or irritation - never did run smooth. Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and married. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since. Their once-passionate love may have dissolved into cold, detached politeness, but when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse, she races to be by his side - only to discover him alive, well, and baffled by her concern. Outraged, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own to teach her estranged husband a lesson. And so begins an ever-escalating game of manipulation - and a great deal of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. In this warring marriage, which spouse will be the victor? And will the real prize be winning back the love they each thought they'd lost?
Read More View in CatalogA Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting
Sophie Irwin
When Kitty Talbot is jilted by her fiancé three months before their wedding, the future looks dark. Without his fortune to pay off her late father’s gambling debts, she and her four sisters face certain ruin. But Kitty has never backed down from a challenge, so she leaves the countryside and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of Regency England: The London Season. The aim is simple: find a wealthy bachelor to wed in order save the Talbot family from destitution. Kitty is neither accomplished nor all that genteel, but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with her father’s gambling spirit, Kitty knows that risk is just part of the game. What she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe, elder brother of the deliciously wealthy Archibald de Lacy. Radcliffe sees Kitty for the fortune-hunter that she really is, and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs.
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