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9 Historical Romance Novels with Pregnant Heroines

It is not too hard to find pregnant heroines in historical romance novels. 

Romances, after all, focus on a relationship between two lovers (usually cis-heterosexual), and there is nothing that adds stakes to a love affair than a baby. 

Sometimes the heroine starts out pregnant and needs to convince her lover to marry her, or considers herself an unfit partner for the man she really loves because she is expecting someone else’s child.

More often, the pregnancy arrives later in the book, right when the hero and heroine stop speaking. 

If you’re looking for any kind of historical romance with a pregnant heroine, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’m sharing eight books I read and enjoyed (plus one that I wrote!) that include pregnancy in the plot. As a bonus, these are a little off the beaten track, so you might not have read them yet!

(Warning: light, pregnancy-related spoilers ahead!)

Here are 9 Historical Romance Novels with Pregnant Heroines that I Recommend: Lady at Last by Annabelle AndersAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.28Pregnant Plot: “Accidental” baby breeds a marriage of convenience!

Synopsis:

She can't make a baby without a husband! Or can she?

After witnessing the miracle of birth, self-determined spinster Miss Penelope Crone is having second thoughts about swearing off marriage. She wants – no, she needs – to experience the blessed event herself. Dear God, she’s practically thirty! Time is running out!

Hugh Chesterton, Viscount Danbury, is relatively intelligent, good looking, unmarried, and most importantly, close at hand. With a little décolletage, a sway of the hips, and a few drinks of brandy, Penelope is certain she can extract a respectable offer.

If only she’d accounted for the power of passion.

Because unchecked lust takes over, leaving Penelope in a most precarious predicament. And Lord Danbury –– the goose-brained jackanapes –– is proving far less attainable than she’d imagined.

Is Penelope to be cast out of society or will Lord Danbury take a leap of faith and save her from ruin? He'd better act fast if he's going to make her his lady. His Lady At Last...

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana QuincyAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.92Pregnant Plot: Accidental baby breeds a marriage of convenience!

Synopsis:

The new footman doesn't seem to know his place...

London's most renowned mapmaker is a woman...but nobody knows it. If anyone discovers that Rose Fleming is the power and talent behind the family business, the scandal could ruin them. Rose's secret is tested by the arrival of a handsome new footman who shows far too much interest in his new mistress. Rose battles an intense attraction to the enigmatic servant, but maintaining a proper distance isn't easy when you and temptation live under the same roof.

Few have met the reclusive half-Arab Marquess of Brandon, who is rumored to live with a harem of beauties among his mother's people near Jerusalem. Brandon couldn't care less what society thinks of him, or that his fellow peers are disdainful of his common blood, but he won't stand for being robbed. That's why he's disguised himself as a footman in the home of a respected mapmaker who cheated Brandon out of his land. But the nobleman's plans for retribution are complicated by his growing attraction for the secretive lady of the house.

When Brandon uncovers the shocking truth about Rose's role in his stolen birthright, can a love born of deception really conquer all?

A Lady Awakened by Cecilia GrantAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.72Pregnant Plot: Hero and heroine meet illicitly to get pregnant!

Synopsis: 

Newly widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring plan to conceive. After all, if she has an heir on the way, her future will be secured. Forsaking all she knows of propriety, Martha approaches her neighbor, a London exile with a wicked reputation, and offers a strictly business a month of illicit interludes . . . for a fee.

Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how can he resist this siren in widow’s weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously tempting to decline? Determined she’ll get her money’s worth, Theo endeavors to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty to the pleasures of the flesh—only to find her dead set against taking any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can’t resist him forever. But could a lady’s sweet surrender open their hearts to the most unexpected arrival of all . . . love?

The Rakess by Scarlett PeckhamAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.85Pregnant Plot: Accidental baby reunites the hero and heroine!

Synopsis:

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.

A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia VincyAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.12Pregnant Plot: Accidental baby reunites the hero and heroine!

Synopsis:

Cassandra DeWitt has seen her husband only once--on their wedding day two years earlier--and this arrangement suits her perfectly. She has no interest in the rude, badly behaved man she married only to secure her inheritance. She certainly has no interest in his ban on her going to London. Why, he'll never even know she is there.

Until he shows up in London too, and Cassandra finds herself sharing a house with the most infuriating man in England.

Joshua DeWitt has his life exactly how he wants it. He has no need of a wife disrupting everything, especially a wife intent on reforming his behavior. He certainly has no need of a wife who is intolerably amiable, insufferably reasonable ... and irresistibly kissable.

As the unlikely couple team up to battle a malicious lawsuit and launch Cassandra's wayward sister, passion flares between them. Soon the day must come for them to part ... but what if one of them wants their marriage to become real?

Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa DareAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.86Pregnant Plot: Accidental baby helps hero and heroine fall in love

Synopsis:

The bastard son of a nobleman, Julian Bellamy is now polished to perfection, enthralling the ton with wit and charm while clandestinely plotting to ruin the lords, ravish the ladies, and have the last laugh on a society that once spurned him. But after meeting Leo Chatwick, a decent man and founder of an elite gentlemen’s club, and Lily, Leo’s enchanting sister, Julian reconsiders his wild ways. And when Leo’s tragic murder demands that Julian hunt for justice, he vows to see the woman he secretly loves married to a man of her own class.

Lily, however, has a very different husband in mind.  She’s loved Julian forever, adores the man beneath the rakish façade, and wants to savor the delicious attraction they share—as his wife. His insistence on marrying her off only reinforces her intent to prove that he is the only man for her. Obsessed with catching a killer, Julian sinks back to the gutters of his youth, forcing Lily to reach out with a sweet, reckless passion Julian can’t resist. Can her desire for a scoundrel save them both—or will dangerous secrets threaten more than their tender love?

The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie LinAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.76Pregnant Plot: Accidental baby helps the hero and heroine stay together!

Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone—until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away....

Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell—yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend...

It’s In Her Kiss by Katherine Grant (me)Arriving October 12, 2023!Pregnant Plot: Heroine doesn’t consider herself worthy because of accidental pregnancy!

No good deed goes unkissed…

Spencer Chow’s life at Northfield Hall is simple. He lives with his family, works at the Northfield Hall carpentry shop, and eats delicious meals at the dining hall. Until one day, he stumbles across a sobbing newcomer Harriet Hill - and changes the course of his life with one good deed.

Harriet Hill is determined to make her new life at Northfield Hall work. When Spencer Chow helps her find a new position - instead of turning her out on the street - Harriet decides to return the favor. Even if the only thing she has to offer the inscrutable Mr. Chow are kissing lessons.

With secrets from her past threatening to emerge , Harriet and Spencer are both surprised by how a simple attraction can grow into complicated feelings.

Read Now Need more historical romance recommendations? Take this quiz!=0&&e.left>=0&&e.top<=(window.innerHeight||document.documentElement.clientHeight)-n&&e.left<=(window.innerWidth||document.documentElement.clientWidth)-o&&i.contentWindow.postMessage("startJebbitCampaign","*")}window.addEventListener("message",function t(i){i&&"https://katherine-grant-romance.jebbi...

Interview with Janna MacGregor (author of The Duchess of Drury Lane)

To celebrate the release of The Duchess of Drury Lane, I sat down with author Janna MacGregor. Read on for insight into her story and a fantastic anecdote about Hamilton!

Tell us more about the main characters of The Duchess of Drury Lane. What inspired you to write them?

Malcolm Hollandale comes from humble beginnings, but with his nimble mind, he’s become a renowned chemist. He’s made millions. (Yes, there were millionaires during the Regency period.) Malcom is one of the few who is part of the Duke of Pelham’s Millionaires Club. He’s working on a varnish for the Drury Lane theatre when Celeste Worsley, the granddaughter of a duke, walks up to Malcolm and makes an offer he can’t refuse. Celeste has always loved him but keeps her distance because she knows her grandfather would never approve. Throw in a couple of kittens, a wedding breakfast, and a tête-à-tête in a courtyard, and these two discover they have more in common than either of them thought. The only question is how to thwart Celeste’s grandfather, who has already betrothed her to another!

What is your approach for writing novellas? Do you like to begin with a trope, characters, a setting, or something else for inspiration?

This is such a great question. I usually think of a setting first, then the trope and characters. That’s why it was so much fun to write about Drury Lane. I enjoyed this story so much that it turned into a novel!

The Scandals and Scoundrels of Drury Lane are all based around a Regency theater. Do you like to go to the theater? What are some of your favorite productions?

I adore going to the theatre. My favorites are naturally Hamilton. A funny story - I was in New York when it first opened on Broadway. I didn’t have anything to do one evening and snagged a ticket. I sat on the third row and saw the original cast. I also love Emma by Kate Hammel, Arms and the Man, and Book of Mormon.

Have you ever been involved in the theater as a performer or backstage?

Never, but I wanted to. I just can’t sing. So, it makes it hard to be a triple threat!

Which of your characters outside of The Duchess of Drury Lane would be most likely to see this new production at the Drury Lane Theatre? What would they think of it?

Probably Daphne and Paul, the Duke and Duchess of Southart, from The Good, the Bad, and the Duke. Their middle name is drama. Seriously, they love to attend the theatre.

After reading The Duchess of Drury Lane, which book of yours should readers pick up next?

Next spring, I’m releasing A Simple Seduction and A Simple Marriage, the second and third books in the Millionaires of Mayfair series. Readers will be able to visit Malcolm and Celeste in that series as well!

The Duchess of Drury Lane

She plays a part in society. He's convinced she's been miscast.

Raised to be a future duchess, Celeste Worsley must marry the duke her grandfather chooses for her. That means staying away from Malcolm Hollandale, one of the infamous self-made Millionaires of Mayfair. The only problem? He’s irresistible, completely unacceptable to her family, and she’s been in love with him since the first time she saw him.

On his hands and knees and covered in his newest attempt to varnish the Drury Lane stage, chemist Malcolm Hollandale tries to ignore the enticing woman everyone calls The Duchess. Celeste is everything he can’t have, but when she needs his help to right a wrong, he can’t refuse her or her plush red lips. A stolen moment leads to a forbidden love that neither can walk away from, but fate has other ideas. Yet, Malcom can’t stop thinking that perhaps this bold, passionate woman might be the perfect formula for achieving all his dreams.

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About Janna MacGregor

I credit my darling mother for introducing me to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. I write stories where compelling and powerful female protagonists meet and fall in love with their equally matched male protagonists. I split my time between Kansas City and Minneapolis with my very own dashing rogue, and a smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pug. I love to hear from readers.

Connect with Janna:

Janna MacGregor’s Ladies and Lords of Langham Hall Facebook group

Janna’s Facebook Author page

Janna’s Instagram

Janna’s TikTok

Sign up for her newsletter at www.JannaMacGregor.com

Don’t forget the rest of The Scandals and Scoundrels of Drury Lane!

Janna’s is one out of eight books in our series behind the scenes of the theater on Drury Lane.

Explore the series

7 Historical Romances with Heroines in Danger

There is something about a damsel in distress that is rewarding to read in historical romance novels. Maybe it is because - whether the heroine gets kidnapped or in danger from a villain or even ill or giving birth - the dual point of view lets us see how she plans to get out of it as well as how the hero plans to save her. Or maybe it is because it sometimes takes big, dramatic events like a kidnapping to force a hero to admit to himself how much he cares about the heroine.

Either way, heroines often get themselves into danger in historical romance books. Sometimes, it is the hero who kidnaps the heroine. Sometimes the heroine is kickass and rescues herself. Here are 7 historical romance novels where the heroine is kidnapped, attacked, or otherwise in jeopardy from a Bad Guy:

(Note: this trope is a minor spoiler alert, because it is rare for the heroine to be in danger at the start of the novel! Read at your own caution!)

Check out these 7 historical romances where the heroine is in danger!

7 Historical Romances where the Heroine Is In Danger Duke Most Wicked by Lenora BellAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.78The heroine is in danger from…someone wielding power over her.

Synopsis:

Scarred by a dark secret, Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury, must concede his misdeeds have finally caught up with him. With five younger sisters to support, he must marry for money.

Sunny and steadfast, Viola Beaton is no heiress. As music instructor to the duke's sisters, she's developed a genuine affection for the bright young ladies. Unfortunately, she's also developed a forbidden passion for her wildly attractive employer.

It must be the way he inspires her to compose sonatas about moonlight and kisses. Or how his gaze smolders and lingers on her skin. Or because he makes her heart whisper impossible things.

When Westbury decrees that he'll choose not only a bride, but grooms for his sisters, Viola can't allow him to curtail their freedom. She strikes a bargain: if he allows his sisters to attend the Season, Viola will chaperone them and keep them safe from scandal.

Only...what if Viola and the duke are the ones most likely to cause a scandal?

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat SebastianAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.05This one is queer M/M romance, and the danger is a little bit more that they keep thinking they are in danger - but it still delivers on the vibe!

Synopsis:

Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

Content Warning from Author: This book includes a main character who was sexually abused in the past; abuse happens off page but is alluded to.

Glory and the Master of Shadows by Grace CallowayAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.20The heroine is in danger from…a career criminal.

Synopsis:

The daughter of a half-Chinese duke and a lady fossil hunter, Lady Glory Cavendish is an idealistic and spirited miss who belongs to a secret society of lady investigators. Through her covert activities, Glory meets the handsome and mysterious Wei Chen, a master of healing and fighting arts. Fascinated by the noble shifu, Glory convinces him to take her on as a pupil. As they spend time together, however, she begins to long for lessons of a more intimate nature.

Master Wei Chen has led a life of discipline focused on a single goal: avenging his murdered kin. His journey takes him to London where, by day, he treats opium users in his East End clinic and, by night, he secretly hunts the villain who destroyed his family. Yet for the first time, temptation distracts Wei: his spirited and lovely new pupil stirs dangerous needs in him. Desires that are forbidden between a shifu and his student…and between a commoner and a duke’s daughter.

As Wei and Glory’s slow-burn romance ignites into fiery passion, they are drawn into a web of betrayal and deceit. Torn between honor and desire, revenge and love, the pair must decide if they will let the past determine their future…or if they will fight the shadows for their chance at happily ever after.

Trial by Desire by Courtney MilanAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.59The heroine is in danger from…someone others don’t suspect.

Synopsis:

In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kate Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted --- and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned's charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that still burns in her heart.

Ned is determined to regain his wife's trust by using unbridled seduction. But just as Kate surrenders to Ned's passion, her carefully guarded past threatens to destroy her. Now Kate must place her faith in the only man she's ever loved, and the only one who has ever betrayed her .…

Outrageous by Minerva SpencerAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.83The heroine is danger from…the hero!

Synopsis:

When Eva de Courtney kidnaps Godric Fleming, her only plan is to stop the irritating earl from persecuting her beloved brother. But once she has the intriguing rogue in the confines of her carriage, she longs to taste the passion she senses simmering beneath his rugged exterior. Her forbidden plan is foiled, however, when Godric turns the tables, taking her hostage instead—and demanding they marry at once…

The last thing Godric wants to do is make the fiery, impulsive Eva his wife, despite her delectable mouth and alluring innocence. He knows from experience that nothing is forever, not even love. But honor demands he do right by the lady, no matter how stubbornly Eva tries to hold on to her independence. And while the road to the Scottish border is beset with danger, Godric’s greatest challenge is to keep his hands—and his heart—from his captivating bride-to-be…

My Books

I have been known to write this trope, too! Check out my two regency romances featuring a heroine in physical danger:

The Duchess WagerAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.20The heroine is danger from…a group of people.

Synopsis:

The duke accepts a wager

Fitz, the Duke of Harrodshire, views marriage as a business arrangement, not a question of the heart. Especially once he bets his friends that he won’t marry the next woman he fancies. He knows it will be an easy win - until they take refuge from a snowstorm at Bleneccle Manor and he meets Lady Margot Wickham.

A widow in mourning

At her parents’ home in Northern England to recover from her husband’s sudden death, Lady Margot Wickham isn’t sure she’ll ever be ready to face the duties of being a Dowager Countess. When unexpected travelers show up in a snowstorm, Margot is grateful for the distraction.

Until she realizes she might be too distracted by a certain duke.

Duty calls

When Margot gets notice of unrest at her husband’s cotton mill, she realizes she can put off duty no longer. Alarmed, Fitz volunteers to accompany her south. He plans to help her resolve the issue - but the road trip is a convenient excuse to stay close, too.

Read Now The Husband PlotAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.68The heroine is danger from…a rival of her husband.

Synopsis:

What could go wrong when you marry someone you have never met?

Lisbeth Dawes would rather not end up a spinster. After her first fiance leaves her at the altar, she agrees to marry Adrian Hathorne sight-unseen. She doesn’t expect much from her new husband, since he plans to leave for Jamaica within the year, but she does hope for friendship and freedom to pursue her own interests.

Adrian Hathorne wants to be above reproach. He doesn’t indulge in any of the usual gentlemanly pursuits, nor does he chase after any women. When his father writes from Jamaica with instructions to marry as soon as possible, he does as asked. It is only after the wedding that he realizes he doesn’t really know how to be a husband - especially not to a bluestocking wife with so many of her own ideas.

Divorce is not an option - which means Lisbeth and Adrian need to find common ground before their marriage of convenience goes up in smoke. Just when they have discovered they don’t disagree with each other over everything, another letter arrives from Jamaica with news neither of them expected. News that will test every aspect of their fledgling marriage.

Read Now

6 Unusual Historical Romance Novels (for When You Want Something Different)

When you’re in the mood for a more unusual historical romance novel, it can sometimes be hard to find. After all, we historical romance readers love to return to the familiar. Yet there are plenty of historical romance books out there that follow the patterns we love (like starchy families, miscommunications, and happily ever afters) while exploring something a little different than usual.

In this post, I’m rounding up six unusual historical romance novels. Each one is distinct in its own way. Some take us to settings outside of England. Others feature love stories that are not heterosexual, or not in the same class and race that predominate the historical romance genre. These are just to get you started if you’re looking for a historical romance a little different than your usual read.  

Check out my recommendations for unusual historical romances when you’re looking for something a little different.

Unusual: Set Outside of England

There are plenty of historical romance books that aren’t set in Great Britain. One that stands out in my mind is The Devil Comes Courting, which takes place in China with a Chinese heroine and an American hero, both of whom are navigating the bureaucracy of the British empire. 

The Devil Comes Courting

By Courtney Milan

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.30

Synopsis:

Captain Grayson Hunter knows the battle to complete the first worldwide telegraphic network will be fierce, and he intends to win it by any means necessary. When he hears about a reclusive genius who has figured out how to slash the cost of telegraphic transmissions, he vows to do whatever it takes to get the man in his employ.

Except the reclusive genius is not a man, and she’s not looking for employment.

Amelia Smith was born in Shanghai, and taken in by English missionaries. She’s not interested in Captain Hunter’s promises or his ambitions. But the harder he tries to convince her, the more she realizes that there is something she wants from him: She wants everything. And she’ll have to crack the frozen shell he’s made of his heart to get it.

Unusual: Not About the Aristocracy 

Much of historical romance is either about the British aristocracy or the rich and famous. However, sometimes it is fun to read about how the working and serving classes lived. That’s why Listen to the Moon stands out to me. In this novel, a maid servant and a valet get married - and then have to navigate what it means to be married while working. 

Listen to the Moon

By Rose Lerner

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.02

Synopsis:

She’s a maid-of-all-work, and he’s a valet of no play...

John Toogood always prided himself on being the perfect gentleman’s skilled, discreet, and professional. But now he finds himself laid off and blacklisted, stuck in tiny Lively St. Lemeston until he can find a new job. Any job.

His instant attraction to his happy-go-lucky maid Sukey Grimes couldn’t come at a worse time. Her manners are provincial, her respect for authority nonexistent, and her outdated cleaning methods...well, the less said about them, the better.

Sukey can tell that John’s impeccably impassive facade hides a lonely man with a gift for laughter—and kissing. But she also knows he’ll leave her sleepy little town behind the moment he gets the chance, and she has no intention of giving him her heart to take with him.

John learns that the town vicar needs a butler—but the job is only for a respectable married man. Against both their better judgments, John and Sukey tie the knot. The ring isn’t on her finger long before Sukey realizes she underestimated just how vexing being married to the boss can be...

Unusual: Sapphic Series 

While queer historical romances are on the rise, there aren’t too many sapphic (also referred to as lesbian or F/F) romances out there, let alone a whole series dedicated to them. That’s why Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits series stands out in my mind as unusual. Start out with book number one and enjoy the quiet, passionate stories.

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics

By Olivia Waite

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.01

Synopsis:

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.

Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.

While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

Unusual: Deals with alcoholism

Most historical romances shy away from dark, complex topics in order to provide a light, escapist read. However, sometimes, you want to see beloved characters go through the healing process. That is certainly true in The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham, where the heroine struggles with alcoholism, and ultimately has to reckon with it in a realistic recovery process before she can create her own happily ever after.

The Rakess

By Scarlett Peckham

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.86
Synopsis:

She's a Rakess on a quest for women's rights…

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.

He's not looking for a summer lover…

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.

But one night changes everything…

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.

Unusual: Middle-eastern protagonists 

Most British historical romances feature white characters whose families have lived in Britain since William the Conqueror. I found it very refreshing to discover Diana Quincy, who often writes nineteenth century romances featuring middle-eastern characters. In The Marquess Makes His Move, both protagonists are Lebanese, a fact and identity that bonds them together. 

The Marquess Makes His Move

By Diana Quincy

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.94

Synopsis:

The new footman doesn't seem to know his place...

London's most renowned mapmaker is a woman...but nobody knows it. If anyone discovers that Rose Fleming is the power and talent behind the family business, the scandal could ruin them. Rose's secret is tested by the arrival of a handsome new footman who shows far too much interest in his new mistress. Rose battles an intense attraction to the enigmatic servant, but maintaining a proper distance isn't easy when you and temptation live under the same roof.

She makes him forget he has a score to settle...

Few have met the reclusive half-Arab Marquess of Brandon, who is rumored to live with a harem of beauties among his mother's people near Jerusalem. Brandon couldn't care less what society thinks of him, or that his fellow peers are disdainful of his common blood, but he won't stand for being robbed. That's why he's disguised himself as a footman in the home of a respected mapmaker who cheated Brandon out of his land. But the nobleman's plans for retribution are complicated by his growing attraction for the secretive lady of the house.

When Brandon uncovers the shocking truth about Rose's role in his stolen birthright, can a love born of d

Unusual: Heroines who know about sex 

Many historical romances cast heroines who have no idea about sex, even if they are widows (sometimes referred to as the surprise virgin trope). Yet we know that women had sex frequently back in the day, not only from primary sources but also because we all exist today. While it doesn’t seem unusual to me that heroines might know about sex, many reviewers comment that my heroine Sophia is unusual because of her sexual agency in The Governess Without Guilt. 

The Governess Without Guilt

By Katherine Grant

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.72

Synopsis:

Sophia Preston wants adventure, excitement, and self-determination. She hired herself out as a governess to gain independence, and now she has it at Robin Abbey: every day, she gets to mind the Cosgrove children, eat the Cosgrove’s food, and live by Cosgrove’s rules.

When John Anderson arrives as accoucheur ahead of Lady Widlake’s next baby, Sophia immediately sees the potential for excitement. Who wouldn’t want to seduce the handsome young doctor who is guaranteed to move on once Lady Widlake’s baby is born?

John doesn’t mind flirting with the intriguing governess - as long as they aren’t caught. He has goals, and they don’t include ruining his reputation. Still, he must admit that Miss Preston is everything he ever wanted in a woman: smart, beautiful, unlike anyone else he has ever met…

When counterfeit bank notes surface in town, the authorities suspect someone at Robin Abbey is the criminal. Suddenly, both Sophia and John are put under the microscope. They have no choice but to band together to find the true culprit. The only question is: will they find true love, too?

My Ultimate List of Historical Romance Novels with Virgin Heroes

Historical romance novels with virgins are easy to find. If you’re looking for an inexperienced female main character (FMC), you basically can take your pick of 80% of historical romances on any bookshelf. 

Historical romance novels with virgin heroes are a little harder to find. We tend to assume the historical hero lost his virginity to some unnamed woman early in his adolescence and that, since then, he has been working on fine-tuning his experience so he knows exactly how to please our heroine when finally he earns his way into her bed.

If you’re in the mood for a historical romance book that explores a different angle, try a virgin hero. They tend to be men who march to the beat of their own drums, who have to face some deep-seated principle that has kept them chaste this long, and ultimately heroes who have fantastic character arcs.

Here is my ultimate list of historical romance books with virgin heroes, which I’ll update each time I read a new book that blows my socks off!

(This list is in no particular order.)

Unclaimed by Courtney MilanAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.92

Synopsis:

Her only hope for survival...

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves...

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse--seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs and the love she knows is impossible.

Why I Loved It:

Mark is so principled, Jessica is so strong, and overall it is a wonderful, feminist, clever novel!

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat SebastianAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.01

Synopsis:

Will Sedgwick can’t believe that after months of searching for his oldest friend, Martin Easterbrook is found hiding in an attic like a gothic nightmare. Intent on nursing Martin back to health, Will kindly kidnaps him and takes him to the countryside to recover, well away from the world.

Martin doesn’t much care where he is or even how he got there. He’s much more concerned that the man he’s loved his entire life is currently waiting on him hand and foot, feeding him soup and making him tea. Martin knows he’s a lost cause, one he doesn’t want Will to waste his life on.

As a lifetime of love transforms into a tender passion both men always desired but neither expected, can they envision a life free from the restrictions of the past, a life with each other?

Why I Loved It:

For two people who are obsessed with each other, there is a lot that Will and Martin assume incorrectly about each other. Most of this story is peeling away those layers until they can finally communicate honestly. It is quiet and lovely!

A Taste of Honey by Rose LernerAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.68

Synopsis:

Robert Moon risked everything, including his father’s hardwon legacy, to open his beloved Honey Moon Confectionery on the busiest street in Lively St. Lemeston. Now he’s facing bankruptcy and debtor’s prison.

When a huge catering order comes in, he agrees to close the sweet-shop for a week to fill it. There’s only one problem: his apprentice is out of town, so his beautiful shop-girl Betsy Piper must help Robert in the kitchen.

Betsy’s spent the last year trying to make her single-minded boss look up from his pastries and notice that she would be the perfect wife. Now the two of them are alone in a kitchen full of sweet things. With just one week to get him to fall in love with her, she’d better get this seduction started...

She soon discovers that Robert brings the same meticulous, eager-to-please attitude to lovemaking that he does to baking, but can kisses—no matter how sweet—compete with the Honey Moon in his heart?

Why I Loved It:

Full warning - this is an erotic short story first and foremost. What charmed me is that we get to see the losing of the virginity from Robert’s point of view and see how physical intimacy builds their emotional intimacy.

Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva LeighAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.69

Synopsis:

In society circles she’s known as the Watching Wallflower—shy, quiet, and certainly never scandalous. Yet beneath Lady Sarah Frampton’s demure façade hides the mind of The Lady of Dubious Quality, author of the most titillating erotic fiction the ton has ever seen. Sarah knows discovery would lead to her ruin, but marriage—to a vicar, no less—could help protect her from slander. An especially tempting option when the clergyman in question is the handsome, intriguing Jeremy Cleland.

Tasked with unmasking London’s most scandalous author by his powerful family, Jeremy has no idea that his beautiful, innocent bride is the very woman he seeks to destroy. His mission must remain a secret, even from the new wife who stirs his deepest longings. Yet when the truth comes to light, Sarah and Jeremy’s newfound love will be tested. Will Sarah’s secret identity tear them apart or will the temptations of his wallflower wife prove too wicked to resist?

Why I Loved It:

These two kids are obviously made for each other, but they also have very opposing views on sex. I loved how much I was rooting for them as well as how the plot forced the reader to consider sex positivity in the role of steamy books.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis HallAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.12

Synopsis:

When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.

Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.

As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

Why I Loved It:

The writing manages to be both witty and heartfelt. It is easy to love Viola, even as she shows her flaws to both the reader and the characters around her. The bond between her and Gracewood is undeniable, and I couldn’t wait for them to get together!

The Lord I Left by Scarlett PeckhamAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.86

Synopsis: 

He’s a minister to whores… She’s a fallen woman…

Lord Lieutenant Henry Evesham is an evangelical reformer charged with investigating the flesh trade in London. His visits to bawdy houses leave him with a burning desire to help sinners who’ve lost their innocence to vice—even if the temptations of their world test his vow not to lose his moral compass…again.

As apprentice to London’s most notorious whipping governess, Alice Hull is on the cusp of abandoning her quiet, rural roots for the city’s swirl of provocative ideas and pleasures—until a family tragedy upends her dreams and leaves her desperate to get home. When the handsome, pious Lord Lieutenant offers her a ride despite the coming blizzard, she knows he is her best chance to reach her ailing mother—even if she doesn’t trust him.

He has the power to destroy her… She has the power to undo him…

As they struggle to travel the snow-swept countryside, they find their suspicion of each other thawing into a longing that leaves them both shaken. Alice stirs Henry’s deepest fantasies, and he awakens parts of her she thought she’d foresworn years ago. But Henry is considering new regulations that threaten the people Alice holds dear, and association with a woman like Alice would threaten Henry’s reputation if he allowed himself to get too close.

Is falling for the wrong person a test of faith …or a chance at unimagined grace?

Why I Loved It:

I love a principled hero, and in Henry’s case, he is trying very hard to live by his principles while remaining compassionate and battling some very earthly lust. The romance between Henry and Alice is heartfelt and also asks the reader to engage with the question of why we regulate sex.

The Husband Plot by Katherine Grant (me)Average Goodreads Rating: 4.72

Synopsis:

What could go wrong when you marry someone you have never met?

Lisbeth Dawes would rather not end up a spinster. After her first fiance leaves her at the altar, she agrees to marry Adrian Hathorne sight-unseen. She doesn’t expect much from her new husband, since he plans to leave for Jamaica within the year, but she does hope for friendship and freedom to pursue her own interests.

Adrian Hathorne wants to be above reproach. He doesn’t indulge in any of the usual gentlemanly pursuits, nor does he chase after any women. When his father writes from Jamaica with instructions to marry as soon as possible, he does as asked. It is only after the wedding that he realizes he doesn’t really know how to be a husband - especially not to a bluestocking wife with so many of her own ideas.

Divorce is not an option - which means Lisbeth and Adrian need to find common ground before their marriage of convenience goes up in smoke. Just when they have discovered they don’t disagree with each other over everything, another letter arrives from Jamaica with news neither of them expected. News that will test every aspect of their fledgling marriage.

Why I’m Including It:

I can’t write this list without including my own novel, The Husband Plot. Lisbeth assumes her husband will know how to consummate their marriage, but his insecurities quickly show up, causing all sorts of problems before their relationship can even begin. Finding out how to communicate with each other about sex helps them communicate about their emotions and ultimately helps them build a relationship that will be tested in a fraught family decision.

8 Historical Romance Trilogies To Dive Into (That I Loved)

Historical romance readers love finding series to dive into. If you’re like me, though, those endless series with eight family members and even more spinoffs (I’m looking at you, Bridgerton) can be intimidating.

That’s why I love a good trilogy. It gives enough space for us to fall in love with each couple in the series without the anxiety of knowing that there are endless more novels to read afterwards. And luckily, there are lots of historical romance trilogy novels out there to read!

Here are 8 of my favorite historical romance trilogies:The Turners by Courtney MilanThe trilogy concept:

The Turner brothers were severely traumatized by abusive parents. As adults, they are each trying to recover in their own way.

The Trilogy: The Union of the Rakes by Eva LeighThe Trilogy Concept:

A group of boys became friends when stuck in “detention” at Eton. Now as adults, they are staying tight as they each try to make a mark in the world - and fall in love. 

The Trilogy: The Stud Club Trilogy by Tessa DareThe trilogy concept:

Three men who don’t know much about each other all own shares in a racehorse. When the other owner is murdered, they band together to investigate - and fall in love. 

The Trilogy: Regency Impostors by Cat SebastianThe Trilogy concept:

This trilogy is in a shared world with loosely connected characters, all of whom are queer and falling in love (some of them not on purpose).

The Trilogy: Longhope Abbey by Mia VincyThe Trilogy Concept:

Neighboring families from Longhope Abbey stay in touch and go to bat for each other as they go out in the world and fall in love.

The Trilogy: Sins of the Cities by KJ CharlesThe Trilogy concept:

In Victorian London, a collection of friends who meet at a club of men and women are dragged into a complicated family secret that grows with each book.

The Trilogy: Awakened by a Kiss by Charis MichaelsThe Trilogy concept:

Disney fans, rejoice! In this trilogy, fairy tale characters that aren’t often given their own story feature with unforgettable romances. 

The Trilogy: The Countess Chronicles by Katherine GrantThe Trilogy concept:

Two sisters and a friend discover the world isn’t quite as they expected as they fall in love. 

The Trilogy: The Ideal Countess

Will a garden scandal lead to a duel at dawn, or happily ever after?

The Duchess Wager

Will the duke lose the bet or his heart?

The Husband Plot

What could go wrong when you marry a perfect stranger?

My Ultimate List of Steamy Historical Romances

“How steamy is this historical romance?”

For many romance readers, that is the first question they ask. If you’re asking because you want to make sure there is enough steam for you, then this is the blog post for you. If you prefer romances that keep anything more than kissing off the page, then go ahead and click away now. 

On this page, I’m keeping a running list of the best steamy historical romance novels I read. Some of these are starter books for who I consider the best historical romance authors, and others are stand-outs you absolutely need to read this very minute. 

What does “steamy romance” mean anyway?

“Steamy romance” means something different to every reader. If you really want to get granular break-downs of how many scenes are in each book and even what kind of “steamy acts” you can expect, I recommend checking out the private Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats group over Facebook (or following the admins on Goodreads). 

For our purposes, I’m defining steamy as anything with multiple scenes featuring on-page physical intimacy. In other words, these are all steamy historical romance books that are appropriate for 18 years and older. 

The Best Steamy Historical Romances (and Steamy Historical Romance Authors) I Loved

Looking for free online steamy historical romances? Jump here.

From Eva Leigh

You can count on Eva Leigh to write historical romances with lots of on-page intimacy where each character has specific sexual personalities and preferences. 

My Fake Rake

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.61

A bluestocking hires a faux suitor to help her land an ideal husband only to be blindsided by real desire…

Would I Lie to the Duke?

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.80

When an ambitious entrepreneur pretends to be a lady of means, she catches the eye—and heart—of a duke...

Waiting for a Scot Like You

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.74

For a merry widow and a stoic major, it’s a bumpy road to love…

Temptations of a Wallflower

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.69

A Lady’s secret career writing erotic fiction is jeopardized by real-life romance . . .

From Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare is known for her light touch. She writes heartfelt romances that are funny as well as sexy. You can always count on her characters to get it on! Here are a few of my favorites:

Twice Tempted by a Rogue

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.64

Horses, gambling, and secrets are the game played by the men of the Stud Club--until love raises the stakes in Twice Tempted by a Rogue.

Three Nights with a Scoundrel

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.86

The men of the Stud Club live and play by their own rules—until passion changes the game.

When a Scot Ties the Knot

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.94

When Maddie’s fake lover shows up in the flesh, what choice does she have except to love him in the flesh?

From Cat Sebastian

When you’re reading a Cat Sebastian, you know you will have nuanced characters - and plenty of on-page steam. Some of the stand-outs for me are:

A Delicate Deception

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.85

Two lost souls find each other in the countryside, but can their passion last when they find out about each other’s pasts?

The Soldier’s Scoundrel

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.01

A scoundrel who lives in the shadows and a proper soldier come together on a mission…and in passion

From Mia Vincy

If you love a regency romance, you need to try out Mia Vincy. Not only are her characters and plots nearly perfect, but there are plenty of scenes that will make you fan yourself. My favorites are:

A Beastly Kind of Earl

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.85

An outcast fighting for her future and a recluse hiding from his past combine forces…and passion

A Wicked Kind of Husband

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.13

It was the ideal marriage of convenience...until they met

A Dangerous Kind of Lady

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.10

A desperate situation calls for dangerous deeds…

From Scarlett Peckham

I have a hunch that one of Scarlett Peckham’s goals in life is to help readers reclaim some sex positivity with her steamy historical romances. In these books, you’ll find characters who own their sexuality. The ones that live rent-free in my mind are:

The Rakess

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87

She's a Rakess on a quest for women's rights. He's not looking for a summer lover. But one night changes everything...

The Lord I Left

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.86

He’s a minister to whores… She’s a fallen woman…

From Rose Lerner

Rose Lerner writes beautifully-research historical romances with sex scenes that pop. Including a few erotica novellas! Here are some of her full-length novels that I love:

Sweet Disorder

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.74

Politics can make spectacular bedfellows…

True Pretenses

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.98

A con man and an heiress make for interesting lovers!

Listen to the Moon

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.03

She’s a maid-of-all-work, and he’s a valet of no play...

Some Standouts

Confession: I often read just one book by an author before moving on, because I want to try so many authors! Here are a few of the best steamy historical romance novels that I’ve read as standalones:

Accidentally compromising the duke

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.96

When You Wish Upon a Duke

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87

How to Love a Duke in 10 Days

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.14

The Raven Prince

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.95

Surrender to the Devil

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.00

A Lady Awakened

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.71

A Lady for a Duke

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.14

The virgin who ruined lord gray

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.97

The Runaway Duchess

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.61

My Steamy Historical Romances 

If you don’t mind me tooting my own horn, I write some pretty dang steamy historical romance novels, too! 

Try out my steamy series, The Prestons:

The Viscount Without Virtue

When she discovers her family's enemy is hiding in plain sight, what choice does a lady have but to seduce him?

The Governess Without Guilt

One bored governess, one handsome doctor, and unlimited unchaperoned nighttime activities. What could possibly go wrong?

The Charmer Without a Cause

Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…

And wait...

Free Online Steamy Historical Romances

If you’re looking for some free steamy reads, I’ve got two that you can download online for free right now!

The Spinster

Can a handsome weaver tempt Millie away from her spinning wheel?

Click to download The Spinster!

The Baron Without Blame

Can a fake engagement lead to true love?

Click here to download The Baron Without Blame!

The Charmer Without a Cause is here!

I am so thrilled to finally bring The Charmer Without a Cause to your ereaders!

In case you haven’t heard, The Charmer Without a Cause is the third full installment of The Prestons. It picks up three years after the last book, and this time, we’re following Benjamin Preston on his quest to love. In fact, when I conceived the book and through most of the drafting, I thought of it with the tagline “Benjamin Preston loves love” (said in a booming, movie trailer narrator’s voice).

My concept for The Prestons is that each member of the family orients towards the family’s mission differently. Ellen believes it whole-heartedly, an idealist who will never put pragmatism ahead of her principles. Sophia is a “rebel” who believes herself to be damned for wanting to live like the rest of the world. For Benjamin, there is extra weight because no matter how he feels about the ideals his parents gave him, he is the one who will inherit Northfield Hall.

On top of that, I really enjoy discovering how the rest of the world’s perception of the Prestons shapes their lives. Max comes to Northfield Hall with an explicit plan to embroil the family in scandal. John Anderson doesn’t much care about the Prestons, which is one of the reasons why Sophia likes him, since she is feeling trapped in a household that reveres her father. 

For Benjamin, being a Preston is a liability. It keeps him from being taken seriously as a suitor, and it also puts extra pressure on him to be a champion of causes, to a point where he feels seriously overwhelmed. Yet in a twist that I find endlessly delicious, it also makes him a target for Lydia, who wants to use his family’s reputation for her own purposes. 

All of this combined for a juicy, angsty story. I’m thrilled that one of the early reviews says The Charmer Without a Cause is in the same vein as a Sherry Thomas historical romance because I wrote it as much angst as I could muster!

I’ll be sharing more about the historical research I did for the novel in my monthly research deep dives, available to my newsletter subscribers. In the meantime, I hope you read, love, and review The Charmer Without a Cause!

Get the Book

Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…

When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.

Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.

Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.

As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts? 

8 Irish Historical Romances (With Happily Ever Afters)

Coming up on St. Patrick’s Day, I always want to read historical romances featuring Ireland - or at the very least, some romance books with Irish heroes and heroines!

In this round-up of historical romances, I’m sharing novels with Irish characters and with their Irish identity as part of the story. Some of these historical romances are set in Ireland, while others feature Irish characters in the wider world. Even after rounding up this list, I need more Regency Irish historical romance books in my life, so please comment below with your own entries!

8 Irish Historical Romance Novels:

(In chronological order of their eras)

Desire’s Ransom

Glynnis Campbell

Era: Medieval Ireland

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.39

Lady Robin Hood steals a knight's heart!

Heiress to her Irish clan, spirited Temair O'Keeffe forsakes her destiny to join a band of woodland outlaws who rob from the rich and give to the poor-those impoverished by her greedy father. So when a powerful English knight, Sir Ryland de Ware, is sent by the newly crowned King John to form an alliance by wedding Temair, Ryland's first quest is to find his runaway bride. Independent Temair doesn't wish to be found, but she can't abandon her clan to a land-hungry foreigner. So she boldly waylays her bridegroom in the forest and holds him captive, demanding her rightful title as ransom, unaware the irresistible knight intends to earn her trust, steal her heart, and claim her as his prize.

The Red Drifter of the Sea

Celeste Barclay

Era: Medieval Ireland

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.61

The seven seas may be his home, but this pirate is ready to drop anchor…
Kyle MacLean set sail on a life of adventure with his brother, Keith, when the twins were still lads. Orphaned with no choices left, Kyle and Keith find themselves aboard one pirate ship after another. When Kyle inherits the Lady Charity from the Dark Heart, he earns his deadly reputation as the Red Drifter for leaving his captives with only a wooden board. But when he attacks the ship holding a woman he’s admired from afar, Kyle’s heart is the one set adrift.

Love hides in the most unexpected places aboard a pirate ship…

Lady Moira MacDonnell flees her home and her duplicitous brother in the dead of night to avoid being betrothed to a vile man. Smuggled aboard a ship on her way to freedom, Moira discovers the man she once admired is now the man holding her captive. Tired of being forced into silence, Moira unleashes her rebellious streak...which lands her over the Red Drifter’s knee. When her emotions aren’t the only thing tied up, Moira must make a desperate choice between a dangerous life as a pirate queen or the safety she seeks with the reformed pirates, the Dark Heart and the Blond Devil, and their families.

As danger lurks along the Irish coast, Kyle and Moira find their budding romance challenged by the very men Moira fled. Separated at sea, Moira and Kyle fight on land to make their way back to one another. But can a pirate and his lady learn to rely on one another or is their love doomed to the bottom of the Irish Sea?

The Princess

Claire Delacroix

Era: Medieval Ireland

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.91

Princess Brianna of Tullymullagh is determined to marry only for love—until her father’s holding is conquered and the king decrees that she must wed one of the victor’s sons. Thinking she can outwit this condition, Brianna issues a challenge: the son who brings her a gift that makes her laugh will win her hand.

Thus begins the Bride Quest of the three brothers Fitzgavin.

Burke and Rowan, knights both, ride out on Brianna’s quest, each intent upon triumph. Only Luc refuses to participate, for he knows that a princess had no place in the life of a battle-weary warrior like himself. Brianna is not inclined to accept his refusal—she tempts him and awakens his slumbering senses with her alluring beauty and her sweet kisses. Luc has sworn to lay down his sword forever—until he is the sole one who can defend the fair maiden who has claimed his shielded heart.

High Warrior

Kathryn Le Veque

Era: Medieval England

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.58

The man known as the "High Warrior" is an Irish knight with an English overlord. Sir Bric MacRohan serves the House of de Winter as the head of the de Winter war machine. He is big, loud, and fearless.

Once the most aggressive, all-powerful knight in the realm, a great injury forces Bric to realize that he is, indeed, mortal. Though he recovers from the injury, it changes how he commands his men and how he handles himself in battle. Mentally he is far more injured than he is physically.

Enter Lady Eiselle de Gael. The daughter of a bastard of the Earls of East Anglia, Eiselle is "gifted" to Bric by a very dear friend as a reward for saving the man's life. The lady is resigned, but Bric is positively adverse. He doesn't see it as a reward; he sees it as a punishment.

When the greatest swordsman that England has ever seen lays down his weapon due to battle fatigue, it's up to Eiselle and those who love Bric to pull together to help Bric recover what he has lost . . . himself.

The Charmer Without a Cause

Katherine Grant (me!)

Era: Regency England

Average Goodreads Rating: will update once it releases!
Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…

When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.

Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.

Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.

As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts? 

The Rapscallion’s Romance

Tabetha Waite

Era: Regency England

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.46

Fallon O’Malley is hoping to make a fresh start in Southampton following the recent death of her grandmother. She’s never had any love for the British, but when she has the chance to make a fresh start in England and reconnect with estranged family, she decides to leave her beloved homeland. It isn’t until she arrives that she realizes that she might have just made a grave mistake. In a desperate attempt to return where things are familiar, she seeks out the assistance of a known rapscallion.

Atticus Clare is a wealthy merchant by day, but by night he dons the guise of the Raven, an Irish sympathizer who assists the rebellion against England. Everything is working for his favor until he meets Fallon. He’s instantly drawn to her, even though he knows it would be dangerous in the extreme to form an attachment. But when unforeseen circumstances drawn them closer, he realizes how foolish he’d been to think he could ever resist her allure.

As things culminate, Atticus has to make a difficult choice, but nothing he does might save him from certain demise if all his secrets are revealed. Can his love for Fallon truly conquer the forces against them?

The Art of Temptation

Lauren Royal

Era: Regency England

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.24

Sean Delaney has no shortage of female admirers, but all he wants is a divorce—for his sister, that is. Too bad her rotter of a husband, reclusive oil painter John Hamilton, won't consent unless Sean agrees to help him pull off a major deception. With his sister's happiness on the line, Sean has no choice. But he won't be able to do it alone…

Though Lady Corinna Chase is more interested in pursuing her art than finding a husband, she can't help but take notice of the handsome Irishman who's moved in next door. When it soon becomes evident that her new neighbor isn't who he says he is, rather than expose him, she finds herself drawn into the hoax. As collaboration grows into admiration, and temptation breeds desire, Corinna faces a difficult choice: Will she abandon her artistic ambitions, or give up the man she's come to love?

Meanwhile, Corinna's brother Griffin is helping their alluring cousin Rachael find her father. Thank goodness they're cousins, because Rachael has made it clear she won't ever marry one. Except…they discover she isn't really his cousin. Good God, he's really in trouble now…

The Winds of Morning

Gifford MacShane

Era: Victorian Ireland

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.59

1848: the third year the potato crop failed in Ireland. The Protestant landlords have absconded back to Britain, leaving the Catholic peasants to fend for themselves, while the English government allowed the export of tens of thousands of tons of Irish food daily.

With two younger brothers to feed, Molly O'Brien took her father's place on the road gang, building a road that runs from her tiny village to the river and no farther. Yet sixteen hours of labor a day would not garner enough wages to buy food for her family.

She was beyond despair. Beyond prayer. And so far beyond the tenets of her childhood, she'd decided to offer her body to the first man with the price of a loaf of bread. At that moment, a voice behind her spoke...

Wishing for paranormal or contemporary Irish romance novels? From March 12-March 25 (2023), check out this collection of Irish romances on BookFunnel! Browse the Collection

Romance Book Tropes: Instant Lust vs Love at First Sight

We who love romance books love a good trope, and two of the most common tropes in romance novels are instant lust and love at first sight.

While these tropes can sometimes feel similar, they are actually different enough to spark romance stories in completely different directions. 

Instalust Trope

The instalust (or instant lust, or lust at first sight) trope is all about physical attraction. From the moment our two characters meet, sparks fly. This doesn’t always mean they fall right into bed - but usually it doesn’t take long for their relationship to get physical.

Instalove Trope

The instalove (or insta love, or love at first sight) trope is more about the emotional connection. Often, one of the characters falls in love at the first sighting or meeting of their partner. While there is a physical attraction, they believe there is more to it than that. The story then becomes how do they get the other person to notice them and fall in love, or if they are both already in love, to clear away obstacles to their happily ever after.

Both tropes are super fun, but they are actually very different! Here are four examples of the insta lust and insta love tropes in historical romance novels:

Lust at First Sight Historical Romances Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.81

Synopsis:

They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous…and utterly impossible to resist. 

Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place—and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin’s School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night—and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.

But Frances cannot hide forever. And when fate once again throws them together, Lucius refuses to take no for an answer. If Frances will not be his wife, he will make her his mistress. So begins an odyssey fraught with intrigue, one that defies propriety and shocks the straitlaced ton. For Lucius’s passionate, single-minded pursuit is about to force Frances to give up all her secrets—except one—to win the heart of the man she already loves.

Spice Level:

While there is plenty of lust, Mary Balogh keeps things pretty tame, so this is a low-spice-level instalust story.

Surrender to the Devil by Lorraine Heath

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.0

Synopsis:

Frannie Darling was once a child of London's roughest streets, surrounded by petty thieves, pickpockets, and worse. But though she survived this harsh upbringing to become a woman of incomparable beauty, Frannie wants nothing to do with the men who lust for her, the rogues who frequent the gaming hall where she works. She can take care of herself and feels perfectly safe on her own—safe, that is, until he strides into her world, and once again it becomes a very dangerous place indeed.

To bed her but not wed her. That's what Sterling Mabry, the eighth Duke of Greystone, wants. But Frannie abhors arrogant aristocrats interested only in their own pleasure. So why then does the thought of an illicit tryst with the devilish duke leave her trembling with desire? Her willing body begs for release... and a wicked, wonderful surrender.

Spice Level:

While Lorraine Heath certainly serves up some on-page sex scenes, lovers of super spicy books may find this one a little on the tame side.

The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87

Synopsis:

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.

He's not looking for a summer lover…

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.

But one night changes everything...

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.

Spice Level:

You’ll get plenty of on-page sex scenes in this novel!

The Governess Without Guilt by Katherine Grant (me!)

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.65

Synopsis:

One bored governess, one handsome doctor, and unlimited unchaperoned nighttime activities. What could possibly go wrong?

Sophia Preston wants adventure, excitement, and self-determination. She hired herself out as a governess to gain independence, and now she has it at Robin Abbey: every day, she gets to mind the Cosgrove children, eat the Cosgrove’s food, and live by Cosgrove’s rules.

When John Anderson arrives as accoucheur ahead of Lady Widlake’s next baby, Sophia immediately sees the potential for excitement. Who wouldn’t want to seduce the handsome young doctor who is guaranteed to move on once Lady Widlake’s baby is born?

John doesn’t mind flirting with the intriguing governess - as long as they aren’t caught. He has goals, and they don’t include ruining his reputation. Still, he must admit that Miss Preston is everything he ever wanted in a woman: smart, beautiful, unlike anyone else he has ever met…

When counterfeit bank notes surface in town, the authorities suspect someone at Robin Abbey is the criminal. Suddenly, both Sophia and John are put under the microscope. They have no choice but to band together to find the true culprit. The only question is: will they find true love, too?

Spice Level:

There are multiple on-page sex scenes in this one!

Read It Here Love at First Sight Historical Romances A Lady of Persuasion by Tessa Dare

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.39

Synopsis:

Only one thing could convince Sir Tobias Aldridge, an incorrigible rake, to profess undying fidelity to a woman he’s just met. Revenge. What better way to get back at his enemy, than by stealing the scoundrel’s sister? Not that Toby finds it a chore, seducing a beguiling, sultry beauty freshly arrived from the West Indies. When the prize is Isabel Grayson, vengeance is doubly rewarding.

Isabel is determined to marry a wealthy, powerful lord and become a lady of influence, using her rank and fortune to fight social injustice. Sir Toby, with his paltry title and infamous reputation, is unsuitable husband material—but he makes her blood race, her heart pound, and her long-buried passions come to the surface. If she can reform the charming devil, she’ll get exactly what she craves: society’s respect. But it’s a dangerous gamble. For if Toby wins this battle of persuasion, Isabel could lose her heart.

Spice Level:

While there is plenty of physical attraction on the page, this is not a particularly spicy Tessa Dare novel.

True Pretenses by Rose Lerner

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.98

Synopsis:

Through wit and sheer force of will, Ash Cohen raised himself and his younger brother Rafe out of the London slums and made them (in his unbiased opinion) the best confidence men in England. Ash is heartbroken when Rafe decides he wants an honest life, but he vows to give his beloved brother what he wants.

When Ash hears of a small-town heiress scrambling to get her hands on the dowry held in trust for when she marries, he plans one last desperate scheme: con her and his brother into falling in love. After all, Rafe deserves the best, and Ash can see at once that captivating, lonely Lydia Reeve is the best.

Lydia doesn’t know why she instinctively trusts the humble stranger who talks his way through her front door and into her life. She just knows she’s disappointed when he tries to set her up with his brother.

When a terrible family secret comes to light and Rafe disappears, Lydia takes a big risk: she asks Ash to marry her instead. Did Ash choose the perfect wife for his brother…or for himself?

Spice Level:

It takes a while to get to the on-page intimacy, so while there is plenty of simmering attraction, prepare for a slow burn!

Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva Leigh

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.68

Synopsis:

In society circles she’s known as the Watching Wallflower—shy, quiet, and certainly never scandalous. Yet beneath Lady Sarah Frampton’s demure façade hides the mind of The Lady of Dubious Quality, author of the most titillating erotic fiction the ton has ever seen. Sarah knows discovery would lead to her ruin, but marriage—to a vicar, no less—could help protect her from slander. An especially tempting option when the clergyman in question is the handsome, intriguing Jeremy Cleland.

Tasked with unmasking London’s most scandalous author by his powerful family, Jeremy has no idea that his beautiful, innocent bride is the very woman he seeks to destroy. His mission must remain a secret, even from the new wife who stirs his deepest longings. Yet when the truth comes to light, Sarah and Jeremy’s newfound love will be tested. Will Sarah’s secret identity tear them apart or will the temptations of his wallflower wife prove too wicked to resist?

Spice Level:

There is a lot of on-page lust, on-page intimacy, and also on-page discussion of the role lust plays in society!

The Charmer Without a Cause by Katherine Grant

Average Goodreads Rating: (Releasing March 9, 2023 - check back for reviews!)

Synopsis:

Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…

When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.

Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.

Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.

As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts?

Spice Level:

Expect multiple on-page scenes with physical intimacy!

Read it Here