Romantic Historical Fiction
Explore the best romantic historical fiction books—sweeping love stories set in captivating past eras. Discover timeless tales of passion, adventure, and heartwarming romance.
Book
Aurelia
by Anne Osterlund
MYSTERY. ROMANCE. DANGER. Aurelia, the crown princess of Tyralt, wants control over her own life. Robert, her former classmate, wants Aurelia. And someone wants her . . . dead. There have been several narrowly escaped attempts to assassinate the princess, but the king has no desire to incite panic by making the information public. Instead, Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy, is allowed into the inner circle to secretly investigate and watch over Aurelia. Robert is determined to help, if only Aurelia would let him! But the princess will no heed the danger around her, and she does not need Robert to save her. Just as their friendship begins to grow into something more, the threat on Aurelia's life becomes paramount. With everything possible on the line-her life, her kingdom, her heart-Aurelia must take matters into her own hands, whatever the cost.
Book
A Bride in the Bargain
by Deeanne Gist
In 1860s Seattle, a man with a wife could secure himself 640 acres of timberland. But because of his wife's untimely death, Joe Denton finds himself about to lose half of his claim. Still in mourning, his best solution is to buy one of those Mercer girls arriving from the East. A woman he'll marry in name but keep around mostly as a cook. Anna Ivey's journey west with Asa Mercer's girls is an escape from the griefs of her past. She's not supposed to be a bride, though, just a cook for the girls. But when they land, she's handed to Joe Denton and the two find themselves in a knotty situation. She refuses to wed him and he's about to lose his land. With only a few months left, can Joe convince this provoking--but beguiling--easterner to be his bride?
Book
A Passion Most Pure
by Julie Lessman
Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, A Passion Most Pure will captivate readers from the first page.
Book
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
This compelling story of adventure, romance, and intrigue, set in ancient Egypt, was written by the three-time Newbery Honor and Edgar Award winning author Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom in ancient Egypt, under the rule of Queen Hatshepsut. Mara is not like other slaves; she can read and write, as well as speak the language of Babylonian. So, to barter for her freedom, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies—each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt. Against her will, Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her masters, the noble Sheftu, and she starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne. But just when Mara is ready to offer Sheftu her help and her heart, her duplicity is discovered, and a battle ensues in which both Mara’s life and the fate of Egypt are at stake. “Dangerous espionage, an unusual love story, and richly drawn background make this a book to capture quick and lasting interest.”—Horn Book “Thoroughly engrossing.”—Kirkus Reviews
Book
Bargain Bride
by Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Because married settlers could claim twice the land of a bachelor, orphaned Ginny was married when she was ten-years-old. Now fifteen, her husband comes to claim her.
Book
Maid to Match
by Deeanne Gist
From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.
Book
The Bride Bargain
by Kelly Eileen Hake
This stunning debut novel by Kelly Eileen Hake is full of wit and warmth. Set down upon the wild American plains during the 1850, Clara is desperate for a home and a future for herself and her aunt. Striking a bargain with a lonely trader to fool a head-strong doctor could lead Clara to an unexpected avenue of romance.
Book
Lady of the Glen
by Jennifer Roberson
"Lady of the Glen" is the spellbinding story of Catriona Campbell's enduring passion for Alasdair Og MacDonald, the second-born son of her clan's most powerful foe, the Laird of Glencoe. Enemies from birth, Catriona and Alasdair know from the moment they meet that they will lie in each other's arms someday. But their love, for centuries forbidden, comes at the most dangerous of times, as they become pawns of war and of history.
Book
The Last Silk Dress
by Ann Rinaldi
High-spirited, beautiful Susan Chilmark, fourteen, vows to do something meaningful to support the Confederacy during the Civil War. Despite the wishes of her mother, Susan and her best friend, Connie, collect silk dresses from all the ladies of Richmond to make a balloon that will be used to spy on the Yankees. But the issues behind the war aren't as obvious as Susan thinks. When she meets her dashing, scandalous older brother and discovers why he was banished from the family, Susan unlocks a Pandora's box of secrets that forces her to rethink and challenge the very system she was born into. Does she have the courage to do what is right even though it may hurt the ones she loves?
Book
Time Enough for Drums
by Ann Rinaldi
Sixteen-year-old Jem struggles to maintain the status quo at home in Trenton, New Jersey, when the family men join the war for independence. There are signs of rebellion in the Emerson household several years before the actual American Revolution hits in 1776! Brought up in a relatively liberal household, Jemima Emerson is quite a challenge for her tutor, John Reid, who is known as a Tory with strong ties to England. How could Jem's parents be friends with a man who opposes American freedom? Jem longs for freedom on every level, in the home and her homeland--and John represents the forces that restrict her. Jem and her family soon find themselves fighting for freedom in whatever ways they can in the Revolutionary War. Before long, Jem discovers that there is much more to Mr. Reid than she ever imagined. Her feelings about him change when Jem realizes that John shares her love of freedom--and will risk his life to defend it.
Book
Margaret
by Jane Claypool Miner
The hardships of prairie life in the 1880's force a young teacher from the East to evaluate her career and her heart.
Book
Emily
by Candice F. Ransom
Bored and restless with turn-of-the-century New York society, wealthy Emily Blackburn finds new meaning to her life by working as a hospital volunteer with the handsome Dr. Stephen Reed.
Book
Roxanne
by Jane Claypool Miner
Rosie's mother is a very ambitious woman who wants her daughter to become a famous movie star. in hopes of living a better life Laureen takes her daughter cross-country, to Hollywood from the only home she has ever known, Oklahoma. With a limited amount of money to spend they begin their journey to stardom. Besides leaving her long-time boyfriend, Rosie must change her name. Roxanne meets a famous moviestar, Gary Marlowe, who has a good eye for talent and also for beautiful women. She meets John Randolf, the famous movie producer's son, and he falls in love with her and gives her her first big break, but Roxanne has fallen in love with Gary (tear jerker), which seems hopeless. Will she follow her heart to someone who doesn't seem to want her or to someone who already loves her?
Book
Sovay
by Celia Rees
In 1794 England, the rich and beautiful Sovay, disguised as a highwayman, acquires papers that could lead to her father's arrest for treason, and soon her newly-awakened political consciousness leads her and a compatriot to France during the Revolution.
Book
Pirates!
by Celia Rees
When two young women meet under extraordinary circumstances in the eighteenth- century West Indies, they are unified in their desire to escape their oppressive lives. The first is a slave, forced to work in a plantation mansion and subjected to terrible cruelty at the hands of the plantation manager. The second is a spirited and rebellious English girl, sent to the West Indies to marry well and combine the wealth of two respectable families. But fate ensures that one night the two young women have to save each other and run away to a life no less dangerous but certainly a lot more free. As pirates, they roam the seas, fight pitched battles against their foes and become embroiled in many a heart-quickening adventure. Written in brilliant and sparkling first-person narrative, this is a wonderful novel in which Celia Rees has brought the past vividly and intimately to life.
Book
Petticoat Ranch
by Mary Connealy
Faith and love help unruly newlyweds find common ground and a chance at love on the Texas frontier in this rollicking, adventure-packed romance about a headstrong mountain man and an independent frontier woman.
Book
Toward the Sunrising
by Lynn Morris
Includes Stars for a Light, Shadow of the Mountains, A City Not Forsaken and Toward the Sunrising.
Book
Deep in the Heart of Trouble
by Deeanne Gist
From a bestselling author and two-time Christy Award winner comes this light-hearted historical romance featuring the intrepid Essie Spreckelmeyer.
Book
A Bride Most Begrudging
by Deeanne Gist
When Lady Constance Morrow ?nds herself held against her will aboard a ship bound for the American colonies--a ship ?lled with "tobacco brides" and felons--she is quite sure that as soon as she arrives she will ?nd a reasonable man who will believe her father is an earl and send her back on the next ship to England. Instead she meets Drew O'Connor, a determined Colonial farmer who is nearly as headstrong as she is. Drew wins Constance as his bride but soon realizes he has taken on much more than he bargained for
Book
The Bride Backfire
by Kelly Eileen Hake
Aim to spend plenty of delightful hours reading "The Bride Backfire," a witty historical romance about two feuding families and a marriage of inconvenience.
Book
The Bride Blunder
by Kelly Eileen Hake
Join the love and laughter as one man realizes he's sent away for the wrong wife--then tries to fix "The Bride Blunder."
Book
Anne of the Island
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Continues the adventures of Anne Shirley and her friends at college.
Book
Emily Climbs
by L. M. Montgomery
Emily Starr was born with the desire to write. As an orphan living on New Moon Farm, writing helped her face the difficult, lonely times. But now all her friends are going away to high school in nearby Shrewsbury, and her old-fashioned, tyrannical aunt Elizabeth will only let her go if she promises to stop writng! All the same, this is the first step in Emily's climb to success. Once in town, Emily's activities set the Shrewsbury gossips buzzing. But Emily and her friends are confident -- Ilse's a born actress, Teddy's set to be a great artist, and roguish Perry has the makings of a brilliant lawyer. When Emily has her poems published and writes for the town newspaper, success seems to be on its way -- and with it the first whispers of romance. Then Emily is offered a fabulous opportunity, and she must decide if she wants to change her life forever.
Book
Little Town on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
For the first time in the history of the Little House books, this new edition features Garth Williams’ interior art in vibrant, full color, as well as a beautifully redesigned cover. The little settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. Laura is growing up, and she goes to her first evening social. Mary is at last able to go to a college for the blind. Best of all, Almanzo Wilder asks permission to walk home from church with Laura. And Laura, now fifteen years old, receives her certificate to teach school.
Book
Wings of Morning
by Kathleen Morgan
Orphan heiress and Scotswoman, Regan MacLaren, is a bride of but one day when her husband is murdered. As a result, Regan loses her memory and with it her place in the world. Laird and warrior, Iain Campbell, is waiting for the love he knows God will bring him. But a woman near death and without a memory isn't quite what he expected. With their clans feuding, Regan and Iain should never have met. But, when their paths cross, they come to know and love each other--only to encounter more obstacles in their way. Iain's a suspect in the murder of Regan's husband, and he soon becomes a stumbling block to unholy ambitions that may well lead to more deaths, including his own. Will betrayal and suspicion force them apart forever? Or can their love help heal their clans and their land?
Book
A Fire Within
by Kathleen Morgan
It is May 1568, and Caitlin Campbell has recently had her heart broken by a callous young nobleman. With a track record of not choosing men well, she meets Darach MacNaghten, whose clan has been outlawed. Not only is he everything Caitlin should be wary of, but he is a man of many secrets, none of which bode well for the Campbells. He comes to Kilchurn to free his imprisoned older brother, but when he realizes that his plan has no chance of success, he kidnaps Caitlin to hold her as hostage until his brother is freed. This plan, so simple on the surface, soon leads to a clash of wills between two proud, headstrong people. And the problems only worsen the closer Darach's plan draws to its unforeseen conclusion. Fans of Morgan's These Highland Hills series and historical fiction readers will enjoy this dramatic conclusion to the series.
Book
The Rose Legacy
by Kristen Heitzmann
A new look for this bestselling novel set in 1860s Colorado. Two men vie for Carina's interest as she makes a new life for herself.
Book
The Tender Vine
by Kristen Heitzmann
Carina returns home to unhappy parents because of her choice in a husband, which makes her husband uncomfortable and her former beau is determined to have her back.
Book
The Tender Vine
by Kristen Heitzmann
Aching from the recent loss of a constant companion, Carina DiGratia Shephard longs to return to the shelter of her close-knit family. Her husband, Quillan, is bent on proving his devotion, and they begin the arduous journey to the home of her youth nestled in the vineyards of Sonoma, California. But their arrival at the DiGratia estate is not the joyous occasion they expected. Will a confrontation with the past pull them apart--or will the love they once embraced be reignited?
Book
Honor's Pledge
by Kristen Heitzmann
Family debt and a wartime pledge force Monte Farrel to set aside his love for Abbie Morgan in 1870s Colorado. Rocky Mountain Legacy book 1.
Book
Wolf by the Ears
by Ann Rinaldi
Harriet Hemings, rumored to be the daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, one of his black slaves, struggles with the problems facing her--to escape from the velvet cage that is Monticello, or to stay, and thus remain a slave.
Book
Envy: A Luxe Novel
by Anna Godbersen
Jealous whispers. Old rivalries. New betrayals. Two months after Elizabeth Holland's dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. However, when she refuses to rejoin her sister Diana's side, those watching New York's favorite family begin to whisper that all is not as it seems behind the stately doors of No. 17 Gramercy Park. In this thrilling installment of Anna Godbersen's bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan's most envied residents appear to have everything they desire: Wealth. Beauty. Happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets. . . .
Book
Splendor: A Luxe Novel
by Anna Godbersen
New beginnings. Shocking revelations. Unexpected endings. A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes. Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle. In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?