Books like 'The Present'
Readers who enjoyed The Present by Johanna Lindsey also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical regency mystery christian pirates 20th century christmas cruel hero cold hero class difference
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Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsForever within the memories of my heart.Always remember, you are perfectly loved.Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943... -
Murder in an Irish Castle by Verity Bright
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsIrish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!Christmas, 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland... -
Petteril's Folly by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.65 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTime to confront reality – and a worrying mystery.Lord Petteril and his new viscountess return to England to face the consequences of their unequal marriage, only to discover that Petteril’s valet, the enigmatic Stewart, has been arrested for theft... -
Petteril's Wife by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsIncognito in Portugal…Lord Petteril’s cousin, the newly commissioned Major Bertie Withan, has gone missing somewhere between landing in Lisbon and joining his regiment on the front line of the Peninsular War... -
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A Gentleman Under the Mistletoe: A Cozy Regency Holiday Mystery by Grace Burrowes
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsLord Julian Caldicott is standing in for his ducal brother as manager of Yuletide merriment at the family seat. Alas for his lordship, nothing is going as planned. Cranky relatives arrive uninvited, family squabbles ensue, and Julian's annual case of the blue devils is worsening by the day.Julian decides to combat the mayhem and melancholia by anonymously spreading good cheer... -
A Michaelmas Truce by Mary Kingswood
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA family in trade moving up in the world. A family of landed gentry stepping aside for them. And the sons and daughters caught in the middle.Madge Paton has been the mainstay of the Fletcher household for a quarter of a century, and even though her role managing the household and raising the children has been usurped by Harry Fletcher’s new wife, there’s still work to be done for a spinster aunt... -
Taken to the Grave by Cara Devlin
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThe Bow Street Duchess Mystery series comes to a thrilling conclusion in the seventh and final book, Taken to the Grave.As Audrey Sinclair reaches the end of her mourning period, she and Hugh Marsden, the Viscount Neatham, are at long last looking toward their future together — and hoping for a respite from the dangerous criminal investigations they’ve found themselves entrenched in... -
Petteril's Christmas by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA merry Christmas for the Petterils?Piers wants to make their first Christmas together special, and so it proves to be - just not quite in the way he planned.His eccentric Great Aunt Prudence summons him to London with the news that she is dying and that one of her servants is stealing from her. Only one of these claims turns out to be true, though both require investigating... -
Petteril's Corpse by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA murdered stranger in his home wood…The discovery of a naked corpse upsets the new Viscount Petteril’s return to his ancestral acres. The local magistrate, Robert Lindon, has no idea how to proceed with so heinous a crime... -
Petteril's Thief by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA missing family heirloom – and one of the family stole it.In the spring of 1812, Piers Withan is dragged from his beloved Oxford to be the new Viscount Petteril. Burdened by responsibilities he doesn’t want and the remnants of a family who don’t want him, he is saved from an irredeemable mistake by Ape, the small thief burgling his house... -
Petteril's Ladybird by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAn earl’s son, shot in the home of his mistress…Lord Petteril, with his redoubtable assistant April, is called back to London to help prove the innocence of his friend, Percy Austen, who is suspected of murder.Percy was once the lover of the victim’s mistress, and his pistol was found at the scene of the crime... -
An Autumn Courtship by Mary Kingswood
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA family in trade moving up in the world. A family of landed gentry stepping aside for them. And the sons and daughters caught in the middle.Johnny Fletcher is exactly where he wants to be - a Fellow at Cambridge, with a lifetime of scholarly pursuits in front of him. He’s not allowed to marry, but he has no need for a wife when he has his books for company... -
A Winter Chase by Mary Kingswood
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA family in trade moving up in the world. A family of landed gentry stepping aside for them. And the sons and daughters caught in the middle.Julia Fletcher is the unimportant daughter of the Fletcher family, with neither beauty nor wit nor accomplishments, but always in a scrape. Somehow she never manages to get through the day without breaking or spilling or tearing something... -
Murder at Rochester Park by Catherine Coles
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsTommy and Evelyn Christie are looking forward to a quiet Christmas holiday at the home of Hugh Norton-Cavendish, the 9th Earl of Clifford, who recently married Tommy's cousin, Elise.However the suspicious death of Albert Lewis, a businessman hoping to buy land from Hugh, means the Christmas festivities are quickly over. Tommy is distracted by his sister's new relationship with a man he distrusts... -
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What Remains of Heaven by C.S. Harris
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe latest request for help from Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin--from the Archbishop of Canterbury, no less--is undeniably intriguing: The bodies of two men have been found in an ancient crypt, their violent deaths separated by decades. One is the Bishop of London, the elderly Archbishop's favored but controversial successor... -
Nature of the Crime by Cara Devlin
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe Bow Street Duchess Mystery series continues in January 2024 with the sixth Audrey Sinclair and Hugh Marsden investigation...When a fellow passenger is found dead on Audrey’s packet ship from France, a mysterious note on the body points to her as the killer... -
Wings of the Morning by Lori Wick
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsVictoria “Smokey” Simmons stands silently on deck as her father’s body is lowered into the Atlantic, asking God for the strength she will need to command the Aramis alone. Not wanting to remain at sea forever, Smokey dreams of the time when she can trade her life aboard ship for a home and family. When she meets another captain, Dallas Knight, Smokey believes her dream will finally come true... -
Petteril's Portrait by Mary Lancaster
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA defaced portrait and the death of an artist – but is anything quite what it seems?To the furious disapproval of his assistant, April, Lord Petteril insists on calling in on Lady Haggard’s country house party – only to discover his hostess and her guests in uproar over a portrait of the late Sir Weston Haggard which has been deliberately damaged... -
Irresistible by Darcy Burke
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsJessamine Goodfellow has spent six Seasons avoiding the parson’s trap, and spinsterhood is finally within her grasp. A brilliant scholar, she longs for adventure and new experiences, things her family frowns upon. Presented with the opportunity to use her puzzle-solving talent on a secret mission for the Foreign Office, Jess eagerly accepts... -
Come Tomorrow by Tess Thompson
Rated: 4.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne chance meeting. A single act of kindness. Can young soulmates find each other in adulthood, or will hidden truths tear them apart?1904. Twelve-year-old Luci Quick never forgot the boy who saved her life that fateful Christmas Eve. But when he disappeared without a word after bringing her food, she was forced to focus on raising her baby sister when her mother suddenly died... -
A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White
Gemma Parks is known throughout high society as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talent to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the elite firm's members through her columns...Categorized as:
christian mystery christmas 20th century historical suspense glimpses-kisses length-medium -
One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsMeet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke... -
Miss Devoted by Grace Burrowes
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsPsyche Fremont has known two constants in life: Her passion for her art, and society’s determination to ignore her talent. She isn’t looking for anything other than a handsome model when she crosses paths with Michael Delancey, and he’s only interested in making a few discreet coins lounging about in the altogether... -
A Midwinter Murder: A gripping and addictive historical cozy murder mystery by Verity Bright
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHomemade baubles, reindeer-shaped cookies and snowy walks across the rolling moors… but Lady Swift’s festive plans are ruined when a body turns up!Winter 1924. When Lady Eleanor Swift unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house... -
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Stormy Persuasion by Johanna Lindsey
James Malory sets sail for America to honor a promise he made to his in-laws: His and Georgina’s daughter, Jacqueline, will have her come-out in America. Judith and Jacqueline Malory are not simply cousins; they are inseparable best friends... -
Murder at the Village Fete by Catherine Coles
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsDownton Abbey crossed with Murder, She Wrote...set in a Yorkshire village!Evelyn Christie, the new Lady Northmoor, is looking forward to hosting the local village fete in the grounds of Hessleham Hall... -
The Christmas Wedding by Dilly Court
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe first book in the dramatic new saga from the Sunday Times bestselling authorHolding the letter in trembling hands, Daisy’s future crumbled before her – the words engraved on her heart forever. The village of Little Creek, the long winter of 1867 The first flakes of snow are falling when Daisy Marshall, secretly engaged to her master's son, finds herself jilted at the altar... -
The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHollywood Star Turns Spy In 1943, Movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the ‘Casablanca of the North... -
A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M. White
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsLeft with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously... -
Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRegency London's detective duo is back on a new case--and this one is going to be a killerCaught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street Runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill's owner dead of an apparent gunshot... -
The Holly and the Ivy by Sarah M. Eden, Esther Hatch
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"All four stories deliver witty exchanges, personal growth, and holiday goodness in spades. Readers looking for wholesome Christmas reading will be pleased. -Publishers WeeklySpend the holidays with four of your favorite historical romance authors, whose stories of Yuletide romance will brighten the season with humor, hope, and the promise of true love. “The Holly and the Ivy” by Sarah M... -
Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 10 ratings>Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret. Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care? Daniel needs to do something about the missing children... -
Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWith secrets dating back two generations, will Wisteria House unite or destroy an already-fractured family?Shrouded in scandal and secrets, Arilee Rutledge’s family is as tangled as the thorns surrounding their unwelcoming antebellum mansion. When her brother Davis returns from the Great War, she hopes they will make a new start after a season of devastation... -
Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer
THE ABDUCTION Dominic Alistair, Marquis of Vidal is a bad lot a rake and seducer, reckless, heedless, and possessed of a murderous temper. He is known by friend and foe alike as the "Devil's Cub." Yet as the handsome and wealthy heir to a Dukedom, he is considered a good prospect on the marriage market... -
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Always the Matchmaker by Emily E K Murdoch
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAlways the matchmaker and never the bride - even when she's found her perfect partner…Miss Theodosia Ashbrooke does not believe there is anything greater than matching the perfect pair - and she's become rather expert in it. Never mind that she's never found the missing half to her own soul and body. Perhaps that's not her lot in life, even at the age of eight and twenty... -
A Stormy Season by Melanie Dickerson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNothing but the deepest love will induce Jane Gilchrist to marry, even when asked by the young and handsome widower with whom every other girl is in love.Luke Watley lost his wife to a tragic accident. But when he discovers it was no accident at all, he must solve the mystery behind her murder, or he—and anyone close to him—is in danger of becoming their next victim... -
The Secret of Love by Cynthia Wright
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA STOLEN HEARTWhen Lady Isabella Trevarre first set eyes on Gabriel St. Briac, she announced to her best friend: “That is the man I will marry!” Now a woman grown, Izzie has traded her girlish dreams for the independent life of an artist, but she never quite forgot the dazzling Frenchman who captivated her young heart. When he appears again in Cornwall, sparks of desire kindle between them.. -
The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNewlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice... -
Indecent by Darcy Burke
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsSociety’s most exclusive invitation...Welcome to the Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, and intriguing ladies and gentlemen find scandal, redemption, and second chances.If Bennet St... -
Hangman's Holiday by Dorothy L. Sayers
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsA trove of short stories featuring two of the Jazz Age’s most famous sleuths...In the annals of mystery writing, Lord Peter Wimsey and Montague Egg are among the most memorable detectives. Lord Peter—noble by birth, brilliant by nature—is a fly in the ointment of criminals across Britain, turning up whenever the police ask him to lend his quick wit and keen eye to an investigation... -
Murder at the Crown and Anchor by C.J. Archer
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsA wealthy businessman with a reputation for taking risks rose from the slums to the height of success. But success comes at a price, especially when it’s achieved at the expense of others.When a former guest of the hotel is found dead in a dockside tavern, the police rule it suicide... -
The Duke's Bride in Disguise by Claudia Stone
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWhen poor orphan Ava Smith comes face to face with a girl who looks exactly like her, she is certain she has seen a ghost! But, Lady Emily Fairfax, is no ghost and is sure that she and Ava must be long lost twins. Despite her better judgement, Ava allows Emily to convince her to swap lives for a month, in order for Ava to scupper Emily’s engagement to a cold-hearted, brute of a man... -
The Christmas Card by Dilly Court
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe perfect heartwarming romance for Christmas, rich in historical detail. She turned the picture of the Christmas card over with her frozen hands, a pretty picture of a family gathering at Yuletide. How different from her own life; stiff with cold on the icy cobbles, aching for shelter . . -
Stranger at the Grove by Mary Kingswood
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAn estranged brother is forced to return to his home and face up to his past.Malcolm Gage walked out of his brother’s life sixteen years ago when they both wanted to marry the same woman. Malcolm lost that battle, and he’s never forgiven his brother for it, preferring to live in poverty as a schoolmaster rather than swallow his pride and go home... -
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A Snowflake Kiss for Lady Sophie by Maggie Dallen, Katherine Ann Madison
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLady Sophie has arranged the perfect match. Too bad she kisses the wrong man under the mistletoe...Lady Sophie's husband-to-be is a handsome earl in need of the dowry she can provide. The details of the arrangement were made via letters, and now all that’s left is to meet the gentleman at her aunt’s Christmastide house party... -
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols by Stephanie Laurens
#1 NYT-bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a heartwarming tale of a long-ago country-village Christmas, a grandmother, three eager grandchildren, one moody teenage granddaughter, an earnest young lady, a gentleman in hiding, and an elusive book of Christmas carols... -
Mystery Loves Company: Another John Pickett Mystery by Sheri Cobb South
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsReturning to London after his honeymoon (For Deader or Worse), Bow Street Runner John Pickett soon discovers wedded bliss is not without its pitfalls, as he finds it galling to be financially dependent on Julia, his aristocratic bride... -
The Seamstress by Mary Kingswood
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. Miss Fanny Winterton has only one wish in her romantic heart — to surrender to overwhelming love. She will accept nothing less than to be struck by the thunderbolt of everlasting passion... -
An Improper Courtship by Laura Beers
He is determined not to lose her, but is her heart too shattered to ever try again?Greydon, the Viscount of Rushcliffe, is content with his life as a Bow Street Runner, but it all comes to a jarring end when his older brother is murdered. He is now an heir to an earldom- a position he never wanted... -
The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPeter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past...
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