Books like 'By Design'
Readers who enjoyed By Design by Madeline Hunter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical medieval class difference m-f tortured heroine angst caretaking forbidden love forced proximity competent heroine
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The Chemistry of Familiar Objects by Alexandra Vasti
57 Gresham Street is the most incendiary building in London. Upstairs, unconventional chemist Emmeline Starling uses combustion to solve scientific mysteries. Downstairs, buttoned-up children’s book printer Robert Vane tries very hard not to panic when the ceiling catches on fire. And when these two opposing forces are contained within one small building? Explosions are just the beginning... -
A Time Of End by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.79 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Executioner Knights are back! Alexander de Sherrington seeks to marry a daughter of the great Christopher de Lohr (Rise of the Defender). But not if King John has anything to say about it! Alexander de Sherrington, the man affectionately referred to as ‘Sherry’ by his friends, is off on the greatest adventure of his life… and his target is Lady Christin de Lohr... -
The Leviathan: The Blackchurch Guild: A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWelcome to Book One in the exciting and diverse new series, The Blackchurch Guild: The Shadow Knights.Medieval England’s most elite training guild.The Blackchurch Guild is an elite knight training school. Men, and even women, are accepted into the program if they prove themselves worthy. Different from most training arenas in England, candidates don’t have to be from wealthy families... -
A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White
Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I--to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales. Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he's won--until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father's work as a cryptologist... -
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Dark Warrior by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.73 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsIt’s the Dark Knight’s wild son, Cortland “Cort” de Russe in an adventure that could see him executed for treason. March Medieval Madness has arrived! 1518 A.D. – As a decorated knight for Henry VIII, Cort is sent to Ireland to assist the Earls of Kildare in ruling The Pale, the only strip of Ireland that the English ruled uncontested in the whole country... -
WolfeBorn: A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsPatrick de Wolfe’s (Nighthawk) youngest son, Titus, is front and center in this rip-roaring Medieval Romance that will have you on the edge of your seat!When a de Wolfe mates, he mates for life. And when he falls for a woman, he falls harder than most. But when a scorned woman is involved, anything can happen…And usually does... -
The Black Dragon by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.82 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGet ready for another passionate adventure from the Executioner Knights universe. It’s a battle for true love in this stunning and diverse Medieval epic set in Plantagenet England.Welcome to the world of THE BLACK DRAGON!Addax al-Kort was not born in England... -
The Crimson Shield: A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque
He’s an Executioner Knight with a royal secret that could blow England apart.She’s the last of the bloodlines from the High Kings of Ireland.Between the two of them, they have more royal blood in them than anyone alive, but royal blood can be far more of a curse and far less of a privilege when dealing with secrets that could bring down a kingdom... -
Starless by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.77 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsYou met Achilles and Susanna in Book Two of the Executioner Knights series – and sparks flew! Now, read their endearing and touching love story in ‘Starless’! The third Executioner Knight is in for a world of trouble… Achilles de Dere is a stubborn knight prone to fighting - anywhere, anytime. If there is a punch to be thrown, it's usually from Achilles... -
The Black Storm by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.76 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA powerful knight who has served two kings becomes a tournament champion, but will a meddlesome woman and a wicked opponent bring him the greatest defeat of his life?Will the lady he loves with his entire being slip through his fingers?Ridge de Reyne (from The Red Fury) served both Henry III and Alexander, King of Scotland, but royal appointments were ultimately not the life he wanted... -
One Wylde Knight by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.73 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe bigger and badder they are, the harder they fall...Dark, sultry, with a hint of fire in his blood from his Visigoth ancestors and a spark in his eye that betray his killer instincts, Thorington “Thor” de Reyne is the son of the Earl of Ashington and one of the greatest knights England has ever seen. His talent is unmatched, so much so that the king himself has demanded Thor’s service... -
Winter of Solace by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCaius d'Avignon, the knight known as The Britannia Viper, finds himself on the opposite side of William Marshal... and the Executioner Knights are caught in the middle... Welcome to another Executioner Knights' tale! When Caius d’Avignon is sent north at the request of a cousin of William Marshal to help in a dispute between neighbors, Caius couldn’t have imagined how his life would change... -
Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent
Born in a Mission in China, Lucy Waring finds herself with fifteen small children to feed and care for. The way she tackles this task leads to her being thrown into the grim prison of Chengfu, where she meets Nicholas Sabine - a man about to die. He asks her a cryptic riddle, the mystery of which echoes through all that befalls her in the months that follow.. -
The Country Bride by Dilly Court
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe third book in the dramatic new Village Secrets trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author. The time had come to leave Creek Manor. Their relationship was doomed from the start, he was the master of the house and she the servant… Summer, Little Creek 1879For most of her life, Judy Begg has been a loyal servant at Creek Manor and to Jack Fox, its future lord... -
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Sutton's Scoundrel by Scarlett Scott
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsIn this deliciously steamy Regency romance from USA Today bestselling author Scarlett Scott, a lady determined to restore her reputation meets her match in a seductive East End rogue she can't deny.Dubbed Lady Scandal thanks to her gossip-stirring past, Portia Fairhaven, the widowed Countess of Blakewell, is no stranger to rumors and innuendos...Categorized as:
forbidden love m-f aristocratic heroine class difference highlander historical victorian regency -
WolfeBite: A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLeonidas de Wolfe is the son of a diplomat… but every inch the grandson of William de Wolfe.Beware of the wolfe BITE in the ultimate enemies-to-lovers romantic tale!As the son of Edward de Wolfe, Henry III and Edward I’s greatest diplomat, Leonidas has been in the heart of England’s politics since the beginning of his career... -
Sutton's Secrets by Scarlett Scott
From USA Today and Amazon Top 100 Bestselling author Scarlett Scott comes the sizzling, emotional conclusion to The Sinful Suttons series...Logan Sutton lives in the shadowy underworld of London, rooting out evil before it can strike. He’s a nameless enigma prowling the streets to keep the innocent safe. His next mission? Seducing a beauty with ties to the villains he’s out to destroy... -
The Duke's Virgin Sister by Caroline Lee
They haven’t quite managed to tame her wild streak. It is to be The Match of the Season. At least, that’s what Lady Carlotta Merritt, sister to the cool and aloof Duke of Cashingham, has been told repeatedly by her mother. The Dowager is beyond thrilled about her daughter’s engagement to Society’s most eligible bachelor, Lord What’s-His-Face... -
In the Dark with the Duke by Christi Caldwell
A lady of reserve and a fierce street fighter find common ground in the second Lost Lords of London novel by USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.Eight years ago, Lady Lila March retreated to the safe shadows of her family’s estate after a devastating tragedy. Weary of being a whisper of her former self, she is determined to brave the dangers of the outside world again...Categorized as:
tortured heroine class difference m-f historical regency victorian tortured hero audiobook -
The Highlander’s Virgin Widow: A Highlanders Historical Romance Novel by Eloise Madigan
"I own this castle and everything in it. Including ye.” Widowed Lady Keira leads a happy life...Until an enemy Laird claims her castle.With nowhere to go, Keira vows to chase the ruthless man away by any means available.Including tapestries...and baby goats.And she must never surrender. No matter how much she burns for her unlikely -and temporary- roommate.. -
The Moonstone Major by Meara Platt
His scars ran deep. Only Chloe had the power to heal him.It is said moonstones shine brightest in the presence of true love. Will they shine for Chloe, the youngest of the Killigrew sisters, and Fionn, the battle-scarred hero who has closed himself off to love?Lady Chloe Killigrew is surprised to find herself much sought after in Moonstone Landing's elegant society... -
The Devil of Helburn by the Sea by Rebecca Ruger
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSparks fly when the mighty Caelen MacGaren meets Julia Caverhill when his army takes refuge inside her family’s stronghold. The green-eyed lass stirs long-dead fires inside him, but cruel manipulations work to keep them apart. Caelen wakes one morning, recalling only flashes and snippets of the splendid night passed, believing it had been Julia with whom he’d shared such passion... -
One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke... -
The Secret of Clan Duncraig by Cecelia Mecca
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPassion ignites in the shadow of a family secret. . .Resilient young widow Maisie has sworn off love after enduring a forced marriage. But her life takes an unexpected turn when Kieran, a fierce and enigmatic Scottish warrior, arrives at the Red Stag Inn... -
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While Angels Slept by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratings1139 A.D. – When her husband perishes in a skirmish, the Lady Cantia du Bexley Penden is distraught. Her husband was assisting the mighty Viscount Winterton in the battle for the throne between Empress Matilda and Stephen of Blois, caught, like most men, in a vicious struggle for the rightful ruler of England... -
Shadowmoor by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratings1236 A.D. - Daniel de Lohr, son of David de Lohr (STEELHEART, RISE OF THE DEFENDER, ARCHANGEL, UNENDING LOVE), is a highly trained knight of the highest order from one of the finest families in England. But he is also a wanderer, a gypsy, who prefers to travel rather than be tied down to one castle, one lord, or even one woman... -
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... -
Her Wicked Rogue by Scarlett Scott
Archer Tierney has devoted his life to becoming one of the most powerful men in London. He’s cutthroat and merciless to anyone who crosses him and ruthless in his determination to always maintain the upper hand over friends and foes alike. There’s no situation he can’t control, no battle he can’t win... -
Kiss Me, My Duke by Fenna Edgewood
In this simmering steamy Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Fenna Edgewood, a handsome but arrogant duke and a prim young housekeeper join forces in a dangerous endeavour… only to find out that falling in love will be the greatest risk of all.Lost: One duke's sister. Found: The unexpected love of a lifetime... -
The Cheapside Runners by Wade H. Mann
Fitzwilliam Darcy owes a debt to the most unexpected of men—a tradesman from Cheapside who rescued his sister from certain ruin. When Mr. Gardiner of the "Cheapside Runners" intervenes to stop George Wickham's scheme, Darcy must confront his own prejudices and failings...Categorized as:
m-f competent heroine strong heroine sweet-hero regency historical length-medium audiobook -
The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin
Welcome to the infamous Pingkang Li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery... Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can't resist, the only man to have placed her in chains... -
The Hunt for Mr. October by Tabetha Waite
It had been the moment Elwood Tyburne, the Earl of Belmont, had been dreading for months. Ever since that Brazen Belle and her dastardly, Rake Review had started wreaking havoc upon all of his friends and acquaintances—some of which were wrongly accused—he had been in a state of panic... -
Beast: Great Bloodlines Converge by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsThe blood lines of seven great houses come together in the greatest knight of them all. Prepare yourself for the BEAST. Editorial reviews: "This is truly vintage Le Veque. This is the type of book that put her in the forefront of Medieval Romance writers. There is love, romance, political intrigue, knights fighting, knights drinking and laughing, a king that will grow up right in front of you... -
Fragments Of Grace by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings1291 A.D. Keir St. Hever is a powerful garrison commander for Lord Coverdale on the border of the Cumbrian vales. Whilst attending battle, he receives word that his own castle is under attack. Keir returns to Pendragon Castle to discover that his wife and daughter have been murdered, and his young son is missing. So begins Keir’s descent into hell and despair... -
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Highlander Entangled by Jayne Castel
All it takes is one careless encounter. She’s lonely, he’s reckless—it's a fatal combination. Passion and duty collide in Medieval Scotland. Maggie Munro is widowed, barren, and a burden on her resentful uncle. Still grieving the man she loved and lost, she expects to never feel passion again. But then she meets a charming warrior at a king’s council at Inverness... -
Secrets of a Duke by Martha Keyes
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBy station, they’re worlds apart, but living under the same roof brings their hearts dangerously close. William Yorke faces a tall order: convince people he is worthy of the Dukedom of Rockwood that has unexpectedly fallen to him. Returning from London to his enormous estate, he breaks his journey at an inn and finds himself witness to a drunkard selling his wife to the highest bidder... -
The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsIreland, 1160Aoife MacMurchada is just 14 years old when her father Diarmit, King of Leinster, is brutally deposed, and her family is forced to flee Southern Ireland into English exile. Diarmit seeks help from King Henry II, an alliance that leads him to the charismatic Richard de Clare, lord of Striguil, a man dissatisfied with his lot and open to new horizons... -
A Rake Never Changes His Spots by Samantha Holt
Lord Seth Templeton has no desire for life to change. He enjoyed every minute of his bachelor existence. Anyway, his older brother, the Marquis of Eastbrook, partakes in enough seriousness for one family. His reputation as a rake has never caused him any problems…until now. Now, he must find a wife. And quickly...Categorized as:
m-f independent heroine sweet-hero regency historical length-novella open-door friends to lovers -
Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
Christopher Morley's "Parnassus on Wheels" takes readers on a whimsical ride through the enchanting world of books. Meet Helen McGill, a spirited woman who finds herself swept up in a literary odyssey like no other...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity independent heroine competent heroine humor historical mystery 20th century -
The Love of a Libertine by Jess Michaels
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen Morgan Banfield wakes up in Newgate after a night of debauchery, the last thing he wants to see is his estranged brother. But in exchange for his help, Morgan must agree to take on responsibility and try to get his life together by taking on the job of Man of Affairs for a friend.The last thing Lizzie Margolis wants is some rogue coming onto her brother's staff... -
Spectre of the Sword by Kathryn Le Veque
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratings1203 A.D. The Lady Elizabeau Treveighan is the illegitimate daughter of Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany. Elizabeau was sent to foster at a very young age, her identity known only to a herself and the earl who fostered her... -
Gu Fang Bu Zi Shang, Vol.2 by Feng Nong
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsBai Pingting has always been unable to believe the saying "a woman's virture is ignorance". She is a maid of Jing Anwang, but she lives even better than some wealthly women. She is also wiser than most men and she hopes for a higher intellect. Even if that man is an enemy, both are full of lies and conspiracies. She is not fond of that man... -
The Viking's Captive by Sandra Hill
Author's Note: This is a revised reissue of My Fair Viking which was published in April 2002 by Leisure Books. Tyra, Warrior Princess She is too tall, too loud, too fierce to be a good catch. But her ailing father has decreed that her four younger sisters cannot be wed ’til Tyra consents to take a husband... -
Lord of the Shadows by Kathryn Le Veque, Andy A. Bufalo
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe year is 1215 A.D., and the reign of King John means dark days for all of England. Not one man, woman or child lived without fear. Magnifying this fear is the man they call The Lord of the Shadows - a terrifying figure who sits at the right hand of the King, manipulating the royal moves like a puppet master... -
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How to Marry a Duke by Alyxandra Harvey
When Dougal is plucked from a millhouse as the last Duke of Thorncroft, he doesn’t know the rules of Society. Meg does. She’ll save him from the bullies and the treasure hunters.Welcome to book 2 in the fabulous series, A Cinderella Society by Alyxandra Harvey.Meg Swift has a tiny problem with stealing... -
Kilty Plea by Caroline Lee
Well, are they married, or aren't they? And does it matter?When Payton MacIntyre, quiet King’s Hunter, is sent to an Abbey to challenge the bandits threatening the land, he doesn’t expect to ride away with a wife. In fact, he’s still not convinced he’s actually married to the intriguing Flora, but that’s what he tells his family to escape their seasonal nagging-him-about-marriage session... -
Knight and Day by Margaux Thorne
A lady searching for excitement …A knight stuck in his past …Lady Alice of Wakefield has never been the most adventurous of her sisters. She lives to paint and, knowing a husband will only stand in her way, decides to join a convent so she can practice her art to her heart’s content... -
The Highlander’s Wild Flame by Heather McCollum
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe only thing more dangerous than his sword is the flame-haired enemy who’s stolen his heart…in this gripping Highland romance from USA Today bestselling author Heather McCollum.Fearsome Highland warrior Rory MacLeod has sacrificed for his clan. But taken as prisoner—in place of his older brother, who’s meant to be laird—is more than any man should bear...Categorized as:
medieval strong heroine forced proximity historical highlander virgin heroine war length-medium -
The Naturalist by Christina Dudley
Joseph Tierney, a naturalist commissioned by the Royal Society, stumbles upon the perfect assistant: an eager lad who knows the lay of the landscape and his flora from his fauna. But Joseph finds their fruitful partnership compromised when this so-called Arthur Baddely turns out to be one Miss Alice Hapgood, daughter of the neighboring squire...Categorized as:
class difference competent heroine independent heroine strong heroine m-f regency historical humor -
Beloved Viking by Ree Thornton
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThe shield-maiden must marry… Heir to her father’s Jarldom, Rúna Isaksson will soon ascend to replace him as leader, but first she must marry a warrior from another clan to form a powerful alliance. When her father creates a contest to determine the strongest suitor, Rúna demands to compete as well—if she wins, she can choose her own husband...Categorized as:
medieval m-f competent heroine independent heroine strong heroine vikings historical ancient times
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