Searching Hearts Series by Ellie St. Clair

Spirited Lady Marie Colemore has never backed down from a challenge, including marriage to her ever-absent betrothed. When she learns the man she hasn’t met in years has been avoiding her in order to pass his time in pursuit of pleasure, she becomes determined to break all ties. Lionel Harrington has shirked his responsibilities as Duke of Ware since inheriting the title in his school days... moreSpirited Lady Marie Colemore has never backed down from a challenge, including marriage to her ever-absent betrothed. When she learns the man she hasn’t met in years has been avoiding her in order to pass his time in pursuit of pleasure, she becomes determined to break all ties. Lionel Harrington has shirked his responsibilities as Duke of Ware since inheriting the title in his school days. Now a grown man, he would prefer to put off the inevitable and simply enjoy life for as long as he can, not caring about the consequences that may come. Until one night in the drawing room at a ball, Lionel is captivated by the woman he has avoided for so long. Suddenly the man who cares for nothing finds himself searching out an invitation to the St. James house party. Christmastide takes on a whole new meaning as he sets out to win over his future wife. For readers 18+ due to some steamy scenes. less

The pirate... Eleanor Adams has only ever known one life, sailing the high seas with her father, the gentleman pirate captain. Her destiny is to one day assume command of the ship, continuing her father’s legacy of aiding the poor while eluding the Navy Captain who continues to hunt them. She despises the man for his relentless pursuit and is determined to be free of his chase forever. The naval captain.. moreThe pirate... Eleanor Adams has only ever known one life, sailing the high seas with her father, the gentleman pirate captain. Her destiny is to one day assume command of the ship, continuing her father’s legacy of aiding the poor while eluding the Navy Captain who continues to hunt them. She despises the man for his relentless pursuit and is determined to be free of his chase forever. The naval captain... Thomas Harrington, second son of the Duke of Ware, joined the Royal Navy to escape from his life in society and find the freedom his soul had been searching for. Instead, he has spent three years attempting to bring the elusive pirate Captain Adams to justice. He disdains everything he believes about the pirate life and will stop at nothing to capture the prey that has eluded him for so long. Two worlds collide... The beautiful blonde woman he meets in a tavern haunts Thomas’ daydreams, until he finds her in the unlikeliest of circumstances. The freedom his soul has been searching for and the honor he so upholds clash within him as Thomas and Eleanor fight their desire for one another. As they question everything they’ve ever believed, can they find a way forward together? Quest of Honor is a 41,000-word romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after! less

Violet Harrington will marry for no reason other than love. The daughter of a Duke, her mother is determined to find her a suitable match, but she is holding out hope that despite approaching spinsterhood she will find the love she is looking for. Then one night she witnesses a murder in the gardens outside a ball, and it changes her life forever. Lord Joshua Greville, Earl of Wanfield, wants more out of life than that of a typical peer... moreViolet Harrington will marry for no reason other than love. The daughter of a Duke, her mother is determined to find her a suitable match, but she is holding out hope that despite approaching spinsterhood she will find the love she is looking for. Then one night she witnesses a murder in the gardens outside a ball, and it changes her life forever. Lord Joshua Greville, Earl of Wanfield, wants more out of life than that of a typical peer. He wants adventure, excitement, and to do something that makes a difference. He secretly leads a group investigating criminal activity, the latest affecting the peerage. When the daughter of a duke becomes entangled in his current case, he must act quickly to protect her. Violet is horrified to learn of her betrothal through an announcement in the newspaper. Despite her attraction to the man, she never wanted to marry a someone she hardly knows. Can Joshua convince her to go through with the marriage? Will she ever have a chance at true love? Together, can they solve the murder in the garden? Clue of Affection is a 38,000-word romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after! While part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book. less

After nearly ruining a young woman of the ton, well-known rake Benjamin Harrington is sent to manage his father’s floundering country estate. Determined to prove himself, Benjamin must fight the temptation presented by his beautiful new maid, who quite literally stumbles into his path. Sophie Carmichael was devastated by the death of her parents in a carriage accident and was placed under the care of her cousin, the Earl of Dunstable... moreAfter nearly ruining a young woman of the ton, well-known rake Benjamin Harrington is sent to manage his father’s floundering country estate. Determined to prove himself, Benjamin must fight the temptation presented by his beautiful new maid, who quite literally stumbles into his path. Sophie Carmichael was devastated by the death of her parents in a carriage accident and was placed under the care of her cousin, the Earl of Dunstable. The Earl soon makes known his wicked intentions toward her, and Sophie must flee, taking on the disguise of a servant. Sophie finds herself falling for her new employer, but when he invites a friend to his estate, Sophie must determine whether to tell the truth and risk discovery by her cousin, or face the risk of being caught in her lie. What will win out -- duty, trust, or love? Hearts of Trust is a 59,000-word romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after! less

Following the marriages of three of her siblings, Polly Harrington can hardly wait to have a Season of her own in the hopes of finding the romance she’s always dreamt of. When the Earl of Yardley charms her with good looks and attentions, she ignores all warnings to stay away. After losing his heart years ago, Lord Sebastian Taylor is determined to never marry again. Instead, he spends his time on his estate and assisting the constabulary with cases involving the nobility... moreFollowing the marriages of three of her siblings, Polly Harrington can hardly wait to have a Season of her own in the hopes of finding the romance she’s always dreamt of. When the Earl of Yardley charms her with good looks and attentions, she ignores all warnings to stay away. After losing his heart years ago, Lord Sebastian Taylor is determined to never marry again. Instead, he spends his time on his estate and assisting the constabulary with cases involving the nobility. When he learns of Lord Yardley’s scheme to ruin a young woman of the ton, he cannot stand idly by. As he sets out to protect Lady Polly, Sebastian tries to deny his growing attraction to her, while Polly is confused by her feelings toward the stubborn man. Can they see beyond past hurts and their differences to find happiness with one another? Hope of Romance is a 60,000-word romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after! For readers 18+ due to some steamy love scenes. less

Descent into darkness… 
Six years after his betrothed was murdered in the foyer of his London home, Daniel Harrington, the Marquess of Ravenhall, is consumed by rage and a thirst for justice. He spends his days searching for the man who killed his love and works tirelessly to right the injustices of others. Nothing, however, seems to heal the hole left in his heart. Though he vows to never love another, his father, the Duke of Ware, has other ideas... moreDescent into darkness… 
Six years after his betrothed was murdered in the foyer of his London home, Daniel Harrington, the Marquess of Ravenhall, is consumed by rage and a thirst for justice. He spends his days searching for the man who killed his love and works tirelessly to right the injustices of others. Nothing, however, seems to heal the hole left in his heart. Though he vows to never love another, his father, the Duke of Ware, has other ideas. Tired of his son’s disregard for his birthright, the duke arranges for his son to be married to Lady Christina Princeton. 
 Longing for love…
 Christina Princeton has longed for a Season to choose for herself the perfect companion with whom to share a life. Convinced by her father that she is too plain, too plump, and too practical, she wishes for a man who can see her for the woman she is inside. Dismayed when her father reveals his plans for her marriage, she considers the option until she finds the man she is to marry is the very same she witnessed carrying out an act of shocking violence. 
Despite the wall Daniel has built around his heart, Christina slowly begins to pry through the cracks, searching for the kind, caring man of whom she has seen but glimpses. With the past haunting them and new dangers emerging, they must help one another fight all that threatens them. Will they be lost to the darkness forever, or will new love overcome all odds? The last book in the Searching Hearts series, this can be read as a standalone novel. It's a guaranteed happily ever after! For readers 18+, due to some steamy content. less