Historical Romance Novels 2015 Novels & Stories

“If it’s the one person who makes your heart race and your blood feel like it’s on fire, then yes. Common sense doesn’t stand much of a chance.” “But what if that person is the worst possible choice?” I asked. “What if he doesn’t respect her, doesn’t love her back, treats her like crap?” “Why are you so worked up?” She snatched the book out of my hands and glanced at the cover. Then she snorted. “Oh. I get it now. You’ve been reading again. A historical romance? Honestly, that’s still an improvement over those creepy occult books you used to read. What, you didn’t like the hero?”

Seraphine didn’t discriminate. It was highly likely that the books here were put without his knowledge. Kayden wasn’t the man to read at the library. The library could just be here for the sake of it. Not contemplating further about this, she skimmed through the title of the novels. A lot of new ones have been released over the period of five years, and not being able to choose, she randomly grabbed one. From the title, it was a romance between a prisoner of war and a duke. This did some intriguing to Seraphine. Even if she knew it was going to have a sadomasochistic premise, judging from the title and the small snippet, she was still drawn in.

25 March 1820 Rome, Italy Jacob was lounging on a chair and Mrs. Valentina Lombardi, the most sought after courtesan in Rome was sprawled on his lap, her lush body pressed to his as she tried to coax a reaction out of him. He knew all the other men watching him envied him. But for the life of him, he couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the act. Instead of finding her perfume enticing, he found it cloying. The smoke from the cigars made him feel suffocated.

“Zoe, you bitch! You ruined everything! You ruined my marriage and my reputation, yet you’re here acting like you own the place?! I wouldn’t be in this state if it weren’t for you!” Her eyes were filled with hatred, as though she wanted to rip me apart. “Even Victor… Even he abandoned me because of you! Do you really think you’ve won?” She rushed at me like a lunatic before completing her sentence, her long nails aimed at my face. Before I could back away, though, someone jumped in front of me. It was that regular customer at the cafe who invited me here, and the heir to this hotel, Luke Wynne. “Please mind your behavior, ma’am.” Luke gripped Summer’s wrist, his voice calm but firm.

“But tomorrow, someone else will deliver it.” His lips curved into the faintest smile. “We’ll see.” Back at the café, Lila nearly exploded with excitement when Grace relayed the encounter. “Grace!” she squealed, grabbing her arm. “Do you understand what’s happening? This is like every romance novel ever. Grumpy billionaire, feisty girl, instant sparks!” Grace groaned, covering her face with her hands. “This isn’t a romance novel, Lila. It’s my life. And I don’t want sparks with him. I want him to leave me alone.”

“She’ll probably spend the whole holiday in here if you let her.” I walked the aisles slowly, trailing my fingers over the books. Classics. Thrillers. A whole section of contemporary romance—Mirabel’s doing, mostly. She’d started collecting them in high school, said they were “escapist but smart.” I’d never read them. Too many happy endings. Too much hope wrapped in pretty words. I pulled one down at random. Dark cover, brooding man in a suit, and title written in gold foil: Claimed by the Billionaire. I snorted softly, then slid it back.

“I haven’t even met him.” “Exactly!” she shouted. “That’s worse! Falling for someone you’ve never seen is peak disaster energy.” “I’m not falling for anyone.” “Good.” She pointed at me again. “Because emotional damage is expensive. And I know you. You fall for men with mystery, danger, and cheekbones sharp enough to stab you.” “I do not!” “You SO do.” Mira narrowed her eyes. “And this man sounds like he invented cheekbones.” I let out a breath and slung my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”

“I thought you knew.” His eyes softened. “Knew what?” “I was always yours.” For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he kissed me. Slow. Tender. Certain. And somewhere through the haze of happiness, I found myself thinking— Maybe honeymoon rules could start a little early. _____ Julia- My fingers dug into the invitation. The expensive cardstock crumpled beneath my grip. The elegant rose-gold lettering seemed to burn itself into my brain. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

The fact that she always removed her jewelry the moment she returned to her room. The fact that she preferred sitting by windows. The fact that she missed New York more than she admitted. Every small observation accumulated until they became impossible to ignore. One evening she casually mentioned a bookstore she loved near Washington Square. Three weeks later, a first-edition copy of one of her favorite novels appeared on her desk. Another time she complained that nobody in the palace understood sarcasm. The following day Rudra delivered an entire list of relatives who definitely deserved sarcastic commentary. The list contained detailed explanations.

Chapter 15: Deeper in the Stacks Alexander’s POV Cassandra’s cheeks flushed and her breathing ragged as I carried her down the hall still impaled on my cock. The moment the apartment door slammed shut behind us, I kicked it closed and pinned her against it. “You told him no,” I growled, thrusting up into her slowly, letting her feel every thick inch. “But he still thinks he has a chance.” She moaned, legs wrapped tight around my waist, her full breasts pressed against my chest. “Alexander… he’s persistent. But I don’t want him. I want this. Fuck, you’re so deep already.”