Books published by Heather Boyd

A surprising offer... Spinster Sylvia Hillcrest will never marry, but that does not mean she has to ignore the occasional flirtation aimed her way, or the chance to indulge her secret vice in societies best card rooms. When she's suddenly given a fortune to wager, but asked to lose it to one particular family, it's an intriguing challenge too irresistible to pass up. So too is the devilish marquess carelessly flirting with her every chance he gets. ...a secret delight Faced with a situation he cannot solve alone, the Marquess of Wharton designs a masterful scheme to use Miss Hillcrest's hidden talents for cards to pass a small fortune to a desperate friend. His plan, of course, was destined to succeed, and he spends one scandalous night celebrating with the spinster in his bed. They agreed it was just a fling, but what's a marquess to do when he craves so much more? A steamy regency historical romance novel.

In the battle between love and duty, the heart has the most to lose…Despite his previous irksomeness, Lord Julian Wade has become a dear confidant to Portia Hayes. He's proven attentive, honorable, clever, and would make many a lady a fine catch. Not herself, alas. Wade has naught but lint in his pockets, and Portia is expected to make an advantageous match. Her recent betrothal to the Duke of Montrose thrills her parents, but as she learns of his unfavorable reputation-and equally untenable behavior-Portia's happiness is less assured. As is her chance of being loved. Julian Wade may have lost the battle for Portia's hand, but her heart has yet to be won. Certainly his old enemy Montrose is unworthy of her affections, and indeed, it seems the dastardly duke is up to his usual unsavory tricks. But Julian has a few tricks of his own, as well as the support of dear friends. Penniless though he may be, should he win Portia's love once and for all, Julian may yet prove to be the richest gentleman about Town.

Over the years, Melanie Merton has used every trick and ruse to repel overeager gentlemen callers without ever revealing the real reason she won't say yes to an offer of marriage. When neighbor Walter George jumps to her defense against slurs cast by suitor number twelve, he also pries into her past-uncovering the circumstances around a tragic loss in her childhood and her aversion to being touched by anyone. But even protective Walter must be kept at a distance for his own good, because despite a growing attraction between them, Melanie must deny him too.Unlike other men his age in Brighton, Walter George hadn't considered Melanie Merton for a wife because he was convinced he'd never have a chance to impress his haughty neighbor. But that was before he understood her better, before he uncovered why she kept friends and suitors alike at bay. The right husband could restore the woman he sees into some semblance of the fun-loving child of his memory, but would Walter stand a chance or become just another unlucky suitor?

The only person who ever understood what Julia Radley wanted most in life was the man who ruined her reputation and secured her victory in a bold swimming race. She does not hold Valentine Merton accountable for the harsh criticisms made against her character until he suggests the only way to smooth over the scandal of his defeat is to wed as soon as possible.After picking himself up after proposing, Valentine Merton is even more determined to tame the wild girl next door. The future he wants within the clockmaker's guild depends on their speedy marriage. A few sweet words or, as a last resort, another brazen dare is sure to persuade her to take a chance on him… and his family.

Overworked London banker David Hawke has two goals for his week in the seaside town of Brighton: one, recover an overdue debt from a good friend and neighbor and two, relax for the remaining holiday without any further distractions. When his friend's impulsive younger sister barges into his home to beg his aid, he's drawn deeper into her life and scrambling to keep their relationship on a professional level. Abigail Watson may be considered too young to have the cares of the world on her shoulders but her brother is in trouble and she's desperate to help him recover. Despite the impropriety, she appeals to the bachelor next door for an extension on the debt and his help to secure her brother a wealthy wife. However, matchmaking never runs smoothly and falling in love is something neither one counted on.

Rebecca Warner's devotion to her family is the perfect distraction from the loneliness of widowhood. Not that she'd ever admit a need for someone special in her life after her husband's betrayal. With the responsibility of arranging her sister's wedding falling into her lap, Rebecca has no time for a certain maddening earl bent on seducing her-until he proves her most ardent ally. For Adam Croft, Earl of Rafferty, what began as an amusing pursuit-shocking Rebecca Warner-becomes something deeper when he recognizes how perfect a wife and mother she would make. Adam's keenly aware of his loneliness…and that his habit to curb it with drink lost him Becca's respect. He'll happily change his ways to win her approval, but what more can he do to win her love?Saints and Sinners series:Book 1: The Duke and I (Nicolas and Gillian)Book 2: A Gentleman's Vow (Gideon and Jessica)Book 3: An Earl of Her Own (Adam and Rebecca)

She can lose her birthright, but not her heart!Meredith Clark wants no part of her long-ago identity as Rosemary Randall. She's created a more exciting life as the courtesan, Calista, and her newest lover is both intriguing and rugged enough to capture her fancy. But the widowed Earl of Grayling craves more than this woman's dazzling intelligence and fiery passion. He wants her as his mistress, and if she won't agree to that, he'll settle for taking her home as his daughters' governess.Determined never to be tied down to one person or place, Meredith prepares to run again. Yet something deep inside her yearns to stay - until she discovers Constantine's real identity. Now she's faced with the hardest choice of her life. Should she trust the man she's coming to love with the secrets of her past, or flee to save them both from an even greater heartbreak?The Wild Randalls Series Book 1: Engaging the Enemy (Leopold and Mercy)Book 2: Forsaking the Prize (Tobias and Blythe)Book 3: Guarding the Spoils (Oliver and Elizabeth)Book 4: Hunting the Hero (Constantine and Rosemary)

Elizabeth Turner once loved Oliver Randall, but was blind to his desire to travel without the encumbrance of a wife weighing him down. When she learned the truth, Beth settled for the security of a loveless marriage. Now a widow with a son to support, desperation has driven her into service at Romsey Abbey and directly into the path of the man she'd loved and lost.Oliver has no intention of letting his dream of travel slip away again, even for a pretty face from his past. Since his return to the abbey, he's planned a grand tour to the continent even while examining the astonishing emotional changes a decade apart from his brothers has wrought. The last thing Oliver wanted was stronger ties to the people living at Romsey. But then fate offers him both an affair and an unexpected friendship. Is it curiosity alone that stirs him, or the beginning of an unexpected adventure?The Wild Randalls Series Book 1: Engaging the Enemy (Leopold and Mercy)Book 2: Forsaking the Prize (Tobias and Blythe)Book 3: Guarding the Spoils (Oliver and Elizabeth)Book 4: Hunting the Hero (Constantine and Rosemary)

She was a faithful widow until…Abducted at fourteen and sent away to sea, rough and ready sailor Tobias Randall endured exile and cruelty only to have his plans for revenge crumble. He may have made a terrible first impression upon his return to Romsey Abbey, but he has a plan to reclaim his place-he'll marry quickly and marry a woman of wealth. Yet the perils of life at sea are nothing compared to the danger of attempting polite conversation with a proper lady.… he reawakened her heartBlythe, Lady Venables, may be revered as a faithful, proper widow, but a cruel misunderstanding has placed her sanity in doubt. Determined to clear her name, she forms an uneasy truce with the wildest Randall of all, Tobias-a man shamelessly willing to seduce her-to uncover the mystery plaguing Romsey Abbey. With doubts and fears against them, Tobias and Blythe each venture into uncharted territory - love and scandal.Wild Randalls Series Book 1: Engaging the Enemy (Leopold and Mercy)Book 2: Forsaking the Prize (Tobias and Blythe)Book 3: Guarding the Spoils (Oliver and Elizabeth)Book 4: Hunting the Hero (Constantine and Rosemary)

A lady should be the image of elegance and calm, but those words have never applied to Mercy, Duchess of Romsey. A widow and mother, Mercy is lonely and floundering to keep the estate afloat. When she discovers the existence of Leopold Randall, her husband's estranged cousin, Mercy immediately offers to help him locate his missing siblings if he helps her return the estate to order.Leopold has returned to Hampshire for only one purpose-to learn the fate of his missing siblings. Unfortunately, the current duchess is clueless and out of her depth. Her struggle tugs at Leopold's sense of duty and her bold nature tempts him unbearably. When Leopold discovers their lives are forever entwined, he vows to protect Mercy and her innocent son.Wild Randalls Series Book 1: Engaging the Enemy (Leopold and Mercy)Book 2: Forsaking the Prize (Tobias and Blythe)Book 3: Guarding the Spoils (Oliver and Elizabeth)Book 4: Hunting the Hero (Constantine and Rosemary)

Husband. Father. Son. Earl. Rupert Manning has thoroughly lost his way. Already resigned to a loveless marriage, he never expected that to be taken away from him too when his wife is murdered. Implicated her death unless he can clear his name, he's determined to uncover her murderer and the secrets of her life-so that he too might be free to live the life he should have fought for. Five years ago Angelo Marinari limped away from his life gravely wounded and hid from everyone he'd ever known and loved. Now earning his way as a fighter and entertainer, Angelo is resigned to his life until fate lands the love of his life at his feet-bloody and beaten and breathtakingly defiant. Saving Lord Bracknell complicates everything but is he strong enough to abandon the earl twice when he and his son are in grave danger?

On the surface, Raphael has everything he needs: good friends, a title, and membership to the decadent Hunt Club where forbidden pleasure can be had at a moments notice. Pretending is not what he wants. Expectations by family and friends keep his feelings for Lord Claymore at bay. When his best friend returns to London in a black mood, Rafe sets out to cheer him up and make Claymore's upcoming birthday an event to remember.Shaken and uneasy of his growing attraction to men, James has reached an uncomfortable crossroads in his well-ordered, respectable life. Plans to end his torment on his birthday are mere days away. However, his intention to explore forbidden passion just once comes unstuck. Can James follow through with his well-reasoned, sensible decision when a man who knows what he wants, needs him too?

The Duke of Staines has the worst luck in wives and lovers. A widow for fifteen years, Ambrose is busy running his gentleman's club, snatches pleasure from transient lovers, and relies on Francis Redding to provide intelligent companionship between social engagements. There is only one problem with his relationship with Redding; the man would make the perfect lover, if only he wasn't a dependant servant.Life-long footman to the Duke of Staines, Francis Redding, is hardly a stranger to the disappointment of unreachable dreams or the duke's unorthodox love life. He's lived in the duke's shadow for most of his life, trained as a surgeon at his request, too, and has all too frequently kept the duke out of trouble. It's not a bad life for a farmer's son, until the duke's luck runs out.

The trappings of wealth and power give Aiden Banks, Duke of Lewes, little joy and certainly no pleasure. Tormented by grave mistakes he made in the past, he's learned control of his temper at great personal cost, finally shouldering the blame that he has lost the only man he had ever loved through his own actions. His only remaining goal is to educate his young heir to take his place as duke and then he will be free of his responsibilities. Terrance Bridgewater has freedom at long last with no one to slow down his pursuit of reckless adventure. In London briefly en route to a ship bound for the continent, brings him face to face with his past. Running into the dark and dangerous Duke of Lewes is a complication he'd hoped to avoid. Despite his mistrust, the volatile duke's plea for a second chance tempts Terrance to lower his guard but on his terms only. Yet what can come of two souls with nothing in common but lies, opposing desires, and with far different futures ahead?

When the Duke of Byworth's empty marriage is threatened by a fellow duke he is naturally aggrieved. Nathan cannot allow the potentially damaging contents of his wife's diary to reveal the depths of their estrangement because exposure of his secret dalliances with other men would taint his innocent children's lives. Not to mention end his life. So, without revealing his mission to his steward, Henry Stackpool, a man he trusts for everything else, Nathan undertakes to steal the diary back alone.Former pickpocket and molly house whore, Henry Stackpool, works hard to keep his position as right hand to a moral man, the Duke of Byworth, but he fears his kind hearted employer is ill-equipped for a confrontation with his unstable opponent. Yet Henry cannot reveal his knowledge of the threat without exposing the secrets of his past or his keen interest in Byworth's safety. So when fate places Henry in harms way, he risks his hard won reputation to retrieve the diary. Yet he too is held captive, and when Byworth comes to his rescue his lies are revealed. Can Byworth forgive him for his deception and will Henry keep the country life he's grown to love?

Victor Knight has never been able to juggle his work and love life to anyone's satisfaction. A hardworking investment banker in London, he's obsessed with maintaining his clients' privacy and profits, and cannot understand why those same clients are withdrawing funds when he's making them a good profit. When a dull evening supper at the Hunt Club ends in a blunt invitation to have sex with the Earl of Beecroft, he welcomes the distraction on the proviso they never discuss his business affairs. Daniel Wellham, the Earl of Beecroft, has long admired Victor Knight. He even understands and admires the banker's preoccupation with work. Their night together is everything he hoped it would be and while he longs for permanence, his secret life as a spy means he can never reveal too much of his own history. Unfortunately, when he realizes that all is not right in Victor's life, those promises he made to keep his nose out of the banker's business means he cannot offer to help or explain that his latest mission might take him away forever. How can love and trust be possible when duty and responsibility prevent total honesty?

Unneeded for command of a ship after surviving serious injury, disciplinarian Captain William Ford was ready to face society until he's cornered by a marriage minded miss. He makes a desperate bargain with the maid who saved his life-act the part of a besotted lover in return for financial gain to drive the woman away-only to end up in a very real marriage of convenience with the maid to avoid the scandal of his own making. When Matilda's plans to marry another end abruptly, she reluctantly agrees to Captain Ford's marriage proposal to protect his sister's marriage prospects with his assurance of an eventual annulment and independence. She soon discovers her husband's desire to guide her with a firm hand stirs a shocking passion in her. Does she dare gift William with her secrets and heart…or admit that his desires match her own when they never intended forever?

Coming face-to-face with the scoundrel who broke her heart on the eve of her wedding to another man could not be more awkward or ill-timed for Lady Sally Ford. When she accepted London's most eligible earl, she hoped her heart had healed enough to learn to love him after they tied the knot. Her betrothed has no idea she was once engaged to an ambitious sea captain who betrayed her, and Sally has never forgotten or forgiven Captain Hastings for leaving her behind as he made his fortune at sea.When Felix answered the urgent summons from his superior, he never expected to face his angry first and only love about to marry an earl or to discover he has the support of her family to get in her way. With no expectation of winning her back, Felix finally has a chance to clear the air about the past. But with every argument and stolen moment, their former passion reignites as if it had never waned. Is there a chance to begin again and forgive each other when they must part any day?

When a fire destroys her home, Theodora Dalton loses not only her every last possession, but her beloved father as well. Her nearest neighbor, Quinn Ford, graciously offers temporary lodgings to Theodora and her mother, but if she's going to see them on their feet sooner than later, she'll need employment. To that end, she convinces the viscount to employ her as his secretary. In her new position, she can manage Quinn's disastrously unorganized affairs-while also attempting to prove her father's death was more than mere accident. She has only to avoid the incredibly irresistible distraction that is the viscount himself.Quinn, Viscount Maitland, has paternal troubles of a different sort. The Earl of Templeton has forever attempted to use Quinn for his own gain, but just when he believes his father can sink no lower, he deals Quinn the ultimate betrayal, sending him into a tailspin-and straight into the pleasurable arms of his new secretary. Theodora is efficient, smart and lovely…and the more his fondness for her grows, the more she seems determined to keep their affair strictly about business and mutual pleasure, with no hint of permanence. It will take some maternal meddling and an act of vengeance for Theodora to see the potential in a lasting merger…hopefully before it's too late.

Harper Cabot, the proprietor of Cabot's Haberdashery, was devastated by the death of his wife to the point he cannot pack away any of her belongings. Everyone expects his mourning to end soon, but he is devoted to his business and ignores how lonely his life has become in every other respect. A chance encounter brings Amy Mellish to Harper's notice when he discovers the woman huddled behind his store one bitterly cold night before Christmas. Stirred by compassion and unexpected attraction, he offers Amy shelter in his home…only to have the woman seduce him before the night is over. Amy has long admired the proper Harper Cabot from a distance, believing a fallen woman very far below his notice. Although saddened by his loss, Amy very much needs Harper's protection and boldly strikes a bargain to stay in exchange for satisfying his lust. In Harper's arms, Amy discovers passion beyond her experience even though the signs of the late Mrs. Cabot linger every corner of his home. Although begun as a diversion from shared sorrows, can their brief affair overcome the bitter memories of Christmases past and create the lasting connection they both secretly desire?

Return to the regency countryside for a summer fling that will melt your heart in the brand-new novel in Heather Boyd's Saints and Sinners series.Jaded by the experience of dodging fortune hunters during her first season, Lady Jessica Westfall returns home to the estate she loves expecting peace…until the biggest fortune hunter of all follows her from London. To keep Lord James at bay, Jessica enlists the aid of her neighbor, Gideon. As her lifelong friend, Giddy can be trusted to help thwart James' pursuit, while also satisfying Jessica's budding interest in things of an intimate nature…things like the kisses she'd missed out on during her season.Gideon Whitfield's quiet bachelorhood is interrupted by the arrival of a marriage-minded widow to the nearby village, with her sights set on him as her savior. But the greater threat to his peace proves to be his dear friend's daughter, Lady Jessica Westfall. Gideon has always adored Jessica, and had expected the headstrong beauty to marry well in her first season. When she comes to him for help avoiding the unwanted advances of a fortune hunter, and also lessons in love-he may prove utterly incapable of helping her while guarding his own heart in the process.Saints and Sinners series:Book 1: The Duke and I (Nicolas and Gillian)Book 2: A Gentleman's Vow (Gideon and Jessica)Book 3: An Earl of Her Own (Adam and Rebecca)

Christmas is the season for family, fun and for falling in love in this delightful holiday romp by bestselling author Heather Boyd!Widowed Nicolas Westfall, the Duke of Stapleton, cannot prevent the upcoming debut for his youngest daughter no matter how much he wishes her eventual marriage wouldn't leave him all alone. Convinced to host a Christmas Ball to prepare her for the season, he's aware he's considered a catch on the marriage mart too, but Nicolas is drawn to companion Gillian Thorpe instead. Gillian was hired to prepare the duke's daughter for her first season, but its not easy when the girl hasn't the least interest in the men and the widowed father makes her knees weak when he laughs with her. Gillian respects and admires (perhaps too frequently) the Duke of Stapleton and when she's lured into a mistletoe kiss with him, will she be able to stop at one or even want to? Saints and Sinners Series: Book 1: The Duke and I (Nicolas and Gillian)Book 2: A Gentleman's Vow (Gideon and Jessica)Book 3: An Earl of Her Own (Adam and Rebecca)

Richard Hill, the Earl of Windermere, might desperately require a wife and heir, but thoughts of duty fly from his mind when he rescues Esme, Lady Heathcote, from the embarrassment of a failed affair. They usually never agree about anything. He's never even kissed the vexing widow. But when the opportunity arises to whisk her away for a no-strings-attached rendezvous, Richard can't imagine a better way to spend a moonlit evening.Esme has never lacked for admirers, but having Lord Windermere's company goes a long way to ease the pain of losing her suddenly betrothed lover. And when Windermere suggests an affair, Esme is intrigued by the blazing-hot connection even while knowing their relationship has no future beyond his house party.But as with any temptation, it's a bargain they'll soon regret.