Hail Britannia! July's Backlist is an Anglophile's Dream

Despite that little independence holiday we just celebrated, many readers love to return to Mother England.
Here's a list of some recommended novels set in England or with English protagonists.

Cheers!

RANSOME'S HONOR, Kaye Dacus (Harvest House, 2009)

The Ransome Trilogy from author Kaye Dacus combines the wit, romance, and social commentary of Jane Austen with the sea-faring adventure of Horatio Hornblower.

July 1814. The war with France has ended, and Captain William Ransome, known for never letting women aboard his ship, has returned to Portsmouth, England. Julia Witherington, considered an old-maid at 29, discovers that she must marry immediately to receive a large dowry. Julia knows that the only man she doesn’t want to marry is William Ransome. And the only man her father will approve of is…William Ransome.

When the couple strikes a financial deal to feign marriage for one year, the adventure begins. These stubborn people face humorous and hard situations that reveal what else they have in common—a growing affection for one another. This intriguing tale of faith and loyalty may become one of your favorites. (Also available: RANSOME'S CROSSING and the newly released RANSOME'S QUEST...screech...hold the presses! Kaye just informed me that RANSOME'S HONOR will be available as a FREE Ebook Aug1 to Aug 15!)

FAMILY GUARDIAN, Laurie Alice Eakes. Winner of the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007. (Avalon Books, August 2006)

Surrounded by the most beautiful scents and potions in the world, The Honorable Miss Clarissant Behn toils away, unconcerned with romance. She doesn't spend her days planning a wardrobe for the Season or wonder who she will marry. Against all conventions and Society's rules, Miss Behn spends her days engaged in trade.

If anyone learns that her perfume business is the source of her family's prosperity, the scandal will ruin both her business and her chances of marriage. Years ago she loved her sister's forbidden betrothed, Tristan Apking. But he disappeared five years ago and is presumed dead.

But when Tristan returns to England, alive and mysteriously prosperous, keeping secrets could cost Clarissant his love and possibly their lives. Overcoming his deep sense of loss at her sister's heart seems to be an impossible feat. Juggling everything for everyone else, Clarissant tries to keep the balance while finding love and happiness for herself.

Laurie Alice is a great friend of the Inkies. Check out all her books at her website.

A CONSTANT HEART, Siri Mitchell, (Bethany House, 2008)

Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen is blessed. Her father is a knight, and now she is to be married to the Earl of Lytham. her destiny is guaranteed...at least, it would seem so. But when her introduction to court goes awry and Queen Elizabeth despises her, Marget fears she's lost her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she'll do whatever it takes to discover how she failed and capture again the love of a man bound to the queen.

IN THE SHADOW OF LIONS, Ginger Garrett, (David C Cook, 2008)

The devout Anne Boleyn catches the eye of a powerful king and uses her influence to champion an English translation of the Bible—Scriptures the common people could read for themselves. Meanwhile, Rose, a broken, suicidal woman of the streets, is moved to seek God when she witnesses Thomas More's public displays of Christian charity, ignorant of his secret life spent eradicating the same book, persecuting anyone who dares read it.

MARK OF THE CROSS, Judith Pella (Bethany House 2006)

A Bitter Conflict Rages Between Two Brothers...And a Noblewoman Holds the Key to Their Future

Philip de Tollard, the illegitimate son of a powerful English lord, is sheltered by his father but given no claim to an inheritance. Gareth, the legitimate son, is cruel and abusive to his stepbrother. When their father suddenly dies, Gareth falsely accuses Philip, and he escapes only with his life to begin wandering as a fugitive and mercenary.

Philip and his longtime friend Beatrice have come to love each other, and she awaits his return, fervently hoping circumstances will change. But when she finds herself at the mercy of Gareth, who will stop at nothing to acquire her estate, she strikes a most grievous bargain.

Bitter and angry, Philip devises a dangerous plan for vengeance. But love and hate both have consequences, and he must face the truth that God will not be ignored. A masterful saga of love lost…and found…and a remarkable redemption.

BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS, Linore Rose Burkard (Harvest House, 2008)

In her debut novel of what she calls “spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul,” author Linore Rose Burkard tells the intriguing story of Miss Ariana Forsythe, a young woman caught between her love for a man who doesn’t share her faith and her resolution to marry only a fellow believer in Christ.

Trouble at home sends the young woman to her aunt’s townhome in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Ariana is soon neck–deep in high society and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London’s current darling rogue. Then a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her heart, her faith, and her future are all at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent’s attention.

Will Ariana’s faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it’s Ariana’s heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to the wrong young man, how can it ever turn out right? Also see the 2^nd and 3^rd in the series: THE HOUSE ON GROSVENOR SQUARE,  2009, and THE COUNTRY HOUSE COURTSHIP, Jan 2010)

THE HEALING SEASON, Ruth Axtell Morren (Steeple Hill, 2008)

Could a scarlet woman win the heart of an honorable man?

Though he'd found his life’s calling ministering to London's underclass, Dr. Ian Russell hadn’t yet found his life’s mate. Then the former army surgeon encountered the enchanting stage actress Eleanor Neville. Ian’s good works and strong faith set him apart from other men Eleanor knew. But despite his fascination with her glittering world, Eleanor feared her notorious past would end their future together before it had even begun. Could true love and faith overcome all obstacles and make their lonely hearts as one?

Also by Ruth Axtell Morren: THE ROGUE’S REDEMPTION  (Steeple Hill 2008)

Only she could redeem him…

He was tall and dark with eyes as blue as cobalt. In a glittering London ballroom Miss Hester Leighton saw a man who interested her more than anyone she'd met since coming to town. A woman of deep faith, Hester knew she should not keep company with Major Gerrit Hawkes, a jaded, penniless soldier haunted by nightmares of war. But their connection would not be denied.

Hester was the only woman who'd ever made Gerrit feel truly worthy of love, and he would not lose her. Separated from her by her father—and an ocean—Gerrit must decide whether he will risk his life and his soul to earn a home in Hester's arms forever.

THE CAPTAIN’S LADY, Louise M. Gouge (Steeple Hill, March 2010)

Captain James Templeton's orders from General Washington are clear. His target: Lord Bennington, a member of George III's Privy Council. The assignment: find Bennington's war plans. The risks: the future of the East Florida Colony, Jamie's life...and his heart. In spite of the dangers of their hopeless situation, he's fallen in love with Lady Marianne Moberly, Lord Bennington's daughter.

Desperate to protect his country, Jamie carries out his orders with a heavy heart. But Marianne's persistence is a challenge he never expected. With love and faith, they must navigate troubled waters to win their future together. (Want more Louise M. Gouge British  heroes and heroines? THE GENTLEMAN TAKES A WIFE Love Inspired June 2011, AT THE CAPTAIN'S COMMAND, Love Inspired April 2011)

THE LADY OF MILKWEED MANOR, Julie Klassen (Bethany House, 2008)

Charlotte Lamb, a fallen vicar's daughter, hopes to secret herself away in London's Milkweed Manor. But once there, she is mortified to find herself in the care of a former suitor, a physician whom her father long ago rejected as unsuitable--a man who now hides secrets of his own. Both are determined, with God's help, to protect those they love. But neither could guess the depth of sacrifice that will be required of them.

Drawn from fascinating research about the secret lives of women in the nineteenth century, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a moving romantic drama about the redemption of past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.

Also from Julie: THE APOTHECARY’S DAUGHTER (Bethany House,2009) Lillian Haswell yearns to leave her father's apothecary shop in their small town and happily accepts an invitation to live in London. She leaves behind a handicapped brother, friends, her lonely father and memories of her lost mother, but finds that London holds its own troubles. (And the award-winning THE GIRL AT THE GATEHOUSE, Bethany House 2010)

A DISTANT MELODY, Sarah Sundlin (Revell, March 2010)

Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry a man she doesn't love. Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart? A Distant Melody is the first book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II. (Sarah has two more in this series; A MEMORY BETWEEN US came out in Sept of 2010). Sarah is currently, as in today, in Italy, researching her next book, so you can be assured of  beautiful details in  her series!

THE CONFIDENTIAL LIFE OF EUGENIA COOPER, Kathleen Y’Barbo (Waterbrook/Random House 2009) This Wild West adventure just might be the life she was meant to live.

The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia “Gennie” Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of British born silver baron Daniel Beck, eldest son of an earl, and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent–especially as she’s supposed to go back to New York and marry another man.

As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel’s past–and disgruntled miners bent on revenge–will take that choice away from her. (If you've read this, I hope you know Kathleen's newest release, THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK is now available)

VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, Donna Fletcher Crow (Monarch Books, 2010)

Felicity Howard, a young American studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood. Following the cryptic clues contained in a poem the dead man had pressed upon her minutes before his death, she and Fr. Antony-who is wanted for questioning by the police-flee the monastery to seek more information about Fr. Dominic and end up in the holy island of Lindisfarne, former home of Saint Cuthbert. Their quest leads them into a dark puzzle . . . and considerable danger.

Thank you to the authors and readers who contributed to this list!

For more lists including Celtic and Jane Austen inspired, scroll on down to our list at the right hand side and click on ...BACKLIST PROMOTIONS

 

I'm working on recreating Stonehenge by stacking and rearranging my

To Be Read pile. It's going quite well.

(For additional English Characters...of note -- or If you could use a little
romance as only the English Authors can do it... click here)

 Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. Debra likes to write, weed and wander and is blessed to have the best family and friends in the world. She lives just close enough to her grandchildren. She’s thankful each day that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.    Her work has finaled in the TARA, Great Expectations, Heart of the Rockies, Maggie, Rattler and most recently, the Daphne DuMaurier. Not too bad considering she’s trying a mashup of gospel and . . .  gothic.