Read Historical Romance! It lets you time travel without the dirt and lack of flush toliets.  

These are some of my five star reads in the genre. 

It takes a brave hero or heroine to escape the the horror of breaking covenants- infideilty, abadonment, addiction, neglect, belittlement, cruelty, abuse through divorce before this century and the last. 

For you history buffs, check out this great article The Heartbreaking History of Divorce. 

Here are some wonderful Historical Romacne Novels where the hero or herorine is divorced or seeking one and the HEA is with a new love. 

My lists are never in any particular order. 

1. Enchanted Afternoon by Susan Wiggs

Beautiful, charming and respected as the wife of an ambitious senator, Helena Cabot Barnes is the leading lady of Saratoga Springs. But beneath the facade lies a terrible deception. Helena married for all the wrong reasons – and discovered too late that her husband is a dangerous man. Fearing for her safety, she ends her marriage and flees to legendary Moon Lake Lodge, where she creates a refuge for other women in need of a safe haven. And there she finds the courage within to become the woman she was meant to be. 

But Helena can’t outrun her past. 

In desperation, she turns to Michael Rowan, a man she once loved, a man who broke her heart. A brilliant inventor, Michael is still ruggedly handsome, still defiantly unconventional. For Helena, the road to trusting Michael again is long and hard. And danger lies ahead. But Michael has just discovered a shattering truth... and a reason to stay and fight for the woman he once lost.

2. Cry For Passion by Robin Schone

Married twelve years to a man who does not desire her, Rose Clarring is dying of loneliness. She seeks the help of renowned barrister Jack Lodoun to challenge English Parliament and win her a divorce. Cynical and haunted by personal tragedy, Jack will only take the case if Rose can prove to him that there exists a passion that supersedes marital vows.

And so meeting by meeting...touch by touch...the two embark on a journey of discovery that leads to intimacies neither could have imagined: sex that knows no sin; love that has no limitations; a carnal bond which heals both grief and guilt. Together Rose and Jack will explore the ultimate in pleasure, but what must they sacrifice to claim the passion they so desperately desire?

3. The Bride Says No by Cathy Maxwell

What happens when a bride says no? 

He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publically jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.

What happens when the heart says yes? 

He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass.

And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?

4. Wild Oats by Pamela Morsi $2.99! 

Territory bachelor, Jedwin Sparrow, was merely hoping to sow some wild oats. And from what he’d heard, a logical place to start might be the cottage of Mrs. Cora Briggs, a notorious divorcee. 

Cora’s first instinct was to slap his face! Then a better plan occurred to her. Why not call the tune and string him along. What better way to exact revenge on those gossipy hens than to ensnare one of their own in that wicked web of lies. 

An unexpected love story, two people who discover the truth about themselves within the heart of each other.

5. One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick

Once the toast of the ton, Lottie Cummings is now notorious for being divorced. Shunned by society, the destitute beauty is lured to become a Covent Garden courtesan. Until a dangerous rake saves her with a scandalous offer.

The illegitimate son of a duke, Ethan Ryder rose to the ranks of Napoleon's most trusted cavalry officer—until his capture landed him in England as a prisoner of war. Now on parole, Ethan is planning his most audacious coup yet. But he needs Lottie's help to create a spectacular diversion. Yet their pact ignites a passionate bond that may scandalize even these two wicked souls….

6. Tallie's Hero by Sara Luck

wept up in adventure . . . 

With nothing left for him in Texas after his fiancée breaks his heart, Jeb Tuhill heads to Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains to work the huge ranching operation of wealthy English squire Moreton Frewen. In an attempt to lure investors to the beautiful, and oftentimes dangerous, American West, Frewen and Jeb travel to England. The British gentry don’t impress Jeb much, but one spirited lady lassoes his attention with her intellect and charm. 

Bound together by passion . . . 

Tallie Somerset is a bestselling novelist who is forced into a divorce by the improprieties of her husband, a British lord. Fleeing the scandal, she takes a trip to New York with a friend who later convinces her to travel to Wyoming. Captivated by the big sky of the plains—and the handsome cowboy who calls it home—Tallie might be persuaded to leave England, and its bad memories, behind. But Jeb thinks she is still married, and she is afraid to tell him about the shame of her divorce. Tallie models the hero of her latest novel on Jeb . . . but can she make him her hero for a lifetime?

7. Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke

One tryst was all she wanted . . .

From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.

One tryst just wasn't enough . . .

Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Hot, erotic memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, pulling her naked body on top of his own continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?

8.The Lawman Takes a Wife by Anne Avery

Sheriff DeWitt Gavin was quite an assortment of surprises to merchant Molly Calhan. Saddled with a scandalous past and a giant-size sweet tooth, he also had a truly giving heart. Now if only she could convince him to give his heart to her…!

Witt Gavin had enough to handle, being the new lawman in a town rife with gossip and kids convinced bank robbers were hiding down every alley. His one daily treat was a visit to Molly Calhan's candy counter. But was it the confections that drew him—or the sweet shopkeeper herself?

9. Impulse by Candace Camp

Torn from the arms of the woman he loved and cast into the night by her highborn family, Cam Monroe vowed revenge on those who had wronged him.

Fifteen years later, after amassing a small fortune of his own, Cam returns to England with but one ambition. Now the power is his, power to ruin the Stanhope family if they refuse his demands. And what he demands is simple: that Angela Stanhope be his wife.

Then the mysterious "accidents" begin. Are the Stanhopes trying once again to remove him from their lives? Or is it someone from Cam's past, someone desperate enough to kill to prevent him from uncovering a shocking lie?

10. The Bedding Proposal by Tracy Anne Warren

Lord Leo Byron is bored with the aristocratic company he keeps; he needs a distraction, preferably in the form of a beautiful new female companion. So when he sets eyes on fascinating and scandalous divorcée Lady Thalia Lennox, he’s determined to make her intimate acquaintance. But the spirited woman seems to have no intention of accepting his advances no matter how much he chases—or how hard he falls....

Once a darling of Society, Thalia Lennox now lives on its fringes. The cruel lies that gave her a notoriously wild reputation have also left her with a broken heart and led to a solemn vow to swear off men. Still, Leo Byron’s bold overtures are deliciously tempting, and, for the first time, she finds herself wondering whether it just might be worth the risk to let the attractive rake into her life—and her bed....

Have a recommendation? Let me know!

Vote for the best of the best on my Goodreads list:  The D Word: Divorce in Historical Romance 

I love July for reading. Exciting new releases and a chance to get caught up on my TBR. I almost always have vacation time and its my birthday month. 

Here are my best reads of the month!

1. In Want of a Wife by Jo Goodman   5 Stars

   In Want of a Wife by Jo Goodman Review 

2. Just Not Mine by Rosalind James  4 1/2 Stars

    Just Not Mine by Rosalind James Review

3. Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh 4 Stars

    Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh Review

4. Heart Craving by Sandra Hill 4 Stars 

    Heart's Craving by Sandra Hill Review

5. BOXING DAY by Jill Barnett 

    Boxing Day by Jill Barnett Review

6. Just for You by Rosalind James  4 Stars

    Just for You by Rosalind James Review 

Nick and Paula DeCello are getting divorced in seven days, even though they love each other dearly. His overprotectiveness has finally become too much for her, and there's something painful locked deep inside him. Desperate, Nick takes the advice of a quirky, old fortune teller to find his wife's "heart craving." To Nick, that means sexual fantasies.

Armed with a hilarious collection of advice books, he embarks on a wild, funny seduction of Paula that proves there's nothing wrong with their relationship in the bedroom. When it comes to giving her what her heart really craves--soul-sharing communication--he'll have to take a big step outside his comfort zone

Review

Originally part of the anthology Lovescape, this charming novella is a winner. If you love a hero in pursuit, you couldn't ask for more out of a man than this one gives in order to win back his wife.

This quick and lovely read will brighten your day and touch your heart with laughter and tenderness.

Did you ever fall in love over a summer? I think the longer days make romance just a little more possible

Here are some Summertime Historical Romance Novels for your reading pleasure!

1. Once Upon a Highland Summer by Lecia Cornwall 

Lady Caroline Forrester is on the run from her brother's scheme to marry her off to the highest bidder. An escape to Scotland offers a chance at employment as a governess and freedom from an unhappy marriage—it's the perfect solution. But Caroline wasn't prepared for the feelings that her new employer brings out in her.

Alec McNabb, the reluctant Earl of Glenorne, never expected to return home to Scotland. But now that he's there, he realizes he has obligations that he cannot escape. Alec needs to marry well, and quickly.

When a case of mistaken identity—coupled with the sensual, magical atmosphere of Glenorne Castle—results in a passionate encounter, Caroline and Alec must decide whether their attraction is enough to overcome the problems of their pasts, or whether this one chance at true love was over before it began …

2. The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres

It's a steamy June afternoon in Louisiana, circa 1956, and Sissy LeBlanc is sitting on her front porch, wondering -- half seriously -- if she could kill herself with aspirins and Coca-Cola. She's been living in stifling old Gentry since the day she was born and trapped in a sham of a marriage to PeeWee LeBlanc since she was only seventeen. In short, she's fed up, restless, and ready for an adventure.

Sissy just never imagined temptation would come into her life that breathless summer day as she sat smoking on her porch swing. For although she may have been fixated on the taut muscles of the lineman shimmying down the telephone pole across the street, she hadn't allowed herself to imagine that he'd be none other than her high school sweetheart, Parker Davidson, who left town fourteen years before without so much as a wave good-bye. But suddenly, here he is, leaning in for a kiss that will stir up more excitement than Sissy could ever have imagined...

3. That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran 

One Daring Widow 

In the social whirl of Regency England, Elizabeth Chudderley is at the top of every guest list, the life of every party, and the belle of every ball. But her friends and admirers would be stunned to know the truth: that the merriest widow in London is also the loneliest. Behind the gaiety and smiles lies a secret longing—for something, or someone, to whisk her away. . . . 

One Reluctant Suitor 

Raised in scandal, Lord Michael de Grey is convinced that love is a losing gamble—and seduction the only game worth playing. But when duty threatens to trump everything he desires, the only way out is marriage to a woman of his brother’s choosing. Elizabeth Chudderley is delightful, delicious—and distressingly attractive. With such a captivating opponent, Michael isn’t quite sure who is winning the game. How can such passionate players negotiate a marriage of necessity— when their hearts have needs of their own?

4. Summer Fancy by Anne Avery 

Quiet, shy Zeke Jeffries is working hard to turn his run-down property into the best watermelon farm in Colorado. The last thing on his mind is finding himself a wife. Unfortunately, the match-making mamas of Rocky Ford have other plans for the handsome bachelor, and they aren’t at all shy about letting him know it.

Plain, independent-minded Sophronia Carter is burdened with a flat chest and a mother intent on finding her only daughter a husband. Sophie isn’t immune to Zeke’s charms, but since she managed to bloody his nose and ruin his best suit the first time they met, he tends to run the other way whenever she appears. And then she inadvertently saddles him with the precocious son of the town’s fancy lady. As her mother said, before she fainted dead away, “Oh, my! Sophronia! How could you?"

5. Making Waves A Novel by Lorna Seilstad 

When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn't be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It's also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews. But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father's gambling problems threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father's name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart--even if it means abandoning the family she loves?

6. The Summer of You by Kate Noble 

Lady Jane Cummings expects her summer at Merrymere Lake to be hum-drum compared to London, but when rumors of a local highwayman lead her to discover the handsome gentleman Byrne Worth, nothing can keep her from Merrymere's most wanted.

7. Secrets of a Summer Night  by Lisa Kleypas 

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

8. Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly 

Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make what everyone agrees is a perfect marriage―until handsome Major Jack Beresford comes galloping into her life. But with his fortune and connections, Onyx knows he’d never ask for her hand, would he?

9. The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd 

English orphan Miss Evangeline Scoffield has spent her life contenting herself with dreams. But with an unforeseen inheritance, she can afford one perfect summer. She buys herself expensive clothes, travels abroad, and presents herself as a lady of mystery. But she quickly discovers her mistake, for a darkly handsome man appears at her bedroom door, claiming to be a Crown Prince--and her fiancé. Her denials count for nothing. Danior will do anything to have her. Seduce her, abduct her, or when danger explodes about them, flee with his unwilling bride into a world of peril, promise and passion.

10. A Summer Folly by Mary Kingsley

An Alluring Widow...

When the dashedly handsome Duke of Tremont summoned Anne Templeton home to England, the lovely young widow left Jamaica with a wary sigh. Seven years before, as a foolish green girl, she had jilted Giles Templeton in favor of his cousin. Now she was forced to face the man she’d so grievously wounded...and so dearly loved. The worst of it was, she loved Giles still. But he was so frightfully proper now, with nothing boyish or trusting in his cool, gray eyes. He was undoubtedly in need of a woman’s care—and this summer at the seaside, Anne meant to see he had it!

...A Proper Gentleman...

It had seemed a simple enough thing to do, taking charge of his late cousin’s affairs. Giles was, after all, the head of the family. But as soon as he looked into Anne’s vibrant blue eyes, he knew there was nothing simple about his feelings for her. More beautiful than ever, she was just the sort of woman who would turn a man’s well-ordered life upside down. Well, he was beyond that sort of thing. After their summer at Brighton, he could say goodbye to Anne...but not before giving her a taste of what she’d missed!

...And Love That Never Died

Anne’s mischievous young son, a prankster of a ghost, and Giles’s stubborn mother conspire to make life difficult. But when summer’s over, will Anne and Giles find that what seems like folly is very wise, indeed?

To vote for the best of the best go to the Goodreads list, Best Historical Romances Set in Summer.