As you get ready for All Hallow's Eve, enjoy some ghosts historical style!
1. The Ghost and Jacob Moorhead by Jeanne Savery
Verity Tomlinson, the daughter of the late Earl of Everston's son and his housekeeper's sister, feels as if she is neither fish nor fowl. It certainly would not be proper to wed the late earl's heir and she will not become his mistress.But it is not certain Jacob Moorhead will inherit. Only if he gives up his rakish life in London and lives for a year on the estate in the wilds of Yorkshire will the Hall become his.While Jacob does his best to contravene none of the requirements for inheriting, he also has to deal with the sprightly ghost of the deceased earl who has very clear notions on how Jacob should — or should not — live his life. To complicate matters further, the earl's eccentric daughter is in great danger as a result of her last adventure overseas.All in all, a happy outcome for Verity and Jacob, the most fervent wish of the ghostly earl, is not something that can be presumed.
2. Move Heaven and Earth by Christina Dodd
Miss Sylvan Miles dreaded the moment she'd see Lord Rand Malkin again. Once a dashing rogue, he's returned from battle a changed man. Sylvan, too, has suffered. Sharpened by scandal and tragedy, she vows to heal Rand's body and spirit.
But when Sylvan arrives at Clairmont Court, the man she encounters is far from the great pleasure in taunting her with stolen kisss and the legend of his ancestor's ghost. But Sylvan isn't fooled by his bravado and sets out to break down his defenses...while she fortifies her own against temptation.
3. Seduced at Midnight by Jacquie D'Alessandro
Lady Julianne Bradley has always longed for wild adventure. Unfortunately, the man with whom she wishes to share her fervor can never be hers. Tormented by her desire, she?s preparing for a suitable marriage when ghostly occurrences straight out of her latest read start happening?and to protect Julianne, her father hires the very man her heart cries out for.
4. The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
5. My Lady Ghost by June Calvin
In the wake of her beloved husband's death, a young widow had rediscovered happiness under the care of the dashing Marquess of Silverthorne. But she was scandalized when he asked her not to be his wife, but his mistress! While pondering how to handle the situation, the widow is guided by an ethereal form who visits her in her dreams, leading her into the wilds of the Marquess's estate. Will she discover the dark secret behind his refusal to enter into matrimony, and can she deny the passions her lonely heart cries out for?
6. Captive Bride by Katharine Ashe
Sensible, practical Beatrice Sinclaire has two secret passions: gothic novels and Lord Peter Cheriot, the man her beautiful sister left heartbroken years ago. When Bea’s scapegrace twin brother begs her help to rescue a maiden from a haunted castle, Bea seizes the chance for real adventure. If only Lord Cheriot didn’t insist on protecting her! How can she maintain a clear head in the face of terrible danger when all she wants is to be in his arms?
Lord Cheriot may be the catch of the London season, but he has only ever loved one woman, Bea Sinclaire. And he’s determined to have her. He doesn’t count on a meddling ghost whose demand for a virgin bride threatens Bea in the direst manner. But the specter has a deadline, All Hallows Eve, and it’s fast approaching. In the race to capture the heart of one daring lady, it’s every man—and ghost—for himself.
7. Revenge of the Barbary Ghost by Donna Lea Simpson
Fleeing the attentions of the handsome and commanding Marquess of Darkefell, Lady Anne Addison arrives on the doorstep of her dear friend. Seeking nothing but rest and relaxation, she soon finds herself putting her investigative talents to work after a sighting of the Barbary Ghost. Always a skeptic of the supernatural, Anne immediately suspects the apparition is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to conceal smugglers on the beach below her friend’s house.
When the infuriating – though enticing - marquess follows her to Cornwall, Anne is distracted from her ghost hunt by his alluring kisses, until murder gets her attention. Forced once again to work with the marquess to uncover the truth behind a mystery, she soon discovers that her passionate attraction to him has not abated. Should she run from him again, or give in to temptation?
8. Old Lover's Ghost by Joan Smith
Charity Wainwright’s father had a special ability to placate ghosts, so they frequently traveled about the country. Which gave her little time to acquire a husband. But when they arrived at Keefer Hall, whose ghost was distressing the Earl of Merton’s mother, there was much more amiss than a ghost. The earl was more than skeptical of Charity’s father—and her—but he could be charming when he wished… Regency Romance by Joan Smith; originally published by Fawcett
9. The Ghost and Lady Alice by M. C. Beaton
Alice Lovesey was a poorly mistreated scullery maid whose desperate plea for help miraculously summoned Wadham Hall's rakish eighth duke - summoned him from the dead! Though caught up in the delights of being newly materialized, the duke promised to return the favor by helping Alice become a lady of quality. But did Alice's heart stand a ghost of a chance now that she had lost it to a restless spirit?
10. These Haunted Hearts by Anna Campbell
In one fateful wedding day at Marston Hall in 1818, four linked destinies hover in the balance.
Josiah Aston, Earl of Stansfield, wakes to discover he’s seventy years dead and he alone can free his beloved wife Isabella’s tormented soul. But first he must convince her to trust him against all the evidence…
Lady Isabella Verney, beautiful and tempestuous, married the man of her dreams, only to die violently on her wedding day. Every clue points to Josiah as the murderer…
Is true love strong enough to defeat ancient malevolence forever?
Miles Hartley, Viscount Kendall, is society’s ideal catch, but what does that matter if he can’t convince Calista Aston that he loves her? When an age-old curse strikes, only by proving himself worthy of her faith can he save their happiness…
Lady Calista Aston, noted bluestocking, fears she loves Miles Hartley not wisely, but too well. On her wedding day, her doubts place her at evil’s mercy. When death and disaster loom, is it courage or mad folly to believe that Miles loves her in spite of all her faults?
On one fateful wedding day at Marston Hall in 1818, will the lovers emerge triumphant or will darkness conquer all?
Let me know your favorites!
Vote for the best of the best, on my Goodreads list: Spirited: Historical Romances with Ghosts