A period of great change and growing freedom America at the Turn of the Century is an ideal era to set a romance.
Cars, bicycles, and telephones sit side by side with the older ways. Waves of European immigration settling into second generations. The growing middles class battles it out with the Elite. Great stuff!
Enjoy this love stories set as the century was turning.
1. Mission of Hope by Allie Pleiter
No one knows who he is or where he's from. But witnesses throughout San Francisco report a masked man in black is bringing supplies--and badly needed hope--to homeless earthquake survivors. Some believe that the city's gallant rescuer is a gentleman of wealth. But others whisper that he is a working-class man with courage as great as his faith. And rumor has it that one of the city's most spirited society belles is helping him against her family's wishes. What can be confirmed is that the masked messenger will need more than a miracle to escape those on his trail--and win the woman risking everything to save him....
2. BOXING DAY by Jill Barnett
A classic Christmas short story of love set in turn of the century New York City. When her grandfather dies, lonely spinster Eleanor Austen is forced to move into an apartment on the top floor of the building he leased to a noisy gymnasium owned by famed Irish boxer Conn Donnoughue. During a snowy and magical December, two lonely people just might find they have more in common than they thought...
3. Sweet Everlasting by Patricia Gaffney
Newly installed at his modest post in Wayne’s Crossing, Pennsylvania, Tyler Wilkes is a doctor, a hero of the Spanish-American War, and the heir to a great fortune. His wealthy family in Philadelphia doesn’t approve of his new station, but Tyler is sure of his calling. And the young ladies of Wayne’s Crossing can’t seem to get enough of their handsome young physician, exploiting every excuse to visit his offices with imagined maladies.
Tyler is most intrigued by Carrie Wiggins. Mute, sensitive, lovely, and troubled, Carrie lives with her abusive alcoholic stepfather, Artemis, in the mountains just outside of town. Her gentle nature and the loving care she bestows on injured animals in the woods quickly endear her to Tyler, though they belie the darkness in her life. Can she overcome her tortured past to give voice to her heart?
4. The Passions of Emma by Penelope Williamson
Born to a life of wealth and privilege in turn-of-the-century Rhode Island, Emma Tremayne's life is all mapped out for her--including her engagement to the town's most eligible bachelor. Emma's sheltered world is shattered, however, when she discovers the horrifying working conditions in her fiance's textile mill. And when she encounters Shay McKenna, a brave Irish revolutionary, she learns what it will take to defy society's conventions, and experience a love she never thought possible.
5. Runaway Hearts by Katie Rose
Amateur chemist Mary Lou Finch once blew up her own laboratory — but that was nothing compared to her explosive first meeting with Pierce Thorndike. Mary Lou fibbed outrageously to win the position of governess to Thorndike's son. In reality, she is hoping to do a little detective work and find the prize racehorse that was stolen from Thorndike's stable. For Mary Lou's father has bet every dime he has on Damien's Curse — and if the horse is not found before the Saratoga races, her family will be ruined.
Mary Lou had planned a strictly scientific investigation ... until Pierce's sexy blue eyes sent a seductive tingling from her head to her toes. Now, as high stakes, pounding hooves, and irresistible kisses sweep Mary Lou away, the novice sleuth races toward an unknown finish — one that puts her in danger of losing her heart, her innocence, and maybe even her life....
6. A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client. Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?
7. Somebody Wonderful by Kate Rothwell
The Luck Of The Irish
Michael McCann has a gentle way with women, and Timona Calverson is no exception, despite her ragged clothes. She is lovely--and in dire need of immediate rescue. The brawny policeman makes short work of the ruffians that have her cornered in a back alley of old New York. Though Timona may be no more than a runaway from a house of ill repute, Michael is determined to keep her from harm, if only for one night. . .
The Love Of Her Life
Timona can't bring herself to tell him who she really is--or that her rich family will pay handsomely for her return. She knows very little about Michael McCann, except that he is good enough to give his last cup of tea to a stranger, and compassionate enough to own the ugliest dog on earth. But the rugged Irishman's unexpected kindness has won her wayward heart--now and forever. .
8. Something Shady by Pamela Morsi
Shocking all of Venice, Missouri, when she bobs her hair, Gertrude Barkley is secretly admired from afar by Polish immigrant and successful businessman Mikolai Stefanski, until a scandalous misunderstanding brings them together.
Gertrude Barkley, unmarried and unapologetic, had already caused a lot of talk in Venice, Missouri, with her independent ways and her book-writing career. But when she bobbed her waist-length hair, the town gossips had a field day…
Mikolai Stefanski didn’t know what all the fuss was about. In fact, he rather liked Gertrude’s daring new look. A proud Polish immigrant, who had managed to become Venice’s most successful businessman, Mikolai had always admired Gertrude’s rebellious spunk-if only from afar. After all, he believed in doing things his own way, too – though he wasn’t quite as flamboyant about it.
They had lived in the same sleepy town for a long time. But it would take a scandalous discovery-and a wild misunderstanding-to make them appreciate each other in a whole new way …
9. Beauty and the Brain by Alice Duncan
For the sake of her career, stunningly beautiful actress Brenda Fitzpatrick is accustomed to hiding her keen intelligence behind the facade of a featherheaded blonde. But not when it comes to Colin Peters, a research assistant on the new romantic movie she's starring in. Fascinated by Colin's vast knowledge, she won't shy away from talking with him about his work. And she isn't blind to the good looks he conceals behind his thick glasses and rumpled clothes. Now Martin Tafft has asked Brenda to loosen up his too-meticulous research assistant. It isn't long before an improbable attraction blossoms into a love more real than any celluloid fantasy
10. Ship of Dreams by Brenda Hiatt
On her own in wild, wicked, post-Gold Rush San Francisco,
Della Gilliland has become a bit of a con artist, though a harmless one.
Falsely accused of murder by a rival snake-oil salesman, she is forced to flee
the lawless city's vigilantes aboard an outbound steamer. Surely her quick
wits--and tongue--can convince someone to help her until her pursuers are far
behind.
Stuffy New York businessman Kent Bradford is shocked when a
lovely redhead he's never met suddenly introduces herself as his wife to an
important business contact. Fearing a scene, he plays along . . . for the
moment. But moments turn into weeks and growing attraction becomes something
more. Then, only days out from New York, their ship encounters a hurricane that
threatens not only their budding love, but their very lives.
Did I leave out your favorite? Let me know!
To vote for the best of the best, go to the Goodreads list: Turn of the Century American Set Romance
To enjoy even more recommendations, visit my Pinterest Board: Turn of the Century Romance.
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