Tessa Dare’s track record is impressive: she’s a New York Times bestselling author, a two-time winner of the prestigious RITA award, and her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She writes historical romances, often set during the Regency period, which are known for their lovable, well-developed characters and humorous dialogue.
Currently residing in Southern California, Tessa Dare lives with her husband and two kids, spending her days working on new writing for her dedicated readers. Her most popular novels include The Duchess Deal, the first in a four-book series, and regency rom-com Romancing the Duke.
Courtney Milan
Writing historical romances wasn’t Courtney Milan’s first career choice — from receiving a graduate degree in theoretical chemistry to graduating from law school, she now spends her days writing full-time. The reading community is certainly grateful for the change in career paths, as Milan’s novels are filled with well-written romance and chemistry that’s off the charts.
You can’t go wrong with Milan’s seven-book The Brothers Sinister series, which kicks off with The Duchess War, a slow-burn romance between quiet wallflower Minerva Lane and the handsome duke she’s been trying to avoid. Another great series by Milan begins with The Duke Who Didn’t, a well-written multicultural romance with characters you’re sure to fall for as you read.
Nicola Cornick
Both an experienced historian and a highly esteemed author, Nicola Cornick writes genre-bending romances with all the immersive attention to detail that you’d expect from someone who studied history!
Readers will be swept away by Cornick’s popular regency romance Forbidden, featuring a heroine who believes that passion and romantic entanglements are best enjoyed in the books she reads — until she meets a handsome gentleman who just might change her mind. She also wrote The Winter Garden, a dual-timeline historical fiction novel that’s set across centuries in Victorian England.
Erica Ridley
Erica Ridley writes feel-good historical romances guaranteed to leave readers swooning long after they close the novel’s fun-filled pages.
There’s no better place to start delving into Ridley’s writing than with her award-winning Wild Wynchesters series. The delightful four-book series is introduced in The Duke Heist, an escapist read filled with laughter, spice, and a duke kidnapped by a beautiful lady! Make sure to check out the second and third romantic romps in the series, The Perks of Loving a Wallflowerand Nobody’s Princess, in preparation for the fourth and final book’s release on September 12, 2023.
Emma V. Leech
Regency romance author Emma V. Leech has written more than six award-winning series, with more on the way! Her novels are full of strong characters, enchanting settings, and top-notch worldbuilding sure to keep readers hooked.
Emma V. Leech is best known for her twelve-book Girls Who Dare series, a loosely connected saga where each novel focuses on a particular duo and their romantic storyline. Two fan-favorite selections from the series include To Break The Rules, a feisty revenge story, and To Wager with Love, an enemies-to-lovers tale of past and present passion.
Kate Bateman
If you’re looking for witty dialogue, spicy pairings, and well-written historical romance, you’re looking for Kate Bateman.
Her Ruthless Rivals trilogy is sparkling and sexy fun, kicking off with A Reckless Match, a scandalous tale of animosity turned attraction. Sizzling chemistry practically jumps off the page in To Steal A Heart, another series-starter by Bateman that’s filled with regency espionage and snarky romance.
Loretta Chase
Loretta Chase began writing romances in 1987, and she has been topping charts in the regency romance genre ever since.
The most popular of Chase’s writing is her five-book Carsington Family series, which begins with Miss Wonderful, a must-read romance that’s teeming with warmth, wit, and an unlikely pairing. Readers will also enjoy A Duke in Shining Armor, a seductive romp following a runaway bride and the best friend of the groom — he intends to return her to his friend, but the more he gets to know the bride, the more difficult that task is becoming.
Lenora Bell
Bestselling author Lenora Bell is well-traveled and well-educated, and her writing talent is sure to thrill the most selective of readers.
Her beloved three-book Wallflowers vs Rogues series is page-turning regency romance at its finest, the first of which is Love Is a Rogue, a delightful escapist read following the romance between an intellectual young woman and the arrogant carpenter who is renovating her family’s Gothic mansion. The other two novels in the series, The Devil’s Own Dukeand Duke Most Wickedare equally charming and unputdownable.
Miranda Neville
Miranda Neville grew up in England and eventually moved to the U.S., bringing a slice of her home country to her new home of Vermont through her regency-based writing.
Readers looking for scandal and spice will be charmed by Neville’s Wild Quartet, which kicks off with The Importance of Being Wicked, the story of a duke in search of love who finds it in all the wrong places. For a quicker read, check out the stand-alone romance Secrets of a Soprano, a dazzling tale of stardom and long-lost romance in regency-era London.
Julia Quinn
It’s impossible to write about regency romance authors without mentioning the infamous Julia Quinn, author of the widely popular Bridgerton series.
Julia Quinn has written much more than just the Bridgerton series, although readers would certainly be remiss not to check out the beloved regency romances, beginning with The Duke and I. Equally dreamy is Quinn’s companion series, the Smythe-Smith Quartet, the first of which is Just Like Heaven.
Georgette Heyer
An oldie but a goodie, Georgette Heyer popularized the regency romance novel in 1935 with the publication of her novel Regency Buck.
Many regency romance novelists of this day are inspired by the writings of Georgette Heyer, the most popular of which is the hilarious and charming Arabella. Some might expect writing that’s slower or more complex from an older novel, but Georgette Heyer’s style remains surprisingly fresh, modern, and most certainly worth the read.
Eva Devon
Eva Devon is the bestselling author of over thirty fiery historical romances, featuring alpha males and their strong female companions.
Devon’s best-known novel is The Spinster and the Rake, which follows Duke Edward and Miss Georgiana Bly in an unplanned engagement, which leads to an even more unplanned romance. This fast-paced read is followed up by companion novels Much Ado About Dukesand The Duke’s Secret Cinderella, for more of your regency reading pleasure.
Regency London is home to the Somerset sisters — three headstrong debutantes, who are also the leading ladies in Bradley’s enchanting Somerset Sisters trilogy. The first out of the three is titled More or Less a Marchioness, in which Iris Somerset turns down a “prim and proper” marriage proposal and begins chasing after marriage on her own terms — to the fascination and delight of Lord Phineas Knight, the very man whose proposal she so boldly rejected.
Tracy Sumner
Tracy Sumner writes alluring regency romances with a steamy twist and has published more than twenty exciting novels and novellas during her writing career.
Sumner’s heartwarming novel The Brazen Bluestocking is a regency must-read: this romance between a woman outcast by society and a man who doesn’t believe in love will have you flipping pages rapidly, while also hoping the story never ends! Readers also ought to check out the aforementioned story’s prequel, The Ice Duchess, a forbidden tale of sweet and sexy romance that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel, too.
Tamara Gill
Australian novelist Tamara Gill is an author you won’t want to miss, writing fast-paced historical romances that will sweep you up from your reading nook and into the colorful world of regency-era England.
There’s no better place to start in Gill’s impressive bibliography than with the first of her impressive ten-book Wayward Woodvilles series, A Duke of a Time. This opposites-attract romance follows the passion between an exiled duke and his employer’s dangerously enticing daughter.
Lorraine Heath
Lorraine Heath is the New York Times bestselling author of a plethora of sizzling and sensual historical romances. She loves writing about rebels and scoundrels, who you’ll find in nearly all of her novels, lightening the plot and keeping things interesting.
Her book Scoundrel of My Heartwas an Amazon Best of the Month Pick in 2021 and it’s easy to see why: from an arranged marriage to scandal and treason, there’s a little bit of everything in this exciting romantic romp. Readers who enjoy regency scandals absolutely must give Heath’s six-book Sins for all Seasons series a whirl, the first of which is Beyond Scandal and Desire.
Vivienne Lorret
Vivienne Lorret is the author of more than five exciting regency romance series, standing out in a sea of historical romances with her well-written characters and unpredictable plots.
Runaway brides and kidnapping line the pages of Lord Holt Takes a Bride, the first in Lorret’s five-book Mating Habits of Scoundrels series. Fans of the classic rom-com amnesia trope should check out How to Forget a Duke, a hilarious and sexy story of unlikely romance and extreme matchmaking mishaps.
Martha Keyes
Award-winning author Martha Keyes writes feel-good romances with a wholesome, homey vibe that’s perfect for reading during a cozy night in.
Check out her popular Donovans trilogy for heartwarming love stories with great historical value, the first of which is The Art of Victory. Readers will also enjoy Of Lands High and Low, a touching, historically accurate romance that’s set in the Scottish Highlands.
Christi Caldwell
Christi Caldwell is a mother, author, and lover of writing imperfect heroes and heroines. Her novels are spirited, feel-good reads with just enough trouble to keep readers hooked and hoping for the best!
Caldwell is best known for her twenty-two-book Heart of a Duke series, which is introduced with For Love of the Duke, the story of the delightful Lady Katherine and the solitary Duke of Bainbridge. Each book in the series stands alone, with To Marry Her Marquessand The Devil and the Debutante being fan favorites.
Evie Dunmore
Up-and-coming historical romance author Evie Dunmore provides readers with a fresh take on all things regency, with writing that feels modern and classic at the same time.
Dunmore’s debut Bringing Down the Dukeis equal parts comedy and romance, and it follows the story of independent Anabelle Archer. She is one of the first female students at the University of Oxford, and finds herself regrettably attracted to a powerful Duke who stands against all that she stands for. With two sequels published, and a fourth book in the series on the way, readers are sure to be delighted by Dunmore’s brilliant characters and engaging writing style.
Scarlett Scott
Scarlett Scott writes regency romances with humor, spice, and spirited heroines that readers will love rooting for. She loves hearing from her dedicated readers, so make sure to check her out on social media.
Her most popular novel, The Detective Duke, is the first in a four-book series that’s full of hilarious banter, lovable characters, and a generous helping of steam. Scott is also well-known for her seven-book Sinful Sutton series, the first of which is Sutton’s Spinster, a riveting tale of a scoundrel hoping to wed the one woman who doesn’t want him.
FAQs:
Is Tessa Dare still writing?
Yes, Tessa Dare is still writing, and she keeps her fans updated on her social media and website about all her upcoming releases.
Where does Tessa Dare live?
Tessa Dare currently resides in Southern California.
Who writes like Tessa Dare?
The above list of twenty authors all writes historical romances full of witty banter and sizzling chemistry, just like Tessa Dare!
What kind of books does Tessa Dare write?
Tessa Dare writes historical romance novels and novellas.
Where to start with Tessa Dare?
Although you really can’t go wrong with Tessa Dare’s writing, many readers will enjoy starting with her more popular novels, including The Duchess Dealand Romancing the Duke.
Layla Hughes is a professional writer who grew up on the Central Coast of California, and later studied English at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Her love for reading started when she was young, as she has been an avid reader ever since she mastered her ABC’s. She loves the classics, YA fiction, and loves keeping up with current reading and writing trends. She is currently traveling full-time in a converted camper van around the US, Mexico and Canada, enjoying living out a story of her own creation. find Layla on Instagram @laylabeth
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