Celebrate World Book Day 2023 in style by reading some passionate and emotional romance novels set all over the world. We’ve got ten great recommendations.
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Celebrate World Book Day 2023 With Romance
It’s another World Book Day, one of our favorite “little” holidays. What better way to celebrate this occasion than by spreading romance novel love? We’re listing ten romances set in countries all over the world.
Because it’s Book Day, we’ve included some “newer” romances that we thought were worth mentioning.
PERU – Emerald Nights by Virginia Brown
SHE KNEW ABOUT MEN LIKE HIM
Back in the States, prim Bethany Brasfield would never have trusted a hard-drinking adventurer like Trace Taylor. Here in the Peruvian jungle, however, her lie and that of her archeologist father were in Trace’s callused hands as he led them past panthers, snakes, and deadly natives on the way to a legendary ancient city of jewels. The all-too-attractive scoundrel obviously expected Bethany to fall into his arms every night. But she’d be damned before she’d admit to the wanton yearnings she felt at the sight of his rippling muscles, his mocking eyes, and his slow, devastating smile…HE KNEW WHAT A WOMAN WANTED
Emerald Nights by Virginia Brown, Originally published August 1, 1991, Zebra
Trace wasn’t too happy about accepting Brasfield’s crazy assignment to search for the lost treasures of time — until he laid eyes on the archeologist’s bookkeeper daughter. Her severe hairstyle and practical khaki clothing couldn’t hide her delectable beauty. Though Bethany’s superior air might have intimidated another man, Trace figured she’d thaw out pretty fast under the brutal jungle sun. And then, there was something about those long steamy nights filled with the raucous cry of wild animals that led even the coldest of ladies to take comfort in a man’s arms — especially a man who knew what a woman wanted…
AUSTRALIA – The Playboy In Pursuit by Miranda Lee
This sexy Miranda Lee romance features a heroine who has been hurt by love in the past and an irresistible Australian playboy who seems too good to be true.
Australian Playboys #3
Was marriage on his mind?
Val Seymour appeared to be a ruthless rogue, yet he was also charming, intelligent, and… sensitive. Lucille almost believed that Val wasn’t just looking to make another notch on his bedpost but was the kind of man she’d been searching for – the kind who wanted a wife…
The Playboy In Pursuit, Miranda Lee, Originally published November 1, 2000, Mills & Boon/Harlequin
GERMANY – Designed to Annoy by Elizabeth Oldfield
Travel to Germany in this Harlequin Presents, where Sophie and Diether clash when she believes he is the father of her sister’s baby. Will she believe him when he tells her the child isn’t his?
(Postcards from Europe Series)
Destination: Germany
Attractions: the Rhine, the Black Forest–and Diether von Lossingen
When Sophie politely forced her way into powerful industrialist Diether von Lossingen’s office and insisted he assumes his rightful role as the father of the baby boy in her arms, their head-on collision left emotions raw, tempers flaring, and bodies aching with white-hot desire…
Designed to Annoy, Elizabeth Oldfield, Originally Published July 1, 1993, Mills & Boon/ Harlequin
SPAIN & ENGLAND – The Rose and the Flame by Patricia Phillips
SHE WAS A ROSE RIPE FOR THE PLUCKING…HE WAS A FLAME BURNING HOT WITH DESIRE…THEIRS WAS A LOVE THAT DEFIED THE WORLD…
Sultry and exquisitely beautiful, Elena was sought after by every man in Mary Tudor’s court, but only one held her heart. As golden as the sun, Luis de los Santos had given her a taste of ecstasy in his strong arms, but he offered illicit passion instead of a wedding ring.Driven apart by pride, they would be reunited by destiny on the sun-drenched plains of a Spanish rancho. Now Luis belonged to another, but his forbidden love for Elena knew no bounds and obeyed no strictures. Side by side, they would battle the dangers of their turbulent era and forge a new life together.
The Rose and the Flame, Patricia Phillips, Originally published August 1, 1992, Leisure/Dorchester
IRELAND – Briar Rose by Kimberly Cates
This touching romance set in Ireland features a British soldier and a sweet, fey Irish lass. These two very distinct people come together in a beautiful love story.
Book #4 in the Celtic Rogues series.
Award-winning storyteller Kimberly Cates spins a glorious tale touched with Irish charm…. Rhiannon Fitzgerald never knew her true heritage — or if her talent for healing was bequeathed by fairy magic, as her father believed. The gentle lass who roamed the hills of Ireland knew only that she must help creatures in need. But her sweet, sheltered world was about to be shaken by an alarming discovery among the mysterious standing stones above the ruins of Ballyaroon. Lying at her feet was wounded Captain Lionel Redmayne, a steely British officer as feared by his own men as by his enemies. Their worlds could not be more different, but something lured these two solitary hearts to find solace in each other’s mysterious ways.
With healing herbs and a soothing touch, Rhiannon set out to save Captain Redmayne. But she knew nothing of the risks ahead. In her care was a man who was harmed by a secret assailant, a man who could overwhelm her very soul with his hungry passions. Yet here, too, was the hero promised to her by destiny, whose love was locked in a past of secrets and pain, and in a heart to which she alone held the key….
Briar Rose, Kimberly Cates, Originally Published June 1, 1999, Pocket Books (Sonnet)
MEXICO – Gringa (aka Beast of Mexico & Taming the Beast) by Eve Rabi
I was twenty-one, a sassy college student who took crap from no one. While holidaying in Mexico, I was accosted by Diablo and shot because the motherfucker mistook me for a spy.
I survived, only to encounter him again months later. How’s that for luck?
Furious and sick of all that I’d been through because of him, I slapped him, told him to go fuck himself, and braced myself for the bullet. He could shoot me – I no longer cared.But, to my surprise, the fucker became fascinated with me and blackmailed me into becoming his woman. He’d slay the entire village that sheltered me if I rejected his proposal.
He was Kong, hairy, tattooed from fingertips to face, with scary ass piercings, blood-shot snake eyes, a ruthless killer, and above all, he was my murderer – how could anyone expect me to say yes?
To save the village, I had to.
He took me by force, terrorized me into submission, and made me his. To make matters worse, I had to put up with his ruthless, backstabbing family, who hated me and wanted to kill me.
I despised the bastard, and I told him that. Sparks flew. Fists too.
When the FBI came on the scene and secretly recruited me to help put Diablo behind bars, I was thrilled. I wanted them to throw his ass behind bars, then torment him for the rest of his life like he was doing to me. I was willing to do whatever it took to get him there.
But the more I rejected Diablo, the more he wanted me.
At times he wanted to kill me because of my insolence, but other times he just wanted me to love him.
I was his Gringa, and in an attempt to get my love, he began to change for me. Drastic changes that made me laugh at him at first, then made me curious and even intrigued me.
After all, I was an ignored child, and as an adult, nobody gave a rat’s ass about me. Here was a man who actually wanted me and was willing to do whatever it took to get me – how the hell could I not be flattered?
As the days went by, I found myself drawn to him, and I began seeing him differently. When I found out about his past, everything changed.
I now wanted to protect my murderer, my tormentor, The Devil of Mexico, from the FBI, and I was prepared to lie to the Feds if it meant saving him from them.I was even prepared to go to jail for him.
And I did.
My days in Mexico were filled with violence, hate, lust, and sorrow.
It was also filled with laughter, love, and passion, and most importantly, it taught me that love conquers all.WARNING: This book contains sexual violence, sex scenes, graphic language, drug references, and violence and is suitable for mature readers
Gringa/Beast of Mexico & Taming the Beast, Eve Rabi, Originally published November 18, 2013
FRANCE & ENGLAND – Desire in Disguise by Rebecca Brandewyne
This humorous romance is a change of pace from Rebecca Brandewyne‘s more serious, Gothic-tinged romances. Pirates, secret identities, and many dashing exploits make this a fun read.
(FYI: The hero and heroine are first cousins.)
THEY CALLED HER THE CRIMSON WITCH
Born Genevieve Saint-Georges, she had reigned as the belle of Paris until the French Revolution sent her fleeing for her life. Now, masked in scarlet, the salt breeze whipping through her hair, she is the beautiful, brazen sea capitaine who leads her pirate crew in the name of freedom — and revenge.
THEY CALLED HIM THE BLACK MEPHISTO
Notorious spy and mysterious master of disguise, the black-masked bandit of the seas, only he can match Genevieve, exploit for exploit, sword thrust for sword thrust, as he dares to rescue the innocent from the guillotine. Only he can awaken her sleeping senses with the softest, most seductive caresses till she is burning with liquid fire, beyond passion, and the sweet prisoner of… DESIRE IN DISGUISE.
Desire in Disguise, Rebecca Brandewyne, Originally published January 1987, Warner Books
EGYPT – The Lady and the Lion by Cynthia Kirk
Blaming herself for her husband’s death, archaeologist Charlotte Fairchild has given up her greatest love: Egypt. Then Dylan Pierce strides into her life. Reputed to be the infamous “Lion,” he is said to plunder ancient tombs and a woman’s virtue with the same disregard. But with a kiss as searing as the Sahara and as dangerous as a scorpion, he ignites a passion that rivals anything she’s felt before.
Welshman Dylan Pierce disdains European women and their well-bred sensibilities. But there is nothing cold or uptight about Charlotte Fairchild. She is as hot as the Egyptian sun and as fiery as its sands. Dazzling and mysterious, she embodies everything he loves about Africa. And loving the English lady will prove to be as wild and scorching as a desert whirlwind.
The Lady and the Lion, Cynthia Kirk, Originally published April 28, 2001, Leisure Books
JAPAN – Winter Blossom by Cynthia Sinclair
No man would own her, Suzanna Rutledge’s mother had been a Japanese companion to her father, a British trader. Cloistered for years, Suzanna barely knew him until James Rutledge summoned her to be a translator for his English partner.
Suzanna was ordered to cater to Lord Alex’s every whim. But she had desires of her own and her heart would be given only to the man who would win it.
Winter Blossom by Cynthia Sinclair
GREECE – Say Hello To Yesterday by Sally Wentworth
This Sally Wentworth Harlequin presents is an emotional roller-coaster about a divorced British couple who reunite under unusual circumstances in Greece. This is both a solid old-school romance and a tear-jerker.
Holly Weston had done it all alone. She had raised her small son and worked her way up to features writer for a major newspaper. Still, the bitterness of the past seven years lingered.
She had been very young when she married Nick Falconer–but old enough to lose her heart completely when he left. Despite her success in her new life, her old one haunted her. But it was over and done with–until an assignment in Greece brought her face to face with Nick, and all she was trying to forget…
Say Hello To Yesterday, Sally Wentworth, Originally published March 1, 1982, Mills & Boon/ Harlequin
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