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To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday, our lovely Mills & Boon authors share their romance books that have been inspired by Shakespeare…
Inspired by Taming of the Shrew
Taming her Irish Warrior was directly inspired by The Taming of the Shrew. My sword-wielding heroine, Honora St. Leger, was inspired by Katherine in Shakespeare’s Taming. The hero, Ewan MacEgan, is planning to marry her sister, but he finds himself tempted by Honora instead!
When did Ewan MacEgan grow to be so overwhelmingly strong and disarmingly sexy? He intends to wed Honora St. Leger’s demure sister—but why should that matter to her? Honora would rather wield a sword than a mending needle and, as a widow, she knows there is little pleasure in the marriage bed….
Ewan MacEgan has set his sights on a wealthy bride but, tantalizingly, he finds himself drawn to the forbidden Honora! One touch and he is longing to awaken her sensuality, for he suspects she will be as passionate in bed as she is on the battlefield!
A Wager for the Widow has a Taming of the Shrew feel to it. The hero Will makes a bet that he can win a kiss from Eleanor, a strong-minded woman determined to remain single while her parents wish her to remarry. She in turn is determined to ignore the advances of the arrogant young steward. Verbal games and a battle of wits ensue but unlike Petruchio, Will doesn’t resort to psychological torture to win his woman.
Widowed Lady Eleanor Peyton has chosen a life of independence. Living alone on her rocky coastal outcrop, she’s cut herself off from the world of men – until William Rudhale saves her life and demands a kiss!
As steward to Lady Eleanor’s father, Will knows the desire he burns with is futile – but he’ll still wager he can claim Eleanor’s kiss by midwinter! Yet when the tide turns Will realises vulnerable Eleanor is far too precious to gamble with. Can he win his lady before it’s too late?
Her Enemy at the Alter is based on The Taming of the Shrew.
Scandal broke last night when Lady Constance Stuart was discovered in the arms of Aaron Wincanton, the son of her family’s greatest enemy! But now we can reveal an even more shocking development. Our sources say a special licence was obtained and the two were married before sunrise!
It’s been confirmed that Aaron has stolen his new bride away to the country to begin their unexpected marriage. We’ll be watching closely to see exactly what happens when a gentleman invites his enemy into his bed …
Inspired by Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene intrigues me. The couple can see each other and speak freely, but cannot touch. I love the idea. In The Wallflower Duchess, Lily Hightower and the Duke of Edgeworth use the view through her window in a similar way. I hope that a novel with a Duke climbing a ladder to nail a white handkerchief of surrender in a windowsill, while knowing that his servants are spying on him, carries on a bit of the balcony tradition.
To Lily Hightower, Edge is still the adventurous boy she grew up with, even though he’s now become the formidable Duke of Edgeworth. So when he doesn’t propose to her sister as everyone expects, shy Lily marches right up to him to ask why…
Wallflower Lily is amazed to learn that she is the Duke’s true choice. She’s hiding a secret which, if he found out, could threaten everything. But Lily is the Duchess of his dreams -and Edge is determined to make her his!
Betrayed by His Kiss is a Renaissance Italy romance, based on Romeo and Juliet.
Orlando Landucci knows all too well what darkness lies beneath Florence’s dazzling splendour. And when his beloved sister is torn from him he will stop at nothing to avenge her death.
But from the moment he lays eyes on innocent Isabella Spinola something inside him shifts. She is the kin of his sworn enemy, yet he feels compelled to protect her. With every forbidden kiss Orlando’s sense of betrayal deepens – so when the time for vengeance comes will their bond be enough to banish the shadows for ever?