Tormented HeroinesscarletThese tormented heroines are at complete odds with the world around them – either because there is something in their past for which they feel deep remorse or shame, or because they are misfits who have not found yet a place in which they can be happy and fulfilled. They could be cynical, emotionally distant, unhappily eccentric, or wild. What they share is an edge that stems from their deep frustrations.

(List begun 09/97, updated 10/13)

 

  • Velvet Touch (1996) by Catherine Archer – HH-322 – Lady Fellis Grayson
  • A Dove at Midnight (1993) by Rexanne Becnel – Lady Joanna Preston (A at AAR)
  • The Shattered Rose (1996) by Jo Beverley – Jehanne of Heywood
  • The Courtesan (2005) by Susan Carroll (Renaissance) – Gabrielle Cheney (A- at AAR)
  • Velvet Angel (1983) by Jude Deveraux – Elizabeth Chatworth
  • The Warlord (1995) by Elizabeth Elliott – Lady Tess of Remmington
  • The Linnet (2004) by Elizabeth English – Lady Maude Darnley (A- at AAR)
  • The Irish Devil (2000) by Donna Fletcher – Faith (B at AAR)
  • Saving Grace (1993) by Julie Garwood – Lady Johanna (A/A at AAR)
  • By Design (2001) by Madeline Hunter – Joan (A at AAR)
  • The Conqueror (1990) by Brenda Joyce – Ceidre
  • For My Lady’s Heart (1993) by Laura Kinsale – Princess Melanthe di Monteverde (A at AAR)
  • This Is All I Ask (1997) by Lynn Kurland – Gillian of Warewick (A at AAR)
  • Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey – Rowena Belleme (A at AAR)
  • Dream of Me (2001) by Josie Litton (Maura Seger) – Lady Cymbra of Hawkforte (A- at AAR)
  • Scoundrel’s Kiss (2010) by Carrie Lofty – Ada of Keyworth (B at AAR)
  • Secret Vows (2001) by Mary Reed McCall – Catherine of Somerset (B- at AAR)
  • A Kingdom of Dreams (1991) by Judith McNaught – Jennifer Merrick (A at AAR)
  • Taming the Wolf (1995) by Deborah Simmons – HH-284 – Lady Marion Warenne (B at AAR)
  • Dangerous Gifts (1999) by Haywood Smith – Claire DePeche (B+ at AAR)
  • Danegeld (2001) by Susan Squires – Britta (A/B+ at AAR)
  • Lord of Danger (1997) by Anne Stuart – Lady Alys of Summersedge (B- at AAR)
  • A Christmas Bride (1997) by Mary Balogh – Helena, Lady Stapleton
  • The Secret Pearl (1991) by Mary Balogh – Isabella Bradshaw aka Fleur Hamilton (A at AAR)
  • Red Rose (1986) by Mary Balogh – Rosalind Dacey
  • Web of Love (1990) by Mary Balogh – Ellen Simpson (C+ at AAR)
  • An Arranged Marriage (1991) by Jo Beverley – Eleanor Chivenbam
  • One Good Turn (2001) by Carla Kelly – Liria Valencia (A- at AAR)
  • Reforming Lord Ragsdale (1995) by Carla Kelly – Emma Costello (A at AAR)
  • The Lady’s Companion (1996) by Carla Kelly – Susan Hampton (A at AAR)
  • Kindred Spirits (2002) by Allison Lane – Marianne Barrett (B at AAR)
  • Christmas Wishes (1992) by Barbara Metzger – Juneclaire Beaumont
  • A Kind of Honor (1980) by Joan Wolf – Amanda Doune
  • The Scottish Lord (1982) by Joan Wolf – Frances Stewart
  • Heartless (1995) by Mary Balogh – Lady Anna Marlowe (A at AAR)
  • No Man’s Mistress (2001) by Mary Balogh – Viola Thornhill (C+ at AAR)
  • Seducing an Angel (2009) by Mary Balogh – Cassandra Belmont, Baroness Paget (B+ at AAR)
  • Forbidden (1994) by Jo Beverley – Serena, Lady Riverton (A at AAR)
  • The Black Hawk (2011) by Joanna Bourne – Justine de Cabrillac aka Justine DuMotier (A at AAR)
  • All Through the Night (1997) by Connie Brockway – Anne Wilder (A at AAR)
  • My Dearest Enemy (1998) by Connie Brockway – Lillian Bede (A at AAR)
  • Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight (2012) by Grace Burrowes – Lady Louisa Windham
  • The Virtuoso (2011) by Grace Burrowes – Ellen Markham, Baroness Roxbury, aka Ellen FitzEngle (B+ at AAR)
  • Love Me Not (1996) by Eve Byron – Lady Kathleen Basset (B- at AAR)
  • Captive of Sin (2009) by Anna Campbell – Lady Charis Weston (B+ at AAR)
  • Never Deceive a Duke (2007) by Liz Carlyle – Antonia Ventnor, Duchess of Warneham (A- at AAR)
  • Tempted All Night (2009) by Liz Carlyle – Lady Phaedra Northampton (A- at AAR)
  • A Woman Scorned (2000) by Liz Carlyle – Jonet Rowland, Marchioness of Mercer (B/C at AAR)
  • Captives of the Night (1994) by Loretta Chase – Leila Beaumont (A at AAR)
  • The Last Hellion (1998) by Loretta Chase – Lydia Grenville (A/C at AAR)
  • Night Fire (1989) by Catherine Coulter – Arielle Cochrane, Viscountess Rendel, née Leslie (A at AAR)
  • Dance (1996) by Judy Cuevas (Judith Ivory) – Marie DuGard (A- at AAR)
  • Move Heaven and Earth (1995) by Christina Dodd – Sylvan Miles
  • A Well Pleasured Lady (1997) by Christina Dodd – Mary Rottenson aka Guinevere Mary Fairchild (A at AAR)
  • At Your Pleasure (2012) by Meredith Duran – Leonora, Marchioness of Towe, née Colville (B+ at AAR)
  • Bound by Your Touch (2009) by Meredith Duran – Lydia Boyce (A at AAR)
  • The Duke of Shadows (2008) by Meredith Duran (partly set in India – Emmaline Martin (B- at AAR)
  • That Scandalous Summer (2013) by Meredith Duran – Elizabeth Chudderley (B at AAR)
  • The Danger of Desire (2011) by Elizabeth Essex – Meggs Tanner (B+ at AAR)
  • The Duke (2000) by Gaelen Foley – Belinda Hamilton (A- at AAR)
  • Lily (1991) by Patricia Gaffney – Lily Trehearne
  • To Have and To Hold (1995) by Patricia Gaffney – Rachel Wade (A at AAR)
  • Everything I Ever Wanted (2003) by Jo Goodman – India Parr
  • If His Kiss Is Wicked (2007) by Jo Goodman – Emma Hathaway (A- at AAR)
  • The Price of Desire (2008) by Jo Goodman – Olivia Cole (B+ at AAR)
  • To Catch a Bride (2009) by Anne Gracie (partially set in Egypt) – Ayisha aka Alicia Cleeve (B+ at AAR)
  • A Gentleman Undone (2012) by Cecilia Grant – Lydia Slaughter (B+ at AAR)
  • A Lady Awakened (2012) by Cecilia Grant – Martha Russell (A- at AAR)
  • To Beguile a Beast (2009) by Elizabeth Hoyt – Helen Fitzwilliam (A at AAR)
  • Untie My Heart (2002) by Judith Ivory – Emma Hotchkiss (A- at AAR)
  • Scandal (2009) by Carolyn Jewel – Sophie Evans (B+ at AAR)
  • The Perfect Bride (2007) by Brenda Joyce – Lady Blanche Harrington (B at AAR)
  • The Veil of Night (2005) by Lydia Joyce – Lady Victoria Wakefield (B at AAR)
  • The Music of the Night (2005) by Lydia Joyce – Sarah Connolly (A- at AAR)
  • The Surgeon’s Lady (2009) by Carla Kelly – Laura, Lady Taunton (A- at AAR)
  • Prince of Midnight (1990) by Laura Kinsale – Leigh Strachan (A at AAR)
  • Then Came You (1993) by Lisa Kleypas – Lily Lawson (A at AAR)
  • Tempted Tigress (2007) by Jade Lee (set in China) – Anna Marie Thompson (B+ at AAR)
  • Like No Other Lover (2008) by Julie Anne Long – Cynthia Brightly (B+ at AAR)
  • One Night Is Never Enough (2011) by Anne Mallory – Charlotte Chatsworth (A at AAR)
  • Once an Angel (1993) by Teresa Medeiros (partly set in New Zealand) – Emily Scarborough (A at AAR)
  • Sweet Madness Mine (1994) by Elizabeth Ann Michaels – Kaitlin Duville
  • The Bartered Bride (2002) by Mary Jo Putney (partly set in Idonesia) – Alexandra Warren (B at AAR)
  • Silk and Secrets (1992) by Mary Jo Putney – Juliet Cameron (A- at AAR)
  • A Promise of Love (1997) by Karen Ranney – Judith Henderson, née Cuthbertson
  • The Scottish Companion (2007) by Karen Ranney – Gillian Cameron (A- at AAR)
  • So in Love (2004) by Karen Ranney – Jeanne du Marchand (B at AAR)
  • A Spear of Summer Grass (2013) by Deanna Raybourn (set in Kenya) – Delilah Drummond (B+ at AAR)
  • The Lily Brand (2005) by Sandra Schwab – Lillian (B at AAR)
  • Secrets in Satin (1997) by Haywood Smith – Elizabeth, Countess of Ravenwold (B- at AAR)
  • A Rose at Midight (1993) by Anne Stuart – Ghislaine de Lorgny (A at AAR)
  • A Fire in the Heart (1990) by Katherine Sutcliffe – Bonnie Eden (A at AAR)
  • My Only Love (1993) by Katherine Sutcliffe – Olivia Devonshire
  • In My Heart (2004) by Melody Thomas – Lady Alexandra Marshall (B- at AAR)
  • Not Quite a Husband (2009) by Sherry Thomas – Bryony Asquith (A at AAR)
  • Another Eden (1992) by Patricia Gaffney – Sara Cochrane
  • Sweet Everlasting (1993) by Patricia Gaffney – Carrie Wiggins (B+ at AAR)
  • Hers Forever (1995) by Wendy Garrett – Cari Fremont (B+ at AAR)
  • Moon in the Water (2004) by Elizabeth Grayson – Ann Rossiter (B+ at AAR)
  • Tempest (1991) by Catherine Hart – Charity Prindle
  • Apache Magic (1991) by Janis Reams Hudson – Daniella Blackwood
  • Daughter of Fortune (1985) by Carla Kelly – Maria Espinosa (B+ at AAR)
  • Day Dreamer (1996) by Jill Marie Landis – Celine Winters (A at AAR)
  • A Reason to Live (2006) by Maureen McKade – Laurel Covey (A at AAR)
  • Morning Glory (1989) by LaVyrle Spencer – Eleanor Dinsmore (A at AAR)
  • The Doctor’s Wife (1999) by Cheryl St. John – Ellie Parish (B at AAR)
  • Surrender the Night (1994) by Susan B. Teklits – Vanessa Davis
  • Heaven In His Arms (1995) by Lisa Anne Verge (set in Canada) – Genevieve Lalande
  • The Night in Question (9/2002) by Harper Allen – HI-680 – Julia Tennant (A- at AAR)
  • Star Bright (2009) by Catherine Anderson – Rainie Danning (B at AAR)
  • Sweet Nothings (2002) by Catherine Anderson – Molly Wells (A- at AAR)
  • Fat Tuesday (1997) by Sandra Brown – Remy Duvall
  • Baby Christmas (12/2000) by Pamela Browning – HAR-854 – Rachel Hirsch
  • Cherish This Moment (5/1986) by Sandra Canfield – HSR-213 – Tracy Kent
  • Virgin River (2007) by Robyn Carr – Melinda Monroe (B+ at AAR)
  • Whispering Rock (2007) by Robyn Carr – Brie Sheridan (A- at AAR)
  • Streets of Fire (6/1990) by Judith Duncan – HSR-407 – Sydney Foster (A at AAR)
  • Mr. Family (10/1996) by Margot Early – HSR-711 – Erika Blade (B+ at AAR)
  • Samantha Jellicoe series (2005-07) by Suzanne Enoch – Samantha Jellicoe (grades from A- to B+ at AAR)
  • Twelve Days (2000) by Teresa Hill – Rachel McRae (B at AAR)
  • Cry Wolf (1993) by Tami Hoag – Laurel Chandler
  • After the Night (1995) by Linda Howard – Faith Devlin Hardy (B at AAR)
  • Cry No More (2003) by Linda Howard – Milla Boone (A- at AAR)
  • Dream Man (1995) by Linda Howard – Marlie Keen (A+/A at AAR)
  • Kiss Me While I Sleep (2007) by Linda Howard – Lily Mansfield (B+ at AAR)
  • Making Her Way Home (8/2012) by Janice Kay Johnson – HSR-1796 – Elizabeth Greenway
  • Blue-eyed Devil (2008) by Lisa Kleypas – Haven Travis (B+ at AAR)
  • Smooth Talking Stranger (2009) by Lisa Kleypas – Ella Varner (B at AAR)
  • A Soldier’s Heart (11/1994) by Kathleen Korbel – SIM-602 – Claire Henderson (A- at AAR)
  • Forget Me Not (10/1984) by Elizabeth Lowell – SIM-72 – Alana Reeves
  • Sweet Talk (2008) by Susan Mallery – Claire Keyes (B+ at AAR)
  • Stolen Hearts (1997) by Michelle Martin – Tess Alcott (A at AAR)
  • She’s Got It Bad (4/2009) by Sarah Mayberry – HB-464 – Zoe Ford (A- at AAR)
  • Dare You To (2013) by Katie McGarry (young adult) – Elisabeth Risk
  • Can’t Buy Me Love (2012) by Molly O’Keefe – Tara Jean Sweet (B+ at AAR)
  • Dream a Little Dream (1997) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Rachel Stone (B+/B at AAR)
  • Natural Born Charmer (2007) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Blue Bailey (A-/B at AAR)
  • The Brazilian’s Blackmailed Bride (10/2005) by Michelle Reid – HP-2493 – Cristina Marques
  • Angels Fall (2006) by Nora Roberts – Reese Gilmore (A at AAR)
  • Born in Fire (1994) by Nora Roberts – Margaret Mary Concannon (A/A at AAR)
  • Endings and Beginnings (1/1984) by Nora Roberts – SIM-33 – Olivia Carmichael
  • Public Secrets (1990) by Nora Roberts – Emma McAvoy
  • The Witness (2012) by Nora Roberts – Abigail Lowery (B at AAR)
  • Die for Me (2007) by Karen Rose – Sophie Johanssen (B+ at AAR)
  • I Can See You (2009) by Karen Rose – Eve Wilson (B at AAR)
  • I’m Watching You (2004) by Karen Rose – Kristin Mayhew (B- at AAR)
  • Kill for Me (2009) by Karen Rose – Susannah Vartanian (B+ at AAR)
  • Scream for Me (2008) by Karen Rose – Alex Fallon (B+ at AAR)
  • The Man Who Loved Christmas (12/1999) by Katherine Shay – HSR-877 – Beth Winters aka Lizzie Borden
  • The Gingerbread Man (2001) by Maggie Shayne – Holly Newman (B at AAR)
  • Blackout (2006) by Annie Solomon – Margo Scott
  • Dead Shot (2007) by Annie Solomon – Gillian Gray (B- at AAR)
  • Hunt Her Down (2009) by Roxanne St. Claire – Magdalena (Maggie) Varcek (B at AAR)
  • Imagine Love (1996) by Katherine Stone – Claire Chamberlain & Lady Sarah Pembroke
  • Banish Misfortune (4/1985) by Anne Stuart – HARPE-5 – Jessica Hanson (A at AAR)
  • Chain of Love (11/1983) by Anne Stuart – HAR-30 – Cathy Whiteheart
  • Ritual Sins (1997) by Anne Stuart – Rachel Connery
  • Special Gifts (2/1990) by Anne Stuart – SIM-321 – Elizabeth Hardy (A at AAR)
  • American Dreamer (1997) by Theresa Weir – Lark Leopold
  • Long Night Moon (1995) by Theresa Weir – Sara Ivy
  • Hell Kat (2006), revised as Vanquished (2012) by Vivi Anna (erotic) – Kat (B- at AAR)
  • Inferno (2006) by Vivi Anna – Kat (A at AAR)
  • Bitten (2001) by Kelley Armstrong – Elena Michaels (A- at AAR)
  • Demon Angel (2007) by Meljean Brook – Lilith (B- at AAR)
  • Kiss of a Demon King (2009) by Kresley Cole – Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions (B at AAR)
  • No Rest for the Wicked (2006) by Kresley Cole – Kaderin the Cold
  • Pleasure of a Dark Prince (2010) by Kresley Cole – Lucia the Huntress (B+ at AAR)
  • Revolution (2010) by Jennifer Donnelly – Diandra Alpers (young adult time travel)
  • Son of the Morning (1997) by Linda Howard – Grace St. John (B+ at AAR)
  • In Death series (1995-) by J.D. Robb – Eve Dallas (grades from A to C at AAR)
  • Archangel (1996) by Sharon Shinn – Rachel (A at AAR)
  • Mystic and Rider (2005) by Sharon Shinn – Senneth (B at AAR)
  • Guild Hunter series (2009-) by Nalini Singh – Elena Deveraux (grades from A- to B at AAR)
  • Bride of the Mist (1996) by Christina Skye – Kara FitzGerald (B+/B at AAR)
  • Lover Mine (2010) by J.R. Ward – Xhex (B- at AAR)

This list is currently closed for submissions.