Villains

Romances with dastardly and evil villains and villainesses you’ll remember forever.
Also found here are villains who turned heroic in their own stories.

List begun 09/97, updated 08/2016

  • Betrothed (1996) by Elizabeth Elliott – Dante Chiavari
  • Honor’s Splendour (1987) by Julie Garwood – Baron Loudden (A at AAR)
  • The Wedding (1996) by Julie Garwood – Euphemia (B at AAR)
  • The Conquerer (1990) by Brenda Joyce – Lady Alice
  • Prisoner of My Desire (1991) by Johanna Lindsey – Gilbert (A at AAR)
  • A Kingdom of Dreams (1989) by Judith McNaught – Lord Merrik (A at AAR)
  • Lady of Fire (1987) by Anita Mills – Robert Belesme
  • Lady Gallant (1991) by Suzanne Robinson – Jack Midnight (A at AAR)
  • The Vow (1994) by Mary Spencer – Terent of Ravinet
  • Lady Fortune (2000) by Anne Stuart – Father Paulus (B at AAR)

  • Courting Julia (1993) by Mary Balogh – Freddie Sullivan, who becomes the hero in Dancing with Clara (1994)
  • Dark Angel (1994) by Mary Balogh – Lionel Kersey, Earl of Rushford
  • Lord Carew’s Bride (1995) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR) – Lionel Kersey, Earl of Rushford
  • A Precious Jewel (1993) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR) – Lady Helena Stapleton, who becomes the heroine in A Christmas Bride (1997)
  • A Promise of Spring (1990) by Mary Balogh – Gareth, Lord Sandersford
  • The Secret Pearl (1991) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR) – Matthew Bradshaw, Baron Brocklehurst
  • The Trysting Place (1986) by Mary Balogh – Edmond, Lord Waite, who becomes the hero in The Notorious Rake (1992)
  • The Company of Rogues series (1991-1995) by Jo Beverley – Lord Deveril
  • Libby’s London Merchant (1991) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR) – Benedict Nesbitt, Duke of Knaresborough, who becomes the hero in One Good Turn (2001)
  • The Diabolical Baron (1987) by Mary Jo Putney (B at AAR) – Reginald Davenport, who becomes the hero in The Rake and the Reformer (1989)
  • The Rake and the Reformer (1989) by Mary Jo Putney (A at AAR) – George Blakeford
  • The Weaver Takes a Wife (1999) by Sheri Cobb South (A- at AAR) – Nigel Haversham, Earl of Waverly, who becomes the hero in French Leave (2001)  – NEW!
  • A London Season (1981) by Joan Wolf – Julian Wrexham

  • The Pirate Next Door (2003) by Jennifer Ashley (B+ at AAR) – James Ardmore, who becomes the hero in The Pirate Hunter (2004)
  • Heartless (1995) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR) – Henrietta Kendrick, Duchess of Harndon, and Sir Lovatt Blaydon
  • Only Beloved (2016) by Mary Balogh (B+ at AAR) – Anthony Meikle, Earl of Eastham – NEW!
  • Slightly Scandalous (2003) by Mary Balogh (B at AAR) – Corinne Moore, Marchioness of Hallmere
  • My Lady Notorious (1993) by Jo Beverley (B+ at AAR) – The Earl of Walgrave
  • Salt Bride and Salt Redux (2010/2013) by Lucinda Brant – Lady Diana St. John – NEW!
  • The Highlander (2016) by Kerrigan Byrne (B- at AAR) – Gordon St. Vincent, Viscount Benchley – NEW!
  • The Hunter (2016) by Kerrigan Byrne (B at AAR) – Dorshaw – NEW!
  • The Captive (2014) by Grace Burrowes (A- at AAR) – Robert Girard, who becomes the hero in The Traitor (2014) – NEW!
  • Lord of Scoundrels (1995) by Loretta Chase (A/B- at AAR) – Francis Beaumont
  • Captives of the Night (1994) by Loretta Chase (A at AAR) – Francis Beaumont
  • The Lion’s Daughter (1992) by Loretta Chase – Ismal Delvina, who becomes the hero in Captives of the Night (1994)
  • Moonspun Magic (1988) by Catherine Coulter (A at AAR) – Damien Carstairs, Baron Drago
  • Bliss (1995) by Judy Cuevas (A at AAR) – Sébastien de Saint Vallier, who becomes the hero in Dance (1996)
  • For All Eternity (1998) by Heather Cullman (B- at AAR) – Lord Quentin Somerville, who becomes the hero in The Perfect Scoundrel (2000)
  • The Runaway Princess (1999) by Christina Dodd (B+/C- at AAR) – Dominic, Prince of Baminia, who becomes the hero in Someday My Prince (1999)
  • Falling for Chloe (2000) by Diane Farr (B+ at AAR) – George Carstairs, Baron Rival, who becomes the hero in The Fortune Hunter (2002)
  • One Night of Sin (2005) by Gaelen Foley (B at AAR) – Prince Mikhail Kurkov
  • To Love and To Cherish (1995) by Patricia Gaffney (A at AAR) – Geoffrey Verlaine, Viscount D’Aubrey
  • Rightfully His (1998) by Tracy Grant (A-/B- at AAR) – Daniel de Ribard
  • Shadows of the Heart (1996) by Tracy Grant – Daniel de Ribard
  • The Abduction of Julia (2000) by Karen Hawkins (B- at AAR) – Nicholas Montrose, Earl of Bridgeton, who becomes the hero in The Seduction of Sara (2001)
  • Maiden Lane series (2010 -) by Elizabeth Hoyt (various grades at AAR) – Valentine Napier, Duke of Montgomery, who becomes the hero in Duke of Sin (2016) – NEW!
  • The Golden Leopard (2002) by Lynn Kerstan (B+ at AAR) – Shivaji
  • No Greater Love (1992) by Katherine Kingsley – Jacqueline Daventry, Countess Raven
  • The Prince of Midnight (1990) by Laura Kinsale (A at AAR) – James Chilton
  • Dreaming of You (1994) by Lisa Kleypas (A at AAR) – Joyce, Countess of Ashby
  • It Happened One Autumn (2005) by Lisa Kleypas (A- at AAR) – Sebastian, Viscount St. Vincent, who becomes the hero in Devil in Winter (2006)
  • Lady Sophia’s Lover (2002) by Lisa Kleypas (A at AAR) – Nick Gentry, who becomes the hero in Worth Any Price (2003)
  • Midnight Angel (1995) by Lisa Kleypas – Prince Nikolas Angelovsky, who becomes the hero in Prince of Dreams (1995)
  • Then Came You (1993) by Lisa Kleypas – Guiseppe
  • The Runaway Duke (2004) by Julie Anne Long (A at AAR) – Anthony, Baron Edelston and Cordelia Blackburn, Duchess of Dunbrook
  • Stealing Midnight (2009) by Tracy MacNish (B at AAR) – Rhys Gawain
  • Almost Heaven (1990) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR) – Charise, Lady Dumont and Julius Cameron
  • Silk & Shadows (1991) by Mary Jo Putney (A at AAR) – Sir Charles Weldon
  • Thunder and Roses (1993) by Mary Jo Putney (A at AAR) – Lord Michael Kenyon, who becomes the hero in Shattered Rainbows (1996)
  • The Seduction (2002) by Julia Ross (A- at AAR) – Lord Edward Vane
  • The Chase (2005) by Cheryl Sawyer (B at AAR) – Mystery Villain
  • Gabriel’s Woman (1994) by Robin Schone (A- at AAR) – Yves
  • The Lady’s Tutor (1999) by Robin Schone (A- at AAR) – Edward Petre
  • The Lover (2000) by Robin Schone (B- at AAR) – Earl of Granville
  • The Lily Brand (2005) by Sandra Schwab (B at AAR) – Camille
  • The Bronze Horseman (2001) by Paullina Simons (A- at AAR) – Dmitri
  • Miracle (1995) by Katherine Sutcliffe – Trey Hawthorne, Duke of Salterdon, who becomes the hero in Devotion (1996)
  • My Beautiful Enemy (2014) by Sherry Thomas (A-/C+ at AAR) – Lin – NEW!
  • The Golden Chronicles (1985-1991) by Patricia Veryan – Roland Fairleigh Mathieson aka Otton, who is the villain of the series until The Dedicated Villain (1989)

  • Defiant (2012) by Pamela Clare (A- at AAR) – Lord William Wentworth  – NEW!
  • Surrender (2006) by Pamela Clare (B- at AAR) – Lord William Wentworth  – NEW!
  • Untamed (2008) by Pamela Clare(A- at AAR)  – Lord William Wentworth  – NEW!
  • Widow’s Fire (1990) by Elizabeth Chadwick – Penelope Harte
  • Virgin Fire (1991) by Elizabeth Chadwick – Penelope Harte
  • The Tiger’s Woman (1981) by Celeste DeBlasis – Radley Allen
  • Another Eden (1992) by Patricia Gaffney – Ben Cochrane and Tasha
  • Allie’s Moon (2000) by Alexis Harrington (B- at AAR) – Olivia Ford
  • Shadow Play (1991) by Katherine Sutcliff – Rodolfo King (set in Brazil) – NEW!

  • Star Bright (2009) by Catherine Anderson (B at AAR) – Peter Danning
  • Dr. Yes (2003) by Lisa Cach (B at AAR) – Dr. Alan Archer
  • Dangerous Masquerade (1/1977) and Sonora Sundown (6/1978) by Janet Dailey – LaRaine Evans, who becomes the heroine in A Land Called Deseret (12/1979) – HP-171, HP-239, HP-326 – NEW!
  • To the Brink (2007) by Cindy Gerard – Secretary of State Hugh Morgan – NEW!
  • Cry Wolf (1993) by Tami Hoag – Danjermond
  • All The Queen’s Men (1999) by Linda Howard (C+ at AAR) – Louis Ronsard
  • Death Angel (2008) by Linda Howard (A/A at AAR) – Spoiler to reveal  – NEW!
  • Dream Man (1994) by Linda Howard (A+/A at AAR) – Carroll Janes
  • Ice (2009) by Linda Howard (B at AAR) – Niki and Darwin
  • Mr. Perfect (2000) by Linda Howard (A/B at AAR) – Leah Street
  • No One to Trust (2002) by Iris Johansen (B+ at AAR) – Judd Morgan, who becomes the hero in Dead Aim (2004)
  • Dark Mafia Prince (2016) by Annika Martin (B at AAR) – Bloody Lazarus – NEW!
  • Paradise (1991) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR) – Philip Bancroft
  • Burn Down the Night (2016) by M. O’Keefe (A at AAR) – Lagan – NEW!
  • Everything I Left Unsaid & The Truth About Him duology (2015) by M. O’Keefe (A- at AAR) – Rabbit – NEW – NEW!
  • Little Darlin’ (6/1998) by Cheryl Reavis (A at AAR) – Rita Warren, who becomes the heroine in The Long Way Home (5/1999) – SSE-1177, SSE-1245
  • Beachcomber (2003) by Karen Robards (B- at AAR) – Mystery Villain
  • Born in Fire (1994) by Nora Roberts (A/A at AAR) – Maeve Concannon
  • Born in Ice (1995) by Nora Roberts (A at AAR) – Maeve Concannon
  • Born in Shame (1996) by Nora Roberts – Maeve Concannon
  • Chesapeake Blue (2002) by Nora Roberts (A/B at AAR) – Gloria DeLauter
  • Inner Harbor (1999) by Nora Roberts (B+/B at AAR) – Gloria DeLauter
  • Rising Tides (1998) by Nora Roberts (A/B+ at AAR) – Gloria DeLauter
  • Public Secrets (1990) by Nora Roberts – Drew Latimer
  • Sea Swept (1998) by Nora Roberts (A/B at AAR) – Gloria DeLauter
  • Die for Me (2008) by Karen Rose (B+ at AAR) – Simon Vartanian
  • Badlands (2014) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR) – Ace Clemmons, who becomes the hero in Shooting Dirty (2015) – NEW!
  • Home at Last (1999) by Katherine Stone – Lady Killer
  • Cold as Ice (2006) by Anne Stuart – Harry Van Dorn (B at AAR)
  • Ice Storm (2007) by Anne Stuart – Harry Thomason (B+ at AAR)
  • Silver Falls (2009) by Anne Stuart – David Middleton (B- at AAR)

  • Stolen (2003) by Kelley Armstrong – Tyrone Winslow (B+ at AAR)
  • Graceling (2009) by Kristin Crashore (A- at AAR) – King Leck – NEW!
  • Lord of the Storm (1994) by Justine Davis – Califa Claxton, who becomes the heroine in The Skypirate(1995) (A at AAR)
  • Shadow Game (2003) by Christine Feehan – Peter Whitney (also in Ghostwalkers series) (B- at AAR) – NEW!
  • Outlander (1991) by Diana Gabaldon(A at AAR) – Jonathan „Black Jack“ Randall
  • Dragonfly in Amber (1992) by Diana Gabaldon (A at AAR) – Jonathan „Black Jack“ Randall
  • Chained by Night (2014) by Larissa Ione – Rasha – NEW!
  • Evernight (2014) by Kristen Callihan (A- at AAR) – Mab – NEW!
  • Soulbound (2015) by Kristen Callihan (A- at AAR) – Mab – NEW!
  • This is All I Ask (1997) by Lynn Kurland (A at AAR) – Bernard, Lord of Warewick
  • Lunar Chronicle Series (various) by Marissa Meyer – Queen Levana – NEW!
  • Blaze of Memory (2009) by Nalini Singh (B- at AAR) – Ming LeBon – NEW!
  • Bonds of Justice (2010) by Nalini Singh (C+ at AAR) – Gerard Bonner – NEW!
  • Heart of Obsidian (2013) by Nalini Singh (B at AAR) – Tatiana Rika-Smythe and Santano Enrique – NEW!
  • Slave to Sensation (2006) by Nalini Singh – Santano Enrique (A at AAR) – NEW!
  • Bride of the Mist (1996) by Christina Skye (B+/B at AAR) – Kyle MacKinnon
  • Sacrament (2002) by Susan Squires (C+ at AAR) – Magda Ravel, who becomes the heroine in Sacrilege in The Only One (2003)
  • Some Like It Hotter (1997) by Deb Stover – Slick Dawson