If you're looking for a different type of a hero in a European historical romance, you can't miss Lisa Kleypas.
Lisa Kleypas is one of the few writers of historicals who's not afraid to write about a sexy self-made man. She might even have more untitled heroes than aristocrats!
Derek Craven - Dreaming of You
Derek Craven was the first non-aristocratic hero in Ms Kleypas's books. His background is very seedy, he still speaks with a Cockney accent and runs a notorious gaming hell.
Logan Scott - Because You're Mine
An illegitimate son of a cold-hearted duke, Logan has managed to become a famous London actor.
Grant Morgan - Someone to Watch Over Me
Grant is a cynical Bow Street Runner in the first book in the Bow Street Runners series.
Nick Gentry - Worth Any Price
As it turns out, Nick actually does have a title. But he spent his youth as a notorious criminal before turning into a Bow Street Runner thanks to his brother-in-law, Sir Ross (from Lady Sophia's Lover, second book in the series).
Zachary Bronson - Where Dreams Begin
Zachary, once a fighter, has built himself a business empire. But he's still not a gentleman by the society's standards.
Jack Devlin - Suddenly You
Jack is a powerful and successful owner of a publishing house.
John McKenna - Again The Magic
McKenna is a servant who falls in love with the daughter of the landlord. When they're discovered, he's sent away. Years later, he comes back as a real estate tycoon from New York.
Simon Hunt - Secrets of a Summer Night
Simon is a millionaire born a butcher's son. This book also features an atypical heroine who is poor and openly admits she needs a rich husband to save her family (some readers might be put off by this attitude).
Mathew - Scandal in Spring
Mathew is an American businessman and an associate of the heroine's father, an American nouveau riche.
Cam Rohan - Mine Till Midnight
Being a half-Gypsy, Cam is even less respectable than a poor Englishman. However, he's done well managing casino for his employer, Lord St Vincent (from "Devil in Winter", another Wallflower book) and even better with investments. As a Gypsy, he hates money and worldly possessions, but can't help being successful even with the craziest investments.
Kev Merripen - Seduce Me at Sunrise
Another Gypsy of unknown origins, Merripen first appears as a retainer of the Hathaway family in Mine Till Midnight where he's in love with a handicapped younger sister. This couple have their own story in Seduce Me at Sunrise.
Spoiler
If you read Seduce Me at Sunrise you'll find out that these Gypsies are not as common as they seem, but not until the very end.
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Comments
Common Heroes
Interesting post! I have read a couple of these and have most of the others available for my TBR. I read Lady Sophia's Lover before I realized it was part of a series. I really did like the bow street runner aspect. This has spurred me to go read the other two! Thanks!
Hi, Martha, Lisa Kleypas is a
Hi, Martha, Lisa Kleypas is a wonderful author, you'll have a lot of fun with her books. And don't forget to check her new contemporaries, they're great too.
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