12 books like Training Lady Townsend

By Annabel Joseph,

Here are 12 books that Training Lady Townsend fans have personally recommended if you like Training Lady Townsend. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Birching His Bride

Maggie Sims Author Of Sophia's Schooling

From my list on spicy historical romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like many of us over (ahem…we’ll say) 40, I grew up reading historical romance—those were the first full-length romance novels on store shelves. My mum is British and visits there added to my interest in Regency England. Then 50 Shades exploded and people’s spice level tolerance increased. But mainly in contemporary romance, with all the tools and toys. Curious as to how spice in the Regency would look, I went searching. I found a few of these fabulous authors, but not many choices, so I decided to write one. Now there are more authors published in this subgenre, and I’m proud to be one of them.

Maggie's book list on spicy historical romance

Maggie Sims Why did Maggie love this book?

Angel also has a box set of this series, as well as a similar series called Bridal Discipline. This first book has a super sassy heroine who is not quick to succumb to her husband’s rule. Instead, she plays tricks on him and issues ultimatums, only to regret them. Their journey to respect each other’s role in the household and fall in love is another great Regency romance with extra spice.

This was the first mischievous heroine I’d read in a spicy Regency where the stakes feel higher (at least to her posterior) and I loved it.

For readers who also enjoy contemporary erotic romance, Angel’s Stronghold series is awesome as well.

By Golden Angel,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Birching His Bride as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A reluctant bride... An arranged marriage... A stern lord with a hard hand.

Lady Eleanor Petersham knows exactly what she wants from her marriage - a man who will worship at her feet.

Instead, her father marries her off to her brother's best friend, the devastatingly handsome, authoritative, and devilishly dominant Lord Edwin Hyde.

It doesn't matter that he makes her entire body tingle when he kisses her, or brings her to heights of pleasure she's never known, or how he disciplines her when she plays nasty tricks on him - like throwing a dinner party which only includes dishes…


Book cover of The Rogue of Fifth Avenue

Maggie Sims Author Of Sophia's Schooling

From my list on spicy historical romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like many of us over (ahem…we’ll say) 40, I grew up reading historical romance—those were the first full-length romance novels on store shelves. My mum is British and visits there added to my interest in Regency England. Then 50 Shades exploded and people’s spice level tolerance increased. But mainly in contemporary romance, with all the tools and toys. Curious as to how spice in the Regency would look, I went searching. I found a few of these fabulous authors, but not many choices, so I decided to write one. Now there are more authors published in this subgenre, and I’m proud to be one of them.

Maggie's book list on spicy historical romance

Maggie Sims Why did Maggie love this book?

While I found Joanna Shupe from her Regency books, I heard an interview with her in which she talked about trying to write about the Gilded Age, but no publisher would take it. So to support her dream, I choose the first of her Gilded Age series—an opposites attract novel between an uptown girl and a downtown guy who works for her father and has some secrets. The spice level in this is steamy rather than erotic. I picked this because I will read a Robin Hood story with romance every time.

By Joanna Shupe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Rogue of Fifth Avenue as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Silver-tongued lawyer.
Keeper of secrets.
Breaker of hearts.

He can solve any problem . . .

In serving the wealthy power brokers of New York society, Frank Tripp has finally gained the respectability and security his own upbringing lacked. There's no issue he cannot fix . . . except for one: the beautiful and reckless daughter of an important client who doesn't seem to understand the word danger.

She's not looking for a hero . . .

Excitement lies just below Forty-Second Street and Mamie Greene is determined to explore all of it-while playing a modern-day Robin Hood along the…


Book cover of Forbidden Desire

Maggie Sims Author Of Sophia's Schooling

From my list on spicy historical romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like many of us over (ahem…we’ll say) 40, I grew up reading historical romance—those were the first full-length romance novels on store shelves. My mum is British and visits there added to my interest in Regency England. Then 50 Shades exploded and people’s spice level tolerance increased. But mainly in contemporary romance, with all the tools and toys. Curious as to how spice in the Regency would look, I went searching. I found a few of these fabulous authors, but not many choices, so I decided to write one. Now there are more authors published in this subgenre, and I’m proud to be one of them.

Maggie's book list on spicy historical romance

Maggie Sims Why did Maggie love this book?

Ah, a Victorian woman feeling restricted, what a shock. Thus, Lady Finchingfield decides to become Mademoiselle Noire, and enthralls Lord Henry. In something of a reaction to the excesses of the Regency period, the Victorian period had more rules than women could keep up with, and this way of addressingor circumventing them—appealed to me as very creative. The disguise and gentlemen’s club add an aura of suspense so it was a super quick read for me. I love fast-paced books.

By Emmanuelle de Maupassant,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Forbidden Desire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A decadent world of dark temptation.
A woman addicted to danger.
A man who never believed he'd meet his match.

Lady Finchingfield dons disguise to infiltrate the chambers of London’s most decadent club.
Can she keep her identity secret, or is scandal inevitable?
One thing is certain: falling in love can only bring disaster.

Heat level: darkly sensual

Originally published in 2014, as 'The Gentlemen's Club' - within the 'Noire' trilogy

Read all three titles in the 'Dangerous Desire' series:
Forbidden Desire
Forbidden Temptation
Forbidden Seduction


Book cover of Simply Sinful

Maggie Sims Author Of Sophia's Schooling

From my list on spicy historical romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like many of us over (ahem…we’ll say) 40, I grew up reading historical romance—those were the first full-length romance novels on store shelves. My mum is British and visits there added to my interest in Regency England. Then 50 Shades exploded and people’s spice level tolerance increased. But mainly in contemporary romance, with all the tools and toys. Curious as to how spice in the Regency would look, I went searching. I found a few of these fabulous authors, but not many choices, so I decided to write one. Now there are more authors published in this subgenre, and I’m proud to be one of them.

Maggie's book list on spicy historical romance

Maggie Sims Why did Maggie love this book?

Quick notethis series is (IMO) the spiciest of the 5 recommendations I include on my list. And Pearce takes some liberties with historical accuracy. However, her characters are deeply damaged and it takes a powerful loveand storytelling abilityto make them whole and able to fall in love. Those elements are particularly well represented in this tale. I try to avoid recommending book 2 of a series and yes, you really should read book 1 first, but this book does stand alone and I find it the most powerful story of the series.

By Kate Pearce,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Simply Sinful as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A husband and wife find a solution to their troubles in this historical erotic romance by the New York Times bestselling author of Simply Sexual.

At Madame Helene's exclusive House of Pleasure in London, all guests are welcome to explore beyond their inhibitions . . .

Forced to wed at a young age, Abigail Beecham is tired of living in a sexless marriage. She longs to succumb to the delicious pleasures of pure carnal lust that she has only read about. And if her husband can't satisfy her erotic needs, she's ready to find a man who can . .…


Book cover of Secretariat

Dawn LeFevre Author Of Racetrack Rogues: One Woman's Story of Family, Love, and Loss in the Horse Racing World

From my list on horse racing.

Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up, I was one of “those” horse-crazy girls who devoured every Black Stallion and Marguerite Henry book that I could get my hands on. At sixteen I began working at Atlantic City Racecourse in the summer and after I graduated college with a B.S. in Animal Science, I became a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. For thirteen wonderful years, I raced horses in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Due to my insider’s knowledge of the horse racing industry, I based my book selections on accuracy as well as story.

Dawn's book list on horse racing

Dawn LeFevre Why did Dawn love this book?

My late mother was a Secretariat junkie and this gorgeous oversized hardcover book only fueled her passion. Loaded with beautiful photos of arguably the most photogenic Thoroughbred in history, Secretariat is sheer horse lover eye-candy at its finest. Ah, but there’s also a wonderful story to go along with those pretty pictures – a true-life fairytale about one of the greatest racehorses of our time and the irrepressible team behind the wonder horse.

By Raymond G. Woolfe Jr.,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Secretariat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Secretariat was the best-known and most beloved race horse of the twentieth century. In 1973 his legacy was permanently etched into the consciousness of the world when he won the Triple Crown. Here, Raymond G. Woolfe Jr. tells the story of Secretariat from the coin toss that sent him to Helen "Penny" Chenery to his burial at Claiborne Farm, making this the definitive volume for fans of the horse and the sport of horseracing.


Book cover of Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse

Miranda N. Prather Author Of Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape

From my list on horse racing.

Why am I passionate about this?

Before I could walk, horses were my passion and every thought. At five, Blackie came into my life a black Shetland stud and from there, I've never stopped enjoying a life with horses. Having been born in the 1970's I witnessed some of the horse racing greats from the television, and ever since the Thoroughbred racehorse has been my favorite breed. I've been involved in a variety of ways with the rehabilitation and transition of the thoroughbred from the track to new careers. My most beloved OTTB, Blue Blue Sea, overcame so much, and naturally, I had to memorialize his amazing life as a book. 

Miranda's book list on horse racing

Miranda N. Prather Why did Miranda love this book?

I adore the quirky, offbeat illustrations that perfectly compliment the tale of an underdog racehorse who proved the world wrong. During his life, Seabiscuit was a big-name celebrity once the right team of owner, trainer, and jockey found him. The tale of an unlikely hero resonates beautifully during our current troubled times. McCarthy manages to use an economy of words to tell the story well to the youngest of readers. 

By Meghan McCarthy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Award-winning nonfiction picture book creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of how an undersized, crooked-legged horse became one of the greatest racing champions of all time.

In the late 1930s, times were tough. The United States was in the middle of the Great Depression, and people were desperate for something to believe in. They found their inspiration in Seabiscuit, a rags-to-riches, crooked-legged, overweight horse who ran more like a duck than a champion.

Seabiscuit was the descendent of Man O' War, one of the greatest racing horses in history but he had yet to win a single race. How did…


Book cover of Break In

Shelley Peterson Author Of Jockey Girl

From my list on the horse/human connection.

Why am I passionate about this?

I saw my first horse before I could walk or talk – a humble mare with flies in her eyes and a feed basket tied to her nose. I was drawn to her with a magnetic force, and that attraction to horses never diminished. Over the years I’ve presided over their birth, raised them, and conditioned them to various disciplines. When it exists, the bond between horse and human is undeniable. In my novels—through family disfunction, hardship, adventure, and mystery – I explore how this connection gives young people confidence and the courage to overcome any obstacles.  

Shelley's book list on the horse/human connection

Shelley Peterson Why did Shelley love this book?

I’ve always enjoyed Dick Francis’s hair-raising novels about steeplechase racing, crime, and intrigue, and it was difficult to choose only one. His inside knowledge of the sport and his connection with horses makes all his novels authentic and informative. Break In features the jockey Kit Fielding, who comes to the aid of his twin sister, Holly, when her racing stable owner husband is slandered by the newspapers. Kit has a telepathic relationship with his sister, which adds to the mystique of this fast-paced adventure.

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Break In as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A thriller in which a champion steeplechaser puts himself into a perilous situation when a smear campaign in the gutter press threatens to ruin his twin sister's life.


Book cover of Bolt

Dawn LeFevre Author Of Racetrack Rogues: One Woman's Story of Family, Love, and Loss in the Horse Racing World

From my list on horse racing.

Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up, I was one of “those” horse-crazy girls who devoured every Black Stallion and Marguerite Henry book that I could get my hands on. At sixteen I began working at Atlantic City Racecourse in the summer and after I graduated college with a B.S. in Animal Science, I became a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. For thirteen wonderful years, I raced horses in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Due to my insider’s knowledge of the horse racing industry, I based my book selections on accuracy as well as story.

Dawn's book list on horse racing

Dawn LeFevre Why did Dawn love this book?

Actually, I could have chosen any of the Dick Francis mystery books for this list as they are wonderfully consistent in quality of writing and story. Plus, as a former steeple chase jockey, Francis knows horse racing. It’s surprising how many “horse books” out there get racing so wrong. I can’t count how many of his books I read while sitting in the barn waiting to race my own horses.

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bolt as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Kit Fielding will do whatever it takes to stop the killing of racehorses. Not an easy task considering that the woman he adores is leaving him, an international arms dealer is threatening him, and Kit's nemesis has plans to knock him off the track—and plant him under it.


Book cover of Stake Night

Genevieve Mckay Author Of Defining Gravity

From my list on about horse actually written by horse people.

Why am I passionate about this?

In addition to being a writer, I am an avid horse-person who has been obsessed with these amazing creatures my entire life. I was a pretty feral child so I spent my teen years riding bareback around the countryside, daydreaming about going to the Olympics or thwarting horse thieves or discovering a herd of Unicorns…the usual. I’ve worked at many barns, taken internships, volunteered, and have been lucky enough to own a few horses of my own over the years. The horse books I’m drawn to always have realistic protagonists who are also kind, empathic, and who understand how special and magical these animals are.  

Genevieve's book list on about horse actually written by horse people

Genevieve Mckay Why did Genevieve love this book?

This whole series is so interesting. It follows the interconnected lives of top trainers and the (mostly wealthy) riders who show upper-level Saddlebreds. This is a world I’d known absolutely nothing about before. So, reading this series was fascinating and eye-opening. It’s like getting a glimpse of a completely different, and sometimes over-the-top, world. The author knows her subject so well that it’s like being transported to those high-stakes shows.

By Susan Archer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stake Night as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Stake Night is the story of a single year in the glamorous and competitive world of show horses, where the rewards are large and so are the lengths to which people will go to win. For the owners, it is about wielding power through money in their quest to proudly hold the prestigious World Championship trophy. For the riders, it is about demonstrating technical skill and nerve by out-riding their competitors and maneuvering their horse in the frenetic ring so the judges notice it. For the trainers, it is about finding the key that makes your horse out-perform others that…


Book cover of Be(Come) an Awesome Manager: The Essential Toolkit for Impact Leadership

Deb Cohen Author Of Developing Management Proficiency: A Self-Directed Learning Approach

From my list on managing and leading more effectively.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a college professor, I taught MBA students about management and when I became an executive with a team of 50, I learned more about how to apply and understand theory in the workplace. I’ve always focused on the practical. Theory is great but needs to be practically applied in order to learn how to become more effective. I believe that we're all in control of our own destiny and that becoming a better manager is within our power. Developing the competencies we need can be done through training and on our own through focused, practical, and structured work. Self-directed learning can be applied to every aspect of work, whether you’re a manager or not.

Deb's book list on managing and leading more effectively

Deb Cohen Why did Deb love this book?

Lisbeth has been a colleague for many years and, like me, has the academic credentials and ability to understand the research about how best to manage and how best to talk about it in a practical and engaging way. As a trainer, I’ve been able to use this book in my work with organizations large and small. It focuses on practicing to help you build your competencies. I’m a firm believer that leaders can be made and this book helps readers develop their skills and understand what they need to do in order to focus on their own development.

By Lisbeth Claus, Scott Baker, Peter Vermeulen

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Be(Come) an Awesome Manager as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What?—in this book, we look at managerial capabilities, how to evaluate them, and build the ones needed to create value for the customer, the employees and the organization. Through user stories, vignettes, examples, guided reading questions, interactive exercises, and assessments we explain how to reflect on your own capabilities and determine areas for self- improvement and growth. So What?—most organizations neglect the role of managers, undervalue it and, therefore, suffer from a lack of strong management capability. Employees want managers who will provide goals as well as direction, feedback and coaching—and who recognize and reward them for good performance. Yet…


Book cover of Birching His Bride
Book cover of The Rogue of Fifth Avenue
Book cover of Forbidden Desire

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