Romance

By Kristin Ramsdell -- Library Journal, 10/15/2006

Our Gifts to You

Warmly comforting or sometimes disconcerting, family focused or couples only, sweetly sensual or downright sizzling, this year's crop of winter holiday romances continues the tradition of providing something for everyone. Sparkling, shimmering, and dusted with a touch of seasonal magic, they are infused with the Christmas spirit, and, whether historical or contemporary, standalone, anthology, or classic reprint, they are sure to put readers in a holiday mood.

Heartbroken when a young nobleman she adored refuses to marry her and rejects both their families' wishes in the process, wealthy Charlotte Aldridge gets on with her life. Six years after the Christmas he walked out on Charlotte—and out of England—Edward Barringer, the Earl of Worthington and now a successful businessman, has been publicly jilted and reluctantly returns to his country estate for the holidays—and ends up charmed by the remarkable, captivating woman Charlotte has become. Charlotte, of course, is not so easily won over, and Edward has much to do to redeem himself in her eyes, as well as those of his bitter, still-resentful mother. An enchanting Victorian-set Christmas historical. Basso (The Wedding Deception) lives in North Plainfield, NJ.

Overworked by an incompetent boss, tired of the pre-Christmas rush, and badly in need of a break (but not the kind she gets when she cracks her ankle falling off a ladder at work), assistant bookstore manager Keelie Cannon accompanies a diverse group of friends to Coventry, TX, for the holidays, hoping for some peace and quiet. But there's more to quaint, pretty Coventry than Keelie expects, and between her quirky friends, a wacky grandmother, and an ailing pet hamster, she regains her perspective and finds love where she least expects it—eventually. The Christmas holidays are only part of this jam-packed story. While the diversity of the characters and the sassy, modern tone are refreshing, tighter editing would have improved the pace. This is Houston, TX–based Cochrane's first Coventry contemporary romance.

This steamy anthology of Christmas novellas spices up the season with a trio of erotic romances from some of Brava's favorite writers. A sheriff and a pet psychic find passion while on the trail of a missing donkey from a Christmas crèche in Foster's “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Snowstorms and blizzards provide enforced romantic seclusion for the lovers in “Bah Humbug, Baby,” Gemma Bruce's heartwarming reunion story. “By Firelight” is Janice Maynard's tale of a neophyte hiker and a reclusive artist. Lush, sexually graphic, and sometimes sweetly tender, these will appeal to readers who like their holiday romances on the hot side.

A driving blizzard and a bizarre turn of fate send Myles Donal, a fugitive from an arranged marriage, to seek shelter in the crofter's hut, where he finds the beautiful but fiercely independent Kendran, who is escaping a similar betrothal. The two discover passion amid intense sparring in this sexy, lively tale, the latest of Ivie's “Knight” books. Set in the Scottish Highlands of the mid-15th century, the story is violent, romantic, and complex, and although the Christmas holidays are not really the focus, fans of the period and Alaska-based Ivie (Tender Is the Knight) won't mind.

Returning to her beloved Blossom Street, Macomber treats readers to a funny, touching tale that takes a bachelor child psychologist with free-thinking child-rearing ideas and an outspoken heroine with twin nieces who thinks his ideas are just plain nuts, sends them on a blind date they can't refuse, and lets the romance—and the inevitable fireworks—begin. A newly “psychic” neighbor adds a whimsical touch to this charmer that overflows with holiday warmth and puts a new twist on the classic Christmas letter. Best-selling author Macomber, a Quill Award winner, lives in Port Orchard, WA.

Sweet or spicy, serious or lighthearted, the stories in this delectable Christmas collection have it all. A successful L.A. architect finds love when he heads home to help his grieving father reclaim their neglected Virginia Christmas tree farm in Michaels's fun-filled “The Christmas Stocking”; a reluctant young widow and a reclusive former army ranger put their pasts behind them and slay a few ghosts while snowbound in the Smokies in Beverly Barton's poignant “Ghost of Christmas Past”; a pair of teachers fall in love during Christmas vacation at their boarding school with six creative children “homeless” for the holidays in Joanne Fluke's witty, recipe-laden “Twelve Desserts of Christmas”; and a secret Santa scheme puts sizzle in the season in Shirley Jump's sassy urban romp, “Twelve Days.” These novellas are as deliciously satisfying as cocoa and cookies on a snowy day.

With stories ranging from gentle and homespun to sexy and action-packed and settings as varied as the semirural West Coast, midtown Manhattan, and steamy Miami, with a side trip to exotic Chichén Itzá, this anthology is easily one of the most diverse of the season. Miller starts things off with “Christmas of the Red Chiefs,” a heartwarming tale of a young widow who brings her rebellious stepdaughter home to the Sierra foothills and finds healing and love with a conflicted widowed father of two. Catherine Mulvaney continues with “Once Upon a Christmas,” a magical reunion story of stepsiblings. Julie Leto changes course with the story of a fiery Latina PR expert out to reinvent the image of a buttoned-up CEO in her steamy “Meltdown.” Roxanne St. Claire ties it all up with “You Can Count on Me,” her riveting tale of a Russian businessman and a neophyte bodyguard's dangerous search for a missing Fabergé egg.

When archaeologist Zeke Kendall tumbles off Maeve's Cairn and into the parallel world of Faerie and the heart of the Fairy Queen's eldest daughter, Nuala, he precipitates a battle that will either destroy the underpinnings of both worlds or restore the dwindling, fragile balance between them. Honorable and courageous, selfish and treacherous, sharply defined characters of both worlds bring to vivid life this multilayered, conflict-filled story that nicely launches Silhouette's new dark paranormal Nocturne line. Lush, lyrical, and loaded with sensuality and Celtic lore, this compelling tale is the first in Korbel's “Daughters of Myth” trilogy and will leave readers wonderfully satisfied yet hungry for more. Korbel, who also writes medical mysteries as Eileen Dreyer, lives in the St. Louis area.

In a lively sequel to her well-received Good Girls Do, Linz pairs rebellious, flamboyant Skye Wright (the hippie-raised, wild-child sister from the previous story) with gorgeous, by-the-book Sheriff Nathan Thornton and lets the old saying that opposites attract prove itself. This funny romp gets off to a show-stopping start when Nate arrests Skye for speeding and the entire town turns out in protest. From there, the sparks and the laughter continue to fly in this upbeat, fast-paced story as a free-spirited, outspoken heroine and an ex-Marine hero unsuccessfully fight their attraction to each other and ultimately learn that there is more to each other, and themselves, than they had first thought. For all its zingy humor, this effervescent story has a serious side. Linz lives in Naperville, IL.

When a letter hidden by her guardian hints that she might have a sister in England, orphaned French ballerina Sylvie Lamoureux abruptly leaves Paris and heads across the channel to find her sibling. But an admirer is in hot pursuit, and when Sylvie evades him by jumping into a waiting coach, she lands in the arms of one of the most attractive and infamous men in London, impresario Tom Shaughnessey, owner of the notorious White Lily Theatre. The stage is then set for a passionate relationship that amounts to more than either had expected. Sharply drawn secondary characters, including a persistent, ruthless suitor, and fascinating theatrical detail add depth to a story that is clever, well crafted, and pure pleasure to read. The second in Long's trilogy about the orphaned daughters of an accused murderess (after Beauty and the Spy). The author lives in San Francisco.

Deeply committed to bringing a member of the Ivory Nation, a violent white extremist group, to justice, chief prosecuting attorney Janet McNeil knows she's up against difficult odds—the group's reach is long, and its methods are deadly. Then an important file goes missing, and Janet's garage window has a brick thrown through it. An attractive, watchful next-door neighbor with a secret mission of his own adds the romantic touch. A handful of well-developed secondary characters—including an aging mother and an emotionally fragile little girl—contribute depth and compelling realism. Powerful, controversial, and beautifully paced, this chilling, riveting tale frightens because its dangers hit close to home. Quinn (Hidden) lives in Mesa, AZ.

Strictly raised and abused by a pietistic father, a country-bred debutante is accidentally abducted and ends up engaged to a worldly aristocratic charmer in this classic 1989 title.

This reworked version of a 2003 title first published by Black Print continues Clark's steamy popular series about crime, violence, drugs, and ghetto life and the smart women who get it together and help their men do the same. With a reading group guide.

A quiet music teacher helps a single father provide a special Christmas for his young son in this inspirational tale originally published in 1981 as With a Little Luck.

This mass market reprint of a 2004 hardcover collection of 1992 LoveSwept romances focuses on three generations of the Delaney family at the holidays. Also featured are authors Iris Johansen and Fayrene Preston.