Romance

Once again, historical romances are hot—and I don't mean just in sensuality! Romances set in the past are on a roll, and while always a distant second to contemporary romance (primarily because of the large number of series titles released), these tales of the past are attracting the attention of readers and writers with new vigor. The British Regency (1811–20) and the surrounding decades remain the setting of choice, but the Victorian era, with its outwardly restrictive codes and darkly sensual undercurrents, provides a rich, intriguing environment for romance and is once more gaining readers' consideration.

In both of these periods, public appearance is of ultimate importance, and socially sanctioned standards of behavior must be adhered to at all costs, creating endless delightful possibilities for the genre's typically unconventional heroines. New authors are joining the ranks, and, in a particularly interesting turnaround, writers who deserted the historical market are now returning, e.g., Julie Garwood (Shadow Music. Ballantine. ISBN 978-0-345-50073-1).

Falling in love with the heir to a dukedom is the last thing practical, compassionate headmistress Claudia Martin has in mind when she agrees to take her charity students to spend part of the summer at a country estate. But fate has a way of shaking things up, and as Claudia and Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough, are thrown together, a wary friendship and respect expand into a love that for all its passion seems doomed from the start. Class lines are clearly drawn in this emotionally rich romance that pits a pair of beautifully delineated, appropriately conflicted protagonists against the snobbish rigidity of the social structure of the times, making the ultimate resolution to their dilemma all the sweeter. Familiar characters from earlier books add charm and a few surprises to the fourth story in Balogh's popular Miss Martin's School for Girls titles. Balogh was raised in Wales and now lives in Canada.

When their grandfather's will stipulates that the first one to marry a duke will inherit his fortune, cousins Phoebe, Deirdre, and Sophie suddenly find themselves competing for the elusive prize. Scandal-averse vicar's daughter Phoebe Milbury is the first to find love—but not with a duke. It is Rafe Marbrook, bastard brother of the Marquis of Brookhaven, who has claimed her heart. Yet in a strange twist of fate, she ends up engaged to the Marquis and must make some difficult decisions. Light, enjoyable, and romantic, this story nicely sets the stage for the two novels that follow. Told in consecutively released books (The Duke Next Door, Apr.; So I Married a Duke, May), the fairy tale-inspired "Heiress Brides" trilogy ably interweaves the cousins' stories and will appeal to readers who enjoyed Bradley's (Seducing the Spy) "Liars' Club" and "Royal Four" series.

F.J. Sparrow's latest riveting Gothic tale, Demon of Dartmoor, has all of London waiting for the next installment—and wondering who the author could be! All, that is, except respectable bookseller Fiona Josephine Hawkes, who spends part of her nights walking the streets and plotting her chilling pseudonymous adventures. Fiona's night rambles have not gone unnoticed, and when she accosts Lord Aidan McBride with her umbrella, they begin a funny, fiery, antagonistic relationship that can only end one way—with love. But Aidan is not Fiona's only night watcher; a single-minded stalker is out to make her life become more like the stories she pens. Steamy sensuality and sassy repartee sizzle across the pages of James's latest page-turner, which takes a plucky heroine and a marvelously wounded hero, tosses in a few dark secrets along with a hefty dash of danger, and lets the adventure begin. The story links to James's The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell.

Shocked but intrigued when the scientifically inclined schoolmarm Madeline Prescott asks him to give rakehell-avoidance lessons to the young heiresses at the school in which he wants to enroll his orphaned niece, Anthony Dalton, the notorious Viscount Norcourt, reluctantly agrees, only to find himself irritated by and attracted to a forthright young woman who isn't about to fall victim to his seductive charms. Scandal, gossip, greed, and old enmities spice up the pot in this fast-paced, sexy romp that bubbles over with Jeffries's (Beware a Scot's Revenge) trademark humor and spirit, as an unconventional heroine on a mission to redeem her father's reputation and a hero with goals of his own find love where they least expect it. Sparkling dialog, stirring sexual chemistry, and an engrossing story are bonuses in the fourth installment in the author's "School for Heiresses" series. Jeffries lives in North Carolina.

Widowed on her wedding night, Georgiana, Marchioness Ellesmere and daughter of the estate steward, becomes the object of such family discord that she refuses to accept the title and, unknown to many, continues to manage the estate as her father succumbs to disease. However, Quinn Fortesque, her husband's widowed brother, arrives home to sort things out and, in the process, finds himself more drawn to the independent Georgiana than he cares to admit. Engrossing, lively, and delightfully entertaining, this is the latest in Nash's widows club series. RITA Award winner Nash (A Dangerous Beauty) lives in Maryland.

Ten years after she was ruined and abandoned by Aidan Kavanaugh when he left Galway to assume his position as Earl of Whitlock, beautiful Vivienne Montgomery encounters Aidan at a weekend house party in England. Ice drips from their first exchanges, as each blames the other for their broken engagement. However, the combustible attraction is still there, and when they eventually learn the truth of what really happened in Ireland—and who was responsible—the frost melts and the landscape shifts. Suddenly, Vivvy and Aidan have a whole new set of problems. Family treachery, old secrets, and jealousy underpin this lively, multilayered plot that adds a few new twists to a classic theme and treats readers to several wonderfully wicked villains. O'Riley (Secrets of a Duchess) lives in Los Angeles.

For ten years, Camden and Gigi Saybrook, Lord and Lady Tremaine, have apparently enjoyed an exceedingly civilized marriage, which is the envy of polite Victorian society—she lives in England and he in America. However, when Gigi suddenly files for divorce and Camden arrives at her door with one condition—that she provide him with an heir—they are forced to confront the issues that wrenched them apart in the first place. Using alternating past and present chapters, Thomas tantalizes readers as she skillfully peels away the layers of Cam and Gigi's relationship in an enchanting, thought-provoking story of love lost and ultimately reclaimed. Lively banter, electric sexual tension, and an unusual premise make this stunning debut all the more refreshing. Thomas is a writer worth watching; she lives in Texas. (See the Q&A, p. 88.)

Tortured and brutalized in Armenia by a terrorist group known as the Swarm, Lana Hancock is shocked to be rescued by one of her captors. What she doesn't know is that Caleb Stone had infiltrated the group in order to bring it down. It doesn't really matter—she still doesn't trust him. Now, months later, the Swarm has reemerged with a more ruthless leader who will stop at nothing to see both Lana and Caleb dead. Explosive passion and a touch of tenderness combine with fast-paced action and gritty, vengeful violence in this high-speed thriller that is blissfully reminiscent of some of Suzanne Brockmann's terrorist romances. This is Butcher's (No Regrets) second novel, and it's a winner. She lives in Missouri.

Captivated by all things Italian during their honeymoon abroad, Anne Tracy and her much older, wealthy-businessman husband, William Butler Johnston, return home to build the house of their dreams—a glorious fairy-tale mansion that would witness their family's joys and sorrows through the tragedy of the war and the decades that follow. Taking her inspiration from the true story of the family who built and first inhabited the Johnston-Felton-Hay mansion in Macon, GA, Cook provides a sadly realistic account of the times. Charming honeymoon moments and the enduring love between the protagonists add the romantic touch to this historical family saga. It will appeal primarily to fans of Southern and Civil War history. Cook (Magnolias) has written a number of inspirational romances; she lives in southwestern Georgia.

When dangerous Irish mercenary Simon Quinn seems to know her and calls her by her dead twin's name, gently bred Lynette Baillon is puzzled; after all, her sister is dead and buried in Poland. But Lysette Rousseau is very much alive, in France, and has become one of the most lethal, seductive assassins in the business. Now that Lynette knows her sister is alive, she is determined to find her. Set against the backdrop of pre-Revolutionary France, this bold, erotic tale of passion and revenge features a cast of colorful characters and a complex and intriguing plot. It will appeal most to readers who like their romantic adventures fast paced and laced with earthy language and graphic sex. Day (A Passion for Him) lives in California.

Dillon Black will do almost anything to see his dream of a horse camp for at-risk Lakota kids become a reality, even agree with his ex-wife's plan to have Mystic Warrior Horse Camp become an episode on a national reality TV show. However, Monica Wilson-Black has a hidden agenda for Dillon's and their two children's happiness, and it includes high-powered producer Ella Champion, a woman who rejected the Lakota half of herself years before. Poignant, heart-wrenching, heroic, and overflowing with hope, this well-written, family-centered romance takes a few unexpected turns but uses the author's knowledge of Lakota culture to full advantage. The story links to Ride a Painted Pony (an LJ Best Romance of 2006). Eagle lives in Minnesota.

Ann McCrary's marriage came to a standstill when a car crash nearly ended her husband's life and put him into a deep coma. That was 12 years ago, and ever since, her life has been on hold—a recurring pattern of work, home, and nursing home visits. Then former baseball star Tom Nash moves in, clueless as to how to deal with his rebellious teenage daughter, and Ann's world expands in a totally unexpected way. Hilarious moments (Ann's aging hippie mother is priceless) provide sharp contrast to the real issues of loving, letting go, and living again that are at the heart of this touching, exceptionally well-done novel. Law (Just Sex) lives in Minnesota.

Impoverished by her late husband's debts and needing money for her daughter's dowry, Lady Sabrina Winfield heads for Egypt on a treasure hunt only to be followed by the protective Earl of Wyldewood, with whom she shares a past, and assorted well-intentioned relatives in this lively, refreshing tale, first published in 1996.