Romance

Futuristics, another in the increasingly popular lineup of romances that spice up their stories with various paranormal, fantasy, and speculative elements, are romance's version of sf. Set in the near or distant future, on Earth, on other worlds, or in deep space, these tales range from large-scale adventures, full of high-powered action and intergalactic conflict, to more narrowly focused but no less compelling planetary-based explorations of alien worlds and cultures. Styles range from light to dark, funny to deadly serious, and the sensuality, while most often hot, runs the gamut as well. Futuristics are not new (e.g., Lois McMaster Bujold's Shards of Honor, 1986), but they are currently enjoying a surge of popularity. There is also a fair amount of crossover readership between sf and futuristic romance, something to note for readers' advisory. Authors now writing in this subgenre include Eve Kenin, Susan Grant, and Liz Maverick.

Investigative reporter Sierra McIntyre will do just about anything to get a story on the latest mystery surrounding the Ghost Hunters and the dangerous underground tunnels on Harmony. Still, she never expects that an offer of marriage from the powerful Ghost Hunter Guild boss, John Fontana, will be the means to that end. Plenty of action, creative plotting, sizzling sexual tension, and independent, intelligent protagonists—hallmarks of Castle's works—are here in full measure. In addition, an Elvis-wannabe dust bunny adds a whimsical touch. This latest Harmony is great fun, perfect for fans who like their futuristics with a paranormal touch and a lot of sass. Castle (Silver Master) is the enormously popular Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick; she lives near Seattle.

Wed at 14 to a brutal man, 17-year-old Lahsin Burdock Yew has felt the first signs of her Second Passage (when her specialized psi-powers will blossom and she may learn whether or not she has a HeartMate) and knows she must escape the control of both the Yew and Burdock families. She flees, repudiating her underage marriage, and finds sanctuary in the neglected legendary healing garden, the First Grove. Tinne Holly, long aware that Lahsin is his destined HeartMate, now must find her, win her trust, and keep her safe—made more difficult because he can't tell her they are linked. Set on the planet Celta amid a feudalistic, family/clan-based society where telepathic animals and people with strong psychic powers are the norm, this emotionally rich tale blends paranormal abilities, family dynamics, and politics; adds a serious dash of violence; and dusts it all with humor and whimsy. The intriguing result is the seventh in Owens's popular Celta series. Owens (Heart Dance) lives in the Denver area.

Gifted with amazing musical talents, rock-'n'-roll star Joley Drake seems to have it all: fame, fortune, and the adulation of her fans. Enter a predatory preacher, a missing 13-year-old, and an evil Russian mobster, and there is more trouble brewing than Joley can handle on her own. Her only hope is Ilya Prakenskii, a lethal, powerfully gifted bodyguard who can keep her safe but is also her greatest danger as she tries to resist the intense attraction that links them. A talented, conflicted heroine and an alpha hero who is not what he seems are thrown together in an uneasy, breathtakingly sensual alliance in this darkly lyrical romance that is the sixth in the "Drake Sisters" series. Feehan (Predatory Game) lives in Northern California.

Shocked to learn that her heedless brother has "given" her to Griffin Wright-Jones, Viscount Breckenridge, as a guarantee that he will pay his gambling debt, beautiful Olivia Cole stoically moves to Griffin's gaming establishment, intending to honor her brother's vow. She is surprised, however, at the care he takes to keep her reputation safe. However, Olivia defies Griffin by dealing at the faro table. She convinces him to let her continue—for a percentage—and works her way into his heart. A pair of unlikely but well-matched protagonists and assorted secondary characters add to the elegant charm of this sultry, nicely paced romance that is graced with an unusual setting, a bit of mystery, and a twist on a classic premise. Goodman (If His Kiss Is Wicked) is noted for her well-delineated characters, scintillating sensuality, and compelling plots.

Noah and Julianna's marriage was supposed to break the Salo Family wedding curse, but when Julianna calls it off two weeks before the big day, it is apparent the dreaded curse is still alive and well. Stuck with honeymoon reservations but no bride, Noah convinces his childhood friend and Julianna's stepsister, Callie, to go with him, platonically. Yet when they discover they are more than friends, Callie acknowledges the curse and is afraid to take things further. Marvelous, delightful family dynamics swirl around a pair of appealing protagonists as they find their way to love in this latest in Jacobs's "Everything but" series. Jacobs (Everything but a Groom) lives in Erie, PA.

When Washington, DC-based academic Michaela Landry spends the summer at her godparents' Memphis home while they are abroad, she plans to relax and work on her historical family recipe project. However, when she discovers E.T., an HIV-positive teenage boy, secretly living on the property, her summer, and eventually her life, goes in an entirely unexpected direction. Michaela finds new purpose and romance when she connects with E.T.'s "coach," attractive but deeply conflicted contractor and youth pastor Cooper "Smith" Townsend. Sexual tension simmers just under the surface of this sweet, emotionally compelling story that is one of Harlequin's "Novels of Hope," which highlight the work of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. (Gwynne Forster's What Matters Most [Oct.] is another in the series.) While not an inspirational romance, this novel includes faith in God as an important element and might make a crossover for Christian fiction readers. Kitt (Celluloid Memories), noted for insightful, compassionate contemporary romances, lives in Riverdale, NY.

A glorious night of passion with a nobleman leaves young widow Cassandra Montrose, Lady Colchester, pregnant. After she is told she is terminally ill, Cassandra has no choice but to take the baby to the child's father, Lord Vincent Sinclair. A second diagnosis reveals she is not about to die, but the damage has already been done. Vincent is about to marry, but he doesn't want to lose Cassandra or his daughter. The marriage has been commanded by Vincent's father, but Cassandra refuses to be Vincent's mistress. Then she agrees to a platonic arrangement—until they realize that their passion for each other has never died. An intriguing situation with an unexpected solution combined with strong, compelling characters results in a lively, provocative story that is sure to please. MacLean (In My Wildest Fantasies) lives in Canada.

In Sweet Spot, no-nonsense Nicole Keyes is still reeling from the shock of finding her youngest sister in bed with her husband and the resulting divorce. Then high school coach and former NFL star Eric Hawkins walks into her bakery and proceeds to turn her life—and, ultimately, his and his teenage daughter's as well—upside down. Assorted relatives, a collection of delightful, sometimes realistic teenagers, and a hero and heroine driven by lust but surprised by love take this trilogy (after Sweet Talk, Jul.) to the next level and set the scene for the final volume.

Five years earlier, wild child Jesse Keyes—pregnant and rejected—left Seattle to make something of her life. Now back to introduce her four-year-old son to his father, computer game mogul Matt Fenner, and make peace with her sister Nicole, Jesse knows she has a lot to explain and make up for in Sweet Trouble. Passions run high, and relationships sizzle on all fronts as Matt and Jesse try to sort out their feelings in this story that alternates between the present and the past, ties up a few loose threads, and brings to a close Mallery's "Bakery Sisters" trilogy. Although best read in order, each of these funny, heartwarming, supersexy reads stands on its own. Mallery lives in the Seattle area.

Engaged in the cradle, Thomas Cavendish, Duke of Wyndham, and Amelia Willoughby, daughter of the Earl of Crowland, have never gotten to know each other romantically—until an impulsive kiss begins a rocky courtship. However, the arrival of a stranger with claims on the dukedom throws their world into turmoil, with their engagement suddenly in doubt. Funny, light, and witty, this story cleverly tells the other side of the coin tossed in Quinn's The Lost Duke of Wyndham (LJ 6/15/08) and provides an immensely satisfying conclusion to the duo.

Unaware that two teachers at Burndale Academy have been brutally murdered by someone with a fetish for blondes, fair-haired Beth Canham takes a post at the remote northern Yorkshire school and soon finds herself stalked by the same killer. Although brooding, atmospheric, and overflowing with classic Gothic elements, this suspenseful, emotionally driven tale is more than just a nostalgic trip back to the Sixties. A multifaceted plot, well-timed backstory clues, and steamy passion add sparkling currency to this intricately crafted story that fans of the nonparanormal Gothic are sure to appreciate. Silver (Demon's Kiss), who also writes as Eve Kenin, lives in Canada.

Noted for her exceptional cooking ability as well as a slightly tarnished reputation, mysterious Verity Durant is very much her own woman. Yet when her employer dies and his brother, aspiring politician Stuart Somerset, inherits his estate, she knows it's only a matter of time before her secrets come to light. A skillful mix of past and present and complex characters bring to life a story of love, loss, and reconciliation. Food infuses this lush, passionate romance with its erotic qualities, flavoring the story with a seductive magic that will make fans hunger for more. Rarely have food and culinary expertise been made so exquisitely essential to the overall feel of a romance; the only disappointment will be that no recipes are included. Thomas (Private Arrangements) lives in central Texas.

For would-be writers....

Writing Romance: The Ultimate Guide on Craft, Creation and Industry Connections. SFA-RWA Pub., dist. by Ingram. Jul. 2008. c.175p. ISBN 978-0-615-20261-7. pap. $29.95. COMM
This compendium of 50 articles on the craft of writing romances by members of the San Francisco Area chapter of the Romance Writers of America® provides ideas and insights on everything from germinating an idea and crafting the story to selling and marketing the book and maintaining industry connections. Entries range from pithy one-pagers to longer, detailed "how-to" sessions; being the product of many writers’ experiences sets it apart from other recent books on writing romances.