Romance, October 15, 2010
Oct 15, 2010
’TIS THE SEASON This season’s holiday romances are tempting readers with a delectable assortment of tasty treats in a range of styles: lively or low-key, side-splitting or sober, magical or mundane, sexy or sweet. As is usually the case, home- and family-centered stories, mostly contemporary and often featuring small-town or country settings, top the list, but upbeat urban fare, fantasies with a paranormal twist, and exquisitely described historicals are also among these offerings. So stir the fire, pour the mulled cider, and settle down to enjoy the delicious bounty.
Christmas Confections
Betts, Heidi. The Bite Before Christmas. Brava: Kensington. Oct. 2010. c.272p. ISBN 9780758247612. pap. $14. Paranormal
Linked by the creative activities of Angelina Ricci, successful owner of the popular vampire dating agency Love Bites, this trio of sensual vampire novellas is just the thing for readers who like their holiday romances with a paranormal touch. A human party planner is sent by Angelina to help a Christmas-loving vampire with his holiday plans and falls for him in All I Vant for Christmas; a vampire in love with her dying boss is given a surprise Christmas present by Angelina in A Vampire in Her Stocking; and our matchmaker learns what her life would have been like if she’d never been turned in It’s a Wonderful Bite. Verdict Inventive, gently humorous, and fast paced, this steamy paranormal anthology offers an alternative to the typical holiday fare; perfect for readers who want their romances on the edgy side. Betts (Knock Me for a Loop) lives in Kylertown, PA.
Dailey, Janet. Santa in Montana. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 9781420114743. pap. $7.99. Contemporary
Aging family patriarch Chase Calder has plans to make this year’s Calder Christmas get-together the best ever, particularly for his widowed daughter, Cat. Numerous friends and family members keep the action varied and lively, and while the primary romance focuses on Cat and the enigmatic Wade Rogers, other key relationships, as well as a mild mystery, will intrigue readers as well. Verdict Sweet and touching, this holiday romance with a Western flair is the latest installment in Dailey’s classic Calder titles. While it can be enjoyed by all readers, it will appeal most to series fans. Dailey (Santa in a Stetson) lives in Branson, MO.
Goodger, Jane. A Christmas Waltz. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 9781420111507. pap. $6.99. Historical
Spurned by her duplicitous, silver-tongued fiancé after she heads to Texas to surprise him, Lady Amelia Wellesley is forced to depend on the reluctant hospitality of Dr. Boone Kitteridge, the man’s brother, until funds arrive from England for her trip home. When Amelia’s brother and his wife arrive unexpectedly and lay out the dismal future in store for her if she returns to England unwed, Boone shocks everyone, himself and Amelia included, by proposing. Verdict A marvelous hero, hardwired to save and protect, and an impulsive, sometimes foolish heroine who matures nicely find love, despite a rocky start that includes some boulder-sized obstacles. This tale features a number of memorable secondary characters and reprises a few from Goodger’s earlier Marry Christmas and A Christmas Scandal. Goodger lives in Rhode Island.
Jones, Annie. Their First Noel. Steeple Hill. (Love Inspired). Nov. 2010. c.224p. ISBN 9780373876358. pap. $5.50. Inspirational
Frustrated with his efforts to restore the Snowy Eaves Inn, the last thing Andy McFarland needs is something else to fix. Corrie Bennington has come all the way to Vermont from South Carolina just to get his help re-creating a model of the inn for a gingerbread house contest. Then his little sister accidentally breaks the original model. A hero who always has to have a plan and a heroine who takes life as it comes find common ground—and eventually love—in this sweetly inspired romance that sparkles with New England charm and Christmas magic and is enhanced by a very busy, adorable ten-year-old. Verdict A pair of total opposites gain understanding and love in this funny, tender holiday story that will appeal to fans of both inspirational and traditional romances. Jones (Marrying Minister Right) lives in rural Kentucky.
Kleypas, Lisa. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. St. Martin’s. Nov. 2010. c.216p. ISBN 9780312605865. $16.99. Contemporary
Thrown into instant fatherhood when his sister is killed in a car accident and he becomes the guardian of six-year-old Holly, practical, no-nonsense businessman Mark Nolan needs all the help he can get. He just doesn’t expect it to come from imaginative Maggie Collins, the young, insightful widowed owner of the Friday Harbor toy store, who uses a “magic” conch shell to coax Holly to say her first words since the accident. Intrigued by Holly’s immediate connection to a virtual stranger and curious about Maggie, Mark soon realizes she is “The One.” Now he just needs to wait for Maggie to be brave enough to risk her heart once more. Verdict With the perfect amount of local San Juan Island detail, an abundance of realistic, appealing characters, and a new take on the classic “bachelor father” plot, this well-written, heartwarming, gently humorous story is a charmer from start to finish. Kleypas (Love in the Afternoon) lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Pappano, Marilyn & others. Covert Christmas. Silhouette. (Romantic Suspense). Oct. 2010. c.224p. ISBN 9780373276974. pap. $4.99. Romantic Suspense
Lively, fast paced, and deadly, the well-crafted stories in this anthology are not your normal seasonal fare. A pair of ex-lovers reconnect while on the run from their former mob employers and find reconciliation and love in Pappano’s Open Season; a sheriff’s preschool-aged daughter is convinced that a hunted woman is a Christmas angel sent by her late mother to be her new mom in Linda Conrad’s Second-Chance Sheriff; and a reporter and her evacuation expert ex-husband meet again when they are part of the same African rescue mission in Loreth Anne White’s Saving Christmas. Verdict Brilliantly balancing danger, violence, and crime with the warmth and charm of Christmas, this trilogy of exceptionally well-executed romantic novellas is a winning combination; perfect for those who want their holidays laced with suspense and thrills.
Plumley, Lisa. Holiday Affair. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 9781420105698. pap. $6.99. Contemporary
When her sister asks her to leave San Diego and spend Christmas at a Michigan B&B as an undercover evaluator for a company considering buying the inn, divorcée Karina Barrett jumps at the chance to give her three kids a real snow-filled Christmas vacation—and maybe find a little romance for herself. But when she falls for sexy, single-dad adventurer Reid Sullivan, who is currently in charge of the inn and, therefore, ethically off limits, the resulting dilemma is funny and adorable and resolved in a most surprising and satisfactory way. Verdict Secrets and subterfuge add complexity and zing to this well-crafted, heartwarming story that features a wealth of engaging characters, including five remarkable, memorable children, and great sexual tension. A deliciously satisfying, cocoa-worthy holiday read. Plumley (My Favorite Witch) lives in Arizona.
Shalvis, Jill. Simply Irresistible: A Lucky Harbor Novel. Forever: Grand Central. Oct. 2010. c.336p. ISBN 9780446571616. pap. $6.99. Contemporary
The day after Thanksgiving, with no job or boyfriend, Maddie Moore heads for tiny Lucky Harbor, WA, and the oceanside resort that their free-spirited mother has willed to her and her two half-sisters. Reopening the inn would be perfect from Maddie’s point of view, but her sisters are reluctant to tackle the major work required. Then the contractor she hires turns out to be the sexy motorcycle rider she practically ran off the road on her way into town—and the chemistry that sizzles between them wreaks havoc on her vow to give up men. Pithy, insightful quotes by the sisters’ late mom beautifully set the tone for each chapter, making her a real part of the story; the sisterly dynamics among the three siblings in all their crazy glory are right on. Verdict Sassy, sexy, and full of lovable, sometimes quirky characters, this often hilarious novel has a few serious surprises, resulting in a delightfully satisfying story that lays groundwork for the next books in the series. Shalvis (The Heat Is On) lives near Lake Tahoe, NV.
Woods, Sherryl. A Chesapeake Shores Christmas. Mira: Harlequin. (Chesapeake Shores). Oct. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 9780778328520. $16.95. Contemporary
Divorced for years, Megan and Mick O’Brien have finally reconciled, and New Year’s Eve seems the perfect time for them to retie the knot—and most of their children agree. However, when their youngest son, Connor, an antimarriage divorce attorney who still blames Megan for walking out on the family, furiously objects, Megan begins to question the wisdom of their decision. Everyone gets involved in this lively story that beautifully depicts the prickly, often humorous relationships of a family trying to resolve its issues with love and understanding. Verdict Infused with the warmth and magic of the season, Woods’s fourth addition to her popular, small-town series once again unites the unruly, outspoken, endearing O’Brien clan in a touching, triumphant tale of forgiveness and love reclaimed. Woods (Honeysuckle Summer) divides her time between Colonial Beach, VA, and Key Biscayne, FL.
Year-Round Treats
Arnold, Judith. Meet Me in Manhattan. Health Communications. (True Vows). Oct. 2010. 249p. ISBN 9780757315336. pap. $13.95. Contemporary
Devastated when Erika Fredell turned down his marriage proposal in favor of college after high school graduation, Ted Skala believed he could never love or trust her again. Now, 16 years later, they reconnect as wiser, experienced adults and realize they have never forgotten the love, or the pain, they once shared. Trust and healing are at the heart of this intensely introspective story that is based on the true-life relationship of Erika and Ted and is one of the launch books for HCI’s new reality romance line, “True Vows.” Verdict Although not pure romance fiction, this classic reunion story, well handled and nicely written by veteran author Arnold, has charming appeal and may especially interest readers who enjoy biographies, memoirs, and other nonfiction. Arnold (The Marriage Bed) lives near Boston. [Julie Leto’s Hard To Hold and Alison Kent’s The Icing on the Cake are the two other launch titles. The series was announced in “BEA Beyond the Buzz,” LJ 7/10.—Ed.]
Balogh, Mary & others. Bespelling Jane Austen. HQN: Harlequin. Oct. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9780373775019. pap. $14.95. Paranormal
Putting a slightly different twist on the popular “reinventing Jane Austen” trend, this quartet of engaging novellas zeroes in on four of Austen’s classics (Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma), adapting them with unexpectedly imaginative results. A couple kept apart by their flawed choices in past lives finally get it right in Balogh’s gently mystical Almost Persuaded; a gothic novel–loving heroine on the hunt for vampires almost makes a deadly mistake in Colleen Gleason’s lively Northanger Castle; Susan Krinard breathes contemporary zing into Elizabeth and Darcy’s story in her clever, business-oriented Blood and Prejudice; and Emma continues her meddling as the witchy owner of a contemporary matchmaking business in Janet Mullany’s funny, quirky Little To Hex Her. Verdict Sweet, sexy, funny, or dark, this anthology is an enjoyable take on the otherwise overdone classics-revision craze and provides both paranormal and Austen fans with something to savor. [This was also touted in “BEA Beyond the Buzz,” LJ 7/10.—Ed.]
Hunter, Madeline. Sinful in Satin. Jove. (Rarest Blooms). Oct. 2010. 357p. ISBN 9780515148442. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Drawn from her peaceful country existence by the death of her celebrated courtesan mother, Celia Pennifold, who fled London’s demimonde lifestyle five years earlier, returns to an inherited mountain of debt, a small town house (complete with Jonathan Albrighton, an attractive, mysterious tenant), and the chance to build a new, independent life. When a villain (and money owed) from her past threatens Celia’s future, she begins considering her mother’s path, but she neglects to weigh Jonathan’s feelings for her and his fierce determination not to let that happen. Secrets, mystery, and scandal add intrigue to the plot of this dexterous adventure that reprises characters from the two previous entries in Hunter’s enthralling quartet. Verdict With searing sensuality, palpable sexual tension, and exquisitely rendered, complex characters, Hunter’s third series entry draws readers into her realistic Regency arena and provides them with a tantalizing glimpse of the uncommon, fascinating world that hovers just behind the facade of polite society. Sensitive, thoughtful, and beautifully done. Hunter (Provocative in Pearls) lives in Pennsylvania.
Kramer, Kieran. When Harry Met Molly. St. Martin’s. (Impossible Bachelors). Nov. 2010. c.432p. ISBN 9780312611644. pap. $7.99. Historical
Lady Molly Fairbanks and Lord Harry Traemore have hated each other ever since she was 13 and her ill-advised poem scandalized his family and sent Harry off to the army and herself to Yorkshire. Eight years later, they are thrown together when bizarre circumstances force Molly into playing the part of Harry’s “false mistress” at a weeklong country house party and competing for the title of “Most Delectable Companion” in order to save her reputation—and Harry’s bachelor status. Verdict Clever banter, stellar pacing, and appealing, exceptionally well-drawn characters make this fresh, sexy, and gloriously funny debut a knockout and a perfect start to Kramer’s Regency-set quartet. She lives in South Carolina.
Linz, Cathie. Luck Be a Lady. Berkley Sensation: Penguin Group (USA). Oct. 2010. 275p. ISBN 9780425237830. pap. $7.99. Contemporary
Librarian Megan West is stunned when she overhears that her long-thought-dead mother is anything but. So she sets off to find her in a wild trek across the Nevada desert, which leads to a brothel and a nearly deserted town and almost has her married, shotgun-style, to sexy cop Logan Doyle. And that’s just the beginning! Verdict Picking up where Mad, Bad and Blonde left off and filled with an assortment of odd yet engaging characters, this funny, madcap adventure is lively, sweetly sexy entertainment that fans won’t want to miss. Linz lives in the Chicago area.
Moore, Kate. To Save the Devil. Berkley Sensation: Penguin Group (USA). (Sons of Sin). Oct. 2010. 284p. ISBN 9780425237489. pap. $7.99. Historical
Saving the virtue of a beautiful woman known as Helen of Troy was difficult enough, but when ex–Bow Street Runner Will Jones buys her at an exclusive brothel auction and then spirits her away, he soon learns that keeping her safe is even harder. They are both after the same greedy blackmailer, and gently raised Helen is determined to retrieve some incriminating letters, whatever the danger. With elegant writing, impeccable historical detail, and subtle wit, Moore’s adventurous tale sweeps a pair of unlikely but perfectly matched protagonists from the treacherous London stews to the rarefied heights of the ton and draws a vivid, sensual picture of 1820s London and the darker world that lurks just below its glittering surface. Verdict Second in Moore’s dashing trilogy featuring the three “Sons of Sin” of a noted London courtesan, this installment brilliantly delivers a complete, satisfying romance while skillfully tantalizing readers with hints of what’s to come (To Seduce an Angel, fall 2011). Moore (To Tempt a Saint) lives in Mill Valley, CA.
Roberts, Nora. Happy Ever After. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). (Bride Quartet). Nov. 2010. c.368p. ISBN 9780425236758. pap. $16. Contemporary
Superorganized wedding planner Parker Brown knows exactly the kind of man she will eventually marry—and it certainly isn’t a mechanic with a bad-boy smile. But when sexy Mal Kavanaugh zooms to her rescue after she is run off the road, her carefully imagined future does an about-face and evolves along completely unexpected lines. Naturally, readers know exactly where this unlikely romance is going—even if Parker doesn’t—and will not be surprised when Parker and Mal overcome their fears and differences and finally commit. Although complete in itself, this final installment in Roberts’s “Bride Quartet” includes a number of important continuing characters, and readers may want to follow the books in order (Vision in White; Bed of Roses; Savor the Moment). Verdict Funny, spicy, and enjoyable, this novel ties up a few loose ends, gives the villains their due and the heroes and heroines their happy endings, and adds another solid miniseries to Roberts’s (The Search) already impressive list. Roberts lives in Keedysville, MD.
Ryan, R.C. Montana Glory. Forever: Grand Central. (McCord Cousins). Nov. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9780446548649. pap. $7.99. CONTEMPORARY
Zane McCord is pretty sure that Riley Mason, the single-mom accountant his ranch manager just hired to straighten out their muddled paperwork, is running from something; he just doesn’t know what, and skittish Riley, determined to protect her four-year-old daughter at all costs, isn’t saying. The job at the Lost Nugget Ranch is perfect for Riley, but she hadn’t banked on the sexy, persistent Zane—or her scene-stealing daughter’s attachment to him. Attraction arcs between the pair as danger closes in, exploding in a violent conclusion that does much more than take care of the bad guys. Verdict A strong, tender romance and unshakable family solidarity anchor the plot of the final installment of this engaging, poignant trilogy that solves a long-standing mystery and leaves no loose ends. R.C. Ryan is a pseudonym for Ruth Ryan Langan; she lives in the Detroit area. Owing to the recurring characters and plot elements, these stories are best read in order, starting with Montana Legacy and Montana Destiny.
Second Time Around
Gerritsen, Tess. In Their Footsteps. Severn House. Oct. 2010. c.256p. ISBN 9780727869241. $27.95. Romantic Suspense
Determined to get to the bottom of a 20-year-old scandal surrounding the deaths of their government agent parents, Beryl and Jordan Tavistock head for Paris only to find that someone doesn’t want the truth to come out—and will kill to make sure it doesn’t. An enigmatic private security agent adds romance in this riveting thriller that was first published as a Harlequin Intrigue in 1994.
Hendrickson, Emily. The Debonair Duke. Robert Hale, dist. by Trafalgar Square. Nov. 2010. c.224p. ISBN 9780709082897. $24.95. Regency
Sheltered Lady Pamela seeks the help of the Duke of Wexford in discovering who sent her a lavish necklace and finds adventure, mystery, and love in this traditional Regency romance that was originally published as a Signet Regency in 1996.
Michaels, Fern. Whisper My Name. Severn House. Oct. 2010. c.192p. ISBN 9780727869265. $27.95. Contemporary
A photographer who operates pseudonymously inherits a controlling interest in the publishing firm she works for and is attracted to her new boss, the man who thinks he should have inherited the business and has no idea who she really is, in this 1981 Silhouette Romance Classic.
Miller, Linda Lael. Willow. Pocket Star: S. & S. Oct. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9781416598558. pap. $7.99. Historical
Shocked to learn that a “joke” wedding was actually the real thing, Willow is torn between her growing feelings for her railroad magnate husband and loyalty to her outlaw brother in this refreshed and expanded version of Miller’s classic, which was originally published by Pocket Books in 1984.
