All Those Perfect Flaws When it comes to romance personae, especially our heroines and heroes, is it truly their perfection that we admire? Be honest now. Do readers really like—let alone identify with—characters who are so perfect one can find nothing wrong with them, who don’t have anything to improve upon or fix, or who have no room to grow? Frankly, it’s the flaws that make these protagonists come alive and make us want to get to know them better. Their imperfections might be as ordinary as the need to wear glasses, as traumatic and difficult to handle as a rare disability, or anything in between. Most interesting characters have their faults—you could even say it’s those flaws that make them perfect.
a flaw in the ointment
Burrowes, Grace. The Trouble with Dukes. Forever: Grand Central. (Windham Brides, Bk. 1). Dec. 2016. 368p. ISBN 9781455569960. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455569946. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Annoyed that he has inherited an English dukedom and feeling like a fish out of water when he brings his two sisters to London, Hamish MacHugh, newly minted Duke of Murdoch and Scottish warrior to the core, is more than ready to head back home. But his sisters deserve a Season, so he’ll do his best to oblige. When he rescues Megan Windham’s spectacles from disaster in a bookstore, he discovers a reason of his own to remain. Spot-on sibling and cousinly interactions keep the pace lively and the mood funny and upbeat in this engaging, sensual romance. An honorable, rule-flouting hero with a violent military reputation and an intuitive heroine who sees the real man are drawn to each other and foil a cruel, avaricious villain in the process. VERDICT Gorgeously written and thoroughly delightful, this is a wonderful start to a new (but in some ways, continuing) series and a must-buy for most romance collections. Burrowes (Will’s True Wish) lives in rural Maryland.
Charles, KJ. Wanted, a Gentleman. Riptide. Jan. 2017. 155p. ISBN 9781626494725. pap. $4.99; ebk. ISBN 9781626494718. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Martin St. Vincent, elegant, attractive, and black, walks into the London office of the biweekly Matrimonial Advisor demanding information from white publisher Theo Swann about one of his advertisers. Martin, an emancipated slave and now a wealthy merchant, is trying to stop the underage daughter of his former owner from being taken in by a fortune hunter, and he knows they’ve been communicating through cryptic messages in the Advisor. He fears the worst—and isn’t about to let Theo off the hook. Soon the two men are haring off to Scotland in search of the fugitive pair, only to find passionate love, as well as betrayal, along the way. VERDICT With humor and wit, Charles puts a unique, sensuous spin on the classic Regency Gretna Green elopement plot. This lively M/M romp explores the hard-hitting issues of racism, classism, and homophobia and delivers an enjoyable read as well. Charles (Rag and Bone) lives in London.
Harper, Karen. Chasing Shadows. Mira: Harlequin. (South Shores, Bk. 1). Dec. 2016. 362p. ISBN 9780778319528. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781460396063. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Intent on getting her fledgling firm, Clear Path, off the ground, Florida-based certified fraud examiner, forensic psychologist, and single mom Claire Britten can’t resist an offer from high-powered attorney Nick Markwood. Nick needs to sort out a possible murder, even though it means being 300 miles from home on an isolated estate near St. Augustine while still healing from a bullet wound. Enchanting and mysterious, tree-shrouded Shadowlawn is aptly named, and with its ghosts, legends, and unexplained happenings, this thriller has a definite gothic vibe. A colorful assortment of characters (including a watchful ex-husband), vivid descriptions, and a sensitive, informed discussion of the debilitating disease narcolepsy add realism and depth to a story that is as chilling as it is complex. A hard-driving, superobservant heroine and an attorney on a dangerous mission fight their growing attraction as they bring a killer to heel. VERDICT This fascinating tale is more suspense than romance, but is will attract fans of both. A surprise cliff-hanger will leave fans eager for the next in the series, Drowning Tides. Harper (The Royal Nanny) divides her time between Columbus, OH, and Naples, FL.
Heath, Lorraine. The Viscount and the Vixen. Avon. (Hellions of Havisham, Bk. 3). Dec. 2016. 384p. ISBN 9780062391056. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062391063. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Killian St. John, Viscount Locksley, is shocked when his long-widowed father, the reputedly mad Marquess of Marsden, advertises for a bride to provide him with an additional heir. To protect his father from a probable gold digger, Killian marries her himself. But it’s not money that Portia Gadstone wants, it’s the security and safety of being married to a peer that she needs, and she’ll do what she must to get it—and protect a secret she never wants revealed. Yet neither can deny the attraction that sizzles between them, one that threatens to turn into a love they never wanted. VERDICT Sexy, clever, and emotionally wrenching, this heartfelt story breathes new life into the classic marriage-of-convenience plot and adds another winner to Heath’s addictive series. Heath (The Earl Takes All) lives in Plano, TX, and is noted for her deeply touching historical romances.
Jeffries, Sabrina. The Danger of Desire. Pocket. (Sinful Suitors, Bk. 3). Dec. 2016. 400p. ISBN 9781501144448. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781501144455. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Rogue-about-town Warren Corry, Marquess of Knightford, agrees to his cousin’s request to find out quietly if Delia Trevor is being victimized by a fortune hunter. He tracks his quarry to a Covent Garden gaming hell only to find himself sitting across from the mysterious young Welshman whose winning ways have taken the gambling set by storm—and looking into the blue eyes of the cross-dressing Delia. But Delia, discouraging suitors by day and playing the card sharp by night, is on a mission, and she won’t let an overprotective marquess get in her way. Lively banter, delicious passion, and a clever twist keep fans on edge in this delectable romp that adds another winner to Jeffries’s latest popular series. VERDICT A spirited and unconventional heroine playing a dangerous game of revenge and a responsible hero determined to keep her safe overcome their mutual marriage resistance in a story that series fans are sure to adore. Jeffries lives in Cary, NC.
Krentz, Jayne Ann. When All the Girls Have Gone. Berkley. Dec. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9780399174490. $27; ebk. ISBN 9780698193673. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Fearing the worst when her stepsister’s best friend is found dead and her stepsister, Jocelyn, can’t be found, Charlotte Sawyer joins forces with FBI profiler–turned–PI Max Cutler. Max is investigating the crime for the dead woman’s cousin, while Charlotte tries to make sense of a mystery that gets more complicated with every step. They are certain it was murder, no matter what the police think, and as the clues begin to mount, a pattern emerges that goes back years and is more deadly and convoluted than they’d thought. A cryptic message, an investment club with a secret agenda, a decades-old abuse scandal, and some seriously shady characters ramp up a fast-paced story with more than enough villainy to go around. VERDICT With her classic flair and skill, Krentz has crafted another intriguing, complex, humor-laced romance that will lure new readers and captivate her fans. Krentz (Secret Sisters) lives in Seattle.
Long, Julie Anne. Wild at Whiskey Creek. Avon. (Hellcat Canyon, Bk. 2). Dec. 2016. 384p. ISBN 9780062397638. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062397645. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Sheriff Eli Barlow has loved musician and songwriter Glory Greenleaf since childhood. Sadly, when he arrests her brother, Jonah, on a drug charge and Jonah goes to prison, their relationship takes a dive and Glory’s hopes of escaping Hellcat Canyon and following her musical dreams disappear along with it. Music is Glory’s life, and Eli never stops believing in her talent. When her big chance finally does arrive and disaster threatens, he’s not above pushing a few boundaries and bending a few rules. VERDICT A sassy, talented, tough-minded gal who knows what she wants and a caring, by-the-book guy who always has her back finally give in to their feelings in this poignant, intense, character-driven story. The musical descriptions are so vivid, fans will wish they could actually download the songs. Beautifully done. Long (Hot in Hellcat Canyon) lives in Northern California.
Quinn, Julia & others. Four Weddings and a Sixpence. Avon. Jan. 2017. 432p. ISBN 9780062428424. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062428493. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
When four boarding school roommates find an old sixpence hidden in one of their mattresses, they make a pact that each will use it in turn as a lucky charm to find true love and the perfect husband. As adults, they know this was all in fun—until it begins to work! Quinn’s brief prolog, “Something Old,” beautifully sets the stage for the four novellas that follow. A young woman who must wed before she turns 21 accepts the aid of a rakehell duke in finding a worthy husband and winds up with the duke instead in Stefanie Sloane’s “Something New”; a desperate young woman begs her childhood friend to pretend temporarily to be her fiancé in order to stop her meddling aunts’ matchmaking attempts in Elizabeth Boyle’s “Something Borrowed”; a government investigation and the theft of the sixpence cause problems for the disillusioned heroine in Laura Lee Guhrke’s “Something Blue”; and a science-oriented heroine who’s never believed in the coin’s power learns otherwise when she connects with an especially intriguing physics scholar in Quinn’s “…and a Sixpence in Her Shoe.” VERDICT A clever premise, inventive situations, and witty repartee make this sexy anthology the perfect romantic read for those cold midwinter nights. Favorite historical authors Quinn, Sloane, Boyle, and Guhrke all live in the Pacific Northwest.
Roberts, Nora. Island of Glass. Berkley. (Guardians, Bk. 3). Dec. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9780425280126. pap. $17; ebk. ISBN 9780698190757. PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Fresh from battling the dark goddess Nerezza and her minions and safely securing the second of the three Stars of Fortune, the six Guardians have been swept to Ireland and the wild coast of County Clare. There, they will try to unravel more of the legend, retrieve the Ice Star—the last of the three—and end their quest by returning their treasure to the elusive Island of Glass. Immortal warrior Doyle and archaeologist werewolf Riley have drawn the bulk of Nerezza’s increasingly maniacal wrath, but it will take the talents and the strong bonds of love among the six guardians to put an end to the malevolent goddess and send the stars back to their rightful places in the sky. Grounded in Celtic lore, a clear understanding of myth, and a liberal dusting of magic, this is the compelling conclusion to Roberts’s trilogy. VERDICT An engaging page-turner that should appeal to fantasy and romance fans alike. Roberts (Bay of Sighs) lives in Keedysville, MD.
Shalvis, Jill. Accidentally on Purpose. Avon. (Heartbreaker Bay, Bk. 3). Feb. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062448064. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062448071. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Apartment manager and accounting student Elle Wheaton and security expert and former cop Archer Hunt have a history that goes back to Elle’s teenage years, when he rescued her from disaster and set her on the right path. In the interim, he’s never lost track of her, and she’s never stopped feeling she owes him, something that creates a host of problems when the attraction between them becomes irresistible. Colorful continuing characters pepper the scene (a savvy alley dweller is a favorite), while a lethal, vindictive thug amps up the tension in an enjoyable romance that smoothly continues the series. VERDICT Sexy, touching, and often funny, this San Francisco–set romance brings the city to life and a superbly matched couple to their senses. The popular Shalvis never disappoints. Shalvis (The Trouble with Mistletoe) lives in the Sierras near Lake Tahoe.
Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers
Cane, Emma. A Spiced Apple Winter. Avon. (Fairfield Orchard, Bk. 2). Jan. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062411372. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062411389. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Childhood friends Tyler Fairfield and Brianna MacDougall ended up in bed one night in New York after some devastating news about Brianna’s dad and a little too much to drink; they agreed that “it never happened.” After all, Tyler’s acting career keeps him in New York and Brianna’s life is in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Then Tyler returns to the family apple orchard to help with the harvest and their expanding cider business, and suddenly forgetting that one passionate night is next to impossible. But Tyler is involved in a plan to help his former costar Gabrielle redeem her image through a pretend relationship, so he and Briana must keep their own under wraps and hope the paparazzi don’t find out. Issues of Alzheimer’s and ADHD add a serious and realistic touch. VERDICT Tender, spicy, and witty, this heartwarming story sweeps readers from the fall glory of October to the merriment of the holidays with a tried-and-true friends-to-lovers romance. Cane (At Fairfield Orchard) also writes historical romances under her own name, Gayle Callen; she lives in Liverpool, NY.
McLane, LuAnn. Marry Me on Main Street. Berkley Sensation. (Cricket Creek, Bk. 11). Dec. 2016. 304p. ISBN 9781101989821. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781101989838. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
As a teenager, tall, shy Susan Quincy secretly adored Danny Mayfield. She learned after the fact that Danny only asked her to the prom because his mom asked him to do so. She, of course, was mortified and spent the next decade avoiding him—to his mystification. When Susan literally falls into his arms one day in front of her gift shop, sparks fly, and Danny knows things are about to change—if he has anything to say about it. There’s change in the air for another couple, as well, as the romance between a retired high school driving teacher and a big-time attorney–turned–restaurant owner gets off the ground in mouthwatering style. Series fans will enjoy the reappearance of popular characters from the series. VERDICT Sweetly sexy, rolling in laugh-out-loud dialog, and rich with small-town holiday sparkle, McLane’s latest is another winner for fans to savor. McLane (Wish upon a Wedding) lives in Florence, KY.
Reisz, Tiffany. One Hot December. Harlequin Blaze. (Men at Work, Bk. 3). Dec. 2016. 224p. ISBN 9780373799244. pap. $5.50; ebk. ISBN 9781488000454. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Veronica “Flash” Redding, skilled, self-sufficient, and a top-notch welder and metal sculptor artist, is as independent as they come—but when she crosses the line and has a one-night stand with her boss, construction company vice president and COO Ian Asher, she gives notice and prepares to walk. Ian has never forgotten that night, and he’s not about to let her go. He plays his trump card—a vintage iron fireplace screen that needs repair at his mountain chalet—hoping it’s an offer Flash can’t pass up. Sensual, smart, and hilarious, this engaging, fast-paced read touches on class and Jewish cultural issues as it delivers a heartwarming, engaging read. VERDICT An independent heroine who’s not about to let any man control her and a hero determined to convince her that they belong together singe the pages in the last of Reisz’s blazing holiday trilogy; sure to make fans rejoice. Reisz (Her Naughty Holiday) lives in Lexington, KY.
Salonen, Debra. Montana Secret Santa. Tule. (Love at the Chocolate Shop, Bk. 3). Dec. 2016. 168p. ebk. ISBN 9781945879029. $2.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Temporarily back in Marietta, MT, to dog-sit while his parents are away, brainy tech millionaire Jonah Andrews has no plans to stay—until classy advertising expert Krista Martin is knocked off her feet by one of his wayward charges. Railroaded into chairing the town’s wish-granting Secret Santa Society, Jonah is totally out of his depth. Then Krista reluctantly ends up on the board as well, and she proves to be just the lifeline he needs. A brilliant but socially clueless hero and a career-focused heroine struggle to keep their growing attraction on the casual side and eventually find their goals and lifestyles aren’t as far apart as they seemed. Who could resist a lovable canine trio or a hero who invents something just for you? VERDICT Sweet, affecting, and just plain fun, this holiday charmer is a delightful addition to the series and a perfect companion to a mug of hot chocolate and a crackling fire. Salonen (Black Hills Rancher) lives in South Dakota.
