Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Waking Up with a Billionaire
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: f
CITY: Albuquerque
STATE: NM
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://www.amazon.com/Katie-Lane/e/B004XWQJO2
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: nb2012009181
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/nb2012009181
HEADING: Lane, Katie (Western love story writer)
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010 __ |a nb2012009181
035 __ |a (Uk)008442734
040 __ |a Uk |b eng |e rda |c Uk |d Uk
046 __ |s 20
100 1_ |a Lane, Katie |c (Western love story writer)
370 __ |c U.S. |e Albuquerque, N.M.
372 __ |a Love stories |a Western stories |2 lcsh
374 __ |a Novelists |2 lcsh
375 __ |a female
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a Going cowboy crazy, 2011: |b t.p. (Katie Lane) facing (Western romance fiction writer) inside back cover (lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
PERSONAL
Children: two daughters.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author.
AVOCATIONS:Reading, going to the gym, playing golf, motorcycle riding, and traveling.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Katie Lane is the author of numerous romance novels, many of them set in Texas and/or having cowboy themes. The exception to this is her romance series centered around billionaires, Overnight Billionaires, which includes A Billionaire between the Sheets, A Billionaire after Dark, and Waking Up with a Billionaire. In Waking Up with a Billionaire, Grayson Beaumont is a co-owner of French Kiss, a lingerie company. He runs the creative end of the business, but his heart is not in it. He would rather be painting nude women. When he meets Chloe McAlister, he immediately falls in love with her. But she is not going to be easy to catch, as she is standoffish. Both characters carry a lot of baggage that must be dealt with in this “funny and tender” love affair, according to a Publishers Weekly reviewer. The same reviewer wrote: “This love affair is well crafted to balance sentimentality and passion, and readers will appreciate that Chloe and Grayson are truly friends as well as lovers.”
In The Last Cowboy in Texas, part of the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” series, contemporary singer Starlet Brubaker is kidnapped from one of her concerts and is rescued by Beckett Cates, a former U.S. Marine. Starlet knew Beckett back when she referred to him as “Becky” in high school, due to his skinny body. After Beckett rescues Starlet, they become lovers, but Starlet cannot dismiss the crush she has had on Beckett’s brother for years. When Starlet is once again kidnapped, Beckett realizes that even though she is not in love with him, he will do anything to protect her. A Publishers Weekly contributor enjoyed the storyline and the humor of The Last Cowboy in Texas, and added: “Subplots involving other residents of tiny Bramble, Texas, add dimension to this tender romance enlivened with a touch of mystery.”
Catch Me a Cowboy, another in the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” series, features wild Shirlene Dalton and her redneck neighbor, Billy “Bubba” Wilkes. Shirlene was once rich, having married an oil baron. But when her husband dies and the bank forecloses on their mansion, Shirlene is forced to return to the trailer park in which she grew up. There she meets Bubba, whom she sees as a crude hayseed. In actuality, Bubba is on a mission of vengeance that could destroy the town of Bramble–unless something, or someone, comes along to change his mind. Library Journal reviewer Kristin Ramsdell wrote: “Slightly outrageous and spicy, but with an emotional edge, this zingy Texas romp brings fans back to tiny Bramble.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer called Catch Me a Cowboy a “slow-paced story … perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.”
Miss Hattie’s Henhouse, a whorehouse turned bed and breakfast, is featured in Flirting with Texas, another in the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” series. Jenna Jay Scroggs has gone to New York City, but old “hen” Minnie Ladue thinks she would be happier back home in Bramble, so she asks Beauregard Cates to go to New York City and search for Jenna. But Beau encounters a lot more than he bargained for, as Jenna has become an activist who has a tendency to make enemies, which creates a spark-filled trip back to Texas. A Publishers Weekly contributor enjoyed the story and the characters and commented: “The antics of the ladies at Miss Hattie’s add hilarity to the budding romance between Jenna and Beau.”
Miss Hattie’s Henhouse in Bramble once again features prominently in another “Deep in the Heart of Texas” book, Trouble in Texas. In 1892 Brant Cates’s great-grandfather was shot and killed at Miss Hattie’s Henhouse, and Brant comes to Bramble to find out why. Elizabeth Murphy, who has recently inherited the bordello, finds Brant naked and handcuffed to Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother Hattie’s bed, courtesy of the three remaining elderly residents, Minnie, Baby, and Sunshine. Brant and Elizabeth are opposites in personality but find themselves attracted to each other regardless. A Publishers Weekly reviewer commented: “Their dynamic provides the drama to complete this fast-paced novel’s neatly assembled package of sex, humor, and mystery.”
In Hunk for the Holidays, part of a series of Christmas romances, Cassie McPherson is a vice president of a construction company owned by her father. When her father suffers a heart attack, it is up to Cassie to keep the business running, leaving her little time for social activities. Whenever she needs to attend an event, she hires an escort. But when the latest escort turns out to be a sexy guy she cannot resist, a night of partying turns out badly. The date she has fallen in love with is James Sutton, her family’s biggest business rival. Library Journal reviewer Kristin Ramsdell wrote: “Lane breathes new life into the classic business competitor plot with this upbeat, sexy, thoroughly modern romance that captures the spirit of the season and introduces a family that fans will want to know better.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Library Journal April 15, 2012, Kristin Ramsdel, review of Catch Me a Cowboy, p. 68; October 15, 2012, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Hunk for the Holidays, p. 64.
Publishers Weekly, February 6, 2012, review of Catch Me a Cowboy, p. 46; August 27, 2012, “Jingle Bells, Wedding Bells: A Plethora of Romantic Stocking-stuffers,” p. 58; October 29, 2012, review of Trouble in Texas, p. 38; June 3, 2013, review of Flirting with Texas, p. 43; October 20, 2014, review of The Last Cowboy in Texas, p. 38; July 11, 2016, review of Waking Up with a Billionaire, p. 50.
ONLINE
Katie Lane Home Page, http://www.katielanebooks.com (April 30, 2017).
So here’s the thing. I love to write about fictional people, but I feel very uncomfortable writing about myself. So let’s dispense with the biography and I’ll tell you a story. And everyone knows that all the best stories start with . . .
Katie Lane PicOnce upon a time there was a little girl who walked around with her head in the clouds. While the other kids paid attention to the world around them, this little girl (For clarity’s sake, let’s just call her Katie.) spent her days dreaming. The dreams varied. One day, Katie might be a princess who was rescued by a prince on a three-legged horse (Perfection can be so boring.) and the next day, she might find herself as an overworked mother of ten. (Mothers are wonderful heroines, don’t you agree?) This playacting was acceptable when Katie was little, but as she grew older, people started to take notice and think her a little odd. (Odd? What’s odd about a tall, skinny seventh grader pushing an overfilled doll stroller down the street?)
Luckily for her social standing, Katie gave up the play-stage for the written-page, spending hours writing down her daydreams in a spiral notebook. But over the years, her storytelling took a backseat to hormones and high school, and it wasn’t until her two exceptional daughters were grown (Ten seemed a little redundant after the first labor pain) that she returned to writing.
Now, Katie spends her days at a computer daydreaming, while the rest of the time she enjoys hanging with her family and three grandchildren, reading, going to the gym, playing golf, motorcycle riding, traveling, or just snuggling next to her cairn terrier Roo and her snoring prince. (Snoring might seem like a minor imperfection when compared to a three-legged horse, but believe me it’s not) Because if the little girl of the clouds learned anything over the years, it was that every moment in life is a happily-ever-after just waiting to be fulfilled.
QUOTED: this love affair is well crafted to balance sentimentality and passion, and readers will
appreciate that Chloe and Grayson are truly friends as well as lovers.
Waking Up with a Billionaire
Publishers Weekly.
263.28 (July 11, 2016): p50.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Waking Up with a Billionaire
Katie Lane. Forever, $6.99 mass market (320) ISBN 978-1-4555-3320-6
Familial bonds play a heavy role in the last of the Overnight Billionaires trilogy (after A Billionaire After Dark). Grayson Beaumont handles the
creative side of the business for French Kiss, the San Francisco-based lingerie company he owns with his brothers, but his true passion is painting
nude women. Enter prickly, standoffish Chloe McAlister, the one woman Grayson can't get out of his head, and this contemporary romance
rapidly devolves into a series of flimsy reasons for them to stay together. Despite the silly situations, the chemistry between the leads is explosive
and believably sexy. Grayson helps out his brothers, learns to forgive his father, and comes to terms with his childhood memories. Chloe's path to
redemption is paved with family loyalty and love. The repartee among Chloe and Grayson, the Beaumont brothers, and Chloe's friends is both
funny and tender. Other than the contrived situations, this love affair is well crafted to balance sentimentality and passion, and readers will
appreciate that Chloe and Grayson are truly friends as well as lovers. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Waking Up with a Billionaire." Publishers Weekly, 11 July 2016, p. 50. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA458915343&it=r&asid=42dcbb18b08a20694128779adb1a935a. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
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QUOTED: Subplots involving other residents of tiny Bramble, Tex., add dimension to this tender
romance enlivened with a touch of mystery.
The Last Cowboy in Texas
Publishers Weekly.
261.42 (Oct. 20, 2014): p38.
COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Last Cowboy in Texas
Katie Lane. Grand Central/Forever, $8 (336p)
ISBN 978-1-4555-7584-8
A cowboy and a country singer find love in Lane's sweet, funny seventh Deep in the Heart of Texas contemporary (after A Match Made in Texas).
Vocalist Starlet (yes, that's her real name) Brubaker is kidnapped from one of her performances. The tough former Marine who rescues her is
none other than Beckett Cates; he may be big and strong now, but Starlet remembers him as the skinny teen she nicknamed Becky. Beckett's time
in Afghanistan has changed him, but not made him immune to Starlet's charms. As Beckett tries to protect Starlet, the two become lovers, but
their blossoming romance is complicated by Starlet's longstanding crush on Beckett's brother. When Starlet goes missing again, Beckett realizes
that he'll do anything for her, even if she doesn't love him. Humor is never in short supply, especially when Starlet revisits her aunt's old
whorehouse and the aging women who resided there. Subplots involving other residents of tiny Bramble, Tex., add dimension to this tender
romance enlivened with a touch of mystery. (Dec.)
Editor's note: Reviews noted as "BookLife" are for self-published books received via BookLife, PWi program for indie authors.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"The Last Cowboy in Texas." Publishers Weekly, 20 Oct. 2014, p. 38. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA387348577&it=r&asid=f19ec6f0726ea0a599b8e29ea1605220. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
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Catch Me a Cowboy
Publishers Weekly.
259.6 (Feb. 6, 2012): p46.
COPYRIGHT 2012 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Catch Me a Cowboy
Katie Lane. Grand Central/Forever, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-455-
50815-0
Once readers get past the good ol' boy banter, they'll appreciate the rewarding, if not terribly deep, love story between high-spirited Shirlene
Dalton and her redneck neighbor, Billy "Bubba" Wilkes, in Lane's third Deep in the Heart of Texas contemporary western. Nouveau riche
Shirlene has to return to her trailer park roots when the bank forecloses on the ostentatious mansion she shared with her late oil baron husband.
As she tries to get her home back, she also has to deal with the four foster children squatting in her ramshackle trailer. Bubba finds Shirlene
amusing, but vows to avoid offering her a "tour of Wilkesville" because of his own questionable plans for the town of Bramble. He doesn't expect
her tough exterior to reveal a tenderhearted, mothering woman just trying to make her way. This slow-paced story is perfect for a lazy summer
afternoon. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (Apr.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Catch Me a Cowboy." Publishers Weekly, 6 Feb. 2012, p. 46. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA279612362&it=r&asid=717cd8bc3e845f0d00269ca0fff7e14d. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A279612362
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Flirting with Texas
Publishers Weekly.
260.22 (June 3, 2013): p43.
COPYRIGHT 2013 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Flirting with Texas
Katie Lane. Grand Central/Forever, $8 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-1569-1
Lane's sixth in her Deep in the Heart of Texas series (after Trouble in Texas) revisits Bramble, Tex., and the eccentric inhabitants of Miss Hattie's
Henhouse, a whorehouse turned bed and breakfast. Aging "hen" Minnie Ladue asks Beauregard Cates to go to New York City and search for
Jenna Jay Scroggs; Minnie thinks Jenna would be much happier home in Bramble and working at Miss Hattie's. Beau quickly learns that Jenna is
an activist with a knack for making enemies and beating them up when they chase her down. When the good people of Bramble kidnap Jenna and
Beau to bring them back to Texas, the lengthy drive gives plenty of time for sparks to fly. The antics of the ladies at Miss Hattie's add hilarity to
the budding romance between Jenna and Beau in this sweetly improbable story of Texas charm and memorable characters. Agent: Laura
Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Flirting with Texas." Publishers Weekly, 3 June 2013, p. 43. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA332893319&it=r&asid=aca1b1b01d95c1b4fff2ddce5951cb47. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A332893319
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Trouble in Texas
Publishers Weekly.
259.44 (Oct. 29, 2012): p38.
COPYRIGHT 2012 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Trouble in Texas
Katie Lane. Forever, $7.99 mass market (352pi ISBN 978-1-4555-1571-4
Lane's fourth Deep in the Heart of Texas romance (after Catch Me a Cowboy) sizzles with raunchy fun. Brant Cates travels to Miss Hattie's
Henhouse in Bramble, West Texas, to find out why his great-grandfather was shot and killed there in 1892. The brothel's three elderly remaining
residents, Minnie, Baby, and Sunshine, drug and render him unconscious. Spinster librarian Elizabeth Murphy, who's recently inherited the
bordello, is as surprised as Brant to find him, naked, handcuffed to her great-great-grandmother Miss Hattie's bed. Her frosty attitude toward men
quickly melts during their following romantic interlude. Brant's brother, Beau, buys the property from her and while he works on turning the old
brothel into a gentleman's club, Elizabeth and Brant try to get past their very different personalities. Their dynamic provides the drama to
complete this fast-paced novel's neatly assembled package of sex', humor, and mystery. Agent: Laura Bradford. Bradford Literary Agency. (Dec.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Trouble in Texas." Publishers Weekly, 29 Oct. 2012, p. 38. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA307076822&it=r&asid=239714393e0f081d18910c2d18da5e90. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A307076822
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Romance
Kristin Ramsdell
Library Journal.
137.7 (Apr. 15, 2012): p68.
COPYRIGHT 2012 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
THE WOUNDED ONES While a good case can be made for fictional heroes and heroines having issues in their pasts that they need to deal with-
-how else could they grow and develop?--not all of the protagonists would be considered truly wounded characters in the classic sense.
Traditionally, wounded heroes suffer from any number of physical, mental, or emotional problems that they are unable to work through until the
heroine, usually through her love, helps bring about healing. While wounded heroes are more common, heroines can also be wounded in much
the same way (though the reasons for their torments are often different), and the love of the hero is usually what leads to renewal. Naturally, some
characters have actual physical wounds (scars, deformities, blindness, lameness, etc.); however, it is the emotional trauma associated with them
that is the focus of the suffering and recovery. Wounded heroes have long been a popular character type in romance, and their appeal is still
strong.
Balogh, Mary. The Proposal. Delacorte. (Survivors' Club, Bk. 1). May 2012. c.320p. ISBN 9780385343329. $26. HISTORICAL
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
When a sprained ankle lands her in the midst of the yearly gathering of the Survivors' Club, a small group of war-wounded who are still healing
emotionally and physically, the widowed Gwendoline Grayson, Lady Muir, is surprised to be attracted to Hugo Emes, Lord Trentham, the
morose, plain-spoken man who rescued her when she fell along the rocky Cornish slope--and to find that he is attracted to her as well. Naturally,
it won't do. Although Hugo is titled (thanks to his service to the Crown), his roots are in business, hers are in society, and their worlds are light
years apart--or so it seems. But as they share their individual nightmares, the bond between them grows, and even their different worlds may not
be enough to keep them at a distance. VERDICT Two deeply damaged protagonists who need to forgive themselves finally acknowledge their
love in this gently funny, heart-melting story that will tug at your emotions and beautifully launches Balogh's new series. Gwendoline has
appeared in a number of Balogh's earlier novels, and fans will be thrilled that she finally has her own story. Balogh (The Secret Mistress) lives in
Saskatchewan.
Bernard, Jennifer. The Fireman Who Loved Me. Avon. (Bachelor Firemen, Bk. 1). May 2012. c.384p. ISBN 9780062088963. pap. $5.99.
CONTEMPORARY
With a grandmother like Nelly McGuire, you never know what is going to happen. Grans won a date with a gorgeous firefighter at a charity
auction but then is sick on the appointed evening. Her granddaughter Melissa has no choice but to go in her place--just as Nelly had planned.
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Serious TV journalist Melissa and take-charge Capt. Harry Brody know they are far too different ever to have a serious relationship, but the
unexpected attraction that blazes between them is much too hot to ignore. Nonstop action, likable protagonists, and characters who run the gamut
from sympathetic and admirable to silly and sleazy combine in an entertaining story that sees Fire Station 1's marriage-wary captain fall in love. It
also skillfully sets the stage for the rest of the "Bachelor Firemen" to do the same. VERDICT Sexy, sassy, often hilarious, and touching, Bernard's
debut novel is a perfect fit for those who like their heroes hot, committed, and a little larger-than-life. Bernard lives in a small town in Alaska.
Enoch, Suzanne. Taming an Impossible Rogue. St. Martin's Paperbacks. (Scandalous Brides, Bk. 2). Apr. 2012. c.352p. ISBN 9780312534523.
pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Denounced by her aristocratic family, abandoned by her friends, and left to fend for herself after she publicly jilts the cold, self-important
Marquis of Fenton, Lady Camille Pryce is saved from the streets when she finds work--and friendship--at the Tantalus Club, a wildly popular,
unconventional gentlemen's gambling establishment that is owned and run by a woman. But Fenton has not given up. Humiliated and furious, he
is determined to redeem his reputation by bringing a humbled, repentant Camille to her knees and back to the altar--even if he has to bribe his
infamous cousin Keating Blackwood, a charming rogue with a murderous reputation, to do it. VERDICT With humor, grace, and superb insight,
Enoch takes a pair of bold, refreshingly honest, vividly rendered protagonists with renegade tendencies, gives them a seemingly unresolvable
conflict, and keeps the tension building until the end. The brilliantly atypical Tantalus Club backdrop puts a delightful, surprising spin on the
classic runaway bride plot, while the wealth of intriguing characters will entertain fans and have them anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
Enoch (A Beginner's Guide to Rakes) lives in Southern California.
Lane, Katie. Catch Me a Cowboy. Forever: Grand Central. (Deep in the Heart of Texas, Bk. 3). Apr. 2012. c.384p. ISBN 9781455508150. pap.
$7.99. CONTEMPORARY
Forced out of her mansion when the death of her oilman husband leaves her practically destitute, Shirlene Dalton reluctantly returns to the
dilapidated trailer where she was raised only to find that not only has it been taken over by a quartet of orphans, but she has also acquired a sexy,
annoying, macho redneck neighbor, Billy "Bubba" Wilkes. West Texas born and bred, Shirlene is nothing if not resilient, and she's determined to
get back on her feet, even as things go from bad to worse. But Bubba is not the crude hayseed Shirlene thinks he is. In truth, he is on a bizarre
mission of vengeance, one that could easily destroy the town in the process--unless something changes his mind. VERDICT Slightly outrageous
and spicy, but with an emotional edge, this zingy Texas romp brings fans back to tiny Bramble, revisits the townsfolk with humor and flair, and
adds another fun-filled chapter to Lane's popular series. Lane (Make Mine a Bad Boy) lives in Albuquerque, NM.
* Putney, Mary Jo. No Longer a Gentleman. Zebra: Kensington. (Lost Lords, Bk. 4). May 2012. c.352p. ISBN 9781420117233. pap. $7.99.
HISTORICAL
Caught with a French official's wife while on an espionage mission, Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, was thrown into a dungeon by her irate
husband and has languished there for a decade. Now, fortified with new clues, Cassie Fox is sent on a last-ditch effort into France to find Grey
and bring him home--if he is still alive. With expertise honed by experience and determination fueled by the need to avenge her losses at the
hands of Napoleon, Cassie rescues Grey, and together they make their way back to England, leaving a furious Citoyen Durand frustrated and
plotting revenge. VERDICT With sensitivity and inimitable skill, Putney rescues another lost lord; gives him a brave, resourceful heroine who
helps him heal; complicates things with foiling villains, readjusting to society, and falling in love; and weaves it all together in another beautifully
written, unforgettable romance. Putney (Nowhere Near Respectable) lives in the Baltimore area.
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* Thomas, Sherry. Beguiling the Beauty. Berkley Sensation: Penguin Group (USA). (Fitzhugh Trilogy, Bk. 1). May 2012. c.304p. ISBN
9780425246962. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Venetia Easterbrook is blindsided when Christian de Montfort, the Duke of Lexington, recklessly states during a Harvard lecture that all beautiful
women are untrustworthy and then twists the events of her past marriages to illustrate his point. The twice-widowed beauty gathers her wits and
plots the perfect revenge--she will disguise herself during their transatlantic crossing, make him fall in love with her, and then drop him. But her
bold plan has unexpected consequences when their passionate, soul-searing affair flares into something more. Venetia realizes too late that she has
fallen in love and into her own trap--and Christian will never forgive her deception. While a handful of intriguing, nicely introduced secondary
characters spark interest in the stories to come (Ravishing the Heiress, Jul.; Tempting the Bride, Oct.), it is Christian and Venetia, with their
compelling, conflicted relationship, carefully guarded secrets, and independent personalities, who will captivate readers. Dinosaur fossils,
scientific tidbits, and shipboard detail add a touch of realism to this late Victorian romance, set in a period that, along with the following
Edwardian era, is beginning to attract more writerly interest. VERDICT Tender, discerning, and lushly romantic, Thomas's latest offering drills
down into the characters' emotional depths to produce a devastating love story that may appeal to fans of Mary Jo Putney and Laura Kinsale.
Thomas (His at Night) lives in Austin, TX.
HALE & HEARTY--MOSTLY
Brockmann, Suzanne. Born to Darkness. Ballantine. (Fighting Destiny, Bk. 1). Apr. 2012. c.528p. ISBN 9780345521279. $26. FUTURISTIC
PARANORMAL
A chance bar hookup results in a sizzling, circuit-blowing night for strangers Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie and Shane Laughlin. Mac, a mental
superhuman "Greater Than" at the shadowy Obermeyer Institute (OI), has no idea that they share a link--until Shane reveals he has been taken on
by OI as a "Potential" trainee. Mac, realizing that any relationship between them is doomed by OI's long-standing taboo against sex, reacts in her
typical, impulsive way and bolts. But Shane has no intention of letting Mac avoid him, and as they are thrown together in OI's fight against an
unspeakably depraved syndicate that kidnaps young girls to use their blood to make Destiny, a deadly mind-enhancing drug, the connection
among love, strong emotion, and brain power is cast in a surprisingly new light. Now the couple, as well as the institute, must deal with the
implications. VERDICT Gritty, fast-paced, and loaded with explosive, violent action, Brockmann's new series launch is an action-packed
adventure that combines plausible futuristic genetics with her trademark Navy SEAL heroes and provides a sinister organization to fight, an
innocent teen to rescue, and a riveting cast of characters. Thrilling, classic Brockmann, with a paranormal twist. Brockmann (Breaking the Rules)
lives in Sarasota, FL.
* Burrowes, Grace. Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (Duke's Daughters, Bk. 2). May 2012. c.416p. ISBN
9781402263774. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Thirty, independent, and firmly on the shelf, Lady Magdalene Windham, the adopted illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Moreland, lives a quiet,
sedate life. But Maggie is being plagued by her past, and when her reticule goes missing--and with it some letters she is desperate to have back--
she goes to her family's discreet, incredibly observant private investigator, Benjamin Hazlit, the one man who can help her. Although he hides it,
Ben quickly realizes that Maggie is not revealing the whole truth; getting her to trust him with her secrets--or her heart--is not going to be easy.
VERDICT An intensely caring, honorable heroine determined to do the right thing; a protective hero who will do anything to keep his lady safe;
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and well-drawn secondary characters (many of whom will be familiar to the Windham series fans) drive the plot of this tantalizing, delectably
sexy story that is one of the best yet from an author on the way to the top. Burrowes (The Virtuoso) lives in Maryland.
Cooper, Isabel. Lessons After Dark. Sourcebooks Casablanca. Apr. 2012. c.354p. ISBN 9781402264405. pap. $7.99. PARANORMAL
Dropping fans into the same alternate Victorian world introduced in No Proper Lady, Cooper is in stellar form as she takes Olivia Brightmore, a
teacher of magic, and Gareth St. John, a skeptical doctor with a talent for healing, sets them down in a school filled with magically talented
children, and adds some strange paranormal happenings. Although wary at first--and Gareth is more than suspicious of Olivia's "fortune-telling"
past--they are strangely attracted to each other. But all is not well at the school and its surroundings, and as the problems escalate, Gareth and
Olivia realize they need to get to the bottom of things before they get out of control. VERDICT Funny, sensual, and occasionally dark, this
charmer is' laced with both humor and danger; another magical romp that fans are sure to enjoy. Cooper lives in Boston.
* Dare, Tessa. A Week To Be Wicked. Avon. (Spindle Cove, Bk. 3). Apr. 2012. 354p. ISBN 9780062049872. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Determined to protect her sister Diana from being married for her money to infamous rake Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, and to get to Scotland in
order to present her remarkable fossil findings to the Royal Geological Society, bookish Minerva Highwood takes matters into her own hands.
After a good deal of convincing, she strikes a bargain with the sexy lord: he will take her to Edinburgh on the pretense of eloping, and when she
wins the competition--which she is certain to do--she will give him the prize money. But the journey is anything but smooth, and between dealing
with highwaymen, passing Minerva off as Colin's mistress and his sister, trekking across the countryside on foot, and trying to ensure that they
reach Edinburgh in time, they hardly notice they have fallen in love along the way. VERDICT Compelling characters, lively dialog, offbeat
situations, and some of the most hilarious romantic scenes written result in a sexy adventure that will have readers laughing out loud and
checking Date's web page for the next title in the series. Dare (Once Upon a Winter's Eve) lives in Southern California.
Edwards, Louisa. Hot Under Pressure. St. Martin's Paperbacks. (Rising Star Chef, Bk. 3). Apr. 2012. c.336p. ISBN 9780312534400. pap. $7.99.
CONTEMPORARY
Down to the wire in the final stages of a culinary competition they both desperately want to win, Chef Henry Beck squares off against the one
woman he hasn't been able to forget in ten years--Skye Gladwell, his estranged wife. But Skye wants something else, as well as the win--she
wants a divorce. Beck agrees to the divorce but proposes a wager, too: if his team wins, he gets one last night with Skye. She reluctantly accepts,
never thinking that this bet might just be one they both can win. VERDICT Mouthwatering culinary detail, steamy sensuality, a well-told
backstory, and appealing protagonists blend in a lively, wickedly delicious mix that neatly concludes Edwards's trilogy and is sure to please cooks
and "consumers" alike. Edwards (Some Like It Hot) lives in Austin, TX.
Quick, Amanda. Crystal Gardens. Putnam. (Ladies of Lantern Street, Bk. 1). Apr. 2012. c.336p. ISBN 9780399159084. $25.95. HISTORICAL
PARANORMAL
Fleeing from an assassin for the second time in two weeks, undercover psychic investigator and fiction writer Evangeline Banes bolts from the
bed of her small rented country cottage and plunges into Crystal Gardens' ancient, forbidding grounds--and straight into the life (and eventually
the arms) of the enigmatic Lucas Sebastian. The mysterious new heir and estate owner has the locals buzzing, and his psychic power sends
Evangeline's senses flaring. A pair of smart, well-matched protagonists, a cast of well-defined secondary characters, and a beautifully described,
frighteningly vivid garden setting combine in a fast-paced, multiplotted adventure that has enough secrets and intrigue to satisfy fans and keep the
pages turning. VERDICT One of the most creative, inventive storytellers in the field, Quick infuses her own addictive brand of breathless, sexy
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adventure with dashes of vengeance, greed, and violence and a hefty splash of delectable, offbeat humor to spin another mesmerizing paranormal
gem. Quick (Quicksilver) lives in Seattle.
Roberts, Nora. The Witness. Putnam. Apr. 2012. 488p. ISBN 9780399159121. $27.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
When she was 16, brilliant Elizabeth Fitch rebelled and ended up witnessing a double murder involving the Russian mafia. Betrayed by insiders
and nearly killed while in the witness protection program, she knew she couldn't trust the police; it was time to disappear. Twelve years later, still
avoiding the Russian mob and reinvented as Abigail Lowery, Liz has carved out a quiet, reclusive life as a freelance computer programmer and
security systems expert in Bickford, a small resort town in the Ozarks. But Abigail has attracted both the attention and interest of police chief
Brooks Gleason, and he's not about to give up until he discovers what the intriguing beauty is running from. VERDICT A brilliant, slightly
socially awkward heroine meets a puzzle-loving, protective hero in a taut, riveting drama that's guaranteed to keep the adrenaline flowing.
Another memorable page-turner from Roberts's consistently remarkable pen. Roberts (The Next Always) lives in Keedysville, MD.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Anderson, Catherine. Coming Up Roses. Signet: NAL. May 2012. c.432p. ISBN 9780451236548. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Kate Blakely and her four-year-old daughter are aided by neighbor Zachariah McGovern as they fight the mental, emotional, and legal results of
Kate's late husband's insanity-driven abuse in this gripping, heart-twisting tale that was first published in 1993 by Harper Monogram and won the
Romance Writers of America's now-discontinued Janet Dailey Award for romance novels that raise public awareness of serious social issues.
Fans will be shouting for joy that this classic has been reissued.
Blake, Jennifer. Roan. Severn House. (Louisiana Gentleman, Bk. 3). May 2012. c.384p. ISBN 9780727881243. $28.95. CONTEMPORARY
A wealthy heiress on the run from her murderous ex-fiance finds skepticism, help, and, eventually, love in the arms of the sheriff who shot her in
this fast-paced, sultry romantic thriller that was first published by Mira (2000). Note: Blake is an early romance writer (circa 1971) who has
continued to write appealing books, primarily with delightful Southern settings.
Delinsky, Barbara. First, Best and Only. Severn House. Apr. 2012. c.256p. ISBN 978072"/881380. $28.95. CONTEMPORARY
A successful publishing executive and a renowned photographer reconnect after 14 years and must deal with both the tragedy that separated them
and the passion that still flares between them in this 1986 Harlequin Temptation title.
FAREWELL
Fans of lively romantic comedy and mysteries will be saddened at the death in February of best-selling author Judi McCoy from complications of
diabetes. Her "Dog Walkers Mystery" series is exceptionally popular.
LIBRARIANS' DAY AT RWA
Librarians will be treated to a day filled with fun, romance, and a touch of magic at Librarians' Day at this year's annual Romance Writers of
America (RWA) conference at California's Anaheim Marriott on Wednesday, July 25. Packed with informative speakers, panels, author-
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networking opportunities, as well as lunch and an abundance of complimentary books, this event targets local librarians and is open to all. As of
this writing, presentations include a discussion of classic romances; a panel on suggestions for romance-related library events; a panel focusing
on historical romances with romance authors Suzanne Enoch, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, and Julia London; and a readers' advisory
presentation. The luncheon speaker will be best-selling author Kerrelyn Sparks. At $25, which includes lunch, this is an opportunity not to be
missed. To register, go to ow.ly/9Naqa.
The 2012 RWA Librarian of the Year is MARY MOORE, Reference & Adult Services Manager, Huntsville-Madison County Public Library,
Huntsville, AL.
Kristin Ramsdell is Librarian Emerita, California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the romance section of What Do I Read Next? A
Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction (Gale, annual) and Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre (Libraries Unlimited)
Ramsdell, Kristin
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Ramsdell, Kristin. "Romance." Library Journal, 15 Apr. 2012, p. 68+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA286826282&it=r&asid=0370fbbe61021794298f4ff97ba0fa4c. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A286826282
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Romance
Kristin Ramsdell
Library Journal.
136.17 (Oct. 15, 2011): p68.
COPYRIGHT 2011 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
SEASONAL SPARKLERS Whether cozy and family-centered or action-packed and adventurous, lively and urban or peaceful and rural,
passionate and steamy or subdued and tender, this year's crop of holiday romances continues the longstanding tradition of providing something
for everyone. Not surprisingly, romances focusing on small towns and communities as well as stories linked by theme or character are particularly
popular, and novellas in anthologies will often have connections to the author's other titles. So grab a cup of coffee or a mug of tea, help yourself
to the cookies, and settle in for some holiday cheer! [Although romances are reprinted year-round, holiday reissues are especially prolific.
Unfortunately, these are not always billed as reprints. It might take some digging, but it is usually worth double-checking to find out.]
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Alexander, Victoria. His Mistress by Christmas. Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780758255679. $19.95. HISTORICAL
Independent and happy to be widowed, Lady Veronica Smithson is looking for a lover, not a husband. But when she sets her sights on explorer
Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, she neglects to consider his skillful determination and need to marry. Soon, Veronica is caught up in a game of
seduction that sweeps the pair from town to country in a deliciously unpredictable holiday drama that sparkles with humor, overflows with
assorted family members, and relates the most memorable Christmas ever. VERDICT Smart and sexy, filled with witty banter and stellar writing,
this lively Victorian jaunt pairs a free-thinking, unconventional heroine with a footloose hero in a glorious battle of the sexes. Alexander (The
Perfect Mistress) lives in Omaha.
Brown, Carolyn. Darn Good Cowboy Christmas. Sourcebooks Casablanca. Oct. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9781402261572. pap. $7.99.
CONTEMPORARY
All her life, carny-raised Lizelle Hanson has dreamed of having a home with no wheels. So when her uncle gives her his small ranch, she jumps
at the chance to fulfill her dream. The last person she expects to find looking after the house is sexy cowboy Raylen O'Donnell. Despite dire
predictions from her family (and doubts front Raylen's), Liz is determined to stay. While her carny talents and free-spirited upbringing make for
some interesting moments and the carnival lure still draws her in, Lizelle finds no match for the irresistible passion that sizzles between herself
and Raylen. VERDICT Sassy and quirky and peopled with an abundance of engaging characters, this fast-paced holiday romp brims with music,
laughter, intriguing carnival detail, and plenty of Texas flavor. A classic battle between "wings and roots" that is sure to please Brown's growing
Western fan base. Brown (Red's Hot Cowboy) lives in Oklahoma but has a soft spot for Texas. [Library marketing.]
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Burrowes, Grace. Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish. Sourcebooks Casablanca. Oct. 2001. c.416p. ISBN 9781402261541. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Thrown together by chance and the vicious London weather, Lady Sophia Windham and Wilhelm (Vim) Charpentier, Lord Sindal, suddenly find
themselves snowed in, in charge of a baby abandoned by Sophie's maid. They face a growing attraction for each other, as well as an attachment to
the child, while not knowing each other's true identity. Passion soon flares, but it isn't until Sophie's three brothers finally arrive that they sort
things out and set things to rights. But then life just becomes more complicated. VERDICT Supremely sexy, emotionally involving, and graced
with well-written dialog, this gently paced, baby-centered story is a fascinating, enjoyable read and nicely connects with the author's earlier books
(The Heir; The Soldier). Burrowes lives in rural Maryland. [Library marketing.]
Carr, Robyn. Bring Me Home for Christmas. Mira: Harlequin. (Virgin River). Nov. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780778312710. pap. $7.99.
CONTEMPORARY
Sensing that her law student boyfriend is about to pop the question and unsure of her feelings for an old flame, second-grade teacher Becca Timm
talks her twin brother into taking her on a guys-only hunting and fishing trip with his ex-Marine buddies. Her secret goal? To see Denny Cutler,
her former boyfriend who has settled in Virgin River, and to assure herself that the fire that once burned so hotly between them is definitely
extinguished. But when a broken ankle keeps Becca in town longer than she expected, she reluctantly moves in with Denny. The enforced
togetherness gives them time to sort out their past--and make sure they don't let another chance at happiness slip through their fingers. VERDICT
Virgin Kiver once again springs to vivid life, this time with all the warmth and sparkle of the holiday season, as the talented Carr weaves another
touching, insightful tale of love, understanding, and forgiveness and offers a couple a welcoming place to call home. Carr (Harvest Moon) lives in
Las Vegas.
Leigh, Lora & others. Tied with a Bow. Berkley Sensation: Penguin Group (USA). Nov. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780425243299. pap. $15.
PARANORMAL
Four talented romance authors team up with lively novellas that put a seductive, supernatural spin on the holidays. A fallen angel meets a woman
he saved from death as a child in Virginia Kantra's "Upon a Midnight Clear," the Regency-set prequel to her "Children of the Sea" series. In a
world filled with half-human vampires (ventala), demons, muses, archangels, and assorted folk, a young journalist rescues a time traveler and is
plunged into a miraculous adventure in Kimberly Frost's "First Light," a novella that launches her new paranormal series. Unaccustomed to
interacting with humans, a member of the Lupi spends the holidays with his mate's human Wiccan family with interesting results in Eileen
Wilks's "Human Error." A Coyote Breed enforcer must claim his mate when her actions put her in danger in Leigh's latest addition to her popular
"Breed" series, "An Inconvenient Mate." VERDICT This sizzling quartet of holiday--linked erotic paranormal romances is just the thing to warm
up a wintry night; perfect for readers who like their reading with a sexy, otherworldly edge.
McCarthy, Erin & others. Unwrapped. Brava: Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780758251329. pap. $15. CONTEMPORARY
Chilling winter weather sweeps from downtown Chicago and a snowy Kentucky highway to a wild Scottish isle, wreaking havoc--and romance--
for the characters in this sexy Christmas trilogy. A slippery road lands a hairstylist in the arms of a toy designer when they are trapped by a
blizzard and end up sharing a motel room in McCarthy's sultry "Blue Christmas"; a basket weaver and a wary bachelor solicitor finally come to
terms with their feelings for each other in Donna Kauffman's "Santa in a Kilt"; and a couple who once shared a night of ski resort passion meet
again in a Chicago department store and end up snowbound when a blizzard shuts the city down in Kate Angell's creative "Snow Angel."
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VERDICT Gorgeous, sexy heroes are just waiting to be unwrapped in this crackling anthology that is guaranteed to steam up the windows this
holiday season.
eShalvis, Jill & others. Small Town Christmas. Forever: Grand Central. Nov. 2011. c.147p, eISBN 9781455513611. EPUB $2.99.
CONTEMPORARY
Small-town settings are all the rage, especially at Christmas, and in this funny, heartwarming collection of short stories, three popular authors take
readers home for the holidays to very different but equally enjoyable communities that are linked to each author's continuing series. A champion
NASCAR driver returns to Lucky Harbor, WA, in hopes of claiming the one woman he can't get out of his mind in Shalvis's lively, laughter-laced
"Kissing Santa Claus." In her sweetly poignant "I'll Be Home for Christmas," Hope Ramsay showcases a bit of matchmaking magic (in the form
of a bedraggled calico cat) when an ex-soldier arrives in Last Chance, SC, to deliver a gift from a fallen comrade and finds a woman to love and a
place to call home. The "love light" dawns for quiet farmer Ethan Miller when his childhood best friend returns to Bramble, TX--seven years
older and all grown up--in Katie Lane's funny and charming "O Little Town of Bramble."
VERDICT Although fans of the various series are sure to enjoy these brief holiday forays, the stories will appeal to new readers as well and may
just tempt them to make return visits. This e-only title might also entice print--only series fans into trying something new.
Thomas, Jodi & others. A Texas Christmas. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9781420119664. pap. $6.99. HISTORICAL
Cleverly linked by a devastating 1887 Texas blizzard and the panhandle town of Kasota Springs, the stories in this engaging anthology bring
home the meaning of Christmas in diverse and touching ways. Thomas introduces two grade-school misfits who meet again when a reclusive
farmer saves the mercantile owner from thugs and they end up trapped in his secluded home in "One Wish: A Christmas Story." An ostracized
lady saloon owner helps and in turn is helped by a wounded Bostonian in search of the pink bluebonnet in DeWanna Pace's captivating "Naughty
or Nice." In Linda Broday's realistic "The Christmas Bell," a rancher sets out to rescue passengers stranded on a snowbound train and ends up
trapped himself with a lovely, surprisingly capable banker's daughter. A quiet blacksmith shelters a young widow and her children from the storm
as well as from her difficult aunt in Phyliss Miranda's heartwarming "Away in the Manger." VERDICT Wintry, warm, and infinitely readable, this
Western anthology of related stories is unusually satisfying--a winner for readers who like collections filled with Old West flavor.
Woods, Sherryl. An O'Brien Family Christmas. Mira: Harlequin. (Chesapeake Shores). Oct. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780778312703. $16.95.
CONTEMPORARY
When a relationship with noted ladies' man Matthew O'Brien ruins her career, Laila Riley impulsively breaks things off, but neither expects to
end up going to Ireland for Christmas with the entire O'Brien clan. It seems Nell O'Brien is one determined grandmother (as well as a sly
matchmaker), and when Laila and Matthew finally confront each other and agree to go, the stage is set for romance--just as Nell had planned. But
Nell hadn't counted on meeting in Dublin an old love of her own--something that has her grandchildren speculating, one overprotective son tied
up in knots, and Nell, herself, faced with unexpected options. VERDICT Heart-melting, poignant, and romantic, this year's O'Brien family
holiday celebration overlays the warm, hectic joy of the season with a dash of conflict and a touch of the Irish. A memorable, multi-layered story.
Woods (Beach Lane) divides her time between Colonial Beach, VA, and Key Biscayne, FL.
NOT IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD?
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Freethy, Barbara. Garden of Secrets. Pocket Star: S. & S. (Angel's Bay, Bk. 5). Oct. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9781451636512. pap. $7.99.
ROMANTIC MYSTERY
In an effort to avoid two rival beaus at a New Year's Eve party, Dr. Charlotte Adams escapes upstairs at the stroke of midnight and suddenly finds
herself a suspect in the robbery and assault of the sister of a woman she had issues with in high school. Old secrets and resentments bubble to the
surface along with new threats and a few red herrings in this well-plotted romantic mystery that brings at least one deserving pair together, solves
more than one puzzle, and will have readers anxiously turning pages until the very end. VERDICT With masterly flair and sensitivity and a sweet
dusting of ghostly magic, Freethy delivers a stunning conclusion to her beloved "Angel's Bay" series. The author (At Hidden Falls) lives in the
San Francisco area.
* Goodman, Jo. A Place Called Home. Zebra: Kensington. Dec. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780821774182. pap. $6.99. CONTEMPORARY
Caught off guard when they become joint guardians of three children after the parents, their dear friends, are killed in an accident,
businesswoman Thea Wyndham and political cartoonist Mitchell Baker struggle with their grief, their situation, and their difficult significant
others. They realize that neither is prepared to become a parent--and certainly not alone. But the children need them, and as they work to solve
their separate dilemmas, Thea and Mitch discover that they need each other, as well. VERDICT Realistic, romantic, and infused with plenty of
humor, this brilliantly executed, fearlessly sensual first contemporary title from an author who has made her name in historicals is a stunning
success. While this reviewer wouldn't want to see Goodman neglect the historical arena, another modern-day winner like this heartwarming novel
would be more than welcome. Goodman (Kissing Comfort) lives in West Virginia.
Robb. J.D. & others. The Unquiet. Jove: Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). Oct. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780515149982. pap. $7.99. PARANORMAL
An appealing assortment of characters seek answers and, in some cases, internal "quiet" as they fight to make sense of a wide variety of strange
happenings in this well-crafted anthology. Eve Dallas confronts a Jekyll and Hyde nightmare as she works to solve the gruesome murder of three
recovering addicts in Robb's gripping, futuristic "Chaos in Death": a mysterious coin works its magic in unexpected ways in Mary Blayney's
Regency--set historical "Her Greatest Treasure"; a series of misunderstandings centering on a phone psychic eventually reward the characters in
Patricia Gaffney's touching "Dear One"; a violent Highland ghost trapped in time resolves his issues with the help of a determined, fearless
woman in Ruth Ryan Langan's sensual "Unforgiven"; and a ghost finally succeeds in bringing peace to his guilt-ridden brother by means of a
psychically susceptible children's author in Mary Kay McComas's mesmerizing, sometimes unsettling "His Brother's Keeper." VERDICT While
not Halloween-specific, this superbly conceived paranormal collection includes everything you'll need for a thrilling October read.
Roberts, Nora. The Next Always. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). (inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, Bk. 1). Nov. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780425243213.
pap. $16. CONTEMPORARY
Up to his eyeballs in the details of working with his family's contracting company to restore Boonsboro's dilapidated historic hotel and turn it into
an elegant, boutique bed-and-breakfast, architect/carpenter Beckett Montgomery has had little time for a social life. But when a brief, slightly
enchanted moment in the shadowy hotel results in a near kiss between him and Clare Brewster, the woman he has been attracted to since high
school, the stage is set for romance and a relationship neither had expected.
A young war widow with three scrappy young sons; a hunky, caring, kid-friendly hero; two rambunctious trios of brothers; and the inn's resident
ghost trailing honeysuckle and silvery laughter make this another winner for Roberts. VERDICT Incorporating Tinny humor, spot-on dialog, and
a bonedeep understanding of brotherly relationships, Roberts has taken a page from her own life as the owner and restorer of the Inn BoonsBoro
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to launch what promises to be another winning trilogy--touching, funny, sweetly sexy, slightly paranormal, and just plain satisfying. Roberts
(Chasing Fire) lives in Keedysville, MD (just a stone's throw from Boonsboro).
SECOND TIME AROUND
Dailey, Janet. To Santa with Love. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9781420120738. pap. $6.99. CONTEMPORARY
Restless and taking a break from school, Jacquie Grey heads west and tangles with an Arizona rancher when she crashes into his truck and agrees
to care for his son to pay for the repairs to her car. This is a revised and expanded version of The Master Fiddler, originally published by Mills &
Boon in 1977.
Deveraux, Jude. The Black Lyon. Avon. Oct. 2011. c.276p. ISBN 9780380759118. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
The forerunner to Deveraux's beloved Montgomery series, this 13th-century historical, first published in 1980 and focusing on the tumultuous
romance between Ranulf de Warbrooke and Lady Lyonene Tompkins, is one of the author's earliest works. While not as polished as her later
tides, it is a fiery delight and essential for most romance collections. This tide has been reissued multiple times.
Jackson, Lisa & others. Santa Baby. Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780821772942. pap. $6.99. CONTEMPORARY
Diverse, lively, sometimes funny, and filled with holiday charm, this popular quartet of novellas, both sexy and sweet, features stories by Lisa
Plumley ("Merry, Merry Mischief," with a focus on babysitting!), Kylie Adams ("Holiday Stud," with its sexy "escort" hero and desperate lawyer
heroine), Elaine Coffman ("Under the Mistletoe," in which children teach a grumpy psychologist the joys of Christmas), and Jackson ("A Baby
for Christmas," with a mystery baby--and his dad). First published in 2002, this anthology has been reprinted previously.
Kauffman, Donna & others. The Naughty List. Brava: Kensington. Oct. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780758253118. pap. $6.99. CONTEMPORARY
This feel-good holiday trio includes Kauffman's latest community-centered Hamilton novella, "Naughty but Nice"; Cynthia Eden's upbeat "All I
Want for Christmas," a slightly daring adventure of a brainy businesswoman who asks Santa for a good time; and Susan Fox's "Tattoos and
Mistletoe," a touching reunion tale of a now--successful pair of high school outsiders. A 2010 title, this smart, sexy collection is perfect for those
who missed last year's trade edition.
Krentz, Jayne Ann. The Waiting Game. Severn House. Dec. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9780727880598. $28.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
A burned-out yuppie goes in search of her missing uncle and finds instead a dangerously attractive, definitely alpha hero--just as was planned--in
this fast-paced, suspenseful adventure that is classic, page-turning Krentz; first published in paperback as a Harlequin Intrigue in 1985.
Laurens, Stephanie. Tangled Reins. Severn House. Oct. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780727880536. $28.95. HISTORICAL
An independent, country-bred lady takes her younger sister to London for the Season and becomes sought after herself, much to the surprise---
and consternation--of the notorious noble rake she'd encountered in the country. Originally published in 1992 as a Harlequin Historical, this is one
of Laurens's delightfully compelling early Regency--era romances. While not billed as a traditional Regency, it would be a welcome addition to
many of those collections.
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Sands, Lynsay. The Deed. Avon. Oct. 2011. 384p. ISBN 9780062019707. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Reissued as part of Avon's participation in partnership with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance's K.I.S.S. and Teal campaign, this medieval
escapade begins with the stunningly naive heroine's hilarious petition to the king that her then-husband bed her and heads off in a funny, sexy
direction when she gets a new mate. This witty tale was first published in 1997 and is Sands's (of Argeneau and Rogue Hunter fame) first novel.
SWEEPING BACK IN
Fans of the old Bantam Loveswept line will rejoice that Random House has resurrected Loveswept as an e-only (or e-exclusive, as the publisher
likes to say) imprint. Older titles by classic writers such Iris Johansen, Deborah Smith, Debra Dixon, and Tom and Sharon Curtis are slated to be
reissued and augmented with new titles by up-and-coming authors on a regular basis.
Kristin Ramsdell is Librarian Emerita, California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the romance section of What Do I Read Next? A
Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction (Gale, annual) and Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre (Libraries Unlimited)
Ramsdell, Kristin
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Ramsdell, Kristin. "Romance." Library Journal, 15 Oct. 2011, p. 68+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA269338631&it=r&asid=db9ce8650137c3dc871c31f07d1e57d0. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A269338631
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Jingle bells, wedding bells: a plethora of romantic stockingstuffers
Publishers Weekly.
259.35 (Aug. 27, 2012): p58.
COPYRIGHT 2012 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Katie Porter. Samhain, $5.50 e-book (288p) ISBN 978-1-61921-088-2
Porter (Carrie Lofty and Lorelie Brown, authors of Double Down) tackles the story of closeted gay producer Kyle Wakefield and out-and-proud
stuntman Nathan "Nate" Carnes. The two meet at a posh boarding school--Kyle from old Virginia money, Nate the scholarship-supported son of a
truck driver--and plan to spend the rest of their lives together before Nate makes a colossal mistake and ends up serving a three-year prison
sentence. Fast-forward 10 years: Kyle hires Nate's stunt company, Second Chances, to work on a Christmas movie being shot in London. After a
quick, heated tryst with Kyle, Nate tries to keep his distance, refusing to be anyone's dirty secret. Will Kyle be true to himself, or live out the life
others expect for him? Porter does a masterful job of guiding him to a satisfying answer. (Dec.)
* What Happens at Christmas
Victoria Alexander. Kensington, $16.95 trade paper (352p) ISBN 9780-7582-5568-6
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Alexander's divine Victorian Christmas confection provides an abundance of wit and warmth. Camille, the widowed Lady Lydingham, hires a
troupe of down-on-their-luck actors to masquerade as her family and staff in order to entice the handsome, if shifty, Prince Nicolai Pruzinsky to
propose. What could go wrong? Everything, starring with the unexpected reappearance of Grayson Elliott, Camille's long-ago love, who's
bemused to arrive at her house and be asked whether he's there to audition. Alexander takes full comedic advantage of every possible plot twist as
the farce threatens time and again to come crashing down. Actors flub their lines and disasters cascade, and it's up to Camille, Grayson, and
Camille's delightful twin, Beryl, to shore up the increasingly shaky burlesque and keep the prince's proposal on track. This star belongs at the top
of the tree. Agent: Meg Ruley. Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Nov.)
* 'Twas the Night After Christmas
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Sabrina Jeffries. S&S/Gallery, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-4516-4246-9
Bestseller Jeffries (To Wed a Wild Lord) delivers a moving Regency with heart, soul, and holiday spirit. Asthmatic Pierce Waverly, heir to the
earl of Devonmont, is just eight years old when his parents pack him off to boarding school and refuse to see him on holidays. As an adult, Pierce
determinedly ignores his widowed mother until her paid companion, Camilla Stuart, sends word to his London home that Lady Devonmont is
deathly ill. Arriving at the country estate, Pierce realizes he's been tricked by the good-hearted Camilla, who is hoping to effect a reconciliation
between mother and son. In retaliation, he demands a carnal price from Camilla, almost out of spite. But Pierce doesn't expect what happens next:
that he will fall in love with the feisty widow and bond with her six-year-old son. While Pierce tries hard to be a cold-hearted rake, his essential
goodness is evident throughout, as is Camilla's irresistible optimism. The compelling, fast-paced, and lively tale wraps up with several surprising,
tear-jerking twists. Agent: Pare Ahearn, Ahearn Agency. (Nov.)
Hunk for the Holidays
Katie Lane. Forever, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-455-52236-1
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Lane's contemporary series launch sizzles from the moment Cassie McPherson's hired escort appears to accompany her to the company Christmas
party. Cassie, a workaholic eager to avoid fix ups from her overcurious family, doesn't know that her "date" is really James Sutton, whose rival
construction company threatens the McPhersons' family business. Once he demonstrates his good looks, charm, and skill in the bedroom, she's
determined to keep him around, until she and her protective brothers learn James's identity. The romance is inevitable, but Lane (Catch Me a
Cowboy) makes the couple work for it, writing with warmth and humor. Readers will forgive the occasional contrived misunderstanding and
adore James, Cassie, and the affectionately jocular McPhersons. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (Oct.)
Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight
Grace Burrowes. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-4022-6863-2
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Burrowes's sixth Regency featuring the delightful Windham family (after Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal) deftly subverts genre tropes with fresh
and interesting twists. When Lady Louisa Windham, middle daughter of the duke of Moreland, is subjected to the unwelcome advances of an
unscrupulous fortunehunter, family friend Sir Joseph Carrington defends her honor and offers marriage. It looks like a happy match for a couple
already falling in love, but Louisa's youthful literary folly is ripe for scandal should it come to light, Sir Joseph has far too many secrets hidden
away at his country estate, and both are being blackmailed. Excellent dialogue and terrific characters rest on a bedrock of realistic relationships
and deep family love. Exceptional writing and deft timing will keep readers smiling and the pages turning. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod
Literary Agency. (Oct.)
Together for Christmas
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Lisa Plumley: Kensington/Zebra, $6.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-4201-2212-1
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Plumley makes her third trip to Kismet, Mich. (after Home for the Holidays) in this laugh-out-loud Christmas romp. High-flying L.A. talent agent
Casey Jackson is in town to track progress on pop star Heather Miller's troubled Christmas TV special. Diner proprietor Kristen Miller is trying
not to feel overshadowed by her famous older sister, and failing. At first glance, the two are polar opposites. In particular, Casey hates Christmas,
and Kristen adores it. But as Casey falls hard for Kristen, he's determined to show her that he's not some slick guy from La-La Land--and hoping
she reciprocates his feelings. Meanwhile, Kristen discovers Casey spent his childhood in foster care and never had the chance to discover the joy
of Christmas. This sweet romance tugs at the heartstrings from the beginning and doesn't let up until the final page. Agent: Karen Solem,
Spencerhill Associates. (Oct.)
Mistletoe Cowboy
Carolyn Brown. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978+4022-7015-4
Brown (Lucky in Love) delivers a frothy, mostly sweet contemporary western romance with her latest. Artist Sage Presley fights her way through
a blinding snowstorm to get to her grandmother's Texas ranch, only to encounter quite the surprise: cowboy Creed Riley, the ranch's prospective
new owner. Sage had no idea that Creed would be in residence, but he's been given ample warning, and his purchase hinges on the condition that
Sage retain the right to live on the property. Sparks quickly fly between the two but they vehemently deny the attraction; Sage is an orphan used
to solitude and Riley has recently broken up with his fiancee. Readers will page quickly through this fun holiday tale to see how they make the
most of their hilariously awkward Christmas together. Agent: Erin Niumata, Folio Literary Management. (Oct.)
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Checking It Twice
Jodi Redford. Samhain, $5.50 e-book (232p) ISBN 978-1-61921-264-0
Redford follows The Naughty List with a contemporary erotic menage romance full of red-hot love scenes that punctuate a compelling story. Jana
Colton wants just one thing for Christmas: chef Kevin Monahan, who's been resisting her advances for years. While Kevin reciprocates her
romantic feel for mistakes made in his youth and his ongoing kinky yearnings. To escape the temptation, he accepts a job as head chef at his
estranged father's Las Vegas restaurant--well over 1,000 miles from Jana in Michigan. And then a major complication comes to town: Nick
Pappas, Kevin's best friend. Jana and Nick have been flirting long-distance, and Nick is shocked to learn that Jana's crush object is his tortured
best friend. When Nick realizes Kevin is also in love with Jana, he's determined to step aside, but Jana and Kevin make it clear they need him in
the picture and in their bed. The appealing trio seeks unconventional happiness in an absorbing and arousing story. (Dec.)
A Fool's Gold Christmas
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Susan Mallery. HQN, $16.95 (320p) ISBN 978-0-373-77702-0
Bestseller Mallery's 10th romance set in the Sierra Nevada town of Fool's Gold, Calif. (after All Summer Long) brings together two people who
aren't exactly thrilled to be in town for the holidays. Dancer Evie Stryker feels like an outcast, and only returns to Fool's Gold after a leg injury
sidelines her performing career. Lawyer Dante Jefferson ends up in the tiny hamlet after his law partner, Rafe Stryker--Evie's older brother--
relocates their practice from San Francisco. Neither is looking for romance: Evie can't wait to heal and get back to work, and Dante, whose
mother was shot and killed as a "lesson" after Dante dated a gang leader's girlfriend, is terrified of loving anyone. As Evie tries to forgive her
family for a tough childhood and Dante wonders whether he can risk his heart, both experience the closeness and camaraderie of a small town
where everyone pulls together. This sweet Christmas treat is a pleasant introduction to Mallery's popular series. Agent: Annelise Robey, Jane
Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.)
Mischief and Mistletoe
Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, et al. Kensington/Zebra, $15 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-4201-2486-6
Eight authors celebrate Christmas in Regency England in this heart-warming anthology. Putney's "She Stoops to Wenchdom" brings Lucinda
Richards face to face with her childhood crush, Gregory Kenmore, who thinks himself too cowardly to deserve love. In Beverley's "Miss
Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign," Penelope Brockhurst realizes too late that she loves her longtime friend Ross Skerries, and she makes a plan
to seduce him. In Joanna Bourne's "Intrigue and Mistletoe," Elinor Pennington and Jack Tyler are hunting the same French spy. Jack is thrilled to
find Elinor again; he may have betrayed her when he arrested her uncle, but he still loves her. All the authors match their styles so well that the
individual couples begin to feel like friends and neighbors. The stories follow a similar pattern of lovers being reunited after a misunderstanding,
and each second chance is a sweet gift for the reader. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Jingle bells, wedding bells: a plethora of romantic stocking-stuffers." Publishers Weekly, 27 Aug. 2012, p. 58+. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA301282650&it=r&asid=0b38e0bb365a1eb7a7c694956b2a970c. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A301282650
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Romance
Kristin Ramsdell
Library Journal.
137.17 (Oct. 15, 2012): p64.
COPYRIGHT 2012 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
SOMETHING FOR THE HOLIDAYS The winter holidays are just around the comer, and once again authors and publishers are making sure
there will be a little bit of something for everyone this season. Light and Funny, intense and angst-ridden, sassy and sexy, or suspenseful and taut,
this year's crop has it all, and whether you prefer to spend your holidays dealing with vampires in a war-torn world, flirting with rakes at a
scandalous Regency Christmas house party, helping a young girl overcome her grief, or taking on a powerful family in the Napa Valley, there's a
holiday romance to match. So light the fire, pour the hot chocolate, and check out the list below; these are just the tip of the iceberg.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Adair, Marina. Kissing Under the Mistletoe. Montlake Romance. (St. Helena Vineyard, Bk. 1). Oct. 2012. c.304p. ISBN 9781612185859. pap.
$12.95. CONTEMPORARY
After having job after job snatched away by the vengeful interference of the powerful DeLuca family, wine marketer and single mom Regan
Martin has finally landed the perfect position in St. Helena, also the perfect place to raise her six-year-old daughter, Holly. Her joy is short-lived,
though, when she learns that not only is St. Helena home base for the DeLuca clan, but the winery that hired her belongs to them. Also, sexy
Gabe DeLuca will stop at nothing to get Regan out of his family's life and away from the sister whose marriage he blames Regan for wrecking.
But Regan is determined to stay, and she receives help from surprising places, including a reluctant Gabe, who is drawn to the gorgeous Regan
and charmed by her daughter as well. VERDICT Well-handled sexual tension, sympathetic protagonists, and engaging supporting characters add
to this sassy, tender, and funny romp that has plenty of holiday ambience, lays the foundation for an ongoing series, and leaves fans hoping the
next installment isn't too far away. Adair (Tucker's Crossing) lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.
Alexander, Victoria. What Happens at Christmas. Kensington. Nov. 2012. c.352p. ISBN 9780758255686. pap. $16.95. HISTORICAL
Possessed of a family that is anything but traditional, Camille, the young widowed Lady Lydingham, sets out to provide a "traditional English
Christmas, a la Dickens," for her current romantic quarry, handsome, debonair Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky. She takes advantage of her family's
absence and hires a company of actors to "become" her proper relatives for the season. It all seems a brilliant idea, until Grayson Elliott, the
friend Camille hasn't seen since the day he stammered his love for her and then left her engaged to another man, shows up at the front door and
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reFuses to leave. Wary but relieved when Gray agrees to help her maintain the subterfuge, Camille has no idea that Gray has his own agenda: to
keep her from marrying the prince and claim her for himself. VERDICT Clever, quirky, and thoroughly delightful, this creative Christmas
confection features a houseful of offbeat characters, a surfeit of family members, and a pair of protagonists who finally get things right. Alexander
(My Wicked Little Lies) lives in Omaha.
Allen, Louise & Others. Snowbound Wedding Wishes. Harlequin Historical. Nov. 2012. c.288p. ISBN 9780373297115. pap. $6.25.
HISTORICAL
Linked by the "snowbound for the holidays" theme, these delightful Regency-set novellas treat readers to three very different but equally
engaging romances, all overflowing with warmth and an abundance of English holiday tradition. A snowstorm brings together a widowed, gently
bred alewife and a major returning from the war with unexpected results in Allen's touching "An Earl Beneath the Mistletoe"; a young officer
comes back to England to learn he has inherited a fortune and finds a mystery and the love of his life in Lucy Ashford's charming "Twelfth Night
Proposal"; and a couple separated for a decade rekindle their love at a holiday family gathering in Joanna Fulford's heartwarming reunion story,
"Christmas at Oakhurst Manor." VERDICT The spirit of the holidays shines through brilliantly, and the snow plays its part in this captivating,
rewarding anthology that would be a worthy addition to historical romance collections.
DeStefano, Anna. Christmas on Mimosa Lane. Montlake Romance. (Seasons of the Heart, Bk. 1). Nov. 2012. 305p. ISBN 9781612185873. pap.
$12.95. CONTEMPORARY
Hoping for the normal life she was denied as a child of the streets, school nurse and social worker Mallory Phillips has moved to quiet, charming
Chandlerville, GA, for a fresh start and the Christmas she's always dreamed of but never had. When motherless, seven-year-old Polly Lombard
shows up at her house in the middle of the night hiding near the Christmas tree, Mallory knows she needs to help, whether Polly's recently
widowed and still grieving EMT fireman father, Pete, likes it or not. As she works to help Polly, Mallory helps Pete with his grief as well. Still, it
isn't until Mallory finally comes to terms with her past that she finds love and acceptance and truly "comes home." VERDICT Issues concerning
mothers and daughters, family, and grief are at the heart of this intense, heart-wrenching, yet uplifting romance that would make a solid book club
choice. DeStefano (Secret Legacy) lives in north Georgia.
Feather, Jane: Twelfth Night Secrets. Pocket: S. & S. Nov. 2012. c.272p. ISBN 9781439145272. pap. $6.99. HISTORICAL
Lady Harriet Devere is enlisted by the government to help to unmask the man responsible for her secret agent brother Nicholas's death. She
agrees to keep tabs on a possible suspect, her brother's friend and fellow spy Julius Forsythe, Earl of Marbury, during the upcoming family
Christmas celebration. Harriet's sleuthing--and the disturbing proximity of the earl--leads to unintended consequences. The more she comes to
know--and love--Julius, the more divided her loyalties become. VERDICT Appealing protagonists, a charming, slowly developing romance, and
an intriguing, nicely spun mystery will make this a perfect romance for fans who like their holiday fare with a dash of danger. Feather (A
Wedding Wager) is a veteran writer of popular historical romance; she lives on Chesapeake Bay.
* Jeffries, Sabrina. 'Twas the Night After Christmas. Gallery. S. & S. Nov. 2012. c.384p. ISBN 9781451642469. $19.99. HISTORICAL
Pierce Waverly, the rakehell Earl of Devonmont, is annoyed when he arrives at his country estate to learn that his estranged mother is not at
death's door, as he'd been led to believe by a letter from his mother's new companion. Pierce has no intention of staying, especially not for the
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holidays. But vicar's widow Camilla Stuart is determined to bring Pierce and his mother together-even if it means giving in to his initially
outrageous demands of nightly "entertainments." A caring heroine determined to do the right thing and an emotionally wounded hero unable to
forgive struggle to learn the truth in this complex story that juxtaposes the warmth of the holiday season with a dark undercurrent of closely
guarded secrets, impossible choices, and deep regret. VERDICT Sharply witty, deliciously sexy, and infinitely endearing, this holiday gem strikes
an emotional chord that will resonate with fans long after the book has been closed. Jeffries's first hardcover release, it serves as a bridge between
her recent "Hellions of Halstead Hall" quintet and a new series that is slated to begin next spring. Jeffries (A Lady Never Surrenders) lives in
North Carolina.
Krinard, Susan & others. Holiday with a Vampire 4. Harlequin Nocturne. Dec. 2012. c.365p, ISBN 9780373885596. pap. $5.50. PARANORMAL
The holidays aren't all carols and candlelight--and vampires aren't all alike--in this intriguing trio Of paranormal novellas that put a refreshing if
unconventional spin on the Christmas season. The war between humans and the vampiric Opiri brings an unlikely pair together in Krinard's
inventive, postapocalyptic "Halfway to Dawn"; a locket passed down from mother to daughter holds a vampire's soul and love is the key to its
return in Theresa Meyers's sweetly magical "The Gift"; and an astronomer searching for the true origin of the Christmas star finds love with the
immortal sent to erase her memory in Linda Thomas-Sundstrom's unusual "Bright Star." VERDICT The holidays cast a soul-warming glow on
the characters in these three occasionally thought-provoking stories that should appeal to fans who like a little edge to their holiday fare.
Lane, Katie. Hunk for the Holidays. Forever: Grand Central. Oct. 2012. 352p. ISBN 9781455522361. pap. $7.99. CONTEMPORARY
With her social life on hold and the family construction business her sole focus since her father's heart attack, "Cast-iron" Cassie McPherson, a
VP for M & M Construction, has been relying on paid escorts whenever she needs to show up with a date. Young college types are the norm, but
when her date for the company Christmas party turns out to be the sexiest guy she's ever laid eyes on--and he's savvy and smart, as well--the party
turns private and lasts until dawn, with devastating results. Who knew that her "date" would turn out to be James Sutton, her family's chief
business rival, or that they would fall in love? VERDICT Lane breathes new life into the classic business competitor plot with this upbeat, sexy,
thoroughly modern romance that captures the spirit of the season and introduces a family that fans will want to know better. Lane (Catch Me a
Cowboy) lives in Albuquerque, NM.
* Putney, Mary lo & others. Mischief and Mistletoe. Kensington. Oct. 2012. c.320p. ISBN 9781420124866. pap. $15. HISTORICAL
Overflowing with all the trappings of a Regency Christmas, this lively octet of "wench-rich" short stories from the Word Wenches (of the popular
blog) is sure to put historical fans in a holiday mood. A vicar's daughter sets out to break through a returning soldier's reserve by disguising
herself as a tavern wench in Putney's "She Stoops to Wenchdom"; an unconventional miss is determined to keep the fun-loving man she adores
from falling victim to a way-too-proper young lady in Jo Beverley's "Miss Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign"; a snowstorm strands a spy and the
reluctant lady he's been pursuing in Joanna Bourne's "Intrigue and Mistletoe"; a case of mistaken identity has romantic results in Patricia Rice's
"Wench in Wonderland"; a carriage "accident" one snowy night in Wales reconnects a young lord with the woman who refused him four years
earlier in Nicola Cornick's "On a Wicked Winter's Night"; a spirited American seafaring miss and a stiff British diplomat battle storms and danger
along the Cornish coast in Cara Elliott's "Weathering the Storm"; a destitute young woman is mistaken for a gentleman's intended bride in Anne
Gracie's "The Mistletoe Bride"; and a Highland lass from a whisky-running family attracts the interest of the new laird and sheriff in Susan King's
"A Wilder Wench." VERDICT Touching, gently funny, satisfying, and short enough to be read in one sitting, each story in this delectable
anthology is a holiday treat.
Romain, Theresa. Season for Surrender, Zebra: Kensington. Oct. 2012. c.368p. ISBN 9781420128864. pap. $6.99. HISTORICAL
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Resigned to eventual spinsterhood but wanting a bit of excitement first, quiet, scholarly, and very proper Louisa Oliver accepts the rather
surprising invitation from Alexander Edgware, Earl of Xavier, to attend his scandalous annual Christmas house party, initially unaware that she is
the subject of a wager. In order to win, Xavier must entice Louisa to stay for the party's entire fortnight. However, it doesn't take Xavier long to
realize her reputation could be at risk--and it's up to him to protect her from some of his guests. If only he can keep her safe from himself. The
question is will Louisa let him? VERDICT A smart, bookish young lady with a mischievous plan and a conflicted rake who doesn't quite live up
to his reputation find unexpected romance (and a bit of mystery) in this holiday charmer that is rife with lively wit, delightful prose, and an
abundance of unforgettable characters. Louisa's "lists" and the clever chapter headings are plusses. Romain (Season for Temptation) lives in
Wichita, KS.
Thayne, RaeAnne. A Cold Creek Noel. Harlequin Superromance. (Cowboys of Cold Creek, Bk. 11). Nov. 2012. c.224p. ISBN 9780373657100.
pap. $5.25. CONTEMPORARY
Ever since the murder of rancher Caidy Bowman's parents just before Christmas 11 years ago, December has been a bleak time for her, despite
Caidy's efforts to keep holiday traditions alive for her young niece. The season isn't easy as well for widower and single dad Ben Caldwell, who's
just moved to town with his two children to take over the town's veterinary practice. So when Ben and his family need a temporary place to stay
over the holidays, Caidy volunteers the vacant foreman's house on her ranch and finds that having a sexy vet so close by--especially in the middle
of the night--is more than a little disconcerting. VERDICT Poignant, sweet, and infinitely romantic, this emotionally compelling story of two
wounded souls needing healing and love overflows with children, animals, and holiday warmth and adds another delightful chapter to Thayne's
popular family-oriented series. The final book in the series is scheduled to be published at Christmas 2013. Thayne (Sweet Laurel Falls) lives in
the mountains of northern Utah.
... AND FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR
Long, Julie Anne. A Notorious Countess Confesses. Avon. (Pennyroyal Green, Bk. 7). Nov. 2012. c.384p. ISBN 9780062118028. pap. $5.99.
HISTORICAL
There's nothing like a scandal to stir up the good folk of Pennyroyal Green, so when former courtesan Evie Duggan, now the widowed Countess
of Wareham, flees the cruel London gossip and moves into the neighborhood, the women are quick to dose ranks against the disreputable "Black
Widow." But Evie has courage and grit and is determined to fit in. Who better to ask for help than the one person everyone admires and the
women all adore, Vicar Adam Sylvaine, a man with fallen angel looks, a mesmerizing voice, and wild Eversea blood in his veins? She asks, he
agrees, and the results are both unexpected and, ultimately, unavoidable. VERDICT A country vicar and a soiled dove are the last people you'd
envision together, but with her classic graceful prose, exceptional dialog, and lively wit, Long (How the Marquess Was Won) brings these
conflicted characters to vivid life in a satisfying, ennobling, and truly memorable story. Long lives in Paradise, CA.
Morgan, Sarah. A Night of No Return. Harlequin Presents. Nov. 2012. c.192p. ISBN 9780373131044. pap. $4.99. CONTEMPORARY
Realizing her workaholic boss has forgotten a file he needs for an upcoming trip, Emma drives to his rural estate only to find Lucas Jackson drunk
and deeply depressed on the anniversary of his daughter's death. But when the weather worsens and Emma refuses to leave Lucas alone, grief
turns to passion, and they end up in each other's arms--and then must figure out how to deal with the awkward aftermath and their growing
feelings for each other. VERDICT A grief-stricken, tormented hero unable to forgive the past and a caring, responsible heroine who helps him
heal eventually find love in this deeply emotional romance that is typical of RITA Award winner Morgan's (Defying the Prince) work. Morgan
lives near London, England.
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Roberts, Nora. The Perfect Hope. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). (Inn BoonsBoro, Bk. 3). Nov. 2012. c.336p. ISBN 9780425246047. pap. $16.
CONTEMPORARY
Betrayed, emotionally drained, and through with the Washington, De, lifestyle, Hope Beaumont has sworn off love and found her niche on the
slopes of Maryland's Blue Ridge Mountains as the innkeeper for Boonsboro's recently renovated hotel. Surrounded by friends, immersed in her
job, and even comfortable with Lizzy, the inn's resident ghost, Hope is content--except for her inexplicable attraction to prickly, macho Ryder
Montgomery. But when confrontations with her former fiance and his insolent wife put Hope on edge and Ryder on the move, the action heats up,
and the sparks begin to fly. An infusion of local history and a dusting of magic add layers of charm to this engaging contemporary romance that
bubbles over with likable characters (family matriarch Justine Montgomery is a standout) and is sure to leave readers smiling. VERDICT With
stellar pacing, humorous flair, and unerring insight into what makes families tick, Roberts wraps up another winning trilogy that is a natural for
fans of down-home, community-based series. Roberts (The Last Boyfriend) lives in Keedysville, MD.
Scott, Regina. The Rake's Redemption. Love Inspired: Harlequin. (Everard Legacy, Bk. 3). Nov. 2012. c.280p. ISBN 9780373829408. pap.
$5.75. HISTORICAL
Frustrated in his efforts to learn the truth about his uncle's death during a duel, infamous rake and poet Vaughn Everard is shocked and delighted
when the key to his dilemma literally ends up in his arms at a ball. But curious, independent Imogene Devary, the only daughter of his prime
suspect, the powerful Marquess of Widmore, has her own agenda--one that quickly puts her at odds with Vaughn. There's a dark, intriguing edge
to this sweet inspirational, which reprises characters from earlier series titles, provides a delightful love story, and cleverly unravels the tangled
threads of the mystery that has puzzled readers throughout the trilogy. VERDICT A sprinkling of religious references keeps this title firmly
within the inspirational camp, but the setting and Scott's attention to period detail make this refreshing romance a natural crossover for traditional
Regency fans. Scott (The Captain's Courtship) lives in Kennewick, WA.
* Thomas, Sherry. Tempting the Bride. Berkley Sensation: Penguin Group (USA). (Fitzhugh Trilogy, Bk. 3). Oct. 2012. c.304p. ISBN
9780425251027. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Hopelessly enamored of a married man, publisher Helena Fitzhugh has successfully hidden their affair--until a vicious gossip (the sister-in-law of
the man in the equation) lays a trap for the pair that backfires with unintended consequences for everyone concerned. A quick-thinking rescue
saves Helena's reputation but plunges her into a faux marriage with her childhood nemesis, David Hillsborough, Viscount Hastings. When a
carriage accident robs Helena of her memory, the story takes an unexpected but ultimately rewarding turn. VERDICT Characters who rise from
the pages, sensuality that takes readers to a delectable, erotic edge, and lush, mesmerizing language give the classic amnesia plot refreshing new
life and result in another off-the-charts winner for Thomas. The hero's "smutty love letter," The Bride of Larkspear, plays a central role in this
romance and is available in its entirety as an ebook. Thomas (Ravishing the Heiress) lives in Austin, TX.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Delinsky, Barbara. Threats and Promises. Severn House. Oct. 2012. c.256p. ISBN 9780727881755. $28.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE A young
woman who's recently undergone reconstructive plastic surgery is stalked for unknown reasons in this Boston-set woman-in-jeopardy tale that
will keep readers on edge and wondering. First published in 1986 as a Harlequin Intrigue, this is an early classic from Delinsky, who is well
known for her compelling women's fiction.
Ramsdell, Kristin
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Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Ramsdell, Kristin. "Romance." Library Journal, 15 Oct. 2012, p. 64+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA305192920&it=r&asid=adcc1a8acd5320f8d63ee6dd3a055510. Accessed 16 Apr.
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A305192920