Summer is in full swing and we're back with some terrific new books to add to your beach bag. Have you read any of these yet? Have others to recommend? Join in and tell us what's in your beach bag this summer!
By Kris Kennedy
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Traveling to Ireland to conduct wool business with Lord Rardove, Senna de Valery is shocked to find herself at the not so tender mercy of the diabolical Englishman whose plan is to wed her then force her to create the secret dyes that will make him rich and powerful. But Senna’s painful memories prevent her from ever attempting to make the magical dyes that caused her mother, a well-known dye-witch, to abandon her. Finian O’Melaghlin, diplomat and chief councilor to the Irish king, needs to find the secret dye recipe before it can fall into the hands of Rardove and be used against the Irish but is being held captive in Rardove's dungeon. Senna knows with one look into Finian’s eyes that he’s done nothing wrong. She helps him escape with the promise that he’ll escort her to the coast and a ship back to England but Finian has a secret mission to complete first, a mission which, it gradually becomes apparent, will require Senna to confront her deepest fears and the secrets of her family and will force Finian to choose between his destiny and his love.
Kris Kennedy, a relatively new author on the block with two books under her publishing belt, is quickly making a name for herself in historical romance. She drew me into her story immediately and held my interest far into the night when I turned the final page with a smile and a sigh. With an interesting and original storyline, a truly despicable villain, a spunky heroine and one of my favorite heroes of the year, The Irish Warrior is a must-have book for every beach bag this summer!
~PJ
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By Mary Wine
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Used to the callous mistreatment of her tyrannical father, Shannon McBoyd has learned to be strong and independent even though she has no real power. She’s resigned to her lot in life but when she’s shipped off to become the bride of a man she’s never met as a bargaining chip in a deadly political battle for control of Scotland her life takes an unexpected turn. Captured before she can be wed by Torin McLeren, an honorable man and neighboring laird attempting to stop McBoyd raids on his clan, she’s taken instead to the McLeren keep where she’s to be held hostage. Though they should be enemies, Torin and Shannon grow closer, passions flaming, hearts softening, and soon Torin wants to keep Shannon forever, not as his hostage but as his wife. Will they find happiness together or will betrayal and its deadly consequences rip them apart forever?
I love a good medieval romance and Mary Wine has quickly become one of my favorite “go to” authors for this sub-genre. For a fast-paced, emotional story with political intrigue, fascinating secondary characters, a hero and heroine who will capture your heart and plenty of steamy passion, you can’t go wrong with To Conquer a Highlander.
~PJ
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By Maya Rodale
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 29, 2010
When Miss Sophie Harlow is jilted by her fiancé, quite literally walking down the aisle of the church, she is understandably devastated and feeling like her life is over. Will she ever live down the scandal? She picks up the pieces of her shattered life and moves to London with her dear friend, Lady Julianna Somerset and becomes a reporter---one of the Writing Girls--- for The London Weekly. She covers the society weddings in her column, “Miss Harlow’s Marriage In High Life”, which is ironic given her experience at the alter. Her biggest assignment to date is to cover what promises to be the wedding of the year: the upcoming marriage of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon to the Lady Clarissa, the only daughter of the Duke of Richmond. The problem is that ever since she met Brandon (when she didn’t know he was THE duke), she decided he was the one for her, falling hopelessly in love with him. Soon it looks like Brandon is equally enamored with Sophie, but will this man of honor jilt his fiancée? Scandalous secrets, a foreign prince and stolen kisses may just give Sophie a groom of her own.
Maya Rodale begins her new Writing Girl Romance series with this delightful story of a young lady longing for love and a duke who’s afraid to embrace that same emotion. Sophie and Brandon will have you longing for their HEA, which is so worth the ride. You’ll definitely want a copy of A Groom of One’s Own in your beach bag this summer.
~Gannon
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By Adele Ashworth
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Ian Wentworth, Duke of Chatwin, was captured by two young women, drugged and chained in a dungeon for five weeks. Now five years later he is still bent on revenge, seeking the one person who has not paid: Viola Bennington-Jones, Lady Cheshire. Despite his unwavering attraction for her, Ian will not stop until Viola has suffered as deeply as he did at the hands of her sisters.
Viola is a young widow, mother and well-known portrait artist, who has managed to keep secret the horrible incident years ago involving Ian. She tried to help him when he was held captive, but he remembers none of that. Viola is shocked---and not a little frightened---when Ian shows up in London. Initially he acts as if he doesn’t recognize her, but all of her memories, both good and bad, coming rushing back to her. Soon it becomes apparent that he knows exactly who she is, and he blames her for his past. Will Ian ever remember the moments of tenderness they once shared or will his thirst for revenge destroy them both?
In the follow-up to her last novel, A Notorious Proposition, Adele Ashworth has created a dark, intense, erotic story with a captive/captor theme. My attention was definitely held captive as I followed Ian and Viola on their sometimes painful, but often passionate journey. Add some more heat to your already steamy summer and pick up a copy of The Duke’s Captive.
~Gannon
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by Margaret Mallory
Publisher: Grand Central
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Margaret Mallory continues her All the King’s Men series with Knight of Passion, and what a wonderful installment it is!
A few years ago, Jamie Rayburn had his heart torn from his chest and ripped to shreds by the young woman he loved. Swearing never again to give his love so freely, Jamie returns to England after fighting in France only to find Lady Linnet has befriended the Queen and thus situated herself into his daily life. Jamie’s attempts to ignore Linnet are futile. The blasted woman is everywhere, including his dreams!
Lady Linnet is on a mission. A mission of revenge. Decades ago, several men duped her grandfather out of a fortune leaving her and her brother penniless and now Linnet is determined to make all them pay. What she didn’t count on was running into her first love, her only love, Jamie Rayburn. The man she betrayed on her path of revenge. Why did he have to be at the castle all the time? As Linnet draws closer to identifying the circle of men she seeks, danger lurks all around her. The only man that can save her is Jamie. But can Jamie overcome his broken heart and become Linnet’s Knight of Passion?
~Buffie
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by Cheryl Holt
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 1, 2010
After the death of her parents, Helen Hamilton is too busy trying to care for her younger sisters to worry about the marriage market. But when she is given a love potion by a traveling salesman who guarantees if she drinks the potion while staring into the eyes of her true love she will marry him in four weeks, Helen wonders if her luck is about to change. Left with a small amount of money to support her sisters, Helen begins interviewing for governess positions around London. While interviewing with Captain Tristan Odell, guardian to the Earl of Hastings and his younger sister, Helen tries her best to pursued Captain Odell to hire her. However, Tristan does not want to hire a young, attractive woman for the position. Not when the Earl of Hastings is eighteen years old and chasing every skirt around. Soon Helen becomes exasperated by Tristan’s snippy tone and stomps out of the house. While standing outside the front door, Helen realizes she hasn’t eaten since the night before and the only thing in her bag is the love potion. Just as she begins to drink the love potion, Tristan startles her by opening the door and looking her straight in the eyes. Disconcerted by the odious thought of marry a man that irritates the dickens out of her, Helen storms off. Through a series of circumstances, Tristan runs into Helen the next day. When he sees her dyer living and financial conditions, he immediately offers Helen the governess position and living quarters for her and her two sisters. After spending several days in Helen’s company, Tristan soon finds himself attracted to this spunky and lovely woman. When he turns his attentions on full force, Helen wonders if Tristan is really in love with her or if it is the love potion. Determined to find out, Helen gives Tristan a Taste of Temptation. This book is a wonderful way to spend a few hours while soaking up the sun!
~Buffie
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By Susan Sey
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Former jewel thief Patrick O’Connor comes back to Grief Creek, Minnesota at the request of his sister, Mara, who is in a bit of a predicament. The only problem with his return is the probability of seeing FBI Agent Elizabeth Brynn again. Six years before, Patrick turned himself in to Liz to keep his sister out of jail, and then proceeded to assist the Feds for three years as an informant. After that stint, he left and became a successful crime novelist. Now, Mara needs his help to nail a counterfeiter that has been circulating fake bills in her and her husband’s casino and restaurant. Patrick wants to help his sister, but finds it difficult to work again with the only woman who seems immune to his charms. Or is she?
I really enjoyed this debut by Susan Sey and heartily recommend it as an ideal beach read! Patrick and Liz are a delightful pair that had me laughing one minute and fanning myself the next. The tension between the two was sizzling! Patrick is a deliciously confident hero and I loved how he constantly called Liz “Liz. Darling.” Liz is pretty uptight and completely by-the-rules, so it was an absolute pleasure to watch rule-breaker Patrick get under her skin. The secondary characters fit their roles brilliantly and added just the right touch to the story. If you like your contemporary romances laced with wit, humor, and a bit of suspense, Money, Honey is definitely the book for you!
~Andrea
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The Courtesan Chronicles – Book 5
By Claudia Dain
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: July 6, 2010
American Jane Elliot comes to London for a bit of adventure. While there, she attends the wedding of one of her male cousins, the future Duke of Hyde. During the breakfast reception, Jane meets several people, one of which is the alarmingly handsome Duke of Edenham. Jane has no interest in him beyond an acquaintance, though it’s obvious to her and everyone else (including her overprotective older brothers) that the duke is instantly smitten with her. With the help of Sophia Dalby, Jane decides to make Edenham her adventure and win a little challenge instigated by one of her new cousins-in-law. What Jane doesn’t realize is that she may be in way over her head as Edenham has also enlisted the help of the infamous Lady Dalby to win Jane’s heart!
Daring a Duke is such a fun and unique book! Almost the entire book (except for the final chapter) takes place during the six or seven hours that the guests are waiting for breakfast to be served at the reception. Ms. Dain does a terrific job of telling this story from many different people’s point of view whose conversations and gossip flow right into the next. I really liked this concept. Jane can’t understand why Edenham wants her until Sophia explains: Because, darling Jane, aside from being an utter beauty, you are almost certainly the one woman in the room who should be dazzled by Edenham, yet who doesn’t want him at all. You don’t fear him. You are not in awe of him. You are not impressed by him. Naturally, he finds this illogical, unnatural, and irresistible. Men find that sort of challenge impossible to ignore. You, Jane, have captured his interest. I love that Edenham experiences love at first sight and isn’t ashamed to admit it. He and Jane’s banter sparkles with humor and made me smile repeatedly. If you’re looking for a great beach read, pick up a copy of Daring a Duke and immerse yourself in the wonderfully witty gossip!
~Andrea
