Romance Reviews, August 2011
Aug 15, 2011| In this Article |
| Reader Challenge |
THE FUNNY SIDE OF LOVE Just as with suspense and mystery elements, humor for years has been slipping across subgenre boundaries and into romances of all types. No longer strictly the domain of the romantic comedy novel (most often the contemporary romantic comedy), humor has surfaced in even the most unlikely of romance subgenres, lightening a gruesome paranormal, a suspenseful adventure, a sober inspirational, or an angst-filled drama with sparkling wit, offbeat observations, or a touch of whimsy. To be sure, there are still plenty of single-minded romantic comedies, but humor, from wryly subtle to in-your-face hilarious, is making inroads, and given the general response among readers (it must be that almost innate American sense of humor), it’s here to stay.
WITH A LIGHTER TOUCH
Castle, Jayne. Canyons of Night. Jove: Berkley. (Looking Glass Trilogy, Bk. 3). Sept. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780515149883. pap. $7.99. FUTURISTIC
One memorable night, enigmatic Slade Attridge saved teenage Charlotte Enright from a gang of bullies, treated her to a magical glimpse of Rainshadow Island’s treacherous Preserve, and earned her undying admiration. Now, 15 years later, they have both returned to Rainshadow—Charlotte, a noted antiques expert, is to take over her late aunt’s antiques shop, and Slade, a high-level hunter and federal agent, will step in as the community’s temporary police chief while dealing with the potential loss of his psi-talents. Mystery is in the air, but neither is prepared for the jolt of sexual and emotional energy that ignites between them, or for the deadly machinations of the villain who is zeroing in on Charlotte. VERDICT Complex, bold, funny, and hot, this darkly tantalizing tale, uplifted by dust bunny antics and zingy dialog, masterfully concludes the captivating “Looking Glass Trilogy.” It lays the groundwork for Castle’s new Rainshadow series, which will explore the remote island’s mysterious Preserve and promises to be one of her most intriguing projects to date. Castle (Midnight Crystal) lives in Seattle.
Cooper, Isabel. No Proper Lady. Sourcebooks Casablanca. Sept. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9781402259524. pap. $6.99. PARANORMAL
Simon Grenville is shocked when a leather-clad warrior maiden steps out of a blue fire–tinged ring of stones and saves his civilized Victorian life by zapping a group of vicious, airborn cerberi. Naturally, he does the only thing a proper gentleman can do: he offers her shelter and takes her home with him. Joan, an assassin from the future, is on a deadly mission to destroy a book of spells and kill the mage who unleashed the demons that would devastate her world. Simon is out for revenge against this same man, and Joan may well be his means—if only he can turn the fiercely determined, rough-edged time traveler into a proper society miss. VERDICT Sexy, edgy, and stunningly inventive, this high-speed debut novel brilliantly contrasts dark, demon-laced magic with bright, delicious humor, adds an undercurrent of danger, and results in a winner that will have readers begging for more. Cooper lives in Boston.
Dare, Tessa. A Night To Surrender. Avon. Sept. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780062049834. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Furious that a militia is being recruited in her beloved Spindle Cove, a tiny seaside town that she has turned into a haven for young women, Susanna Finch takes on the arrogant commander, Victor Bramwell, a protégé of her inventor father and the new Earl of Rycliff. But the earl is not quite what she expected, and while her goal to keep her women’s retreat safe from outside influences remains the same, her opinions of Bram do not. VERDICT Lively and sexy, this funny, enjoyable battle of the sexes ensnares readers in a delightful adventure that is another charmer in Dare’s growing list and the first in a new trilogy. Dare (Three Nights with a Scoundrel) lives in Southern California.
Foltz, Shellie. Love Under a Dark Sky. Avalon. Aug. 2011. c.192p. ISBN 9780803476585. $23.95. CONTEMPORARY
Willa Sloan is working at an sf convention dressed as the intergalactic feminist time traveler Zareth from a popular series. In a skin-tight black bodysuit and a pair of red stilettos, she attracts the attentions of a shy, rumpled admirer, whom she gently dismisses. Only later does she learn that he is actually Daniel Arbeitman, her character’s scholarly creator and not at all the geeky nerd he was pretending to be. When Willa lands another temp job at the university where Daniel has connections, the two soon become friends—and more—despite Willa thinking she’s too old for Daniel. VERDICT Funny and sweet, this touching older woman/younger man story with an insightful, philosophical bent touches on real-life dilemmas and is as engaging as it is heartwarming. A delightful, refreshing read. Foltz (No Penalty for Love) lives in Springfield, MO.
Garwood, Julie. The Ideal Man. Dutton. Aug. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780525952251. $26.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
When trauma surgeon Ellie Sullivan witnesses a crime and saves the life of the victim, FBI agent Max Daniels fears she may be in danger from the perps. But Ellie has her sister’s wedding to attend and can’t put her life on hold, so Max tags along as her “date” and ends up dealing with a stalker, vindictive crooks, volatile family dynamics, and the surprising passion that is rapidly developing between them. VERDICT With her classic combination of easygoing humor, heart-stopping romance, and nail-biting danger, Garwood takes a tough, protective hero and a brilliant, courageous heroine on a risky, romantic journey that will have fans cheering as the good guys win, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and Ellie and Max get their much-deserved happy ending. Garwood (Sizzle) lives in Leawood, KS.
Gunn, Sophie. Sweet Kiss of Summer. Forever: Grand Central. (Enemy Club, Bk. 2). Aug. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780446562003. pap. $7.99. CONTEMPORARY
Nina Stokes has been trying unsuccessfully for two years to contact Mick Rivers, the army buddy of her late brother, Walt, so she can fulfill his wish that Mick gets Walt’s Galton, NY, house. Nina has finally bonded with the house and her lovingly tended gardens and is totally unprepared when the gorgeous Mick arrives to stake his claim. While Mick needs the money from the sale of the house for a family emergency, he doesn’t have the heart to kick Nina out. So, instead, he moves in, and nothing is ever quite the same. This is firmly Nina and Mick’s story, but it includes an abundance of townsfolk and family members who add to the sense of community that Gunn has created with her engaging “Enemy Club” series. VERDICT This often funny, secrets-laced romance raises some serious issues, leaving readers’ eyes shining both with happiness and tears. Philadelphia-based Gunn (How Sweet It Is) also writes under her own name, Diana Holquist.
Mallery, Susan. Only Yours. HQN: Harlequin. (Fool’s Gold, Bk. 5). Sept. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780373775941. pap. $7.99. CONTEMPORARY
Training therapy dogs is hard work, especially when the dog is as exuberant as Fluffy. Montana Hendrix, long considered the family screwup, loves her work but fears the worst when Fluffy gets loose in the hospital’s burn unit and earns the wrath of uptight Dr. Simon Bradley. When one of Simon’s young patients wants to see “the puppy,” Simon ends up on Montana’s doorstep. The attraction he feels is shocking and unexpected after a lifetime spent avoiding relationships. VERDICT An adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense hero in need of emotional healing set the sparks flying in Mallery’s latest lively, comic, and touching family-centered story that is the second tale of the Hendrix triplets but the fifth in her larger “Fool’s Gold” series. Mallery (Only Mine) lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Moore, Kate. To Seduce an Angel. Berkley Sensation. (Sons of Sin, Bk. 3). Sept. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780425243695. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Although the law has recognized him as the vindictive Duke of Wenlocke’s heir, Kit Jones, Marquess Daventry, is still on guard against his grandfather, the Duke, and hasn’t forgotten the abandoned boys he has taken under his wing. But when he hires Emma Portland to tutor the lads, Kit has no idea that she has been blackmailed by his embittered grandfather into spying on him. A desperate heroine, a determined hero, and a villain fixated on vengeance interact beautifully in this intricate story of wicked schemes, lies, and double-dealing, blissfully relieved with passion and lighthearted humor. VERDICT Moore has hit her stride with this marvelously rewarding conclusion to her “Sons of Sin” trilogy. Fans will hope for more of Moore’s sinful delights to come. Moore lives in Mill Valley, CA.
A SHADE MORE SERIOUS
Ashley, Jennifer. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. Berkley Sensation. (Mackenzie Brothers, Bk. 3). Aug. 2011. 298p. ISBN 9780425240496. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
The first time Cameron Mackenzie found Ainsley Douglas in his bedroom, she was stealing a necklace; the next time, six years later, she was on a mission to retrieve incriminating letters for the Queen. Both times, she avoided seduction, but Cam is not about to let the lovely widow escape again as the Mackenzie black sheep carefully sets out to claim his prize. Deceit, blackmail, and subterfuge keep the tension high as Cam and Ainsley thrust and parry in this steamy, compelling Victorian. VERDICT Passionate, well-drawn characters, breathless romance, and a memorable love story will leave readers checking out the earlier books in the series and anxiously awaiting the last in the quartet, The Duke’s Perfect Wife. Ashley (Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage) lives in the Southwest.
Dailey, Janet. Bannon Brothers: Trust. Kensington. (Bannon Brothers, Bk. 1). Aug. 2011. 358p. ISBN 9780758255761. $25. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Still on leave after stopping a drug dealer’s bullet, veteran police officer RJ Bannon is intrigued with a 25-year-old cold case: the abduction of three-year-old Ann Montgomery, which has attached to it a hefty award that is about to expire. Bannon’s interest unexpectedly rattles a few cages, and when he meets lovely Erin Randall, an artist who has been hired by Ann’s father to paint his prize stallion and who seems to be targeted by a stalker, the pieces of this twisted puzzle begin to drift into place. Old tragedies, money, and blackmail are at the heart of this multifaceted story that takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride from the chilling violence of a deranged killer to a heart-tugging conclusion. VERDICT Dailey launches her “Bannon Brothers” trilogy with this fast-paced, compelling romantic mystery peopled with an abundance of well-developed characters, including a resourceful, take-charge hero. Dailey (Santa in Montana) lives in Branson, MO.
Dreyer, Eileen. Always a Temptress. Forever: Grand Central. (Drake’s Rakes, Bk. 3). Oct. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780446542050. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Picking up where Never a Gentleman left off, outrageous, outwardly carefree Lady Kate Seaton, Dowager Duchess of Murther, is enraged to find herself kidnapped by a man she’s known for years—Sir Harry Lidge, one of Earl Drake’s undercover rakes and a man who thinks she’s in league with a treacherous group called the Lions! She’s not, of course, but she is in danger from the real villains. Only when Kate and Harry break down old animosities and acknowledge their true feelings for each other can they solve the riddle and stop a plot that could bring down the government. A bold heroine with a devastating secret and a loyal, battle-hardened hero find love and healing in this story that is as emotionally rich as it is adventurous. VERDICT Sexy, intense, and graced with heart-melting sensuality, this increasingly complex tale of treachery is another exquisitely written winner from a writer who just gets better and better. Dreyer lives in St. Louis.
Goodman, Jo. Kissing Comfort. Berkley Sensation. Sept. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780425243909. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Caught off guard when her best friend, Bram DeLong, unexpectedly announces their engagement, Comfort Kennedy is too stunned to object. But Bram’s brother, Bode, knows something is wrong, and as he has loved Comfort for years, he’s not about to let go of his suspicions. Danger, passion, and an ill-advised kidnapping are all part of this lively adventure that is a perfect read for fans of the West Coast Old West. VERDICT Deadly secrets that threaten the status quo, an enigma that is not easily resolved, and a well-matched pair of totally likable protagonists make this a romance to savor. Nicely done! Goodman (Marry Me) lives in West Virginia. [Previewed in “Booked Solid,” LJ 7/11, p. 30.]
Haymore, Jennifer. Confessions of an Improper Bride. Forever: Grand Central. (Donovan Sisters, Bk. 1). Aug. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780446573146. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Six years earlier, Serena Donovan’s twin sister, Meg, was swept overboard off the coast of Antigua and presumed dead. Now, Serena and her three remaining sisters are returning to England to reclaim their place in society, which was tarnished by Serena’s scandalous behavior with Jonathan Dane, and to reunite “Meg” with her betrothed, William Langley. But Jonathan is William’s good friend, and when he meets “Meg,” he perceives the truth. The problem is how to set things to rights without destroying Serena’s sisters’ marriage hopes and dashing his friend’s happiness in the process. VERDICT With beautifully rendered characters, lush sensuality, and a riveting story line, this well-told tale puts a refreshing spin on both the hidden identity and classic reunion plots and gets Haymore’s new series off to a delightful start. Haymore (A Season of Seduction) lives in Southern California.
Laurens, Stephanie. Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue. Avon. (Cynster, Bk. 16). Sept. 2011. c.448p. ISBN 9780062068606. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL
Heather Cynster has given up on finding at the socially approved balls a dashing hero worthy of marrying, so she tries her luck at a scandalous soirée—only to be confronted by a furious Timothy Danvers, Viscount Breckenridge, who insists she leave while her reputation is still intact. Heather is instead kidnapped, and Timothy heads off in hot pursuit—on his way to Scotland and into the lair of an unknown, embittered assailant out to wreak vengeance on the Cynsters. VERDICT Nonstop adventure, an intriguing plot, clever, resourceful characters, and plenty of Laurens’s trademark passion will make this first of the “Cynster Sisters” trilogy another favorite of Cynster fans. Laurens (The Reckless Bride) lives near Melbourne, Australia.
Lin, Jeannie. The Dragon and the Pearl. Harlequin Historical. Sept. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780373296620. pap. $6.25. HISTORICAL
Lady Ling Suyin, former consort of the late Emperor, is grateful but wary when fierce warlord Li Tao saves her from the assassins of powerful military governor Gao Shiming. With the kingdom in turmoil, Suyin trusts no one, especially not Li Tao, whose loyalty to Emperor Shen is in question and the reason for her rescue unclear. Li Tao has no idea why Gao Shiming would want the legendary beauty dead, but he wasn’t about to let that happen. Despite their mutual distrust, Tao and Suyin can’t resist the attraction that arcs between them or the star-crossed love that develops. VERDICT Beautifully written, deliciously sensual, and rich with Tang Dynasty historical and political detail, this exquisitely crafted, danger-filled, and intriguing story redeems the ruthless villain from Lin’s Butterfly Swords (a remarkable feat in itself), pairs him with a smart, resourceful heroine, and lets them play cat and mouse for much of the book before joining forces for a well-deserved romantic ending. Exceptional. Lin lives in St. Louis.
Silver, Eve. Body of Sin. HQN: Harlequin. (Otherkin, Bk. 4). Sept. 2011. 384p. ISBN 9780373775927. pap. $7.99. PARANORMAL
Lokan Krayle is murdered for the sake of his young daughter, Dana, and later resurrected by his three immortal brothers. Caught in the underworld and still not free to protect his child, Lokan knows his only exit is through the 12 gates of his ancient enemy, Osiris, and for that he needs a guide. When Bryn Carr, Dana’s mother, strikes a deal to lead Lokan to safety, he has no idea that she will be the one to pay the ultimate price. VERDICT Dark, intense, passionate, and, in the end, rewarding, this tale of pain and redemption brilliantly resolves a seemingly unsolvable dilemma and adds another gleaming link to Silver’s “Otherkin” chain. Silver (Sins of the Flesh) lives in Ontario.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Bittner, Rosanne. Where Heaven Begins. Severn House. Aug. 2011. 336p. ISBN 9780727880000. $28.95. HISTORICAL INSPIRATIONAL
Driven from her late father’s San Francisco church by the next pastor’s lies, Elizabeth Breckenridge heads for Alaska to join her brother and finds totally unexpected love with bounty hunter Clint Brady in this Scripture-laced, Alaskan Gold Rush adventure that was originally published in paperback by Steeple Hill (Harlequin) in 2004.
Gerritsen, Tess. Call After Midnight. Severn House. Sept. 2011. 256p. ISBN 9780727880451. $27.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Refusing to believe that her new husband, Geoffrey, has been killed in a Berlin hotel fire, Sarah Fontaine soon gets caught up with diplomat Nick O’Hara in a deadly game of espionage and betrayal in this fast-paced, country-hopping romantic adventure that was first published as a Harlequin Intrigue in 1987.
Lowell, Elizabeth. Chain Lightning. Severn House. Aug. 2011. 256p. ISBN 9780727880123. $28.95. CONTEMPORARY
A young widow trying to come to terms with her fear of flying and the ocean, the result of surviving a small-plane crash at sea, is tricked into a three-week “vacation” on a remote island near the Great Barrier Reef with her boss’s dangerously attractive nephew in one of Lowell’s early steamy classics that was first released by Silhouette Intimate Moments in 1988.
| Author Information |
| 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) |
READER CHALLENGE! THE GOTHIC NOVEL: ROMANCE OR NOT?
There’s nothing like a good argument, and this month Mystery columnist Teresa Jacobsen and I are squaring off over one of genre fiction’s big questions: What is a gothic and who gets to claim it, romance or mystery? The answer will vary with each book, but Deborah Lawrenson’s new release, The Lantern (LJ 7/11), has each of us thinking about staking a claim.
Some key elements that would make it a gothic romance are:
• Isolated house or estate • Haunted house
• Brooding/menacing atmosphere • Mysteries/old secrets
• Key romantic relationship • Love wins out
Does The Lantern make the cut? Check out Jacobsen’s criteria list (p. 65), and see which elements tip the balance for you. No spoilers here—you’ll have to read the book to decide!
Hint: One old writer’s rule is to save the most important plot threads, or what you care about most, to tie up last. That might help you decide the book’s genre—or not.
Read-alikes: Mary Stewart’s Nine Coaches Waiting, Barbara Michaels’s Wait for What Will Come, and, of course, Daphne du Maurier’s classic gothic, Rebecca.
