In Defense of Danger | Romance Reviews, December 1, 2015

In Defense of Danger From the time we are young, we are taught to avoid danger. Whether it’s the cautionary childhood standards—don’t touch the stove; don’t take candy from strangers—or more adult concerns—be careful on those icy roads; reconsider that investment—the goal is the same: to avoid hazardous circumstances. After all, we might get hurt! While risk avoidance is fine in our daily lives, in our fiction we want stories full of peril, adventure, and challenge, with heroes and heroines who are strong, brave, and capable of facing and overcoming anything that stands in their way. Ultimately, we want protagonists to be heroic, yet down to earth, and that means the obstacles they face must be real and frightening yet surmountable, allowing readers to enjoy the thrills from the safety and comfort of their easy chairs. Beyond the classic romantic suspense tales, many love stories have an intrinsic element of peril. See how our couples find their way out of tight situations in these eminently appealing works.

PROTAGONISTS IN PERIL

Anderson, Catherine. New Leaf. Signet: NAL. (Mystic Creek, Bk. 2). Jan. 2016. 416p. ISBN 9780451418357. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781101611234. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Wrongly convicted of child abuse by her totally selfish and well-connected ex-husband, Taffeta Brown moves to Mystic Creek, OR, determined to repair her reputation and regain custody of five-year-old Sarah. Then Taffy gets the news that her ex’s careless lifestyle is putting Sarah in danger, and she does the one outrageous thing that might help her case—she proposes a temporary marriage to Barney Sterling, the local deputy sheriff. Caught off guard, Barney refuses. Then after some sleuthing of his own, he agrees, never thinking that keeping the marriage platonic (his rules) would be so blasted hard. Of course, their immediate mutual attraction adds its own complications. VERDICT With gentle humor, a dollop of sweet sensuality, and her trademark brand of down-home tenderness and heartfelt compassion, Anderson gives the classic convenient marriage plot a refreshing child-in-jeopardy spin. Welcome another happy family to the picturesque Mystic Creek world. Anderson (Silver Thaw) lives in rural Oregon.

Chase, Loretta. Dukes Prefer Blondes. Avon. (Dressmakers, Bk. 4). Jan. 2016. 384p. ISBN 9780062100344. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062098276. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

While Lady Clara Fairfax was raised to be a duchess, that’s the last thing the intelligent, well-read, and stunningly beautiful young woman wants to be. Stifled by both her sex and her station, she yearns for adventure and to make a difference. When the opportunity to help lands in her lap, she embraces it with both hands—and ends up embracing nobly born barrister Oliver Radford as well. With action that flows from the crime-filled London rookeries to the glittering upper-class ballrooms, this cleverly plotted, vividly descriptive historical evokes the flavor of pre–Victorian England with flair, precision, and all the appropriate class clashes. VERDICT This exceptional romance features a heroine who only wants the freedom to be herself and a strong, insightful hero who encourages her. With flawless research, exquisite sensuality, and brilliant repartee that extends to the bedroom, this is another unforgettable winner from the impeccable Chase. Chase (Vixen in Velvet) lives in Worcester, MA.

D’Alba, Cynthia. Texas Hustle. Samhain. (Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Bk. 6). Dec. 2015. 248p. ISBN 9781619232389. pap. $15.99; ebk. ISBN 9781619231290. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

It’s been 17 years since the tragic accident that got Porchia Summers shipped off by her shallow socialite parents to live with her nurturing grandmother in tiny Whispering Springs, TX. No longer that “immature teen,” Porchia has carved out a new life as the owner of a successful bakery. But the past returns with a vengeance as one chilling phone call threatens to take it all away, unless Porchia can outwit the blackmailer. In an effort to escape and think, she ends up at a charity auction “buying” ten days on a camping trip with sexy rancher Darren Montgomery and is caught up in a relationship for which she hadn’t bargained. VERDICT Sharply drawn characters, un­anticipated plot twists, and page-singeing sex make this a lively romance and a solid addition to D’Alba’s übersteamy series. D’Alba (Texas Bossa Nova) lives in ­Arkansas.

Daniels, B.J. Lucky Shot. HQN: Harlequin. (Montana Hamiltons, Bk. 3). Dec. 2015. 368p. ISBN 9780373788552. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781460390283. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Freelance investigative journalist Max Malone knows a good story when he hears one. White House–bound Senator Hamilton’s first wife, Sarah, who supposedly drowned herself 22 years earlier, shows up alive and well but with no memory, leaving Max to get to the bottom of things. Not among his plans, though, is falling for Sarah’s daughter, Kat, who is the very image of her mother. When it becomes clear that digging into Sarah’s past is harrowing indeed, Max must also keep Kat safe while avoiding getting himself killed. A mystery with a radical revolutionary twist, a high body count, and a multithreaded plot that cleverly sows the seeds of doubt result in an intriguing thriller. VERDICT The heartwarming romance gets wrapped up here, but the book ends with a cliff-hanger that is sure to have fans anxious for the next title in the series. Although this romance is complete in itself, it makes sense to begin with the first two books, Wild Horses and Lone Rider. Daniels lives in Montana.

Frampton, Megan. One-Eyed Dukes Are Wild. Avon. (Dukes Behaving Badly, Bk. 3). Jan. 2016. 384p. ISBN 9780062412782. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062412775. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Card-playing, novel-writing, shockingly unmarried Lady Margaret Sawford just knows that the Duke of Lasham, complete with eye patch and piratical air, must be a bit reckless. Unfortunately, she’s doomed to disappointment when she discovers he’s as boring and responsible as any duke can be. Yet in reality, Lash is tired of being correct all the time and is attracted by Margaret and her unconventional ways. He asks to join her on her various escapades, never dreaming he’d find love in the bargain. Delightful selections from Georgiana and the Dragon, the heroine’s novel within this novel, introduce each chapter. VERDICT An adventure-seeking writer and an oh-so-proper duke take a walk on the wild side with delectable results. This sexy, often funny early Victorian romance captivates from the start. Frampton (Put up Your Duke) lives in Brooklyn.

Kimmel, Kathleen. A Lady’s Guide to Ruin. Berkley Sensation. (Birch Hall, Bk. 1). Dec. 2015. 304p. ISBN 9781101986790. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781101986806. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Wrongly committed by her brother to Bethlem Royal Hospital, familiarly known as Bedlam, thief extraordinaire Joan Price has now escaped, stolen some diamonds, and is on the run from her sibling and his henchman. Martin Hargrove, Earl of Fenbrook, mistakes her for his distant cousin Daphne, who is coming to live with him and his sister. Soon they are all leaving London and heading to the family estate in the country, to Joan’s great relief, but exposure is never far behind. Several unsavory villains, a passionate but potentially doomed romance, and more than one puzzling mystery keep the action swift and the story on track. ­VERDICT A fast pace, a surfeit of diverse characters, and a complex plot add up to an engaging story and a credible debut with a most satisfactory conclusion. Kimmel lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Krentz, Jayne Ann. Secret Sisters. Berkley. Dec. 2015. 352p. ISBN 9780399174483. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698193666. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Cooper Island is the last place boutique hotel chain owner Madeline Chase ever wanted to revisit, but when she receives a worried call from the caretaker of Aurora Point, the shuttered hotel that her late grandmother once owned, she reluctantly heads for the small San Juan Island where she grew up. Murder awaits and so does the past as Madeline reconnects with her childhood best friend and “secret sister” and is plunged into a nightmare that is rooted in a terrifying, life-changing event she’d hoped to have buried forever. Family skeletons, career-crushing secrets, multiple villains, and exactingly drawn characters (including gunslinger-sexy, tough-minded security expert Jack Rayner) keep the action swift and the plot humming in this violence-laced thriller that is hard to put down. VERDICT Long-kept mysteries resurface with deadly results in this mesmerizing, well-crafted tale that doles out clues with clever precision and keeps the tension high, the romance simmering, and the revelations coming until the very end. Krentz (Siren’s Call) lives in Seattle. [See Prepub Alert, 6/29/15; an LJ Best ­Romance of 2015, see p. 36.—Ed.]

Lord, Susanne. In Search of Scandal. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (London Explorers, Bk. 1). Dec. 2015. 416p. ISBN 9781492623502. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781492623519. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

The only survivor of a brutal massacre, explorer Will Repton returns from ­Tibet a wounded hero, but memories plague him and he knows he’ll have to go back. Charlotte Baker has followed Will’s expedition with avid interest, and when she meets him in person, the connection between them is electric. She believes that they are destined to be together, but Will is not about to let anything keep him from Tibet, even his growing feelings for Charlotte. Naturally, Charlotte has her own ways of getting what she wants. Hidden agendas add a dash of danger to this steamy Victorian romance. VERDICT An intrepid explorer with an unfinished quest and some ghosts to lay to rest and a fearless heroine fight for their love against all odds. An emotionally compelling, heartrending debut. Lord lives in Chicago.

McCarty, Monica. The Rock. Pocket. (Highland Guard, Bk. 11). Jan. 2016. 419p. ISBN 9781501108785. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781501108808. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Thomas MacGowan has adored Elizabeth Douglas from the first time he saw her. But he was a blacksmith’s son and she was the daughter of the local lord, and they both knew the social chasm between them was far too great to accommodate anything but friendship. As the years passed, Thom honed his skills and acquired lands and a knighthood. His situation was improving, and while he understood that it was useless, he never gave up hope that one day Elizabeth would be his. VERDICT A pair of star-crossed lovers defy society and tradition in this action-filled, fierce romance set during the turbulent time of Robert the Bruce. ­McCarty (The Striker) lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

MacLean, Sarah. The Rogue Not Taken. Avon. (Scandal & Scoundrel, Bk. 1). Jan. 2016. 432p. ISBN 9780062379412. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062379399. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Incensed when she catches her aristocratic brother-in-law cheating on her pregnant sister at a party, quiet Sophie Talbot, the “unfun” wallflower of the scandalous Talbot sisters, does the unthinkable and pushes the arrogant, furious duke into the fishpond in full view of everyone. Now a pariah in the eyes of the ton, Sophie just wants to go home. Her ill-advised plan turns into a hair-raising carriage ride north to Cumbria with the infamous Marquess of Eversley, and suddenly her misadventure is no longer a game but something potentially far more risky. This refreshing romp is both a thrilling, often funny romantic journey and a delicious, scathing commentary on upper-class pre-Victorian society. VERDICT A roguish hero who’s not quite the cad he’s supposed to be and a bright, resourceful heroine who’s anything but dull drive each other to distraction—and into love—in the first of a most promising series. A purely delightful diversion (and who wouldn’t love the title?). MacLean (Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover) lives in New York City.

Maxwell, Cathy. The Match of the Century. Avon. (Marrying the Duke, Bk. 1). Dec. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780062388612. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062388629. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Promised from childhood to Gavin Whitridge, the Duke of Baynton, Elin Morris has always known they would wed, even though it was Gavin’s younger brother, Ben, who first stole her heart—and more—when they were only teens and then left her shattered when he abruptly went off to the army. Now, years later, Ben is forced to come home as Elin and Gavin are about to announce their engagement, and once again Elin sees that she’s never stopped caring for Ben. And if that weren’t enough, there’s the frightening little matter of someone trying to kill her. VERDICT Duty and responsibility war with bone-deep love as the nicely developed characters gradually come to terms with the truth. This fast-paced, danger-studded Regency sees its star-crossed lovers get their well-deserved happy ending; a sparkling new series from Maxwell (The Groom Says Yes), who lives in Virginia.

Scott, Regina. Instant Frontier Family. Love Inspired Historical. (Frontier Bachelors, Bk. 4). Jan. 2016. 290p. ISBN 9780373283422. pap. $5.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488007682. INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE

Maddie O’Rourke has waited a long time for her younger brother and sister to come West, but she never imagined her siblings to have been matchmaking along the way. Hard-working Maddie has built a life for herself, and as the owner of the most popular bakery in Seattle, she’s not about to cede her independence to anyone—not even Michael Haggerty, a man she is coming to admire but who has his own past that could be a threat to them all. VERDICT With likable protagonists, a pair of sometimes difficult youngsters, a vivid setting, and an appealing dash of mystery, this sweetly inspirational romance sees an independent frontier woman and a love-wary Irishman find happiness despite the odds. Scott (Frontier Engagement) lives in Tacoma.

PLAYING IT SAFE(R)

Ashford, Jane. Heir to the Duke. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (Duke’s Sons, Bk. 1). Jan. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9781492621560. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781492621577. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Acknowledging his duty to marry, ­Nathaniel Gresham, Viscount Hightower and heir to the Duke of Langford, is happy to be wedding the very suitable Lady Violet Devere. In his opinion, she will do quite well as his future duchess. Violet is happy, too, because she will finally have an establishment of her own and the freedom that comes with marriage. But Violet has no intention of being boring, and so she sets out to give herself a bit more sparkle and flair and ends up igniting Nathaniel’s interest as well as intriguing the ton. Then Violet discovers something about her family that just might endanger her newfound happiness. VERDICT Graced with lively wit, excellent period detail, and appealing protagonists, this fetching romp enthusiastically launches Ashford’s new series. Ashford (Married to a Perfect Stranger) lives in Boston.

Higgins, Kristan. Anything for You. HQN: Harlequin. (Blue Heron, Bk. 5). Jan. 2016. 416p. ISBN 9780373789085. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781460391891. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Connor O’Rourke has loved Jessica Dunn since he was 12, but their relationship over the years has been rocky at best. Now, together once more, Connor wants to settle down, but convincing independent Jess to marry him is not going to be easy. She is happy with their current “friends with benefits” relationship, and with a developmentally disabled brother to care for, Jess has no plans to marry. But Connor is determined to change her mind. ­VERDICT A heroine who believes she can only count on herself, a persistent, protective hero who won’t give up, and a wonderful cavalcade of Blue Heron folk lead to an irresistible, often touching story that is tender, sexy, and hilarious as only Higgins can write it. A story to savor. Higgins (If You Only Knew) lives in Connecticut.

Lerner, Rose. Listen to the Moon. Samhain. (Lively St. Lemeston, Bk. 3). Jan. 2016. 316p. ebk. ISBN 9781619228979. $5.50. HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Raised in service on a large estate, John Toogood is an exceptional, if starchy, valet. Then his circumstances change, and he ends up as a butler, something he’d never wanted to be, and finds he has a lot to learn—not all of it to his liking. Susan “Sukey” Grimes, the young maid he marries, has a lot to learn as well, but they complement each other beautifully as they work through various family problems and issues of their own. An unconventional maid-of-all-work and a very proper gentleman’s gentleman agree to wed in order to attain better positions and unintentionally find love and understanding. VERDICT This well-researched, erotically tinged romance captures the flavor of rural Sussex in a romance that highlights the lives of the servants instead of their employers. ­Lerner (True Pretenses) lives in Seattle.

Second Time Around

Gerritsen, Tess. Whistleblower. Severn House. Dec. 2015. 272p. ISBN 9780727885401. $28.95. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

A makeup artist for a film company becomes the target of a ruthless killer when she helps a wounded biochemist. This heart-pounding, well-plotted romantic thriller, first published in 1992 as a Harlequin Intrigue, keeps readers guessing.

Laurens, Stephanie. A Lady of Expectations. Severn House. (Lester Family, Bk. 2). Jan. 2016. 304p. ISBN 9780727885517. $28.95. REGENCY ROMANCE

A gentleman in search of a suitable wife keeps his wealth hidden only to find his advances rejected by the one woman he wants because she believes he needs to marry money and she has none. A charming traditional Regency classic that was first published in 1995 as a Mills & Boon Regency.

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. 2d ed. (Libraries Unlimited, 2012)