Lily McGhee

Summer is here, and that means ’tis the season for fun, sexy reads you can take to the beach, the back porch or your dream vacation spot. This trio of fresh, fast-paced romance offerings couldn’t be more different from one another, and they are all standouts of the genre—so they’re sure to steam up your summer and keep the season exciting.

LAW AND ORDER
Henry Garrison has earned infamy and the nickname “Monster of Manhattan” due to his ruthless style in the courtroom and his media-documented personal demons. When he retreats to his cherished childhood home in Martha’s Vineyard for some solitude, the last thing he’s expecting is the beautiful, vibrant Win Hughes who—quite literally—topples into his broken world.

Win is everything Henry is missing. She is kind, vivacious and drop-dead stunning to boot. Beyond all that, she is emerging from her own battle that has left her scarred and vulnerable. Win and Henry are two of a kind, and the spark between them grows quickly to a blaze, until they mutually choose to stifle it in favor of moving on.

However, Win is not who Henry believes she is, and her past soon comes to light when her best friend is murdered at a very public celebrity function. Win needs a lawyer, and she knows just where to turn. Now Henry must come to terms with her new identity and what it means for the two of them.

Order of Protection is a fresh, expertly crafted novel that deftly walks the line between a good mystery and a mouthwatering romance. That is to be expected from an author like Lexi Blake, one of the most prolific and accomplished authors of the genre, who has a series for every taste, fantasy and desire.

What makes this novel a standout, however, is the constant innovation present in the story and in the chemistry between the leading couple. Every moment they share is taut but genuine, and never over-simplified or trite. The pace is engaging—this is as much a murder mystery as it is a love story. It takes a truly excellent writer to develop endearing characters that feel like real people, never mere plot devices. Pick up Order of Protection to make those long, lazy summer days sizzle.

SMALL-TOWN SWEETHEARTS
The best romance novels star the most unexpected protagonists, and a PTA mom is about as unexpected as it gets. The latest installment in the Hellcat Canyon novels, The First Time at Firelight Falls envelops readers in the kind of everyday love we all dream about, while elevating stakes and heart rates alike.

Eden Harwood has been juggling motherhood, a career and her family for the blissful 10 years since her daughter, Annelise, was born. As her life stabilizes and she and Annelise learn together what happiness looks like, Eden can’t imagine adding one more thing to her to-do list. Except, of course, for Gabe Caldera, her daughter’s mouthwatering ex-Navy SEAL principal.

Gabe is equally drawn to Eden, and he soon makes it clear that he wants to be part of the gorgeous redhead’s life. Unfortunately, new love is delicate, and it isn’t long before a figure from Eden’s past comes into the picture, forcing her to re-evaluate her own happiness, her daughter’s and that of her newfound beau.

What makes The First Time at Firelight Falls truly unique is author Julie Anne Long’s sparkling voice. The tone is light and sassy (Long is genuinely hilarious), the writing is insightful, and the whole novel is infused with important lessons on how vital it is to fill our lives with love from all sources—family, friends and, yes, lovers. Side note: This is the first romance novel I have ever read that made me go, “Oh, this was written by a woman, and thank God for that.” The ego trips and male posturing of the men in Eden’s life are punctured by some truly hilarious jokes, and are not tolerated or glorified for one moment.

Long ordinarily writes sumptuous historical romances, and her Hellcat Canyon books are a delicious foray into the contemporary side of the genre. The First Time at Firelight Falls is a fresh, funny, essential read for the summer bookshelf of the everyday romantic.

HIGHLAND FLING
A good romance novel gives its readers a great atmosphere, and Laird of the Black Isle proves the point flawlessly. Paula Quinn’s latest novel of the Highlands sweeps readers into a high-stakes encounter between a cold, formidable nobleman and a tempestuous young woman.

Since tragedy befell his family, Lachlan MacKenzie has needed nobody and nothing. He is a mystery to his people and takes comfort in the solitary existence he has carefully constructed for himself. That is, until he receives word that he may have a chance to right the wrongs of his past. All he has to do is kidnap a young woman of the MacGregor clan—an easy mission for a warrior like Lachlan.

Or so he believes, until he takes Mailie MacGregor hostage and gets far, far more than he bargained for. Mailie is breathtakingly beautiful, with a fierce spirit to match. She resolves to fight her captor with everything she has and to return home to her loved ones as quickly as possible. The longer the two of them are together, however, the more Mailie finds that her Highland kidnapper may not be the only one who’s caught off guard.

Quinn is well-seasoned in the art of the Highland romance novel. Her books are lush, detailed and irresistibly sexy. Laird of the Black Isle features one of the most engaging heroines of the genre, but more than the fiery, lovable characters, this story makes readers really and truly care. Almost every character here is deeply devoted to their family, and this theme lends the narrative a warm, engaging depth. A small note for those looking to devour this book the way I did: Because Quinn is incredibly dedicated to authenticity, this book is written phonetically. Words are spelled as they sound in a Scottish accent, and this particular detail may take some getting used to. But for anyone yearning after a summer read that’s hotter than the temperature outside, look no further than Laird of the Black Isle.

Looking for something deeper than the whirlwind of love at first sight? Delve into two romances between already established couples—reunited childhood sweethearts in Sally MacKenzie’s What Ales the Earl, and an already engaged pair in Alyson McLayne’s Highland Betrayal.

A LIGHT-HEARTED BREW
Most lovers of historical romance know the cardinal rule of Regency society: marry among your own class. A servant does not marry a lord, and an earl certainly does not marry a farmer’s daughter.

Penelope Barnes couldn’t care less about the gossip among the high-society members of the ton. She has enough on her plate. Between raising her young daughter, tending to the hopyard at the brewery and trying to attract a suitable husband to sustain her family, Pen has left behind all memory of intrigue or romance—until the new Earl of Darrow sweeps back into her orbit.

Harry Graham couldn’t be less enthused about the part of his duties that require choosing a wife and having an heir. Unfortunately, the last taste of real desire he had was shared with Pen nearly a decade prior, before his military service tore them apart. When business brings Harry to Pen’s little town and they are reunited, he falls for her harder than ever. With their different worlds looming between them, can he convince Pen to accept the love—and the lifestyle—he offers her?

What Ales the Earl marks the tantalizing beginning of MacKenzie’s new Widow’s Brew series. With so many titles in the Regency genre, it takes a singular kind of story to hook readers and keep them rapt till the resolution. What Ales the Earl presents its fleshed-out characters with stakes that are high but realistic and relatable to the audience. Pen is both strong and fallible, and she loves her daughter every bit as much (or more) as she does the man who pursues her. For his part, Harry is passionate about Pen but deeply respectful. He grows as a man, and his family supports him and his happiness in every way possible.

If you happen to be seeking a romance with uncomplicated sex appeal, a life-affirming message and a lot of well-brewed beer, What Ales the Earl is sure to quench your thirst.

BETTER TOGETHER
If you’re after a romance with a tough-as-nails heroine writing her own destiny, check out the Scottish historical subgenre. And if you’re looking for the best of the best this category has to offer, pick up Highland Betrayal, the newest title in Alyson McLayne’s red-hot series The Sons of Gregor MacLeod.

Laird Callum MacLean has been lucky—he is betrothed to Maggie MacDonnell, papers signed and promise sealed. And it is more than a political arrangement, as Callum and Maggie are drawn together by forces stronger than a written agreement. But when Callum’s father dies under mysterious circumstances and Maggie ends their betrothal, he fights his instincts to go to her and stays with his clan to investigate his father’s death.

Maggie misses Callum very much—more than she expected to—but when she uncovers a dark plot that threatens herself and her betrothed, she takes her fate in her own hands and runs away from home. She soon finds herself right back where she started, staring down Callum MacLean and faced with the decision to trust him or look only to herself. With so much violence and betrayal surrounding them, Maggie and Callum are forced to work together for the good of their people, and perhaps their union.

Although strong, no-nonsense heroines are trendy in the romance genre at the moment, Maggie is unlike any other character you’ll come across. She wields daggers along with a sharp tongue and a strong resolve, and she is as capable in strategy or combat as Callum. This does wonders for their chemistry, and it makes every moment between them as intoxicating to the reader as it is to the couple.

Besides that, the intrigue and danger put to the protagonists feels real and visceral. While reading one of the scenes wherein the lovers are attacked while vulnerable, I audibly gasped and scared the life out of my cat. Prepare to be drawn in deeply.

The holidays are a time to celebrate the future and to think back on the past. What more delicious way to honor the Ghost of Christmas Past than with a trio of romances set in days gone by?

RENOVATION ROMANCE
It takes a strong woman to hold on to what belongs to her. No one knows this better than Thomasina Thorne, steward of Enderley and heroine of A Duke Changes Everything, the latest title from Christy Carlyle. Miss Thorne has a comfortable life at the estate she loves—unless a certain handsome scoundrel can snatch it away from her.

Mina Thorne is proud of the role she’s played as protector and caretaker of her beloved Enderley estate. However, in the eyes of the men around her, Mina’s bravery and discipline count for nothing given her gender. So when she receives word that the new Duke of Tremayne is coming to take over the estate, signaling her imminent dismissal, she is bound and determined to keep things the way they always have been, with her trusted staff close to her and the duke far away. Unfortunately, the newly christened Tremayne may find a way to get closer than Mina ever imagined.

In truth, the new duke, Nicholas Lyon, isn’t any happier with his new post than Mina is. All Nick really wants is to run his already-successful gentlemen’s club and see it grow. He’d also like to keep his past where it belongs, in the past. But when his brother dies and burdens him with a dukedom he never wanted, Nick’s demons aren’t the only surprise waiting for him at Enderley. Entering Mina’s home means surrendering to her world. When all is said and done, it may not be his only surrender.

Christy Carlyle, it seems, was born to write historical romance. In a former life, she studied and taught history herself, and professes that she’s happiest when imagining the worlds of her stories. She pens lush, delicious stories about love amongst the Victorians, and Nick and Mina are a stunning pair. Writing strong characters comes with the risk of making them too strong and ending up with one character being off balance. Not so in A Duke Changes Everything. Nick and Mina hold their own when they must, but they bend, too. Mina treats Nick’s painful family memories with compassion and understanding, and Nick strives always to be Mina’s equal, never dominating or submitting to her strong personality more than he should.

Think you know every story Victorian romance has to offer? Pick up A Duke Changes Everything this winter. I promise, you’ll never be happier to be wrong.

AN ACCIDENTAL KIDNAPPING
At first glance, being kidnapped by pirates does not exactly sound like a dream come true. In fact, for Poppy Bridgerton—the brash, beautiful captive in question—it is a nightmare. Can she survive two weeks aboard a ship sailing far from home? For another matter, can she manage not to strangle the handsome, infuriating ship’s captain who kidnapped her?

Poppy, the heroine of Julia Quinn’s newest novel The Other Miss Bridgerton, is headstrong, sharp-tongued and trapped aboard a privateer’s ship after wandering into the wrong cave during an afternoon walk. She misses her family, there is constant bickering between herself and the captain, the voyage itself is dangerous and the goal is high-stakes. Will Poppy ever see her home again?

Captain Andrew James Rokesby, is, if possible, in an even worse predicament than his beautiful prisoner. For starters, she is a Bridgerton, daughter of a high and prestigious family (not to mention a family his own noble house is closely connected to). Add to this that he must now bring her home safely from a secret mission he’s not even sure that he’ll survive, and it’s a (ship) wreck of a situation. Besides, he’s not sure why, but he is more and more drawn to Poppy by the day.

Julia Quinn’s novels are a staple of the historical romance genre. She has written dozens of lush, heart-warming stories, all with her unique brand of humor and whip-smart writing. It’s appropriate, seeing as how Quinn’s mission as an author is to prove that smart women can both read and write romance—a philosophy that’s evident in every quip and tightly paced chapter.

Speaking of smart women, Poppy is an utter delight. She is witty, headstrong (not simply in a cute, rescue-me sort of way), and fiercely protective of the weak around her and her loved ones. Andrew falls for her exactly as she is, flaws and all, and it’s clear that their relationship is built on mutual admiration rather than simply desire. However, do you want some sexual tension? Julia Quinn will give you tension. It’s a relationship as thoughtfully crafted as the book’s impeccable plot and pacing. If winter has you longing for warm days at the beach, immerse yourself in The Other Miss Bridgerton for the most delicious pirate (er, privateer) story on the shelves.

AN AMERICAN IN LONDON
What do you get when you combine a happily single young heiress, her handsome partner-in-matchmaking and a duke with the absolute worst intentions? Well, this winter you get The Girl with the Sweetest Secret, Betina Krahn’s newest romance.

Frankie Bumgarten has had it with the men of London. As a sensible American girl, Frankie loathes the idea of marrying a stuck-up nobleman, much to the dismay of her mother. She’ll settle for finding her younger sister a match, with the help of a young English nobleman known as the Fox. Soon, however, Frankie finds herself caught between her growing attraction to the Fox and the attention of an ominous foreign duke who’ll do anything to have her. There’s more to her dilemma than meets the eye, and she’s determined to find out exactly what.

Reynard Boulton earned the nickname “the Fox” because of his sharp mind, talent for collecting secrets and shady dealings in the underworld of London. Reynard has sworn to his best friend that he will protect the Bumgarten girls, and that means keeping Frankie out of the grasping hands of a certain Prussian duke. Although he swears indifference to eligible young women and their charms, he must admit that Frankie’s strong will and stunning beauty have begun to catch his eye.

The words you could use to describe Krahn’s books are the same words you would use to talk about a sunbeam. Her stories glow with charm, sweetness and warmth. It should also be noted that the bright quality of her stories never comes at the expense of their excitement, suspense and rich characters. She continues to rise above the rest of her genre (historical and otherwise) with the sparkling, optimistic novels we all deserve.

There’s nothing I love better than a fabulous romance that has more on its mind than just the central relationship. Those that deliver a sumptuous love story alongside real suspense and intrigue are the pride and joy of their genre. And oh boy, does this one deliver. Sweetest Secret gives readers true villains, complex issues to solve and two lead characters who really do keep you wondering if they will ever manage to end up together. It’s a richly dimensional story that will, I’m sure, stand the test of time.

As Christmas approaches, it’s good to take a break from the hustle and the grey skies that surround our favorite holiday. You’ll find no better shelter than the pages of The Girl with the Sweetest Secret.

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: Read our Q&A with Christy Carlyle about A Duke Changes Everything.