Lois Dyer

Romance

Rising stars of romance

Feature by Lois Dyer

It’s February—time for chocolates, hearts, flowers and romances! Our Valentine’s Day gift to you is a trio of books by rising stars.

WOUNDED HEARTS HEALED
If you love the popular television series “Victoria,” you’re certain to enjoy Never Dare A Wicked Earl. Twice a finalist for the coveted Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America, Renee Ann Miller makes her historical romance debut with the first in her Infamous Lords series.

Widower Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, has an infamous reputation. When an ex-mistress shoots him, medical student Sophia Camden is assigned to tend him as he recuperates. Hayden finds her annoying—and enticing. Sophia finds him exasperating—and handsome. He’s determined to shock her into resigning, while she’s equally determined to ignore his teasing. Their sickbed-set battle of wills forces them into near constant proximity, and both begin to open up to the other.

Both the hero and heroine have pasts darkened with loss, regret and guilt that hamper their ability to fall in love. These difficult beginnings lead to lots of engaging emotional conflict. Miller lightens the stressful moments with a delightful child, a hilarious dog, a harried sister and other equally charming secondary characters in Never Dare a Wicked Earl’s engrossing pages. This first novel will surely have readers looking forward to the second in the series.

ROMANCING THE CHEF
Everyone loves fabulous food. The terrific characters of More to Love, the latest romantic comedy from Alison Bliss, certainly do. The residents of Granite, Texas, flock to plus-size heroine Jessa Gibson’s food truck. Unfortunately, local electrician Max Hager discovers that Jessa’s mouthwatering food is about to put his favorite restaurant owner out of business. Outraged and determined to save the restaurant, Max comes up with what is arguably the worst scheme ever conceived. Posing as the local health inspector, he introduces himself to Jessa and begins listing violations of local rules. Jessa is taken aback at his odd, finicky comments but is also distracted by how cute the “inspector” is. Max is equally distracted by Jessa’s lush curves.

Although there are moments when a reader may wish Max would just man up and lay his cards on the table, Bliss gives him good reasons to hesitate. Max knows he should confess his charade, but before he can do so, things between him and the very sexy chef are careening out of control. The attraction between these two is off the charts. He’s in love and afraid to lose her; she’s in love and confused by his reticence. When the inevitable revelation occurs, will Max be able to keep both their hearts from breaking? The only things missing from this story are recipes for the wonderful dishes. Be warned—this one should be read with a snack close at hand.

SNARK AND SPARKS
Maggie Wells explores the wage gap and the world of college sports in her terrific new novel, Love Game.

Kate Snyder is a former Olympic gold medalist, WNBA all-star and current coach of the Wolcott University Warrior Women, a team she’s led to four national basketball championships. When the university hires famous but disgraced Danny McMillan to take the reins of the school’s low-ranked football team, Kate knows her contract negotiations are under threat. She expects to dislike the sports legend, but as she spends time with Danny, neither can deny the powerful connection that draws them together. Kate and Danny’s sexual chemistry is never in doubt, and Wells’ devotion to showing how much the pair enjoys and respects each other make the eventual payoff even sweeter.

Wells’ kickass heroine and confident hero trade witty banter and have some sigh-worthy sex scenes. Wells earns an A-plus, however, for creating a power couple that fully embodies being grown-up, intelligent adults who fall madly in love.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

It’s February—time for chocolates, hearts, flowers and romances! Our Valentine’s Day gift to you is a trio of books by rising stars.

Romance

I have a head for business and a body for sin

Feature by Lois Dyer

We love the inherent escapism of billionaires and wealthy nobles who don’t have to work for a living as much as the next reader. But there’s also something to be said for romances where the leading lady has an extremely cool job. We might not want to be a daring professional gambler or an aspiring supersoldier in real life, but it’s thrilling and fascinating to experience their world for a couple hundred pages or so—with, of course, the requisite happily ever after. (We do, however, fantasize about being a librarian. Because every book-loving soul does.)

AN INFAMOUS WAGER
Regency romances often delight readers by featuring a passionate connection between a dangerous rake and a very proper lady. In My Once and Future Duke, Caroline Linden flips this classic setup when she pairs a female card shark with an uptight duke. Linden is a Harvard-educated mathematician and makes good use of her background to create her gifted heroine. The brilliant Sophie Campbell is an orphan with no prospects. Her goal is to save 10,000 pounds to ensure her independence. But if she is to ever have a chance at marriage, she must also maintain a pristine reputation and keep a low profile. She manages to do that as a member of the Vega Club, deftly fending off potential male advances while counting cards and calculating odds. Her careful balancing act between respectability and notoriety is threatened when Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, arrives at the club and finds her playing cards with his reckless brother. Jack never gambles and is incensed to find his brother incurring further debts even though he promised to stop spending time at the tables.

Since luring the lady gambler away would clearly irritate and remove temptation from his brother, Jack offers Sophie a wager she can’t refuse. Beat him at a game, and he’ll give her 5,000 pounds. Lose, and she has to stay at his country house for a week. The duke is a terrible gambler, so Sophie accepts the tempting wager, certain she cannot lose. But then she does.

In normal circumstances, it’s unlikely Jack and Sophie would ever cross paths. However, when these two wary, thoroughly engaging characters spend a week together, they discover that appearances can be deceiving. Beneath the trappings of their assigned places in society, they have far more in common than they ever expected, which surprises and delights them both. Their conversation is witty, sensitive and sometimes blunt, slicing deeper than the light comments normally deemed proper between a man and a woman in polite society. Unexpected revelations and confidences allow insights that result in an emotional connection even more powerful than the sexual tension that simmers between them.

WARRIOR WOMAN
There’s a great romance in Linda Howard’s latest novel, The Woman Left Behind, as well as a fascinating evolution as the heroine—sassy, gutsy Jina Modell—finds the strength to transform from office tech geek to elite soldier.

Jina loves her work in communications for a secretive D.C. paramilitary organization. So when she’s tapped to become part of a field team and use her skills to operate a drone on-site, she’s reluctant. Everyone, including the battle-weary, physically hardened team members and their leader, Levi, expects her to fail. Jina hates to sweat, she’s OK with having soft muscles, and she loves sitting in front of the TV. What Jina hates even more, however, is quitting. Much to everyone’s surprise, she not only survives the insanely rigorous physical training but also thrives. Six months later, she’s out in the field with the guys and getting shot at by enemies in riveting, realistic action scenes.

Gaining acceptance by the team takes effort but isn’t nearly as hard as hiding her attraction to Levi. It’s forbidden to fraternize within the team, but Levi feels the same irresistible pull. Both characters are stubborn, brave and scrupulously avoiding any acknowledgment of their feelings. With dialogue that’s often bluntly hilarious, each conversation they share is fraught with underlying sexual tension and rich with growing affection.

SWIPE RIGHT
The heroine in Stefanie London’s Bad Bachelor is the fabulously nonconformist Brooklynite librarian Darcy Greer. She’s obviously passionate about books, but is equally passionate about her tattoos and comfortable Doc Martens. She knows she’s the complete opposite of the glamorous women eligible Manhattan bachelor Reed McMahon dates. Nevertheless, she finds herself equal parts annoyed and drawn to him, even though a notorious dating app has labeled him the worst bachelor in New York City. But each time Darcy starts believing he’s nothing but a coldhearted womanizer, she catches glimpses of a good man beneath his smooth, cynical exterior. Unfortunately for her peace of mind, she can’t avoid Reed because his pro-bono project for the year is her beloved library. She tells herself she has to suck it up and endure his company because the library needs his PR expertise.

Reed finds Darcy’s prickly attitude an unexpected turn-on and thinks her blunt, snarky comments are endlessly amusing. It’s a treat to watch Darcy zap Reed’s man-about-town persona with dry barbs and equally fun to see Reed blast away Darcy’s emotional shields with unabashed flirtation and humor.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

We love the inherent escapism of billionaires and wealthy nobles who don’t have to work for a living as much as the next reader. But there’s also something to be said for romances where the leading lady has an extremely cool job.

RomanceParanormal Romance

The final countdown

Review by Lois Dyer

There are clearly no limits to the wildly creative genius of Ilona Andrews, and never has that literary imagination been more evident than in Magic Triumphs, the tenth and final novel in the Kate Daniels series.

Kate’s dangerous father is up to his old tricks—this time he’s scheming to gain access to Kate and Curran’s toddler son. Kate has more than her difficult parent to deal with, however, because an ancient and powerful enemy has challenged her. Atlanta residents are being attacked, disappearing and dying. The Pack of shape shifters once ruled by Curran, the People who control vampires, the Witches and their Oracle, the Mercenary Guild and all the rest of Kate’s friends with supernatural powers will stand with her. But they may not be enough to stop the strongest threat Kate has ever faced.

While Kate and Curran race to save their world, they are also fully engaged with parenting. Their son Conlan is a precocious 13-month-old with the ability to shape shift into a young lion. The magically gifted toddler’s hilarious antics add a layer of Andrews’ trademark humor to the constant danger. Kate and Curran will do whatever is necessary to keep their son safe, but neither anticipated the alliances they will be forced to make. When an old enemy steps forward to join them against the ancient evil, Kate has to take a leap of faith. Even her father’s offer of aid must be considered. If Kate, her family, her friends and her Atlanta are to survive, she must commit to a plan that even she isn’t sure will succeed. There are no guarantees that everyone will survive, or that Kate and everyone she loves won’t burn to the ground along with the city of Atlanta.

This tenth novel completes the arc of the Kate Daniels adventures but readers are left with an inkling that they may see more stories set in this world. Perhaps Kate’s Aunt Erra and her adopted daughter Julie will carry on the tradition of hair-raising action. Readers will surely be anxiously awaiting further developments from the amazing Andrews.

There are clearly no limits to the wildly creative genius of Ilona Andrews, and never has that literary imagination been more evident than in Magic Triumphs, the tenth and final novel in the Kate Daniels series.

RomanceHistorical Romance

Rock, meet hard place

Review by Lois Dyer

Seasoned romance author Jane Ashford’s stellar writing is on full display in Brave New Earl. This first book in her new series, The Way to a Lord’s Heart, introduces the delightful premise of a British earl who is determined to nudge, scheme and settle his four younger male acquaintances into happy domestic bliss. Not that the four would have agreed, had they known about the older gentleman’s plans. Nevertheless, the matchmaker moves calmly forward with his objective.

The Earl’s first target is his nephew Benjamin Romilly. After losing his wife in childbirth five years earlier, Benjamin’s broken heart has refused to heal and his son is growing up with scant supervision or attention from his grieving father. When Miss Jean Saunders, a distant cousin of Benjamin’s late wife, learns of the little boy’s lack of parental care, she vows to intercede. A survivor of a cruel and abusive childhood herself, Jean cannot bear to abandon the child to an uncaring parent.

Arriving uninvited at Benjamin’s estate, Jean is surprised to discover that the Earl is handsome and charming, but plagued by reclusive habits and stubborn grief. Five-year-old Geoffrey is even more of a shock as he’s wildly undisciplined, but imaginative and intellectually brilliant. Ashford’s vivid descriptions of the little boy and his outrageous antics, alongside with his often heartbreaking reactions to adult interaction, add a deeper emotional layer to the novel. Jean’s original plan to swoop in, collect Geoffrey and convey him to his grandparents’ care in London is clearly not going to succeed. Ever adaptable, Jean settles in for a long visit, vowing to solve the family complications.

For Benjamin, it’s as if Jean’s arrival wakes him from a long twilight, and he gradually becomes aware of the impact his protracted grieving has had on his son. He has a lot of work to do to regain lost ground with Geoffrey, not to mention deciding how to cope with the astonishing appeal of Miss Saunders. But just because Benjamin is finally ready to engage with the world, Jean is not ready to become involved on a romantic level with Benjamin. Though their attraction is both mutual and powerful, Jean is terrified of intimacy. Her own difficult childhood has left scars, just as Benjamin’s grief has marked him. If these two can reach a happy future together, it will not be an easy journey. Readers will be charmed by Ashford’s writing and will thoroughly enjoy observing these two honorable, wonderful people as they struggle to reach the happiness they both clearly deserve.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Seasoned romance author Jane Ashford’s stellar writing is on full display in Brave New Earl. This first book in her new series, The Way to a Lord’s Heart, introduces the delightful premise of a British earl who is determined to nudge, scheme and settle his four younger male acquaintances into happy domestic bliss. Not that the four would have agreed, had they known about the older gentleman’s plans. Nevertheless, the matchmaker moves calmly forward with his objective.

RomanceContemporary Romance

Best laid plans

Review by Lois Dyer

Maisey Yates gives readers a twist on the friends-to-lovers trope by adding layers of negative family history on both sides, considerably raising the emotional stakes in her latest romance, Untamed Cowboy. Kaylee Capshaw has been in love with Bennett Dodge since she was 13, but to protect her heart, she never pursued him. She’s struggled to cope with unrequited feelings ever since, even as the best friends share a veterinary practice in rural Gold Valley, Oregon. Kaylee has psychological reasons to keep her attraction to Bennett a secret—her parents’ marriage was a disaster and Kaylee was constantly aware she was unwanted and unloved. Her friendship with Bennett is important to her and Yates develops a long, comfortable, affectionate history between them.

After his mother’s death when he was a child, followed by too many stepmothers to count, Bennett has followed a strict plan for his life that ensures a quiet, well-organized existence. Powerful emotion isn’t allowed and he’s unaware that he subconsciously, purposefully, never considered Kaylee as a potential girlfriend. When his sensible fiancée breaks off their engagement and immediately falls in love with another man, Bennett is at loose ends. He’s disappointed but thinks he’s coping with the situation as well as could be expected. But then his regimented life is hit by a bombshell when a social worker arrives on his doorstep with the son he didn’t know existed.

Bennett’s determined to meet the challenge of fatherhood and turns to Kaylee for support. While they’re taking a break from their worries at a bar one night, she bluntly tells him that if he’s looking for a hookup, she’ll volunteer. He’s shocked but also instantly, overwhelmingly, in favor of the idea. Neither of them expected their reckless decision to have such far-reaching consequences. Their connection is earthshaking, laying bare all the emotions they’ve both denied for years, and they’re both knocked off kilter. Yates does an excellent job of painting two honest, vulnerable people who are each carrying a ton of baggage from their childhoods. Nevertheless, they are equally determined to find their way past their scarred psyches to secure a future together.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Maisey Yates gives readers a twist on the friends-to-lovers trope by adding layers of negative family history on both sides, considerably raising the emotional stakes in her latest romance, Untamed Cowboy. Kaylee Capshaw has been in love with Bennett Dodge since she was 13, but to protect her heart, she never pursued him. She’s struggled to cope with unrequited feelings ever since, even as the best friends share a veterinary practice in rural Gold Valley, Oregon. Kaylee has psychological reasons to keep her attraction to Bennett a secret—her parents’ marriage was a disaster and Kaylee was constantly aware she was unwanted and unloved. Her friendship with Bennett is important to her and Yates develops a long, comfortable, affectionate history between them.

RomanceHistorical Romance

A lush and dazzling love story

Review by Lois Dyer

Katharine Ashe transports readers to Edinburgh, Scotland, for The Prince, the fourth entry in her Devil’s Duke series. There is much to enjoy in this wonderful novel, including the beautiful city of Edinburgh, the intriguing historical details and all the twists and turns of a murder mystery steeped in danger. But the shining stars of this romance novel are its unique main characters.

Elizabeth Shaw is the brilliant daughter of a respected physician in Edinburgh. Determined to become a member of the city’s Royal College of Surgeons, she’s stymied at every turn, as the medical school will only accept men. When her father accepts a year-long appointment in London, leaving Elizabeth to stay in Scotland with friends, she embraces the opportunity to launch a plan. Dressed as a male, she attends a public surgical dissection. None of the other students seated with her in the theater balcony see through her disguise. One observer in the general audience, however, recognizes her immediately. Gifted portraitist Ziyaeddin met Libby Shaw only once, two years earlier, but he has never forgotten her. In fact, he’s still fascinated by the shape of her lips—and everything else about her. The artist in him instantly sees the woman beneath her disguise of male clothing and glued-on facial whiskers.

Worried at first that Ziyaeddin will expose her charade, Libby soon conceives a plan that requires his cooperation. Ziyaeddin is stunned when she arrives on his doorstep and declares she will agree to sit for a portrait if he will allow her to live in his home and pose as a male student. He refuses at first, for the plan is wildly outrageous. But after some consideration, he accepts. He has never met a woman with Libby’s fierce determination, blunt honesty and brilliant mind. She clearly must be a surgeon, and, just as clearly, he must aid her. Ziyaeddin is well aware that he’s breaking society’s rules. He doesn’t care.

Thus begins a deeply emotional and fascinating journey for these two amazing individuals. Ashe delves into the complicated lives of both Libby and Ziyaeddin. Libby has OCD and struggles to balance her compulsions with her commitment to medicine. Ziyaeddin was born a prince of the (fictional) Middle Eastern country Tabir, but was ripped away from his birthright as a child. Saved by a benefactor, he was trained by a gifted artist, only to be later enslaved and scarred by the amputation of a foot. Rescue by a duke brought him to Edinburgh, where his portraits have brought him both fame and fortune. When Ziyaeddin and Libby begin to live in the same house, sharing daily life, the sexual tension between them is strong and grows more powerful by the week. Ashe amplifies the slow burn of attraction between them, focusing on how their genuine respect for each other rises with every interaction.

Added to the suspense of the ever-present possibility that Libby’s disguise may be uncovered is a very real threat to her life when she realizes someone in the college is selling cadavers for profit and possibly committing murder to satisfy demand. Ziyaeddin is terrified Libby will be harmed by the threats that surround her but knows that perhaps it is he, himself, who poses the greatest threat to her happiness. The steady, careful character development Ashe devoted herself to earlier in the novel pays off in spades, as readers will find themselves desperately anxious that these two amazing people find their way to happily ever after.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Katharine Ashe transports readers to Edinburgh, Scotland, for The Prince, the fourth entry in her Devil’s Duke series. There is much to enjoy in this wonderful novel, including the beautiful city of Edinburgh, the intriguing historical details and the twists and turns of a murder mystery steeped in danger. But the shining stars of this romance novel are its unique main characters.

RomanceContemporary Romance

Southern charm

Review by Lois Dyer

Cheris Hodges pairs a New York businessman and a Southern entrepreneur in her latest novel, Strategic Seduction. Comparisons between the North and South fly thick and fast, most noticeably when the pair is sampling mouthwatering food. Readers will find themselves craving a trip to Georgia just to visit the restaurants, diners and coffee shops mentioned in this smart contemporary romance.

When Alicia Michaels returns to Atlanta to launch her new PR company, she doesn’t expect to meet the man of her dreams. Especially when said man is newly divorced Richmond Crawford, a wealthy New Yorker and the brother-in-law of one of Alicia’s best friends. Both she and Richmond have plenty to prove—Richmond with his first solo hotel project for the family corporation, and Alicia with the launch of her own firm. Neither is looking for love, and both have an abundance of emotional baggage that makes them cynical and wary.

The novel’s supporting cast of characters includes a group of hilarious, successful girlfriends whom Alicia considers sisters. They worry about her dating a man who’s so recently divorced, and given the scheming nature of Richmond’s ex, it’s soon clear the friends have cause for concern. The reappearance of his avaricious ex-wife heightens the tension and further threatens the couple’s hopes for a happy ending. In the end, however, a loving future is more dependent on Alicia conquering her own insecurities than a threat from any outside force. When unexpected news shocks Alicia and Richmond, both will have to face life-changing choices before they can finally put their pasts to rest and embrace a bright tomorrow.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Cheris Hodges pairs a New York businessman and a Southern entrepreneur in her latest novel, Strategic Seduction. Comparisons between the North and South fly thick and fast, most noticeably when the pair is sampling mouthwatering food. Readers will find themselves craving a trip to Georgia just to visit the restaurants, diners and coffee shops mentioned in this smart contemporary romance.

RomanceParanormal Romance

Honey badger don’t care

Review by Lois Dyer

Shelly Laurenston’s world of shape-shifters is hilarious, sexy, often casually violent and always absolutely fascinating. The latest novel in the series, Hot and Badgered, features a vicious, dangerous honey badger shifter and the amiable grizzly bear shifter who can’t resist her. Who knew romance could involve so much mayhem and so many laugh-out-loud moments?

Honey badger shifter Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan and her two younger half-sisters are each uniquely talented and trained to kill. They’ve had each other’s backs since they were children. When someone attacks Charlie in Switzerland, she knows her estranged criminal father must be at the heart of the plot. She escapes to a nearby hotel room where a big, handsome grizzly shifter helps her escape. Charlie and her sisters head for New York City, where their father is allegedly in the city morgue. Unfortunately, the morgue has the wrong man, a discovery that Charlie finds intensely irritating.

Holed up in a cousin’s safe house, the sisters discover their cousin is friends with Berg Dunn, the grizzly shifter who saved Charlie in Switzerland. Berg was impressed with Charlie’s handling of her would-be assassins and wants to spend more time with her. He finds the sisters a safe house on his street in an all-bear neighborhood. The three sisters fascinate and delight the bears, especially since Charlie bakes when stressed and the bears can gorge themselves on her cakes and pies. Plus, she bakes with honey. It’s a win-win situation—now Charlie and her sisters have multiple big human protectors who are 1,000 pounds of pure mean when shifted into their bear forms.

For the first time, the MacKilligan sisters aren’t alone, and while having a gang of bears defending them is unusual, they kind of like it. Plus, Charlie more than likes Berg and the feeling is mutual. The two make the most of their stolen moments together in between fending off murder attempts, kidnapping attempts and the sisters’ introduction to the world of NYC shape-shifters. There are fisticuffs in a hockey rink, a brawl with female wolverines, a furious Charlie taking down two of the best enforcers in the shifter military unit and other violent, slapstick escapades. The plot zips along with surprising twists, turns and fearless honey badger bravery. That the almost nonstop action also allows for excellent character development and lots of snarky humor is a testament to Laurenston’s skills.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Shelly Laurenston’s world of shape shifters is hilarious, sexy, often casually violent and always absolutely fascinating. The latest novel in the series, Hot and Badgered, features a vicious, dangerous honey badger shifter and the amiable grizzly bear shifter who can’t resist her. Who knew romance could involve so much mayhem and so many laugh-out-loud moments?

RomanceParanormal Romance

Love in the midst of a supernatural war

Review by Lois Dyer

J.R. Ward returns to her beloved Black Dagger Brotherhood with Blood Fury, the third book in the spinoff Black Dagger Legacy series. This riveting novel features two powerful parallel storylines. The first involves Novo, a survivor of painful family betrayal, and Peyton, an aristocratic vampire whose own personal history is strewn with bad choices. As Black Dagger Brotherhood trainees, Novo and Peyton share classes, workouts, hand-to-hand combat practice and dangerous, sometimes bloody field exercises. Despite Novo’s hard-edged persona and snarky comments, Peyton can’t deny he’s drawn to her. Novo shares his attraction, but she locks down her emotions due to her belief that he is in love with someone else. All that changes, however, when the dangerous nature of their work forces both to confront their feelings. Faced with the very real possibility of losing Novo forever, Peyton must make hard choices about himself and the world he lives in. Given both Novo’s and Peyton’s dysfunctional childhoods, however, the road to happy ever after is not a simple one.

Interwoven with Novo and Peyton’s journey is that of Saxton, legal counsel to the King, and Ruhn, a commoner of unparalleled honor. Saxton and Ruhn have wildly different backgrounds and life experiences, but when they are assigned to work on the same project, they realize fate has brought them together. Both are wary of falling in love due to past hurts and they’re cautious about the feelings that swamp them. Just as a future together looks bright, their dangerous assignment turns life-threatening. If Saxton loses Ruhn, he’ll lose much more than a lover. He’ll lose the other half of himself. Will the fate that brought them together now cruelly tear them apart?

Fans of the Brotherhood series have long anticipated the pairing of these two couples, and the novel doesn’t disappoint. The brilliantly developed world of the Brotherhood, nail-biting action and lots of steamy sexual tension make Blood Fury a stellar read.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

J.R. Ward returns to her beloved Black Dagger Brotherhood with Blood Fury, the third book in the spinoff Black Dagger Legacy series.

RomanceHistorical Romance

A marriage of inconvenience

Review by Lois Dyer

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas returns readers to the world of the Ravenal family and Victorian England in Devil In Spring.

Lady Pandora Ravenal is quirky, brilliant, beautiful and completely opposed to marriage. She’s participating in the London social season solely to support her twin sister, whom she adores. Determined to endure the endlessly boring hours of balls and soirées without causing a scandal, Pandora finds corners to hide in and declines gentlemen’s offers to dance.

One warm summer evening, her dress becomes caught and she’s stuck in the wooden carvings of a settee. When handsome, eligible, cynical bachelor Lord Gabriel St. Vincent comes to her aid, their host finds them in an innocent, yet compromising, position. Honor demands Gabriel offer marriage.

His frustration at the situation quickly becomes fascination, and he’s determined to claim the high-spirited Pandora. She is equally determined to find a way out of their predicament without damaging her family’s reputation and her sister’s marriage prospects. When the two spend long hours together at Gabriel’s family seaside estate, Pandora quickly realizes she can’t resist the powerful attraction that draws her to Gabriel. But when independent, business-minded Pandora inadvertently runs afoul of Irish terrorists, danger threatens her life. Can these two strong-willed, passionate people survive a love neither expected but cannot live without?

This thoroughly delightful novel is a showcase for Kleypas’ strengths as a writer. The time period details are flawlessly executed and the relationship between the hero and heroine, two people who at first meeting appear to be wildly disparate, intrigues and delights. The dialogue is witty and often hilariously funny, while the characters are engaging and eminently likable. Readers will find themselves thoroughly absorbed in this deeply emotional tale and anxiously awaiting the next novel in the series.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas returns readers to the world of the Ravenal family and Victorian England in Devil In Spring.

RomanceParanormal Romance

The next generation

Review by Lois Dyer

New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward appeases her many fans with her latest novel, Blood Vow, the second installment in her Black Dagger Legacy, the spin-off series from the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood novels.

Vampire warrior trainee Axe is a loner, a man without family or social status. Beautiful, brilliant Elise is Axe’s exact opposite—a rich aristocrat. When Elise’s father fears for her safety, he hires Axe to guard her, and the powerful attraction between Elise and Axe blazes out of control. Axe knows he should keep her out of his dark world, but Elise needs his protection, and neither can obey the rules that would keep them apart. Loyal and fierce, Axe will risk death to save a Brother, and a shocking turn of events means putting everything on the line for both Axe and Elise. Can this couple face their deepest fears and find happiness together, or are they destined to be torn apart?

Nail-biting action scenes, hot romance and a hero and heroine readers will cheer for make this novel a stellar read. A secondary plot involving fan favorites Rhage and Mary gives readers a fascinating look into the ongoing lives of the original Black Dagger Brotherhood. Ward pulls out all the stops with this latest novel, including teasing readers with a hint at future plot lines. If you’re looking for nonstop action, steamy sexual tension, heart-wrenching emotion and absorbing characters, this excellent book is for you.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward continues her Black Dagger Legacy series with Blood Vow, the second installment in the spin-off tales from the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood novels.
RomanceHistorical Romance

The lady is a thief!

Review by Lois Dyer

Alissa Johnson transports readers to 1872 in the first book in her Thief-takers series, A Talent For Trickery. Eight years earlier, Scotland Yard detective Owen Renderwell recruited Charlotte Walker’s father to assist him in solving crimes. Walker was an infamous thief, and Charlotte inherited much of his brilliance. Her father’s four-year association with Owen resulted in Charlotte falling in love with the handsome, keenly intelligent Detective Renderwell. But when her father was killed during a particularly high-profile case, Charlotte blamed Owen. Feeling betrayed and angry, she assumed a new identity, packed up her siblings and abruptly retired to the countryside with the intent of building a respectable life.

Much to her annoyance, Owen, now a private detective and a viscount, walks back into her life. He needs her help to solve the murder of a woman who was a friend of Charlotte’s father in London. Charlotte decides she must help catch the killer, even though doing so means she is forced to endure Owen’s presence in her home. Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Owen has never stopped thinking of her and is determined to prove they belong together. He plans to use every opportunity to win her love, as well as solve the case.

Using her talent for deciphering codes, Charlotte and Owen team up to search her father’s many journals for the key to the encrypted note left at the murder scene. Their work is interrupted when attempts are made on her life and the lives of her younger brother and sister. Now Owen and his two best friends must keep them safe, catch the villain threatening them and solve the woman’s murder. But who wants the Walker siblings dead and why? Did their father’s criminal past leave a legacy of vengeance that will destroy them all?

In a plot that twists, turns and surprises, Johnson has woven a compelling romance between two stubborn, endearing people. If you love smart heroines, intelligent heroes, witty dialogue and clever mystery plots, this gem of a historical romance might steal your heart.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

Alissa Johnson transports readers to 1872 and Victorian England in the first book in her Thief-takers series, A Talent For Trickery.
RomanceParanormal RomanceFantasy

Atlanta at supernatural war

Review by Lois Dyer

Best-selling author Ilona Andrews—a pseudonym for husband and wife writing team Gordon and Ilona—returns fans to the world of Kate Daniels in Magic Shifts. The novel is the eighth installment in the wildly popular post-apocalyptic series. Kate and her mate, shape-shifter and Beast Lord, Curran, have abdicated their role of running the Pack and are living in suburban Atlanta.

The two are focused on building the client list for Cutting Edge, Kate’s mercenary-for-hire company. Nothing has ever been simple for these two, however, and stepping down from ruling the city’s shape-shifters to embrace civilian life proves to be no different. They soon learn that an ancient enemy has been unleashed and is bent on wreaking havoc on Atlanta. Since Kate accidentally claimed the city during a showdown with her godlike father, it’s up to her and Curran to save their world. To do so, they’ll have to fight a horde of ghouls, terrifying killer insects and massive giants. Given the nature and power of their enemy, however, this time they might not win the final battle. Could someone close to her—someone Kate can’t bring herself to fully trust—provide the answer to defeating what seems to be indestructible evil?

The world of Kate Daniels is unique, often bloody, frequently laced with humor and downright fascinating. Toss in elements of myth and legend, and readers have a novel they won’t be able to put down until the last page. Twists in the continuing plot involving Kate and Curran continue to surprise, intrigue and delight, and longtime fans of the series will cheer as familiar faces appear. This one is for readers everywhere who love a rattling good yarn and excellent writing.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington

est-selling author Ilona Andrews—a pseudonym for husband and wife writing team Gordon and Ilona—returns fans to the world of Kate Daniels in Magic Shifts. The novel is the eighth installment in the wildly popular post-apocalyptic series. Kate and her mate, shape-shifter and Beast Lord, Curran, have abdicated their role of running the Pack and are living in suburban Atlanta.

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