The first book in Sally MacKenzie's Spinster House series, What to Do with a Duke, is a masterful mélange of Regency romance pleasures. The small English town setting of Loves Bridge vibrates with heritable curses, tension between social castes and the insatiable longings of its beguiling inhabitants.

Isabelle Catherine “Cat” Hutting is the loving, harried eldest child in a vicar’s family of 10 and an aspiring writer who knows exactly what she wants: a life of intellectual independence and virginal solitude. When a rare vacancy presents itself at the town’s application-only Spinster House—a small and stately home traditionally occupied by an old maid until her death—Cat is delighted by the chance to escape the bustle of her father’s household and avoid the unappealing subordination of a marriage.

Marcus the Duke of Hart is a handsome would-be Lothario of London whose charmed existence is marred by a 200-year-old curse. When his ancestor and namesake abandoned a Loves Bridge maiden with child, the jilted local swore that his descendants would die between the conception and birth of their firstborn heirs. This dark pronouncement has held true for five generations of dukes, and it dissuades Marcus from marriage. But as he rounds the age of 30, Marcus finds that even London’s priciest prostitutes cannot slake his immense loneliness.

When Marcus arrives in Loves Bridge to fulfill the obligations of his dukedom and choose a new resident for the Spinster House, Cat crosses his path and catches his eye. Cat, too, is stirred in ways she’d never imagined. But how can Cat reconcile her innate willfulness with these sudden and sensual stirrings? How can Marcus court this singular beauty without falling afoul of both her desire for freedom and his own cursed fate?

These answers are not easy to come by for either heroine or hero, and by the novel’s end, each of the lovers are transfigured: by revelation, yes, but most profoundly by the recognition that a loss incurred for love is more sacrament than sacrifice.

The Highlander’s Bride, the first in Amanda Forester’s Highland Trouble series, has all the trappings of an old-fashioned romance with some delightfully feminist twists thrown in. The heroine is a sheltered noblewoman, and the hero is a Scots warrior who offends her tender sensibilities with his strong legs and his disregard for her possessions. However, the Lady is no delicate flower, and the Scotsman is no domineering alpha.

Highland warrior Gavin Patrick is given the job of escorting Lady Marie Colette from her home in France to the home of her husband-to-be in Scotland. Along the way, he must protect her from the English, bandits and a storm at sea. However, the greatest danger they face lies in their attraction to each other, since Collette has to marry the man of her father's choosing, as he has promised to send her father badly needed soldiers in exchange. If she fails to marry, it affects her people, not just her own social standing.

Forester has brought together an exciting setting and period in history, fabulous clothing and hairstyles, and an action-filled plot, but the greatest joy of The Highlander’s Bride lies in the relationship between the two lead characters. They are both honest and forthright, and they cut through potential misunderstandings like true adults. Colette is not an action heroine, but she's intelligent and resourceful, and Gavin never attempts to dominate her.

The addition of some orphaned children is perhaps a bit too adorable, but if you are willing to go along with it, you will be treated to some wildly entertaining scenes and happy endings all around. This is not a terribly serious book, but Forester is able to embrace sillier elements and ground them in a very realistic relationship between Colette and Gavin in a way that is sexy, funny and emotionally touching.

If He's Noble, the latest in Hannah Howell’s Wherlocke series, is a historical romance with a kind and honorable hero, a feisty but sweet heroine and an over-the-top evil villainess bent on destruction. The story weaves in paranormal elements, and Howell is able to make several comments on the ridiculous double standards of Regency society, all while developing a fine romance. Although the writing style is sometimes a bit awkward, the story contains many elements that are sure to be irresistible to fans of Regency romance.

When Sir Bened Vaughn comes across Lady Primrose in the woods, he realizes that she is in trouble. While Primrose is no helpless damsel, she is certainly in distress—she's searching for her missing brother and is on the run from her aunt, who is trying to force her into marriage. Bened insists on helping Primrose, and they discover that Primrose's aunt may be a murderer many times over. They also discover that they are quite attracted to each other. With no reputation to lose (thanks to her solo travels in search of her brother), Primrose must decide whether to trust Bened with her body and her heart, and Bened must decide if he is worthy of Primrose, who is socially far above him.

This book has highly relatable, likeable characters and includes a large supporting cast of relatives. The characters are not particularly well-rounded—the bad guys are especially one-dimensional—however, the book’s cast is an entertaining group to spend time with. The book is filled with dry humor, with an especially funny scene involving Primrose’s puppy.

The major weakness in this novel is Howell’s insistence on telling as opposed to showing; reading about every thought and emotion of the characters becomes tedious. This being said, many readers will find the combination of humor, fun characters and the charming historical setting to compensate for any stylistic missteps. 

A Sword for His Lady is just as unabashedly silly, sensual and fun as its cover suggests. It has no pretensions of being deeply intellectual or literary—it's simply a sexy, entertaining romance unfolding in the exotic setting of early 12^th-century England. The first in Wine's Courtly Love series, it’s perfectly suited for a summer vacation read.

The hero, Ramon de Segrave, fought in the Crusades for many years before returning to England with Richard the Lionheart. Richard orders Ramon to marry the widow Isabel, who has been managing her estate alone since the death of her husband. The estate is on inhospitable swampland, but Isabel supports the estate by raising geese and selling their feathers. (They are a necessity in archery, and because the country is at war, this is big business). If Ramon marries Isabel, then he can protect her estate from brigands, and Richard will have stable access to an important resource.

Initially, Ramon isn’t keen on marrying, but he quickly comes to admire Isabel's appearance, business acumen and ethics. Isabel, who was married at a young age to an abusive husband and does not want to lose her autonomy, is adamant that she will never marry again. Most of the plot consists of Ramon attempting to convince Isabel to marry him. At its best, this book is a playful and provocative battle of wills between two intelligent, resourceful people.

The book suffers from an unnecessary subplot featuring a one-dimensional villain and his Persian lover, who is described in unfortunately stereotypical terms. The villain appears to exist entirely so that readers can enjoy some battle scenes. Historical accuracy takes a backseat to romance, allowing for a comfortable and at times lavishly fabulous setting. This book is pure fantasy, not in the sense of containing magic, but in the sense of forgoing any mundane context and diving into a world of enjoyment. A Sword for His Lady is light and fluffy in the best "beach read" way, and although the narrative emphasis is on sex, the characters have some deeply satisfying groundwork of mutual trust, respect and emotional intimacy. 

Elizabeth Hoyt is one of the hottest authors in romance today, and the eighth book in her Maiden Lane series captures every tender, charming reason for her popularity. Dearest Rogue is a sexy, sweet and emotionally satisfying historical read. 

Lady Phoebe Batten is exactly like other young society women, excepting one small difference—she’s blind. In her opinion, a lack of sight shouldn’t preclude an active social life, or even a romance, although she knows the latter is not very likely. Her brother, however, does not believe she can lead a normal life, and he worries about her physical safety. As a duke’s sister, and a wealthy one at that, she is a vulnerable target for all kinds of criminals. That’s precisely why her protective sibling has hired an armed escort to accompany her everywhere. And unfortunately for freedom-loving Phoebe, her bodyguard follows her brother’s strict orders to the letter. 

Once a respected officer with the King’s dragoons, Captain James Trevillion is far from the average bodyguard. But when a serious injury left lasting damage to his leg, Trevillion wasn’t fit for a soldier’s duties any longer. Protecting one young woman from danger is hardly the kind of challenge he once faced in service to the king, but Trevillion finds himself facing another kind of challenge with Phoebe—caring for her in ways that are not simply professional. 

There is a gently contentious dynamic between the two: Phoebe chafes at what she believes is Trevillion’s stodgy adherence to duty, and Trevillion, although enchanted with Phoebe’s spirit, is also uncomfortably aware of the difference in their stations. But everything changes when Phoebe is nearly kidnapped. Trevillion may not be the soldier he once was, but as he gallops away from the attackers with his charge nestled in front of him, he vows that Phoebe will come to no harm on his watch. And for Phoebe, held close in his strong arms, her escort suddenly becomes more than a stubborn obstacle to her freedom. 

Sight is a powerful metaphor in this romance; Trevillion is amazed by how deeply Phoebe can see into him, even blind, and Phoebe is amazed to find that there is more to her bodyguard than his job, and that true passion is hidden behind the solemn mask of duty. The real triumph here is independence, however, as both Phoebe and Trevillion find the courage to fight for their desires and map their future on their own terms. The fact that being together gives them the strength to find their individual voices is simply the icing on a very delightful cake. 

Dearest Rogue is everything the reader of a Regency historical wants; it’s funny, fast-paced and has plenty of historical flavor and a romance that develops as naturally as a flower opening in the sun. Fans of the Maiden Lane series will cheer for this couple.  

Amy Garvey is a freelance editor and the author of several romances and two novels for young adults. 

With Diary of an Accidental Wallflower, New York Times bestseller Jennifer McQuiston begins her new Victorian-era series, The Seduction Diaries, with a bang. I adore discovering new-to-me authors, and oh my, did I hit the mother lode with this one!

Pretty, popular Clare Westmore suspects she’s close to receiving a proposal from the future Duke of Harrington. Between steering him away from her eccentric family, putting copious amounts of effort into bringing the Duke up to snuff and staying vigilant to disguise her improper love of learning, she’s worked devilishly hard for this match. But matters turn topsy-turvy when she injures her ankle and finds herself in a ballroom’s Wallflower section, watching her so-called friend waltz off with her beau. To add insult to injury, she has to contend with Dr. Daniel Merial. Yes, he’s—wildly!—attractive, but he's also a commoner.

Daniel has been feverishly pursuing a way to safely administer an anesthesia to bring to the underserved, poverty-stricken patients surrounding St. Bartholomew’s Teaching Hospital. When he first meets Clare, he thinks she is a typical shallow, self-absorbed member of the ton. Yet, to his dismay, he’s highly aware of her. Only after finding himself appointed her doctor does he begin to discover the real woman behind the facade.

Clare and Daniel struggle to deny their mutual attraction, because it just isn’t proper for a Viscount’s daughter to socialize with a Romany doctor. But again and again, they find themselves gravitating toward each other, and rather than being put off by their radically different positions in the social order, with every encounter they discover more common ground.

McQuiston has penned a novel filled with complex family relationships and allows an engaging, unique peek into London’s ton. She peoples her story with a marvelously likable hero, an inquisitive, open-minded heroine and a host of fully realized supporting characters. This book is fast, fun and contains more twists and turns than the rookeries of St. Giles.

Best-selling author Sarah MacLean concludes her Rules of Scoundrels series with Never Judge A Lady by Her Cover. The long-awaited final book stars Lady Georgiana Pearson, the daughter of a Duke. Ruined at the tender age of 16, Georgiana turned her back on society and created her own world when she became part owner of “London’s most scandalous and most popular gaming hell,” The Fallen Angel. Only her three partners in the club know that Georgiana is also the most feared person in Britain. Disguised as Chase, the mysterious gentleman privy to nobility’s most hidden and disgraceful secrets, Georgiana holds the power to destroy many privileged families.

But now Georgiana’s daughter is old enough to be hurt by the cruel comments of other young girls, and Georgiana decides to marry in order to add a layer of protection around her sweet, intelligent child. She boldly re-enters the society that scorned her, determined to marry a nobleman who can add his name and influence to shield her daughter.

Georgiana has made a list of titled potential husbands, but the man who effortlessly intrigues her is not an aristocrat. Duncan West is “brilliant, powerful, handsome as sin” and the owner of five of London’s most-read publications. He has received plenty of secrets from Georgiana at The Fallen Angel. But there, she is disguised as Chase or cloaked in the persona of Anna, the queen of London’s light-skirts. Duncan doesn’t recognize her clad in the beautiful gowns and jewels of Lady Georgiana, but that will soon change.

How can they possibly reach their goals without losing the overwhelming, unexpected love that binds them?

While the two are powerfully drawn to each other, Duncan doesn’t have the aristocratic family title that Georgiana believes she needs to protect her daughter. However, she does need the influence of Duncan’s newspapers in order to sway public opinion and convince society to accept her. Duncan, on the other hand, wants information from Chase that is vital to breaking the hold a blackmailer has on his family.

They need each other for reasons beyond the physical. What neither could have foreseen is how much they want each other, passionately and beyond reason. But their mutual desire has the power and potential to destroy everything they’ve each plotted and schemed to achieve. How can they possibly reach their goals without losing the overwhelming, unexpected love that binds them?

MacLean’s written a well-executed novel, grounded solidly in the historical details of 1823 England. Never were a hero and heroine so evenly matched, both in bed and out. In Duncan, Georgiana has, at last, found a man who can go toe-to-toe with her formidable personality. In Georgiana, Duncan has found a woman he can trust with his deepest, darkest secrets. Readers won’t be disappointed by this rousing end to an intriguing series.  

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Washington

Graveyards and corpses don’t usually scream romance, but Brenda Novak uses them to perfect effect in her new historical romance, A Matter of Grave Concern. Action, mystery and fascinating historical tidbits are combined in this story of unlikely—and deliciously lusty—love.

Abigail Hale is the daughter of a surgeon at Aldersgate School of Medicine in 1830s London, where the study of anatomy is hampered by a sufficient lack of cadavers. Out of this need, the grim industry of stealing corpses from their graves to sell to medical schools is born. Abby abhors the practice as much as anyone, but she’s also relentlessly practical—without those bodies, her father’s school will not survive.

Her father knows that Abby is fascinated by medicine—although no  medical school would accept a young woman—but he does not know that Abby has taken it upon herself to procure corpses. Her father’s ignorance is unfortunate, because Abby is in far over her head when Jack Hurtsill’s “London Supply Company” arrives with the body she requested.

Maximilian Wilder’s aristocratic good looks and crisp speech set him apart from the typical “sack ’em up” man, but his story of gambling debts is enough to convince Jack Hurtsill that he’s in it solely for the money. However, Max is really on the trail of his missing half sister Madeline, who was last seen in Jack’s company. When Jack turns up with a still-warm dead body that’s clearly never seen a grave, Max’s suspicions about Madeline’s fate seem justified—in the absence of convenient corpses, are Jack’s men committing murder to provide cadavers?

A Matter of Grave Concern makes a suitably creepy read for the Halloween season.

To keep Abby safe from harm at the hands of the body snatchers, Max “claims” her as his share of the spoils, keeping her locked in his room. Their plan is predictably compromised by the attraction between them, but Novak keeps their interactions fresh and fun with Abby’s curiosity about anatomy and Max’s willingness to let her explore.

Novak’s London is satisfyingly foggy and grim, and the stern realities of life in 1830 are never brushed off. The class differences between Abby and Max provide a sadly realistic obstacle to their love, and the standard expectations of a woman of the era are plainly laid out. Despite her spirit, smarts and sensibility, Abby does not have many options in life without a man’s protection.

Romance veteran Novak keeps the plot twists coming until the very end. A Matter of Grave Concern makes a suitably creepy read for the Halloween season, with a resolution that’s fanciful in the delightful way of the best romances.  

Amy Garvey is a freelance editor and the author of several romances and two novels for young adults. 

Last summer, just as the Romance Writers of America conference rolled into Dallas, the news leaked through the ranks: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss had died. Some sources hint that her heart was broken after the untimely death of her son, Dorren, who died weeks before she did; others say it was simply the more prosaic, but no less tragic, cancer. Romance readers only know it was too soon. The beloved author had just turned 68. Woodiwiss is widely regarded as the mother of the modern historical romance, and her 12 novels (beginning with 1972's The Flame and the Flower) boast a staggering 30 million copies in print. Her strong-willed heroines are beautiful, her heroes devastatingly handsome, and the pair finds adventure and romance on the way to their happy ending. Woodiwiss sparked a passion in readers and writers alike, flinging open the doors to what has become a thriving genre offering work to hundreds of (mostly) female writers.

In a tribute to Woodiwiss, New York Times best-selling historical romance author Teresa Medeiros wrote, I am humbled by what a great debt of gratitude we all owe Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. At the conclusion of The Flame and the Flower, she should have written not The End,' but The Beginning.' One consolation is that Woodiwiss left a final completed manuscript for her devoted readers: Everlasting, a sumptuous story set in the turbulent aftermath of the Crusades. Abrielle's beloved fiancŽ has died, leaving her to find a husband who will help save her mother and step- father from ruin. Cornered by the specter of poverty, Abrielle agrees to a union with the loathsome Desmond de Marle, despite her conflicted attraction to a Scotsman, Raven Seabern. Raven is powerfully drawn to the beautiful and spirited Abrielle, and when her husband meets a fitting death, he becomes Abrielle's champion. Abrielle must sort out the truth of her feelings and Raven's if the pair is to find lasting happiness. This lushly written last offering is classic Woodiwiss, and every romance collection should include this final chapter in a brilliant career.

Colorado writer Barbara Samuel is the author of several historical romances.