There’s something breathtakingly sexy about a hot guy who can fly a fighter jet, ride a motorcycle or drive a fast car. We’re highlighting three titles that feature all of the above, plus lots of wonderfully steamy romance. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

ACE-HIGH STRAIGHT
Attorney and author Chanel Cleeton launches her Wild Aces series with Fly With Me. When 31-year-old Jordan Callahan lands in Las Vegas for her sister’s bachelorette party, she isn’t expecting to meet the love of her life. But then F-16 fighter pilot Noah Miller asks her to dance, and she quickly realizes he’s not like any other guy she’s dated. He’s handsome, sexy, smart and intense. They spend their few vacation days wrapped up in each other, but all too soon, they must return to normal life—Jordan to Florida and her successful boutique, Noah to the Oklahoma Air Force Base where he’s stationed.

Neither are ready to say goodbye for good, however, and Jordan flies to spend weekends in Oklahoma as often as she can. The Air Force is a mistress that rules Noah’s life, while Jordan can’t give up her beloved shop and Florida hometown. With their lives and careers so far apart, being together is complicated. They want to find a way to plan a shared future, but when Noah receives unexpected orders, their plans may go up in smoke. They are still struggling to resolve deployment issues when disaster strikes, sending them both reeling. Now Jordan will have to decide how much she’s willing to surrender to stay with Noah, while he must weigh the cost of their love.

The details of military life create an intriguing setting for this romance that begins with off-the-charts sexual attraction and progresses to an equally intense emotional connection. Starring a sexy, smart heroine and her match in a gorgeous, hot hero, fans of contemporary romance are going to love this novel.

SAVED BY A BIKER
New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye delivers the first novel in a spinoff from her popular Hard Ink series with Ride Hard. Haven Randall has fled her abusive father and found sanctuary with the Raven Riders, a motorcycle club that protects the vulnerable. Haven had been a virtual prisoner in her father’s home, and as a result, she's not only emotionally wounded but also astonishingly innocent.

The Rider’s club president, Dare Kenyon, knows he’s far too jaded for Haven, but the attraction between them is instant and hot enough to singe each time they’re together. Falling in love isn’t something either of them planned, but they’re drawn together like lodestones. Protecting Haven may mean Dare has to let her go, however, and finding a way to a happy ending might prove impossible, especially when her father is willing to kill to reclaim her.

This is a riveting tale of the true meaning of family, loyalty and bravery. The well-written sexual tension enhances the romance, and fans will be delighted with this stellar beginning to the author’s latest series.

BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Bestselling Oregon writer Marie Harte lures readers to Seattle in Test Drive, the first in a hot new contemporary series. Handsome and charming, mechanic Johnny Devlin fell hard for beautiful Lara Valley the first time he saw her pouring drinks behind the local bar. He immediately asked her out, but she won’t say yes to a date, even though he asks again each time he sees her.

Full-time nursing student and part-time bartender Lara knows a playboy when she sees him, and she won’t say yes to Johnny, despite being crazy attracted to him. Besides, she doesn’t have time to date, what with school, her job and her role helping her divorced sister with her two adorable kids. Lara barely has time to breathe, let alone chance dating a guy she instinctively knows could rock her world.

Then Lara is assaulted late one night at the bar, and Johnny comes to her rescue. Lara can no longer deny him or their attraction, and when she finally says yes to dating, she discovers there’s much more to Johnny than facile charm and compliments. In fact, she’s teetering on the brink of falling in love with the warm, caring, funny, intelligent guy beneath the sexy exterior. But the path to love is strewn with obstacles, and before Johnny and Lara can plan a future together, they’ll each have to face their own fears and insecurities.

This charming, sexy tale of two people falling backwards into love is pure fun. The love scenes are steamy, the family interactions endearing,and their struggles to mesh busy lives intriguing.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

Contrary to accepted wisdom, revenge is not always a dish best served cold. In the three romance novels we’re highlighting this month, revenge is a decidedly hot and steamy affair.

PAYBACK WITH A BROGUE
The Beast of Clan Kincaid from Texas author Lily Blackwood is a riveting tale of vengeance set in 1380s Scotland. Beautiful Elspeth MacClaren is the eldest daughter of her clan’s laird. Her father needs to shore up the clan’s military strength through a marriage alliance, and Elspeth accepts her duty, willingly considering suitors. But things are complicated when a renowned mercenary known as the Beast rescues her from drowning in a river and captures her heart. He’s everything she wants and can’t have, for she’s the laird’s daughter, and he is a landless soldier.

What Elspeth doesn’t know is that the Beast is actually Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. He’s spent the last 17 years becoming a hardened warrior, bent on revenge, determined to destroy Elspeth’s father and take back the Kincaid lands stolen from his clan. Falling in love with his enemy’s daughter wasn’t in Niall’s plans, but he won’t give her up, nor will he betray his clan and family. How can these two passionate, fiercely honorable people find a way to live happily together? With Elspeth’s life endangered, Niall must choose between his thirst for vengeance and his heart’s desire.

This excellent novel has engaging and complex characters, a wildly beautiful setting, 14th-century Scottish life depicted with historical accuracy and enough heat between the hero and heroine to satisfy the most demanding of romance readers.

BOUND BY VENGEANCE
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake begins her new contemporary series, Lawless, with Ruthless. As children, the four Lawless siblings barely escaped the arson fire that killed their parents. Now they’re all grown up and focused on taking down the business partners that destroyed their family. One of their enemies is dead, but his daughter, Ellie Stratton, holds his shares of StratCast, the company built with the computer code the Lawless patriarch was murdered for.

Riley Lawless has one objective—gain Ellie Stratton’s confidence, seduce her and gain access to the company’s information. He didn’t plan on falling in love with her, but the pull of attraction between them is compulsive. Ellie is smart, beautiful and so warm and caring that she breaches the thick walls surrounding Riley’s heart.

The Lawless siblings may have misjudged the villain’s capacity for evil, however. When Ellie discovers Riley has deceived her, more than her heart is put at risk. If Riley and his brothers aren’t careful, Ellie may pay for their revenge with her life.

The twisty plot is enhanced by complicated characters and sizzling hot romance. Readers will impatiently await the next novel in this intriguing new series.

DUELING HEARTS
Bestselling author Johanna Lindsey delivers her 53rd novel with Make Me Love You. When Lord Dominic Wolfe is wounded in his third duel with an earl’s son, the Prince Regent orders the two combatants to end their fighting by joining their families in a marriage. If either party refuses, their lands and title will be forfeited to the Crown.

The earl’s daughter, Lady Brooke Whitworth, views marriage to Dominic as an escape route away from her unloving family. She doubts her brother’s enemy will welcome her, but she’s determined to win over Lord Wolfe. She hadn’t anticipated Dominic would be quite so handsome, nor is she aware that he is determined to make her reject the union. As the two spend time together, however, the attraction growing between them threatens to blaze out of control. When family objections, the pressure of societal expectations and unexpected adventure turn dangerous, Dominic will have to reassess his feelings on the matter of marriage.

This lighthearted Regency tale boasts a strong hero, smart heroine and endearing secondary characters. Add a bit of swashbuckling adventure and longtime fans and new readers of Lindsey alike will thoroughly enjoy this latest novel.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

Cooler autumn days and the Halloween holiday mean it's the perfect time to curl up and read stories filled with warm romance and spooky mysteries. Life is short—savor the variety in these three wildly different romance novels.

TICK-TOCK LOVE
Utah author Nancy Campbell Allen delivers a unique take on a classic fairy tale with Beauty And The Clockwork Beast. In a steampunk version of Victorian England, intrepid botanist Lucy Pickett takes a much-deserved break from her research at London’s Botanical Aid Society to visit her cousin. The newly married cousin Kate is struggling to adjust to life at Blackwell Manor, the home of her husband’s older brother, Miles Blake, Lord Blackwell. When Lucy arrives, she finds her cousin suffering from a mysterious ennui and fearful of a ghost in the Manor. There have been two recent deaths in the family, both violent, and gossip implies Lord Blackwell was somehow responsible. When Lucy meets Miles, however, she finds him intriguing rather than frightening, and she’s drawn to his intelligence and caring heart, which is hidden beneath his brooding, abrupt manner.

When the evil threatening Blackwell Manor escalates, the two must join forces to unravel a complicated web of secrets, lies and hidden agendas. In the process, Lucy and Miles fall in love, but Miles has a secret, and a happy future may not be in the cards for the couple.

This wonderful novel is filled with romance, action and adventure. The story boasts a strong hero and heroine, a darkly atmospheric setting, intriguing steampunk details and the mystery of a few spooky ghosts, vampires and werewolves. Readers will eagerly await the next novel in what promises to be an excellent series.

SECRETS THAT DON'T STAY BURIED
Yasmine Galenorn heads to the Pacific Northwest in Shadow Silence, the second in the Whisper Hollow series. Spirit shaman Kerris Fellwater has returned to Whisper Hollow, a small lakeside town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington that’s steeped in magic and strange happenings. Aided by Bryan, her guardian and lover, Kerris works diligently to fulfill her destiny and send the undead to the afterlife.

Too often, however, the voraciously hungry Lady of the Lake lures Whisper Hollow residents to their watery deaths, making Kerris' job all the more difficult. But the Lady goes too far when she almost takes Kerris’ best friend, Peggin. Now Peggin is under a curse, and the restless spirits of the Unliving are determined to reclaim her. Kerris refuses to lose Peggin, and aided by Bryan, she sets out to break the curse and free her friend. But their efforts lead to them to long-buried secrets, and if the two can’t resolve the mystery, all of Whisper Hollow may be lost.

Galenorn has created an intriguing world, with legends, ghosts, a moody atmosphere and specters aplenty—read this one with the light on.

AN ENCHANTED COTTAGE
Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson and Sharla Lovelace collaborate on a trilogy of romantic stories in The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine. All three stories are set during the magical month of October at Rose Cottage, a charming bed-and-breakfast in Maine.

In Kate Angell’s “Charmed By You,” party decorator Grace hires handsome Cade Maxwell’s moving company to help her set up the extensive Halloween decorations at her beloved godmother’s bed-and-breakfast. Grace and Cade have known each other since kindergarten, but something about getting up close and personal while stringing lights and arranging pumpkins, witches and scarecrows has the two getting hot and bothered. Local legend says that couples fall in love at the annual Rose Cottage Halloween party, but could it really be happening to them?

Jennifer Dawson gives readers a friends-to-lovers tale in “Mesmerized By You,” in which best friends Chloe and Jack plan a weekend getaway to Rose Cottage over Halloween, where the magic of the Rose Cottage Halloween party has them rethinking whether they’ve ever been “just friends.”

In “Enchanted By You" by Sharla Lovelace, attorney Sidney Jensen heads to Moonbright, Maine, for work, where she never expected to run into Sawyer Finn, the boy who broke her heart many years ago. Will Sawyer and the Rose Cottage revelers be able to convince her to give him a second chance and stay forever with him in Moonbright?

This delicious anthology has all the elements romance readers love with the added pleasure of a touch of magic. The small-town setting, the charming owner of the bed-and-breakfast and three sets of very different heroes and heroines make this collection a keeper.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

With holidays approaching, we dedicated our December romance column to novels set during the Christmas season. But for those of us who have had enough Christmas cheer, we bring you three romance novels with plenty of heat and love, sans the holiday spirit.

CONTRACT AFFAIR
Award-winning Texas author Lorraine Heath wraps up her Hellions of Havisham series with The Viscount and the Vixen. Viscount Locksley, better known as Locke, is shocked when his reclusive father announces at breakfast that he has plans to marry that very day. When a beautiful young woman, many years his father’s junior, arrives on the doorstep of isolated Havisham Hall, Locke is determined to stop the marriage. But widowed Portia Gadstone has a contract guaranteeing a wedding, and when Locke objects, his father demands that Locke himself honor the legally binding document. Desperately in need of the security of wedlock and with no alternative plan, Portia has no choice but to agree. Both Portia and Locke have vowed to never fall in love, but both are in for an unexpected lesson in life’s vagaries. When secrets from Portia’s past are exposed, the couple must face betrayal and heartbreak. Will love be enough to survive scandal and lies?

This compelling Regency romance employs unconventional subject matter to its advantage and features a compassionate, kind heroine and a strong hero who balances her perfectly. The depth of emotion and passionate connection, paired with a solid English historical setting, is certain to delight readers.

SPACE SEAL
Anne Elizabeth delivers a thrilling romance in The Soul of a SEAL, the fourth in her West Coast Navy Seals series. Beautiful and brilliant Dr. Kimberly Warren has spent her career working on a super-secret space project. Just as her dream is about to be realized, the spacecraft inexplicably malfunctions and two Navy SEAL members on her team are murdered. Top brass in the Navy want answers, and they send in their best warriors, Captain Bennett Sheraton and his friend Melo, to solve the case. Bennett and Kimberly have instant chemistry, and while both worry that their connection will be a distraction, they soon realize they make excellent partners. Aided by Melo, Bennett and Kimberly move quickly to analyze data and untangle the complicated conspiracy that threatens their mission. However, just when the trio believes the saboteur has been neutralized, they discover the enemy has a last card to play. This time, Bennett may be the one to die if Kimberly can’t find a way to save him.

Fans of well-researched technical detail will thoroughly enjoy this novel. The nail-biting scenes with lives hanging in the balance are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

SOUTHERN SUSPENSE
New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper begins her new South Shores series with Chasing Shadows. A forensic psychologist who suffers from a neurological disorder, Claire Britten has a unique ability to read people and discover the truth. Her skills and “razor sharp intuition” make her a powerful expert trial witness. After high-powered attorney Nick Markwood loses a case due to her brilliant testimony, he’s impressed, and he hires Claire to investigate a case involving a mysterious death. They travel to Shadowlawn, a magnificent plantation house near St. Augustine, Florida, that looks as if it is straight from Gone With the Wind. The beautiful old house hides secrets, however, and a killer stalks the portrait-hung halls. When Nick and Claire believe they’ve solved the case at last, a surprise twist throws their world into danger yet again. A happy ending is by no means guaranteed, for evil lurks close by.

With a strong cast of characters, lots of red herring clues and a wonderful Southern setting, this novel will have readers clamoring for the next installment.

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

Warm up these cold winter nights with three romantic novels starring handsome bodyguards and their beautiful clients. Who knew private security assignments could be so intriguing and off-the-charts sexy?

HIDING IN LOVE
Lori Foster launches a new series with Under Pressure, which stars the handsome Leese Phelps, a secondary character in an earlier Foster novel, Fighting Dirty. Once an MMA contender, Leese has decided to apply his fighting skills to a new career as a bodyguard. Catalina Nicholson is an assignment that tests all Leese’s abilities. Cat’s on the run after overhearing an incriminating conversation between her father and three dangerous, wealthy and powerful men. She can’t trust anyone, but somehow, Cat instinctively trusts Leese. Her biggest fear is that Leese and his friends will suffer harm while protecting her. The entire staff of Body Armor Security is committed to keeping Cat alive, but when a plan goes sideways, even Leese’s protection might not keep her safe and secure.

This excellent novel seamlessly blends a tender romance between a hot hero and a smart, sassy heroine with an engrossing suspense plot featuring a truly scary villain. Readers will love cameo appearances of characters from the author’s popular Ultimate series.

WICKEDLY SEDUCTIVE
Holding On Tighter is the twelfth installment in Shayla Black’s wildly popular Wicked Lovers series. Career-focused Jolie Quinn is a rising star in the Dallas fashion world. Her design company is growing at the speed of light, and to protect her creations, Jolie hires British contractor Heath Powell to upgrade the security at her company headquarters. Heath is every bit as strong as Jolie, and from their first meeting, the two strike sparks from each other. Neither is looking for love. Both are equally stubborn in rejecting the tender feelings lurking beneath the hot chemistry that blazes between them. But resolving personal issues will have to wait because someone is threatening both Jolie’s company and her beloved sister’s safety. Is it possible that the danger stems from Heath’s past rather than Jolie’s? And if it does, can he unravel the mystery before someone dies?

A solid, intriguing suspense plot and a deep emotional connection between strong, admirable characters will keep readers hooked and eager for the next installment in this terrific series.

PROTECTING THE INNOCENT
Award-winning author Brenda Jackson delivers Forged In Desire, the first novel in The Protectors series. Margo Connelly ends a six-week stint as a juror with a verdict that finds a powerful gangster guilty of murder. When the killer threatens to end the lives of everyone in the courtroom, Margo’s uncle sends bodyguard Lamar “Striker” Jennings to keep her safe. Striker plans to do everything necessary to protect the beautiful niece of his boss, but he isn’t prepared for the powerful attraction that scorches them both. With a hit man stalking her, Striker will have his hands full keeping his beautiful client alive, let alone dealing with the irresistible temptation she embodies.

This absorbing novel melds romantic, steamy scenes between a reformed bad boy and a good girl with plenty of tender moments and lots of nail-biting action.

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

RELATED CONTENT: Check out Lori Foster's Meet the Author feature.

Romance novels often employ clever and creative plot twists to surprise and delight readers. We’ve chosen three tales with hooks sure to pique your interest.

A BRILLIANT DISGUISE
Award-winning author Tracy Anne Warren delivers Bedchamber Games, the third installment in The Rakes of Cavendish Square series. When brilliant Rosamund Carrow’s father dies suddenly, she agrees to masquerade as a barrister to complete his court cases. Her brother is also an attorney, but due to a stress-induced stutter cannot perform courtroom speaking duties. Dressed as a young male, Rosamund begins to move in legal circles and it is here that she meets the handsome, wickedly intelligent rake Lord Lawrence Byron. A rising star in London legal circles, Lawrence is also the younger brother of a duke and a member of the ton, a level of society far above Rosamund. When Lawrence loses a case to Rosamund, he’s intrigued by who he believes to be a much younger attorney and sets out to become better acquainted. He’s stunned when he discovers the young man he knows as “Ross” is actually Rosamund. The attraction between them is compelling and before long, they are engaged in a blazing affair. However, each know that Rosamund’s time as an attorney must end, and with it, their connection. Rosamund cannot countenance becoming his mistress and Lawrence has always believed he must marry to further his career. When it appears all is lost and they must end their alliance, these two adventurous souls will have to choose. Can they forge a unique path together or will they follow society’s dictates to a future certain to leave them bereft and alone?

The author makes good use of the girl-masquerading-as-boy plot device, seamlessly melding the romance with the heroine’s delight to be employing her wit and knowledge in the legal setting. The sex scenes are hot, the affection between the hero and heroine just as well-developed and the barriers between the two equally believable.

COVERT OPERATIONS
Chicago author Julie Ann Walker uses her home town as the setting for Wild Ride, the ninth book in the Black Knights Inc. series. Fearless reporter Samantha Tate planned to use charming Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes as a source of information about his group, the Black Knights. When their time together turns them into friends, Samantha discovers bad boy Ozzie is really a good guy at heart and she finds herself falling in love with him. Ozzie also loses his heart but he’s keeping secrets—the kind that could get people killed if Samantha exposes them. When Samantha’s investigative work sets a killer on her trail, Ozzie will have to decide if he can keep her safe without revealing the truth about his world. Which will Samantha choose: a shot at winning the Pulitzer Prize for reporting or concealing a covert ops organization that reaches all the way to the President himself?

While the first quarter of the novel moves a bit slowly, the story takes off from there and becomes a non-stop roller coaster ride. Pop culture references and well-drawn secondary characters add texture to this tale of romantic suspense, motorcycle clubs and government intrigue.

A WRINKLE IN TIME
In a stellar adventure tale, author Lynn Kurland shuttles an American heroine and Scottish hero from one era to another in Ever My Love. When jewelry designer Emma Baxter left Seattle for Scotland to escape an annoying ex-fiance, she didn’t expect to flit back and forth between centuries. Handsome and rich Scotsman Nathaniel MacLeod, however, is reluctantly accustomed to jumping between centuries and when he meets Emma, she’s inexplicably drawn through time with him. Nathaniel and Emma have romantic chemistry but that doesn’t explain why she keeps appearing in the mist when he’s wearing chain mail in the fourteenth century and using his sword to defend his kin. At first, he’s busy saving her, but soon the two are exploring the many ways they fascinate and complement each other. Together they foil the interference of Emma’s obnoxious ex-fiance and Nathaniel’s overbearing grandfather. But all their combined brains and brawn may not be enough to conquer the unasked-for time jumping and the mysterious evil determined to destroy them.

This delightful novel boasts a fascinating plot, colorful settings and intriguing characters. The romantic connection between Emma and Nathaniel is charming and warm, and a colorful supporting cast provides depth. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this tale of magic and intrigue.

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

Criminals stalk the pages of the three romance novels we’re featuring this month—and the hearts of the heroes and heroines who find themselves inconveniently, uncontrollably attracted to the lawbreakers they've set out to bring down. Forbidden love is a hallmark of romance for a reason, and you don't get much more forbidden than a crusader falling for a crook. . . .

THE QUEEN OF CON ARTISTS
Eva Leigh launches a new Regency-set series with From Duke Till Dawn, first in The London Underground novels. Beautiful, intelligent Cassandra Blake barely survived life on London’s streets before becoming a successful swindler, posing as a vulnerable, distressed young widow and fleecing men of their funds. When she met the Duke of Greyland, however, she lost her heart before taking his money and disappearing. Two years later, they meet again in London when he walks into the gambling hell where she is acting as hostess.

Greyland is an honorable member of the aristocracy, trained from birth to fulfill his many duties. The only person he felt truly saw him as a man and not a Duke was Cassandra Blake, the beautiful woman he loved for only one night before she disappeared. He’s never forgotten her and when he finds her at the gaming house, he’s alight with hope. Soon, however, he discovers her deception and the fury of betrayal and anger swamp his tender feelings.

Cassandra bitterly regrets the loss of Greyland’s regard and knows she has only herself to blame. When her mentor absconds with the gambling club’s funds and leaves her to face their debtors alone, Cassandra is threatened with disaster. The moneylenders are criminals who will not hesitate to kill her if she cannot repay them. She has no friends, nowhere to turn and realizes only one person has the power and influence to help her. Greyland has reason to hate her but Cassandra has no choice. She offers him a bargain—if he will help her find her mentor and reclaim the stolen funds, she will be able to repay the original five hundred pounds she took from him two years earlier. It isn’t enough for the damage she did to him—and to her own bruised heart—but it’s her only card left to play. If Greyland refuses, the moneylenders will surely destroy her.

Much to her relief, Greyland agrees, but on his terms. They will search together, and she must not leave his sight until they are finished. Cassandra agrees, for truly, she has little choice. They set off to find her mentor, both knowing they play a dangerous game. Neither, however, expected to learn so much about their old flame—or the lengths they will go to protect each other. Love wasn’t part of the bargain but Greyland and Cassandra know there can be no happy ever after for them. For how can a Duke and a con artist find a way to a shared future?

This eminently likeable hero and heroine are complicated and intriguing, as is the fascinating view into the underbelly of Regency England. This novel is short on balls and soirees and wonderfully long on the criminal side of 1817 London, with a chasing-the-bad-guy appeal that’s fresh without being too dark. Readers will eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.

ILLICIT PASSION
Midwest author Anne Calhoun delivers Turn Me Loose, the third in her Alpha Ops series. As a college freshman, Riva Henneman was busted by a young undercover cop, Ian Hawthorn. To stay out of jail, she agreed to become his confidential informant. The initial surge of attraction they both felt was submerged by their official connection and after the resulting trial, they went their separate ways. Neither ever forgot the other.

Seven years later, Police Lieutenant Ian happens to walk into Riva’s restaurant and is stunned to recognize her. Riva is equally shocked to see Ian. She’s turned her life around and helps endangered youth learn cooking skills in her upscale organic restaurant. Shaken by his appearance but determined to remain calm, Riva serves Ian and when he leaves, asks him not to return.

Unfortunately for Riva’s plan to put Ian out of her thoughts and life once again, a young man in her training program is picked up and questioned about his brother’s involvement in drug running. To save her trainee, Riva agrees to gather incriminating information about the man at the head of the organization—her father. Ian is blindsided by her offer but refuses to let her set out alone. Together, they drive across the state to her parents’ home, where Riva is ostensibly helping her mother organize an upcoming society luncheon. They quickly learn the situation at home is even worse than Riva expected, for her sociopathic father is using drugs to control and abuse her mother. Riva and Ian will have to work together to safely negotiate the tangled, dangerous world of her family's business. When faced with death, can they save themselves and Riva’s mother, or will they lose to the ultimate evil?

Turn Me Loose is a nail-biting novel with lots of chilling moments and well-crafted suspense. The romance between the hero and heroine smolders with unrequited love and lust, while the emotional engagement is equally riveting.

TO CATCH A THIEF
USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Fewings launches a new series with The Chase, first in The Icon Trilogy. Forensic art specialist Zara Leighton is a new hire at one of London’s most prestigious investigative art firms. To her surprise and delight, she’s assigned to a team working on tracking down the elusive and notorious art thief, Icon. The puzzling case is engrossing and the unique aspects of the case fascinate Zara. Surprisingly, her boss also calls her in to work with Tobias Wilder, an American billionaire, who needs her unique ability to visually identify counterfeit paintings.

Zara is immediately attracted to Tobias, and he to her. Together, they gain entry to an exclusive gathering at a palace to view a questionable painting. Her adventure with Tobias draws Zara into an ongoing connection that is quickly complicated by her own past and the artwork she grew up with. As her work with the team attempting to unravel the Icon mystery becomes entangled with her hours spent with Tobias, Zara is increasingly conflicted. Is it her imagination that the mysterious Icon and Tobias appear to have many of the same character traits? Is the man she’s falling in love with capable of art thefts which confound the best investigators? Where does Tobias go when he’s not with her? And if Tobias truly is Icon, how will she bear the fallout when he’s caught?

The details of the fascinating world of high profile art make an intriguing background for the mystery. The first half of the novel is more remiscent of Fifty Shades of Grey than traditional romance but the connection between hero and heroine soon turns tender. Read this one with a fan and a glass of ice water at hand!

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