Sabrina Jeffries matches an unlikely hero with a hesitant heroine in The Danger of Desire, the third book in the Sinful Suitors series, and the result is pure magic.

Miss Delia Trevor politely wiles away her days pretending to be in pursuit of a husband and her nights searching for the man responsible for her brother’s death. When Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, discovers her clandestine visits to some of London’s most unseemly gambling establishments, Delia is forced to tell the infuriatingly handsome lord at least part of her plan, withholding just enough information to ensure the blasted man won’t interfere—or so she thinks. With seductive charm and helpful connections, Warren is soon aiding Delia in her scheme—and threatening her heart, to boot. But she doesn’t have the time to fall in love, especially with the marquess, who would hardly woo a woman like Delia. Or would he?

For his part, Warren can’t quite understand how he’s managed to become besotted with a woman so unlike any other female he’s ever met. Though his reputation paints him as a rake of the first order, the marquess would never abandon a woman in need. Besides, he couldn’t leave now, even if he wanted to. The smart, honest and damningly desirable Delia makes Warren wonder if it’s possible to love, even for someone such as himself, who has done everything in his power to protect his heart.

Risky midnight visits to gambling hells, scandalous behavior in carriages and a shocking twist you’ll never see coming are just a few of my favorite things about this passionate, Regency-set historical romance. 

The first novel in Mary Balogh's Westcott series, Someone to Love, is an adventure in self-discovery that follows an orphan who discovers she’s the sole heir to a deceased Earl’s vast fortune.

Discovering that you belong to a wealthy, aristocratic family is an orphan's dream come true. However, growing up in an orphanage, the thing Anna has always desired most is family. Yet Anna has shattered the world of the Earl’s widow and her children and created quite the scandal, and although she would do anything to have the Countess' children as her new siblings, they want nothing to do with her.

Anna is overwhelmed by the challenges of attempting to become a polished lady and distraught that her newfound family despises her. But Avery Archer, the Duke of Netherby, sees Anna's distress and rescues her by taking her out for long walks. It's during these moments that the two unexpectedly grow fond of each other, leading to a proposal of marriage. But as wedding plans are in the works, Anna discovers that Avery's life is in grave danger. Will the wedding even have the chance to occur?

This is a refreshing read from the always-stellar Balogh, and it is a great start to a new set of novels sure to become favorites.

Joanna Shupe’s Baron, the second book in her popular Knickerbocker Club series, is set in New York in the late 1800s. The novel features Will Sloane, the stuffy older brother of Shupe’s heroine in Magnate, and pits the wealthy rail baron against an irresistible force: Madam Zolikoff, aka Ava Jones, who is struggling to get by as a medium.

William Sloane and Ava come from very different walks of life. The Gilded Age of New York City means a mansion for the wealthy Sloan, but a gritty third story apartment for Ava. Left penniless by the death of her parents, she has become Madam Zolikoff, a performance medium wearing a blonde wig and faking a Russian accent, “conjuring” up the spirits of client’s deceased family members to make a buck.

As a pillar of industry and a rising star in politics, William Sloane needs a suitable wife, but first he must take care of business. He attends Madam Zolikoff’s performance with a specific purpose—to dissuade her from entering a relationship with his political ally, John Bennett. Bennett is the gubernatorial candidate who’s asked Will to join him on the ticket as lieutenant governor. With the election only six months away, any missteps must be avoided, and this impertinent actress with the flame-red lips simply screams scandal. William won’t let a curvy con artist ruin his political career, but the feisty medium draws him like a beacon.

Ava grew up far from the fine and fancy Will Sloane and has done the best she can—single-handedly raising her younger siblings, scrimping and saving and building a  home for them. Years earlier, a romance with another privileged man left her sadder, wiser and mistrustful. She thinks she knows the kind of man Will Sloane is and wants no part of him. Unfortunately, Will is the kind of man one can’t help but notice, and unbeknownst to Ava, he has a heart of gold.

Though they come from different worlds, neither William nor Ava can ignore the compelling heat of each other’s company, and their resulting romance sizzles early and often. Readers should be advised not to scorch their fingers while flipping through the pages—or get them caught on all the hidden buttons of Victorian garb . . .