★ Angel in a Devil's Arms
Scandal and passion go hand in hand in Julie Anne Long's historical romance Angel in a Devil's Arms. Angelique Breedlove believes she's escaped her past and her bad luck with men. Then Lucien Durand, the bastard son of a duke, walks into her boarding house. After being presumed dead for a decade, Lucien has revenge on his mind, but the lovely Angelique just might distract him from his goal. Their attraction could lead to trouble, so the pair strive for a friendship that perhaps brings them closer than if they'd become lovers. Yet their every encounter shimmers with sensuality. Readers will sigh as Angelique and Lucien share their emotional wounds, and well-drawn supporting characters serve as an amusing counterpoint to the poignant central narrative. Filled with deep longing, this story is a stellar example of the genre.

The Devil in the Saddle
A Texas princess falls for a contemporary cowboy in The Devil in the Saddle by Julia London. When her wedding is canceled due to her cheating fiancé, Hallie Prince finds a friendly face in her childhood friend, ex-Army Ranger Rafe Fontana. Rafe has been in love with Hallie forever but assumed he never had a chance with the town's golden girl. What follows is a slow-­building friends-to-lovers romance, the tension provided by two cautious hearts. London's characters are good people with grown-up problems, and readers will root for them to take a chance on each other. This is an emotionally mature modern-day romance with a touch of Texas sparkle.

This Earl of Mine
A book that begins with a Regency heiress seeking a bridegroom in Newgate Prison promises daring adventure, and Kate Bateman gives readers just what they're looking for in This Earl of Mine. Georgiana Caversteed seeks to secure her inheritance by marrying a man sentenced to death. However, Benedict Wylde, coerced by his jailers to marry the beauty, is actually an aristocratic Bow Street agent in disguise. Later, upon meeting at a London society gathering, Benedict's identity is revealed—and sparks fly. The fast-paced plot still finds room for sensual romance to blossom, and charismatic, roguish secondary characters abound. This Earl of Mine is pure fun.

 

★ Angel in a Devil's Arms
Scandal and passion go hand in hand in Julie Anne Long's historical romance Angel in a Devil's Arms. Angelique Breedlove believes she's escaped her past and her bad luck with men. Then Lucien Durand, the bastard son of a duke, walks into her boarding house. After being presumed dead for a decade, Lucien has revenge on his mind, but the lovely Angelique just might distract him from his goal. Their attraction could lead to trouble, so the pair strive for a friendship that perhaps brings them closer than if they'd become lovers. Yet their every encounter shimmers with sensuality. Readers will sigh as Angelique and Lucien share their emotional wounds, and well-drawn supporting characters serve as an amusing counterpoint to the poignant central narrative. Filled with deep longing, this story is a stellar example of the genre.

The Devil in the Saddle
A Texas princess falls for a contemporary cowboy in The Devil in the Saddle by Julia London. When her wedding is canceled due to her cheating fiancé, Hallie Prince finds a friendly face in her childhood friend, ex-Army Ranger Rafe Fontana. Rafe has been in love with Hallie forever but assumed he never had a chance with the town's golden girl. What follows is a slow-­building friends-to-lovers romance, the tension provided by two cautious hearts. London's characters are good people with grown-up problems, and readers will root for them to take a chance on each other. This is an emotionally mature modern-day romance with a touch of Texas sparkle.

This Earl of Mine
A book that begins with a Regency heiress seeking a bridegroom in Newgate Prison promises daring adventure, and Kate Bateman gives readers just what they're looking for in This Earl of Mine. Georgiana Caversteed seeks to secure her inheritance by marrying a man sentenced to death. However, Benedict Wylde, coerced by his jailers to marry the beauty, is actually an aristocratic Bow Street agent in disguise. Later, upon meeting at a London society gathering, Benedict's identity is revealed—and sparks fly. The fast-paced plot still finds room for sensual romance to blossom, and charismatic, roguish secondary characters abound. This Earl of Mine is pure fun.

 

Rafe Fontana has successfully been keeping a friendly distance between himself and Hallie Prince—until the night she literally stumbles into his arms. He could blame the encounter on Mr. Creedy's cows, though if he was honest, he'd have to admit that he would do anything to stay in her orbit, including offering to train her to run or driving her new puppy to Aspen. Hallie was devastated by her cheating ex-fiancé and is feeling smothered by her family's concern and opinions on how she should live her life. Along the way on her journey, she finds Rafe ignites her passions, but showing him that he's the perfect man for her will take a bit of work. VERDICT London's second "Princes of Texas" series installment (after The Charmer in Chaps) will delight readers who enjoy a soft-hearted soldier, a spirited heroine, and relatable, entertaining family dynamics.—Morgan Lockard, Campbell Cty. P.L., KY

Friends get more than just benefits in London's second Princes of Texas contemporary (after The Charmer in Chaps), which tackles dynamics of class, wealth, and power while developing a gripping friends-to-lovers romance. The Prince family, owners of the Three Rivers Ranch in Texas, have fallen on hardish times after the death of patriarch Charlie, who gambled away much of their money, and they can barely afford to employ majordomo Martin Fontana. Hallie Prince, Charlie's daughter, still lives like she's rich, but that hasn't stopped her from befriending Rafe Fontana, Martin's oldest son. Rafe has been "quietly, privately, and desperately" in love with Hallie all his life, but he fears that acting inappropriately could cost his father his job. When Hallie catches her fiancé cheating, she turns to Rafe for support, and, as usual, he's there for her. But when chemistry develops between them and she challenges him to admit how he feels, he holds back, knowing they can't escape the difficulties that their professional relationship presents to their personal entanglement. London beautifully captures the essence of the couple's friendship and the depth of their emotions, making the lovemaking that much more intense. Hallie's grandma, Dolly, is just as charming and funny as ever, and the Prince family's financial problems bring more comic relief than pathos. Readers will have a grand ol' time revisiting Three Rivers. (Nov.)