More great praise for The Heir by Grace Burrowes (ISBN 9781402244346)-it has received 4 stars in the December issue of RT Book Reviews. Also featured is The Winter Sea by Susanne Kearsley, which received 4 ½ Stars (ISBN 9781402241376) and was a TOP PICK of the month! There's even a tiny mention comparing The Winter Sea to Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine, which we released this month! Additionally, a late 4 Star review of The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee was also included. I've listed the full reviews below.
THE HEIR
by Grace Burrowes
Genre: Regency Period, England, Historical Romance
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Regency England
RT Rating: 4 stars
Burrowes' enchanting romance charms from the beginning as her characters' battle of wills progresses into a deep passion. What sets this story apart are the charming and intelligent protagonists and delightful secondary characters. There's tenderness and sensuality, lighthearted verbal battles and tense moments that combine to delight.
Summary: Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is content to relax in his London townhouse. But as the first legitimate heir to the Duke of Moreland, he must marry and his father will do anything to get him to the altar. His peace is disrupted when his housekeeper believes he is molesting a chambermaid and injures him in her attempt to rescue the girl. Gayle is insulted by her accusation, but intrigued by her. She is far too beautiful, well educated and intelligent to be a servant.
Anne Seaton has good reason to keep a low profile, but when she's forced to nurse Gayle because of the wound she inflicted they are brought close together - and with that comes a powerful attraction. With his friend's meddling, her secret and his father's demands, Anne and Gayle have much to overcome, but Gayle is determined to protect Anne. (SOURCEBOOKS, Dec., 450 pp., $6.99)
Reviewed By: Kathe Robin
THE WINTER SEA
by Susanna Kearsley
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Present and 1708 Scotland
RT Rating: 4 1/2 stars, TOP PICK
Neither time travel nor gothic romance, Kearsley's novel is highly reminiscent of Barbara Erskine's Lady of Hay and Mary Stewart's works: evocative novels that lift readers straight into another time and place to smell the sea, feel the castle walls, see history and sense every emotion. These are marks of a fantastic storyteller.
Summary: Before heading to France to start her new novel, bestselling author Carrie McClelland takes the time to visit Scotland's Slains Castle, home of her ancestor, Sophia. She is inexplicably drawn to the area and decides to stay and write her next novel there.
It is strange how a connection to the land and the history of the area drives her novel forward. It is almost as if she were channeling the events of 1708, when Sophia was involved in the attempt to place James Stewart on the throne of England and Scotland. Carrie meets the landlord's son Graham Keith and their powerful attraction seems to have something to do with the past. As the line between the past and present blurs, Carrie realizes she will not know the future until she has completed her novel. (SOURCEBOOKS, Dec., 544 pp., $16.99)
Reviewed By: Kathe Robin
THE HIGHEST STAKES
by Emery Lee
Genre: Georgian Period, England, Historical Romance
Sensuality: MILD
Setting: Georgian England
RT Rating 4 Stars
Lee's debut novel is a sweeping tale of romance, betrayal, intrigue and the power of true love. Readers will love the well-rounded, engaging characters, the fast pace and the attention to detail. Though a few scenes are overly descriptive, the extra details do not detract from the overall enjoyment.
Charlotte Wallace was orphaned at a young age. Placed in her uncle's care, she discovered a passion for horses and horse racing. More importantly, she found the love of her life, Robert Devington, a groom in her uncle's stables.
Prompted by his love for Charlotte, Robert enters the army in hopes of proving his worthiness to her uncle. When the young lovers are torn apart, Robert's persistence and Charlotte's devotion to her true love will prevail. (SOURCEBOOKS, Apr., 560 pp., $15.99)
Reviewed By: Keitha Hart


