The winds may be getting a bit chillier, dear readers, and the nights ever longer, but here in the Romance Garden, there is no frost, and no daylight-savings time, and certainly no droughts (or elections, for that matter). So why not come and enjoy a bit of escapism, and check out our genre experts’ selections for the month here, where we believe that every mind needs a little dirt in which to grow….
Bridget: Shift by Sidney Bristol
This book seemed, at first, to be way outside my literary comfort zone, but within only a few pages, I was completely hooked, and totally captivated by Bristol’s brilliant characterization and fiercely emotional love story. The series as a whole focuses on the employees of a classic car garage, who are all tough, fearless street racers…and who are all also undercover government agents (usually as a way to pay down some sort of debt they owe to Uncle Sam, or because they have a personal stake in the mission at hand).
As the daughter of a KGB defector, Tori Chazov has spent her life keeping one step ahead of her father’s enemies. Though she’s always ready to go back on the run, she has found some new sort of family with her fellow agents–and one serious crush in their tech guru, Emery Martin, the definition of the strong, silent type. Emery might not say much, but he’s been captivated by Tori from the moment they met. So when he detects in his surveillance that a Russian hit mob is on its way to Miami to find Tori, there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe, even if it means letting her see every secret and scar that he holds close.
What I love most about this series, hands-down, is the fact that Bristol never gives in to any genre stereotypes–her heroes may all be well-muscled and strong-willed, but, as we see with Emery, they can also be insecure, unsure, and feel totally out of their depth, which allows us as readers to get to know them so much better. Her heroine may be in need of help here, but Tori is never a damsel-in-distress, and is very clearly strong enough, both physically and mentally, to take care of herself and those she loves. Together, these two share quite the sizzling chemistry, but they also start off quite awkwardly, desperate to make a good impression, but without a clue how to start. It’s so incredibly endearing to see them both grapple with their feelings and their secrets and build a bond of trust between them. Combine that with the thrill of spy hunt and some very slick car chases, and you have all the makings of one rip-roaring good read. Though this is the second book in the Hot Rides series, new comers shouldn’t have too much trouble giving this book a test drive–and for those craving more, the third book, Chase, will be out in December!
Kelley: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
First time novelist Amanda Bouchet has given the gift of a completely addictive fantasy romance to genre fans everywhere. A Promise of Fire is the first book of Bouchet’s The Kingmaker Chronicles, and based on the Orange Rose Contest and Paranormal Golden Pen wins, Romance Writers of America thinks it’s pretty great too. Typically, I gravitate to historical romances, but do read a lot of non-romance fantasy, so when review after review for this title was so exceptional, I decided it was time to find out what happens when romance and fantasy meet.
With magical abilities that come complete with an overwhelming destiny, and a dangerous and powerful mother, it’s clear why Cat Fisa has been secretly living under an assumed identity as a circus soothsayer. She’s been there long enough to make her circus friends a sort-of family, and would have stayed if it weren’t for the unwelcome arrival of the legendary Beta Sinta, a warlord famous for conquering seemingly indestructible magical kingdoms despite having no magic of his own.
Beta Sinta, also known as Griffin, wants to further the power of his kingdom by harnessing Cat’s ability to glean when people are lying. Like Cat, he is strong, stubborn, and fiercely protective of the people he cares about. Fairly quickly, he comes to care about Cat, but she wants nothing to do with him and his advances. In Cat’s experience, when people love her, they die. Her solution is to avoid attachments and to never reveal her true identity, but Griffin is determined to earn her trust and give her the courage to let love and a real family into her life.
In addition to a very well developed cast of characters- Griffin’s family in particular- the world Bouchet creates is believable and well-built. The plotting is also first-rate, making it very difficult to find a good place to put this book down. If you like fantasy and you like romance, like me, you’ll be wonderfully glad you picked it up… until you remember that A Promise of Fire is Bouchet’s first book, and you have to wait until January 2017 for The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 2: Breath of Fire.
…Until next month, beloved patrons, happy reading!