Dark Earl / Virginia Henley 401 p.

Lady Harriet Hamilton falls for Viscount Thomas Anson when they meet as a child when Thomas' father sells off all of the assets of Shugborough. Or perhaps she falls first for Shugborough. Lady Harriet, call me Harry, is rather outspoken. Her family tilts at Victorian mores by reading titillating books and having intimate encounters. Thomas is out to refurbish Shugborough with its original fittings...difficult when one's father has gambled away every penny. Thomas sees Harry as a help with this goal; but, Harry wants to have what her 'in-love' parents have. Thomas proves his love in a variety of ways. Lots of drama with some predictability in this Victorian romance from the author of the Irish Duke.

Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Book Awards 2011 Nominees

Making Waves / Tawna Fenske 343 p.

Uncle Frank's wish for Juli Flynn to scatter his ashes in his favorite spot off in the Caribbean Sea is a real trial for her as she gets sea-sick watching Sea Hunt. When she mistakenly stows aboard a power boat crewed by corporate pink-slipped employees, captained by Alex Bradshaw, they elect to continue with their plan to heist their former employer of his diamonds...enough to replace their 20 yr. pension plans. Though kept in the dark, Juli is more than smart enough connects the dots to figure out they are pirates set to heist diamonds. Juli has issues, too, and Uncle Frank is the least of them. Juli falls for her captor, gives love advice to another, and, injects zaniness into the piracy business.

Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Book Awards