To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins
historical fiction, romance
Avon, August 2022
A little bit of Undercovers, The Equalizer, and a grifter’s interpretation of Alias swirled together and set in the late 1870s make To Catch a Raven a heist tale that’s a perfect concluding entry for this “Women Who Dare” series. Intrepid Raven Moreau unapologetically follows her own code of conduct. So does Braxton Steele, but his differs from Raven’s. A chain of events with national implications forces them to work together where their differences generate friction and sexual volatility that smokes on the page until it combusts. Betrayals past and present, unexpected allies, hidden agendas, challenges, and dangers make working together as trusting partners their only chance for survival and success. Ms. Bev’s signature benchmarks of excellence in distinctive nuanced characters who resonate with compelling authenticity in organically detailed historical context that inspires further personal research make To Catch a Raven an irresistible read that centers the multifaceted experiences of Blackness, Black ingenuity, Black love, complexity, joy, and endurance.
Lead Me Astray by Sondi Warner
contemporary supernatural mystery romance
W by Wattpad Books, March 2022
With immersive world-building talents similar to those of Shai August and Lesley Penelope, complicated interpersonal relationships (with less convoluted angst) of Laurell K. Hamilton, the atmospheric hovering menace of Kat Richardson’s “Greywalker” series, and the overall narrative eloquence of Lilith Saintcrow and Marjorie M. Liu, Lead Me Astray starts with a seemingly harmless mischievous act by teen sisters Aurie and Haley. The consequences of that spiral into a crime, one mystery that evolves into multiple mysteries about a variety of motives, loyalties, boundaries, and power. It’s a love story too, and the kind of YA fiction written to satisfy adult readers of all ages. This author blends assorted genres and identities and circumstances with seamless eloquence.
Upcoming Titles
Ravaged (Burned, Inc. #2) by Naima Simone
contemporary romance
Montlake, November 15, 2022
Miriam and Jordan’s love story delivers all the feels and satisfies with a buffet of tropes: friends-to-lovers, professional athletes, quirky tenderhearted confident women, millionaires, story-within-a-story, big misunderstanding and more. Plus, a clever variation on matchmaking seemingly inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac adds another layer of emotional intrigue to this substantive tale about healing from past trauma. Ravaged unfolds at a nimble pace that balances contextual details with compelling intensity and incendiary sexual chemistry. It’s also funny, celebrates the importance of healthy connections with family and friends, and works as a stand-alone, although reading it immediately generates the compulsion to add the first title in the “Burned, Inc.” series to one’s TBR list. Fans of Nalini Singh’s rugby stories should also enjoy this.
[Profanity is common throughout characters’ casual conversations and thoughts—no judgement, simply a note.]
Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne
historical romance
Entangled: Amara, December 27, 2022
Life is hard for almost everyone in Scotland in the 1600s.
Ailsa Connery’s everyday challenges are intensified by not having a nuclear family, being illegitimate, Black, and wrongfully enslaved. She’s also smart, determined, and beautiful. Those traits and more swiftly catch the attention of Duff Kallum MacNeill when he arrives at Stirling Castle, despite his misgivings, to compete as his clan’s fiercest warrior to win funds they desperately need. The dangers he encounters include the expected politicking and physical combat, but he’s blindsided by lust and emotional connection with Ailsa who’s hiding more than one secret. So is Kallum. Will their hidden agendas mesh or clash? Following their treacherous journey together yields a love story worth reading and savoring.
Similar in narrative texture, depth, and nuance to the high caliber of historical fiction that’s romantic offered by (Ms.) Beverly Jenkins, Courtney Milan, Isabel Cooper, and J.J. McAvoy, Never Cross a Highlander organically integrates rich, immersive historical details with multifaceted characterizations and authentic pitch in each voice along with a balanced mix of angst, humor, all kinds of drama, tenderness, and super sexy encounters between Ailsa and Kallum. The supporting characters are also fully developed, and multiple story threads deftly evolve in this celebration of Black joy and love and perseverance despite often demoralizing odds against emerging whole and victorious.
The acknowledgements and author’s note are must-reads too. Readers sensitive to themes involving human trafficking, enslavement, and repeated threats of assault may want to investigate the content warnings for this story.
Take the Lead (Dance Off #1) by Alexis Daria
contemporary romance
St. Martin’s Griffin, February 14, 2023
Part reality show critique, part family saga, and all heart, Gina and Stone’s love story examines how far people will go to achieve their dreams and to fulfill their obligations. The slippery slope of ethical boundaries and unexpected costs of competing to win make it more challenging for Gina and Stone to recognize their true feelings and to believe they can establish a solid foundation for a long-term commitment. Emotional range, humor, backstage drama, complicated family dynamics, and steady pacing combine to create a charming tale sprinkled with sensuality and explicitly sexy encounters between the main characters. Fans of Alaskan survival shows and a certain popular dance competition show might recognize some elements as homages to their successful formulae.
The image of my tablet shows some of the anticipated reads currently in my library requests queue.
Books shown above, but not reviewed were delightful and worthy brain treat and stress reliever reads during the weeks of my #CardynBrooksReviews #books hiatus leading up the 4th annual The Write Women Book Fest* on the grounds of Marietta House Museum in Glenn Dale, Maryland on Saturday, October 8. https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/
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