Since Sherry Thomas first burst onto the scene in 2008 her reputation has grown as one of the most literate and lush writers of romance.
Now, after a wait of two years (during which Sherry switched publishers), readers are about to delight in a new book by the author when Beguiling the Beauty, the first in the author’s new Fitzhugh series, is released tomorrow. Here’s a plot description:
When the Duke of Lexington meets the mysterious Baroness von Seidlitz-Hardenberg on a transatlantic liner, he is fascinated. She’s exactly what he’s been searching for—a beautiful woman who interests and entices him. He falls hard and fast—and soon proposes marriage.
And then she disappears without a trace…
For in reality, the “baroness” is Venetia Easterbrook—a proper young widow who had her own vengeful reasons for instigating an affair with the duke. But the plan has backfired. Venetia has fallen in love with the man she despised—and there’s no telling what might happen when she is finally unmasked…
Sherry is celebrating her new release by giving AAR readers the chance to win one of five ARCs of Ravishing the Heiress, the second in the Fitzhugh series, to be released on July 3. Want a tease?
Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriage—and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.
It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing more… Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabelle, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wife…
As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendship—or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?
To enter to win your ARC, simply leave a comment by Thursday, May 3rd at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be notified by email on Friday morning and will have 24 hours to respond. If we don’t hear from you by Saturday morning, a new winner will be selected. This giveaway is open only to readers in the U.S. and Canada and, since the contest is designed to get advance copies into the hands of readers who wouldn’t otherwise have access, if you review for another Web site or blog, please don’t enter.
Good luck to everyone. And happy reading!
— Sandy AAR
There are a few published authors who have a reputation for being passionate about a particular political or social topic. Most readers know this up front and share these authors’ views. But what about those individuals who unsuspectingly buy a book and find themselves getting a dissertation on our corrupt politicians, or how the lack of progress in going green is hurting the country. When does the author’s belief system interfere with your enjoyment of a book?
I sat down to write something kind of snarky about language use in historicals after having come across some particularly heinous examples lately, but I soon found myself thinking about something entirely different: Are we in the midst of a renaissance of the historical romance?
