It’s the beginning of a new month, dear readers, and that means another review of the best books that our genre devotees have found this month.  We hope it inspires you to try something new, and revel in all things romantic.  Because, as we always say, every mind needs a little dirt in which to grow….

Bridget: The Chocolate Touch by Laura Florand

For reasons that we shall discuss a bit later, I had Paris on my mind a little while back, and whenever that happens, I always turn to Laura Florand’s work.  Her books are always fun, always clever, full of terrific descriptions….there’s only one drawback, which will become evident shortly…

Jaime Corey, the younger sister of the owner of Corey Chocolate (fans of this series will know all about this fictional American mass-market chocolate company), has spent years trying to compensate for her privilege by helping those less fortunate.  But after suffering a severe trauma, Jaime decides that the time has come to take care of herself.  So she decides to travel to Paris for a little ‘chocolate therapy’.  And it is there she discovers Dominique Richard’s chocolate boutique, and simply can’t stay away.

Dominique has clawed his way from nothing to become Paris’ top chocolatier, and his bad-boy reputation only adds to his enormous reputation.  But nothing can keep him from noticing the young woman who has started coming to his boutique everyday–for reasons he can’t quite define.  And soon, Dominique finds himself crafting chocolate concoctions specifically for her, delighting in surprising her with his invention.  But Dominique is a big, imposing person with a temper, and is terrified that he will develop into his abusive father if he lets himself care too much about anyone–can he and Jaime overcome their mutual fears to find their way together?

This book was a bit darker than the other books in Florand’s Chocolate Romances, but she handles both Jaime’s issues and Dominique’s with admirable grace.  The romance here was also a bit less fiery and wild, and more intimate, gentle, and deeply felt, giving this story a beautifully different, and wonderfully unforgettable feel all the way through. I can’t tell you how tired I am of aggressive alpha-males in romances, and Dominique’s willingness to put all his own privileges aside to win Jaime was precisely what I needed.

The only problem?  Florand’s books leave me starving.  Her description are so vivid and visceral…I dare you to read this book without making an emergency run for some chocolate.  Consider yourself warned!

Kelley: A Season of Ruin by Anna Bradley

Looking for a short but sweet tale to fill a late summer afternoon? Anna Bradley’s A Season of Ruin delivers a can’t-put-it-down romance in just over 300 pages! Don’t be fooled by the book’s length though; the characters are well-developed, the wit is sharp, and the romance is just as passionate as in any longer tale.

When perfectly proper Lily Somerset goes to London for her first season she is not looking for love or passion; her goal is to simply make a practical match with a gentleman of impeccable reputation, no matter how boring he may be. However, Lily’s plans quickly get complicated when she mistakes a room containing none other than Robyn Sutherland, London’s most notorious rake, for the ladies’ salon.

In order to save Lily from ruin, Robyn reluctantly becomes her escort for the season. We quickly learn the reason for Lily’s inhibitions and extreme propriety, and Robyn might be just the person to convince her to come out of her self-imposed shell. But will Lily be able to show Robyn that he is capable of better than the life he has chosen to lead up until now?

A novel of hidden passions and awakened potential, the second in Bradley’s Sutherland Scandals series is definitely one to check out.

Until next month, dear readers…keep your heart happy!