An Heiress at Heart

August 27, 2012
The strictures of 1851 England are revealed in Delamereâs debut, in which a woman tries to overcome her past and ensure a secure future. Lizzie Poole has returned to her native England after living in Australia for five years and is now fulfilling a promise to her dying widowed friend, Ria: to assume Riaâs identity in London society. Lizzieâs careful deception is complicated by her feelings for Geoffrey Somerville, the brother of the man Ria married, and her fear of discovery. Lizzieâs secret past as a ruined unmarried woman makes her a stoic character who believes that even if she reveals her true identity, the morally upright Lord Somerville will never find her worthy of his love. The romantic tension between Lizzie and Geoffrey is ever-present, but graphic love scenes are entirely absent, which will delight those historical romance fans who prefer a more delicate approach. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds.

September 15, 2012
In debut author Delamere's clever historical and subtly inspirational romance, Lizzie Poole moves to Australia in 1846 after having an affair. When her lover marries a wealthy miss, Lizzie's brother ends up fighting a duel. Certain that he has killed his opponent, he flees with his sister. Five years later, Lizzie returns to England masquerading as Ria Thornborough, who left England herself after marrying the brother of her fiance. She and Lizzie met in Australia and look identical. After contracting a fatal disease, Ria begs Lizzie to go back and make amends with her family. Lizzie steps into Ria's privileged life and finds that Ria's in-laws, especially Geoffrey Somerville, capture her attention and emotions. Bits of her own former life seep into her new existence until she is threatened with exposure. Delamere does include Christian elements, but the classic historical plot will appeal to many readers. The romance is filled with emotion and sexual energy, but there is no explicit sensuality, filling a current genre gap for readers who prefer inference.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)