What a Lady Needs for Christmas

September 1, 2014
Burrowes’s fourth Victorian-era MacGregor novel (following The MacGregor’s Lady) carefully builds up to a satisfying payoff. Lady Joan Flynn, fleeing an unpleasant encounter, is stranded at a train station; Dante Hartwell steps in to help her out. They liked each other well enough in the ballroom, so the idea of a mutually beneficial marriage forms as they head to a Scottish house party for the holidays. Dante has been looking for a highborn wife to elevate the prospects of his sister and children and give him access to potential investors for his textile mills. Joan needs a husband who understands her passion for clothing design and is willing to consider marrying a woman who might be pregnant. Their developing happiness is threatened when the scandal nipping at Joan’s heels escalates into blackmail that could ruin them both. There’s more cuddling than steamy sex, and some plot elements lack subtlety, but this is still a high-quality romance and a keeper for series fans. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Literary Agency.

October 15, 2014
An aristocratic heiress trying to escape social ruin is aided by an attractive businessman who offers her the shelter of marriage, though neither expects the venture to end in love.Lady Joan Flynn is desperate to get out of Edinburgh for Christmas after her honor may have been compromised, so discovering there's no space on the train leaves her anxious. When a small child forces her father-Scottish businessman Dante Hartwell-to offer Joan a place in their rail car, she's grateful but wary. She's met him in social situations over the past few weeks, and Hartwell has a sister and two children to act as chaperones, but she's still shaken by the previous night's events. She had met an acquaintance named Valmonte to discuss her interest in women's clothing design, and she's not sure what happened between them. What she does remember is completely inappropriate, and she fears the worst-that she could be completely and utterly ruined. She finds herself confessing her concerns to Hartwell, who offers to marry her. He's a widower who was hoping to find wealthy investors in Edinburgh, so marriage to an aristocrat will further his industrial aspirations; he also finds Joan compelling and attractive, though he doesn't tell her that. As for Joan's previous impression of Hartwell: She "found him lacking many of the attributes she associated with a proper gentleman. He neither gossiped nor flattered nor took surreptitious liberties in triple meter. In short...she'd liked him." The two agree to marry, then must navigate her family's distrust and the dastardly Valmonte's threats, realizing along the way how deep their feelings are despite their unorthodox start. Burrowes' great writing and ability to bring her characters to life with subtle power and authenticity enhance an emotionally charged romance. A touching and sensual holiday charmer.

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Starred review from October 15, 2014

Certain her reputation is in shreds and desperate to leave Edinburgh, Lady Joan Flynn is surprised and grateful when mill owner and single dad Dante Hartwell takes his young daughter's advice and offers Joan a place on the train with his family on their way to the country. The trip takes an unforeseen turn, though, and by the time Joan and Dante realize they are both heading to the same holiday house party, they are thrown into an unexpected situation. Class differences, social expectations, and women's roles are key themes in this well-researched Victorian romance that provides a strong sense of time and place as well as an exceptional love story. VERDICT With sly humor and brilliant insight, Burrowes's exquisitely written, intricately plotted romance pairs a creative, intelligent heroine ahead of her time with an honorable, pragmatic hero who is just what she needs. A tender, kinship-infused winner that is one of the best holiday reads of the season. Burrowes (The Laird) lives in rural Maryland.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2014
The newest in Burrowes' (The MacGregor's Lady, 2014) MacGregor series follows tall, awkward Joan, desperate to run away from scandalshe drank too much after sharing her beloved fashion sketches with an affianced manand hide with her family over Christmas. Dante, whom she danced with during the season, is traveling in his private train cars and invites her to join him. He needs a wealthy wife and someone to love his motherless children. Joan quickly falls for his frank manner and tenderness with his family, along with his knowledge of textiles. Her own family suspects that their hasty engagement is concealing something, but they have not noticed Joan's increasing interest in starting a fashion business or her entanglement with villain Edward, who is now blackmailing her for more sketches. Burrowes balances Joan's passions for fashion and Dante well and infuses both her leading and supporting characters with warmth and appeal, as found in Amanda Quick's titles. Sibling relationships are especially well done here, and historical detail brings the season to life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)