BLUE SMOKE AND MURDER

William Morrow (2008), 404 pages, $24.95 (hardcover)
Elizabeth Lowell does many things well.
She creates compelling characters that captivate and entertain readers..
She pens snappy and witty dialog that makes readers smile and laugh.
And she researches exceptionally well.
Too well.
Because the drawback of reading most of Lowell’s recent books is that too much of her stories are devoted to sharing that research with readers. In “Blue Smoke and Murder” the topic is the art world – fraud, and the eccentricities and obsessions of collectors.
Lowell does weave all this into a rather interesting story that sends Jill and Zach on quite an adventure where they dodge bullets but don’t even try to avoid Cupid’s arrows.
Jill inherits a trunk of mysterious paintings when her great-aunt mysteriously dies. She soon figures out that the unsigned canvases are the reason her aunt was killed. When her life is threatened she calls in a favor from Joe Faroe (“The Wrong Hostage”) who sends St. Kilda operative Zach to protect her.
Of course, the romance sparks flare right away, despite the fact that Jill is in danger. And most of their courtship is spent moving around during an investigation, as they try to A) keep Jill alive, B) find out who the artist of her paintings was, C) why someone is willing to kill and be nasty to get them.
It’s all a bit convoluted, but understandable. And while the romance is tepid, you like Zach and Jill enough that your romantic interest is adequately piqued to keep reading – and that dialog is fun too, even though sometimes that’s used to deliver long lectures on the art world.
Suggestion: Just skip those.



Overall rating: 3-plus of 5 hearts. Jill and Zach make it worth reading, even though it’s not a real mushy or lovey-dovey type relationship. The art stuff does get tedious at times, but sift through that and you’ll find an intriguing, well-written story.


Hunk appeal: 10. Zach takes care of Jill from the onset, and is obviously a good guy. He respects her, protects her, and cares for her.

Steamy scene grade: XXX. Definitely cares for her.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. The romance subtlety developed so there was no grand finale for that, just a sweet ending that let you they’re together even though there is no mush and gush (or four-letter words or four word questions.) The intrigue finishes rather intensely albeit not real surprisingly.


Also this week …

NO ORDINARY MAN, by Suzanne Brockmann (1990, paperback) – 3 of 5. This is another blast from Suzanne Brockmann’s past, when she wrote more pure romances for Harlequin. Jess is a divorced mom who takes in a tenant to help make ends meet. When Rob moves in, she’s immediately intrigued and smittened. He’s a mystery man who deftly avoids talking about his past and seems to take two steps away from her every time he takes one step closer. While they’re dancing around a relationship, a serial killer is terrorizing the area and while Jess adamantly defends Rob and insists that she knows there is no way it’s him, she can’t keep help but have the tiniest of doubts at times – especially when investigators insist it’s him. But despite that, she remains his ally and at the end, that earns her a happily-ever-after.

THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM

Avon Books (2008), 371 pages, $7.99 (paperback)
From the author who gifted readers with the treasured set of Bridgerton stories comes another set of books destined to be cherished.
“The Lost Duke of Wyndham” is the first of a duo of books about two cousins, each who have a claim to that title.
The first book, due out next Tuesday, is about Jack, a former military captain and highwayman who never had a clue that his deceased father was the son, and eventual heir, of a duke.
Jack grew up happily with his maternal family in Ireland, after his father died before his birth, and his mother during. The twists and turns of his life had him eventually playing Robin Hood and robbing carriages in England.
As fate would have it, he ended up near his ancestral home. And, with fate further prodding him along, he robs his grandmother one night.
Despite his mask, his grandmother recognizes the uncanny resemblance to her deceased son. And that’s how Jack was forced to confront his family, and the possibility that he could be a duke.
Which, by the way, he doesn’t want to be.
What he wants to be is Grace’s husband. Grace is the grandmother’s companion, and she’s as instantly smitten with Jack as he is with her. But she knows if he is the real duke, he won’t be able to marry so far beneath his lofty station in life.
Silly girl.
In a refreshing twist for a romance, Jack acknowledges, at least to himself, that he’s in love with Grace early on. He likes teasing her, but he’s never cruel, heartless or nasty to her – not even when he’s “not robbing” her at their initial meeting.
Quinn’s second book of this saga will be about Thomas, the Duke of Wyndham before his cousin appears to put life as he’s always known it in jeopardy. But it won’t be a sequel. The story will be told during the same time frame as “The Lost Duke of Wyndham,” only from Thomas’ and Amelia’s perspective. This book is due out in late September.



Overall rating: 5 of 5 hearts. With wit, engaging characters and touching romance, Quinn once again charms readers with a compelling story destined to become a treasured favorite.


Hunk appeal: 10-plus. Jack is protective of Grace from the start, showing her respect and adoration. His quick wit, flirtatious manner and engaging smile truly charms the ladies – including readers.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. He definitely adores Grace.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. No surprises, but definitely a sweet proposal from Jack and a nice epilogue that illustrates the couple’s happily-ever-after rather well.


Also this week …

THERE AND NOW, by Linda Lael Miller (1992, paperback) – 4 of 5. One of the “oldies” being re-released by Harlequin’s Silhouette series, this is a time travel story that sends 20th century heroine Elisabeth back 100 years to find her true love. Of course the problem is, her true love thinks she’s an asylum escapee. That doesn’t keep Jonathan from falling in love with her, though. (At one point, Elisabeth asks him why he trusts her with his daughter if he thinks she’s a lunatic, and he replies “Because I think you’re a harmless lunatic.” Words every woman wants to hear from her soul mate, eh?) The ending has a touching, albeit not real surprising, ending and overall, it’s just a pure, easy-to-read and easy-to-enjoy romance.