WORTH ANY PRICE

Like a bottle of champagne, Kleypas's Victorian-era romance opens with gusto, but the deeper tastes of this delightful story are what make it a truly magical experience. Although former criminal and current Bow Street Runner Nick Gentry has spent three years tempting fate and hunting down many types of lawbreakers, he knows that his life is about to change when he spots wayward Lottie Howard, the runaway fiancée of an overbearing lord. Nick was hired by Lord Radnor to track Lottie down but, upon meeting her, he realizes that he wants her for himself. Faced with the prospect of returning to her much older betrothed or marrying a notorious Runner whose kisses make her heart pound, Lottie hardly hesitates to accept Nick's proposal, despite his dark past. But even as Nick woos her into his bed, his reluctance to open his heart holds her at bay. The narrative's high sensuality quotient, strong sense of place and full-bodied characters make it a worthy follow-up to Kleypas's previous book, Lady Sophia's Lover, and the appearance of the protagonists from that novel will please fans. With this spicy, seamless story, Kleypas reaffirms her place as one of the foremost writers in the historical romance arena. (Jan. 28)