The Tiger's Bride

James Kerrick, a black sheep viscount turned privateer, might not be the most promising of passions for Sarah Abernathy, a missionary's daughter. But then, who would one expect to find in a Macao brothel? On the shelf at age 24, Sarah has looked after her family for years while her father has gone on dangerous religious missions. Now he's disappeared and she fears foul play. Will James take her to search for her father? While not a conventional beauty, she's got the strong personality, sense of humor, latent passion, and curves to entice James. Against his will, she stows away on his ship and what follows is an adventurous and delightful water-bound road romance that includes a steamy stay on a deserted isle for these two would-be lovers. Retired Air Force Colonel Lovelace--whose military romance, Call of Duty, got another starred review (Forecasts, June 29) combines a real sense of 18th century China and characters filled with the honor and responsibility. Plus she writes with such humor and passion that the most jaded romance reader will be sated. (Aug.)