Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue

Romance veteran Laurens opens a trilogy with her 16th Regency featuring the tony Cynster family (after Temptation and Surrender). Heather, 25 and unmarried, decides to take control of her future before she is declared "on the shelf." Never a shrinking violet, Heather sneaks into a society soiree hoping to meet the man of her dreams. Instead, she draws the attention of renowned rake Timothy Danvers, Viscount Breckenridge. Though handsome and charming, Heather feels Breckenridge is too old and too patronizing, especially when he condescendingly evicts her from the party. When thugs kidnap Heather, Breckenridge takes off in hot pursuit; after he catches up, Heather persuades him to stick close by and try to learn the kidnappers' motives. Laurens's fans will enjoy this tale of vile villains, a repentant rake, and a sassy spinster. (Sept.)