Wilde in Love: The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 1

Historical romance doyenne James kicks off a Georgian series with an entertaining and intellectual story in which a famous author and explorer falls for a woman who shuns the spotlight. After a long absence exploring the globe, Lord Alaric Wilde returns to his home at Lindow Castle to learn, much to his shock and dismay, that a play about him called Wilde in Love has England’s ladies thinking he’s a Casanova. His fans’ adulation—and unseemly desire—knows no bounds. Alaric doesn’t want the notoriety; instead, he seeks the companionship of Willa Ffynche, a beautiful young woman attending a house party at the castle. The romance between them builds gradually and realistically, and intensifies through their exchanges of witty repartee and sensual innuendo. But Willa has no desire to share his life of fame, and Alaric fears that the one woman for whom he would give up his bachelorhood might spurn him. Expertly developed characters will draw readers in, and the cliffhanger conclusion is full of promise for future installments. Agent: Kimberly Witherspoon, Inkwell Management. (Nov.)