To Tempt an Irish Rogue

O’Riley (a pen name for Kathleen Milmore) expertly blends mystery and romance in the fourth Hamilton Sisters Victorian-era romance (after It Happened One Christmas). Paulette Hamilton, one of five daughters, is perfectly content to remain single and work in her family’s London bookstore, but when Declan Reeves, Lord Cashelmore, walks in with his young daughter, Mara, she feels an instant connection to him. Declan’s wife died in a horrible fire, and he is a suspect in her death; Mara has been mute since she witnessed her mother’s death. Declan and Paulette slowly venture toward romance despite their mutual aversion to marriage. Paulette’s forthrightness and independence are refreshing in a Victorian heroine, and O’Riley’s attention to detail imbues each character with realism. The heart of the story is the magnetic attraction between Paulette and Declan as they search for the cause of the fire that destroyed his life and threatens their future. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Nov.)