Suddenly Engaged: Lake Haven, Book 3

London’s third Lake Haven contemporary (after Suddenly Dating) is an enjoyable modern-day twist on the marriage of convenience. Kyra Kokinos is working as a waiter and living paycheck to paycheck in Lake Haven as she studies for her real estate license while caring for her six-year-old daughter, Ruby. Her neighbor, Dax Bishop, a custom furniture designer who makes pieces out of reclaimed wood, is annoyed that Ruby keeps coming into his yard. Despite Ruby’s frequent interruptions of his work, he warms to the bubbly child and becomes attracted to Kyra. Once Dax and Kyra settle into a comfortable routine, their romance blossoms, but it becomes more complicated when Kyra discovers that Ruby needs lifesaving surgery that costs more than Kyra can afford. When Dax offers to marry Kyra so that Ruby can get on his health insurance, Kyra must decide whether to accept his generous offer. London’s believable characters have foibles that make them intensely real, and the sensual love scenes are balanced with humor and strong emotion. (July)