Mayhem finds its way to Montana in Hard Rain, part of B.J. Daniels' Montana Hamiltons series. After finishing grad school, Harper Hamilton returns to the family ranch, where she runs into hunky neighbor Brody McTavish—and then they run straight into trouble. The pair, who have long harbored secret feelings for each other, find a mummified corpse. To make matters worse, the body is that of Brody's missing cousin—a young woman who was said to be the lover of Harper's married grandfather and had not been seen in decades. Everyone in the small Montana town assumes the newly awakened ill feelings between Harper and Brody's families will mean the end of their relationship, but their attraction is too strong. Ignoring all obstacles, the two join together to solve the mystery, stirring up trouble for family and old acquaintances alike. Will love survive the threatening darkness? Several storylines and character viewpoints create an engrossing maze for readers who enjoy a slice of crime served with their Western romance.

OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Sparks between neighbors turn to fire in the Georgian romance Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. Billie Bridgerton ran wild in the countryside with the children of the neighboring Rokesby estate, though George, the eldest Rokesby and heir to an earldom, always looked upon her with disapproval. But what does she care about that stick-in-the-mud? However, they've grown into adults, and the things that used to rub her the wrong way about him now feel entirely different. George stoically bears the weight of his responsibilities, but he's grown weary of life. Now, Billie is challenging him with her headstrong, reckless and oh-so-intriguing ways. They spat, they spar, they decide each is the worst possible person with whom to fall in love—but their hearts disagree. When trouble arrives, the two team up to weather the storm, and this pairing proves they have something worth pursuing and holding onto forever. Fast-paced banter and appealing characters make this love story a standout.

TOP PICK IN ROMANCE
Emily March returns readers to her charming Eternity Springs series in Reunion Pass. Former sweethearts Lori Reese and Chase Timberlake find themselves once again in their Colorado hometown. Lori is a veterinarian, and adventurer Chase has come home to heal after a tragedy. Though the old chemistry between them has returned as well, Lori remains wary. Past experience is hard to forget. Not only did Chase give up on their young love, her father was absent during her growing-up years, too—cementing the message that men might not be worthy of trust. But as Chase weaves himself back into the fabric of the town, he finds his way deep into Lori's heart. It's up to him to convince her that he's now ready to put down roots. Chase's healing process and Lori's cautious outlook are emotionally gripping and add poignancy to this small-town story of reunited lovers. March has written a warm and thoroughly satisfying read.

 

This article was originally published in the April 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

With their homes in Kent only three miles apart, the Rokesbys and the Bridgertons were practically family, and although it rarely crossed her estate-focused mind, forthright Billie Bridgerton assumed that if she married at all, it would be to one of the Rokesby boys. It just would never be George Rokesby, Viscount Kennard, the condescending, serious eldest son and heir, the one brother with whom she'd never gotten along. But when George tries to help Billie down from a roof and ends up trapped on top of the structure with her, their relationship begins to shift, and despite their resistance and the inevitable ups and downs, it's only a matter of time before they are made to yield to their feelings. A pair of childhood acquaintances who couldn't stand each other growing up are thrown into a tizzy when they realize they are falling in love. VERDICT This lively, effervescent Georgian tale takes place a generation before Quinn's wildly popular Bridgerton series and nicely adds to the family history. Quinn (The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy) lives in the Pacific Northwest. [An LJ Editors' Spring Pick, ow.ly/ZVCzS; a March LibraryReads pick.]

Quinn (The Sum of All Kisses) skips back a generation in her best-selling Bridgerton family series, establishing the relationships and connections of the family during the late 18th century. Billie Bridgerton is a reckless tomboy who grew up playing with her neighbors Andrew and Edward Rokesby. She's dismayed to wind up trapped on a farmhouse roof with their disapproving older brother, George. Billie and George have never been friends, but they keep being thrown together in awkward situations, such as a house party to celebrate Andrew's leave from the navy. Soon they join up on purpose to locate Edward, who's missing from his regiment in the American colonies, and they realize that their time together has changed the nature of their relationship. George and Billie are clear preludes to their descendants, and their love hinges on both their self-discoveries and their interactions. The dangling threads of other characters may be frustrating for those looking for a standalone experience. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency. (Mar.)