cover image LADY IN RED

LADY IN RED

Karen Hawkins, . . Avon, $6.99 (384pp) ISBN 978-0-06-058406-1

In this delightful Regency romance from bestseller Hawkins (And the Bride Wore Plaid ), two high-born antiques experts each believe they care for their own opinions too much to ever marry happily. But when touched by the helping hand of an ancient curse—or blessing—even strong opinions can be rethought. Marcus St. John, the marquis of Treymount, has finally discovered that the St. John talisman ring, a family heirloom rumored to find its bearer his own true love, has made its way into the possession of his antique auction nemesis, Miss Honoria Baker-Sneed. Desperate for funds after a bad investment has left her and her younger siblings in difficult straits, Honoria offers to sell Marcus the ring for an outrageous sum, sparking a series of tense negotiations complicated by a swelling attraction. A too-public kiss sends the couple to the altar, but while the talisman ring can find a St. John his bride, it takes Marcus himself to keep her. Lively, fast-paced and liberal with humor, Hawkins's final book on the St. John brothers comes to the perfect conclusion. Agent, Karen Solem of Spencerhill and Associates. (Mar.)

FYI: Hawkins contributed stories to the anthologies The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown and Lady Whistledown Strikes Back, both spearheaded by romance powerhouse Julia Quinn. She was also a double RWA Rita Award finalist in 2003.