cover image It’s in His Heart

It’s in His Heart

Shelly Alexander. Amazon/Montlake Romance, $12.95 trade paper (321p) ISBN 978-1-4778-2990-5

Ella Dennings and Cooper Wells have clashed ever since they were introduced by Ella’s husband, Bradley, who’s Cooper’s best friend. Coop, a chiropractor, considers “Cinder-ella” an anal-retentive snob; Ella, a history teacher and secret writer of erotic romances, considers Coop a no-good womanizer. After Bradley dies of cancer, Ella plans to spend the summer alone in the Red River, N.M., cabin Bradley loved, unaware that Coop, fleeing false sexual harassment charges, has the same idea. Though they greet each other with pepper spray and a baseball bat, their respective English bulldogs, Winston and Atlas, fall in love at first sight. Agreeing to share the cabin, Ella and Coop try to maintain their negative views of one another, but each begins to see admirable qualities in the other. Tolerance becomes friendship, and growing attraction makes both of them hopeful for more. Meanwhile, Ella’s naughty books add sizzle to the lives of Red River’s inhabitants, but when Coop discovers her secret career, their budding romance confronts a serious hurdle. A cast of fun, lovable supporting characters adds zest to Alexander’s sweet, sexy, and charming debut. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Aug.)