cover image Holiday Spice

Holiday Spice

Samantha Chase. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4926-1637-5

Chase completes the Shaughnessy series with the youngest sibling—outspoken but sweet Darcy Shaughnessy—finding love with talented, reclusive writer Benjamin Tanner. At the request of her sister-in-law, Savannah, Darcy travels to Seattle to help Ben finish his book and ends up getting snowed in. Used to standing up to her five overprotective brothers, Darcy is tough and occasionally intimidating, but Ben isn’t cowed. He immediately sets her straight when she wrongly accuses him of having inappropriate feelings for Savannah. Once the air is cleared, they use their snow days to indulge in good food, deep conversation, and passionate lovemaking, making it difficult for them to let go when the weather clears and Darcy needs to return home to find a permanent job. They decide to have a long-distance relationship, but the more time they spend in the presence of others, the more their differences begin threatening the love they found with each other in Seattle. Chase maintains the missing matriarch’s connection, ending this wonderful series the same way it started: with great writing, a winsome ensemble, and the perfect blend of heart and sass. Agent: Mark Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Oct.)