Brentwood’s Ward

Regency romance writer Griep (A Heart Deceived) sets this action-packed novel in the days of the Bow Street runners, amateur neighborhood police in early 19th-century London. Spoiled heiress Emily Payne means to escape her unloving father by taking up with Henley, a handsome cad. Unknown to her, however, her father has run afoul of the smugglers with whom he’s been doing business and has made his own plans to skip town. He hires experienced lawman Nicholas Brentwood to watch out for his daughter in his absence. There’s one pursuit after another: Brentwood chases Emily as she sashays around town, oblivious to the danger she’s in; unscrupulous characters chase first her father’s business partner, then Emily; Brentwood chases Henley and the smugglers; and finally Emily and Brentwood chase each other as the only safe havens in a perilous world. A dying sister, a pregnant maid, and a gaggle of murderous foes round out the character list. Terrific fight scenes and tender reunions round out the galloping plot. The inspirational element is light, potentially enlarging the audience for this historical romance. (Jan.)