Moonlight over Manhattan

At the start of this endearing holiday romance, the sixth in Morgan’s From Manhattan with Love series (after Holiday in the Hamptons), shy dog-walker Harriett Knight winds up in the ER with a twisted ankle, sustained while escaping a date gone awry. Dr. Ethan Black is used to argumentative patients who threaten to sue him, so he’s pleasantly surprised by Harriett’s easy acceptance of his advice. When Ethan becomes guardian to his sister’s dog, he hires Harriett to move in and calm the constantly howling pet, who’s causing complaints from the neighbors. Harriett’s mellow demeanor and nurturing ways—in a nice bit of turnabout, she nurses Ethan through the flu—enhance Ethan’s appreciation of her natural physical beauty, and the usually workaholic Ethan starts spending more time at home as their relationship morphs into romance. Ethan blames himself for the end of his first marriage, believing his wife left because his profession requires him to shut down his feelings; Harriett, unloved as a child, now refuses to settle for less than full emotional commitment. With the help of kind family and friends, they come to terms with their pasts. There’s a dash of action, a sprinkle of cheer, and a lot of love to warm up this sweet, sexy wintertime tale. (Dec.)