cover image RIDE THE WINTER WIND

RIDE THE WINTER WIND

Christina Kingston, . . Jove, $6.99 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-515-13279-3

The third entry in Kingston's Regency-era series (The Night the Stars Fell; Ride for the Roses) follows the romance between Lady Alissa Collington, a beautiful heiress who suddenly finds herself in straitened circumstances, and Maj. Michael Mathers, fifth Viscount of Kantwell, a hero from the Peninsular wars who has lost the use of his left arm. Lady Alissa's grandfather has died, leaving behind a will dictating that Alissa marry by her 25th birthday or lose her estate to her greedy, all-too-evil Uncle Gerald, who has made it perfectly clear that he intends to cast out Alissa and her family. The story opens with a week to go before her birthday, and Alissa's only prospective suitor has just been killed by her uncle. The family heads for London but is soon detained in a coach accident, where Michael discovers them. Michael and Alissa are instantly attracted to each other, but it's Ellen, Alissa's grandmother, who pushes them together. But first they must brave the London society gossips and a number of attempts on their lives. This well-paced romance isn't as steamy as a Stephanie Laurens title, but it's more than a simple novel of manners. There's strong chemistry between the hero and heroine, and Kingston's writing bursts with charm and energy. (Apr.)