cover image Take the Lead

Take the Lead

Shelley Shepard Gray. Blackstone, $15.99 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-982658-55-7

A police officer discovers love with an obstetrician in Gray’s captivating second Dance With Me romance (after Shall We Dance?). Bridgeport, Ohio, police officer Traci Lucky discovers Gwen Camp, a malnourished, pregnant 18-year-old, in a suspected meth lab and brings her to the hospital, where Traci meets handsome obstetrician Matt Rossi. Matt helps Traci rehabilitate Gwen, who regains her strength and distances herself from her abusive ex-boyfriend, Hunter. Gwen moves into the Bridgeport Women’s Center—but Hunter breaks in and threatens her with a gun. Because Gwen’s presence may endanger the center’s other residents, Traci and her sisters agree to take her in. Meanwhile, Matt asks Traci to be his plus-one at his brother’s wedding, and the pair sign up for dance lessons to prepare for the reception. Matt and Traci bond over waltz lessons and their mutual concern for Gwen as Traci searches for Hunter. Gray draws in readers with a heartfelt love story and the deep sisterly bond between the down-to-earth female characters. This is sure to please. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency. (Sept.)