Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter

     Audrianna Kelmsleigh's father was the last man between the supplies of gun powder and the British troops fighting the French.  When bad powder reached the troops and they were massacred, Audrianna's father was held responsible and his name and reputation were ruined.  When he committed suicide, it certainly seemed that he was guilty.  Audrianna, however, can not believe that her father could knowingly do such a thing and she sets out to clear her name.
      When she sees a notice in the paper for her father to meet the "Domino" in a certain country inn, she immediately sets up a meeting.  Knowing that a lady is always prepared, she takes along a gun.  When a very handsome man does indeed show up for the meeting, Audrianna doesn't know that the man is Lord Sebastian Summerhays nor does he know that she is the daughter of the very man he is trying to implicate in the bad powder scandal.
     The gun discharges and suddenly the very private meeting between an unescorted lady and a lord becomes very public.  The more Audrianna and Sebastian try to keep the whole affair quiet and away from the rumor mill, the more public and scandalous it becomes.  Of course, by now Audrianna is aware that Sebastian thinks her father was at fault and Sebastian isn't sure that her faith in her father is justified.
     Ravishing in Red is a good read with a slightly off-beat plot and it is the first book in the series, The Rarest Blooms.  Audrianna is not really a member of the ton but Sebastian is a second son so all does end well.  If you like your romance about 19th century England, then be sure to pick up Madeline Hunter often.

The Rarest Blooms series

Ravishing in Red (c2010)
Provocative in Pearls (c2010)
Sinful in Satin (c2010)

Susan Mallery's Lone Star Sisters Series

     Although each book in this series of four can stand alone, you will enjoy them more if you start at the beginning with Under Her Skin.  This first book introduces most of the characters and gives you the background to really enjoy the dynamics between the sisters and their father.  The three Titan sisters and their life-long friend, Dana Birch, are in the fight of their life against their half-brother, Garth Duncan.
     Garth is out for revenge because his father, Jed Titan, refused to help him when Garth was 14.  Garth doesn't mind destroying his half-sisters either, although they had nothing to do with their father's rejection of him.  They didn't even know he existed.  In the first book, Under Her Skin, Lexi, the oldest Titan sister nearly loses her business to Garth.  In her struggle to save it, she makes an outrageous deal with Cruz Rodrigues.  He will give her the two million dollars she needs in exchange for her marrying him and introducing him to Texas society.  Lexi and Cruz share a past and once again sparks fly as they begin living out their deal.
     The second book in the series is Lip Service and this is Skye's story.  Skye is the second sister in the Titan family and the one who has always tried to please their father.  Her first marriage was arranged, and even though Skye had already promised to marry Mitch Cassidy, she went through with the marriage to keep peace in the family.  This marriage produced a daughter who her father, Jed, will later use to keep her tied to him when he realizes that Skye and Mitch are once again together.  Meanwhile, Garth is moving closer to bringing down the Titan family.
     Straight from the Hip brings the third sister into the picture.  Izzy is a free spirit who never gets attached and goes for the most dangerous adventure possible.  Right now she is an under-water welder on an oil rig. When the rig blows up, Izzy is left with impaired vision and the sisters unite to bring Garth down.  He has gone to far when he physically hurt one of them.  Garth's best friend, Nick, enters the picture when he helps Izzy find the courage to have the surgery that will restore her sight or leave her completely blind.  Garth swears that he had nothing to do with the explosion and vows to find who did it.  He hints that it might be Jed himself because Jed is getting desperate.  Izzy is beginning to think Garth might be right and she decides that Garth needs to be saved.  He is family and family means a great deal to the Titan sisters.
     Dana Birch has been friends with the sisters since childhood.  Now a deputy on the Titanville police force, she is determined to keep them safe.  Hot on Her Heels is the story of a strong woman who has vowed never to give a man any power over her.  As Garth becomes more human, Dana sees that she is going to have to distance herself from him to keep herself safe. 
     This series is a powerful statement on family - what it is and what it means.  You don't have to share blood to belong to a family and just because you do share blood doesn't mean that you are a part of the family.  Mallery has created four women, each as different as can be, but strong in their love for the others and determined to keep the family together even as they discover the treachery of their father.

Lone Star Sisters Series

Under Her Skin (c2009)
Lip Service (c2009)
Straight from the Hip (c2009)
Hot on Her Heels (c2009)

Fool's Gold Series

Chasing Perfect (c2010)
Almost Perfect (c2010)
Finding Perfect (c2010)

The McKettricks (and others) by Linda Lael Miller

     I found Linda Lael Miller by reading Shotgun Bride.  One of my favorite settings for romance books is the Old West and Shotgun Bride was right there.  Then I discovered it was part of a trilogy - High Country Bride, Shotgun Bride, and Secondhand Bride - about the McKettricks of Texas.  I was roped in and went on to read all of the McKettrick series which Miss Miller has continued to enlarge.  The McKettricks are a great read with lots of action and romance.
     Of course, I can read them faster then Miller can write them so I moved on to the Stone Creek series.  I was still ahead of her so I looked to see what else has come from her pen and I discovered Mojo Sheepshanks, her latest heroine.  I also discovered Miss Miller is an extremely versatile writer.  Mojo lives in Arizona, but in 2006, and she is anything but old-fashioned.
     The Mojo Sheepshanks series is modern and funny.  Mojo is a wannabe detective.  The stories are tight, twisty, and great mysteries as well as romances.
     You will always get a great read with Linda Lael Miller!

The McKettricks

   High Country Bride (c2002)
  Shotgun Bride (c2003)
   Secondhand Bride   (c2004)
   McKettrick's Choice   (c2006)
   Sierra's Homecoming   (c2006)
   McKettrick's Luck   (c2007)
   McKettrick's Pride   (c2007)
   McKettrick's Heart   (c2007)
   The McKettrick Way   (c2007)
  A McKettrick Christmas   (c2008)
   McKettricks of Texas: Tate   (c2010)
   McKettricks of Texas: Garrett   (c2010)
   McKettricks of Texas: Austin   (c2010)

Stone Creek Series

   The Man from Stone Creek   (c2006)
   A Wanted Man   (c2007)
   The Rustler   (c2008)
   A Stone Creek Christmas   (c2008)
   The Bridegroom   (c2009)
   At Home in Stone Creek   (c2009)

Mojo Book Series
   Deadly Gamble   (c2006)
   Deadly Deceptions   (c2008)