Celine

August 25, 2014
In pre–Civil War Louisiana, Celine Kirkland is grieving the death of her husband and unborn child. She finds refuge at the plantation home of the Andrews family, but is thrown off guard when ladies’ man Trevor Andrews comes to visit. Celine worries that if she succumbs to her powerful attraction to Trevor, she would just be another of his many conquests, but as she discovers the man beneath Trevor’s arrogance, she can’t help falling in love with him. Meanwhile, she inadvertently starts a rift between Trevor and his cousin Cameron. Roth (A Duke’s Wicked Kiss) creates an admirable protagonist in Celine, who is more than a simpering Southern belle. Celine hasn’t forgotten her humble beginnings and is determined to exercise her independence in a society where women have few rights. When she decides to make the long and dangerous trip to California, her strength of character grows. The complex characters and rich sensuality make this a story to be savored. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

October 1, 2014
Roth launches her When Hearts Dare series with this tale set in 1853. Celine is living with a very wealthy family friend in Louisiana after a terrible carriage accident caused the death of her husband, remaining family, and unborn baby. Her quiet recuperation on the Andrews plantation comes to an abrupt end when Trevor, the son of her host, returns home. They are drawn to each other from the first look, though Celine is preparing to move to San Francisco, and Trevor will travel to China. Celine travels with a wagon train and meets up with Native Americans, and Trevor does not give up hope for their being together. Pre-Civil War era American romance stories are not easily found now, and Roth's evocative writing creates depth of character in her protagonists and interesting secondary figures Wolf and Cameron, all portrayed within a vividly detailed historical setting. Though Roth tries for too many plot twists and unbelievable adventures when the steamy romance would have sufficed, this is a promising series reminiscent of Heather Graham's Civil War trilogy, One Wore Blue (1991), And One Wore Gray (1992), and And One Rode West (1992).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)