Fake marriages, there were none

The Duke is Mine - Eloisa James (Avon, 2012)

Rescue Me - Rachel Gibson (Avon, 2012)

So here's the thing. I always thought I preferred contemporary romance, and maybe I do, but I'm starting to get the appeal of the period romances. Nineteenth-century England is an exciting place.

As I mentioned, no fake marriages, although marriage is a driving force in the plot. A wedding brings Sadie back to Texas, where she meets ex-Navy SEAL Vince, in town to see his aunt. Since their stays are both temporary, they figure they would be good company for one another. And you know where this is going, except you might be surprised at how much time they spend apart, each battling their own demons.

Olivia is betrothed, not a situation she particularly craves. But that's not the marriage in question here. The real involved Tarquin [really?] who has allowed his mother to pretty much select his bride and who thus finds himself playing host to two eligible ladies, one of whom is Olivia's sister. And Olivia is along for the ride too. Just go with it. And there is much banter and adorableness. So much banter. Why aren't romance novels all banter?