The virtuoso

Upon injuring his hands after a lifetime as a celebrated pianist, Lord Valentine Windham decides to refurbish an estate he won in a card game. Ellen FitzEngle is eschewing her rights to the neighboring estate that her late husband left her, choosing instead to live alone in the carriage house among her beloved plants. The estates have been left to rot for five years, and the reasons for Ellen's neglect become apparent through increasing accidents and threats. Both she and Valentine receive much needed support from one another and learn how to trust people after a following strictly independent pursuits. Readers will enjoy Ellen's strong will, which is reminiscent of the heroines in Amanda Quick's romances. The plot and relationship move along their bumpy and realistic path, helped by fully dimensional characters and humor. Another outstanding entry in a strong series.--Alessio, Amy Copyright 2010 Booklist

Burrowes continues her top-notch Regency-era family saga (The Heir; The Soldier) by healing a duke's youngest son with love. Ellen FitzEngle's livelihood has depended on her abundant herb gardens, but the young widow faces possible homelessness when the callow and ruthless Baron Roxbury threatens to sell the estate where she lives. After being told he must quit his beloved piano and let his hand heal, Lord Valentine Windham decides that restoring the crumbling estate he recently won from Roxbury in a game of cards is just the distraction he needs. Friendship and romance blossom while Ellen helps Val rehabilitate his hand and psyche, but things begin to go dangerously wrong with the restoration, sabotage tied to Ellen's greatest secret. Though the chemistry isn't volcanic and the mystery's solution is overly foreshadowed, Burrowes's exceptional writing and originality catch the reader and keep the story moving. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.