The Earl That Got Away

Quincy lightly riffs on Jane Austen’s Persuasion in her sultry second Sirens in Silk Victorian romance (after The Duke Gets Desperate). Eight years after jilting Basil Trevelyn, Naila Darwish crosses paths with him again, this time in England, where she’s visiting for the wedding of her sister, Raya, to the Duke of Strickland. Naila, who was swayed into leaving Basil by her disapproving Arab American family, regrets her past choices and has never gotten over him. Meanwhile, Basil’s star has risen: he’s now the powerful Earl of Hawksworth. Their magnetic draw to each other is as strong as ever, but both fear being hurt again. Basil becomes even more skittish about reentering the relationship when he learns that Naila is writing a pamphlet to help American heiresses land titled British husbands. Quincy brings plenty of romantic angst and interpersonal drama to the fast-paced plot, punctuated with some truly steamy love scenes. It’s a memorable and passionate scorcher. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)