Have You Read Beverly Jenkins' Breathless?

by Michelle Monkou

Breathless was released this month (actually, January 31) and coincidently it's also the author Beverly Jenkins's birth month -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

So back to my question, have you read Breathless?

Yes? Wonderful. Be sure to share your thoughts and recommendation with friends.

No? Then hopefully I can sway you to hop right into Beverly's book for an epic romantic journey steeped in history, blended with suspense, and underscored by a beautiful courtship.

Romance Writers of America (RWA) recently asked the question on Twitter: Why do you read romance?

My answer: Breathless! When a great romance is built on a robust, meaty plot, with complex and compelling characters, and driven by really interesting historical details that enhance, but also provide dark conflict, these elements are all the reasons I celebrate reading a romance book.

As such, Author Beverly Jenkins once again has written another romantic masterpiece.

This historical romance, second book in the Rhine Trilogy, set in the Old West with its tarnished hero--Kent Randolph--and career-driven heroine--Portia Carmichael have reunited after many years. She's all grown up and is serious about what she wants in life.

For her, there is no room for relationships and she won't trust the shaky ground of falling in love. Meanwhile Kent has a checkered past, as a ladies' man, college dropout, and a former prisoner making him an ineligible bachelor for any respectable young woman like Portia.

Trademark of Jenkins' stories is the wonderful all-encompassing family structure that bolsters the main characters. She throws open the doors and welcomes you in to celebrate with the family, friends, and even neighbors and citizens of the towns and cities of her characters' worlds.

Make no mistake, this is not a romantic fluff story. Not in the least, the backdrop of the times, its limitations, its complexities, its opportunities are expertly woven through this tight quilt of lives.

From the first page of the Prologue, we climb aboard. We become invested. We care about these people, their circumstances, and their future. Danger is always present, sometimes fully in the couple's lives pushing them in one direction or another, maybe even away from each other.

The tiny bud of love that is so natural and beautiful between them must push through all the obstacles that can stifle and allow it to wither and disappear. Jenkins' writes bold and imperfect souls who can be fearless, yet humble and strong, yet compassionate. And despite all stories coming to an end with the last page and its last words, we can't stop caring about Kent and Portia.

We don't want to stop caring and celebrating for them.

"In romance novels, love always wins" -- RWA

Breathless (back cover synopsis):

A strong-willed beauty finds herself in the arms of the handsome drifter from her past, in this second book in the sizzling series set in the Old West, from USA Today Bestselling Author Beverly Jenkins

As manager of one of the finest hotels in Arizona Territory, Portia Carmichael has respect and stability—qualities sorely missing from her harsh childhood. She refuses to jeopardize that by hitching herself to the wrong man. Suitors are plentiful, but none of them has ever looked quite as tempting as the family friend who just rode into town…and none has looked at her with such intensity and heat.

Duchess. That’s the nickname Kent Randolph gave Portia when she was a young girl. Now she’s a stunning, intelligent woman—and Kent has learned his share of hard lessons. After drifting through the West, he’s learned the value of a place to settle down, and in Portia’s arms he’s found that and more. But convincing her to trust him with her heart, not just her passion, will be the greatest challenge he’s known—and one he intends to win…

(First book in the Rhine Trilogy)