A Single Kiss

November 24, 2014
Courtroom drama, workplace attractions, and a laundry list of family secrets keep the action and heat coming in historical romance star Burrowes’s first contemporary novel, which launches the Sweetest Kisses series. Single mom Hannah Stark’s budget is decreasing by the day, so she’s thrilled to accept a position as an attorney with a respected law firm in Maryland. Her job is temporarily chock full of family law cases, which bring up awful memories and make her bitterly unhappy, but she’s determined to plow through them and prove herself. Her handsome and chivalrous boss, Trent Knightley, takes an instant liking to Hannah’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude, impressive work ethic, and classic good looks. Although Hannah is secretive to a fault, she begins to surrender to her attraction to Trent and his soothing charm. But when an unhinged lawyer decides that Hannah is the enemy, she must grapple with the stunning collision of her past and future. Burrowes (What a Lady Needs for Christmas), a former family law attorney, sustains a solid plot with slowly unraveling secrets and nicely balances realistic courtroom activity with the heartfelt emotions behind the law. Sweet and believable chemistry warms up the pages of this realistic and satisfying contemporary. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Literary Agency.

December 1, 2014

A product of the foster care system, attorney and single mom Hannah Stark swore she'd never again enter a family law courtroom. Sadly, paying her mortgage and feeding her seven-year-old daughter leave her with few options. Therefore, when she is offered a position at a local firm, she agrees to begin with a temporary stint in the domestic relations division. She knows her cases will put her on an emotional roller coaster, but she doesn't bargain on her kind, gorgeous boss Trent Knightley affecting her in the same way. VERDICT A guarded heroine with a haunted past, a single dad savvy enough to win her trust, and a supporting cast you'll want to meet again come together in an insightful, delightful romance that is Burrowes's first novel-length foray into the contemporary arena and the beginning of a promising back-to-back trilogy. The award-winning Burrowes (What a Lady Needs for Christmas), a practicing family law attorney, lives in rural Maryland.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2014
In a departure from her successful historicals, Burrowes (What a Lady Needs for Christmas, 2014) draws on her experiences as an attorney to tell a tale full of gripping insights into family court. A graduate from the flawed foster-care system, Hannah takes a job at a firm, agreeing to help out in the family-law section until her corporate-law position becomes available. Mindful of the secrets regarding her daughter, Grace, Hannah tries to keep her personal and work lives separate. Her new boss, Trent, quickly sees her value and gets past her defenses with his friendly and earnest support. As a single parent, he earns Hannah's trust. Interspersed among their sweetly growing romance are painful but fascinating courtroom scenes. Even though all the grim troubles from Hannah's past are a bit too easily resolved, readers will still enjoy the very satisfying ending. Realistic in its view of the court system, this smart, appealing contemporary romance is shaped by Burrowes' wry humor and will bring her new readers, including fans of Barbara Delinsky.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)