Stroke of luck

Equal parts tender and transgressive, this erotic romance from Carew (X Marks the Spot) explores a three-way relationship. All former foster child April Smith has ever wanted is to feel safe, secure, and loved, leading her into an ill-advised relationship with wealthy Maurice Dubois. When April catches Maurice having sex with another woman the night before their Las Vegas wedding, she calls off their engagement, leading Maurice to vindictively stick her with their massive hotel bill and cancel all her credit cards. As fate would have it, April's college boyfriend Quinn Taylor and his business partner, Austin Wright, are staying at the same hotel and witness April's distress. Quinn pays April's bill with no hesitation and no demands, but April's pride leaves her determined to pay him back. She has no money, but offers a no-strings-attached, monthlong sexual relationship in payment. Quinn agrees--then ups the ante by telling April he plans to "share her" with Austin. Though some readers will be turned off by Quinn's callous treatment of April spurred by his lingering heartbreak from college, kind, empathetic Austin provides a welcome foil as love rapidly kindles between April and both men. Carew offers plentiful thrills for readers looking for spicy romance that doesn't leave the characters at the bedroom door. (Dec.)