Synopses & Reviews
Now in the sensational historical romance series that began with Flawless—a sensual, intriguing installment about a beautiful Scottish factory girl and a handsome widower on an unstoppable mission.Alex Christie, the oldest and most steadfast of the four Christie siblings, is a widower with a flourishing career in astronomy. In order to protect his frail infant son from his cruel father-in-law's bid for custody, he undertakes Sir William Christie’s posthumous million-dollar challenge: to make a Glasgow cotton mill profitable. Although clever and determined, Alex has never possessed his late father’s knack for business, nor his killer instinct. Sabotage, union agitation, and the peculiarities of urban Scottish life only magnify his burdens.
Polly Gowan also seeks the identity of the saboteur, hoping to exact justice without involving the police. Because a sympathetic mill master would aid in her cause, she becomes Alex’s guide among her people. From soccer games to drinking contests to pub brawls, she is astonished to learn what masculine vitality lurks beneath Alex’s intellectual exterior. Too good for too long, he aches to burst free of his tight, repressive shell, just as Polly harbors a secret longing to escape the impoverished community she loves and defends.
As plots threaten to extinguish their newfound passion, Alex and Polly realize just how at-odds their ambitions are. Alex will do anything to earn that million-dollar bonus and protect his son, while Polly refuses to put one boy’s future ahead of an entire community’s well-being. Only when the saboteur is revealed as an enemy to them both do they unite to protect all that they hold dear, including a love strong enough to shatter class boundaries.
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"Lofty's splendidly original romance will dazzle readers with its multi-layered characters, passion-rich plot, and unique historical setting." —The Chicago Tribune on Flawless (The Christies, Book One)
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"Richly nuanced characters and a superbly realized Victorian setting come together brilliantly." —The Chicago Tribune
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"With its powerful conflict and innovative plot twists, Lofty’s second Christie novel is mesmerizing. Her strong, three-dimensional characters’ palpable emotions touch readers on many levels while the engrossing story captivates. Watch Lofty’s star rise." —RT Book Reviews (nominated for a Seal of Excellence)
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"Carrie Lofty is an amazing talent
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"In Starlight, Carrie Lofty successfully combines all of the ingredients that I love about her romances. The atmosphere created by the gritty setting in this novel serves as an excellent backdrop, giving this romance the perfect historical touch. ... [The] characters, conflict and passionate romance all drew me [in] and kept me reading. There's no way I will miss reading the next installment in The Christies series. Highly recommended." —Impressions of a Reader
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"I give Starlight [an] A!" —The Book Pushers
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"Carrie Lofty is an amazing talent
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"Carrie Lofty is an amazing talent
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"Carrie Lofty is an amazing talent ...I anxiously await the next installment in this series." — Smexy Books Blog
Synopsis
An esteemed astronomer, Alex Christie, the eldest and most steadfast of the Christie siblings, has never possessed his late father’s ruthless business drive. But to protect his frail infant son from his cruel father-in-law’s bid for custody, the young widower must undertake Sir William Christie’s posthumous million-dollar challenge: to make a Glasgow cotton mill profitable. At sea in an industrial world of sabotage and union agitation, Alex meets Polly Gowan, daughter of a famed union leader, who hopes to seize a mysterious saboteur without involving the police.
Because a sympathetic mill master would aid her cause, Polly becomes Alex’s guide to urban Scotland. From soccer games to pub brawls, Alex sees another side of life, and feels free for the first time to reveal the man—vital and strong—behind his intellectual exterior. Polly is utterly seduced. Their ambitions, however, remain at odds: Alex vows to earn the mill bonus to save his child, while Polly fights for the needs of her people. Is there strength enough in their sparkling passion to bind them together in their quests— and in a lasting love that conquers all?
About the Author
Carrie Lofty holds a Masters degree in history, which she has put to good use as an award-winning historical romance writer (Starlight and His Very Own Girl) and lecturer on the craft of writing. An active member of the Chicago North and Wisconsin chapters of Romance Writers of America, she’s also a part-time movie buff, former belly dancer, and wannabe choral singer. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two daughters.