So, enough of the serious stuff (uh, for a short space of time). Here’s something cool.

A while back, Theresa Romain asked me to read a copy of her debut historical romance, Season for Temptation. Which isn’t out until October. And I loved it. It’s a rare beast–a fun, sparkling romance that still has a real dash of emotion.

The setup: James gets engaged to Louisa, a lovely girl, who he thinks he’ll get along with quite well. He spends some time with her family during the betrothal, including with her step-sister Julia. Julia is friendly and funny and outgoing, and James and Louisa are both a little more shy and reserved. It seems only natural that Julia, who wants James to feel welcome to the family, act as a bridge–as she really loves Louisa, and wants her stepsister to be happy.

And so Julia and James become friends. Their friendship progresses from, “Gosh, isn’t it lovely that we’re going to be family?” into a deeper, less superficial relationship. Neither of them intends to fall in love. Neither of them realizes they’re falling in love–they just enjoy each other’s company, and think it’s lovely that they get along so well, since they’re all going to be one happy family.

Until one day, James and Julia realize that they’re spending more time together, and enjoying each other’s company more, than James and Louisa do.

Gulp. It’s a slow, delightful falling in love–one that’s fun and adorable, even though I know the setup seems horribly conflicted and filled with angst. The forbidden love triangle can often be so angst-ridden that as a reader, it’s almost too much. But Theresa Romain’s version had a delicious innocence to it. This wasn’t a case of people behaving badly because they’re too lust-filled; it was one where people acted with the best of intentions. You really feel for them when they realize they’ve got in too deep, but instead of reading it and saying, “NO NO, DO NOT GO THERE, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?” you can’t help but cheer for what is a true friendship and a truer love.

I really had a blast reading this book, and Theresa got some extra ARCs and offered me one. I declined on my own behalf; I’m trying to do everything in digital these days, after all. But I decided it would be worthwhile to ask her if I could have one for my blog readers, and she said yes.

So here’s your chance, lucky readers. Comment if you want, and I’ll pick a lucky reader to have it over the weekend.