Donald Maass Literary Agency

Booklist: Ten years ago, Galwell, his younger sister Elowen, Beatrice, and Clare saved the realm of Mythria from dark magic. But after Galwell sacrificed himself to ensure the success of their mission, the three friends went their separate ways. However, Beatrice, Clare, and Elowen now face a reunion when Queen Thessia, who was once engaged to Galwell, invites them to her upcoming wedding. Given their still unresolved romantic feelings for each other, the last thing Beatrice and Clare want to do is spend time together. Elowen is equally determined to keep her distance from professional assassin Vandra, who not only helped the trio on their last mission but also helped herself to Elowen’s heart. Then again, it is just an invitation to attend a wedding. What could possibly go wrong? With an abundance of winsome charm and wry wit, Asher—a pseudonym for the collaborating romance authors Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegmund-Broka—fashion an enchanting tale of self-discovery and second chances that is a rare treat for both romance readers and fantasy fans.

Publishers Weekly: The Christmas season heats up in Buck’s steamy second First Responders romance (after Fake Flame). After 10 years working as a firefighter in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Thea Martinelli is rattled when a fellow firefighter is seriously injured on the job, and she jumps at the chance to take a breather as the new social media manager for emergency services. To train her, the department brings in the local library’s social media manager: total hunk Simon Osman. Simon is shocked to see Thea, his distant, unattainable crush all through high school, and can tell she doesn’t quite remember him from their teenage years. Sparks fly as these two spend more time together, and Simon discovers the vulnerable side that Thea always used to hide behind humor. But their budding relationship is complicated by Simon’s controlling sister’s demands that he spend more of the upcoming Christmas holiday with her in California. Sex scenes sizzle while the pressures of the holiday season keep the plot moving swiftly. Readers will cheer for Simon to find happiness with the girl he never forgot.

Shelf Awareness: Heiress Takes All is an exciting heist novel filled with “ruthlessness, danger, and indulgence” that has sky-high stakes and captivating family dynamics.

Olivia, whose multimillionaire father cheated on her mom and cut them both off financially, plans a heist to steal from her dad “the way the past few years have [been] stolen from her.” The green-eyed, no-longer-spray-tanned 17-year-old “ex-heiress” meticulously assembles a ragtag crew and crafts “The Plan”: attend her father’s “highest-of-high-society” third wedding, steal the passcode to his offshore accounts, and unload millions into her and her associates’ bank accounts. What Olivia doesn’t plan for is a cheating ex-boyfriend trying to prove he’s trustworthy, a “lapdog-like” guest who wants to be “part of stuff,” and a cunning second wife out for revenge. As Olivia’s house-of-cards plan teeters on the edge of collapse, she must be resourceful to overcome the obstacles and enact her retribution.

This rousing high-stakes revenge plot from Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (If I’m Being Honest) goes beyond the typical heist story to incorporate complex parent-child relationships and discussions of wealth and poverty. Included in this novel are unexpected twists, betrayals, and distractions, but what gives depth to the story is Olivia wrestling with her “daughterly loyalty” to her father. The authors deftly show Olivia’s conflicting feelings about her privilege and how her relationship with her father has affected her relationship with others and herself. This rousing vengeful story about seeking justice will delight and entice.