Blake (the Courting Justice series) takes a break from romantic suspense with this sweet and spicy small-town contemporary series debut. After a traumatic incident in a Dallas, Tex., emergency room, nurse practitioner Lila Daley pursues a low-stress lifestyle running a clinic in small town Papillon Bayou, La., where her younger sister lives. Lila's first interaction with sexy sheriff Armie LaVigne, during which he writes her a speeding ticket on her way into town, ignites an attraction. But independent Lila is haunted by her past and isn't sure she's ready for a relationship, especially when she realizes getting the townsfolk to trust her medical skills is going to be more difficult than she'd thought. Lila's strength and vulnerability are balanced by Armie's intelligence and humor, making them an easy couple to root for. Blake captures the flavor of her colorful Southern town with a vividly drawn cast, including conspiracy nut Gene, lazy alligator Otis, and a slew of ladies determined to keep Armie to themselves. This charming series opener hits all the right notes. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (May)

ER nurse Lila Daley might have made a hasty decision leaving Dallas to move to Papillion, LA, where her newlywed sister resides. She believed a change of scenery and a switch to nursing at a private practice would help her overcome the devastating trauma of her last day in the ER. But when Lila arrives in the small town, nothing is what she expected, from the alligator in the middle of the road to getting a ticket from an undeniably attractive sheriff to the eccentric community itself. Sheriff Armie LaVigne knows Papillon like the back of his hand and is grateful to have the support of the community after the accident that killed his ex-wife and left his teenage daughter in a wheelchair. He remembers meeting Lila at her sister's wedding and hasn't forgotten her, but Lila isn't sure a relationship would be the best idea, especially since Armie's admirers aren't happy with the couple's undeniable chemistry. VERDICT Blake (Evidence of Desire) has created a couple to root for, along with memorable supporting characters and story lines with depth. Readers will be eager to visit Papillion again.--Nicole J. Suarez, Frankfort P.L. Dist., Frankfort, IL