Breathless

Breathless takes place in 1880s Arizona Territory, following Dr. Portia Carmichael, a hotel manager with a traumatic past. She has focused solely on her career, avoiding romance and relationships. Kent Randolph, a traveling horseman from Portia's childhood, arrives at her aunt and uncle's hotel. His presence challenges Portia's carefully constructed defenses and brings unexpected complications to her structured life. As Portia manages the hotel's daily operations and deals with threats to her family's business, she must navigate her growing feelings for Kent while maintaining her independence and professional ambitions. The novel explores themes of personal growth, healing from past trauma, and the balance between protecting oneself and opening up to love. Through its historical Western setting, it examines race, gender roles, and entrepreneurship in the American frontier.

Readers praise the chemistry between leads Kent and Portia, noting their mature relationship and intellectual compatibility. The medical elements and historical details about Black frontier doctors receive frequent mentions in reviews. Many highlight Jenkins' research into 19th century medicine and Arizona Territory. Common criticisms focus on a slower pace compared to Jenkins' other works and less dramatic conflict between the main characters. Some readers wanted more development of secondary characters. What readers specifically noted: - "Finally, a romance with grown adults who act like it" - Goodreads reviewer - "The medical scenes are detailed without being gruesome" - Amazon review - "Missed having a stronger antagonist" - Goodreads comment Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,900+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) The book maintains higher ratings compared to typical historical romance averages across platforms.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole A Black woman works as a Union spy during the Civil War, leading to a forbidden romance with a white detective.

When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries A jeweler reunites with her estranged husband after ten years, forcing them to confront past betrayals in 1820s Edinburgh.

The Preacher's Promise by Piper Huguley A Black female teacher in Reconstruction-era Georgia forms an alliance with a preacher while building a school for freedmen.

Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins A milliner escapes her overbearing mother in Philadelphia to become a housekeeper at a California ranch in 1885.

The Sweetest September by Kianna Alexander A free Black woman operates a successful bakery in post-Civil War North Carolina while navigating a romance with a carpenter.

🌟 Beverly Jenkins extensively researched 19th-century medicine and African American physicians to create the character of Dr. Phillip Randall, who practices both traditional and holistic healing methods. 🌟 The book is set in the historic "Old West" town of Grayson Grove, Colorado—a safe haven established by and for African Americans seeking freedom and opportunity after the Civil War. 🌟 The author drew inspiration from real Black frontier towns that flourished in the American West, such as Nicodemus, Kansas, and Dearfield, Colorado. 🌟 Beverly Jenkins was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 2017 and is credited with pioneering the African American historical romance genre. 🌟 The medical practices described in the book reflect actual 19th-century treatments, including the use of willow bark (a natural source of aspirin) and other herbal remedies that were common in both Western and traditional medicine.