Here we have a romance set among the Cherokee, but both protagonists are whiter than white. From what I can tell from the cover copy and ludicrously high-production-value book trailer, the plot goes through some pretty amazing twists to make sure two white people end up together -- for instance, the heroine is initially betrothed to an Indian warrior. When he is killed in battle and the hero captured, the white hero's life is spared because the Cherokee believe he holds the spirit of their fallen brother, or something. Just in case you were worried the heroine wasn't going to end up falling in love with a white man. 

I have to wonder if at any point the author even considered making her hero Cherokee. I know it can be intimidating to write characters of another race or culture, but this is not really a defensible solution to the problem of whitewashing in romance.

I have a soft spot for Susanna Fraser's Spanish-set historicals -- as someone who writes things closer to the parlor-ballroom-bedroom romp side of the spectrum, I find it refreshing to watch romances bloom amid the ordered chaos of a Peninsular War army unit on the march. So when I heard she was coming out with a historical novella with a black corporal hero, I preordered so fast the button smoked a little bit.

The book turned out to be a lovely, breezy read: not too angsty, which fit my mood just perfectly. Elijah's race is an issue, but it's not the issue -- or at least, it's the issue for some secondary assholes but it's not the issue between him and Rose, our heroine. Which is rather a sleek illustration of the way bigotry erases the humanity of its victims: bigots object to the hero and heroine's marriage solely on account of his skin color, even though, without being too spoilerish, there are possible objections that do not take Elijah's race into account.

Truth be told, at the book's end, I kind of wanted more. (The sentence that shall be written on every novella author's tombstone: I wanted more.) I liked Elijah, especially when he was feeling hopeless and lovelorn. I liked Rose, especially when she got to cook things. I wanted to spend more time with them (and watching them suffer -- they suffered so beautifully!). I have a suspicion as to the hero of her next book (she said, steepling her fingers) and I can't wait.

Recommended if you're looking for something pleasant, sweet, and 50% less white than most historical romances.

Full disclosure: the author and I have shared many lovely meals and are what may be referred to as 'chums.' 

Every chapter of this book makes me happier than the one before -- it's that rare combination of pure readerly fun and elegant plotting that makes my writer-brain squeal with admiration. Haven't even finished it yet and kind of don't want to, it's that good. 

This needs to be the cover of a romance novel.

• Pride and prejudice: Scotland’s complicated black history – Hat tip to Laura Vivanco for this link. May it breed plot bunnies.
  

  "Black History Month has been held annually in the US since the 1920s and in the UK from the late 80s.

  It is a celebration of the contribution that black African and Caribbean communities have made on a local level and across the world.

  Scotland’s black history is populated by interesting and important characters, many of whom had to endure prejudice and racism. But who were some of these people?"