Book rec, not-quite-Regency romance

Since I've started proposing my future work to specific publishers, I've been paying a lot more attention to who published whatever I'm reading. Do you bother doing that? I certainly didn't care who published what; I just wanted a good book. But now I'm noticing details like that, and I'm finding it helpful to get an idea of what certain publishers want. 

I found Joan Avery's LOVE'S LEGACY through Entangled's Scandalous line. I'm not saying that it's the absolute best romance I've ever read, but I was impressed. I picked it up because of the date (1875, which is an unusual year in non-cowboy settings), the setting (a spice plantation in Grenada!) and the basic plot (she's been hired as a governess for his daughter, which is the plot of my unfinished New South Wales book). The book kept my interest because I have a soft spot for scarred, reclusive, dark heroes, especially if they're actually blondes (check out that cover art!). 

But what impressed me was that I cried three times during the book.When was the last time that happened? I don't read romance to cry! I want light and fluffy and sweet and Happily Ever After! LOVE'S LEGACY involves some pretty intense mother-child scenes, especially giving-birth scenes. Those were the ones that made me tear up. OK, I'm not actually recommending a book based on the birthing scenes, I'm just saying that Avery does a good job of capturing the emotions of that moment. 

If you read it, let me know what you think. Did you cry? Did you like the hero?