April 2023 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

Letters of Trust
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636093345, $16.99, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Trust-Friendship-1/dp/1636093345

Synopsis: Life is good on their Pennsylvania Amish farm for newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp -- until the day Vic's youngest brother drowns in their pond and Vic turns to alcohol to numb the pain. Things get so bad that Vic loses his job and their marriage is coming apart. Eleanor is desperate to help her husband and writes letters to her friend, Doretta, living in Indiana for advice. The trust Eleanor places in her friend and the gentle words she receives in return are a balm for even darker days to come .

Critique: Another memorable and carefully crafted romance novel, "Letters of Trust"in this first book of The Friendship Letters, a new series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Of special appeal to readers with an interest in Amish and Mennonite romance novels, "Letters of Trust" is unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for the legions of Wanda Brunstetter fans that "Letters of Trust" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781685923440, $36.88, CD). Librarians should note that there is also a Library Binding large print edition (Thorndike Press Large Print, 9798885788465, $35.99) available.

Editorial Note: Wanda E. Brunstetter (www.wandabrunstetter.com) is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Match in the Making
Jen Turano
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241345, $26.99, HC, 358pp

https://www.amazon.com/Match-Making-Matchmakers-1/dp/0764241346

Synopsis: Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention -- and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be her!

Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "A Match in the Making" by novelist Jen Turano is a delightfully original romance that is the stuff of which Hallmark Channel movies are made. While "A Match in the Making" is very highly recommended as a clean, popular and worthy addition to community library Historical Romance, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Match in the Making" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780764240201, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Jen Turano (www.jenturano.com) is known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from RT Book Reviews, and praise from Library Journal. She's been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Yours Truly, The Duke
Amelia Grey
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250850416, $8.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Yours-Truly-Duke-Say-Do/dp/125085041X

Synopsis: Fredericka Hale needs a husband, and fast. She's been caring for her deceased sister's three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn't know -- much less love, but she'll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He'll help her, and in return, they'll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.

At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn't marry by week's end, he'll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt's solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely, and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London, so he's free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke's door, Wyatt can't deny he's always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give into the fiery passion growing between them?

Critique: A fun read from first page to last, "Yours Truly, The Duke" by Amelia Grey is a Regency Romance fans pure delight. Original, absorbing, "Yours Truly, The Duke" is unreservedly recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Yours Truly, The Duke" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Editorial Note: Amelia Grey (https://www.ameliagrey.com) is the author of over twenty-five books, including the Heirs' Club trilogy and the Rakes of St. James series. Her awards also include the Booksellers Best, Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Several of her books have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

Best Served Hot
Amanda Elliot
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593335734, $16.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Served-Hot-Amanda-Elliot/dp/0593335732

Synopsis: By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she's @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll's rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job.

While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie's follower count soars -- and so does the Scroll's. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously.

Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they'll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.

Critique: With a very special appeal to fans of romance comedy, "Best Served Hot" by Amanda Elliot is a delightfully original and thoroughly fun read from cover to cover. Clearly novelist Amanda Elliot has a full and complete mastery of the genre and "Best Served Hot" will prove to be an immediately popular and enduringly appreciated addition to community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Best Served Hot" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).

Editorial Note: Amanda Elliot lives with her husband in New York City, where she collects way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen, runs in Central Park, and writes for teens and kids as Amanda Panitch. (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2243903/amanda-elliot)

Forged in Love
Mary Connealy
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241390, $29.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Love-Wyoming-Sunrise-1/dp/0764241397

Synopsis: In 1870, Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's on, killing her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith business and attempts to move forward, the old-fashioned townspeople meet her new occupation with disdain.

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to Western Wyoming from the painful memories he left back east. In the hope of a new life, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with a harsh welcome from the townsfolk who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the similar trials they face in a new town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

Critique: Another finely crafted and enjoyable historic romance from the pen of Mary Connealy, "Forged in Love" is especially recommended to the attention of readers with an interest in Christian historical fiction and western romance novels. While unreservedly recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing legion of Mary Connealy fans that "Forged in Love" is also available in a paperback edition (9780764241130, $16.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

A Third Option
E. Aly
Marshwinds Press
www.uniquereads.com
9781734117066, $12.95 Paper/$20.95 Hardcover

https://www.amazon.com/Third-Option-Eugene-Kelly/dp/1734117052

Does ambition preclude romance? In Amy Leonard's case, it may prove an unlikely and unwelcome obstacle to achieving senior partner in her company -- a goal she has strived and fought hard for.

As the story opens, Amy already has a lover and roommate in Tom. In many ways, her life is predictable and its course has been set. Relatively quickly into the story, it becomes evident that Amy's life course is not on the same page as Tom's. In fact, it's set to change in a way that challenges her greatest ambition.

As readers move through Amy's increasing dilemmas about what she envisions as being valuable for her future, they face, alongside her, choices which are both different and irrevocable. Each option holds the possibility of totally transforming her life, but no option seems completely satisfying.

Her protege in the company, Reggie Boykin, offers her another choice that adds new possibilities, but his idea also places him at risk in new ways as he takes his own big step into the unknown and struggles to keep a secret from Amy that he has hidden all his life.

As an author, E. Aly builds a romance from unlikely roots, adds the conflict created by job and two co-workers who face their own life-changing moments, and follows each through the mire of ethical and emotional choices. The focus on emotional evolution, changing priorities, and the juxtaposition of work world and family life creates a satisfying backdrop for an evolving relationship that rests on rocky foundations.

As Reggie, Tom, and Amy find themselves mired in an increasing love triangle-style dilemma, each must make choices that seem to go against everything they've believed and fought for. A Third Option is a study not in traditional romance and relationship-building, but what happens when life introduces surprising twists to carefully planned life paths. Each of the characters feels compelled to step up to the challenge in different ways, holding different feelings, and these lend a fine layer of complexity to the story.

While the result can be billed a 'romance', A Third Option actually is far more detailed than the usual story of love. As Amy, Tom and Reggie re-examine their lives and options, new paths emerge which recreate ideals of love as well as testing their characters and life objectives.

Libraries looking for love stories that emerge from turbulent roots and surprising connections will find A Third Option attractive and recommendable, especially to book clubs seeking more than the standard romance's progression.

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