May 2023 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

To Swoon and to Spar
Martha Waters
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781668007907, $17.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Swoon-Spar-Novel-Regency-Vows/dp/1668007908

Synopsis: Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he's thrilled when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat -- Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer.

When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penvale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Abbey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband's company all that much.

Critique: Author Martha Waters is a master of the Regency Era romance novel and with the publication of "To Swoon and to Spar" has once again demonstrated her decided and distinctive flair for writing humor laced period romance, While her newest novel is unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the growing legions of Martha Waters fans that "To Swoon and to Spar" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781797152240, $39.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Martha Waters (https://www.marthawaters.com) is the author of the Regency Vows series, which also includes "To Have and to Hoax", "To Love and to Loathe", and "To Marry and to Meddle". She lives in coastal Maine, where she works as a children's librarian by day.

Windswept Way
Irene Hannon
Fleming H. Revell Company
www.revellbooks.com
c/o Baker Publishing Group
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780800742706, $29.99, HC, 340pp

https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Way-Hope-Harbor-Novel/dp/0800742702

Synopsis: Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott's plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is none of his business -- until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his life (or his heart) for romance.

Yet, as these hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Critique: Another deftly crafted contemporary Christian romance novel from author Irene Hannon, "Windswept Way" is a wonderfully entertaining, impressively original, wholesome romance, making it an ideal addition to community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of Irene Hannon fans that "Windswept Way" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780800741914, $17.99), and in digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Irene Hannon (www.irenehannon.com) is the author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work.

The Do-Over
Suzanne Park
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780063216051, $16.99, PB, 368pp

https://us.amazon.com/Do-Over-Novel-Suzanne-Park/dp/0063216051

Synopsis: Bestselling author Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her new career guide, "How to Land the Perfect Job", and she's been interviewing at all the top companies around town. But when she's offered a coveted position at her dream company, the employer's background check reveals she never actually finished her college degree. -- Unbelievably, her worst nightmare has come true.

Lily returns to her alma mater to relive her senior year of college, after walking across the stage at graduation a decade earlier. Just as she starts getting used to the idea of being a student again, things get even more weird and chaotic when she discovers her computer science TA is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho.

As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her late-blooming ex has done well for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life together, while Lily's on the brink of losing her reputation and her book deal.

Critique: Told in present day with glimpses of the past, and a thoroughly fun read from beginning to end, "The Do-Over" by talented novelist Suzanne Park is a delightfully warm and hopeful story about second chances in life and love, and how the future might not be a straight line, but we still end up exactly where we're supposed to be. Especially commended to the attention of readers with an interest in multicultural and comedic romance, "The Do-Over" is unreservedly recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections. It should also be noted that "The Do-Over" is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212212830, $41.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Suzanne Park (https://www.suzannepark.com) is a Korean American writer who was born and raised in Tennessee. In her former life as a stand-up comedian, she appeared on BET, was the winner of the Seattle Sierra Mist Comedy Competition, and placed as a semi-finalist in NBC's "Stand Up For Diversity" showcase in San Francisco. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, female offspring, and a sneaky rat that creeps around on her back patio. In her spare time, she procrastinates.

When Tomorrow Came
Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
Oasis Audio
www.oasisaudio.com
9781636094403, $15.99, PB, 320pp

https://us.amazon.com/When-Tomorrow-Came-Linder/dp/1636094406

Synopsis: Nan and Heath Duncan are siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian. They have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds.

Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them -- bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she's never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

Dangers unfold, secret love develops, fights ensue, and murder upsets the worlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves. They've waited their whole lives for their papa to return, for tomorrow to come--but now that it has, will they be able to see through to the truth and end this whirlwind of a nightmare before it costs one of their lives?

Critique: Especially commended to the attention of readers who prefer clean and wholesome romance and historical novels written from a Christian perspective, "When Tomorrow Came" by novelist Hannah Linder is a fun and pleasant read with its memorably crafted characters and abundance of unexpected plot twists and turns. While unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Romance collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "When Tomorrow Came" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781685923419, $37.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Hannah Linder (www.hannahlinderbooks.com) writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a two- time 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Hannah is also a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and International bestsellers.

Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club
Diane Bergner
Meridian Editions
9781959170037, $19.95, PB, 382pp

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Coconut-Beach-Lunch-Club/dp/1959170031

Synopsis: Julia Wild was thrilled to trade her legal briefcase for stiletto heels and a glam wardrobe when she accepted the position as a high society fundraiser at a prestigious performing arts center. The Addison Center is supported by mega-donations from the ultra-rich in Royal Coconut Beach, but the gala lifestyle is a minefield.

As if the punishing schedule isn't enough, Julia's boss is having an affair with an important donor (is this what it takes to get big donations?) and someone is trying to sabotage her job. Even as she begins to doubt her new career choice, she weakens to the seduction of elite social circles and the allure of becoming a fundraising rainmaker.

But what really matters are the fascinating and strong-willed women who become her confidantes. They meet regularly for lunch, gossip, subtle lessons, and cocktails -- while they dissect the wealth-fueled dynamics of the rich and powerful.

The deeper Julia is drawn into this world, the more reality and fantasy blur, and fault lines in her marriage surface. When she meets a debonair Argentinian billionaire, moral ambiguities and temptations are stirred. Will this fascinating man push her to her limit? Will she listen to her new companions who offer their smarts and feminist sensibilities?

It is only when a suspicion caused by an untimely death blows up the carefully constructed glittering mask of the moneyed set that Julia realizes she must decide whose side to take - and how willing she is to risk everything.

Critique: Featuring the compelling and narrative driven storytelling style of novelist Diane Bergner, "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is a fully engaging and riveting read that will have a special attraction for readers with an interest in contemporary romance and women's friendship fiction. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99), "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is especially impressive considering that it is author Diane Bergner's debut as a novelist. Simply stated, "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is an unreservedly recommended addition to community library Contemporary Romance collections.

Editorial Note: Diane Bergner (https://www.dianebergner.com) is vice president of Development at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is a member of The Writers' Academy of the Kravis Center and was the runner-up in the Best Writer in Palm Beach County, hosted by the Palm Beach Book Festival.

Sushi and Sea Lions
Rachel Corsini
Creative James Media
https://creativejamesmedia.com
9781956183528, $12.99 Paper/$4.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Sushi-Sea-Lions-Rachel-Corsini/dp/1956183523

Sushi and Sea Lions is a study in romantic comedy that literally opens with a hilarious bang: "I glanced over at... Billy? I think his name was Billy. If it was, he'd be the third one since the walking boot came off. Like the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Trip trap, trip trap right into my bed. Especially after one too many Pinot Grigios."

Injured prima ballerina Daniela Verdi fills her newly-vacated days and life with a series of distractions that lead her away from what her dream life has become -- until she encounters Vincent LaBate, who harbors his own reasons for avoiding his vastly revised life and any possibilities of romance. The two begin a relationship that is both healing and extraordinary as it evolves new possibilities and reveals the chinks of old patterns that come back to haunt each of them.

Rachel Corsini's novel represents a delightful romp through vastly revised possibilities and worldviews that take each character on a sentimental journey through failed dreams and new circumstances. Vincent and Daniela are well aware that their lives are different, but what is less apparent is what is needed to effect permanent revisions in how they approach the future and romance.

As life is viewed through Daniela's first-person confessions, readers receive an examination that is candid and vividly realistic: "I used to be alive, filled with fire, consuming the world like tomorrow might never come. I relished a good love story, the exertion of leaping across a ballet studio, the sighs a piece of art could emit from me. Since the injury, since my heartbreak, I'd lost my desire. It was time to find it again and the Billys weren't doing the trick."

As Vinny moves into her life and heart, Daniela comes to realize the potential for a very different life, complete with new possibilities and goals. Corsini's ability to juxtapose the evolving growth both between the romantic partners and their individual experiences and special interests creates a well-crafted romance replete in intimacy, sexual exploration, and emotional growth. Vivid food descriptions even conclude with recipes. There are plenty of steamy sex scenes for romance readers who like their stories hot, but also many insights into the couple's interactions not just with each other, but family and friends around them. These contribute to a tale as fully vested in exploring the patterns of developing relationships as it is to describing the physical attractions that develop between two already-strong characters.

Readers seeking the perfect special blend of humor, growth, romance, and dreams altered and realized will find Sushi and Sea Lions a fine study in great expectations, unexpected endings, and new beginnings.

Althea's Awakening
Maggie Sims
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509249527, $5.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Altheas-Awakening-School-Enlightenment-Book-ebook/dp/B0BT5TTL9S

Althea's Awakening adds a third book to the School of Enlightenment series of steamy romance novels, expanding the characters and attention to romance cultivated in prior books by Maggie Sims. Here, Lady Althea Egerton is looking to enlarge both her business and her love life. Both would be easy if she could find a rich suitor, but having been in thrall in too many ways in one relationship, she is loath to compromise her newfound independence with another marriage. An investor seems a more appropriate choice; especially if he comes with added benefits.

Women often chase the Earl of Cheltenham: he's seen as the perfect suitor. Sexually, intriguing, strong, and rich, he'd match Althea's own strengths and pursuits...if she'd have him. Maggie Sims creates a story that is vivid in its inspection of social, political, and personal ambition. Like most men, Lord Cheltenham wants "full control" over his destiny and his women. He's in for a surprise, because if ever a woman were committed to not giving in, it's Althea. Even if it means enjoying a form of sexual pleasure she's been unable to achieve in the past.

Steamy sexual scenes weave nicely into a story of a strong man and woman who find they are both colliding and joining their shared ambitions and lives. The tie between sexual and business explorations is intriguingly made as the duo dance to a very different tune than either anticipated from their lives.

Sims profiles the propriety of the times in evocative scenes which set the stage for exploration and realization. The result is another vivid romance both adding to the School of Enlightenment series and creating characters that bend to the power of their social status while remaining true to their ambitions and dreams.

Libraries and readers seeking titillating Regency romances and intersections between personal lives and business pursuits will find Althea's Awakening a delightful story that approaches growth and discovery from very different vantage points than most Regency reads present.

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