November 2023 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Woman in the Castle
Evelyn Orange
Linford Romance
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444851809, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 324pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-woman-in-the-castle-evelyn-orange/1143941400

Synopsis: Malory has landed her dream job for the summer. She's restoring a collection of old paintings in a Swiss castle, owned by a young, handsome businessman. But her life changes drastically when a young Canadian turns up, looking for his missing sister. Malory is flung into an adventure she had never imagined -- one which stirs up memories from her past and may even threaten her life as she investigates the secret of the woman in the castle.

Critique: Mixing deftly crafted mystery with the perils and promise of romance, with the publication of "The Woman in the Castle, author Evelyn Orange demonstrates her impressive flair for narrative driven storytelling of the kind that is as riveting as it is memorable. This large print paperback edition of "The Women in the Castle" is an especially recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Evelyn Orange (https://www.evelynorange.co.uk) is an author from north east England who writes contemporary romantic suspense novels, twentieth century sagas, and has a blog at https://evelynorangeauthor.blogspot.com

Kiss The Girl
Zoraida Cordova
Hyperion Avenue
c/o Disney Publishing Group
https://books.disney.com/imprint/hyperion-avenue
9781368053365, $26.99, HC, 352pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-the-girl-zoraida-c-rdova/1142170077

Synopsis: Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters (together, known as the band Siren Seven) have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she's the girl who has everything.

But lately, she wants more. Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can't wait to spend the summer just living a normal life -- part of a world she's only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show.

The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It's there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father -- and goes with him.

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she's left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?

Critique: An original and fun read that will have a very special appeal to fans of romantic comedy with a feel-good vibe from start to finish, "Kiss The Girl" by novelist Zoraida Cordova is an extraordinarily entertaining and highly recommended pick for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Kiss The Girl" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781368053365, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Zoraida Cordova (www.zoraidacordova.com) is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels and short stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: A Crash of Fate, and The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina. In addition to writing novels, she serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books, and is the co-editor of the bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old, as well as the cohost of the writing podcast, Deadline City. She also writes romance novels as Zoey Castile.

One Christmas Morning
Rachel Greenlaw
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063288478, $18.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/One-Christmas-Morning-Rachel-Greenlaw/dp/0063288478

Synopsis: Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. This year, the last thing she wants is to attend her friend's weekend-long Christmas party. But at her husband James' insistence, here they are.

When Eva (overwhelmed by bittersweet memories) tries to sneak back to London in the middle of the night, she is visited by the ghost of her beloved grandmother. Gran tells Eva that if she doesn't face her fears head-on and stop shutting out her loved ones, she risks losing them all forever.

When Eva wakes on Christmas morning, she finds herself living not her own life, but that of her hardworking assistant, Diana, whose overflowing inbox isn't the only secret she's been keeping.

The next day, she wakes on Christmas morning again, this time in the body of her best friend's little sister.

As Eva lives the same day again and again through the perspectives of her friends, she is offered a glimpse into the lives of those she has been pushing away. With each Christmas Day comes a new lesson -- and an insight into the secrets and struggles her loved ones have been hiding. To move forward, Eva must let go of the past. But is it too late to fix her future?

Critique: A deftly mixing of romance, relationships and fantasy, "One Christmas Morning" by novelist Rachel Greenlaw is a fun read with a particular appeal to fans of women's friendship and holiday romance fiction. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Harper Audio, 9798212698795, $41.99, CD), "One Christmas Morning" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections.

Editorial Note: Rachel Greenlaw grew up in North Cornwall, surrounded by wild moorland. She studied English with creative writing at Falmouth University before moving to an island in the middle of the Atlantic, where she lives with her husband and two children. "One Christmas Morning" is her first novel.

The Flower Quilter
Mindy Steele
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636096421, $14.99, PB, 249pp

https://www.amazon.com/Flower-Quilter-Heart-Amish/dp/1636096425

Synopsis: Barbara Schwartz was born into a family of quilters, but she would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic or sew on another binding. When her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandmother in her quilting shop, she finds herself amongst a very different community. It's only one summer and then she will be back in Kentucky where she belongs.

Melvin Bontrager's world stopped six years ago when his parents died. Now when his only means of providing for his widowed sister and niece is threatened, Melvin finds his landscaping business disappearing too. When spring delivers a newcomer who is immune to his salty moods, Melvin does something he has never done before, accepts help.

What blooms is the last thing Barbara ever expected, and everything Melvin could ever want.

Critique: Mindy Steele is the author of "The Flower Quilter", part of 'The Heart of the Amish' series from Barbour Books. An original, impressively crafted and genuinely entertaining story of struggle, change, and above all, romance, "The Flower Quilter" is also available and highly recommended for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49), community librarians should note that "The Flower Quilter" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781685924294, $32.18, CD) and in a large print Library Binding edition (Thorndike Press, 9798885793933, $31.99, CD).

Editorial Note #1: The Heart of The Amish series also includes: Ruth's Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne; The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker; Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele; Mary's Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne.

Editorial Note #2: Mindy Steele (https://mindysteele.com) raised in Kentucky timber country, writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best selling author and the winner of the 2022 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending.

Letters of Comfort
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636094878, $16.99, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Comfort-Friendship-2/dp/1636094872

Synopsis: Doretta Schwartz used to be so happy and passed her positive attitude along to friends in several letters she wrote each month. But that all changed the day she learned of her fiance's death and a heavy weight of depression fell upon her. Feeling empty, she puts away her letter writing and won't even respond to calls from friends. William's twin brother, Warren, is also grieving his loss, while at the same time, trying to be supportive to his parents and Doretta. Doretta responds to Warren's friendship, but is he just becoming a replacement for the once-in-a-lifetime love she lost?

Critique: Another masterpiece of Amish romance storytelling by the definitive expert (and arguably the founder) of this romance fiction subgenre, "Letters of Comfort" is Book 2 of the Wanda E. Brunstetter 'The Friendship Letters' series. A highly prized and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted that "Letters of Comfort" is available in digital book format (Kindle, $9.99). Librarians should also note that "Letters of Comfort" is readily available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 9781685924263, $37.99, CD) and in a large print Library Binding edition (Thorndike Press, 9798885792530, $35.99, 503pp).

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.

Fancy Meeting You Here
Julie Tieu
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Harper Audio
www.harperaudio.com
9780063245198, $18.99, PB, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Meeting-You-Here-Novel/dp/0063245191

Synopsis: Every single one of Elise Ngo's close girlfriends (Rebecca, Jesse, and Beth) is getting married within the same few months, and every single one of them has asked her to be both bridesmaid and florist. Though it's a lot for her to juggle, the work and exposure is a boon to her struggling flower shop.

The stakes are high at Rebecca's high-profile wedding, where the guests are mostly political connections of Rebecca's parents. Desperate for the event to go off without a hitch, Elise enlists the help of an outside caterer who turns out to be Ben Yu, Rebecca's elusive younger brother.

Though Ben is prickly and aloof, he offers Elise much needed business designing flowers for his mom's campaign fundraisers and Elise begins to see there's more to Ben than his gruff and handsome exterior. But their romance takes off as the political campaign ramps up, complicating their relationship with unforeseen consequences. Now always-the-bridesmaid Elise must fight for what she wants to finally get her own happily ever after.

Critique: The stuff of which contemporary rom-coms are made, "Fancy Meeting You Here" by novelist Julie Tieu is an original and fun read from start to finish. Memorable characters, great plot twists, and an ultimately happy ending, "Fancy Meeting You Here" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Fancy Meeting You Here" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (HarperCollins, 9798212699754, $41.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Julie Tieu (https://www.julietieu.com) is a Chinese American writer, born and raised in Southern California. When she is not writing or working as a college counselor, she is reading, on the hunt for delicious eats, or dreaming about her next travel adventure.

To Spark a Match
Jen Turano
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764240218, $16.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Match-Historical-High-Society-Matchmakers/dp/0764240218

Synopsis: After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever -- a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books.

However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his investigation. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend (and one of high society's leaders) to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.

When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good -- along with their lives!

Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish, with the publication of "To Spark A Match", once again documents author Jen Turano's genuine flair as a talented storyteller with a knack for creating memorable novels that will have a very special appeal and interest to fans of Christian historical romance fiction. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), "To Spark A Match" is an especially recommended pick for personal and community library Historical Romance collections.

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.

You Make It Feel like Christmas
Toni Shiloh
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764242069, $14.99, PB, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/You-Make-Feel-like-Christmas/dp/0764242067

Synopsis: It's the most wonderful time of the year -- for everyone except Starr Lewis. As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding -- to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.

As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away -- to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?

Critique: With what begs to be turned into a Hallmark Channel Christmas 'feel good' romance movie, "You Make It Feel like Christmas" by author and storyteller Toni Shiloh is a delightfully fun read from cover to cover, Original, clever, entertaining, memorable, "You Make It Feel like Christmas" is a strongly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that "You Make It Feel like Christmas" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Toni Shiloh (www.ToniShiloh.com) is a wife, a mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify Award. It has also been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable bestseller. Her books have won the Selah Award and have been finalists for the Carol Award and the HOLT Medallion. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni enjoys connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.

All's Fair in Love and Christmas
Sarah Monzon
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764242052, $14.99, PB, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Alls-Fair-Love-Christmas-Christian/dp/0764242059

Synopsis: Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham -- Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job.

With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her.

Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

Critique: An exceptionally impressive and thoroughly fun read from cover to cover, "All's Fair in Love and Christmas" is an original rom-com novel from the mind and imagination of author Sarah Monzon. The stuff of which Hallmark Channel Christmas themed rom-com movies are made, "All's Fair in Love and Christmas" will prove a welcome and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated holiday rom-com fans that "All's Fair in Love and Christmas" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).

Editorial Note: Sarah Monzon (www.sarahmonzonwrites.com) is a HOLT Medallion and Selah Award-winner, and a Carol Award finalist.

Start Us Up
Lexi Blake
https://www.lexiblake.net
Blue Box Press
https://theblueboxpress.com
Brilliance Audio
https://audiobookstore.com/publishers/brilliance-audio
9781957568669, $19.99, PB, 250pp

https://www.amazon.com/Start-Us-Up-Avenue-Promise/dp/1957568666

Synopsis: She's a high-tech boss who lost it all. Ivy Jensen was the darling of the tech world, right up until her company fell apart completely after she trusted the wrong person. Her reputation in tatters, she finds herself back in the tiny apartment she grew up in, living with her mom. When a group of angel investors offer her a meeting, she knows she has to come up with the new big idea or her career is over.

He's an up and coming coder. Heath Marino has always been fascinated with writing code. He's worked on a dozen games and apps and is considered one of the industry's more eccentric talents. But now he's back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. She was known as one of the city's greatest matchmakers, and he wants to know why. Surely there's some kind of code in his grandmother's methods, and he's going to find them.

When Ivy meets Heath it's instant attraction, but she's got a career to get back to and he just might be her on-ramp. It could be a perfect partnership or absolute heartbreak.

Critique: With an immediate appeal and of particular interest for fans of contemporary romantic comedy, "Start Us Up" is a Park Avenue Promise Novel by author Lexi Blake and a fun read from start to finish. The stuff from which Hallmark rom- com movies are made, "Start Us Up" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Start Us Up" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9798400148019, $19.99, MP3-CD).

Editorial Note: Lexi Blake (https://www.lexiblake.net) began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem. She has a newsletter and can be followed on Facebook (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ).

Kitchen Heat
Kathleen McFall & Clark Hays
Pumpjack Press
www.pumpjackpress.com
9781734519792, $16.95 Print/$5.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Heat-Kathleen-McFall/dp/1734519797

Kitchen Heat is the first book in the Restaurantland Romance series and follows Kassi to Portland, Oregon in a last-ditch effort to save her marriage and create a stable family for her young daughter. After her marriage fails, she finds herself broke, stuck in Portland, and undertaking the only job she can find - waitressing in a cafe, where she meets the charismatic and attractive head chef Clay and contemplates violating her own determination to swear off relationships for a good period of time.

In an effort to stay true to herself and chart a different course for her life, Kassi decides to make Clay the centerpiece of a screen play she's writing for a contest, only to find the play's romance and steam are permeating her own world far too realistically. Despite her best intentions, Kassi finds herself drawn to the hunky Clay, anticipating the passion of a romance which has long eluded her. And yet, Kassi's ex-husband Barry remains a force in her new life, clashing with Clay in various ways that force Kassi to absorb some hard truths about her relationships, choices, and their influences. Kathleen McFall & Clark Hays paint a passionate portrait of a young woman on the cusp of change who redefines the nature of real romance in her life. Clay, too, receives a profile in this story as he considers his "thing for Kassi" and reexamines his goals, attractions, and how much he can or should handle from single mother and damaged Kassi.

There's more heating up than a kitchen romance here, and these elements add spice and vigor to the story to bring both central characters to life, swirling in the opinions and experiences of others for the added value of contrast and insight. The result is a romance which also delves into psychological influences and undercurrents, making Kitchen Heat as thought-provoking as it is attractive. Libraries and readers looking for romances that unfold psychological insights and understanding on the part of their characters will find Kitchen Heat a colorful tale that follows the evolution of a relationship's promise and opportunity.

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review