December 2023 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

Friends With Benefits
Laura Carter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781785135507, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 232pp

https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Benefits-Laura-Carter/dp/1785135503

Synopsis: A high-flying investor, New Yorker Jake Harrington loves a lot of things about living in London: his lucrative hedge fund job, the way British women melt at the sound of an American accent, being thousands of miles away from the girl who betrayed him. And, oh yes, his just-sex arrangement with his gorgeous roommate, Jess.

Jess (his sexy British flatmate) has a deal with Jake suits her fine. No commitments, no risk of being hurt again, just fun and friendship. And friends do each other favors, like agreeing to go on a trip to New York where Jake will have to face his past.

The result is a vacation that will change everything. What friends shouldn't do? Suddenly find themselves feeling something much more complicated than simple lust. When "no strings" is no longer enough, will Jake be willing to take the ultimate gamble?

Critique: A deftly crafted and modern romance, "Friends With Benefits" by novelist Laura Carter is original, artfully written, thought-provoking, daydream inducing, and thoroughly fun read from start to finish. This large print paperback edition of "Friends With Benefits" from Boldwood Books is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Laura Carter (www.lauracarterauthor.com) writes romance and women's fiction with a romantic slant. Exploring everyday relationships and getting under the skin of her characters is her passion. She takes inspiration from everything she overhears in cafes, so be wary of that strange woman 'listening' to music next time you're chatting over coffee. Laura lives with her family in Jersey, Channel Islands. Laura can be followed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lauracarterauthor), Twitter (@LCarterAuthor) and Instagram (@lauracarterauthor).

In The Greek Midwinter
Mandy Baggot
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805493716, $41.00, Trade Paperback, Large Print, 530pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-greek-midwinter-mandy-baggot/1143755341

Synopsis: It was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime. But when Jen's boyfriend David suddenly cancels their romantic Paris trip, needing to urgently travel to Athens for work, it's best friend Bonnie who suggests they surprise him.

Having already booked the time off from her events company (Christmas Every Day) Jen decides an impromptu and romantic gesture might be just what their relationship needs? Arriving in Greece and finding David is not there, Jen has a lot of questions. And when she gets her answers she has a choice - should she go home or should she stay a while?

With the help of Astro, the handsome yet Christmas-hating waiter from the local bar, she sets about a little Greek Christmas research. But what starts as a 'business trip' soon turns into something more!

Critique: A thoroughly fun read from start to finish, this large print, trade paperback edition from Boldwood Books of "In the Greek Midwinter" by Mandy Baggot will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in romantic comedy set in modern day Greece. With a genuine flair for originality and a thorough mastery of the Rom-Com genre, author Mandy Baggot's "In the Greek Midwinter" is particularly and enthusiastically recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance/Comedy collections.

Editorial Note: Mandy Baggot (www.mandybaggot.com) is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after! The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy's books have so far been translated into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian and Italian. Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and splits her time between living in Wiltshire, UK and Corfu, Greece.

Christmas in Fortune's Cove
Victoria James
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9781639105038, $19.99, PB, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Fortunes-Cove-Victoria-James/dp/1639105034

Synopsis: Annie Hamilton is a single mother of two and veterinarian whose family is on the verge of falling apart. Her husband has passed away, her teenage son is finding trouble at every turn, and she's desperately struggling to keep it all together. When she decides to leave the city for Fortune's Cove in a last-ditch search for peace and togetherness, she's welcomed by her late husband's best friend, Matt -- a friend who swore he'd always be there for them.

Surrounded by majestic ocean, the island's famous red sand dunes, and a glowing holiday spirit, Annie and her family are embraced by a warm community more than willing to welcome them. As she joins Matt's veterinary practice and her son begins to stabilize, Annie feels hopeful for the future, beginning to realize that true family is all about love and not just about blood. Annie could never have imagined that a thousand hundred miles from the city could feel the closest to home that she's ever been. But this cozy enclave harbors a trove of secrets that could undo the life of a vulnerable young woman.

When the past threatens the family Annie is rebuilding, she finds the courage to fiercely protect all of them -- and discovers just how far she'll go to save her family and herself.

Critique: As a novelist, Victoria James has a genuine flair for contemporary women's fiction and a distinctive, entertaining, narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages and entertains the reader from start to finish, While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), "Christmas in Fortune's Cove" is highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular pick for community library collections.

Editorial Note: Victoria James (http://www.victoriajames.ca) is the author of several contemporary romance novels. Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover), and illustrated it herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design opening her own business. Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business.

The Christmas Swap
Talia Samuels
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9781639106028, $18.99, PB, 328pp

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Swap-Novel-Talia-Samuels/dp/1639106022

Synopsis: Margot Murray is a newly single, successful businesswoman with no interest in a cutesy seasonal romance after her breakup with her long-term girlfriend.

Ben Gibson is an unlucky-in-love sweetheart in need of a woman to bring home for the holidays.

Together, they make a pact: Margot gets two blissful weeks away from London in a picture-perfect manor, and Ben gets a fake girlfriend for his holiday at home with his family.

Upon arriving to the manor, Margot meets Ben's sister, Ellie, who is suspicious of the supposed relationship right from the start. Ellie intends to get to the bottom of their relationship, not being able to see how the two of them work as a couple.

As Ellie and Margot grow closer, will Ben and Margot be able to keep the charade up, or will Margot and Ellie risk the chance at something real?

Critique: A fun read from start to finish, "The Christmas Swap" by Talia Samuels will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in contemporary romance, holiday themed romance, and LGBTQ romance novels. Memorable characters, compelling storylines, and an ultimate happy ending, "The Christmas Swap" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular choice for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that "The Christmas Swap" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).

Editorial Note: Talia Samuels entered the world of work at a busy London restaurant, before eventually starting her own vegan catering business. Her dream of writing a book never left her mind. At 2am after a late kitchen shift, Talia started writing and has hardly stopped since. She likes writing quirky modern rom-coms and laughing at her own jokes.

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