Sponsored by Dreamscape Media.
Caleb’s building plans include getting rid of the neighborhood dog park, but Riley, the woman leading the resistance against him, is surprisingly convincing… For Caleb, this project should have been a slam dunk. But even more challenging than the neighborhood resistance is the mutual attraction between him and Riley. It would be so much easier just to stay enemies… Can Riley and her canine sidekick convince Caleb that what’s best for business isn’t always what’s best for the heart?
It’s February 3, and I’m writing this as my DH finds random Superbowl commercials I missed while I was at rehearsal. Not gonna lie; we’ve watched the Smaht Pahk one multiple times. The infernal month is over, and now we’ve got new things to talk about.
News and Useful Links
Ever thought about getting relationship advice from a romance author? Roan Parrish is starting a podcast! Called Dear Romance Writer, this will be an ongoing podcast featuring Roan and guests answering questions about love and life.
“He did a really good job, and looked good in a tool belt, and I kept him, and got many, many, more bookshelves out of it along the way.” Read more in this great profile of Nora Roberts.
While this isn’t specifically about romance, apparently authors using KDP earned over $300 million via Kindle Unlimited last year. That’s just KU, not a la carte sales. I’d love to see how much of that was romance, cause I know how we are.
Please enjoy this thread of romances as valentines.
The auction is closed, so I won’t link to it, but the Romance for PR folks made TWICE their goal. Huzzah!
And this bundle for Taal relief is still available.
Deals
Check out one of the most talked about sci-fi romances of 2019! Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik is 1.99 right now, which is great considering the next two in the series are both 11.99 on Kindle (:scream emoji:). This is one of those space opera style books that drops you into a world expecting you to understand, but you’re so into the story you don’t particularly care. I will say the romance is not always in the front seat here, but it’s a great love story nonetheless.
Recs!
There are so many exciting books coming out this month! I’m going to be talking Black History plenty this month, so definitely keep an eye on the horizon for that, but today, I’ve got some pre-order recommendations. (Some of them as soon as tomorrow.)
The Worst Best Man (February 4)
Mia Sosa
I started reading this book last week and sadly got sidetracked, but I was loving what I’d read. We begin three years ago, moments before a wedding, with a best man slash brother and the bride. He’s the one who has to tell her that he was just informed—through text, no less!—that the groom has changed his mind. Fast forward to Lina, who is about to move into a new chapter of her wedding-planning life, and Max, marketing genius, working on a job together. And not only is it awkward, it’s downright contentious. Mia’s books have been hit or miss for me in the past, but this is the perfect cocktail of personalities and situations that would make her kind of snark shine!
A Heart of Blood and Ashes (February 4)
Milla Vane (aka Meljean Brook)
If you have been looking for a doorstopper of a fantasy romance, may I point you in the direction of this incredible tome. I haven’t made it far into this book, because there’s just so much of it, but if all you’ve been missing in your life is some intense, well-built fantasy, this is the book for you. I will say that part of what pulled me away is the depiction of contention between the two warring races; there is language that might be off-putting or traumatic to a reader. But I hear the romance part is super intense, like Captive Prince level intense.
Moontangled (February 14?)
Stephanie Burgis
This is book 2.5 in Burgis’s Harwood Spellbook novellas, and I am super excited to read the story of two women that have intrigued me since the beginning. Also: have you seen that cover? This is set in an alternative historical Britain that has a matriarchal society, where women are politicians and men study magic. But Cassandra Harwood has magic, and is certain that other women do, too, so she’s started a magic school for women. Juliana is a student there, and her former fiancé, Caroline, is visiting. There is drama, and strife, and a visit to the fae territory just outside of the school. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I can’t wait to find out! (A lot of people recommend reading Thornbound before picking this up, but it’s not completely necessary.)(Also I’m getting conflicting information from various sources so maybe you’ll luck into a book that’s already released?)
A Cowboy to Remember (February 25)
Rebekah Weatherspoon
If amnesia and Black cowboys are your thing, you need to preorder this book so it’s in your hands immediately on February 25. This is the first in a new series, loosely based on fairy tales, featuring modern-day cowboys and the people they fall in love with. In this one, a bad fall has left Evie without memories of who she is or who she knows, but she’s been dreaming about Zach, a man she was friends with in her youth. There’s family drama and maybe a star-crossed situation, but it’s a romance so it all turns out well.
Thursday I’ll be giving a longer rundown of the rest of the books out this week, but in the meantime, give these upcoming February books a look-see.
As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!