Category: Kissing Books

It’s Thursday, so let’s talk new books! It was a light week, but there are definitely a few things to highlight.

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Sponsored by Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet

Captain Tess Bailey and her ragtag band of thieves are wanted criminals. They steal from the “haves” to give to the “have nots.” Even though her heart is in the right place, her actions still get her into trouble – and there’s no trouble greater than the dreaded Galactic Overseer Novalight. After stealing a top-secret military laboratory and inciting Novalight’s rage, Tess and her crew manage to escape—and miraculously survive. Docked on their new planet, Tess encounters the tall, dark, and haughty bounty hunter Shade Ganavan, who has to decide if he wants to turn them over to the Galactic Overseer and be set for life, or if the real payoff is winning Tess’s heart.

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Over on Book Riot

We’re back! Trisha and I got down to business again, but sadly no Huns were defeated. We’re back on schedule for the year, so be ready for us to talk about romance and trying not to go over time, every other week!

This isn’t particularly romance-related, but I know there are lots of us who read Kindle books (because that’s the only way to get some of the greats) and we have to go through a lot of steps on our Apple products. You all probably know the shortcuts, but if you need some tips, here’s a rundown.

New year, new reading nook? I thought I was going to try reading in a different, book-dedicated location in my house this year, but I find myself back in the corner of my sectional while my husband watches back-episodes of Guitar of the Day. Ah well. At least I’ve got my blanket.

Seriously. She doesn’t.

Want to win a copy of 99 Percent Mine? Enter this giveaway! It’s over pretty soon, so I’d get on that.

This. Is amazing.

Deals!

This is probably the 85th time I’ve talked about this book, but Truth or Beard is free right now! The first book in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series (which—hint hint—is all completely self-published) sets the tone for the whole series. We get to know not only the whole Winston clan, but also their town. And, also, Penny Reid’s spectacular combination of hilarity and feels, which is good to have about now. Just a heads up: the Winston Brothers are like Pringles. Once you pop, the fun don’t stop. Or maybe they’re more like Lay’s?

Did you read The Apprentice Sorceress after I talked about it last week? Another book in the series, The Beauty’s Beast is 99 cents right now! This one, which is set in the same universe, is about a noblewoman put in charge of a wolf, who turns out to be a cursed knight.

Did you like Tikka Chance on Me? Check out one of Suleikha Snyder’s older titles, Spice and Smoke! It’s 99 cents, and features multiple couples. They’re across the sexuality spectrum and include relationships within established couples and new and burgeoning ones, too. And if you like this one, check out Spice and Secrets and Bollywood and the Beast, which are both 2.99. (Actually, a lot of Suleikha’s novels are 2.99 right now, so you should just buy them all. You won’t regret it!)

New and Upcoming Releases

I know it’s after the holidays, but you have to check out Miss Dominguez’s Christmas Kiss and Other Stories by Lydia San Andres. The collection is part of her fin de siecle historicals set in the Caribbean, and her writing is super delightful. Also, it’s 99 cents.

I still want to burn the term “reverse harem” forever but A Star Pilot’s Heart looks utterly delightful. The description calls it a mix between Firefly, Star Wars, and The Princess Bride so I’m definitely in.

I saw the cover of LARPED and immediately had A Mighty Need. A TV star mistaken for a LARPer by his future lady love? Sign me up. There’s a whole issue with deception that I’m worried will turn me off of the story, but I’m totally down to start!

And speaking of LARPers (not really) The Ex-Princess by Fiona West also looks delightful. It’s a “modern fantasy adventure” featuring a princess who doesn’t want to get married and a prince who needs her to. I’m super intrigued by the worldbuilding in this novel, which talks about horses as modes of transportation and people calling each other back.

I haven’t read the earlier books in these series, but there are TWO hockey romances out this week. The one in Victoria Denault’s San Francisco Thunder series, Now or Never, has her usual soft boys with bodies of steel. Holden wants to prove he isn’t the kid he was in high school to his high school crush, and there is also home restoration involved.

Game On, by Kelly Jamieson, is kind of the reverse of this in every way. From the whole not knowing each other thing to not planning on a relationship to go anywhere. But if you like contemporaries with bets, business heiresses, and smartasses abound, this one is for you!

Alright! I think that’s probably good for the next few days. As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Monday edition, take two! You all didn’t burn the place down about the double inbox, and thanks to the folks who reached out! I hope you continue to be as excited as I am.

We’ve got a lot to cover, but at least for the most part it’s good stuff!

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Sponsored by Harlequin DARE

She’s been a very good girl…Now she’s learning to be bad! Ditched at the altar for being boring in bed, prim lawyer Maya Martin goes on a solo Amalfi Coast honeymoon with one goal in mind: proving her ex wrong! And when she meets tattooed, hard-bodied Charlie Teller, he seems just the man for the job—he’s so hot it’s criminal! This Christmas, Charlie will help Maya unleash her wild side…over and over again!

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News and Useful Links

For enough of us of a certain age, the phrase “kissing book” harkens memories of a baby Savage sick in bed, making lengthy commentary on the story his Grandpa is reading him. So it’s no surprise that this newsletter is not the only regular feature with the title. If you don’t regularly read Olivia Waite’s rendition in the Seattle Review of Books, you should check it out. This column in particular is a prime example of how deeply she digs in to examine not just romance novels themselves, but romance as a genre.

This. Is. WILD. I’m so glad she’s better, but wow.

You all know how much (or you’re going to learn) I love Talia Hibbert. Have you seen her inspo for her first Avon romance, Get A Life, Chloe Brown?

While I had some qualms with this article (mostly her thoughts on contemporary romance—has she read more than one?), Tessa Dare’s delight is contagious.

So like, Kate Clayborn wrote about scents and smells. And then Jen (who declared she wouldn’t stir anything up) went ahead and grabbed a spoon. :lolsob-emoji:

Did you follow #rwchat? It was a great way to understand how writers might think and follow the trends. Sadly, they’re retiring. They’ve been awesome, and we wish the organizers well.

There was a lot of extra cash left over after the Cocky Collective finished their fundraising efforts, so they donated it to RWA!

Harlequin is going above and beyond with the whole film thing. I hope they start digging into a different element of their own publishing collective. I love Hallmark movies (and their equivalents on Lifetime and Netflix) but they’re…kind of all the same. Harlequin is massive. They could do to make a romantic suspense action flick or (heaven forbid) something from the Kimani line.

“To be clear, he has never appeared on any of my covers. That would be yucky.” Giggles for days.

Deals

How many Cat Sebastian novels have you read? If your answer is none, might I suggest starting out with A Gentleman Never Keeps Score, which is currently 1.99? It’s not her first or even first in a series, but it’s a perfect standalone and both heroes are delightful squeezable human beings.

Or if you’re looking for a different kind of untold historic story, The Bittersweet Bride, the first in Vanessa Riley’s Advertisements for Love series is 3.99. The whole series centers women of color in late Regency England.

Recs!

Since we talked about contemporary series starters last week, let’s do some historical ones this week! These are historical series you can read all the way through. Some are older, so they might be familiar, but I wanted to include a couple that have come to recent conclusions, too!

Destiny’s Embrace
Destiny
Beverly Jenkins

A lot of people I know, whether they frequent historical romance or not, have read Beverly Jenkins’ Old West trilogy, which concludes with Tempest—the one where the wealthy mail-order bride shoots her doctor husband before actually meeting him. If you haven’t read any of those, definitely check them out. But the first Beverly Jenkins series I read was Destiny—Destiny’s Embrace, Destiny’s Surrender, and Destiny’s Captive. They are centered around three brothers (and their mother!) as they grow, learn, and love in Reconstruction-era California…and in international waters. Destiny’s Embrace introduces us to the oldest brother, Logan, who needs a maid. When Mariah hops off a train from the East with a determined eye and a no-nonsense attitude, Logan isn’t sure either of them will survive. But they have to live with each other, so…

This trilogy is pretty darn sexy, and you can learn some stuff about Reconstruction, too!

The Soldier’s Scoundrel
The Turners
Cat Sebastian

I was sent an advanced reader copy of this book and I just knew I had a new favorite author. Six books later, and I am still just as in love. This series is the first of three established ones, and it centers cinnamon roll characters and the morally-questionable folks they fall in love with. The Soldier’s Scoundrel sets the tone with an aristocrat who had been injured in the war, who reluctantly falls in love with…well, a scoundrel. Don’t listen to me rambling, just check them out.

The Duchess War
The Brothers Sinister
Courtney Milan

Do you know what the first thing that delighted me about this book? Trains! I hadn’t really thought about the fact that The Brothers Sinister was a Victorian book, and then there was some mention of a train. And I realized that changes in travel made everything different. But you know what else is great about The Duchess War? Everything else. The hero and heroine meet each other while they’re both hiding out from a party. How can you not love that?

The Lotus Palace
The Pingkang Li Mysteries
Jeannie Lin

You’ve all heard me crow about the Tang Dynasty books (Butterfly Swords and My Fair Concubine in particular) but this is another historical series by Jeannie Lin that you can read all the way through. This series has all the same worldbuilding and compelling dialogue, but also mysteries!

Have you read these series? What did you think?

More new titles on Thursday! As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Hey, it’s Thursday! More Kissing Books are on the horizon!

First, how about some of the awesomeness on the Riot this week?

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Sponsored by The One You Fight For by Roni Loren.

Taryn Landry has never fully recovered from losing her sister in a school shooting ten years ago – but she’s determined to complete her research that should help prevent future school shootings. Unfortunately, the only way to complete her project is to interview the brother of the boy who killed her sister. After spending over a decade dealing with the media and the fallout from his brother’s rampage, Shaw Miller is trying to start a new life. So when Taryn wants to interview him, he refuses. But Taryn won’t take no for an answer…and soon, they both realize that if they let their guards down, they could find love, peace, and forgiveness.

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Over on Book Riot

Do you like quizzes? Here’s a new one that will tell you what romantic adventure book to read next! I’d tell you what I got, but then you’d know what one of the answers were 😉

And oh hey, do you like spies? Here are a few romances with spies at the center, including one of my faves An Extraordinary Union and a couple that I bought immediately upon reading Sil’s post. Legit right there.

Also! We talked about our most anticipated books (that we even know about) for 2019. The romance section is a nice combination of usual faves and potential new loves.

Deals

Are you plotting out your reading for the Read Harder challenge? How about HE Trent’s Jekh Saga, which starts with Erstwhile. I haven’t read these yet (though both the first book and the first bundle sit happily waiting in my kindle app, facepalm), but they’ll definitely be a sexy option for a book set in space by an author of color. You can get the first book for 3.99 or check out the first half of the series for 8.99. There are six in total!

I’ll be the first to admit it: I have been totally obsessed with Lottery Ticket Stories since It Could Happen To You, that gloriously ridiculous romantic comedy starring Police Officer Nick Cage and down-on-her-luck waitress Bridget Fonda. So when I discovered Kate Clayborn’s Chance of a Lifetime series, I knew I was in for something special. The first one, Beginner’s Luck, features a scientist heroine with a corporate recruiter love interest, and I am here for it. Take a risk; it’s 99 cents right now. (And if you want to go all in, the entire Chance of a Lifetime bundle is 8.97!)

And since we’re apparently discussing irresistible 90s romcoms, It’s my duty to tell you that Sophie Jordan’s While the Duke Was Sleeping is 1.99. And if you’re wondering “is that really…” then yes, you’re right. Much like Sandra Bullock in her second-greatest romantic role of the 1990s (her best being Speed, don’t @ me), the heroine of this novel saves a duke from a carriage accident, and then is mistaken for his fiancee in the melee while His Grace is in a coma. For 1.99, you totally want it.

New and Upcoming Releases!

I’ll still do a quick rundown of new books out this week, but I also wanted to highlight a couple new releases—namely lovely queer novellas!

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy
Alyssa Cole

I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about this novella by now, but it really was worth the wait! Told in a now-and-then format, we get to know Likotsi, the most competent person in the Reluctant Royals universe, and the woman she was so thrilled about in the later parts of A Princess in Theory. As someone who is super picky about second-chance romances, I was worried I wouldn’t find it in my heart to be forgiving, but leave it to The Great Alyssa to pull at my empathy bones perfectly.

Going Down
Barbara Bell

Hi, did you say “trapped in an elevator?” I think you said “trapped in an elevator.” This is a short, super sexy read about a woman and her boss, who had…an encounter, shall we say…and then didn’t do anything about it for months. But now they’re trapped in an elevator and the air can be cleared. Huh, now that I’m thinking about it, this is—in a way—yet another second-chance romance, this time with a Big Misunderstanding in the mix, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The Apprentice Sorceress
ED Walker

This is the second in a series, but all of the books can be read on their own. In this one, Violette, lady in waiting to the princess who got her happy for now in the first book, Enchanting the King, pretends to be sweethearts with Ned, a squire for said king. When Violette discovers she possesses magic that she can’t control, Ned offers to help her control it. I need more fantasy romance in my life, and this one was a good way to start my year.

Other new releases I’m looking forward to picking up include:

Nine of Swords, Reversed by Xan West
Slender Bridge by Katrina Clemons
At His Lady’s Command by Nicola Davidson
Too Cocky by Jamila Jasper (yes. Oh yes.)
Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz
Teasing the Princess by Nana Malone
Is it Over Yet? by LA Witt
Unfamiliar Waters by Andrew Grey
Redemption of the Heart by Moni Boyce
The Likelihood of Lucy by Jenny Holiday

That’s it for now! As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Happy Monday, folks!

That’s right, it’s our first Monday edition of Kissing Books, and I’m excited to get started!

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Sponsored by our Unusual Suspects giveaway of $100 to the bookstore of your choice!

We’re giving away $100 to the bookstore of your choice! Enter to win by signing up for Unusual Suspects, our mystery/thriller newsletter about new releases, book recommendations, book deals, and more. Enter here.

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News and Useful Links

Well, we had an interesting weekend in romancelandia:

• Someone with whom I am not familiar posted a medium article about Jennifer L. Armentrout and Jenny Trout, which sparked a lot of conversation about coincidence and the way people treat each other. Camps were formed, arguments were made, and eventually Jenny Trout stepped out of the conversation and deleted the tweets that started it. There were enough threads that I lost track of the conversation, unfortunately. (Just as a note: a lot of what was happening was gossip, conjecture, and hearsay, so I am mostly sharing it as an FYI.)
• This also led to a conversation about the difference between plagiarism and common tropes, which we all know is a thing that won’t stay dead in romance. Tessa Dare had a good thread about that.
• On top of all that, Jimmy Thomas, who has been on countless romance covers, showed his whole ass over the weekend. But lots of cover artists and other awesome people have offered to make free covers pro-bono for authors who don’t want his face turning people off from his books. Don’t forget—a lot of these authors are just picking a face from stock photos, and have no idea what might be going on in the head behind said face. Well, now we know.
• In much more delightful news, Jen (@JenReadsRomance) organized a group-watch of the Deadly Sexy movie and if you’re okay with some mild spoilers you should definitely enjoy yourself on the #DeadlySexyWatch hashtag.
• Speaking of Jen, have you checked out her map of romance-friendly indie and used bookstores?
• This was a really interesting thread about lesbian romance. Do you know the history, and why there’s so much less of it than m/m romance?

Also, romance-adjacent (though most of you know how I feel about Nicholas Sparks): Ingrid Michaelson is in line to work on a future musical based on The Notebook. Honestly, if Ryan Gosling and Amy Adams aren’t involved, I don’t particularly care.

Deals

Start Here, an anthology by #romanceclass authors (who, if you haven’t heard of them, are either from the Philippines or have Filipino heritage) is 99 cents right now. Its subtitle is “short stories of first encounters” but there are promised HEAs for everyone. If you want to get a taste of Romance Class, start here. (I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.)

Looking for a laugh? Tara Sivec’s Shame on You (as well as the other two in the series, actually) is 1.99. While an ex-military woman turned bounty hunter might not immediately read as a barrel of laughs, Tara Sivec just has a way of turning the most ridiculous situations into comedy.

Recs!

Now that we’ve got twice the KB, look for some backlist recs on Mondays, and we’ll talk about new books on Thursdays (after each week’s batch of Tuesday releases). Today, I thought I’d start us off with some contemporary series starters, all that are either finished or will be soon. They’re not quite the Play By Play series as far as length, but they’re great for a few days’ reading. Sit down with these openers, and decide if you want to gorge yourself on the rest.

One and Only
Bridesmaids Behaving Badly
Jenny Holiday

Why should brides get all the fun? This series (three full-length novels and a novella) features a few bridesmaids who are just trying to do their best for the brides in their lives, and they find themselves getting waylaid (hah. hah.) by…well, other men in their brides’ lives. Jenny Holiday is great at telling a story that is both heartfelt and fun, and these books are easy to read over a weekend. The last in the series hasn’t yet come out (it’s out January 29) so if you spread it out just enough, you can pick it up just in time.

Stroke of Midnight
One Night in South Beach
Andie J. Christopher

This book starts on New Year’s Eve, and features a sexy encounter between a woman who works too much to keep the family business afloat and a former Navy SEAL. Each story is a standalone, like you do, but they’re about people who know each other, whether they’re related or connected in other ways. Andie J. Christopher’s stories are delightful and fun, and a pretty sexy. And of course, they feature Latinx protagonists.

In the Middle of Somewhere
Middle of Somewhere
Roan Parrish

You all know my feelings on Roan Parrish and her writing. In the Middle of Somewhere was her debut novel in 2015, and is a beautiful story featuring a furniture builder in Upper Michigan and the prickly man he comes to love. Roan Parrish’s stories are more quiet, with less going on than the others, so if you’re looking for something fast-paced, this series isn’t the way to go. But they’re a great place to start if your goal, like mine, is to make your way through her repertoire.

So if you’re looking for a contemporary series to start, have at this one, and we’ll see you on Thursday with some new titles!

That’s it for now! As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Happy 2019, lovers!

I’ve missed you this last couple weeks, and man, do we have some things to talk about!

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Sponsored by Waterhouse Press.

After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn’t expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off. Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return…until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he’ll never be able to satisfy. Passion sizzles between the two lovers…but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.

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News and Useful Links

So the first thing is actually Kissing Books news: I’ve been bouncing in my boots to tell you! As of next week, you get Twice The Jess in your inbox every week! Catch me on Mondays as well as Thursdays. I have to warn you: we probably won’t be doing double 1000-word newsletters a week, but all the familiar content (and maybe more!) will be there. Bear with me as I figure out how not to spit a million words at you every week, and keep an eye out for Monday’s edition!

Okay, now, let’s talk the five-month-long end of 2018, also known as the last week and a half.

The adaptation of Deadly Sexy that Beverly Jenkins and Iris Bolling crowdsourced is now available on Amazon! There was a bit of trouble early on, but now watch away! (I’m not sure why, but it’s not available on Amazon Prime even though the earliest excitement included that. But hey, spend 2.99 or 9.99 and support this bit of beauty.)

Also, if you like podcasts, check out the SBTB interview with Ms. Bev herself. (And there’s a transcript if you don’t.)

Alyssa Cole just had to release her list of best romances right after I hit send on the last KB, so even though we thought we were done with Best Of lists, this one is an absolute must share. What do you think?

Do you follow #readRchat? The results are in for their Best Of 2018, voted by twitter!

So there was some tea drunk and served on Twitter over the holidays, as various people shared some hot takes and end-of-year thoughts (and lots of people were off work and basically on twitter for ten days straight). A “hot takes” request inspired a confusing thread about romance without HEAs deserving to be part of the genre (spoiler alert: no they don’t, cause then they’re not romance). A “nice takes” request inspired a lovely tweet about romance being wonderful and life changing, which led to some Well, Actuallys that we definitely didn’t need. Tess Sharpe wrote a detailed thread about craftsmanship, which led to Patton Oswalt thinking “hey, I’d like to read some romance.” Which led to Sarah MacLean being her usual awesome self and leading him to try a couple, including Alyssa Cole’s Let Us Dream (a 2018 favorite for me) and Mia Hopkins’ Thirsty—which I have not yet read but every person I trust who has absolutely adored. (So guess what, it’s going on the read soon list.)

And when we thought the wild ride that was Romancelandia 2018 was over, we had to have another conversation about Who Deserves A HEA. This time, it wasn’t Nazis, thank goodness. But there was a Historical Accuracy Conversation because a woman who started out as a sex worker ended up a Duchess (the book in question was Dare to Love a Duke). Besides the fact that there is a history of this kind of coupling, this type of Historical Accuracy Conversation can often be led by someone who thinks certain kind of people (read: not white cishet perfect morally upstanding pollyanna) don’t deserve HEAs or somehow didn’t have them before 2000. The hashtag #HEA4SW is a pretty great response.

And honestly, there was probably more going on. Twitter can be so insular.

On a brighter note, the BookLoversCon agenda is up. It’s kind of difficult to follow the different tracks because of the colors, but you can at least see who’ll be there and what they’ll be talking about. (PS – are you going to New Orleans this year? Let me know!)

Okay, this is getting long, let’s move to some books, shall we?

Deals

Looking to start a complete series? Lisa Kleypas’ Mine Till Midnight is $2.99 right now.

If you’d rather read a contemporary one, Act Like It by Lucy Parker is $1.99.

EE Ottoman’s The Craft of Love is $1.99 if you’re looking for a lovely queer novella.

I know football season’s almost over (right? I think.) but if you have a hankering for starting a football series from the beginning, Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon is FREE.

Over on Book Riot

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Give it.

Fantasy and Paranormal romances by their Hogwarts houses. Brilliant. I have so much reading to do.

The Tropetonite Lives! Jessica Avery picked up the slack (I know, I’m going to try to do more of them in 2019. First resolution!) and talked about Forced Proximity. I love those, do you?

Recs!

Who wants to start the year with a couple of novellas? Both of these were books I bought and let hang out on my kindle for a while, and then I was very upset with myself for waiting. But that’s been happening more, so you’re probably going to see a lot more backlist recs from me this year (but don’t worry, I’ll still be reading and reccing frontlist, too!). Helps I get to babble twice a week, huh?

Only for a Night
Naima Simone

This book popped up in a couple places this year, including Erin McCoy’s list of erotic short stories, and I’d gotten a sample to see if it was as wild as people had said. Needless to say, I started it, and the sample. Was. Not. Enough. Harper is a young widow who has come to Rion to let loose. Rion owns an aphrodisiac club, where people can pursue their wildest desires, and she wouldn’t trust anyone else to help her explore her own desires—the kind that were pent up for years. Rion, who started the club with friends after finally getting out of the Irish Mob, has never thought he was good enough for her, even though they were friends as kids. But he can’t let her go anywhere else, so he offers her one night. No more. She accepts, and boy do they have a night. There’s a lot packed into a brief package, but it’s the perfect combination of emotions, sexytimes, and total satisfaction. And it’s the first in a series (and the introduction to the other two heroes is pretty seamless).

Tikka Chance on Me
Suleikha Snyder

First off: if you are on Twitter and don’t follow Suleikha, you should. She has great things to say and also she shares photos of Bearded Chris Evans, who was also (in part) inspiration for Trucker, the hero of this novella. Pinky, our strong-willed, delightful heroine, works in her family’s Indian restaurant, which Trucker and his biker buds frequent surprisingly often. The two have a mild attraction but don’t act on it—until they do. It’s a short fireburst that Melissa Blue (whose books are also good, go read them) called a Master Class in romance. So yeah. I devoured it.

(Oh! I remembered the other thing that went down on twitter and it was about a problematic reviewer’s coverage of this book. I won’t give her links, but the trail is easy to find.)

I am so excited to read this year! It’ll be a bit easier after this month, when I’ve finished with a non-romance book commitment that has been quite an experience but also quite time consuming. What was your first read of 2019? (Mine was Bygone Badass Broads and man do I want romance novels based pretty much on every single one of their lives—even Mary Bowser, who was already the inspiration for Elle in An Extraordinary Union!)

New and Upcoming Releases

Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet (I’m excited for this one!)
The One You Fight For by Roni Loren
Tigers On the Way by Sean Kennedy
Finding Alexei by Kendall Ryan (January 7)
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole (January 8) (MORE RELUCTANT ROYALS YAY)

That’s it for now! As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

This is it, the last Kissing Books of the year! It’s been quite the 2018! Here’s hoping 2019 is better, and moves quickly.

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Sponsored by Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan

John Cordero groomed his step-son Noah to take over his Montana ranch one day, but when John unexpectedly dies, he leaves half the ranch to Roxy, his daughter Noah never knew about. Inheriting a ranch from her estranged father means Roxy now shares a home with infuriating, challenging, and oh-so-tempting Noah. But the secrets don’t end there – John also owned the notorious Wild Rose Ranch, a brothel in Nevada, where Roxy grew up, and made it part of her inheritance. As their strictly business relationship starts to turn to true love, Roxy wonders what will happen when Noah discovers her dirty little secret?

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News and Useful Links

If you’re still picking out some holiday reads, Maya Rodale discusses three in her NPR column.

This sounds like a pretty great podcast. Did you listen to season one?

Got an hour and a half to spare? Check out this panel on romance and sex positivity hosted by The Strand.

If you’ve got more time, check out the trailers for Passionflix’s new adaptations of Mr. 365 and Wrapped Up In You. And if you’re curious, check out the books they’re based on: Ruth Clampett’s Mr. 365 and Wrapped Up in You by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine.

Do you like to gamify your reading? Under the Covers is hosting Romance-opoly, for your playing pleasure.

Like all the best romance of the year lists? Here’s Amazon’s.

And Jasmine Guillory told Oprah Mag what some of her favorite romances are.

Deals!

Lily Maxton’s A Lady’s Desire is 99 cents. Look at that cover.

If you’ve been waiting to get A Girl Like Her, it’s 99 cents for a very limited time!

Do you like Lorraine Heath? When a Duke Loves a Woman is 1.99.

Over on Book Riot

So many clinch covers. I love them all.

The Spreadsheet Lives! Check out the newly updated, super shiny 2019 book tracking spreadsheet.

What do you know about reverse harems? It’s a horrible name for a category but that’s what they’re calling it and you might as well read about them, and then read a few 😉

Kamrun talks about Christina Lauren’s My Favorite Half-Night Stand and friendship.

Emily interviewed Jennifer Armentrout about all kinds of things.

Sil is going to murder us with her list of upcoming romances.

Anticipated Reads

Speaking of upcoming romances. Since I went through a retrospective of the year last week, I’m excited to share some of the books I want to read come 2019. It won’t surprise you at all that a lot of them are sequels or other related novels to books I’ve loved this year. But others are new series or new-to-me authors that just sound awesome.

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

A novella interlude from the Reluctant Royals series featuring Likotsi, a favorite from A Princess in Theory.

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan!

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

I love Sophie Kinsella’s humor and her stories about strangers coming together are always delightful.

Crashing into Her by Mia Sosa

I really enjoyed Pretending He’s Mine and damn, have you seen that cover?

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole

I have been waiting for this book since I turned the last page of A Hope Divided.

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

What’s this? A m/m romance featuring an Afro-Caribbean food truck in Upstate New York?

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

Y’all know how I feel about meet cutes, and this has the title to draw me in. I don’t even care what it’s about, but there’s a movie star involved.

A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian

More Regency Imposters! Yay!

A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole

More Reluctant Royals!

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

MORE Pride and Prejudice?

Reverb by Anna Zabo

Syncopation and Counterpoint were both amazing. I can’t wait for this one.

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Michael’s cousin Khai made a pretty big splash for me in The Kiss Quotient, and I am looking forward to seeing him live his own story.

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

I don’t care what it’s about, it’s a new Beverly Jenkins.

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

There’s already been so much talk about this book, and it’s not even out in the States. There have been movie rights sold and it’s not out in the states.

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Did you read Hurts to Love You? Then you know my girl Rhiannon. She gets her own book!

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine Guillory has mastered the elevator breakdown and public proposal, meet cutes. Let’s see what she does with enemies to lovers.

Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean

Whit. Oh, Whit.

So this is…only through June, and only a portion of the books I want to read next year. I’m overwhelmed, but super excited! Which ones are you destined to read soon?

New and Upcoming Releases

Hoops Holiday by Kennedy Ryan
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Not the Duke’s Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt (new series!)
Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet (January 1)
The One You Fight For by Roni Loren (January 1)
At The CEO’s Pleasure by Yahrah St. Joun (January 1)

Just as a reminder, no Kissing Books next week! But I’ll be back in January with a big announcement!

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Good Thorsday, friends. I hope all is well in the lands where you are, and that you’re either having a nice, stress-free amp-up toward the latter-month holidays, or are just enjoying your December. If not, I’ve got some things to help you out.

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Sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway.

We’re giving away ten of our favorite works of nonfiction of the year! Click here to enter.

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News and Useful Links

It’s definitely been a quieter week than last week. A few things have happened here and there, but mostly I’m just excited to delight you with precious photos, release announcements, and more lists.

If you weren’t reading “That Festive Feeling” over on Frolic because you don’t do serials, it’s all done and safe to consume beginning to end.

Did you see that magical cover for The Wedding Party? And you can read an excerpt!

The cover for Brazen and the Beast was released, too. It’s so purty. Is it 2019 yet? (No, but soon!)

Speaking of Frolic, a Fast Company article about the ever-growing romance and pop culture media conglomerate very much buried the lede when it came to sharing news about A Princess in Theory being optioned for film! That’s right, Ledi and Thabiso will be on our screens in the future. Time for a reread.

Goodreads has offered another lovely Year in Books page for each of us, and some authors are sharing theirs! Helen Hoang was one of them, and even though the number is small, the books are mighty! And I have yet even more reading to do! (You’re welcome to have a look at mine, if you’re wondering.)

So we all know the folks at The Ripped Bodice are magic and just too precious for this world. But have you seen their | holiday | photos. You’re gonna need a paper bag to control your breathing after all the giggling. And joy.

Maya Rodale’s newest review collection on NPR’s website is just delightful, and boy do I need to read those. I even have two of them :facepalm:

And finally, don’t forget to watch Deadly Sexy over the weekend! The adaptation of Beverly Jenkins’ super sexy romantic suspense—very unlike the historicals for which she’s known—will be available to watch on Amazon Prime starting Saturday (December 15, for those of you who might be behind on newsletters).

Deals!

If you’ve already enjoyed The Trouble With Mistletoe this holiday season (and watched the PassionFlix adaptation featuring Hot Ghost—I mean…Thomas Beaudoin), another Jill Shalvis Christmas romance, Chasing Christmas Eve, is 1.99.

Okay so here’s a story: In college, after catching up on all the Anita Blake books, slamming my way through the Dark Hunters, and moaning about what the heck had happened to Lestat, my similarly-vampire-loving bestie told me about the Carpathians, and I read about six of them in a row instead of doing problem sets. Apparently, there is a Dark Prince: Author’s Cut, and I might have to start at the beginning again.

If you sometimes wish Labyrinth were set in the 19th Century, you might like Wintersong by S. Jae Jones, which is 2.99 right now. There’s a Goblin King and everything.

Over on Book Riot

Best Books of 2018 is out! You will not be surprised by the romances featured therein.

Kamrun interviewed Anna Todd a bit ago and I missed it.

Rebecca Renner speaks to my heart in her defense of ugly bullet journaling. It wasn’t until I realized it could be ugly that I really embraced using it for All The Things, including keeping track (or trying to keep track) of my reading.

Thinking about getting yourself a Christmas present? You’ll need to consider the differences between the Kindle and the iPad.

My Faves of 2018

I know what you’re going to say: December ain’t over yet! Well, this is my last chance to do it. Next week, we’ll talk about what I’m excited to read next year, and then the week after that we don’t get to hang out together (Book Riot will be on Vacation). So here’s my moment.

In order of date read, from January to now, here are my favorite reads from 2018 (I’ve limited myself to 10 for everyone’s sake):

It Takes Two to Tumble, Unmasked by the Marquess, and A Gentleman Never Keeps Score
Cat Sebastian

I started my year with It Takes Two to Tumble, and I got all the Captain Von Trapp fuzzies reading it. Ben is still my favorite Sebastian hero, and the concept of cinnamon roll will forever have a picture of him. But then there’s Robin. Oh, my darling Robin. And seriously, how to you compare those two to Sam Fox? There’s so much in every Cat Sebastian character, and I will love every story, every hero, heroine, and nonbinary protagonist till the day I die.

The Wedding Date
Jasmine Guillory

What can I say about this book? Competence porn + fake relationship + long distance + calling out white privilege + Alexa Monroe, the cupcake-loving heroine of my heart. It’s all wonderful. I loved her appearance in The Proposal and hope to see much much more of her in The Wedding Party next year. Please.

A Princess in Theory, A Hope Divided, and A Duke By Default
Alyssa Cole

Okay, so A Hope Divided came out in 2017, but I didn’t get to it until this year. I will hold off final judgment until I’ve read An Unconditional Freedom, but I think Marlie and Ewan are my favorite Loyal League couple. Marlie is just so brilliant and Ewan is quietly perfect for her.

I am going to speak plainly: I really liked A Princess in Theory. I loved Ledi as a character, I loved the growth both she and Thabiso experienced, I loved all their friends and family…but I absolutely adored A Duke By Default. Portia is my favorite, and I love that she knows she’s a mess and is trying to do something about it. I love her grumpy Scot and all his rules for sword making. I love the work they do to deserve each other.

Once Upon a Marquess and After The Wedding
Courtney Milan

Did I mention I read Once Upon a Marquess on a plane and scared the person I was sitting next to with my snort-cackle-laughter? I loved getting to know the Worth family, and the easy romance between Judith and her Marquess, in part because I knew After The Wedding was going to be hard. Camilla and Adrian are both such terribly hurt people looking for love, and it was heartwrenching to read their story. But so good in the end.

Hurts to Love You
Alisha Rai

I knew it was going to take a lot to surpass the wonder that was Wrong to Need You, and it didn’t quite get there. But it was still one of the greatest conclusions to an interconnected series, and I loved what Alisha Rai did to get us there—the ideas she put into our head from the beginning, the ways she set them on their heads, the satisfactory ending for all involved. Finishing this book was like taking the first deep breath after a long swim.

The Governess Game
Tessa Dare

On a completely reverse note, this was a refreshing dive into the world of historical comedy. I liked The Duchess Deal, which was complete with a marriage of convenience and a legit Regency Batman, but The Governess Game also includes rounded hellions who put on doll funerals, a hero who knows he’s awesome and doesn’t brood…much…and the most delightful stargazer known to man. Tessa Dare knows how to make someone laugh while also inflicting feels, and this is the best of the lot so far.

Syncopation and Counterpoint
Anna Zabo

These two are here together because I don’t know which one I like more. Syncopation features rep that I had never seen before: an aromantic lead. Anna Zabo did not shy away from making the aro hero a complete person, and his feelings for his lover reflect that. But then there’s Counterpoint. Dom and Adrian are magic to watch—less intense than Ray and Zavier, but no less interesting. Their story is the one I prefer, the one that cut to the quick the most, but Syncopation is very very close, because feels. So many feels.

The Kiss Quotient
Helen Hoang

You all know how I feel about this book. I love th #ownvoices #actuallyautistic rep and Stella and Michael as characters and all the feelings and all the four-alarm sexytimes. Escort-turned-fake-boyfriend stories are the best. I can’t wait for The Bride Test to come out, though, because Michael’s cousin was pretty great.

Riven and Rend
Roan Parrish

Okay, so I have a thing for gay rock stars, sue me. Well, it’s more like I have a thing for authors who twist me around, pull me apart, and pour me back together with their words, and Roan Parrish is definitely one of those. The way she writes about music, about loneliness, about love and tenderness and feelings is something incredibly unique.

Damaged Goods and Wanna Bet?
Talia Hibbert

And you know who else is like that? Talia Hibbert. Damaged Goods is a connector story between the two Kabbah Sister stories, but was definitely a full length novel. The angst is mostly external from the relationship, but the feelings and growth are all there. Wanna Bet? was a total surprise as far as characterization and feels went, because I’d gone in expecting an easy friends-to-lovers story and whoa was it not that.

Wolfsong
TJ Klune

Why did I sleep so long in TJ Klune? After picking this up based on a recommendation from a non-romance-reading friend, I realized I had two other unread TJ Klune books on my ipad. I failed with this one, because TJ Klune is a master of characterization, of pacing, and of building every kind of suspense imaginable. Sure, there are werewolves, and that is an important fact, but that’s not what the story is about. It’s about love, and family, and growing into yourself. The payoff is very late in this story, but you won’t care.

Rafe
Rebekah Weatherspoon

Fluffy McFlufferston should be the subtitle of this book, not Buff Male Nanny. Rafe, our titular nanny, loves his line of work and loves kids. How often do you see that in a romance? Then, you’ve got the amazingness that is Dr. Sloan Copeland. She is a surgeon, a prodigy, and a single mother who had no problem leaving the man making her miserable and pursuing her own goals. And of course, there’s some serious sexytimes.

Oh, you thought I meant ten individual titles? Sorry. Also, I’m going to look at this list in three days and think “oh man, I forgot that” and “how could I leave out that” so just be aware that even I am not sure if these were really my favorites of the year. They’re mostly the ones I’m thinking of right now.

Also…I think there might be eleven. I didn’t major in math, okay?

What were your favorites? I want to share them with everyone!

New and Upcoming Releases

Dance All Night by Alexis Daria
The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham
Unzipped by Lauren Blakely
Winning Charlotte Back by Kathy Douglass (MMP December 18)

Okay, this has gone on long enough. I’m so, so sorry.

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Hanukkah Sameach, folks!

The days leading up to the Festival of Lights were…something else, but this year’s Hanukkah miracle seems to be that romancelandia has been pretty drama free since the first candle was lit. (Let’s cross our fingers it’ll continue to be quiet for awhile.)

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News and Useful Links

Just hours after I finished writing last week’s Kissing Books, a popular debut YA author tweeted about a wildly famous romance author’s book having a similar name. I follow said debut author, so I saw this, rolled my eyes, and kept scrolling. I have a very thorough “do not engage” contract with myself, and this was not going to be a person I was going to break that for. But apparently while I was pretending that tweet didn’t happen, her followers started going a little wild with the righteous indignation, and then romance Twitter got involved. There were some bad shots fired on both “sides,” but it actually got ridiculous when Beverly Jenkins tweeted a reaction and then was chided about her white privilege blinding her to why it was important to note that the author in question was Nigerian-American and the author she’d challenged was Nora Roberts.

Yes. You read that right.

To be fair, Ms. Bev’s twitter photo was not at the time a picture of her face. But a quick click over to her profile might have told the person something.

Anyway. I thought you all might want to know about that, just to be in the know.

Also, Nora Roberts is not on Twitter, so she didn’t respond, but she wrote a blog post about it, and communicated with the author, who tweeted an apology of sorts. (I will say, while I respect Nora for all of her work in and for romance, I could have done without her whole thesis about social media. It felt…icky.)

Okay, actually moving on. Sorry.

In other news:

Danielle Steel still writes on a typewriter and still feels self-doubt 174 (one-hundred-and-seventy-effing-four) books in.

The Goodreads Choice Awards are done, and I am not surprised at all by the winner of the romance category. An honor well deserved! (Spoiler: it’s The Kiss Quotient.)

Have you seen the lineup for KissCon? That’s a heck of a reason to go to Chicago. I’m actually really sad I’ve already got a couple trips lined up in the first half of the year (one of which is to Book Lovers Con in New Orleans, so at least there’s that), but man. Please go, and then tell me all about it.

Also, now that November is over, now is a good time to wander through the #rombklove hashtag to fluff your TBR for any time off you might be snowed in.

Oh. PS. Talia Hibbert is writing a short holiday story called “That Festive Feeling” over on Frolic. She started on Monday.

Deals!

Looking for “no strings attached oh wait what’s that” romance with beignets? Going Down Easy by Erin Nicholas is 1.99.

If you didn’t get it when I mentioned it last week, Merry Inkmas is still free. F-R-E-E.

Brenda Jackson’s An Honorable Seduction is also 1.99.

Over on Book Riot

Annika is a dork and I adore her and her Hallmark Holiday Romance generator.

Did I mention Trisha and I had done our holiday gift recommendation episode? Listen and stock up! (You might even find something for someone else while you’re at it.)

Have you been reading up during New Ears Resolution week? There have been some great posts about all kinds of listening.

Recs!

It’s Hanukkah, and do you know what? There are Hanukkah romances. A surprising number of them, actually. I promise not to talk about them all. But I did want to talk about a few.

Hearts Alight
Elliot Cooper

Elliot Cooper is a new author to me, but I’m definitely going to look for more of his work. This novella is quick, delightful, and just a touch magical. Dave is a young man who isn’t certain what he wants to do with his life, and he’s okay with that. He’s not been very successful dating people of any gender, but he’s got a bit of a crush on his BFF/Brother-in-Law’s uncle. Big, handsome, silent Amit is a mystery to Dave, but in a moment of vulnerability, reveals that he’s actually a golem. Yes. A golem. I will admit to having expected a little more conflict around that bit, but I was happy with how easy the story was. Yes, there’s a little more D&D gameplay that might generally be necessary, but it’s all fun and will just leave you with the warm fuzzies.

(Also, there is another cover for this book that’s a little more “romance-y” but I really like the lightheartedness of this one.)

I got distracted with reading Hearts Alight, though, and didn’t finish the other two Hanukkah romances I started over the weekend. (Who am I kidding; my weekend actually got eaten by a series of interconnected Trash OT3 Timeless fics and I got a late start to this week’s reading.) Anyway. The two m/m romances I set out to read were both wildly entertaining, but they both had a point to make: bakers apparently love Hanukkah. Okay, not really. But both Ben’s Bakery and the Hanukkah Miracle and The Remaking of Corbin Wale (which is 99 cents right now!) center Jewish bakers and delectable pastries like sufganiyot, the round jelly-centered donuts that are a Hanukkah staple. Those donuts, in particular, play a central role in the love stories of each couple. The books and the romances have very different tones, though. Ben’s Bakery has a light tone, featuring two men not afraid of going for what they want, even if it means there have to be apologies and they have to figure out an international divide. Corbin Wale, on the other hand has a melancholy air, with Roan Parrish’s signature angst right there to rip you apart and put you back together. So whatever kind of baker you’re looking for, one (or both!) of these should satisfy you.

Next on the list is Sarah Wendell’s Lighting the Flames (also 99 cents!), which is a friends-to-lovers romance set during a Hanukkah camp. The protagonists, Jeff and Gen, have known each other since they were seven, and now they’re staff at the camp where they spent their summers. They had a bit of time where they were out of each other’s orbit, and now they have to figure this thing out. I’m not always a friends-to-lovers person, but I’m curious to see how this works between these two kinds of friends, and in this kind of setting.

What’s your favorite Hanukkah romance? These are definitely not the only ones!

New and Upcoming Releases

Their Perfect Melody by Priscilla Oliveras
Reindeer Games: A Holiday Romance Anthology by All The People
Dance All Night by Alexis Daria (available in paperback, December 11 ebook)
New Tricks by Andrew Grey (December 11)
Taking Chances by Erin McKenzie (December 11)
Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 4 (December 11)(with stories by more people than I can name, including Alyssa Cole, Megan Hart, Suleikha Snyder and Alessandra Torre)

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

Hi there, friends! If you’re in the US, I hope you had a good holiday. If not, I missed you last week!

But since we skipped a week, we’ve got a lot to catch up on.

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Sponsored by Kensington Publishing Corp.

New York Times bestselling author Betina Krahn is back by popular demand! The second installment of her Sin & Sensibility series is a warm-hearted and witty Victorian-set romance filled with sparkling surprises. When an independent heiress who’s sworn off love and a scoundrel with a past unite to take down a common enemy, revenge isn’t the only thing that sparks between them.

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News and Useful Links

Sarah has spoken, and I have some reading to do.

Lookie who is on the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2018 list!

Guess who is dipping into traditional publishing? Is it Fall 2019 yet?

Oh wait, what’s that? Ruby Lang has more coming, too?

So. Tor.com screwed up, and they apologized. The conversations that sparked from this little misstep, though, showed us some of the underworkings of Tor in general, including one author saying that she was made to remove any mention of a central romance from the blurb (probably turning potential core readers off).

The Ripped Bodice has opened their holiday shop, which includes all kinds of lovely keepsakes and holiday boxes!

Did you know there was a “Trope Rec Tuesday” on Frolic? Here’s a fun one!

And also, there’s so much movie news!

I’ll admit, I’d been slowly pulling away from PassionFlix (especially when I went to watch Bride and Prejudice and it wasn’t there!) but I am highly intrigued by this still from the holiday movie they’ve been working on. It’s based on the novella Wrapped Up in You by Ella Frank.

Think you’re already out of holiday movies? Think again! Here are a few more, all based on romances! (Also, it’s been recommended, if you actually want to get anything done between now and Epiphany, that you not download the Hallmark Channel App—wink wink.)

The Mary Sue wants us to watch romantic comedies. I’m all for it.

We’ve talked a lot about the progress of the film adaptation of Beverly Jenkins’ Deadly Sexy. Well, here’s news! The movie will be available on Amazon to view starting December 15!

And speaking of Beverly Jenkins. THIS COVER. I DIED.

Deals!

Looking for a m/m Persuasion adaptation? Here you go: Perfect Day by Sally Malcolm is 99 cents.

It’s still too warm here in Arizona, so I can’t wait to read Reindeer Games, an anthology of snowed-in romances. They might be about snow, but the author list is on fire. Also, it’s 99 cents.

Like Janet Evanovich? Visions of Sugar Plums is 2.99.

Over on Book Riot

Have people started asking you what you want for whatever winter holiday you’re celebrating? Just send them this list.

Have you spent time with any of these families yet?

Christmas romances, because it’s time!

Do you need to add to your podcast list? Here are tons of romance podcasts for you to check out.

Speaking of podcasts, Trisha and I recorded a Very Special episode of When in Romance with the esteemed, glorious, hilarious Rebekah Weatherspoon.

Recs!

Well, it’s practically December, which means it’s time for holiday novellas! (And some longer titles, too!) I took advantage of the holiday to try to catch up on the oppressive backlist of books I’d acquired in holiday seasons past. I made it through quite a few, but I’ve still got some reading to do! (It’s like an advent calendar of romances, all for me!)

Merry Inkmas
Talia Hibbert

Bailey has the shock of her life when she finds herself out of a job when she can’t help but stand up for what is right. Fired in front of her friend John, who is dealing with homelessness, and the hot customer who came in every day with no idea what he wanted, Bailey is lost. But Cash saves her with a job, only to run hot and cold when they start spending more time together. Bailey has her own hangups when it comes to love. Will the two of them get it together by Christmas?

Mine for Christmas
AD Lawless

In this quick, darling friends-to-lovers story, buds Matt and Cody both have crushes that they think are unrequited. When Cody tells a little white lie, Matt ends up escorting him to the family Christmas Eve party as his boyfriend. But it’s all pretend, right?

A Family for Christmas
Jay Northcote

So I’ve noticed a theme in my reading and it’s going home. In this heartwarming story, Rudy likes Zac. Zac doesn’t like anyone. Or more, he doesn’t trust them, as a kid out of the system. But when Rudy invites Zac home, Zac surprises both of them by saying yes. Just as friends, though. Even if they do find each other attractive.

Unexpected
DL White

Saidah doesn’t want to go anywhere for Christmas, but she succumbs to a friend’s invitation to dinner with a hint that a college ex would be there. The ex that got away. Well, turns out…it’s probably for the best. But his brother…well, he might be a contender.

And while I didn’t read it this holiday season, I would be remiss in mentioning Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Wrapped, which is adorable and delightfully sexy.

But there are so many more, on my shelves, on my apps, all around! These are the ones still waiting for me (or that I’m still waiting for, in the case of a few that haven’t yet been released):

• Solstice Miracle by Alexis Daria (free short on her website)
• Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside by Lori Wilde
• Ben’s Bakery and the Hanukkah Miracle by Penelope Peters
• Secret Santa Baby by Robin Covington
• A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant
• A Cinderella Christmas Carol by Hope Tarr
• The One that I Want by Zuri Day, Donna Hill, and Cheris Hodges
• Holding Holly by Julie Brannagh
• Burning Bright: Four Chanukah Love Stories by Megan Hart, KK Hendin, Stacey Agdern, and Jennifer Gracen
• The Coyote’s Comfort by Holley Trent
• Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell
• Dance All Night by Alexis Daria (out December 11)(or is it?)

I was serious about that whole romance Advent calendar thing. So many to read, and these are hardly a fraction of the number released every year. And these are just the ones I own, not the number on my to-read list.

(PS: none of these are on Nikki’s list up in the “Over on Book Riot” section, so there are even MORE books to read!)

New and Upcoming Releases

Cocksure by Shiloh Walker (yep, that’s a thing. And yes that says The Cochrans of Cocker County)
His Cocky Cellist by Cole McCade
Rend by Roan Parrish
Pleasured By You by Elle Wright
His Consort by Mary Calmes (I haven’t read her books but Gail Carriger recently swore by her and I’m totally into it)
Bachelor Unbound by Brenda Jackson (December 1)
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren (December 4)

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!

We’ve got a lot of fun stuff to talk about this week! I’m excited to make your TBR explode. Heh heh.

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Sponsored by Kensington Publishing Corp.

USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly returns with an enthralling new series about the men of the Kendrick clan—and the women who claim their hearts amid the gorgeous backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. When a baby is born out of wedlock, heiress Lady Ainsley Matthews must choose between marrying her cruel ex-fiancé or leaving her child in the care of the love of her life, never able to see either again.

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News and Useful Links

What are your thoughts on podcasts? If you like them, and you like romance, you might want to check out Fated Mates, in which Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop talk exclusively about Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. They’re both awesome people, so I bet this is quite the experience.

Chuck Tingle has released his newest book. It’s called Not Pounded In the Butt By Anything and That’s Okay, and it’s sex free. I have never actually read a Chuck Tingle book, but hey. Also, this would probably be a good time to remind you about the Aro-Ace Database, which you can use to find other romances featuring gray folks of all kinds.

Have you seen the trailer for The Princess Switch? It looks ridiculous and perfect and I will be watching it very, very soon.

Also, non-ebook readers, have you heard? Two more of Talia Hibbert’s books, The Princess Trap and Wanna Bet? are available in paperback now! Between that, her offering the Just For Him trilogy for 99 cents (for a limited time!) and her novella in Rogue Nights, I hope she’s getting all the sales.

Also. Y’all. Entangled has a new imprint! It’s called August, and it centers folks in their thirties and forties. Like, an entire imprint, all about older millennials. I’m excited. Super intrigued by Knocked-Up Cinderella. Like whoa.

Deals!

AM Arthur’s Getting It Right is 1.99 right now.

Have you read Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas? It’s 1.99, too!

Do you like KJ Charles? The Magpie Lord is 99 cents!

Have you read any Cheris Hodges? Love After War is 2.99 right now!

Over on Book Riot

Looking for a place to start with romantic suspense? We’ve got you covered.

Try Radish, it’s delicious!

Are you doing Read Harder? How’s it going?

Is your TBR overwhelming your current shelving? Here are some ways to find more.

Recs

Somehow I found myself reading a pair of four-letter R-word books that couldn’t be more different form each other. They were both incredibly emotionally satisfying, but one was fluff and the other was one of the angstiest books I’ve read since the summer. I’ll start with the latter, because you’re gonna want to follow one with the other.

Rend
Roan Parrish

This follow-up to Riven is a hell of a journey. We start with the first meeting between Matt and Rhys, who are both in Riven—already happily married. I don’t read a lot of romances featuring married couples, so I was intrigued by this one. In Rend, the timeline alternates between their courtship and their current troubles, which mostly involves them being very much in love but apart while Rhys is on tour. Matt grew up in the system and has a lot of abandonment issues, but doesn’t know how to express that—or even recognize it in himself. So we get to experience, alternately, the delight of that first bloom of love, and the internal monologue of a beautiful young man who really really needs therapy.

I was a blubbery mess the whole time I read this, from anguish and joy alike. Roan Parrish is a mage at character development, and I can’t tell you how much I love every person in this novel. There aren’t many, considering so much of it is about Matt’s solitude, even when he’s around others. But the ones who are there are perfect, and I really hope I get to see all of them again. This is totally a character-driven book, which isn’t always my thing, but it’s so perfect.

Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny
Rebekah Weatherspoon

So you’re going to need a bit of a breather after Rend, and Rafe is a balm for almost any ill. Rafe is a childcare professional whose last family has just moved to another continent, and Sloan is a busy surgeon whose nanny just quit midday and left her six-year-old twins alone for half the day. Obviously, she’s a little wary. But when Rafe comes highly recommended, and has a perfect trial run, Sloan takes him on. But there’s one problem: they have the total hots for each other.

No problem, right?

No. Problem, actually. Until it’s not. Because they’re both grown ass consenting adults.

Seriously. This book is a delight. The twins are a delight. Sloan is a delight. Rafe and his family are a delight. Sloan’s friends are a rollicking delight. Just. Read it.

New and Upcoming Releases

Sugar & Ice by Brooklyn Wallace
A Powerful Attraction by Delaney Diamond
Campaign for Her Heart (Decades) by Patricia Sargeant
Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder
The Switch by Nia Arthurs
Give Me a Reason by Stephanie Nicole Norris
His Cocky Cellist by Cole McCade (Nov 19)

FYI: Book Riot is off next week for American Thanksgiving, but I’ll be back the last week of November with tons of stuff to share!

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback or just want to say hi!