Hello lovelies and welcome back to a brand new year in Romancelandia. I hesitate to say that I hope you all had a peaceful and joyous festive break because well … we all know how that turned out, right? But I’m hoping you at least read some great romance novels and are ready for a whole new year of releases to escape into when the real world gets a little too much. We are the land of love, after all, and down here in the rabbit hole we like to practise what we preach!
Just a quick recap for those who haven’t been following along with the column and in case anyone is confused about what a romance novel actually is. A romance novel is a book that features a central romantic relationship – which does not have to be between a man or a woman or even just two people for that matter – with an emotionally satisfying ending. We call them HEA’s (Happily Ever Afters) although we can also get on board with a HFN (Happy For Now).
So … to be absolutely clear – Romeo and Juliet? Not romance. It may be art/literature and a love story but it is NOT a romance.
Rest assured though, that I will be bringing you romance and what a better month to start off than the traditional month of luuuurve! With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, I have some great releases for you from this month and a couple from Dec/Jan, too, that came out during the column’s annual hiatus. (And just a heads up, my novel Numbered that I co-wrote with Ros Baxter is available this month on eBook for just $3.99!)
As per usual, I have a selection of both Aussie and overseas authors and they’re all available via Booktopia in either print or digital, so just click on the covers if something takes your fancy.
Australian Romance Authors
Burnt Out
by Victoria Brookman
Calida Lyons is having a very bad week. She’s long past deadline for her still unwritten second novel; her husband has just left her; and her Blue Mountains community is being threatened by bushfires. Just as she hits rock bottom, she’s forced to shelter with neighbours while a fire incinerates everything she owns. Devastated and emotional in front of news cameras, Cali delivers a blistering, unfiltered rebuke to the nation’s rich to do something. Her rant goes viral, and she quickly becomes the latest celebrity face of the climate movement. Soon she’s offered a harbourside refuge by handsome tech billionaire Arlo Richard, her publisher is delighted with the new novel she’s writing, and she’s the darling of high society. But things aren’t as they seem …
Buy it here
The Bachelor Betrayal
by Maddison Michaels
Underestimating Marcus Black is the last thing his enemies ever do. After all, the respected Earl of Westwood is a deadly threat … when her Majesty needs him to be. And his only goal is to avenge his brother’s murder. Which would be much easier if the viciously-skilled Lady Kaitlyn Montrose wouldn’t swoop in, knee him in the bollocks, and then run off with his only lead …
Buy it here
Snowy Mountains Cattleman
by Alissa Callen
Interior stylist Grace Davenport has come to the mountains for solitude and a place to heal after her parents’ death. Returning to their beloved town of Bundilla, she plans to restore a local bluestone mansion in honour of their memory. She’ll just be there for the summer, until she figures out her next step. Rowan Parker never used to think twice about taking risks until his love for a woman blinded him to all common sense. But when he meets the beautiful but reserved new owner of the historic mansion he’s been hired to rebuild, he realises his best-laid plans have run aground.
Buy it here
International Romance Authors
Electric Idol
by Katee Robert
In the ultra-modern city of Olympus, there’s always a price to pay. Psyche Dimitriou knew she’d have to face Aphrodite’s jealous rage eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake … or for Aphrodite’s gorgeous son to be the one ordered to strike the killing blow. Eros has no problem shedding blood. Raised to be his mother’s knife in the dark, he’s been conditioned to accept that he’s more monster than man. But when it comes time to take out his latest target … he can’t do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche’s unexpected kindness, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he binds her to him, body and soul.
Buy it here
Keep Calm and Carry a Wand
by Shyla Colt
A body has been found, and as the days pass, the killer shows no sign of stopping. I’m feeling eyes on me wherever I go, and the oversized footprints outside of my dwelling tell a story all their own. The beast tearing people apart has its sights set on me as the next victim. It’s time to swallow my pride and pull out the big guns, a member of the Cortez vampire court.
Buy it here
Until Next Time
by Claudia Bergoa
It’s official. I’m totally hopeless at love, parenting and life. Single mom? Check. Massive debt? Check. A sassy daughter who inherited my gift of snark? Ugh. Check. I work three jobs, go to school, and do my best to be in my kid’s life. Men are the last thing on my mind. I wouldn’t have time to look at a man even if he fell into my lap. Until he does. That’s when Zach, my brother’s best friend in high school appears. I used to have a major crush on him, but I figured he forgot about me. Zach who tragically lost his wife some time ago, and now, he’s looking to save everyone—including me. A super hot fling with my old flame, with a broken man? Double check.
Buy it here
Amy’s Favourite of the Month
As an extra treat each month, I recommend one of my fave authors/reads to you. For a brand new year, I’m going to be recommending an author that’s been around for quite a while and hasn’t had a book out for some time but she is an outstanding romance author – one of my faves – and her books most definitely stand the test of time. Please give a round of applause for Jennifer Crusie.
I absolutely adore Jennifer’s books – I will/have read anything she puts out – and, in fact, credit her with one of my biggest writing epiphanies. She also has a very active, very popular blog (yes, people do still blog) which is adored by both romance authors and readers alike. There’s a lot of writer process stuff which is both fascinating and intimidating but also insightful observations about publishing and books including her own all written with her usual wit and snarky humour. You can find it here.
I can sincerely put my hand on my heart and recommend every single book of Jennifer Crusie’s but, this column calls for one so I’m going to go with Bet Me, which won the prestigious RITA award in the USA for outstanding romantic fiction in 2012.
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs, even if she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again. But Fate has other plans …
Buy it here
Start there and I promise you, you’ll be back for more.
That’s it from me until next month – take care, stay safe and happy reading!
About Amy
Amy Andrews is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling Aussie author who has written eighty plus contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She’s sold three million books and been translated into over a dozen languages including manga. She has won three Ruby awards and is a triple RITA finalist.
In her other life, she was a paediatric intensive care nurse for twenty-one years. Amy lives near the sea with her husband of thirty years.
Numbered
Mathematician and many-time Loser in Love Poppy Devine believes in being prepared. So when she discovers she has breast cancer, all she has to do is dust off the carefully numbered bucket list she prepared years before with her best friend Julia.
There are only two problems: Quentin, a gorgeous younger man with rock-star ambitions, wasn't on her list. And take-a-risk Julia, has suddenly come over all disapproving. Together with Poppy's hippy mother Scarlet, the three form an unlikely alliance to help Poppy realise her goals...
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